2015 Toyota Sienna: no more minivan stigma

Minivans get a bad rap. They’re boxes on wheels. They’re only for soccer moms. Neither criticism seems fair to me, and one reason is the 2015 Toyota Sienna. Manufactured since 1997 when it replaced the Toyota Previa, the 2015 Toyota Sienna has been refreshed in the fourth year of the third generation introduced in 2011. Among the most versatile and safe vehicles available, the Toyota Sienna received a new tail light and interior design refresh. The Sienna SE reverted to the original pre-facelift “sport” tail lights and Sky Blue Pearl, Creme Brulee Metallic and Attitude Black Metallic are new exterior

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Chrysler has new car industry issue, remote hacking

If you own a Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler 200, Dodge Ram or one of several other Chrysler vehicles made in the last three years and something goes seriously wrong while you’re driving, you could have been hacked — remotely. The problem? Hackers can control the vehicles over the Internet and cut the brakes, shut down the engine, drive the car off the road or short the electric system. The issue can only occur in Chrysler products equipped with Uconnect, a wireless system that connects the vehicles on the Sprint cellphone network. The flaw was discovered by researchers, Charlie Miller and Chris

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The 2016 Ford F-150 could cost $70,000. Really?

The country’s best-selling vehicle may now cost more than $70,000. The high-end sticker price belongs to a limited edition of the soon-to-debut 2016 Ford F-150 pickup. Ford has announced the F-150 Limited will be available in late 2015 as a 2016 model. The manufacturer has not announced price details, but the new offering will start at about $60,000 and will likely surpass $70,000 with all of its options. The new edition will feature include 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, Mojave leather seats and interior accents made of aluminum and fiddleback eucalyptus. Each truck’s production number will be laser-engraved in a VIN

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Toyota Corolla gets sport edition

The current 11th generation Toyota Corolla, the best-selling car in history, debuted in 2014. The 2016 Toyota Corolla will further add to the iconic brand with a Special Edition. It will feature increased sportiness with a variety of standard additions. Straightforwardly known as the 2016 Toyota Corolla Special Edition, the new edition will feature steering wheel paddle shifters, rear disc brakes and a Sport Driving mode among a lengthy list of additional standard equipment. The limited edition will be manufactured from August 2015 to January 2016 and will comprise 8,000 units. The 2016 Toyota Corolla Special Edition will have an

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Tesla gets another (obvious) honor: quickest electric car

The Tesla Model S and Chevy Volt have little in common beyond their respective segment shares in the electric vehicle industry. The Volt is a wise choice in the entry-level electric car segment. It may the slowest among the top-17 electric vehicles in the standard 0-60 mph acceleration test. But it offers a good balance between performance, comfort and price. The Tesla Model S is a wise choice in the high-end electric segment. It’s the fastest vehicle currently available in the mainstream automobile market and it’s among the fastest cars, electric or gas, street legal or not. Motor Trend recently

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Special Edition Toyota Camry

After its extensive redesign a year ago, the 2016 Toyota Camry will be offered in a Special Edition. The newest Toyota Camry will feature  a more aggressive look and increased technology. More than 2,000 changes were made in the 2015, with only the roofline remaining from the previous edition, the new Special Edition model of the 2016 Toyota Camry will based on the Camry SE. The limited production Camry will add sporty interior and exterior features. In addition to features found on the Camry SE, standard equipment on the Special Edition will include: * Unique 18-inch alloy wheels with machined face

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2015 Ford Mustang: Iconic muscle car turns 50 in style

The 2015 Ford Mustang marks the car’s 50th anniversary, and the carmaker celebrated the milestone with a surprise. It didn’t spoil the party with an over-the-top, too powerful machine. Instead, it offered an EcoBoost four-cylinder as one of six trim levels. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With its Competition Orange exterior paint and black ragtop, the 2015 Ford Mustang attracted as much attention as any car I’ve driven with the exception of a Rolls-Royce Wraith. Young people in the neighborhood yelled out praise. Strangers in parking lots offered compliments, and a few drivers accelerated past me on the highway seemingly

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 MAZDA CX-3

With its release about a month away, Mazda has announced the price of the 2016 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover will start at $19,6000. As a $1,250 upgrade, buyers can select CX-3 Sport with Mazda’s predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive that takes temperature, road conditions, steering-angle and weather into account. It will also help optimize to which wheels engine power is routed for maximum performance and stability. “We wanted to send a strong statement that new buyers, early adopters, empty-nesters and right-sizers can get everything they want in a crossover that fits their needs,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “CX-3

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2015 Ford F-150 sales slump prompts $10,000 discount

The Ford F-150, the biggest-selling vehicle in the United States for more than three decades, is in a sales slump. But Ford Motor Co., is hoping to reverse the trend by offering discounts of more than $10,000 on the new aluminum-bodied edition. The company’s website offers “up to $10,029 in total savings” on a 2015 F-150 XLT SuperCab 4X4 with the luxury chrome or sport package in some U.S. regions. That model comes with a discount of $7,050 in other areas, according to Ford.com. Sales fell 8.9 percent in June for Ford’s F-Series pickups, its top-selling line and most profitable

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Toyota Prius recalls continue with software, hybrid system woes

Toyota and recalls as synonymous. The Japanese manufacturer has announced another recall, this time 625,000 Prius models worldwide for a software issue. that could result in the failure of the hybrid system. In the United States, the recall affects 109,000 Prius V models from 2012, 2013 and 2014. The issue in the current software for the motor/generator control and hybrid control ECU’s can cause increases temperatures near some transistor. A warning light would warn drivers, but it could also escalate and cause the hybrid system severe damage. Dealers will upgrade the software for both ECUs to fix the issue. Toyota

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Ford set to auction Apollo-themed 2015 Mustang

For the eighth straight year, Ford Motor Company has created an aviation-inspired 2015 Ford Mustang and will feature it as the premier item auctioned live at the Experimental Aircraft Association benefit at the Gathering of Eagles charity event July 23. The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration — will be held July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. For is the exclusive automobile sponsor of the event. All proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit EAA youth education programs, including the Young Eagles, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.9

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Hyundai Tucson redesigned

The redesigned 2016 Hyundai Tucson, available in August, will feature a more modern design, enhanced driving dynamics, increased utility and additional safety and entertainment technology features. The compact sport utility vehicle will be available in four trims and will be priced starting at $22,700. The trim levels will include: * SE: Well-equipped, price-leading model including popular options. * Eco: Affordable turbo model that delivers more power and improved fuel economy. * Sport: Features sporty cues and driving dynamics. * Limited: Luxury model with leather, advanced technology and other premium features. “The all-new Tucson hits the sweet spot of what consumers

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Toyota Mirai, 312-mile range hydrogen car, gets info site

The Toyota Mirai, the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle that uses no gasoline and emits only water vapor, will be available in its “request” phase beginning July 20. Potential buyers will then be able to request the only electric vehicle with an EPA estimated driving range of more than 300 miles. The EPA has given the Mirai a range rating of 312 miles and an EPA estimated 67 mpge in combined city and highway driving. The, $57,5000 sedan will be available only at eight California dealerships. Only California residents can buy the car. It will include an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on

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2015 Nissan Rogue: Worthy SUV in packed segment

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What can an underdog sport utility vehicle offer to gain a share of the vastly competition automotive segment? The Nissan Rogue found a way. It didn’t start well. The Rouge debuted in late 2007 as a 2008 model and was met with a mediocre response. The Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4 and Ford Escape, among others, had well-established audiences. And who wanted a vehicle named Rogue? Did it define its name as “good for nothing” or vagrant? But with its second generation unveiling in 2014 with better gas mileage and a more comfortable, better-made interior, the Rogue was not longer scorned.

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Volkswagen camper set to make return as electric van?

The Volkswagen camper, the iconic niche vehicle fancied by surfers, Grateful Dead fans and camping families, may soon be available in the United States after a decade hiatus. Volkswagen has officially discounted the prevalent rumor of the return of the Westfalia Camper edition. But Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the head of production of VW has reportedly said the bus will be back in a surprising way — as an electric vehicle. Neusser, as reported on the web site, inhabit.com, has that detailed the camper will have a small electronic motor to power the front wheels. The battery pack will be under the

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2016 Scion iA, iM: worthy new underdog sub-compacts

It seems like only a few years ago when Scion joined the automotive community and touted its edgy, inexpensive cars. They were geared toward active young buyers, then called Generation Y, and who had limited funds. But it’s been 12 years since Scion debuted in the United States, and the brand produced by Toyota is still marketing its vehicles to active young buyers, now called millennials. Scion says its cars are ideal for those constantly on the move and with less than $20,000 to spend on a new car. Beginning with a national debut on September 1, Scion will focus

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