Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
The 2009 Pontiac G8 GT is an affordable full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan with American muscle. It has standard XM satellite radio, and the high-performance G8 GXP makes its debut, featuring a detuned version of the Corvette’s V8 with a sportier suspension and an optional manual transmission.
Read moreNissan will soon offer its entry level sedan Versa for less than $10,000, and it will be the cheapest new car available in the United States. The no-frills Versa, which will not include air-conditioning or power windows, will cost $9,900 or more than $1,000 less than the country’s current least expensive car.
Read moreHagerty Insurance, the nation’s largest insurance agency for collector vehicles, has compiled a list of the most interesting cars owned in the last century notable presidents as well as candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
Read moreCar & Driver is among the most respected publications in the automotive industry. And each year, the magazine’s highlight issue is its top-10 cars of the year list. With 2009 models fully infiltrating the marketplace and the status of the automotive industry in constant flux, it’s again a good time to note Car & Driver’s selection for 2008.
Read moreOne of the tangible, unwritten tests of a new vehicle is its initial comfort. Does a car suit a driver without a lengthy technological learning curve? There’s something to be said for an efficient, straightforward, no-nonsense car that doesn’t require intense reading to operate. Welcome the 2008 Kia Rondo. It’s nothing new that a good share of drivers still scoff at car manufacturers from Korea. But all of misgivings should now be considered history. Kia offers affordable, safe vehicles with the car industry’s best warranty. I recently drove the Kia Rondo for a week while visiting Missouri, logging more than
Read moreThe 2009 Saturn Aura XR is a spacious sedan with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and a substantial list of standard equipment that makes it an attractive alternative to the industry best-sellers. And although I had a prejudice against Saturn as cheap, the Aura grew on me as a respectable family vehicle during my week’s test drive.
Read moreCarMax, America’s largest used car retailer, and Driver’s Edge, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young drivers, have collaborated on a list of the best vehicles for teen drivers. Each vehicle on this list is rated on affordability, style, and has at least a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in each of the past three years. The list, in alphabetical order by manufacturer, includes: Chevrolet Malibu (2008 only), Dodge Caliber (models with optional side airbags and ABS), Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta. Not a
Read moreGas mileage and price are two major selling points, and considering the cost of gas these and turbulent economy, perhaps this vehicle is just the right Fit. Pardon the pun, but there’s definitely more interest in Honda’s smallest and least expensive car.
Read moreIt wasn’t too many years ago $30,000 was the beginning price point for a luxury vehicle. Now, $40,000 is the standard, and that’s where the Acura TL has been perched for the past several years. The TL debuted with the 1996 model, was redesigned in 2004 and for 2009 has its third generation.
Read morePaul Newman, who died Friday at age 83, was an avid auto racing enthusiast. He first became interested in motorsports (“the first thing that I ever found I had any grace in”) while training for and filming Winning, the 1969 movie.
Read moreI’ve often thought if a car can’t be made to operate more economically, it could at least be made to be safer. Japanese automakers have heard me thinking. And Mazda heard me thinking, particularly when I recently drove the CX-9 a few hundred miles during a week’s test drive.
Read moreWhile generally respectful of all Honda vehicles and its upscale luxury line, a recent week behind the wheel of the 2009 Acura TSX made me questioning the current redesign. It doesn’t match some of the high-level competition in the premium compact class.
Read moreThe 2008 Hyundai Veracruz falls short, but the South Korean manufacturer has set lofty goals and made significant progress in its attempt to compete with Toyota, Honda and even premium Lexus. That’s ambitious goal for a company that once produced cheap, unreliable economy cars that were the industry jokes. But those days are past; Hyundai now earns respect for nearly every vehicle it produces. Certainly it’s true with the Veracruz, a seven-passenger crossover SUV that receives high marks in practically every auto publication. There’s much to like about this well-equipped family vehicle. It combines solid looks, good performance, versatility, safety
Read moreThe 2009 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring compact is done right. It’s the summation of years of automotive awards, good reviews, positive ownership experiences — and thus increased sales. Add my impressions to the list of good reviews. This Mazda was the most fun, economy car I’ve driven in a long time and overall one of the best cars I have driven in recent months.
Read moreThe 2008 Hyundai Accent might be one of the better economy-minded cars available. Edmunds.com compares it to the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. I haven’t driven those cars, so I can’t compare. Overall, the entry-level Hyundai Accent seems to be a value-filled economy car ready for the daily commute grind, although, hopefully not too far of a commute.
Read moreGeneral Motors has unveiled the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle, the much-anticipated combination electric-gasoline that will be able to run up to 40 miles without using its small gasoline engine to produce electricity. The Volt will be driven by electricity stored in a large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack running the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the Volt will be able to operate about 40 miles without using gasoline.
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