Mercedes-Benz has built an all-electric luxury van with close to 400 miles of projected range, and I drove it for the first time in Bilbao, Spain.

This is the Mercedes-Benz VLE, a new electric people-mover that Mercedes calls a “Grand Limousine.” Yes, it has sliding doors. Yes, it is technically a van. But after spending time behind the wheel and in the rear seat, the bigger question is whether America’s obsession with giant luxury SUVs is about to look a little silly.

The VLE is designed around comfort, silence, access, space, and long-range electric travel. With seating for up to eight, rear-axle steering, AIRMATIC air suspension, an 800-volt charging system, and projected range close to 400 miles, this could become the ultimate airport shuttle, hotel transport, executive vehicle, family luxury hauler, or black-car alternative.

In this first drive review, I look at why the Mercedes-Benz VLE matters, how it compares to an Escalade-style luxury SUV, why electric power makes so much sense for chauffeured transport, and whether America is ready to accept that the most luxurious vehicle may not be an SUV at all.

Is the Mercedes VLE the future of luxury travel, or just a very expensive electric van with excellent manners?

Watch the full review and decide for yourself.

#MercedesVLE #MercedesBenz #ElectricVan #LuxuryEV #TestMiles

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The Land Rover Defender OCTA is the most powerful Defender ever built — and I went all the way to South Africa to find out if this 626-horsepower luxury off-roader is actually as wild as it sounds.

This is not just a Defender with more power. The OCTA gets a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8, a 0–60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds, 6D Dynamics suspension, Brembo brakes, OCTA Mode for performance off-roading, and the deepest wading capability of any production Defender.

But numbers only tell part of the story. South Africa gives this SUV the perfect playground: rocky trails, deep sand, dramatic scenery, wildlife encounters, and the kind of terrain that exposes whether a luxury SUV is truly capable or just pretending.

In this video, I test the Defender OCTA on-road, off-road, and through some of the most spectacular scenery you can imagine. It is fast, expensive, extremely capable, and completely ridiculous in all the right ways.

Is the Defender OCTA the ultimate luxury adventure SUV, or has Land Rover gone too far?

Watch and find out.

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This is the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 — a three-row luxury SUV with 603 horsepower, a flat-plane crank V8, 0–60 in 4.1 seconds, and a top speed of 174 mph.

Why does something this big need that much power? That’s exactly the point.

In this Test Miles drive, Nik Miles takes a closer look at the AMG GLS 63, from its redeveloped V8 and mild-hybrid boost to its air suspension, AMG drive modes, 23-inch wheels, and wild ability to make a family SUV feel like a performance machine.

It is practical. It is ridiculous. It is unnecessary. And it is absolutely magnificent.

Subscribe for more car reviews, first drives, luxury SUVs, performance cars, EVs, and automotive stories from Test Miles.

#MercedesAMG #GLS63 #LuxurySUV

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Operation Frodo EV began with one rescued beagle and grew into a mission that now reaches millions of people with one simple idea: every dog deserves a second chance.

In this special Test Miles story, Nik Miles joins a summer electric vehicle convoy moving rescue dogs from overcrowded shelters toward fosters, adopters, and rescue partners waiting in the West. The mission uses the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Kia EV9, Hyundai IONIQ 9, and Lucid Gravity to show how quiet cabins, long range, climate control, cargo space, and fast charging can make a real difference for nervous rescue dogs on the road.

This is not just a story about EVs. It is a story about Honey, Frodo, Gala, and the volunteers who drive hundreds of miles because one open door can change a life.

Follow Operation Frodo and support the mission at AnimalRescueRigs.com.

Featured vehicles:
Cadillac Escalade IQ
Kia EV9
Hyundai IONIQ 9
Lucid Gravity

#OperationFrodo #RescueDogs #ElectricVehicles #TestMiles #NikMiles

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The 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition is here, and it hits the nostalgia button hard. Inspired by the legendary Z32 300ZX, this special Z blends retro design cues with modern twin-turbo performance, a manual gearbox, and just enough attitude to remind everyone why the Nissan Z still matters.

In this review, Nik Miles takes a closer look at the 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition, including its Z32-inspired styling, 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6, available 6-speed manual transmission, modern tech, safety features, and how it stacks up against rivals like the Toyota GR Supra and Ford Mustang GT.

We also look at the full 2026 Nissan Z lineup, including Sport, Performance, and NISMO models. The NISMO turns up the power to 420 horsepower with upgraded suspension, wider rear wheels, Dunlop performance tires, and a sharper track-ready personality.

Is the 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition just a styling package, or is it one of the most emotionally satisfying sports cars you can still buy? Watch the full review and decide if Nissan has finally built the modern nostalgia machine Z fans have been waiting for.

Subscribe for more real-world car reviews, first drives, automotive news, and performance car stories from Nik Miles and Test Miles.

Tags:
2026 Nissan Z, Nissan Z Heritage Edition, 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition, Nissan 300ZX, Z32 300ZX, Nissan Z review, 2026 Nissan Z review, Nissan Z manual, Nissan Z NISMO, 2026 Nissan Z NISMO, twin turbo V6, Nissan sports car, Toyota Supra rival, Nissan Z vs Supra, affordable sports car, manual sports car, modern 300ZX, Z car history, Nissan Z32 tribute, Nik Miles, Test Miles

Hashtags:
#NissanZ #NissanZHeritageEdition #300ZX #Z32 #SportsCar #CarReview #TestMiles

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This is the Rivian R2, and it may be the electric SUV that takes Rivian from cool startup to mainstream American success story.

Rivian has already proved it can build desirable electric adventure vehicles, but the R2 is different. This is the smaller, more affordable, more practical SUV aimed directly at the heart of the EV market — where the Tesla Model Y has dominated for years.

In this video, Nik Miles drives the Rivian R2 in Park City, Utah, and looks at why this SUV matters so much for Rivian’s future. With up to 345 miles of estimated range, available dual-motor all-wheel drive, 656 horsepower, a 3.6-second zero-to-sixty time, a drop-down rear glass, flat-folding seats, clever storage, and access to Tesla Superchargers through NACS, the R2 could be Rivian’s biggest moment yet.

But the real question is not just whether the R2 is fast or clever. It is whether Rivian can build enough of them, price them right, and convince mainstream buyers to choose it over Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and the rest of the EV field.

Is the Rivian R2 the SUV that finally puts Rivian shoulder to shoulder with Tesla?

Watch the full drive and find out.

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America is turning 250, and the way we cross the country has changed almost beyond belief. Once, families packed wagons, risked everything, and spent months chasing a new life across dangerous trails. Today, Nik Miles crosses America in a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT with navigation, climate control, charging tech, podcasts, and BlueCruise.

In this episode, we compare the real cost of crossing America by wagon with the modern American road trip — and why Ford’s Fourth of July “Employee Pricing for All” campaign fits into a much bigger story about freedom, mobility, and how the automobile changed the country.

From wagon wheels to the Model T to today’s electric vehicles, America’s urge to move has never gone away. The technology just got a lot more comfortable.

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America’s newest status symbol may not be a sports car anymore. It might be a rugged SUV with leather, brass accents, 35-inch tires, and enough outdoor credibility to make a luxury campground nervous.

This is the Ford Bronco Filson, a collaboration between Ford and the legendary Seattle outdoor brand Filson. It blends serious off-road hardware with heritage luxury, including quilted leather, woven materials, Filson-inspired storage, Sasquatch off-road capability, Fox shocks, locking differentials, and a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6.

But the real story is bigger than one SUV. Luxury buyers are changing. Chrome, polish, and valet parking are being replaced by mud, dogs, boots, coffee, camping gear, and the idea that something expensive should look better with a few scratches.

In this episode, Nik Miles takes a closer look at whether the Bronco Filson is just another special edition — or one of the smartest lifestyle vehicles Ford has built in years.

Like and subscribe for more automotive reviews, car culture stories, and the vehicles shaping how America drives.

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Big trucks are getting more expensive, harder to park, and thirstier than ever. But compact and midsize pickups are quietly becoming some of the smartest vehicles in America.

In this video, Nik Miles breaks down five trucks that prove you don’t need an $80,000 full-size pickup to tow, haul, commute, and still have fun.

We look at the Ford Maverick Lobo, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado — including towing numbers, horsepower, technology, comfort, off-road capability, and which one makes the most sense for real buyers.

From the racetrack-inspired Maverick Lobo to the bulletproof Tacoma and the tech-packed Colorado, these are the trucks changing what Americans actually need from a pickup.

Featured trucks:
Ford Maverick Lobo
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Ford Ranger
Toyota Tacoma
Chevrolet Colorado

Which small truck would you buy?

Subscribe for more automotive reviews, buyer advice, and brutally honest car stories from Test Miles.

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