Automotive Reviews

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2014 Kia Forte Review: Redesigned, affordable, fuel-thrifty

The 2014 Kia Forte sedan is longer, wider, lower and sleeker than its predecessor, which makes it sound like something from a 1950s or 1960s American car advertisement. The Forte’s predecessor arrived at about the time when desirable compact car rivals hit the scene, so sales have been generally disappointing. Kia thus is presenting the third-generation front-drive Forte to compete with cars such as the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. The Forte fits between Kia’s subcompact Rio and the automaker’s Optima mid-size sedan. While Kia may not use 1950s “longer-lower-wider” advertising for the new Forte, its all-new slightly longer, lower and wider chassis does allow more room than the outgoing model’s. And its “cab-forward” front-end styling provides better visibility. The

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2013 Hyundai Azera Review: Strong entry in tight full sedan field

One year after its complete redesign, the 2013 Hyundai Azera remains much the same as its year-older sibling. It’s the South Korean manufacturer’s entry level full-size sedan and it’s positioned between the Sonata and Genesis. Unlike many manufacturers who sometimes make it difficult to chose from an overload of available trims, the 2013 Hyundai Azera is available in only one trim. It’s offered as a 3.3-liter V6 with 293 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The Weekly Drive It’s uncommon for two different cars from the same manufacturer to be considered competitors. But the Genesis is Hyundai‘s entry point in its luxury lineup, followed by the top-line Equus. Yet the Azera could easily make the carmaker’s luxury car

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2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Review: Rugged underdog improved

Mitsubishi has long been an automotive underdog and it’s dispatching cars from its lineup at a brisk pace. But in the sports utility market, the manufacturer has made a strong effort to rebound with the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Now 11 years since its North American debut as the replacement for the Montero Sport, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is vastly updated from its predecessor. Most notably, there’s improved fuel mileage, more attractive exterior and interior designs and a standard third-row seat that translates into seating for seven. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Offered in two trims, my weekly tester was the top-line GT. It features a 3.0-liter V6 that produces 224 horsepower and is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and

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Elon Musk channels Chevy Chase in pending Tesla trek

Elon Musk has never been shy about expressing his opinion or touting his iconic vehicle, the Tesla. Now the CEO of the high-performance electric sports car manufacturer will further promote his vehicles with a well-tested approach — leading by example. According to a recent report on CNNMoney.com, Musk has finalized the details of a six-day trip cross country car trip with his five sons at the end of 2013. “Just finalized the LA to NY family road trip route in Model S. 6 day, 3,200-mile journey with only nine hours spent charging,” Musk Tweeted in his trip announcement. Three months ago, Musk announced plans to drive across country to promote the Tesla and his expanding network of superchargers. “I’m planning

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2014 Kia Forte Review: New design delivers sedan hit

Four model years after its debut in the United States, the 2014 Kia Forte represents a new look for the South Korean carmaker. Sports car sedan is an oxymoron, but the newly designed Forte’s look fits the odd definition. The 2014 edition is more aggressive-looking than its older sibling, and it’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, too. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2014 Kia Forte is available in base LX and the more-option filled EX model. I drove the latter, and it includes an adjustable steering wheel, foglights, LED running lights, chrome accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rearview camera, sliding console armrest and a fold-down rear center armrest. My test vehicle, which included a four-cylinder with 173

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2014 Toyota Tundra: New design, rugged but carlike

Toyota kicked open the door to the party with its all-new 2007 Tundra full-size pickup truck for the lucrative U.S. large pickup market — only to find an empty room. Where was everybody? Well, the economy had collapsed, causing full-size pickup truck sales to drop an estimated 50 percent. Toyota, which had built a $2.2 billion plant in San Antonio to build the new Tundra, was left with egg on its face. Here was a Toyota full-size pickup that finally was a direct challenge to domestic full-size pickups, with comparable size, power and capabilities. There also were long faces at Ford and General Motors, which had made fortunes selling large pickups—long the top-selling vehicles in America. Chrysler wasn’t happy with

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2013 Honda Pilot Review: Workhorse in tough SUV segment

Nearing the end of its 12th year, the Honda Pilot is the manufacturer’s largest and only three-row sport utility vehicle. As such and after two new generations and various updates, the 2013 Honda Pilot maintains its image as the workhorse in the Honda lineup. The Honda Crosstour, which debuted in 2010, is longer. But the big, boxy and utilitarian Pilot is built with reinforced frame rails, which assist in towing and light off-road driving. It has plenty of head and legroom and a high roofline for mega hauls from the grocery store or to store camping equipment or to carry lumber to build a new backyard fence. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2013 Honda Pilot is much the same

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Lexus LF-NX oddball concept hybrid gets world debut in Frankfurt Auto Show

The oddly named and odd-looking  LF-NX, a Lexus compact crossover hybrid concept, will make its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will be powered by a new variant of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system tuned for SUV performance. With its distinctive and sculpted styling, the LF-NX concept’s exterior design reflects an evolution of Lexus’ L-finesse design language. The Frankfurt Auto Show begins Sept. 10 with media previews will be open to the public beginning Sept. 14. The LF-NX front is dominated by a strong interpretation of the Lexus spindle grille, expressive signature front lighting with independent Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and unique corner styling. It separates the bumper from the front wing with an aggressive vertical cut.

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Neil Young stalls, but still rocking on EV highway

Neil Young has long been known as a musical innovator. But the masterful singer and composer is also equally renowned to railroad buffs and electric car enthusiats. But even someone as accomplished as Young needs an assist from time to time, which is what the California Highway Patrol offered when the singer-songwriter and owner of a one-of-a-kind electric car got stuck on Interstate 80 near Donner Summit. According to a report in the Tahoe Daily Tribune newspaper, Young’s $1 million hybrid electric remastered 1959 Lincoln Continental broke down Aug. 23 while Young was en route to a Green Festival in Canada. Young, who has blogged for months about his adventures on the website lincvolt.com, drives the car to promote “green,”

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Prices set for refreshed 2014 Toyota Tacoma

Prices have been announced for the 2014 Toyota Tacoma, with the best-selling compact pickup truck in the United States available in dealerships during September 2013, according to the manufacturer. The MSRP for the 2014 Tacoma will range from $17,875 for the Regular Cab 4×2 with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $28,285 for the Double Cab 4×4 V6 Long Bed with a five-speed automatic.  The new pricing reflects an average increase of $100, or 0.4 percent. The 2014 Toyota Tacoma offers a new SR appearance package for 2014 with four levels of Entune Audio. In conjunction with the Entune upgrade, the backup camera display has been moved from the rear-view mirror to the Entune head unit display. The

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2013 Nissan Rogue Review: 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 Review: 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 Review: 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 Review: 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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