Automotive Reviews

2013 Nissan Rogue: Value, but doesn’t lead SUV pack

The Sport Utility Vehicle segment is increasingly crowded and an underdog in the marketplace like the Nissan Rogue needs an outstanding feature or two to distinguish itself among the heavy hitters. I recently drove the 2013 Nissan Rogue for eight days and for a total of about 920 miles throughout Colorado. The Rogue was an adequate companion on my trip during the third edition of the USA Pro Challenge bicycle race. I averaged 26.8 mpg for the trip and while often driving with the air conditioning engaged and at an averaged speed sometimes great than the 75 mph posting. The Nissan Rogue, which debuted in 2008 and is in the final year of its current edition, has several good features.

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2014 Jeep Patriot: Rugged tradition continues

“Jeep” has been one of the world’s most recognized names since its performance in World War II. Mention “Jeep” to many folks and they automatically think of the familiar Wrangler model, which resembles the World War II Jeep—or the decidedly upscale Grand Cherokee model. But the 2014 Jeep Patriot I tested is the lowest-cost Jeep. The solid-feeling, four-door hatchback Patriot line starts with the base $15,995 front-wheel-drive (FWD) Sport model. Jeep says that price makes it “the best-priced SUV in America,”although the four-wheel-drive (4WD) Sport costs $18,195. And what’s a serious Jeep without 4WD? The 2014 mid-range Jeep Latitude 4WD model I tested lists at $23,395, while the top-line 4WD Limited goes for $25,895. The Limited comes standard with a

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2014 Kia Cadenza: Posh sedan debuts as flagship

The luxurious new 2014 Kia Cadenza has arrived as Kia’s most powerful and technologically advanced vehicle. The Cadenza looks slick, with broad shoulders, a contoured hood, 18-or 19-inch wheels, a wide stance and sporty looking twin oval tailpipes. But a high beltline (where the body meets the lower side windows) causes even 6-footers to feel a bit buried. The backseat area seems almost limo-sized, but rear doorways are a little too narrow. The Cadenza’s interior is posh, and the 195.5-inch-long car is loaded with features. With a $35,100 list price, this South Korean sedan follows the old Toyota philosophy of offering a feature-paced car for a reasonable price. The Cadenza’s interior is posh, and the 195.5-inch-long car is loaded with

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Best Used Cars: 2010 Mini Cooper

Mini keeps innovating while also maintaining its heritage. One year, it’s the Clubman, the uber-cool “storm door” model. The next time, it’s the John Cooper Works, the model named after the deceased famous racing car guru who with his father founded the Cooper Car Company. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Mini has done it again. It’s largely left alone the 2009 model for 2010, but has debuted two special editions called Mayfair and Camden. Named after London boroughs, both special editions add $4,500 to the price of a Cooper or Cooper S. The Mayfair is available in Pepper White, Midnight Black or Hot Chocolate metallic, the option I had from my Weekly Driver. Toffy-colored metallic stripes with white outer pinstripes

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2014 Toyota 4Runner: Trail tough with comfort, connectivity

By Bruce Aldrich The fifth generation Toyota 4Runner is worth a look if you need a capable off-road and snow-going vehicle. The 2014 4Runner has a wicked-looking front-end with added comfort and convenience features. The 4Runner is the last mid-size SUV with Body-on-Frame construction. The 4Runner comes in three grades, SR5, Trail, and Limited. Each model has a 4-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. I recently drove the three models and I like them all. The SR5 is the “value” model, offered in a two-wheel drive version or 4X4. My favorite is the Trail grade model, designed to maximize off-road performance. Toyota’s Crawl Control (CRAWL) is a selectable low-speed function that electronically regulates speed to keep

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2014 Toyota 4Runner: New design, same praises

The redesigned 2014 Toyota 4Runner, a long-established favorite among off-road sport utility vehicle enthusiasts, features a rugged new exterior and interior updates that offer increased comfort and convenience. Previewed in a mid-August manufacturer’s media presentation in Cle Elum, Wa., the fifth generation 4Runner is available in three grades: a value-driven SR5; top-of-the-line Limited, and a Trail grade for maximum off-road capability. With the optional third-row seat in the SR5 and Limited editions, the 4Runner seats as many seven occupants. Versatility is a 4Runner strong suit. New model year owner 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

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2013 Infiniti QX56: Big, plush, capable

The 2013 Infiniti QX56 is a fast, luxurious full-size SUV that feels as if it could tow just about anything short of the London Bridge. The imposing looking QX56 is in the third year of its current-generation design. It has a 5.6-liter direct-injected, 32-valve V-8 with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque for quick acceleration and a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. The V-8 is hooked to a smooth 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. The 4WD version has a computer-controlled transfer case with settings in Automatic, 4L and 4H. A console dial controls snow, tow or hill-start assist modes. The QX56’s engine muscle is needed because it’s such a big guy. It weighs 5,595 pounds with

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Best Used Cars: 2012 Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is arguably best car available currently in the United States when considering its versatility. The 2013 model is the vehicle’s 20th model year. But last year’s edition, which debuted at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, is a good value as two-year–old model. Despite is “van” status, the Odyssey is a powerful and performance oriented for its class. It features a 24-valve, 248-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Its has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating for seven adults. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I drove the five-door Touring Elite, the most expensive of five available trim levels. In addition to the vast list of standard equipment on the LX, EX and EX-L models,

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Tesla Model S electrifies NHTSA, gets best safety rating ever

The Tesla Model S and the carmaker’s owner Elon Musk haven’t needed much publicity lately. The electric sports car and its innovative inventor are at the forefront of the auto industry. But the performance-oriented, expensive car is now getting another accolade. It’s been awarded an extraordinary, five-star overall rating — the highest rating ever determined  — by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Tesla Model S was given an overall 5-star safety rating and the same rating in every subcategory. The independent NHTSA does not publish a star rating above 5, however safety levels better than 5 stars are captured in the overall Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) provided to manufacturers. The Model S achieved a new combined record of 5.4

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Driving the 2013 USA Pro Challenge, #1: Mixed Bag debut in a 2013 Nissan Rogue

The third edition of the USA Pro Challenge begins Monday, Aug. 19 and it will take a field of 128 pro cyclists from 16 teams around Colorado for a week. I’m making the trip in a 2013 Nissan Rogue. The compact crossover debuted in 2008 and the 2013 edition is the last year of the car’s first generation. The manufacturer announced recently a second generation will debut with the 2014 edition. I drove from the Denver International Airport to Snowmass in about 5 hours, including a lunch stop and two five-minute stops for phone calls. As a compact crossover, first impressions on the first of eight days in the Rogue were mixed. The Rogue is more carlike than an SUV

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2014 Ford Mustang: Nostalgic, sizzling performance

The 2014 Ford Mustang GT convertible is the last of the fast retro-classic Mustangs. It will be replaced with a significantly new Mustang next year. “This latest Mustang design is very respectful of its heritage while continuing to look forward with a more powerful and modern look,” said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. The original Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964, although Ford called it an ”early 1965” model. (Many call it a “1964 ½” model.) When the redesigned Mustang comes out next year as a 2015 model, Ford will officially celebrate the car’s 50th anniversary—although the 2014 Mustang is actually the 50th anniversary model because of its early 1964 introduction. Buyers could get the first Mustang with a hot

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Best Used Car Reviews: 2006 Honda Civic Si

The Honda Civic is the best-selling compact car in the United States, and the Japanese automaker didn’t arrive at this industry-leading plateau by happenstance. Yet, instead of playing it safe and leaving good enough alone, Honda redesigned the Civic for 2006. As such, with primary competitors Ford, Mazda, Toyota and Volkswagen all also improving their respective offerings, the compact category is among the industry’s most competitive. Honda also knows well that plenty of choices in a leading line can’t help but be a good thing, even if it has gone slightly overboard. The Accord, for example, is available in 30 configurations; the Civic is offered in 20 varieties. (Editor’s note: With this review, theweeklydriver.com begins a new feature. We’re visiting

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2014 Toyota Tundra: Spacious new workhorse

Redesigned for the first time in seven years, the 2014 Toyota Tundra features an integrated hood, tightened surfaces and new overall lines to further enhance the full-size pick-up’s pulling power and wide stance. The 2014 Tundra will be offered in a new five-grade strategy: the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the well-appointed Limited, and two premium grades: Platinum and “1794 Edition.” Three cab styles, two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax, all available in 4×2 and 4×4. Each grade is well-equipped with key standard features. Showcased at a recent regional media gathering at Cle Elum, Wa., the 2014 Toyota Tundra lineup will range from $25,920 for the SR grade 4×2 Regular Cab, 4.0-liter V6 to $47,320 for the Platinum

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2014 Kia Sorento, new look, better ride for underdog SUV

Introduced in 2002 into an increasingly crowded market, the Kia Sorento is an unheralded mid-size sport utility vehicle now in its third generation. The 2014 model has been designated with a “facelift” status. But the manufacturer lists more than 30 new additions, including increased horsepower and new interior and exterior styling. As an underdog, Kia competes for a market share by offering a lot of variety in its vehicles. For 2014, the Kia Sorento is available with 2.4-liter GDI (LX, EX) and 3.3-liter GDI V6 (optional in LX, EX; standard in SX and SX Limited). It’s the diverse trims that Kia uses as the reason for promoting the Sorento with the campaign titled: “It has an answer for everything.” The

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2014 Subaru Forester: New design, quicker, spacious

The redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester crossover has an impressive new design with better styling, performance, economy, comfort, space and safety features. As the song goes, who could ask for anything more? Early 1970s Subarus felt like tin cans, despite a ruggedness that made them popular in New England states. Subaru hung in there and gradually improved things, while wisely adding and promoting standard all-wheel drive. Car buyers began looking at Subaru in a new light, and it was on its way. After all, Subaru is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s giant Fuji Heavy Industries, which wasn’t about to give up the big U.S. market. The fourth-generation Forester crossover’s all-new body not only looks better, with sharply defined new details,

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Electric car wars heat up, Chevrolet Volt $5,000 less in 2014

The electric and green car wars between Chevrolet and Nissan continue to heat up in the carmakers’ pursuit of a bigger market share in their competition against the dominating Toyota Prius family. The latest move involves Chevrolet reducing the starting price of the 2014 Volt by around $5,000 for its fourth year on the market. The Volt will now have a starting price of $34,995 (*including $810 for destination), but when the 2014 model will be available is unknown. Nissan previously announced it had lowered the starting price of the Leaf by $6,400. The Chevrolet Volt can now potentially cost as little as $27,495 after $7,500 federal tax credit. Two  new colors of the Volt will be offered in 2014,

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