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Honda Fit EV, 2013: Spacious compact gets leaner with industry-best 118 mpg

Seven years after its North American debut and rapid rise to the top of the subcompact class, the Honda Fit has a new title — most fuel efficient vehicle in the United States. Reclassified in 2011 to the compact classification, the 2013 Fit EV will soon be marketed with its recently announced EPA rating of 118 MPGe. It’s the highest number ever awarded by the EPA. The 2012 gas-powered Fit has mpg averages of 27 in the city and 33 on the highway. The gas powered Fit, promoted as “Small is the New Big,” has received numerous accolades. Some car

Click and Clack, 'Car Talk' hosts, driving off into NPR retirement sunset

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, hosts of the National Public Radio's popular "Car Talk" program that puts a comedic spin on often mundane topic of automotive repair, will retire in September after 35 years. The brothers, who used the moniker broadcast name Click and Clack, the Tappett Brothers, have been taping the weekly show at WBUR, Boston's public radio affiliate, since 1977. "My brother has always been 'work-averse," said Ray Magliozzi said in a release about Tom who will turn age 75 this year. "Now, apparently, even the one hour a week is killing him." NPR will continue to broadcast the

Adam Carolla: Driving, performing at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Comedian Adam Carolla, the avid sports car enthusiast, former host of The Car Show and current host of the weekly podcast Carcast, will perform August 17 during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Carolla, who will be competing in the event while driving two of his vintage Datsuns, will perform at 8 p.m. at the The Sunset Center in Carmel. A package deal that includes a ticket to the show and a two-day pass to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is available in person at the Sunset Center Theater box office for $150, a savings of

Nissan Juke, 2012: Looks funny, drives fast, best buy small SUV crossover (video)

Introduced to the North American market at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the Nissan Juke is another in the ever-evolving series of unique-looking crossover vehicles with equally ever-evolving names. With the 2012 edition, the Juke remains the same as its 2011 debut edition — a turbocharged 1.6-liter, 188-horsepower 4-cylinder with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Nissan calls the Juke "The Bold Urban Sport Cross." The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like some of its rivals, including the Kia Soul and Scion xB, the Nissan Juke gets immediate attention. One national reviewer said its distinctive exterior is reminiscent of a "horned

Hyundai Azera, 2012: Redesigned sedan enchances carmaker's stellar lineup

The old Hyundai Azera sedan was solid, although bland. But with swoopy new styling, more power and lots of features, the redone 2012 model that arrived this spring makes the car stand out. The new front-wheel-drive Azera comes in only one spacious trim level and slots between Hyundai’s Sonata and Genesis models. It looks more expensive, inside and out, than its $32,000 list price might suggest. Its nicely shaped and bumper-integrated tailpipes look as if they came from a top custom-car operation. The only option is a $4,000 package that contains such items as wider tires on 19-inch (vs. 18-inch)

Rare Ferrari sells for $35 million, assumes most expensive car record

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO made for race driver Stirling Moss and one of 39 of the rare vehicles manufactured during its three-year run, has become the world’s most expensive car. It sold in a private transaction in May for $35 million. Bloomberg News reports the apple-green Ferrari is listed among May’s high-end sales on the classic car dealers website, anamera.com. The sale was confirmed, according to Bloomberg, by two sources. The car was sold by the Dutch-born businessman Eric Heerema, owner of the Nyetimber vineyard in Sussex, southern England. American collector Craig McCaw is the new owner. Neither seller

Suzuki Kizashi, 2012: Worthy midsize sedan has a name but no identity

Now in its third model year, the Suzuki Kizashi is the Japanese manufacturer's most expensive vehicle. The midsize sedan has only a few minor changes in 2012 from last year's offering, with the uniquely named car still hoping to find a larger niche in the near-luxury category. Kizashi (pronounced KEY-ZAH-SHEE) means “something great is coming.” Suzuki promoted the Kizashi with industry buzz in mind. And it attracted attention for a while when the car debuted in 2009 as a less expensive alternative to an Audi 4. But the Kizashi is still largely unheralded and under publicized. The Weekly Driver Test

Toyota surpasses four million hybrid vehicles sold since 1997 debut

The Toyota Prius dominates the hybrid car segment and it's the primary reason why 16 years after its debut, the carmaker recently surpassed four million hybrid units sold. Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicles in 80 countries and regions. This year, hybrid vehicle accounted for 15 percent of TMC’s global vehicle sales. Prius, Toyota’s first hybrid passenger car, went on sale in Japan in 1997. Hybrid technology was later introduced to the U.S. in 2000 with the arrival of the Prius. Since then, the Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. sold 1.5 million hybrid vehicles in the

Toyota Prius v, 2012: Roomier, supple sedan expands best-selling hybrid lineup

If you like the Toyota Prius, but want more room than the standard model offers, meet the larger, roomier new 2012 Prius v wagon. The four-door hatchback Prius v expands the Prius line. It’s longer, wider and taller than the standard Prius, although it doesn’t look as attractive. Its rear end seems to be grafted onto a standard Prius, which is no beauty contest winner, anyway. List prices for the front-wheel-drive Prius v are $26,400 for the base “Two” version, $27,165 for the mid-range “Three” version and $29,990 for the top-line “Five” which I tested. All are well-equipped. Even the

Dario Franchitti wins Indy 500 for third time, honors Dan Wheldon

Dario Franchitti, 39, of Scotland, who May 27 won the Indianapolis 500, joined a select fraternity of the drivers who've won the event three times. With his third winner in yellow-flag circumstances, Franchitti joins Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser and Helio Castroneves as triple winners. "Thank all the fans for saluting our Dan (Wheldon) today," said Franchitti, who was one of deceased driver's closest friends. "What a race. What a race. I was side by side with Takuma (Sato). We hit and I managed to keep it out of trouble." Franchitti's third win occurrred on

Carroll Shelby's life celebration planned at Rolex Motorsports Reunion in Monterey

The life of Carroll Shelby, a veteran who flew B-29s, an oil roughneck, a chicken farmer and automotive legend, will be celebrated August 17-9 at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Raceway. The connection between Shelby and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has long been intertwined. Shelby was a frequent participant in the formative years of the raceway, then named Laguna Seca. On Oct. 20, 1960, Shelby drove the No. 98 Tipo 61 Maserati “Birdcage” in the final race of his legendary driving career. Despite taking nitroglycerin pills to ease chest pains, he finished second after leading much

Baboons frolic in Hyundai Elantra just for the fun of it

Baboons likely don't know one car from another, but a dozen of the monkey seemed to have a good time recently when turned loose to frolic in a Hyundai i30 park in Britian's Knowsley Safari park. Hyundai used the keen marketing approach to test the durability of the car known as the Hyundai Elantra wagon. The baboons acted liked . . . baboons. "At Hyundai, we believe in thinking differently, so we decided to give a new approach to this test of durability," said Felicity Wood, product manager at Hyundai i30. Many of the monkeys chose to play in the

Ferrari recall: faulty crankshaft could cause no-so-good vibrations

Even the esteemed Ferrari, specifically the 458 and California, apparently aren't perfect. But a crankshaft issue? As odd as it may sound, Ferrari is recalling a combined 206 Califiornia and 458 models worldwide. The problem is caused by an incorrect finish to the models' crankshaft. As a result, unwanted vibrations can damage the engine "We are writing to all clients affected now, asking them to return the car to a dealer for the work to be done,"Ferrari spokesman said.

Mazda CX-5, 2013: New design, great mpg, needs performance jolt

Following the defunct Mazda Tribute and CX-7, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 debuted internationally last September at the Frankfurt Auto Show and two months later for the United States market at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Neither of Mazda's first two attempts at sport utility vehicles were particularly successful. But the CX-5 has a modern look and feel, and its design and standard features provide plenty of evidence Mazda has made its best effort to make a difference in the crowded segment. Like the Tribute, the Mazda CX-5 is a compact, crossover SUV. It's Mazda's first offering with Skyactiv Technology

Kia Rio, 2012: Sleek, improved mpg, efficient sedan/hatchback

The 2011 Kia Rio looked plain, but was fairly lively, economical and backed with a long warranty. You either bought it — or maybe a used car. The redone 2012 model has slicker, European-inspired styling, more power, a better automatic transmission and improved fuel economy — besides keeping Kia’s 10-year/100,00-mile powertrain warranty. The front-wheel-drive Rio comes in base LX, mid-range EX and top-line SX trim. It’s sold as a sedan or hatchback. List prices range from $13,400 to $17.700, excluding a $750 destination charge. Standard for the LX are air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, CD Player, satellite radio, adjustable steering wheel

Kia Rio, 2013: Versatile subcompact offers great fuel economy, value

The sub-compact segment in the United States is competitive, with every carmaker offering an entry as gas prices rise. But how does a manufacturer break from the pack and impress target buyers? Several dimensions standout — performance, ride quality, fuel economy, driving dynamics, options, styling, price. With the 2013 Kia Rio, the carmaker is concentrating on style, fuel economy, price and value. Driving Impressions Squeezing 138 HP and 123 lb-ft torque out of a 1.6L four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, the Rio is competitive against the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Chevy Sonic. Sink your foot to the