Sedans

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2017 Toyota Corolla: Enduring sedan keeps getting better

The 2017 Toyota Corolla marks the enduring sedan’s 51st year. Through 11 generations, the former econobox-on-wheels has lifetime worldwide sales of 43 million through last year. Since 1997, when it surpassed the Volkswagen Beetle, the Corolla remains the best-selling car in history. A new generation arrived in 2012, with yearly updates since. In 2016, Toyota began to offer a limited special edition to celebrate the car’s 50th anniversary. Key Takeaways Test car: Corolla XSE, front-wheel drive with a 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower engine and a continuously variable transmission. $22,680 MSRP and $23,520 as tested. 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds. 28 mpg city, 35 highway and 31 combined. Safety: a rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure intervention and adaptive cruise control are

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2018 Acura TLX Review: Improved sedan still an underdog

The 2018 Acura TLX is the fifth year of the performance-oriented midsize luxury sedan. It’s matched against segment leaders from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and it was upgraded this year to further find its way as the competition intensifies. Unveiled in April and available at dealers in the Bay Area three months ago, the TLX has restyled wheels and a revised grille, front fascia and fenders. Technology has also advanced with new infotainment features, including Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Key Takeaways Test car: A-Spec trim with a 3.5-liter V6, 290 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic. $44,800 MSRP and $45,750 as tested. 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 20 mpg city, 29 highway and 23 combined. Drive modes: Econ, Normal,

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: Many changes for 2018 Toyota Camry

A higher sticker price and appreciably better gas mileage are among several big changes in store for the 2018 Toyota Camry. The top-selling sedan in the United States will make its nationwide debut later this summer. The eighth generation of the re-engineered Camry LE will be priced at $24,885, including shipping, about $900 more than the 2017 price. The L “value” version of the 2018 Camry, with smaller wheels and fewer convenience features, will be priced at $24,380. Fuel economy with the new four-cylinder engine is estimated by the EPA at 29 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway and 34 combined. That’s 26 percent better than the current base model’s 24 mpg city/33 highway/27 combined. The new

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2017 Kia Forte worthy compact option beyond Honda, Toyota

The 2017 Kia Forte is the 10th year of the South Korean compact. It’s among the best of several cars in different segments trying to find a market against some of the country’s long-standing, best-selling vehicles. Matched against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 and others, the Forte remains unheralded. It’s in the sixth year of its second generation, but for 2017 has a restyled exterior, including more modern crafted headlights and taillights. Key Takeaways Test car: the Forte EX, a compact sedan with a 2.0-liter, 164-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic. $21,200 MSRP and $26,540 as tested. 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds. 25 mpg city, 32 highway and 28 combined on the figures

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2017 Honda Civic hatchback Review: Sporty value gem returns

A small percentage of the car-buying public still enjoys the mechanics of driving. But manual transmissions are increasingly rare. Meet the 2017 Honda Civic hatchback sport. Honda decided this year to make its perennially top-selling compact more versatile, via an imported hatchback. The 10th generation of the sedan, manufactured in England, is available with a six-speed manual transmission. Key Takeaways Test car: Civic Sport hatchback with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 180 horsepower and a six-speed manual. $21,300 MSRP and $22,135 as tested. 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds. 30 mpg city, 39 highway and 33 combined. Safety: The three trims have all received five stars (the highest rating) by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Driving: With its short-shifting manual

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2017 Volkswagen Passat Review: Versatile like a blue blazer

Among the manufacturer’s most enduring models, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat extends the eighth generation of the midsize sedan to its sixth year. The Passat, German for “trade wind,” is an elder automotive statesman well into its fourth decade. There’s little flash or overt technology, but the mainstream VW has plenty of appeal via its reserved, classy presentation. Key Takeaways Test car: the SE, with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 170 horsepower and a six-speed automatic. $26,315 as tested, from a $25,495 base price. 23 mpg city and 34 highway, 27 combined. Engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 280 horsepower is also offered on the SE and Premium. Ride: The Passat offers a quiet, comfortable ride. Cabin: The cabin materials, including well-matched dark

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2017 Volkswagen Jetta Review: Enduring sedan holds its own

Now in the seventh year of its sixth generation, the Volkswagen Jetta is approaching its 30th birthday as a little sedan that can. For 2017, the Jetta receives a few upgrades, most in improved technology. New are a rearview camera on all trim levels and driver assistance features on lower trims. There’s also an updated infotainment system with a USB connection to replace the former cable connection. Key Takeaways Test car: the SEL trim with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 170 horsepower and a six-speed automatic. $27,815 as tested, from a $26,995 base price. 25 mpg city and 35 highway, 29 mpg combined. Four trims: S, SE, SEL and GLI, after the hybrid and diesel were discontinued for 2017. Handling: On

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2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Review: Goodbye, you’ve had a good life

Say hello to the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer and wish it farewell. Overshadowed for years by perennial favorites and fast-charging newcomers, the 2017 model is the compact car’s last year. With plans to stop Lancer production in August, Mitsubishi will continue to emphasize its popular sport utility vehicle and crossover lineup. Key Takeaways Test vehicle: the top-line SEL, one of three Lancer trims. Last year: the 2017 model is the compact car’s last, with only 14,304 units sold in 2016. $1,500 Sun and Sound Package: a power glass sunroof and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with nine speakers, including a sub-woofer in the trunk. 23 city / 30 highway mpg for the 2.4-liter all-wheel-drive Lancer, per the EPA. Driving: Driving the

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2017 Mazda3 Review: Classy compact keeps getting better

Nearing the end of its third generation, the 2017 Mazda3 continues its stellar reputation as a versatile compact available as a sedan or hatchback. The Mazda3 improvements include a retuned suspension, a new electronic parking brake, an updated dashboard design, a new steering wheel and new front and rear fascias. Stiff competition in the compact segment from Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Forte and perennial best-selling Honda Civic prompted the upgrades. Key Takeaways Grand Touring tested: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission. $27,730 as tested, from a $23,895 base price. 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds. 25 mpg city and 33 highway. Packages: the premium package is $1,600 and the safety package is $1,000. Verdict: Strong

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2017 Mazda6 Review: Major family sedan rival for Honda, Toyota

As the best-selling vehicle in the manufacturer’s lineup, the Mazda6 is part of arguably the most competitive car segment, family sedans. For 2017, the 16th year of the vehicle, the Mazda6 continues its strong market position. It’s a performance-oriented option among iconic more tradition rivals like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima. Key Takeaways 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and a six-speed automatic. $30,695 MSRP and $34,530 as tested for the Grand Touring trim. 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds; 27 mpg city and 35 highway. Premium Package ($2,500) adds Nappa leather seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a black headliner. Acceleration: Acceleration seems peppier than the car’s specs, largely because of the sport-oriented

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2017 Volvo S90: New luxury sedan trumps German rivals

Imagine a Swedish-built sedan trying to infiltrate the luxury market dominated by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi? Welcome the 2017 Volvo S90. Key Takeaways Test car: Volvo S90 T6 Inscription, a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder with 316 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. $52,950 MSRP and $66,105 as tested. 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 22 mpg city, 31 highway and 25 combined. Cargo: 17.7 cubic feet, with a pass-through behind the fold-down center armrest. Driving: The new S90 advances with confidence and corners with grace. The new flagship replaces the Volvo S80 as a slightly wider and longer offering. Its sleek exterior design features take Volvo further past its former reputation. It’s no longer a manufacturer of sturdy but

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2017 Hyundai Elantra Review: New design, best buy compact

In the debut year of its sixth generation, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra maintains the carmaker’s firm position among top economically priced compacts. The newly designed sedan is offered in three trim levels: SE, Eco and Limited. Key Takeaways Test car: the Eco, with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Three trims: SE, Eco and Limited. Base price of slightly less than $21,000, about $10,000 less than the average price of a new car in the United States. 40 mpg highway for the Eco, with 32 city and 35 combined in the EPA’s rating. Space: Despite its designation as a compact, the Elantra has more interior space than many midsize vehicles. Safety: Beyond its roominess and a lengthy

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2016 Honda Civic Coupe Review: Wild design, wild color, nearly perfect

Imagine a 2016 Honda Civic being an automotive hipster. It’s now in its mid-40s, but with a redesign inside and outside, the perennially top-selling coupe and sedan have gained a lot of attention with the new look and optional wild exterior paint colors. The Honda Civic is also among the most versatile cars in the industry. It’s available as a coupe or a sedan and in 10 trims, five in each model. Key Takeaways Touring coupe tested: turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 174 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic. $26,125 MSRP and $26,960 as tested. 31 mpg city, 41 highway and 35 combined; the sedan averaged slightly less than 40 mpg on a nearly 2,000-mile round trip from Sacramento to Salt

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2016 Honda Civic (Touring): 9 days, 1,932 miles, all good

The drive from Park City, Utah, to Sacramento, California, after a week at the Tour of Utah and Outdoor Retailer trade show, was a high speed, largely desert haul of 678 miles. I left Utah at about 10 a.m. and arrived at home around 11 p.m. in my test vehicle, a 2016 Honda Civic sedan (Touring). With the long day planned, I stopped often, including twice for gas, brief walks at rest stops and longer breaks in Utah at the Bonneville Salt Flats and in Wells for lunch and in Sparks, Nevada, for dinner. I left on the trip July 30 and returned on Aug. 8. The round trip was 1,932 miles, the outbound trip on Interstate 50 and the

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2016 Honda Civic: More miles, better mpg

One reason hybrid and other alternatively powered vehicles haven’t made a substantial impact among among the general car-buying public is the increased efficiency of gas-powered vehicles. The 2016 Honda Civic, my test vehicle during the Tour of Utah, is among about a dozen 2016 non-hybrid cars available in the United States rated at more than 40 mpg in freeway driving. While driving the Honda Civic Touring model, I left Sacramento on July 30th for Cedar City, Utah. When I refueled for the third time on day 6 of the trip, just out outside of Park City, I’d covered 1,100 miles, most open-road freeway miles with posted speed limits of up to 80 mph. The Honda Civic (Touring model) is rated

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2016 Honda Civic: Tech features, desert companions

Four model years ago, Honda introduced a new feature into its 2013 Accord and Crosstour models: Lane Watch. It’s a right-side camera that assists with blind spots. When the turn signal indicator is engaged for a right-hand turn, the camera shows the lane to the right of the car on the navigation system screen. One red (closest) and two yellow lines on the screen show the distance to the next vehicle(s). The Lane Watch feature has been added to other Honda models more recently, and it’s included in my 2016 Honda Civic (Touring), the vehicle I’m driving during the Tour of Utah bicycle race. Since leaving Sacramento on July 30, I driven more than 1,200 miles. During the long-distance trek,

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