Five top gas mileage, wallet-friendly cars for 2013

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Once limited to niche brands, odd designs and ill-conceived marketing, carmakers in recent years have integrated hybrid, alternative fuel vehicles into the automotive mainstream lineup. Now, nearly every major manufacturer offers at least one hybrid and another alternative fuel car in its fleet. Combined with higher mileage gas-engine cars, the auto industry flush with improved fuel efficiency. Hybrid anxiety is passé. Alternative fuel cars formerly designed and operated as if related to moon vehicles or military craft now largely look and drive the same as their gas-only siblings. The “greening” of the automotive industry occurred primarily for three specific reasons:

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Mazda CX-5, 2014: More power, same clean, efficient style, ride

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Now in the second year of its debut generation, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 continues the carmaker’s third-time’s-the-charm good fortune. The compact, five-passenger sport utility vehicle follows the not-too-successful Tribute and CX-7, and it’s proven popular in a crowded segment with its modern look, clean styling, efficiency and economy. The Mazda CX-5 debuted as a 2013 model at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2012. For 2014, there are only minor tweaks to the car’s first year with increased horsepower in the top-two trims, a collision warning system option and advanced radio technology services. The Weekly Driver Test Drive One

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Hyundai, Kia recalling nearly 2 million cars dating to 2007 via faulty brakes, air bags

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Despite experiencing record sales and infiltrating many car-buying segments with innovation and value, Hyundai and Kia are facing major growing pains with a massive recall of nearly two million cars. The switch recall covers almost 1.7 million vehicles — most of the automakers’ model lineups from the 2007 through 2011 model years — to fix problems with air bags a brake light switches. In addition, Hyundai is recalling about 194,000 Elantra compacts from 2011 to 2013 to fix an air bag problem. A faulty switch can stop the brake lights from illuminating when drivers press on the pedal, the U.S.

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2013 Toyota Camry: Top-selling sedan still reliable, efficient

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The 2013 Toyota Camry sedan looks sharper since its much-needed redesign for 2012. It retained its long-standing status as America’s top-selling car last year. Could 404,886 buyers be wrong? Maybe not, if all they wanted was a reliable, efficient car with a good quality reputation—although most models aren’t fun to drive—just an appliance. There are a variety of Camry models, including several gas/electric hybrids, to fit various budgets. List prices range from $22,235 for the base “L” four-cylinder model to $30,465 for the XLE V-6 version The 2012 front-wheel-drive Camry sedan got a widened, lower stance and upgraded interior. It

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New NHTSA car safety rating system app unveiled

Consumers interested in quick access to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) 5-Star Safety Ratings can now get the information via a new iOS appplication for iPhones and iPod touches. The NHTSA real-time vehicle safety information is available to consumers from SaferCar.gov site. It allows users to search its 5-Star Safety Ratings for vehicles by make and model, locate car seat installation help, file a vehicle safety complaint, find recall information and subscribe to automatic notices about vehicle recalls. NHTSA will also give developers real-time access to the data that powers this app through an Application Programming Interface (API),

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Kia Optima, 2014: Style, substance, affordability

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Kia Motors America debuted a vastly updated 2014 edition of its popular Optima, the fast-growing four-year-old midsize sedan, at the New York International Auto Show. Available in LX, EX, SX and SX-Limited trims, the 2014 Kia Optima arrives with updated front and rear fascias, retaining the vehicle’s dynamic and sporty proportions. The Optima’s new premium amenities and convenience options make Optima an even more competitive option in the competitive mid-size sedan segment. The 2014 Optima is expected to arrive in Kia retail showrooms in the third quarter of the year, and pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s on-sale

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2013 Kia Optima gets performance, cargo area, efficiency upgrades

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In its short tenure, the Kia Optima Hybrid has received its share of accolades. Now it’s likely to receive more.  Kia has announced the updated 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. It features a more performance-driven and fuel-efficient powertrain as well as more cargo space and premium features. Value continues to be a strong selling point Kia, with the Hybrid with LX starting at an MSRP of $25,900 and the fully loaded EX at an MSRP of $31,9501. For 2013, the Optima Hybrid features numerous powertrain refinements for smoothness and drivability, including a more robust 47 HP electric traction motor, a stronger

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Toyota announces special editions for 2013 Corolla

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The enduring Toyota Corolla, which debuted in 1966 and as it approaches its 50th birthday remains the best-selling car in history, will soon be offered in two 2013 model special editions. Toyota has announced the two 2013 Corolla Special Editions will offer standard features in two grade levels, LE and S. The LE Special Edition will offer 16-inch alloy wheels, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune™ (three-year subscription), Power and heated Beige leather-trimmed seats, Special Edition floor mats and exterior badging, and a unique Black Currant Metallic exterior color. The Corolla S Special Edition will provide new styling along with

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Freddie Mercury’s 1974 Rolls-Royce Sells At Auction For $118,000

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More than 20 years after his death, the flamboyant legend of Freddie Mercury, the frontman for the seminal rock band Queen, endures including via his former choice of automobiles — a 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. Mercury died in 1991, but his Rolls-Royce, originally purchased by the musician’s production company and hardly driven in the past two decades, sold earlier this year for 7,700 British Sterling or about $118,000. It was purchased via a telephone bid  from a Russian businessman at the Coys auction at Autosport International in the United Kingdom. The classic Rolls-Royce had a list used value of $13,000

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2013 Chevrolet Volt: Slick, practical, fuel-stingy engineering marvel

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The electric-gas 2013 Chevrolet Volt’s electric-only operating range has been extended three miles to an EPA-estimated 38 miles, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. Many drivers can’t control terrain or temperature, but driving techniques must be altered, which may not be easy for many Volt owners. No, they’re “not in Kansas anymore.” Total Volt range with the help of a small range-extending 84-horsepower gas engine is an estimated 382 miles under good conditions. The twin-overhead-camshaft engine calls for premium fuel and has a 9.3-gallon tank capacity. The Volt’s propulsion system combines pure electric drive and the sophisticated gas engine.

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Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Sonata among top-10 best used cars

The automotive industry had a lot of surprises in 2012, not the least of which was a recent yearly record for used car sales. More than 40 million used cars sold last year, the highest total since 2007, according to a report on Cars.com. The used car totals by CNW Market Research detailed that for every new sold in 2012 , nearly three used cars sold. The numbers prompted Cars.com to rekindle its former annual list of the top-10 used cars available for around $10,000. The list includes cars seven years old or newer and selected with some safety and

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Small cars still mean big things for collectors, museums

After World War II, the troubled global economy prompted innovation in the auto industry. As a result, microcars — the original green cars — became all the rage. They were city cars, relied on for local commuting and for errands. They were cheap and used little fuel. As a description at the current display of microcars at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento details, “Microcars were easy to park, simple to drive and mechanically similar to scooters in that they were seemingly in every city of the world.” Most of the original microcar manufacturers are gone now, but the idea

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Redesigned Crossover has sleeker styling

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The mid-size 2013 Santa Fe Sport crossover has rakish new styling similar to that of Hyundai Sonata and Elantra sedans. It also has carlike road manners and plenty of room. The Santa Fe Sport should do well, even though it’s up against rivals such as the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The five-passenger, two-row Santa Fe Sport should not be confused with the costlier, longer-wheelbase seven-passenger, three-row Santa Fe, which has replaced Hyundai’s underachieving 7-passenger Veracruz. That Santa Fe lacks the word “Sport” in its name, but comes with a 3.3-liter, 290-horsepower V-6. The

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Bugatti Veyron thrives on enduring mystique

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Buying a supercar like Bugatti or an entry level auto like the Nissan Versa is the same in one respect — it’s a subjective choice. But then the similarity ends suddenly. Beyond the obvious financial differences between a $10,000 car and a $2 million car, the major difference between a Versa and a Bugatti is exposure. Drive a Versa and you’re invisible, always. Drive a Bugatti and it’s impossible not to seen. Every new edition of the Bugatti is automotive industry extravaganza, particularly if it’s the manufacturer’s most powerful roadster to date. That occurred in April 2012 when the open-top

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Sacramento woman ‘electrifying’ in her kiwi green ZAP car

Five years ago, Pennie and Howard Taylor of Sacramento, concerned about the environment and energy use, bought a 2006 ZAP! electric car from a dealership in Davis, California. It’s been an attention-grabber, gas-station avoider and an efficient little “kiwi” since. A local educator, Pennie Taylor commuted 20 miles in the ZAP! car until recent changes in her teaching career. But she still drives the car a lot and is pleased with her energy efficiency. She’s equally enthused to teach students about energy consumption or to share the car’s simplicity with anyone who asks. “People always interact with me; they take

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Ford cooking with anything but gas in sustainable car-making initiative

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For about a year, Ford has been touring the country with a marketing program, Fusion Meets Fusion. The initiative allows the carmaker to explain how it uses sustainable food sources to replace plastic and rubber in cars like the fuel-efficient Fusion sedan. Like in other locales, the Sacramento presentation was offered at an established local restaurant, Mulvaney’s B&L in midtown Sacramento. Restaurant co-owner and chef Patrick Mulvaney prepared a family-style meal incorporating soybeans, wheat straw, coconut and dandelion greens. Dandelion greens were used in the spring greens salad and whole wheat fettuccine; wheat straw was an ingredient in hay-scented chicken;

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