Ford Fusion three times isn’t charm in recalls

One recall is bad enough, but 2014 Ford Fusion owners have gotten the unsettling news that three times in the past week their cars have been recalled for steering problems. Adding further worries, Ford has also recalled Lincoln MKZ (2013-2015), Ford Edge (2015), and Ford Fiesta (2013-2015) pushing the manufacturer’s car and truck recall list in the past week to nearly one million units. The largest of the recalls is 520,000 units of the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ from 2013 to 2015 model years, and some 2015 Ford Edges. All of the defective models have a steering gear motor

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Toyota test comparison helps determine best model

With dozens of models on the market, choosing just one Toyota can be as difficult. How do you know which model will meet all of your needs? How are you supposed to decide between a red Yaris and a blue Corolla? Here are a few tips in a Toyota test comparison to  help you decide. 1. Consider the Year The first thing to decide is how modern do you need your car to be? If you’re looking for something with integrated touchscreens or cutting-edge fuel cell technology, your search will be limited to models produced in the last five years.

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda MX-5, lighter, better mpg

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 continues the legacy of the best-selling roadster in history. It’s been re-engineered and is being marketed as offering 25 percent improved gas mileage. Additionally, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is lighter and quicker than its predecessor, according to the manufacturer. The new Mazda has an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/30 mpg combined when equipped with the standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission. With an optional six-speed automatic the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is rated at 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 mpg combined. The increased gas mileage averages, highlight the benefits of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology, according to the carmaker.

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2015 Hyundai Sonata: Luxury attitude, value price

The last generation Hyundai Sonata solidified the midsize sedan’s place into the industry mainstream. The new and expanded 2015 Hyundai Sonata lineup further positions the Korean manufacturer as a strong competitor against the Honda and Toyota monoliths. The new Sonata design, which features a more refined exterior and larger cabin, is offered in five trims and as a hybrid model. An Eco trim with a 1.6-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine is among other changes for 2015. The Weekly Driver Test Drive After recently reviewing the Eco trim Hyundai Sonata, I knew mostly what to expect from the  Sport 2.0T trim. It combines

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2015 Scion tC: Practical liftback with limitations

The Scion tC was unveiled by Toyota 11 years ago as a 2005 model to cater to the millennial market. It’s a thrifty, five-passenger, three-door liftback with a lot of standard features and a few available option packages. The 2015 model brings the car into its second decade as an unheralded compact with a sporty flair and a sub-$25,000 price. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Now in the second year of its third generation, the 2015 Scion tC (Touring Coupe) is offered in one trim level. Its standard equipment includes: 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, a

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Auto Care Schedule Can Add Years To Vehicles’ Lifespans

Cars continue to be a popular method of travel. For many families, the annual road trip offers several entertainment options. However, getting to the theme park, beach or the family reunion requires basic auto care tips to ensure getting there is half the fun and none of the headache. Of course, keeping a car in top running condition requires dedication to a regular schedule, but that commitment offers a return on investment that makes sure everything on the vehicle is working precisely as it should be. Oil Changes While just about every car owner knows about the 3,000 mile or

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Fast & Furious 7: rare car demolition derby

The completion of Fast & Furious 7 was an homage to Paul Walker, the co-lead in the just-released action movie about cars, speed and bravado. Walker died in November 2014 in a single-car crash after only portions of the movie had been filmed. And while the film pays its respects to the actor, it also continues the enduring series’ emphasis on over-the-top joy rides among 340 cars, some rare, some extraordinarily rare. The vehicles were catapulted off ramps and out of planes and smashed together at every angle imaginable. The seventh installment of the movie includes a renewed emphasis on

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Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, pistachios and cars

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The upcoming Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao bout may be the most anticipated fight in boxing history. As such, exposure of both athletes has expanded beyond the boxing circles — and in far different ways. Pacquiao has a television commercial promoting pistachios. Mayweather is more flamboyant. He’s taken to social media to showcase his empire, including his vast collection of iconic cars. As a car collector, Mayweather isn’t in the same league as entertainers like Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld. But his choices are impressive, and certainly expensive, and easily attainable for anyone who happened to make $105 million in

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2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid gets style, still sips fuel

It wasn’t too long ago hybrid car buyers sacrificed exterior and interior design and cargo space to get superior fuel economy. The updated 2015 Toyota Camry provides another example how the segment has vastly improved. The new Toyota Camry looks like a luxury sedan and has an attractive interior. And it’s a fuel-efficient hybrid without any compromise of earlier hybrid offerings. The Weekly Driver’s Test Drive The 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that generate 200 horsepower combined and it’s matched with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base Camry Hybrid LE gets

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Lincoln Continental is back, but can Ford icon rule again?

The Lincoln Continental, the once iconic luxury car owned by hot rod racers and a brand to movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor, is back. Ford has announced the sedan will be unveiled with a new look and minus its recent MKS name as a concept vehicle at the New York Auto Show. The show begins April 3. The Continental, which will likely be available to the public 2016, will have a new 3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price has not been announced. Lincoln, which debuted as a manufacturer in 1915, was once the dominant luxury brand. But

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Jeremy Clarkson driven to anger, gets fired from Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson, the irreverent host of Top Gear, the immensely popular BBC automotive review program, has been fired for hitting a colleague while filming the show on location earlier in March. Tony Hall, the general director of the BBC, which produces the show, made the announcement. Hall, who said he’s a fan of Clarkson, detailed the decision was made after an investigation of the confrontation between Clarkson and the producer. Clarkson was originally suspended, but the BBC subsequently Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed. It was scheduled to expire at the end of March. Ken MacQuarrie, a BBC official, confirmed Clarkson

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2015 Honda Civic: Iconic compact still segment leader

The Honda Civic Si debuted in 1984 and continues to fare well as its settles into adulthood. It’s the sporty version of its oldest sibling, now 43 years old. But in any trim and configuration, the 2015 Honda Civic retains its status as one of the best-selling cars in history. The Weekly Driver Test Drive In the decade since The Weekly Driver debuted, I’ve driven more Honda Civics than any other car. It’s been more than a dozen so far and with gas, natural gas and hybrids engines and as coupe and sedans. The 2015 Civic Si is a reminder

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Playboy, Playmates and their hot (and not so hot) cars

Playmates of the Year get a lot of attention. Playboy, the magazine selecting the honored women since 1964, promotes the models and, among other accolades, gives each winner a new car. For the first 12 years of the award, all of the new cars awarded were pink. But once the odd color selection ended, another more curious occurrence happened — the sometimes bizarre choices of the cars selected. In some instances, the Playmate of the Year received what has become an iconic car, including several Jaguar and Porsche models. In other years, the cars awarded are now nearly worthless. The Playmates

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Watch out for driverless Audi in control, New York bound

Watch out for an Audi SQ5 near you. It’s driverless and it’s now making its way from San Francisco to New York utilizing Delphi autonomous car technology. Jump-starting the long-planned and heavily promoted claims by Tesla one of its electric cars will also be driven across the country on autonomous technology, Audi hopes its experiment will prove successful in time for the New York Auto Show. The Audi’s trek, which began March 22, is planned for about 3,500 miles. In addition to the vehicle, the Audi voyage began with a few engineers and a “driver.” Stints of six-to-eight hours are

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2015 Toyota Highlander: Comfortable, versatile SUV

Fifteen years after its debut at the New York Auto Show, the Toyota Highlander is in the second year of its third generation as a midsize, car-based sport utility vehicle. The Highlander was a quick hit and became Toyota’s best-selling SUV until its smaller sibling, the RAV4, assumed the carmaker’s top SUV spot in 2006. Facing increasing SUV competition, the Highlander was extensively redesigned in 2014, boosting its tired predecessor. The 2015 model remains the same as last year’s offering. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in five trims, my weekly was the top-line Limited Platinum model. The base model begins

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Apple Watch: car tech craze or auto disaster?

The announcement of the Apple Watch was long anticipated. And if April’s release date materializes it will be interesting to observe the effects the Dick Tracy-like contraption to various industries — particularly the automotive world. The possibilities are vast. Will the media frenzy about the watch reflect an equal excitement about Apple stock? How will the new watch and its myriad functions change industry, the mainstream watch world to the ever-advancing infotainment systems and driving habits in the auto industry? Tim Cook, the Apple CEO said, among other features, the Apple Watch would soon feature Car Play. It’s the application

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