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
I've been driving the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro this week, and it turns out this thing comes with its own social network.
I made it less than a mile before another 4Runner owner honked and waved. I guess that's what happens when you drive around in Wave Maker blue, one of Toyota's best colors in a while.
This is the $70,190 version of the 4Runner, with a turbocharged hybrid making 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, FOX adjustable shocks, a locking rear differential, and enough off-road hardware to make a mountain nervous.
Good thing I'm not going anywhere near a mountain.
As it turns out it's surprisingly easy to live with, but is the TRD Pro worth the premium if you're not planning to use all that hardware?
Full review coming tomorrow!
1 day ago | [YT] | 5
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Gearbox Car Reviews
The luxury sport sedan is a crowded category, but everyone has their own idea of what makes the perfect one. Some prioritize driving dynamics, sometimes at the expense of daily comfort. Others lean more toward luxury and refinement. Audi seems to find a pretty compelling middle ground with the 2026 S5. And being a Sportback gives it a serious leg up in practicality over much of the competition.
With a turbocharged V6, 362 horsepower, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive, it's certainly not short on performance. But a supple ride, comfortable seats, and plenty of tech make it just as happy tackling the daily commute as it is taking the long way home.
At $75K as tested, it had better make a compelling case for itself. So how well does it balance comfort, performance, and practicality? And does it live up to the S badge?
Full thoughts coming tomorrow!
1 week ago | [YT] | 12
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Gearbox Car Reviews
It was a doors-up kinda day at IMPA Test Days on a beautiful fall day in the Poconos! Shout out to IMPA for organizing, and to all the automakers that brought out their new vehicles.
Lots of pictures and write-ups to come (in addition to the regularly scheduled videos)!
1 week ago | [YT] | 5
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Gearbox Car Reviews
This... is decidedly not a 2026 Hyundai Tucson. But since the Hyundai was invited to an event that I was not, I was handed the keys to a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club instead.
I've reviewed the ND3 before, but as it turns out, it's very difficult to say no to a Miata. And this is pretty much exactly how I'd spec mine.
Light weight, manual transmission, rear wheel drive. Simple. It doesn't get much better than this.
Full thoughts coming tomorrow!
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 13
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Gearbox Car Reviews
This generation of Lexus IS has been around since 2013. And for 2026, Lexus gave it *another* refresh instead of replacing it.
Honestly? I'm not all that mad about it.
While everything else is getting more screens, more software, and smaller turbocharged engines, the IS still has a naturally aspirated V6, physical buttons, and a pretty simple mission: be a good sports sedan.
Is sticking with the old formula a smart move, or is the IS finally showing its age?
I'm taking a look at the refreshed 2026 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT AWD.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 23
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Gearbox Car Reviews
The Camaro is dead. The Corvette doesn't have a manual. Even the Charger has moved on from the V8.
And somehow, Cadillac is over here building a 668-hp supercharged V8 sedan with a six-speed manual.
In 2026.
This particular one has $45k in options, because apparently a $100k+ Cadillac wasn't ridiculous enough.
I've been driving the CT5-V Blackwing, and I genuinely don't know how we got here.
Full review coming soon.
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 20
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Gearbox Car Reviews
I've been driving the 2026 Subaru WRX this week, and honestly, I didn't expect the base car to win me over like it has.
I've always said the tS would be the WRX I'd want, but this $34k Base has made a pretty compelling argument for itself. Manual, 271 hp, AWD, 18" wheels, summer performance tires, and now even keyless entry and push-button start.
Plus, Subaru gave me a purple one.
The tS is definitely the more serious performance car, but after spending some time with this one, I'm starting to think the base WRX might actually be the sweet spot.
Full review tomorrow!
1 month ago | [YT] | 18
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate!
This is the top dog Yukon. With all the bells and whistles, my tester weighs in at $112k, which is awfully close to Escalade territory. But honestly, this Yukon is awfully close to being an Escalade.
A 6.2L V8, 24" wheels, massage seats in the front and second row, and entertainment screens are just a few of the cushy options.
But is the ultimate Yukon Denali worth the price tag?
Full thoughts tomorrow!
1 month ago | [YT] | 9
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Gearbox Car Reviews
I've been waiting for this one.
I already liked the K4 sedan, but the hatchback fixes the one part I wasn't crazy about, adds a ton of practicality, and in GT-Line Turbo form gives you a 1.6T, 8-speed automatic, and sport-tuned suspension.
Oh, and I put an 87-inch exhaust in it.
So yeah, I may have a slight hatchback bias.
Full review of the 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Hatchback is up tomorrow.
1 month ago | [YT] | 13
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport i-FORCE MAX!
The last time I drove the new Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, it wasn't actually finished.
It was a pre-production truck with unfinished door panels, blue trim, and no i-FORCE MAX hybrid option.
This time, Toyota gave me the finished version.
And 465 lb-ft of torque.
Full thoughts to come tomorrow!
1 month ago | [YT] | 8
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