Jeep Wrangler, Toyota FJ get 2012 best resale value honors

The Jeep Wrangler‘s for 2012 has a more powerful and more fuel-efficient V6 engine and its gets the top spot in the overall top-10 best used car value designation from Kelley Blue Book based on its 68.0 percent resale value after three years and 55.0 percent  resale value after five years. The resale designations signify automakers achievements in producing vehicles that best retain their value over the first five years of new-vehicle ownership. The awards are presented annually just prior to the L.A. Auto Show, which begins Thursday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The awards are presented to top

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Nissan Rogue, 2012: Confidence, efficiency, keen styling for small cross-over SUV

By Mary Ellen Ash The 2012 Nissan Rogue is a new candidate in the ever popular small cross-over utility vehicle class, and the automaker hopes to attract buyers with a strong mix of attractive exterior styling, interior refinements and nimble road handling. Even though this is the kid-sister of the Nissan SUV family, the Rogue leaves a lasting impression. Build and Styling The new Rogue is an excellent blend of space and functionality with its utility styling and versatility for passengers and cargo, and it incorporates the sharper handling dynamic found in similar sized sedans. Confident and calm looking, the

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Ford Edge SE overtakes minivan dominance, tops lowest annual insurance rates

Minivans, once the go-to car for family versatility and insurance friendliness, have been overtaken in 2013 by crossovers and SUVs, including models from Ford, Jeep, Kia and Hyundai, according to a report by Insure.com. In its recently announced findings, the insurance website noted the Ford Edge SE has the country’s lowest annual insurance rate. “The SUV is the new minivan,” said Russ Rader, spokesperson for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which performs crash tests on vehicles. “These are vehicles used largely by families. They’re going to the mall, taking kids to school and driving to sports practices on the

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REVIEW 2014 Ford Escape: Sporty, utilitarian

Switching from a sporty car to a more practical crossover vehicle doesn’t have to be disappointing. The 2014 Ford Escape compact crossover sheds the previous generation’s boxy look and blends slick styling, decent utility and sporty driving. The Escape is among Ford’s top-selling smaller trucks and comes with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). All versions are four-door hatchbacks with rear-door openings that should be a little wider for easier entry and exit. All ride on a 105.9-inch wheelbase and have a fairly long 178.1-inch length. The turning circle is 39 feet, which isn’t great but is decent for

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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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2016 Car of the Year? Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda?

The Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Civic and Mazda MX-5 Miata, three longstanding vehicles with loyal followings in vastly different new and used car markets, have been named finalists for 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Honda Pilot, Nissan Titan XD and Volvo XC90 were name finalists for Truck of the Year in the recent announcement the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. The 2016 North American Car and Truck of the Year will be announced in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The finalists were chosen from short lists of 10 cars and 12 pickups and SUVs created by a

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2017 Jeep Cherokee: Modern look, respect for the past

Jeep celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016. A year earlier, the compact Jeep Cherokee replaced the Liberty in midseason. It continues the sport utility vehicle’s extended celebration and legacy as the modern version of the original WWII vehicle. For 2017, the Cherokee remains primarily the same as last year’s model. It also had a midseason addition last year with the top-end of five trims, the Overland. It joins the Latitude, Limited, Sport and Trailhawk. As the most powerful Jeep in the lineup, the Overland model I drove for a week featured a 3.2-liter, 24-valve V6 engine with 271 horsepower and

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, the continuation of the South-Korean manufacturer’s top-selling vehicle globally, has been announced. It will feature new exterior stylings, more passenger and cargo room and upgraded features throughout the sport utility vehicle. Available in dealerships in the spring and summer of 2021 (depending upon model) the Hyundai Tucson will be offered in an array of powertrain variants, including new hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The new 2022 Hyundai Tucson internal combustion models will be produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and Ulsan, Korea. Three new technology features highlight interior changes: *10.25-inch full-touch screen exempt of hard buttons:

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Santa Cruz set as 1st Hyundai pickup truck

Hyundai’s new pickup truck will have a unibody construction. Starting prices have not been announced but predicated at $25,000. Hyundai hopes the Santa Cruz will improve the carmaker’s lagging sales.    Following the industry trend, although several years behind, Hyundai will soon debut its first pickup truck, the 2022 Santa Cruz. First teased as a concept in 2015, the South Korean manufacturer will begin selling the Santa Cruz as a complement to its expanding non-sedan lineup in late 2021.  Hyundai recently added the Kona, Palisade and Venue crossovers to its lineup. Hyundai sold a manufacturer’s record of 768,057 vehicles in 2016.

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2021 Nissan Rogue (Platinum): Much ado about the new

A new vehicle edition is sometimes difficult to differentiate from the previous model. Likewise, a current offering’s upgrade may be so extensive, a new generation designation seems warranted. The 2021 Nissan Rogue is a new edition of the sport utility vehicle and much is new. Nissan calls the new Rogue “completely reimagined” and all about “the modern family.” They’re marketing phrases. Translated, the debuting third generation has a healthy list of new stuff in varied areas: technology, connectivity, powertrain, rear multi-link suspension, steering, exterior and interior designs and a Platinum trim level. The manufacturer also reports the Rogue has a

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#200, Few carmakers get top grades in car seat installation

Cars.com recently released its 2021 Car Seat Fit Report Card. It provides a detailed analysis of which cars are the best for parents when it comes children’s car seat installation. Jenni Newman, the editor-in-chief of Cars.com and a certified child passenger safety technician, is our guest on Episode #200 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss the report card and the reactions by carmakers to the grades they received. Only four vehicles made the car seat installation Honor Roll with “straight A’s”: the 2021 Nissan Sentra, 2021 Genesis GV80, 2021 Audi SQ8, and the 2022 Hyundai

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Best Compact SUV? CarsForSale.com lists top-10

A compact SUV is about as ubiquitous as it gets on American roads. As tastes have shifted away from minivans and sedans, those seeking a blend of practicality and drivability have flocked to the smaller, more car-like version of the hulking SUV. Choices in the segment are diverse, from decent off-roaders to stylish canyon cravers to people-moving champions, there’s something here for every buyer. Compact SUVs excel at being the ultimate all-rounders, capable of serving as your weekend adventure vehicle and daily commuter, shipping kids to soccer or taking on the trails with equal aplomb. CarsForSale.com rates the 2022 Mazda

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2023 Mazda CX-50 challenges SUV icons

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The sport utility vehicle market is so strong, Mazda decided it needed two similar vehicles, the CX-5 and the debuting 2023 Mazda CX-50. The combination gives the unheralded manufacturer quality and quantity in likely the most competitive automotive segment beyond pickup trucks. Key rivals, besides its CX-5 sibling, include the redesigned Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. The Toyota RAV4 was the country’s 4th best-selling vehicle in 2021, the CR-V was fifth and the Rogue seventh. The CX-5 placed 18th. With the CX-50, Mazda offers a more rugged alternative to the CX-5, first

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Little 2024 Mazda CX-30 SUV drives big, looks sporty

There’s plenty to like about small, simple and efficient cars with personalities and driving traits ideal for city dwellers. The 2024 Mazda CX-30 qualifies. It’s a compact sport utility vehicle with a big presence. Most of the eight trims are powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus is only available with a turbo engine. It includes much of the other trims’ equipment but adds plenty. It has a turbocharged, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 227 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Value is a top attraction, regardless of trim.

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The 2025 Hyundai Tucson: Why This Compact SUV Deserves a Spot in Your Driveway

If you’ve been SUV shopping lately, you already know the market is crowded. But every so often, a model comes along that doesn’t just blend in. It stands out with bold design, smart features, and real-world practicality. Enter the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, now hitting showrooms and quietly making a case for itself as one of the best all-around values on the road. With striking looks, intuitive tech, and plenty of trim options, the2025 Hyundai Tucson for sale this summer is more than just a refresh. It’s a continuation of Hyundai’s ambitious push into premium territory, without the premium price tag.

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2026 Rivian R2 Buyer’s Guide: Price, Release Date, and What You Get

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The 2026 Rivian R2 buyer's guide: price, release date, Launch Package features, range, and how it compares to the Tesla Model Y.

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