2017 Jeep Renegade: Maintains tough reputation

As the original sport utility vehicle, Jeep has endured wars and multiple owners. It’s prideful, tied to patriotism and known for its off-road durability. It’s also now a hybrid, not via engine options, but in origin. The smallest vehicle in the manufacturer’s lineup, the 2017 Jeep Renegade is the brand’s third-year subcompact crossover. Jeep still manufacturers many of its vehicles near its original plant in Toledo, Ohio. But the Renegade is assembled Melfi, Italy, and in Guangzhou, China. It’s the first Jeep produced outside of North American for international markets, including the United States. The Renegade debuted with substantial importance.

Read more

2018 Audi A5: Refines entry level luxury coupe

The Audi A5 joined the German carmaker’s lineup in 1997, replacing the Audi 80. But for 2018, the Audi A5 is a new generation. And its design and features further designate the car’s position in the entry-level luxury coupe segment as an oxymoron. Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower and advance with a seven-speed transmission, the new Audi A5 advances smoothly and quickly. But there’s a brief turbo lag. The A5’s power is evidenced by its acceleration in the 0-60 miles per hour standard in 5.0 seconds. The all-wheel-drive system is impressive while cornering, particularly at

Read more

2018 Genesis G80: second-year upscale sedan shines

Now in the second spinoff year from Hyundai as its own luxury brand, the Genesis has quickly built its reputation as a worthy challenger in the upscale market. Style, craftsmanship and image mean a lot in the high-end segment. Value isn’t often a priority. Welcome the Genesis. The G80 and flagship G90 are currently available only at Hyundai dealerships. But four other models and a dealership network are planned by 2021. The Southern Korean manufacturer isn’t giving away its vehicles, but value gets equal billing with other luxury car expectations. Updates for 2018 models further exemplify the brand’s new clout.

Read more

2018 Acura TLX: Improved sedan still an underdog

The 2018 Acura TLX is the fifth year of the performance-oriented midsize luxury sedan. It’s matched against segment leaders from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and it was upgraded this year to further find its way as the competition intensifies. Unveiled in April and available at dealers in the Bay Area three months ago, the TLX has restyled wheels and a revised grille, front fascia and fenders. Technology has also advanced with new infotainment features, including Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Acura, the upscale marque of Honda, has long used three-letter titles acronyms in its lineup. It’s uncertain if the

Read more

2017 Toyota Prius Prime: Efficient new hybrid shines

The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in gas-electric hybrid, is a new addition to the country’s largest selling hybrid family. It replaces the Prius Plug-in and it’s the most ambitious Prius on the market. Its exterior design, full of sharp angles and a unique narrow exterior light design in the mainstream automotive industry, removes the stodgy image of previous Prius models. The Prime is chock-full of technology, most visibly the navigation system and infotainment center. It’s an 11.6-inch vertically oriented high-resolution touchscreen, and it dominates the dashboard. It’s standard on the Prime Premium ($29,965) and top-line Prime Advanced ($33,965). It’s

Read more

2017 Kia Niro: New compact SUV redefines hybrid

The 2017 Kia Niro is new in the South Korean manufacturer’s lineup. It’s a sub-compact hybrid utility vehicle that looks more like a handsome, streamlined wagon. And it performs well enough to earn the loose translation of its name — strength. Unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the Kia Niro uses a 1.6-liter hybrid-electric powertrain with 139 horsepower. It’s built with lightweight metals which help most trims achieve the SUV‘s superior gas mileage estimates: 46 miles per gallon in city driving, 40 miles per gallon on the freeway. Accessories lights are all operated via the hybrid engine. There’s no

Read more

2017 Volkswagen Passat: Versatile like a blue blazer

Among the manufacturer’s most enduring models, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat extends the eighth generation of the midsize sedan to its sixth year. The Passat, German for “trade wind,” is an elder automotive statesman well into its fourth decade. There’s little flash or overt technology, but the mainstream VW has plenty of appeal via its reserved, classy presentation. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in S, R-Line, SE and Premium trims, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat is front-wheel drive and offered with two engines. My test vehicle was the SE trim with a 1.8-liter turbo-charged, four-cylinder configuration with 170 horsepower and a

Read more

2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: Efficient, luxurious, priced right

One major consideration for car buyers considering a hybrid is the cost increase from the gas-only equivalent. Lincoln avoids the potential consternation. The 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is priced the same as its gas-only sibling. Lincoln for several years has been trying to regain its luster of yesteryear. The MKZ Hybrid was introduced in 2011 as part of the initiative. It’s the manufacturer’s first entry into alternative engines, and the price match is unique in the industry. The entire MKZ lineup this year received a refresh. The interior changes included and updated radio and climate controls and a simplified console.

Read more

2017 Lincoln MKZ: A worthy underdog luxury sedan

,

Four years after its last redesign, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ received an interior refresh and an exterior facelift. The five-seat luxury sedan debuted in 2006 as the Zephyr and was renamed the MKZ the following year. Regardless of the badge, the underdog Lincoln is still seeking a better market share. It’s positioned among the most competitive automotive segments. Since its debut, the vehicle gas-only trims have sold more than 34,000 units in the United States in a year only twice. Sales the last two years were slightly more than 30,000. Available with gas-only or hybrid engines, the Lincoln MXZ has

Read more

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO: Ruggedness defined

Toyota likely has the most varied lineup of pickup trucks. The offerings expand again with the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO, the compact’s sixth available trim in extended or double crew cabs. The Tacoma TRD PRO returns after a one-year absence. My test vehicle included the optional 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Despite its emphasis on off-road responsibilities and possibilities, my test week with Tacoma TRD PRO was road-driving mode only. Scooting around in mud and up, down and all around on fire roads would have been invigorating. But a

Read more

2016 Honda Civic Coupe: Wild design, wild color, nearly perfect

Imagine a 2016 Honda Civic being an automotive hipster. It’s now in its mid-40s, but with a redesign inside and outside, the perennially top-selling coupe and sedan have gained a lot of attention with the new look and optional wild exterior paint colors. The Honda Civic is also among the most versatile cars in the industry. It’s available as a coupe or a sedan and in 10 trims, five in each model. While further moving away from its once stodgy reputation as driveable box with four wheels, the 2016 model has a sharp-edged appearance and a sloping roofline. Its overall

Read more

2016 Lexus RC 200t: Redefines entry level luxury sports car

For its sophomore year, the 2016 Lexus RC includes two new models. The 200t features a turbo-charged, four-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive RC 300 employs a 3.5-liter V6. Regardless of models, the 2016 RC lineup is categorized in the entry level luxury coupe segment. It’s a strong marketplace where BMW and Audi usually get top billing, followed by worthy offerings from Cadillac, Acura and Infiniti. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2016 RC200t is a head-turner and a keen driving machine, particularly considering the exterior color of my test vehicle (Atomic Silver) and its F Sport trim. It

Read more

2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: economic, near luxury

The Toyota Avalon debuted in late 1994 as the manufacturer’s flagship full-sized sedan. It replaces the Toyota Cressida. The hybrid trim was unveiled in December 2012, further adding to Toyota’s nearly always-expanding lineup. For 2016, The Toyota Avalon Hybrid has only a few changes. Most notably, there’s a redesigned front grille and front turn signal lamps. The base XLE Plus trim debuts; the Touring trim is discontinued. Technology features are also enhanced with a wireless smartphone charging system standard for the XLE Premium and Limited trims. The Toyota Safety Sense package is available as a Limited trim option. 2016 Toyota

Read more

2016 Lexus NX 300h: Luxurious, efficient, pricey

,

Now it its second model year, the 2016 Lexus NX 300h continues from its debut last year without major changes. The luxury compact crossover is rare in its segment. Its only competition is the Audi Q5 hybrid. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A gasoline-electric hybrid, the 2016 Lexus NX 300h features a 2.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder gasoline engine matched with two electric motors supplied with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The marriage produces 194 horsepower. Like all Lexus vehicles throughout the high-end lineup, the Lexus NX has a substantial standard technology and safety equipment list equaled by a similarly sized list

Read more

2016 Lincoln MKX: Luxury defined, tech overload

The redesigned 2016 Lincoln MKX fits ideally into a new, expanding automotive segment — vehicles hampered by technology overload. The sport utility vehicle has a detection systems so sensitive, it just doesn’t know when to shut up. It’s all for safety, of course. But while cornering after ignition or advancing in reverse, warning sounds abruptly blast when the vehicle is seemingly within a block of animals, curbs, trees, buildings, parked cars or passersby. It’s the same on the open road. Maneuver to change lanes and you get an ear full even if the situation seems safe. Detection systems help prevent

Read more

2016 Honda Civic: Is new model best car on the road?

Now in its mid-40s, the Honda Civic remains one of most popular vehicles in the automobile industry. For 2016, the Civic has been redesigned inside and outside and is available as a coupe or sedan and in 10 trims, five in each model. The redesign further moves the Civic away from its once stodgy reputation as drivable box with four wheels. The 2016 model has a sharp-edged appearance, a sloping roofline and a overall European style that resembles the appearance of appreciably higher-priced vehicles. It’s no longer just a fall-back car for buyers seeking basic transportation at a value price.

Read more