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Hyundai Veloster compact debuts at Detroit Auto Show

The Hyundai Veloster, a compact sport coupe first showcased as concept car by the South Korean manufacturer in 2007, has debuted at the Detroit Auto Show and is scheduled for sales in the summer of 2011. Hyundai says the Veloster, whose name is derived from the combination of the words “velocity” and “roadster,” will feature a direct-injected 1.6 liter 138-horespoqwe 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, and 40 mpg fuel economy. A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission is also available as an option. The transmission is the first dual-clutch transmission developed by Hyundai. A turbocharged 210 horsepower version of the same engine will

Chevrolet seeks boom for Aveo after name change to Sonic

What’s in a name? Chevrolet is hoping there’s a lot since its changing the name of of its entry level Aveo to Sonic for the North American market. The Aveo, introduced into the U.S. market about a decade ago, has received mixed reviews, with some automotive publications naming it the worst car on the road. Consequently, the Aveo joined siblings Vega, Chevette and Prizm on Chevy’s under achieving list. However, Chris Perry, vice president of U.S. marketing for Chevrolet, calls the Sonic “a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment” that warrants a new name. “The new car

Scion tC 2011 car review

The revised youth-oriented 2011 Scion tC has been long overdue and is improved enough to help boost sagging Scion sales. For instance, Scion sales fell sharply from 2008 to 2009 and were disappointing in 2010, too. Major improvements have been made to the oddly named tC. The front-drive, two-door hatchback has more power, better transmissions, a revised interior, improved chassis and larger wheels. Moreover, the 2011 tC provides lots of standard equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry and an AM/FM/CD sound system. Safety items include stability and traction

Tata Motors revamps strategy for struggling cheap car Nano

The Tata Nano, overtly published and praised in 2009 when it debut in limited locations in India as the world’s cheapest car, is now facing a different reputation — and an uncertain future. Lottery luck was originally needed to purchase a Nano, the most well-known original vehicle of Tata Motors. But sales are now slow for the $2,200 car, likely prompted by two reasons. First, several Nano models have caught fire since April 2009 via exhaust or electrical systems issues. Nicknamed “the people’s car,” the Nano has also had increased competition from sightly more expensive cars like the General Motors

Ford Focus, 2012 car review

The new, redesigned compact Ford Focus is a sleek, mildly Americanized version of Ford’s European Focus. Developed and tuned in Germany, it’s a big improvement over its dated predecessor. The new, tightly assembled Focus is a very early 2012 model that will be sold in many worldwide markets. It comes as a versatile sedan or hatchback. The “hatch” has the same 104.3-inch wheelbase as the sedan, but is 6.9 inches shorter. Both versions have wheels pulled to the far corners of the body for better ride and handling. Both versions provide decent cargo room. The rear seatbacks on most Focus

Honda Fit recall: nearly 700,000 globally for stalling issue

Honda is recalling about 97,000 of its 2009–10 Honda Fit hatchbacks in the United States and about 700,000 worldwide (also sold under the names Honda Freed and Honda City) because a part failure can cause the car to stall or damage the engine. The carmaker announced in a news release that “lost motion springs” within the engine’s valve train “may bend or break over time resulting in abnormal engine noise and potentially causing engine damage or stalling.” Honda said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries and would begin notifying owners early next month. The Japanese automaker said

Honda Civic 2011 car review

For several years, the Honda Civic has likely held a unique distinction throughout the automotive industry — most available trims. The 2011 Civic is available as a sedan or coupe and it’s offered in five main trim levels: DX, LX, EX, EX-L and Si. As a sedan-only, Honda also offers the DX Value package, the LX-S, the Hybrid and the GX. The likely reason for all choices is that the Civic is perennially among the top-selling cars in the United States. That makes for an easy equation — more is better. Since its 1972 debut the Civic has evolved through

Honda Fit gets Consumer Reports' overall best value honor

In addition to its varied category and overall best and worst category lists, Consumer Reports has a best value list and the 2011 Honda Fit has emerged as a double winner — best small car value and best overall value in 2011 among more than 200 different vehicles analyzed. “A low price doesn’t necessarily make a car a good value,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. “At a time when people need to make every dollar count, our best value list highlights the models that give you a lot for your money.” Consumer Reports uses performance, reliability, and

Toyota Corolla, 2011: World's best-selling car 'refreshed'

Not very excited by cars? Just looking for a comfortable, economical sedan with long-term durability? The 2011 compact Toyota Corolla might be for you. It’s hard to go wrong with the front-drive Corolla, which in various forms over the years has outsold the Ford Model T and rear-engine Volkswagen Beetle. The Corolla arrived as a $1,700 two-door rear-drive model with 60 horsepower in 1968. More than 30 million have been sold worldwide. The 2009 Corolla was slightly revised, and the 2011 model has freshened front and rear styling, along with interior design updates. Changes were made to the front and

Nissan Versa leads top-10 cheapest new cars to own

The 2011 Nissan Versa is the least expensive car in the United States to own and operate for five years, according to a new report on the website of the business publication, Kiplinger. The five-year cost of ownership assessment, published on Kiglinger.com, includes the purchase price, down payment, interest on the car loan, insurance, depreciation, taxes and fees, fuel, service and repairs. The Versa and the other cars on the list are all compacts or subcompacts because, according to the report, “They tend to have the lowest market price, the best fuel economy, and reasonable insurance rates since premiums tend

New design for 2012 Nissan Versa, 2nd-cheapest U.S. Car

The 2012 Nissan Versa, the second generation of the entry level sub-compact, will have its North American debut April 20-21 at the New York Auto Show. The recent increases in gas prices will likely add to what is already expected to be substantial attention for the Versa. The sub-compact segment is among the most competitive with Versa’s challengers including the Chevrolet Sonic, redesigned Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta as well as the updated Toyota Yaris and Mazda2. With the exception of “spy shots,” few details of the 2012 Versa are available, but the design has been described as “edgier.” The

Hyundai Sonata, Buick Regal among best 'budget luxury' cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (113.5KB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe once standard belief a luxury car was defined by price is no longer valid. The current average price of a new car in the United States, slightly more than $29,000, is also slightly less than the former $30,000 launching point for a luxury vehicle. More pertinent today for a vehicle to be considered a luxury car are its features, comfortable interior to smooth ride to quality lists of option packages. Which is why CNNMoney.com has listed the Buick Regal, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Taurus, Kia Optima, Subaru

Fiat 500, 2012 car review

The new 2012 Fiat 500 is cute, fun to drive and fuel thrifty. Many young drivers interested in the 500 may never have heard of Fiat’s reputation for selling troublesome cars here decades ago. But then, Italy’s Fiat wasn’t the only troublesome foreign car, and it’s a whole new auto world now. The 500 is built with modern equipment that didn’t exist in Fiat’s spotty old days. when some joked “Fiat” stood for “Fix it again, Tony.” The 500 is hardly unproven. Chrysler-controlled Fiat says more than 500,000 Fiat 500s have been sold in 80 countries since 2007. The 500

Ford Focus, 2012 car review

A small family car that debuted in North America in 2000, the Ford Focus is now in its third generation. Until the 2012 model year, the Focus was globally popular despite its underwhelming presence and lackluster overall performance. But the car’s status as a reliable, inexpensive choice has resulted in success. About 10 million Ford Focus vehicles have been sold globally since the Focus arrived Europe in July 1998. With its new styling, longer wheelbase and largely complete makeover, the Focus is gathering increased attention in an increasingly crowded market segment. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A solo, long trip

Honda Civic 2012 debuts, 4 engines, 13 trims in redesign

The redesigned 2012 Honda Civic is simultaneously debuting at the New York International Auto Show and at dealerships nationwide, with pricing starting at $15,600 for the base DX sedan extending to $26,750 for the hybrid with option packages. The eighth generation of the perennially top-selling Honda is the same size as the 2011 edition. But it’s 40 pounds because of a newly utilized high-strength steel and other weight-reducing changes. Standard for the 2012 Civic will be a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower and five-speed automatic transmission. Its manufacturer estimate is 39 mpg on the freeway. The HF model, which

Toyota Corolla, 2011 car review

With its unparalleled legacy via sheer numbers, the Toyota Corolla stands alone in the automotive industry. Now well into its 40s, the Corolla is the biggest selling car in history (approaching 40 million), with one new Corolla sold somewhere in world about every 40 seconds. Now in its 10th edition, the car that received its name for the Latin word for crown may have reached its saturation point. Manufactured in 15 countries (but not the United States), the Corolla is facing increasingly difficult competition from several manufacturers thriving in the subcompact and compact car categories. They offer faster, more efficient