Stephen Fogel

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Location

San Diego, CA

School

University Of Rochester (B.A.), University Of Southern California (M.F.A.)

Expertise

Automotive Technologies, Electric Vehicles, New Vehicle Releases

• Stephen wrote a history of Tesla, both before and after Elon.
• He has enjoyed peak driving experiences throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
• Throughout his career, he has written extensively on all aspects of new automotive technologies, covering topics from infotainment and IoT to ADAS and EVs.

Experience

Stephen's love affair with cars started at the age of seven, when he started building scale models. It has continued throughout adulthood with the driving and ownership of a wide variety of full-size vehicles, from sports cars through sedans and SUVs. His career included the creation of an advertising agency, which acquired an auto racing school as a client. This gave Stephen the opportunity to learn how to drive and compete in open-wheel racing cars, giving him an added appreciation for vehicle dynamics and performance. After several decades in marketing and advertising, Stephen has been a freelance automotive writer for the past eight years, covering all aspects of the automotive scene he knows so well. He has written extensively for RepairPal, as well as for Tier 1 suppliers, EV startups, and automotive M&A consultants. Stephen has also provided content for aftermarket suppliers of exhaust systems, lighting, wheels, tires, and branded warranty products worldwide.

Education

Stephen has a bachelor's degree in film and photography from the University of Rochester (NY) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing and film production from the University of Southern California. These courses of study prepared Stephen well for both the visual aspects and the writing-related responsibilities of his advertising/marketing career – and the one as an automotive writer that followed.

Stories By Stephen Fogel

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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  6 Alternatives To The Subaru WRX

  Although the Subaru WRX is a fantastic option, there are several alternatives you may want to consider and take for a drive before making your purchase.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Do You Need Snow Tires Or Chains With AWD?

  All-Wheel Drive systems help your car grip the road, but have their limitations. In extreme winter weather, do you need snow tires or chains for your AWD car?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Every BMW Coupe You Can Buy New In 2025, Ranked By Price

  BWM's selection of coupes is bigger than ever going into 2025, and covers a variety of price points for every enthusiast. Here's a look at what to expect.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Why Did Cadillac Discontinue The Blackwing V8 Engine?

  Cadillac's Blackwing V8 was a terrific engine, and it took a ton of cash to develop. So why in the world did Cadillac stop making the Blackwing?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  6 Of The Cheapest Sports Cars You Can Get Brand New In 2025

  You don't need to spend a bunch of money to own a sports car. Here are six brand new models that can be in your driveway for under $40,000 in 2025.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  5 Of The Fastest Nissans Ever Made, Ranked By Top Speed

  Nissan has built on its racing heritage to produce some truly impressive street-going cars over the years. Here are some of the fastest Nissans ever made.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  7 Of The Highest Horsepower Cadillacs Ever Made

  Cadillac is known for making luxurious vehicles, but the long-running GM division has also produced these high-horsepower cars and SUVs over the years.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Every Production Car Powered By Bentley's Legendary W12 Engine

  Bentley's iconic W12 engine has powered some of the most stylish Bentley cars made in the last two decades. Here are all the autos powered by it.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  3 Cheaper Alternatives To The Toyota GR 86

  The Toyota GR86 is already priced relatively low for a car in its class, but are there cheaper alternatives? The answer is yes, and here they are.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Why You Don't See AMTs In The US (And How They Compare To DCTs)

  Our automotive expert explains what AMTs are, why they're so rarely seen in the United States, and how this type of transmission compare to DCTs.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  5 Of The Best 4-Door Sports Cars, Ranked By Horsepower

  While you aren't sacrificing all of your practicality, the 4-door sedan can still be capable of pushing out monstrous horsepower in spite of the back seat.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  S63 Vs. N63 Engines: What Are The Key Differences?

  The BMW S63 and N63 engines are alike in many ways, but they have some key differences that makes one more suitable for high-performance applications.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Every Porsche Sports Car Model With A Front-Mounted Engine

  Porsches started out with the driver in front of the engine, but this changed in time for some memorable models -- inlcluding one never on a road or racetrack.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  4 Cheaper Alternatives To The Volkswagen ID. Buzz

  The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the only electric minivan on sale in the U.S., but the least expensive variant costs almost $60,000. Here are some alternatives.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Toyota RAV4 Prime Vs. Hybrid: Pros & Cons Of Each

  The Toyota Rav4 has two different electrified models -- the RAV4 Hybrid and the RAV4 Prime or plug-in hybrid Here are the key differences between them.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  6 Of The Most Sought After Classic Pontiac Muscle Cars

  Pontiac made some beautiful and powerful muscle cars in the 1960s and early '70s. Here are some of the most desirable Pontiac models from that era.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Every Generation Of Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Ranked By Top Speed

  The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a beast on the track, made to win races. And as it has progressed through its generations, its top speed has changed.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  4 Signature Pontiac Design Features That Defined The Brand

  Pontiac was a cornerstone of GM's lineup for more than 75 years. During that span, the brand introduced a few design features that gave it a distinct identity.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  How Koenigsegg Turned A Ford V8 Into An Engineering Marvel

  This is the story of how the low-volume Swedish automaker Koenigsegg built Ford's modular V8 engine into a machine capable of more than 1,000 horsepower.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Engine Powered The Buick Regal Turbo-T, And How Much HP Did It Have?

  The Buick Regal Turbo-T is rare as it was only produced for one year. Here is what engine powered it and how much horsepower it had.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Why The Eighth-Generation Porsche 911 Is Called The '992'

  Ever wonder why the eighth-generation Porsche 911 is called the "992?" Well, there's a pretty complicated story behind the answer.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  How Are Rivian SUVs Powered? A Look At What Gives Life To The R1T & R1S

  By now, many drivers are familiar with Rivian as a respectable EV manufacturer, but what is the powering force behind its R1T and R1S vehicles?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Ford Bronco Outer Banks Vs. Big Bend: What's The Difference?

  The Outer Banks and Big Bend are just two available versions of the Ford Bronco. Here's a breakdown of their important similarities and differences.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  The Forgotten History Of James Bond And Jensen Motors

  James Bond famously drives an Aston Martin in his many movies. But the superspy also has several links to Britain's now-defunct Jensen Motors.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Who Makes Acura, And Is It The Same As Honda?

  Acura is known for its higher performance and luxury models, which typically stand above their Honda counterparts in terms of features and price.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  4 Alternatives To The Mercedes G-Wagon

  The Mercedes G-Wagon is a huge status symbol, but it might not be the best luxury SUV for your needs. Here are some other options that hit similar marks.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Why Did Nissan Drop The Skyline Name From The Latest GT-R Generation?

  For years, the Nissan Skyline and GT-R have existed as separate models, as opposed to their shared architecture in previous generations. Here's why.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More