Tony Swan, Author at NewCarTestDrive

With well over three decades of experience, Tony Swan is one of America’s senior automotive journalists. His resume includes staff positions with a number of wheels-related publications: AutoWeek, Cycle World, Car and Driver, and Motor Trend, where he was editor-in-chief during the early 1980s. Swan has also served as automotive editor for Popular Mechanics and Better Homes and Gardens, as well as a five-year stint as Auto Critic for the Detroit Free Press. In addition, he has accumulated a long list of freelance credits, including Road & Track, GQ, Popular Science, New Car Test Drive, and the New York Times.

He is a winner of the Ken Purdy award, regarded as America’s highest honor for automotive journalism, and a four-time winner in the annual International Wheel Awards, sponsored by the Detroit Press Foundation.

Wheels are also central to Swan’s recreational activities. He has been active in sports car racing at amateur and semi-professional levels since 1980, and continues to hold a Sports Car Club of America National Competition license. His on-track achievements include three SCCA Divisional championships, five appearances in the annual SCCA National Championship Runoffs, and participation in 35 24-hour races.

Born in Minneapolis, Swan attended the University of Minnesota, and began his journalistic career as a sports writer with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He is a founding member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, and is headquartered in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Reviews by Tony Swan

2019 Hyundai Kona

Kona is a region on the island of Hawaii, the biggest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. And now it’s also the name of a new motor vehicle, the smallest in the...
2019 Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta nameplate dates to 1979, a compact sedan that has been Volkswagen’s U.S. bestseller almost every year since. Along with the Golf hatchback (nee: Rabbit), the Jetta made its debut...
2019 Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is an all-new crossover sport-utility that replaces the Tribeca. Subaru kept it simple insofar as powertrain choices are concerned, with one engine offered, a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder;...
2018 Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is all-new for 2018, slightly larger, roomier, more refined, yet with improved off-road capability. The 2018 Wrangler comes in two-door and four-door Unlimited models. Jeep is a brand...
2019 Jeep Cherokee

Dormant until its 2014 revival, Cherokee is a name that has a special place in Jeep history as the vehicle that essentially launched the sport-utility boom back in 1974. Prior to...
2017 Genesis G90

The 2017 Genesis G90 is a totally new luxury sedan from Hyundai, larger than any previous Genesis, and available with all-wheel drive and a V6 or V8 engine. Brand startups are...
2017 Nissan Armada

The 2017 Nissan Armada is all-new. Thanks to King Phillip II of Spain, Armada is a word that’s had massive nautical connotations ever since 1588. However, at Nissan the word is...
2017 Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE is the brand’s new compact four-door, conceived and designed to be a serious challenger in a sport sedan market segment that’s been defined and ruled for decades by...
2017 Fiat 124

The proportions are classic and so is the name, which conjures up memories of the sweet little roadster that graced Fiat showrooms from 1966 to 1982, and later reappeared as the...
2017 Honda Ridgeline

The all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline is a unique pickup. Unique is a word that suffers a lot of misuse in the automotive lexicon. For example, we hear the term “very unique”...
2016 Honda Civic Coupe

Just reaching showrooms, the new Honda Civic Coupe is the second chapter of a Civic renaissance that will embrace the most comprehensive lineup in the 43-year history of this Honda icon,...
2016 Volkswagen Passat

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is freshened with styling and technology updates that help to make it one of the more appealing sedans in its class. Passat is a nameplate that goes...
2017 Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler invented the minivan and has now reinvented it with the all-new 2017 Pacific, a vehicle packed with technology, boasting at least 100 safety features, chock-a-block with family-friendly enhancements, available in...
2017 Kia Sportage

The all-new 2017 Kia Sportage enters its fourth generation with a major redesign that puts a little less emphasis on sport and a lot more emphasis on quality and comfort. Not...
2017 Hyundai Elantra

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is all-new, an attractive compact sedan with impressive quality creds and a strong value proposition. Elantra competes with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Like any major...
2016 Cadillac CT6

CT6 is the latest flag-carrier for Cadillac, an all-new car conceived, like other recent Cadillac four-doors, to challenge the Teutonic trio-Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz-that dominates the luxury sedan market. It is not...
2015 Dodge Dart

A fixture at the entry end of the Dodge lineup from 1960 through 1976, the Dart was discontinued in 1977. Decades later, for the 2013 model year, it was resuscitated, affixed...
2017 Ford GT

The 2017 Ford GT, the second generation of the mid-engine supercar inspired by the GT40 that won the Le Mans 24-hour race four times, was revealed at the 2015 North American...
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

An all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor goes on sale fall 2016 boasting more power and lightweight construction that will reduce its curb weight by about 500 pounds. When it was launched...
2016 Lexus GS F

Introduced at January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2016 Lexus GS F will be the latest manifestation of the F series strategy when it rolls into Lexus showrooms...