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Human beings are competitive creatures. If there’s a thing to be done well, people will forever vie to be the best at it. We’re certainly not strangers to it in the automotive realm, so it doesn’t surprise us when we come across another niche motorsport. Look no further than NYS FD‘s motorized ladder drill, in which a truck carrying a ladder team races from a dig to reach a gantry, where the ladder team drops from the still-moving truck to erect a ladder which one of its members must then climb to reach the gantry and complete the run.

It’s drag racing meets American Ninja Warrior. Things go wrong about as often as you’d expect, but it’s all in the name of friendly competition, and perhaps keeping sharp in the event of a real emergency. Either way you look at it, it’s spectacular.

But don’t take my word for it. NYSFDRacing posts runs from its ladder competitions (along with its other events) all over the internet. You can see all of the absurdity for yourself:

Quick Shot: Westbury C-Ladder, 2022 NYS Drill

Live on the second floor without an escape ladder? Fear not; they’ve trained for this. Although this approach certainly seems problematic for the driver in a real-world situation—not to mention the structural integrity of the home you’d be hoping to escape were this a real-world scenario. Fine, so the practical applications are limited. Who cares when it’s this objectively awesome?

C-Ladder is just one of many events in a typical competition, and while finding lay descriptions of the events is tough, there’s a published rulebook that would put your regional SCCA inspector into a tizzy. In the organizers’ defense, these people are tossing each other off the back of a truck. It would be no stretch of the imagination to think this could descend into buffoonery.

Obviously, these aren’t anything approaching “stock” ladder trucks. The rulebook requires them to have some of the basic features of an actual vehicle (brakes at all four corners, etc.), but they bear little resemblance to any modern firefighting equipment. There are limitations on vehicle length and tire size (and no duallies), and you can have only one(!) engine up to 440 cubic inches.

And no wheelie bars allowed, so please think of your friends’ dangling appendages when you launch that thing, OK?

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Our free daily newsletter sends the stories that really matter directly to you, every weekday.

The 2026 Lexus RX is a pillar in the mid-size luxury SUV segment, and for good reason. It’s comfortable, quiet, and easy to drive. In fact, it’s almost too easy to drive—so much so that you can practically fall asleep at the wheel. The RX is available in three flavors: gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. My tester came in 500h F Sport guise, meaning it’s the range-topping hybrid before crossing into plug-in territory.

The F Sport Performance model adds quite a bit of oomph to the RX’s look and feel. Its two-motor hybrid system and 2.4-liter turbo-four engine produce a total of 366 horsepower, compared to the non-F Sport’s 295. In terms of styling, it’s more aggressive, bolder, and inside, very red. It’s also a bit of a rolling contradiction.

While this model is a go-to for folks looking for a luxe SUV, buyers must beware that while some RX models may look sporty, and in this case of the F Sport Performance, it boasts a healthy hp figure, this isn’t an SUV that caters to enthusiasts. This extra power is primarily designed to help with passing on the highway or to feel some sense of sportiness when driving around town. Folks looking for better handling, steering feedback, or sporty dynamics should consider its crosstown rival, the Acura MDX Type S, or go European.

Cons

• Slightly contradicting exterior looks. The elegant and understated design clashes a bit too much with the F Sport elements, such as the body molding, larger black wheels, and orange calipers. It comes off a bit try-hard.
• It’s a similar situation inside the cabin. The red interior is too much, and it doesn’t match the RX’s overall persona.
• The F Sport seats are too heavily bolstered. This isn’t the canyon-carving SUV, its seats would lead you to believe. They are downright uncomfortable, especially if you are on the larger side.
• Even with the adaptive suspension, the F Sport package’s tire-and-wheel combo does not offer much better sporty handling. Ride quality suffers a bit in normal driving conditions.
• Confusing tech with touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, and overall, a very confusing infotainment interface.

Pros

• Serene ride. The cabin is well insulated, making for a peaceful and quiet ride down the highway.
• Steering the RX requires minimal effort in any situation, making it ideal for folks looking to get from Point A to Point B without having to think about driving.
• Sound experience. Paired with the quiet cabin, the optional $1,160 Mark Levinson premium sound system makes for a great place to pass the time on a road trip. The sound is strong and clear regardless of what kind of jams you get down to.
• Swanky rear accommodations. Rear seats get both heated and ventilated seats, as well as their own climate zone and two USB-C charging ports.
• Plenty of rear cargo space.
• Strong resale value. You can’t go wrong with a Toyota.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a luxurious but also practical and comfortable SUV, the 2026 Lexus RX should be a candidate on your list. For best results, skip the F Sport Performance trim and go for the 350h. That’ll save you some cash while getting the best RX experience.

Lexus provided The Drive with a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review. 

2026 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD Specs

The new 2027 Frontier Sport Edition is meant to bridge the gap between the budget-friendly SV grade and the rugged Pro-X. It brings yellow accent stitching to the upgraded cloth seats, “Sport” tailgate and bedside badging, and a black lower front fascia, mirrors, and grille. The existing 17-inch wheels are upgraded with 265/70R17 Hankook Dynapro all-terrain tires. Finally, front accent lighting, an aluminum skid plate, and LED fog lights complete the look.

Also joining the list of options for the 2027 Frontier is a new Alpine Metallic exterior paint color. The existing shades consist of Bluestone Pearl, Red Alert, Tactical Green Metallic, Afterburn Orange, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Glacier White, and Boulder Gray Pearl. We don’t know who named these, but that seems like a fun job.

On the tech side, the Pro Convenience package’s wireless phone charger has been upgraded to provide faster charging. There’s now Qi2 standard, which means there’s a magnet to help keep your phone in the best charging position, as well as a fan to keep it cool. A moonroof will also be offered on Pro-grade trucks with the Convenience package.

Specs-wise, not much has changed between 2026 and 2027. The Frontier still comes with Nissan’s now familiar 3.8-liter V-6, good for a claimed 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. Grades include the base S, SV, Pro-X, Pro-4X, and top-tier SL. Either the King Cab or Crew Cab body styles are offered, and 5- or 6-foot beds are available.

We’ll hear more about pricing for the 2027 Nissan Frontier shortly before the trucks start hitting dealerships this summer.