Automotive Reviews

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Driving the Tour of California #3: Arriving in Los Angeles madness in a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

The final stretch of my drive from Sacramento to San Diego for the start of the Tour of California took me over the steep, winding Grapevine into the hectic nature of the Los Angeles basin and finally to San Diego. How anyone can maintain their stress level commuting in the Los Angeles area on either Highway 101 or the 405 is beyond me. I’ve driven both highways in recent years at different times of the day, and it’s always madness. Unlike the aggressive driving in Europe in which drivers also have skill, many Southern California drivers appear to be motivated only by anger and attitude. With four breaks along the way, I finally arrived at the Rancho Bernardo Inn parking

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Ford pick-ups from 2008 investigated for faulty steering

Ford is perennially the top-selling pick-up truck in the United States, but two models of the 2008 lineup are being investigated for faulty steering gear boxes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening a preliminary investigation into 340,000 Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks from 2008 after several reported crashes. According to the NHTSA, five complaints alleging an internal failure of the steering gear box resulting in a complete loss of steering control and resulted in the the driver crashing the truck into a parked car at 20 miles per hour. A second report said failure of the steering gear box resulted in a roadway departure at 35 miles per hour. Another complaint said a 2008 F250

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2013 Toyota Avalon Review: Redesigned as sleeker, lighter Lexus twin

The revamped 2013 Toyota Avalon sedan is a far cry from the first Avalon, which debuted for 1995 as a stretched, roomy version of the Toyota Camry with a front bench seat (remember those?) and a column shifter. Toyota called it the “most American of Toyotas,” and it was sort of a Japanese Buick. The plain-looking, front-drive Avalon eventually was upgraded with such things as improved styling for 1998 and a larger V-6 for 2005. But as late as 2011 it still had a soft suspension and floaty ride, with small steering corrections needed during turnpike crosswinds and pavement changes. Still, a turnpike trip from Chicago to Maryland showed the 2011 Avalon to be a comfortable, fairly economical long-distance cruiser.

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Driving the Tour of California #2: It’s time for The Grapevine in a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

It’s nice to have friends who know cars. One friend who owns a Corvette and has rebuilt vintage Triumphs likes to look at the engine of every car I drive, even when there’s often not much to see since they’re often covered. Another friend always asks about the weight of cars since he’s a pilot and such matters are important. Another friend is keen on sound systems and other friend immediately notices the design and material quality of interiors. This friend, who owns a Subaru Outback and a vintage Volkswagen bug, took one look at the 2013 Santa Fe I’m driving to the Tour of California and commented: “Look at that; the Big Boys should be worried. It looks like

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Driving the Tour of California #1: On the way to San Diego in a Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai‘s expanded lineup in recent years has received vast praise for its value, warranty and workmanship. It all adds up to increased visibility and sales for the South Korean manufacturer in the madness of the ever-complex auto industry. Arguably the most competitive auto segment is the growing SUV and crossover market, where Hyundai‘s Santa Fe is an emerging option. I’ll be reviewing the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe (Limited) for the next two weeks during the Tour of California. The professional bike race is now in its eighth year and features Tour de France-caliber riders, Olympians and world titlists from many countries. It begins May 12 in Escondido, California, and will progress north through more than a dozen starting and finishing

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2014 Acura RLX Review: Plush, Powerful, Pricey

It wasn’t too many years ago when $30,000 was the launching pricepoint for purchasing an entry-level luxury car. Now, $30,000 is about the average price of a new car in the United States. So what should a consumer expect from a car with a starting point of just under $50,000? That’s the beginning price of 2014 Acura RLX, the new medium-sized Acura luxury sedan. It replaces the RL as the carmaker’s top sedan, and it’s firmly positioned against a few heavy-hitters — the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS 350. And like its rivals, the Acura RLX has a lot to offer with a variety of trims, powerful engines and enough plushness and superior touches to make it

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2014 prices unveiled for enduring Chevrolet Corvette coupe, convertible

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the iconic sports car that debuted in 1953 and has been produced in seven generations, will be priced beginning at $51,995 for the coupe and $56,995 for the convertible. The respective MSRP prices for the coupe and convertible include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license. Standard features on the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray include: * Seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, and eight-way power adjustment; * Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes; * New seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching; * 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system; * Carbon fiber

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Ford Transit Connect 2014: More cargo space, more passenger friendly

The 2014 Ford Transit Connect is more than just a compact utilitarian van-wagon ideally suite for small businesses, florists and taxi cab companies. The recently unveiled new model has seven seats and achieves an estimated 30 mpg in freeway driving. A 1.6-liter turbocharged engine or 2.5-liter, four cylinder, both six-speed automatic transmissions, is offered in the still commercially-oriented Transit Connect. It has more more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space. Transit Connect 2014 models are available in several sizes, with two wheelbase lengths, five-and seven-passenger interior layouts, and in XL, XLT and Titanium series levels. Options include a full glass panoramic roof, rear-view camera, 6.5-inch touchscreen display with navigation, and Ford’s SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system. Leather, cloth

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Ferrari rules (what else?) at Ferrari Challenge at Sonoma Raceway

Started 20 years ago by Ferrari North America, the Ferrari Challenge affords its customers the opportunity to appreciate their cars in competition while racing against other Ferrari owners on tracks throughout North America. The Challenge began with the then-current Ferrari 348. When newer models arrived — the 355, 360 and F430 — they were included.  Since 2011, the 458 had been the Ferrari of choice in the Challenge. Ferrari cars racing in the series are prepared and maintained for competition by authorized Ferrari dealers, many of whom have formed racing teams for the series. All images © Bruce Aldrich, Sonoma Raceway, April 28, 2013 This year, the Ferrari Challenge series stop in the extended San Francisco Bay Area was held

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2013 Buick Encore Review: Versatile crossover joins crowded SUV field

The new 2013 Buick Encore is the automaker’s first small crossover vehicle. It comes with front-or all-wheel drive and has luxury, nimble handling, four-door hatchback versatility and decent fuel economy. The Encore also has just adequate open-road acceleration from its small, turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder 1.4-liter engine. It’s fairly heavy at 3,180-3,309 pounds, so Encore buyers shouldn’t expect it to be a fireball with its 138-horsepower engine. Rather, it’s meant to give miles per gallon, not mph. Still, the Encore is fun to drive. It’s nimble, and my all-wheel-drive test Encore tenaciously gripped the road despite some body lean. The steering was quick, with decent road feel, and the turning circle was small. The ride was supple, and the brake

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2014 Lexus IS Preview: New design, new technology, wicked new grille

The newly desiged 2014 Lexus IS sedans, which will feature revamped seats, technology upgrades, more interior and cargo room and a wicked-looking futuristic front grille in a sport trim, will debut in the summer of 2013 and with priced ranging from $35,950 to $41,700. The Lexus IS 250, powered by a 2.5-liter V6 delivering 204 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque, will have a base MSRP of $35,950 for RWD and $38,485 for AWD. The IS 350, which produces 306 horsepower from its 3.5L V6 power plant, will have a starting MSRP of $39,465 for RWD and $41,700 for AWD. The base price for the 2014 IS 350 is 2.1 percent lower than the model it replaces. The new IS

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2013 Ford Taurus Ecoboost Review: Fuel stingy, surprisingly powerful

I expected the large, sleek 2013 Ford Taurus sedan with its turbocharged 2-liter “EcoBoost” four-cylinder to be lazy. But it turned out to have strong acceleration and sparkling highway fuel economy for such a big guy. It wasn’t all that long ago a 2-liter four-cylinder engine in an American car was found in small economy autos and provided lackluster performance, especially outside town. A V-8 was needed if you wanted good performance on freeways and highways. Even a V-6 was a big step up from a four-cylinder, which was at home in small, light foreign sports car such as the MG or Alfa Romeo. The new Taurus EcoBoost four-cylinder has 240-horsepower and actually kicks out more torque (270 pound-feet vs.

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Porsche adds beauty to beauty, names Maria Sharapova ambassador

Maria Sharapova owns a Porsche, she’s famous, she’s athletic and she’s stunning. That’s the ideal combination for the German sports car manufacturer. It has signed Sharapova to a three-year contract as a brand ambassador. Sharapova, 26, of Russia, is a four-time Grand Slam winner and is currently ranked N0. 2 in the world. “Maria Sharapova is an exceptional athlete. She combines top performance in her sports with elegance and power. These are precisely the qualities that are embroiled in our sports cars,” said Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller. “Her profile and charisma are an ideal fit for Porsche. She is also highly respected around the world and enjoys an outstanding reputation.” Sharapova was rewarded with a white Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet

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2013 Honda Civic Si Review: Coupe or sedan, it’s a sports car (video)

With the 2013 Honda Civic Si, there’s no transmission choice. The coupe and sedan only have a six-speed manual transmission option, which is a good thing. It further complements the once basic, competent Civic in its transition into its current sports car-like coupe or sedan. My weekly driver was the 2-door, 4-seat coupe. In addition to 17-inch wheels, the re-tweaked Civic has a new front grille, a new rear design and a host of other more subtle upgrades, including better-constructed seats. The more handsome sculpted design is matched with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 201 horsepower engine. Driving the 2013 Civic is surprising since its personality — handling to acceleration — is more like its upscale relative, Acura. Which makes a lot

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2013 Audi RS 5 Review: Dynamic coupe a classically elegant race car

The all-new 2013 Audi RS 5 almost feels like a race car for the street, with its glued-to-the-road suspension, strong brakes and awesome, high-revving 4.2-liter V-8 that generates 450-horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. That naturally aspirated V-8 is good for an oh-my-gosh 0-60 mph time and, says Audi,  an electronically governed top speed of 174 mph. A rear spoiler automatically raises at 75 mph and retracts at 50 mph —or can be manually raised and lowered via the push of a button. The exhaust system has two chromed oval-shaped exhaust outlets integrated within the bumper. They emit a performance sound to fit the RS 5’s character and look as if designed by a skilled artist. Audi says the $68,900,

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2013 Honda Civic Si Review: New sporty look rekindles iconic reputation

Despite its lofty, top-10 perennial yearly sales status and more than 40-year longevity, the ninth generation Honda Civic was hastily introduced in 2012 among quickly increasing competition. Some critics called it a disaster, other were more kind with descriptions like ill conceived. As a result, for second straight year, Honda re-did the Civic for 2013. It’s not a new generation, but there are enough changes everywhere on the car that the Civic’s fall from grace was a one-year-and-out ordeal. The Civic is back strong and in its proper and well-deserved place among the most successful cars in history. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s a toss up most of the time. The convenience of an automatic transmission, particularly with continuously

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