Welcome to Gearbox Car Reviews!
My name is Jason and I have a driving problem. I like to drive, but I don't have the budget for Jay Leno's garage. So I figured being one of those car review guys would be the perfect solution. I'll find whatever I can get my hands on and share some info about the cars and share some background info and the drive with you.
If you're in central CT and you have a car that I can take for a spin, please feel free to reach out! There are a lot of interesting cars coming down the pike, so I'm hoping to be a part of the last hurrah, before gas-powered cars fade away.
If you like the reviews and background info on different cars, make sure to subscribe and share. If you don't like the reviews, subscribe anyway so that I can get access to more cars and find something you're into!
Thanks & enjoy!
Jason
Gearbox Car Reviews
The Volkswagen Atlas is on the brink of a new generation, but I recently spent some time with the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Premium R-Line!
This family hauler has a surprising amount of space for a mid-size three-row--the sliding seats certainly help with legroom, and the tall greenhouse mean height's not an issue. And you can choose to get it as a 6-seater or a 7-seater, even up in the top spec.
The Atlas also comes with tons of standard features, creature comforts and driving support.
It's powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 269-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic is standard, as is front-wheel-drive, but you can opt for a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system (depending on trim).
Full thoughts to come!
1 day ago | [YT] | 11
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Gearbox Car Reviews
Want a practical, all-wheel-drive, NA hatchback that doesn't break the bank? Your choices are extremely limited, but Mazda's got you covered!
This is the 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback Carbon Edition painted in Polymetal Grey--though this year Mazda has opened the Carbon up to black and white as well. They've also quietly dropped the Carbo Turbo from the lineup. And sticker for this particular car has only gone up by $5 from last year, hitting $30,765 (before destination).
The hood houses a 2.5L Skyactiv-G naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder that makes 186-hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Power goes through all four wheels in this particular trim. And a 6-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Mazda is keeping manuals alive, but only in the front-wheel-drive, Premium hatchback.
Full thoughts to come!
1 week ago | [YT] | 19
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Gearbox Car Reviews
The mk5 Supra is bowing out with the 2026 Final Edition!
This isn't just a sticker pack--in fact, the sticker pack is optional--there are actually some performance upgrades here. The Final Edition carbon fiber ducktail, carbon fiber mirror caps, increased camber at both ends, bigger front brakes, extra bracing, and suspension tweaks.
Choosing the special edition unlocks the GT4 Style Pack, which gets you matte black (Undercover) or white (Burnout) paint, dark wheels, a matte black Supra logo, and a wind buffeting kit (the little mirror nubs).
Power still comes through a 3.0L twin-scroll turbo straight-six (B58), power still goes through the rear wheels exclusively (limited-slip standard), and you still get to choose between the row-your-own 6-speed manual and a quick-shifting ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.
Full thoughts to come!
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 14
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series!
This is the end of the line for the LC 500, unfortunately, with production ending in August of 2026. The final year includes another Inspiration Series, limited to 350 units for the convertible and 200 for the coupe for the North American market.
The convertible version of the special edition comes exclusively in Wind [read: gray], with a silver and brown top, some dark chrome accents, and a white interior. The coupe version is matte Smoke Gray over black and white.
Both Inspiration Series come fully loaded with performance dampers, limited-slip-differential, head-up display, Mark-Levinson sound system, and more. The coupe adds performance brakes as well.
Under the hood is a familiar 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 that makes 471-hp and 398 lb-ft of torque--in addition to gorgeous sounds. A 10-speed auto is standard, as is rear-wheel-drive.
Whether you opt for the Inspiration Series or not, this timeless beauty offers plenty of choice, from great paint colors, interior options, performance, and more. This is a special car that will be missed for sure.
Full thoughts to come.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 35
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Gearbox Car Reviews
I've already covered the Q5's big updates for 2025 (some of which is already about to change for 2026), but I took in a spin in the quicker, more aggressive brother, the SQ5.
The SQ5 is set apart by it's bigger engine, more aggressive tuning, sport-tuned air suspension, sportier appearance, seats, flat-topped steering wheel, and more.
The hood houses a 3.0L turbo V6 that pumps out 362-hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is still a 7-Speed S Tronic (DCT), and drivetrain is still Quattro all-wheel-drive.
Full thoughts to come on the differences between the Q5 and the SQ5, as well as some of what's coming down the pike for 2026.
4 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 9
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Gearbox Car Reviews
Unfortunately, no video this week due to extenuating circumstances. Polestar was gracious enough to get me back on the Polestar 4 schedule for a later date, so that one will still be coming. Back to your regularly scheduled programming next weekend.
Current pipeline for those following along at home:
Audi SQ5
Lexus LC 500 Convertible
Toyota Supra Final Edition M/T
Mazda Mazda3 Carbon Hatchback
Volkswagen Atlas
Polestar 4
Land Rover Defender OCTA
Cadillac Escalade V
Subaru Outback Touring XT
Mercedes E 53
Volkswagen Tiguan
Acura ADX
More to come! Stay tuned!
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 11
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Gearbox Car Reviews
G87 BMW M2!
The M2 got a big update in 2023, with a bit of a refresh for 2025, and I spent some time out in LA with this refreshed M2!
2025 brought new colors (including this Vegas Red), a bump in horsepower and torque, and some re-kajiggered options.
Power still comes through a 3.0L straight six with twin-turbos (S58), but now it makes 473-hp and 443 lb-ft (vs 453 and 404, respectively). Rear-drive is still the only drivetrain. And you still have a choice between a ZF 6-speed manual and a ZF 8-speed automatic, though if you opt for the manual you don't get the torque bump, unfortunately.
There's a fresh new flat-bottomed steering wheel, carbon buckets can be optioned without the full carbon package, and iDrive 8.5 replaces the iDrive 8 system.
The only change for 2026 is the addition of a monster M2 CS with more power, carbon ceramic brakes, and more.
Full thoughts on the non-CS to come!
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 17
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black!
Genesis is still holding strong when it comes to their large executive sedan. Updates for this year include flat windshield wipers with integrated washers, updated alert sounds, and a new Black Edition!
The Prestige Black is built on top of the E-Supercharged, which means you get all the goodies: heated, ventilated, massage in front AND rear seats, air suspension, active rear steering, and of course, the supercharger. In addition, you get black accents all over, black badges, exclusive black wheels, gorgeous black wood trim on the interior, exclusive quilted semi-aniline leather seats and more.
My tester's twin-turbo V6 and e-supercharger combine for 409-hp and 405 lb-ft, with an 8-speed auto as your only transmission option and a heavily rear-biased all-wheel-drive system as your only drivetrain.
This beast is cushy, quick, and looks great with the black trim.
Full thoughts to come!
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 30
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Gearbox Car Reviews
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is bigger, boxier, cushier, classier...and it comes in brown!
The Palisade has been updated, and the changes aren't subtle. It's gotten a full redesign, with a longer overall length, longer wheelbase, and shorter front overhang. Stacked headlights and taillights and a horizontal pattern through the front grille add to the wide presence.
There are two new powertrains including a hybrid and a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6. My tester has the latter. It's interesting to see a company putting effort into a new NA V6 in a time of turbos and electrification, but this new motor makes about the same hp and torque as the outgoing 3.8L at 287-hp and 260 lb-ft vs 292 and 262, with slightly better efficiency numbers.
The Palisade is still offered in either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid uses a 6-speed auto.
There's now an optional fully integrated dashcam, a phone cleaner, and you have full control over the second and third row seats from the infotainment and from the rear cargo area.
Seating capacity is 7 or 8, depending on trim, and the Palisade is still the only vehicle I've been in with a heated third row option (this gen and last). Front seats are offered with heat, ventilation, relaxation mode, and massage (driver only for massage :( ), while captains chairs get heat, ventilation, and relaxation mode as an option.
Full thoughts to come!
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 18
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Toyota Sienna!
If you need space for people and stuff, there is no better vehicle out there than a minivan. And if you want a hybrid, there's no one doing it better than Toyota.
In addition to a new Heavy Metal paint color, there are a lot of new standard features on the Sienna. The LE (base) gains 2 extra speakers (8 total), roof rails, an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, a power tailgate, rear window shades, a windshield, and a 1 year Remote Connect trial. The XSE gains roof rails and turn signals in the mirrors, and the XLE gains roof rails, turn signals in the mirrors, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system.
The Sienna is still using Toyota's hybrid system II, with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, a nickel-metal hydride battery and two or three motors depending on drivetrain, as it's offered in either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. Combined system output is 245-hp, and an eCVT is the only transmission option.
And it's offered as either a 7-seater or an 8-seater.
Full thoughts to come!
1 month ago | [YT] | 16
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