Automotive Reviews

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2014 Mitsubishi Mirage: Thrifty hatchback for tight budgets

Mitsubishi has come up with an affordable fuel-sipper. The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback sedan is rated as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid gasoline car in its class sold in the United States if equipped with its continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. That should be impressive enough to get the thrifty or those on tight budgets interested in this subcompact, which has been sold overseas since 2012. The Mirage’s estimated highway economy with its CVT is an impressive 44 miles per gallon, while the city number is 37. The Mirage also comes with a five-speed manual gearbox. Estimated figures with the manual are 42 highway, 34 city. The Mirage should be especially appealing to young buyers with only a small to moderate

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REVIEW: 2014 Toyota 4Runner ruggedly defines SUV

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner continues to define the original meaning of a sport utility vehicle. It’s a long-established favorite among off-road SUV enthusiasts. Unlike crossovers largely best suited for road use, the 4Runner is more versatile. With a redesign that features a rugged new exterior and increased comfort and convenience interior upgrades, the 4Runner is fine on the road. But it’s equally comfortable on off-road treks. Versatility, in fact, is the 4Runner’s strongest attribute. New model year owners have choices: a rear wheel 4×2, part-time 4×4 or a full-time multi-mode 4×4 with a locking center differential. All models are equipped with a 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V6 teamed to a five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Previewed in a

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REVIEW: 2014 Toyota Camry reliable like a good friend

Approaching its 35th birthday, the Toyota Camry is the top-selling car in the United States. The 2014 edition extends the current generation and will likely continue the midsize sedan’s reputation. It’s a dependable four-door machine that does a lot right albeit without fanfare. In 11 of past 15 years, the Toyota Camry has surpassed more than 400,000 sales annually. Buyers get a comfortable, efficient and not-too-complicated vehicle. It’s not the fastest or the most handsome. It doesn’t have the best fuel economy or the best performance. But the Camry does most things right and very little wrong. Which is what many consumers want — strong transportation, a good on-the-road companion that doesn’t cause any trouble and is loyal. It’s like

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REVIEW: 2014 Toyota Corolla: roomier, still reliable

The Toyota Corolla may be with us forever, judging by its past performance. The Corolla has the reputation as among the world’s most reliable, durable cars. There’s no reason why the 11th generation 2014 Corolla can’t maintain it. With some 40 million (and counting) Corollas sold globally, this front-drive compact is considered the world’s best-selling car. Actually, it’s the world’s top-selling nameplate. That’s because other automakers have changed the names of their entry models through the years, while Toyota has wisely kept the Corolla nameplate. That, although the car has undergone many changes while keeping its quality, durability and affordability. Toyota had to make major changes to its 11th generation Corolla because its sales have been pressured in the past

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REVIEW: 2014 Lexus LS 460: Posh, sporty, fast

Luxury sedan buyers who look only at German or American luxury models shouldn’t overlook the 2014 Lexus LS 460. The posh sedan makes long-distance highway cruising feel as if you’re in a private jet. It’s plenty fast and luxurious as it swallows open roads, especially with its available air suspension. The Lexus LS 460 turned the luxury car scene in America upside down when introduced in 1989. Few felt that a Japanese car producer could build such a thing. Many considered you somewhat of a chump if you bought a Mercedes-Benz—then the most prestigious mass-produced luxury car—because the Lexus LS was priced lower and was far more comfortable for traditional luxury car buyers than a Mercedes. Even Cadillac owners opted

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PREVIEW: 2015 Ford F-150: Lighter, stronger, faster

The 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the country’s top-selling vehicle for 32 consecutive years, was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show as lighter, strong and with a greater towing capacity than its predecessor. With a stronger, high-strength steel backbone and high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloys, the new F-150 is approximately 700 pounds lighter than the 2014 edition. The weight reduction will allow the Ford F-150 to haul and tow more, accelerate quicker and stop in a shorter distance. As the best-selling truck in the United States for 37 straight years, the 2015 Ford F-150 will also have a host of new features. A 360-degree camera, eight-inch productivity screen with new truck apps and trailer hitch assist are among the

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REVIEW: 2014 Kia Soul has more soul than predecessor

As Detroit automakers once said about their cars, the 2014 Kia Soul is “longer, lower and wider” than its predecessor, which arrived a few years ago as one of the first funky, boxy, compact crossover vehicles. The Soul has prospered, while its rival boxy Honda Element is gone. And the Soul far outsells the boxy Scion xB, which reportedly will be dropped. In fact, things are looking up for the new, second-generation Soul. It has a longer 101.2-inch wheelbase (up 0.8 inches), a width broadened by 0.6 inches to 70.9 inches and a reduced overall height of 63 inches—decreased by nearly half an inch. The result? More passenger and cargo room in the quieter, higher-line interior and a more attractive

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2014 Acura ILX: Unheralded luxury sedan shines

Now in its second year, the 2014 Acura ILX is the manufacturer’s smallest and least expensive, entry-level sedan. It’s only been available in the United States since May 2012. Available in four gas-only trims, the 2014 Acura ILX is versatile for its class. The choices: 2.0 liter, 2.0 with Premium package, 2.0 with Technology package and 2.4 with Premium package. And there’s also the ILX Hybrid. As a debuting car in 2013, the Acura ILX for 2014 shouldn’t be expected to offer vast changes, but it has been upgraded. Leather seats and a rearview camera are now standard equipment and the audio system has also been improved. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly driver was the top-line 2.4-liter with

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Hummer: Auto industry disaster of the decade

Originally conceived by the United States Army as a new “High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle” (HMMVV), the later named civilian Hummer is theweeklydriver.com’s automotive catastrophe of the decade. The idea for the vehicle was so it could follow the tracks and ruts of full size army trucks in military procedures. Original designed by AM General Corporation, a subsidiary of American Motors (AMC), the massive machine debuted in 1982 and should have remained for military use only. The civilian model began in 1992 in part because of the persistence of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who saw an Army convoy while filming a movie and reportedly purchased a fleet of Humvees. Each weighed more than four tons. Several new smaller versions of the Hummer

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Honda shines in TheWeeklyDriver’s 2013 top-10

For the seventh straight year, theweeklydriver.com has selected its top-10 Cars of the Year. Honda continues its streak as the only manufacturer represented in each year of the list. We’ve picked 70 cars, of course, in the past 10 years, and now 13 Honda models have been featured, including in 2013, the Honda Odyssey and Honda Accord. As editor and publisher of the site since its debut in 2004, I wrote 34 full reviews of 2013 model year cars and trucks. Contributors Dan Jedlicka (www.danjedlicka.com) and Bruce Aldrich (www.tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com) also contributed reviews to the site in 2013, pushing the total reviews to more than 100 for the year. Aldrich also filmed and produced all of the videos on the site

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2014 Volkswagen Passat: Conservative, sturdy, versatile

The reasonably priced 2014 Volkswagen Passat is among the top German sedans. Successfully redesigned for 2012, the slow-selling Volkswagen Passat was “Americanized” to satisfy desires of motorists here without losing its “German car” appeal. The made-in-America Passat confronts mid-size sedans, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, increasingly popular Ford Fusion, highly popular Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and established Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Some rivals have adventuresome styling, while the Passat has a handsome but mostly conservative design—inside and out—that is typical of Volkswagens. But the 3,230-3,481-pound Passat has the sturdy feel one expects from a German auto. The front-drive Passat has a variety of prices and models and costs from $20,845 to $33,895. Passat engines include a new 1.8-liter turbocharged,

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2014 Honda Odyssey: Most versatile car made?

The 2014 Honda Odyssey marks a coming of age for the top-selling minivan. It’s 21 years old now, but it’s been mature for many years. The new Odyssey is in the fourth year of its fourth generation from a design that debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The 2014 Honda Odyssey features a 24-valve, 248-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating in three rows and for seven or maybe eight adults. The interior and exterior designs are sleek, modern and ultimately non-minivan. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite, I test drove the Touring Elite — the most

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REVIEW: 2014 Toyota Highlander gets makeover

Soon to debut in its third generation, the 2014 Toyota Highlander will be available in more trim options and with more features than previously offered. It’s the manufacturer’s acknowledgment of the ever-increasing popularity of sport utility vehicles. Available in four grades — LE, LE Plus, XLE and Limited — the 2014 Toyota Highlander lineup begins at $29,215, a $195 increase over the model its replaces. All gasoline Highlanders will come equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, except for the LE grade, also available with a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine. The gas-electric Toyota Highlander Hybrid limited, which debuted at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, will range from $47,300 ($930 more than the 2013 edition), and the Platinum model from

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2013 Ford C-Max/C-Max Energi: Clever crossover

Get past their odd names and you may find that the 2013 Ford C-Max and its sister C-Max Energi are surprisingly good hybrid crossover vehicles. New for 2013, the C-Max/C-Max Energi front-drive, four-door compact hatchbacks are virtually unchanged for 2014. They’re designed to directly compete with the top-selling Toyota Prius and seat five, although the center of the rear seat of the C-Max Energi I tested is too stiff for longer trips. The C-Max and C-Max Energi use a two-liter four-cylinder gas engine and electric motor. Both have a combined 188-horsepower rating, which gives them lively acceleration and good highway performance, although they’re rather heavy. The transition between electric and battery power is seamless. Both use a smooth CVT automatic

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CAR REVIEW: 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Sporty, affordable

The Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted in 1989 as a 1990 model at the Chicago Auto Show — and at an ideal time. Roadsters we’re particularly en vogue at the time. But Mazda nevertheless introduced the little beast as an affordable two-seat convertible sports car. The rest is automotive history. The Mazda MX-5 or as it’s called only in the North America, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, is the best-selling car of its class globally. More than 900,000 have sold since the most recent international tally at the end of 2011. The name Miata derives from the German word for “reward.” And thus the car’s name also serves as an homage to roadsters of yesteryear like the Triumph Spirtfire, MG MGB, Fiat

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ICONIC CARS: 1957 Chevy Bel Air: One owner beauty

The 1957 Chevy Bel Air is not the fastest nor the best-looking car of its time. But no other car is more iconic than a 1957 Chevy. The 1957 Chevy has been a classic now for years. It’s been in many movies and it’s one of the most popular choices for fanciers of street cars to rebuild. The 1957 Chevy also caught the eye of Grace Braeger. She owned a 1950 Chevy, but seven years later began to shop for a new car. The 1957 Chevy Braeger purchased was a demonstrator model at the local dealership in Milwaukee of the same name. Braeger drove the 1957 Bel Air and wanted it. She traded in her old car, paid $2,250 and

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