Jeep Wrangler, 2012: Rugged off-road master gets road features redesign

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Now at the end of its first decade, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the iconic brand’s most rugged option. It features the standard seven vertical slat grille and round headlamps of all Jeeps, but it’s named after the 22-mile Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada that begins about 80 miles east of Sacramento. The famous trail has road segments, but the rocky sections are where off-road vehicles can quickly shine or fail. if you name one of your vehicles after the trail, it should probably thrive on rutted, rugged terrain, water crossings and the unexpected proverbial fork in the road.

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2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: built, billed right

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The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is marketed as an inexpensive small sport utility vehicle with superior fuel economy. It’s an enticing description for a family needing solid transportation, reliability, efficiency and strong brand resale value. New with last year’s model, the hybrid joins the Corolla family. Its pedigree stands alone as the best-selling car in history. The Cross debuted in 2022, with the new hybrid, of course, substantially boosting gas mileage. In its debut model year, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is available in S, SE and XSE trims. All versions are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine

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Toyota Corolla Cross Floor Mats Comparison: All-Weather vs. Carpet vs. TPE

In the quest to safeguard your Toyota Corolla Cross interior, it is important to get the right floor mats. Regardless of whether you put more value on durability, comfort, or stylishness, the debate commonly separates into three broad categories, including all-weather, carpet, and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) floor mats. Your Toyota Corolla Cross needs the best precaution as possible and this begins at the floor with the use of high quality floor mats. The proper mats would not only protect the internal part of your car against the dirt, the spillage, and wear but contribute towards the comfort and fashion.  In

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2026 RAV4 vs CR-V vs CX-5: The Best Compact SUV Depends on One Question

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The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Mazda CX-5 compared on price, MPG, cargo, and tech. Which compact SUV wins depends on how you drive.

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Tata Nano, '79 MG, '82 Ram Charger, '01 VW Jetta: For $2,500, You Make The Call

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But since the Tata Nano won’t be available in the U.S., what will $2,500 get a car buyer in this country? The New York Times included an interesting comparison in one of its several detailed pieces on Tata Motors, the Nano’s manufacturer. In describing the cost of the Nano, The Times’ reporter said its $2,500 price is about the same cost as an optional DVD player in a 2008 Lexus LX470. I’ve also done a little comparison shopping. Although the price of the Nano may go down (depending in the manufacturer’s reaction to a new, lower government excise tax), and

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Monterey Auto Week: What's In A (No) Name?

Porsche and Ferrari were the attractions Monday on Ocean Avenue in Carmel and accompanying side streets. And on Tuesday marques from 1946-1971 were presented. Both days were nirvana for car owners and automotive enthusiasts. But the Tuesday gathering was particularly enjoyable, classic Volkswagen Beetles to a rare Kaiser Darrin, pristine Mercedes Benz coupes to an early Toyota Corolla, a prime example of the most popular car ever made. But what of this 10 days of automobile stuff? It begins with pre-historics at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and  ends with granddaddy of offerings, the famed Concours d’Elegance. Without an umbrella event

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Toyota Prius, Corolla, 2009: Weidel On Wheels

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As a consumer and parent who usually who pays my daughter’s gas bill, her thinking is applauded and appreciated. Even with gas taking a much needed downward turn, prices are still high enough that gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles are no longer the rage. In fact, auto manufacturers are beginning stray from SUVs. With gas price still an over-riding theme and shoppers seeking value, here are two gas-conscious vehicles offered by Toyota in 2009. * Prius — A good friend owns a Prius and swears by its considerable merits. The gas mileage (he claims close to 50 mpg) is fabulous, even

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Toyota announces another massive recall following runaway acceleration car deaths

Four people died Dec. 26 in Southlake, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, when a 2008 Toyota sped off the road, through a fence and landed upside down in a pond. The car’s floor mats were found in the trunk of the car, where owners had been advised to put them as part of the first recall. Although local and federal investigators are still trying to determine why the car went out of control, one possible cause has been definitively ruled out — floor mats. The floor mats were found in the car’s trunk, leading police to speculate that they were

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Toyota CEO emerges from silence, outlines current woes, Prius, Lexus plans

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Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, speaking for the first time since his embattled company has recalled millions of its vehicles and is considering further recalls with Prius and perhaps Lexus models, has outlined the Japanese manufacturer’s plans. Here are the key points of what Toyoda, the grandson of the Toyota founder, said at a news conference in Nagoya, Japan, late Friday, which was shown at Toyota’s Tokyo office by satellite feed. Also included are other key points of the current Toyota scandal: * Toyota‘s president apologized for the automaker’s global recalls and promised to beef up quality control by

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Toyota recall redeux: 1.13 millon Corolla sedans, Matrix hatchbacks could stop suddenly

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According to the Associated Press, federal regulators have been investigating the possibility of stalling engines in the Corolla and Matrix models since December. The probe was intensified earlier this week. “Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles,” Steve St. Angelo, Toyota’s chief qualify officer for North America, said in the statement. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a

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Fiat 500, 2012: Small, cute, fun and still Italian — sort of

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After a 37-year absence, the 2012 Fiat 500, the Italian subcompact, marks its return to North America with its new business relationship with Chrysler. First offered in Italy in 1957, the 2012 Fiat 500 (Cinquecento in Italian) is reminiscent of its deceased sibling and is currently available as a 2-door hatchback or 2-door convertible and with a high-performance Abarth model awaiting for 2012. Like its predecessor, the Fiat features a small engine (1.4-liter, 4-cylinder and 101-horsepower) with a short-shifting, five-speed manual transmission. What the Fiat lacks in speed, the manufacturer has more the compensated for with a host of standard

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Toyota unveils new sports car, no name yet for U.S. version

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Toyota and Subaru have jointly debuted a new compact sports coupe with hopes of rekindling sportiness to the manufacturer's maligned reputation in Japan and the United States. The car is called the Hachiroku in Japan, which means 86. However, the name of the car for the United States market, has not been released. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the new car is reminiscent of the Toyota models Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno introduced in 1983. Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru-brand vehicles, hope the four-seat, rear-wheel-drive will attract young customers. The Hachiroku

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Toyota Aqua debuts in Japan with unknown: Can new tiny hybrid sell well?

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Toyota's smallest hybrid car, named the Aqua in Japan and the Prius C in the United States, went on sale December 26 in Japan with its native country's manufacturer hoping to attract young buyers to the entry level, fuel efficient market. Priced with a U.S. dollar-converted $21,770, Toyota hopes to sell 12,000 Aquas per month in Japan as part of its global goal of selling 20 percent more hybrid vehicles in 2012 than it's expected to sell in final 2011 totals. "The Aqua shows Toyota is increasing efforts to boost sales in the domestic market," said Mamoru Kato, an auto

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Honda Civic HF, 2012: Better gas mileage but at what cost?

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With the HF edition, Honda adds to its crowded 2012 lineup of Civics all featuring some lettering like LK, EX and EX-L. But there's also DK, Si and the HF, which stands for "High Fuel." It's hard to argue with success. The Honda Civic, introduced 40 years, is perennially among the top yearly sellers and among the best-selling cars in history. The Civic began as a two-door model and then a three-door hatchback. The 1972 Honda Civic included a basic AM radio, heater, foam-cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. Now in

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NAIAS 2012: Honda Accord Coupe 2013, Scion FR-S 2013, Toyota Prius C 2013

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Honda Accord Coupe Concept Honda unveiled the Accord Coupe Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, providing the first official glimpse of the athletic styling direction, as well as revealing new technologies for the ninth-generation 2013 model. It's set to go on-sale this fall. The 2013 Accord will feature three new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda's suite of next-generation Earth Dreams powertrain technologies. In addition, the V-6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a six-speed automatic transmission. The Accord Sedan

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TheWeeklyDriver.com collaborates with eBay.com

As editor and publisher of theweeklydriver.com, I am pleased to announce my new affiliation with eBay.com. As a contributor to the site for about one year, my latest project is as a  contributing writer to a new program called Collections. The program, launching today (Oct. 22), features numerous automotive industry journalists each writing about some their favorite new and used vehicles and affiliated automotive products in 24 collections. My collections cover a diverse selection of cars and trucks, ranging from my long-time interest in Rambler to my respect for the enduring popularity of the Toyota Corolla. I’m particularly interested in

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