Automotive Reviews

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Mazda3, 2012: European styling, lower price, versatility

A car that combines flair with practicality has a good chance of being popular. The Mazda3 has long had European flair and is by far the automaker's best seller in America — thanks to a clever combination of sportiness and practicality. The compact, front-drive Mazda3 comes as a four-door sedan or four-door hatchback in SV, Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Mazdaspeed trim levels. List prices range from $15,200 for the base sedan to $24,000 for the hot rod Mazdaspeed3. Japan’s Mazda has been selling cars in volume here since the early 1970s, making Americans aware for the first time of the unique rotary engine, which initially powered its cars. But the automaker isn’t on lots of shopping lists. To partly

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Honda Civic Natural Gas, 2012: Green Car of the Year

The 2012 Honda Natural Gas, which for the first time is nationally marketed and available in dealers throughout the United States, is the Green Car of the Year. The designated has been awarded yearly since 2005 at the Los Angeles Auto Show by the publication Green Car Journal. The cleanest running internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA, the redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas is the fifth generation of the alternative fuel vehicle and the only assembly-line produced natural gas passenger model manufactured for sale in the United States. It runs on a clean fuel almost exclusively domestically sourced and priced about 30-50 percent less than gasoline. While averaging 38 highway MPGe, the Honda Civic Natural Gas is an Advanced

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Acura TL, 2012: Grille makeover, new transmission for refined sedan

Now it its 17th year, the 2012 Acura TL continues the middle-age brand's legacy while addressing the concerns of the high-end Honda line's discerning fans. Acura owners are loyal, but they often complain about the awkward front end grille described by one reviewer as reminiscent of a giant bottle opener. This year, the front grille features a smaller insert that flows better with the overall design of the car. But there are also several other positive changes for the Acura TL, including: a six speed, automatic clutch transmission, ventilated seats, side mirror blind-sport detection and upgraded wheels. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Performance is an Acura strong point and the TL is a shining example. It features a 3.7-liter, 24-valve

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Vintage car rarity: How about a 1990 Laforza Laforza?

After several years of arriving at our home in an old sport utility vehicle in various states of disrepair, our handyman arrived recently in a used, bright red Laforza, Laforza. Like other short-lived manufacturers, Laforza has a niche following, particularly since American carmaker was only around from 1985-2003.

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Chevrolet Camaro, 2012: Iconic sports car gets top NHTSA safety honor

The Chevrolet Camaro built its enduring legacy on performance. Now with the debut of 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe, the iconic vehicle has another major attribute — safety leader. The new Camaro is the first vehicle to receive the highest possible five-star score in every individual safety rating segment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program since the federal testing procedures were revised for 2011.

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Honda CR-V, 2012: Refined, quieter, more technology

The Honda CR-V, the country's best-seling Sport Utility Vehicle and redesigned for 2012, is debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show and has a more refined appearance and is reportedly quieter than previous editions. The new CR-V features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower, 163 pound feet of torque and a five-speed automatic transmission.

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Bigger engine, best-of-class mpg

The 2012 Hyundai Azera, which features a more powerful Lambda II 3.3-liter GDI engine, six-speed transmission, best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon and a wide range of advanced safety equipment, is making its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV top mpg on EPA 2012 list, Nissan Leaf 2nd

As expected, the much-touted 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has the highest gas mileage of any vehicle available in the United States, according the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new Mitsubishi gets a combined 112 mpg, with the combined mileage weighted via 55 percent city and 45 percent highway mileage calculation. The Mitsubishi attained a 126 mpg average in city driving and 99 mpg on the highway.

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BMW M5, 2012: Powerful, quick and on its way (video)

By Derek Mau The fifth generation BMW M5 will soon reach the United States. But until the new 190 mph machine with 0-60 mph speed in 4.4 seconds arrives, a video of the powerful beast will have to suffice. The 2012 BMW M5 features a newly developed direct injection 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo package – consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo technology, cross-bank exhaust manifold, and VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control. At full tilt the 2012 M5 pumps out 560 hp at 6,000 — 7,000 rpm with maximum torque of 502 lb.-ft. from 1,500 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, where the new Active M Differential ensures an

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Los Angeles Auto Show: More tech, power for 2013 Lexus

The 2013 Lexus GS 350, GS 450h and GS 350 F SPORT models, featuring new technology, design and power upgrades, will make their first North American auto show appearance Nov. 18-27 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 and 306 horsepower, the 2013 GS 350 has 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.7 seconds. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission, equipped with paddle shifters, offers four driving modes: Normal, ECO, SPORT S, and SPORT S+.

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Toyota Camry 2012, gas & hybrid, arrives at U.S. dealers

Toyota has continued its massive marketing campaign for the 2012 Camry Hybrid, announcing the revised version of the increasingly popular sedan is now available at dealerships nationwide. The 2012 Camry Hybrid features an updated version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain that helps propel the Hybrid LE model to EPA mpg rating of 43 city/39 highway and a class-leading 41 mpg combined.

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Dodge Charger, 2011: Modern, revatilized, still menacing

By Mary Ellen Ash Pros: Sleek, sexy exterior Uconnect infotainment system Good driver visibility Revamped suspension and drivetrain Better than expected fuel economy Cons: Heavy Sluggish acceleration Outdated 5-speed automatic transmission The original Dodge Charger was a two-door muscle car that debuted in the 1960s and hits its peak popularity in the early 1970s. While the Charger’s appeal faded into the early eighties, the latest models have been revitalized and modernized for more diverse consumer tastes while still retaining aggressive styling from the Charger’s old glory days. The transformation has updated the 2011 Charger into a modern-day sedan while keeping its menacing exterior and powerful engine. The new Charger is ready to tear up the open road. With an American

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Tokyo Auto Show: Suzuki debuting wild concepts, ecocar

With a motto of "small cars for the big future," Suzuki will have unique presence at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, including its share of the auto industry's always interesting concept cars. Suzuki says it cars for today, the near future, and the more distant future will be highlighted by fuel economy, user-friendliness, innovation and brisk performance. The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show is scheduled Dec. 2-11 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center. Th Suzuki presence will include: the Regina, Q-Concept, Swift EV-Hybrid and Swift Sport. According to Suzuki: Regina is a next-generation global compact car with excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions thanks to lightness and superior aerodynamics. It’s as light as a minicar (730kg) thanks to a clear focus

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