Automotive Reviews

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2015 Honda Civic Review: Dependable transportation defined

Now in the fourth year of its ninth generation, the Honda Civic remains among the most successful automobiles in history. The compact, which debuted in 1972, is available as a coupe and sedan. And it’s offered in nearly a dozen trims and in three fuel choices — gas, hybrid and natural gas. The 2015 edition gains a trim level, but overall the Civic remains the same as the 2014 model as a coupe and sedan and in LX, EX, SE, EX-L and EX-L Navi (navigation) trims. The Weekly Driver Test Drive In its base LX model, the Civic is equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a one-piece fold-down rear seatback and cruise control.

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Cheapest 2015 Car in the United States? Smart ForTwo

The Smart ForTwo is the cheapest new 2015 car sold in the United States, just edging out the Nissan Versa and leading the only four new vehicles in the country this year priced at less than $15,000. The Smart ForTwo has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of of $14,020, about $300 less the Nissan Versa, the cheapest new car available in 2014. The vehicle’s manufacturer says of the Smart ForTwo Pure Coupe: “The pure coupe is everything you need and nothing you don’t — it’s smart in its purest form. You get the best of both worlds: 5-speed smart shift transmission with automatic mode (for fun), hill start assist, and it’s packed with lots of safety features such as eight

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2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review: Green Car of the Year

Now in its fifth year and second generation, the Ford Fusion Hybrid debuted with its twin, the Mercury Milan Hybrid, in March 2009. The Mercury Milan hybrid has been defunct since 2010. But the Ford Fusion Hybrid continues to improve and build larger audiences as a top choice in the gasoline-electric hybrid segment. The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid includes small changes, but in major areas, the three trim levels remain the same as the inaugural second generation unveiled in 2013. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly test vehicle was the top-line Titanium trim. It includes all of the features on the standard and optional list present on the SE trim. But it also adds: remote start, sport front seats

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2014 Ford Fiesta Review: Sporty, limited subcompact

Now in its seventh generation, the Ford Fiesta subcompact debuted in 1976 and is third all-time in the carmaker’s sales behind F-Series pick-up trucks and the Ford Escort. In the 2014 edition, the Fiesta is available in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback. Both are available in S, SE and Titanium trim levels. The high-performance ST model, new for 2014, is available only as a hatchback. The Weekly Driver’s Test Drive Unveiled at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Fiesta ST, a five-door hatchback — my weekly driver — is available only in North America. It was first publicly available in spring 2013 as a 2014 model. It features a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a

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2015 Subaru Outback Review: Safe, rugged, versatile

Now in its sixth generation, the newly designed 2015 Subaru Outback further blurs the segment distinction between wagon and crossover sport utility vehicle. By any category name, the Subaru Outback is alone in the auto industry. No other car looks similar and there are no direct competitors to the family-oriented, all-wheel drive vehicle and its special consideration to those who travel with their pets. The Audi Allroad and Volvo XC70 also offer all-wheel drive, turbo-charged power and superior interiors to the Outback, but both have substantially higher starting prices. The 2015 top-line Outback 3.6R Limited begins at $32,995, while the Volvo XC70 has a starting MSRP of $37,825 and the Audi All-Road begins at $42,400. The Weekly Driver Test Drive

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2015 Chrysler 200 Review: Watch out Honda Accord

The 2015 Chrysler 200 marks the inauguration of the midsize sedan’s second generation. Introduced in late 2010 as a replacement for the much-maligned Sebring, the Chrysler 200 was named via a keen marketing idea as the smaller and younger sibling of the Chrysler 300. While the new model features a host of new features, 2015 also marks the demise of the previous generation’s convertible option. Like the Sebring, the Chrysler 200 Convertible has now been relegated to used car lots and in leftover fleet purchases for rental agencies. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2015 Chrysler 200 was my second straight weekly driver sedan test vehicle. And like the Kia K900 I drove on a 900-mile roundtrip trek to Los

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2015 Mazda CX-9 Review: Sporty SUV for seven shines

Vehicles with a sporty nature need not be coupes or convertibles. Mazda has been injecting its vehicles with a decidedly sporty nature for years. The 2015 CX-9 crossover is no exception. The four-door hatchback CX-9 drives much like a worthy large sedan, with nicely weighted and accurate power steering, agile handling, supple ride and friendly acting brake pedal. It’s enjoyable to drive. Helping keeping things safe and stable are anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, besides Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System and Roll-Stability Control. Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, backup sensors and a rearview camera are standard on Touring and Grand Touring models and not available on the base Sport. For added safety’s sake,

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2015 Kia K900 Review: Luxury, value and car of the year?

The 2015 Kia K900 is the first rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan — and most expensive car — ever offered by the South Korean manufacturer. It debuted in 2012 in South Korea and just about everywhere else in June 2013 as the K9 and Opirus. But about 1 1/2 years into its tenure it’s just beginning to attract attention as the K900 in the U.S. market outside of auto shows and expensive television commercials. The Weekly Driver’s Test Drive With its addition of the oddly named K900, Kia is attempting to infiltrate the tough, luxury sedan market chocker-block full well-heeled machines: the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS, Audi A8, Cadillac XTS and the Kia’s corporate sibling, the Hyundai Equus.

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2014 Kia Optima hybrid Review: Sexy, economy, value

You need not look hard to find a sexy, practical sedan these days. If you want the looks of a costly Italian sedan and high fuel economy need look no farther than the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid, which has few changes for 2015. The mid-size front-drive Optima sedan has made Kia a significant player in the U.S. market. The gas-electric hybrid version has helped things along. With racy styling, high fuel economy and reasonable prices, the Optima Hybrid seems as if you can have your cake and eat it, too. Changes for 2014 include front and rear fascia updates that increase aerodynamic efficiency, front LED lighting, newly designed and more aerodynamic 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels that reduce weight and

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2015 Honda CR-V Review: SUV segment leader even better

The Honda CR-V has been attractive to Americans since its U.S. debut in 1997. Since arriving about the same time as the rival Toyota RAV4, it’s been among the top-selling small SUVs and is keeping up the pace with major improvements for 2015. Honda was a master at giving its 2015 Fit small car impressive interior room, and it continues its roominess tradition with the new CR-V, which also can be called a crossover vehicle. Despite its roominess, the new CR-V only has a 103.1-inch wheelbase and is about 180 inches long, which allows it to fit in just moderately sized parking spaces. All doors of this four-door hatchback open wide, and there’s good front and rear occupant room in

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2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC Review: Big deal compact

Mercedes-Benz is out to make a bigger splash in the compact car market with its 2015 C300 4MATIC sedan. While its styling is sleeker, the new C300 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) is not a sports sedan, although it’s athletic with quick variable-ratio steering, sure handling and confidence-inspiring brakes. Rather, it’s for those who want a responsive in-town car and a solid, luxurious interstate cruiser. My test car had the optional ($1,190) air suspension, which provided an impressively smooth ride. The standard steel suspension setup is all-wheel independent and most likely provides a good ride. After all, this car is luxury oriented. Mercedes sedans once had rather stark interiors, but the super-quiet interior of the C300 4MATIC has undergone a major upgrade

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2015 Dodge Challenger Review: Smooth, powerful, fast

The 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack is not too late to the party. Chrysler‘s Dodge division was late to the hot 1960s muscle car scene, which was fading fast when Dodge announced its 1970 Challenger coupe. That was too bad because the Challenger was the slickest looking muscle “pony car” (think Mustang and Camaro), and you could get it with Chrysler’s famous 425 horsepower “Hemi” V8. It’s surprising that Chrysler wasn’t quicker on the trigger with the Challenger because its 1955 C300 coupe was America’s first mass-produced 300-horsepower car with its Hemi V-8. It was the most powerful U.S. model that year. But history has lots of twists, and you can get a 2015 Dodge Challenger with a V-6

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2015 Lexus IS 250: Comfort, control, cool

Following its extensive redesign last year, the 2015 Lexus IS 250 includes a few technology interface updates. But the compact entry-level luxury sedan largely remains a twin of its one-year older sibling. Powered by a 2.5-liter, 24-valve V6 delivering 204 horsepower, the 2015 Lexus IS 250 is offered only with a six-speed automatic transmission, but there’s a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. The Weekly Driver Test Drive While not the fastest nor the most economical, Lexus always does interiors and exteriors right. The IS 250 may be the entry level for the luxury line, but it’s made with top-line materials. Leather, wood and metallic accents are used liberally. And even when plastic is used, it works. The comfort of

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2015 Nissan Versa Note Review: Inexpensive but not cheap

It doesn’t seem like the Nissan Versa has been around for nine years. What might be the confusion (at least for me) is the Nissan Versa Note (the hatchback version). It debuted in the summer of 2013 as a 2014 model to replace the Nissan Versa hatcback. And with the 2015 Nissan Versa Note, the subcompact already has changes. It’s now also available in SR and SV trims, increasing consumers’ options to five trims. The Weekly Driver Test Drive As an entry-level sub-compact, what exactly can a consumer expect for a vehicle with a base price of $17,530.00? That’s less than half of the average price of new car in the United States. The answer, depending upon trim and option

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Ford F-150 again tops best-selling vehicle list

The Ford F-150 pick-up truck and the Toyota Corolla don’t appear to have much in common. But they do. The Ford-150 had been made for 67 years; the Toyota Corolla is now 43 years old. The two enduring vehicles are perennially on the top-10 selling vehicle list in the United States. Although 2014 totals won’t be tallied until early January 2015, the Ford 150 will again lead the top-10 vehicle sales for the year. It will mark the 44th consecutive year the F-150 will lead truck sales. The Toyota Corolla may not lead the pack, but its enduring popularity is remarkable. Several years ago, it became the best-selling vehicle in history. Here’s a synopsis of the Ford F-150 and Toyota

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Honda Fit, Nissan Versa among top cheap cars

The Tata Nano was all the rage a few years ago when it was introduced in India as a new car for about $2,500. In the past year, the Elio, a three-wheel concept vehicle with a price of $6,800, has gotten a lot of attention as the first of several pending forward-thinking cheap cars for the masses in the United States. Since neither car is available in this country, two of the most popularity vehicles in the crowd entry level segment are the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa Note. And a cheap new car in the United States means a starting price of about $15,000 for a base model, sometimes a little more, sometimes slightly less. That’s about half

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