
Thom Blackett
Thom is a lifelong car nut, owning cars ranging from Datsuns to Mustang GTs and, currently, a Hemi-powered Ram 1500. He has spent the past 15 years writing objective, thorough vehicle reviews and consumer-focused feature articles for Autobytel.com, Kelley Blue Book, The Boston Globe, Cars.com, and other leading websites and publications.
Articles written by this author:

1987 Toyota Corolla Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Competitively priced with a configuration for almost any buyer, the 1987 Toyota Corolla leads the compact class by example.

1979 Ford F-150 Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Ford aims to maintain its hold on bestselling truck status by making only minor changes to the 1979 F-150.

2019 Nissan NV Cargo Preview
by Thom Blackett
The venerable work van is integral to the successful operation of countless businesses across the country. Yet, General Motor...
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2019 Nissan NV Passenger Preview
by Thom Blackett
For decades, full-size work vans were workhorses offered exclusively by domestic automakers. That changed when Nissan introdu...
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2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Preview
by Thom Blackett
Mercedes is a brand with a rich history, one that has included different generations of the SL-Class since the 1950s. The cur...
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2019 Audi Q7 Preview
by Thom Blackett
Introduced for 2007, the Audi Q7 made a fashionably late debut into the crossover segment that was already home to models lik...
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2019 Lexus RX Hybrid Preview
by Thom Blackett
More than 20 years after its initial release, the Lexus RX Hybrid, most recently updated for 2017, continues to serve those w...
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2019 Lexus RX Preview
by Thom Blackett
Lexus launched its first RX model in 1999, when the car-based crossover segment was still in its infancy. Since then, the RX ...
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2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Preview
by Thom Blackett
Nearly two full decades have passed since Toyota introduced the Highlander to the world, but the first Highlander Hybrid did...
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2019 Toyota Highlander Preview
by Thom Blackett
Introduced in 2000, the Toyota Highlander underwent its most recent update for 2017. This popular 3-row crossover enters 2019...
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2015 RAM ProMaster City Preview
by Thom Blackett
There is, as they say, a tool for every job. That’s a fact I’ve come to understand firsthand since moving into a house in nee...
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2014 Chevrolet Malibu Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Chevrolet’s engineers deserve credit for steering that’s tight and sporty at high speeds while demanding little effort at slo...
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2014 Subaru Impreza Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Although the 4-banger has ample grunt on paper, in reality it feels sluggish, due in no small part to a CVT that lacks the so...
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2014 Volkswagen Jetta Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Punchy little bugger. A sport sedan in an Izod-collared shirt. Very easy and fun to drive fast on twisty roads. Those are a f...
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2014 Buick Enclave Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
[I]f you’re in a bit of a hurry or simply anxious to get home, the Enclave is a vehicle you can comfortably stick in the left...
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2014 Nissan Versa Note Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
On the ride and handling front, the Versa Note proved itself to be ideally suited for city driving and daily commuting.

2014 Volvo S60 Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
[T]he R-Design’s powertrain was just flat-out fun to play with on seldom-traveled back roads, doling out ample grunt accented...
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2014 Buick LaCrosse Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
The 2014 LaCrosse remains composed when tackling sweeping turns, and the steering exhibits a pleasant weightiness at higher s...
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2014 Jeep Cherokee Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
The Cherokee’s V6 served up more power than even a lead-footed enthusiast like me needs to be happy.

2014 Ford Mustang Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Under hard acceleration, the 5.0-liter engine pulls eagerly deep into redline territory, and it does so without a significant...
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2014 Chevrolet Impala Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
The 2014 Impala attract[ed] the attention of more than a few rubberneckers…. Some applauded the Impala’s styling, others like...
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2014 Kia Sorento Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Though a heavy right foot often precludes me from enjoying fuel economy on par with the EPA estimates, my Sorento actually ov...
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2013 Honda Civic Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Over the course of hundreds of miles driven throughout northern New England, I found the Civic's little four-banger to be ide...
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2013 RAM 1500 Test Drive Review
by Thom Blackett
Wide and offering multiple adjustments, the heated and cooled front seats were more inviting than any chair I have at home...