MPU 300x600
MPU 300x600 - 2
2013 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD Review
Just because this SUV packs loads like a donkey doesn’t mean it has to look like a donkey. With this in mind, Honda last year revamped the uninspiring appearance of its CR-V, turning it into one of the most fetching compact SUVs in a crowded market that includes Chevy’s Equinox, Ford’s Escape, Hyundai’s Tucson, Nissan’s Rogue and Toyota’s RAV4.
Read More »2013 Lexus LX570 Review
If you use your X-Ray eyes to see through the voluptuous body cladding and semi-aniline leather of this Lexus LX570, you will recognize the eternally fine bone structure of Toyota’s iconic Land Cruiser. All in all, the LX570 is the consummate package for blazing trails through snow, rain or dirt. Yet it tackles those intimidating obstacles with a flair and flourish worthy of James Bond turned out in a tuxedo.
Read More »2013 Scion FR-S Automatic Review
It’s a lot more fun to be the driver of an FR-S than its passenger. The beauty of the F-RS is its ability to respond to such attention modification. This Toyota can be fine tuned like a formula car because its highly evolved independent suspension has all the right pieces in place to respond to tuner tweaking. At the price, nothing else comes close.
Read More »2013 Buick Verano Turbo Review
Buick has had little to offer until the advent of this Verano Turbo, a sizzling rendition of their smallest sedan. This Verano makes the perfect choice for a family of 4, with sub-teen occupants in the back seat, and a couple of enthusiast drivers up front. The buy-in is certainly right at $29,000, because you’ll find yourself spending a lot more for comparable performance from Lexus, Acura or Nissan.
Read More »2013 Grand Cherokee Overland 4×4 Review
The Overland version of the Grand Cherokee is an all-around SUV category winner. It’s fast enough to keep you out of trouble in the passing lane, and adept enough at handling to surmount any terrain it encounters. This performance sweet spot is nearly matched by its comfort profile. Best of all it is well made, comfortable and eminently affordable considering all it offers.
Read More »2013 Kia Soul Exclaim (!) Review
The happy Soul enters its 4th year of production in mildly revised form. This year, you can opt for the base model Soul, a step-up version designated Plus (+), or the full featured Soul Exclaim (!). In view of the fact that top shelf Souls have escalated in price from $17,190 in 2011 to $23,575 for this year’s loaded !, your exclamation might be limited to the steep price creep.
Read More »2013 Ford Flex-SEL AWD Review
It’s not often I lose a fight with a turn signal indicator, but the stalk on this Flex had me flummoxed. So much pressure is required to move the lever, that half the time it wouldn’t budge until after the window of need had shut. In a microcosm, that recalcitrance is emblematic of the Flex’ testy driver/vehicle interface. For example, if you want to turn the seat heaters on
Read More »2013 Mazdaspeed3 Touring Review
The Mazdaspeed3 is Weapons Grade Technology. Mazda can spend all its advertising budget touting how green SkyActiv Technology is, but what this company really does best is go fast. More drivers race more Mazdas in more US races than any other make of car. This relatively small company has dedicated itself to building a racing ladder here that starts with showroom
Read More »2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Review
When the term SUV was coined back in the late 80s to describe the Ford Explorer and its imitators, the word “sports” in the descriptor ‘sports utility vehicle’ referred to the amount of sports gear your utility vehicle could transport. It certainly didn’t mean that your SUV was sporting to drive. But all that changed when BMW debuted the X5, followed by Porsche’s introduction
Read More »2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible ‘70s Review
Leave it to those kooky imagineers at VW to come up with yet another celebratory sales concept no one’s thought of before. This latest brainstorm marks the reintroduction of the Convertible to the redone Beetle model line that debuted last year. Of course, VW product planners weren’t content to offer just any old drop top when they could instead trot out 3 specific models that celebrate
Read More »