2026 IMPA TEST DAY: A GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL

2026 IMPA TEST DAY

A GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL

Tannersville, PA – First, a little ‘auto’ biography: Shortly after agreeing – in the the fall of ’93 – to supply an automotive column to a small, regional chain in suburban Dallas, I was handed the keys to an all-new Mustang by Ford’s regional PR exec, Jim Bright. And in an ongoing conversation, Jim mentioned a ‘Truck Rodeo’ organized by the Texas Auto Writers Association that fall in San Antonio. Jim encouraged me to join TAWA and register for the Truck Rodeo. This was the first Rodeo organized by the Texas Auto Writers, and beyond Jim’s recommendation I had no idea what to expect. Given that there remains a Truck Rodeo some 30+ years later, the concept proved sustainable. 

I’ve attended far fewer Test Days organized by the New York-based International Motor Press Association, but given its proximity to NYC – which remains one of the country’s largest media markets – you’d expect great participation in an all-day evaluation of new cars, trucks and SUVs by the OEMs, and an appropriate level of participation from those reporting on the industry and its products. And sure enough, at one point there was that participation, especially during those years in which the event was conducted at Pocono Raceway. Increasingly, the OEMs had grown reluctant to put their vehicles on a track with the ‘crazies’ that populate automotive journalism, so the IMPA Board chose Plan B – the Camelback Resort in Tannersville, PA for one day of evaluation on the roads winding around the resort. 

Given the tepid level of participation by those OEMs and automotive journalists in 2026, one could safely assume Camelback serves as the last resort. But rather than dwell on those manufacturers that had better things to do – a list that would exceed this article’s word count – I’d rather focus on those that showed up, even if – in showing up – they did little more than, well…show up!

The headline (if I hadn’t already written the headline) would be the appearance of McLaren and its 750S. I had tested McLaren’s GT in 2020, and last year enjoyed a long weekend with the carmaker’s Artura Spider. But those were then and this is now, and while McLaren’s Nolan Gray wasn’t prepared to give me the 750S for a long weekend, it proved to be a snappy bright spot in our abbreviated day.

That day began with a lap in Toyota’s all-new RAV4 GR Sport. I had driven this just a few weeks ago, but my co-driver Jack Ferry – most recently a freelance contributor to Automotive News – had not. And while the drive was brief, time behind the wheel served as a great reminder of how much Toyota delivers for its $50K price point. Accommodation is comfortable, acceleration is seamless, and you’re given more than enough battery to negotiate the daily commute on one all-electric charge. Toyota also had its C-HR EV, which I had recently driven via Subaru’s Uncharted variant. And the Lexus team offered the IS 350 F Sport, which I had also driven – and didn’t want to repeat that process…‘cuz then I’d want to buy one! 

Next up was Honda’s dirt-specific verson of its Passport, known in the showroom as the Passport TrailSport. Unlike some ‘offroad’ variants which depart the asphalt wearing little more than a decal kit, in 2027 the TrailSport offers almost ten inches of ground clearance via a reengineered suspension, along with the appropriate improvements to its approach and departure angles. And a shoutout also goes to the rubber, a set of Grabber A/Ts supplied by General Tire. To Honda’s credit, the whole package is assembled in these United States. 

The TrailSport’s over-the-road demeanor was excellent. And while the footprint is bigger than I’d want if negotiating tight trails, it’ll comfortably accommodate several mountain bikes for negotiating those trails. 

While around Hondas I was hoping to drive Acura’s Integra with a manual trans, but someone took out a front tire (on one of the route’s many potholes) before I had a chance to grab it.

Ford brought a longbed F-150, an Explorer with Tremor trim and a Lincoln Expedition. Ford’s Explorer Tremor is competitive with the Passport TrailSport, so we took that for a comparison. The Tremor-ized Explorer is also lifted, but that lift of 8.7 inches falls one inch short of what Honda gives the Passport. Behind the wheel the Explorer’s ride is less composed than the Honda’s, but then, the footprint also feels tidier, more immediate. I liked both, and while not sure Hondas and Fords are often cross-shopped, the thought occurs to me. 

While waiting for the McLaren – they had a list! – Jack and I took a brief ride in Hyundai’s Venue. The subcompact Venue ain’t new, but with a window sticker comfortably under $24K it speaks to affordability in a way that no Hyundai Palisade – also there – ever will. Jack and I had former PR exec Doug Love with us; Doug did the driving, Jack occupied the front passenger seat, and I stood in as everyone’s irritable uncle in back. The Venue remains a great around-town errand runner, and with around $4K down the monthlies would be less than $400. Drop the mocha Starbucks from your daily regimen and fully ½ of it’s paid for!

The last dance prior to the 750S was taken in Chrysler’s refreshed Pacifica. Without the ‘benefit’ of a plug-in drivetrain this newest Pacifica seems less responsive, but I still like the footprint and can tolerate the refreshed fascia. A minivan still makes perfect sense, which probably explains why minivan sales are but a fraction of what they once were. 

Last – BUT NOT LEAST – was my 15 minutes of McLaren. While so out of my realm in terms of design, spec and price point, it’s good to have quantifiable goals. The design is amazing, its 740 horses will get you to 60 in just over two seconds, and the $400K window doesn’t require Elon’s bank balance. 

Once the 750S shows up on used lots (for – I’ll hope – around $40K) I’m gonna’ have one. Until then, of course, I can – in the 15 minutes I had behind the wheel – savor its memory. As a last resort.