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2013 Infiniti G IPL Coupe: Blast to drive, hefty price to pay

Now in its third year, the Infiniti IPL G for 2013 features only minor tweaks from the 2012 model. It remains the mainstay of the carmaker’s Infiniti Performance Line — a powerful sports car with aggressive styling and keen performance via its 3.7-liter, 24-valve, 348-horsepower V6 engine. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Beyond a sports car’s streamlined looks and performance, its colors add to the total package. In some instances, like the Infiniti G37 IPL’s combination of “gun metal” gray exterior and Monaco Red leather interior, the package is greater than the sum of its parts. As such, the new

2013 Scion FR-S: Not so fast, but country's best modestly priced sports car?

When Scion debuted a decade ago, the idea was to attract younger buyers to Toyota with a funky design, a modest price and a hopeful degree of hipness in lieu of acceleration or state-of-the art technology. The 2013 Scion FR-S is the first sports car for the brand, co-developed by Subaru and thus directly and unmistakably related to its close relative, the Subaru BRZ. The Scion FR-S, like its family members, is still value priced. But as a lightweight, low-center-of-gravity, classic-sports-car-steering, sleek-sport-car-designed machine, the Scion FR-S is a modern-day version of Toyota’s original “Z” cars. The Weekly Driver Test Drive

Lexus GS 350, 2013: Plush new sedan ready to challenge German luxury leaders BMW, Audi

Like its siblings throughout the Lexus line-up, the GS 350 has been redesigned for 2013. The fourth generation of the upscale midsize sedan is slightly wider and taller than previous editions and it’s also touted with improved steering, more power and increase fuel efficiency. The length and wheelbase remain the same as older models and the GS 350 still features a 3.5-liter V6. But its new exterior design has resulted in 25 percent more trunk capacity, and with all of its improvements Lexus is hoping to provide more competition for the dominating German brands. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Driving

Hyundai Elantra Coupe, 2013: Strong new contender in crowded segment

As North American Car of the Year in 2012, the Hyundai Elantra one year later remains largely the same vehicle. It’s value priced and while not outstanding in any single category, its very good status is so many categories vaults it to the top of the sedan segment. The Elantra Coupe joined its much older relative (the Elantra is now in its fifth generation) for 2013. It’s largely the same as the Elantra sedan with two exceptions. It has two doors and it has some minor exterior trim tweaks. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Elantra Coupe is comfortable, which

Honda Civic Natural Gas, 2012: Only CNG car in U.S. turns age 1, still unheralded

Thirteen years after its unceremonious debut in California as the Civic GX, the rebranded Honda Civic Natural Gas vehicle has turned age 1 as the only natural gas vehicle available nationwide. Honda initially marketed the car to government agencies and commercial users. But beginning in 2005 individual consumers could also lease the car. In the fall of 2011, the Honda Civic Natural Gas received its new name and was for the first time included nationally in Honda’s marketing campaigns. For nine straight years, the Honda GX and (and now the Natural Gas) have been rated first in the “Greenest Vehicle

Audi Allroad, 2013: New luxury car has many shades of wagon, crossover, sedan

After a seven-year absence, the 2013 Audi Allroad makes its return to the United States as a luxury vehicle and as a unique combination of a sporty wagon and versatile sporty crossover. The reason for the Allroad’s non-specific categorization is multi-fold. How is it possible to categorize a front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon with a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection and an eight-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode? The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like all Audis, the Allroad is a driver’s delight. I wish I would have had a

Mini Cooper (John Cooper Works) Coupe, 2012: Fast, handsome, expensive

Introduced to the Mini Cooper lineup in 2009, the John Cooper Works (JCW) model is named after the deceased famous racing car guru who founded the Cooper Car Company in 1946. For 2012, the JCW edition of the Mini, now owned and marketed by BMW, retains its place as a niche compact driving machine. It features a 208-horsepower, turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission with larger, now standard 17-inch wheels. In addition to its more powerful engine (87 more horsepower than the standard Mini), The John Cooper Works includes upgraded Brembo brakes and options such as a leather upholstery package

Fiat 500C, 2012: Italian city car returns with convertible cuteness, driving fun

Three years ago in France I noticed the new Fiat 500 for the first time in the driveway of a country inn. Then I noticed Fiat 500s parked perpendicularly in big city parking lots and zipping along through traffic on congested city streets. What was not to like? With a huge supply of unwavering cuteness, the new 500 hopes to rekindle all the good, clean fun driving traits of Fiat from yesteryear. Available in the United States for the first time in nearly three decades as a 2012 model, the new Fiat also seeks to have as little as possible

Kia Rio 2012: New style, stellar gas mileage for handsome subcompact

The 2012 Kia Rio, now in its third generation, is a subcompact available as 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback and featuring either a 5 or 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic matched with a 138-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine. Available in three levels — the base LX trim, the midlevel EX, and top-line SX, Rios have electric power steering, air conditioning and satellite radio as standard equipment. Surprisingly, the Rio LX and Rio SX are priced lower in 2012 than the previous year's models. The 2011 Rio lineup was not nearly the same quality, largely because of a staid exterior and interior design.

Acura TSX, 2012: luxury sport wagon provides strong BMW competition

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon joined Honda's luxury segment last year as a limited offering with only 4,000 units available in North America. The idea was to offer a less expensive alternative to BMW and Audi. The 2012 edition is more readily available and the changes aren't significant, with the exception of additional cargo-area storage space via a new compact tire repair kit. The standard Sport Wagon is equipped with the 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, the 3.5-liter V6 is only available in the TSX sedan. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Acura is known

Honda Ridgeline, 2012: Innovative pickup now available in sport model

Introduced in spring 2005 as a 2006 model, the Honda Ridgeline was the automaker's debut in the North American pickup truck market. Seven years later, the Ridgeline retains most of its original, space-age appearance. The original Ridgeline, with its innovative look and practical, efficient use of interior space and bed design, was noticed quickly, and it was named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for 2006. The Honda Ridgeline still gets stares via its unique design, but it's now a standard fixture in the pickup fraternity. The 2012 offering comes in four trims: RT, Sport, RTS and RTL and all

Suzuki Kizashi, 2012: Worthy midsize sedan has a name but no identity

Now in its third model year, the Suzuki Kizashi is the Japanese manufacturer's most expensive vehicle. The midsize sedan has only a few minor changes in 2012 from last year's offering, with the uniquely named car still hoping to find a larger niche in the near-luxury category. Kizashi (pronounced KEY-ZAH-SHEE) means “something great is coming.” Suzuki promoted the Kizashi with industry buzz in mind. And it attracted attention for a while when the car debuted in 2009 as a less expensive alternative to an Audi 4. But the Kizashi is still largely unheralded and under publicized. The Weekly Driver Test

Mazda CX-5, 2013: New design, great mpg, needs performance jolt

Following the defunct Mazda Tribute and CX-7, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 debuted internationally last September at the Frankfurt Auto Show and two months later for the United States market at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Neither of Mazda's first two attempts at sport utility vehicles were particularly successful. But the CX-5 has a modern look and feel, and its design and standard features provide plenty of evidence Mazda has made its best effort to make a difference in the crowded segment. Like the Tribute, the Mazda CX-5 is a compact, crossover SUV. It's Mazda's first offering with Skyactiv Technology

Acura RDX, 2013: Sleek new design, more power for upscale SUV

The second generation Acura RDX, the manufacturer's smallest sport utility vehicle, debuted earlier this year as one of several new models in Honda’s upscale line. The 2013 edition has a 3.5-liter engine producing 273 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission and a new all-wheel drive system. It replaces a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. The engine update improves gas mileage estimates to 20 mpg (city) and 28 mpg (highway). Additional changes include a small, efficient convenience upgrade. Easy-to-use pull handles behind the second row seat backs release the seats and they automatically fold flat. The navigation system has been upgraded to a

Honda Fit, 2012: More competition but still tops among sub-compacts

The Honda Fit debuted in the United States in 2006 as a 2007 model and quickly found its front-of-the-pack position among the country's top sub-compacts. Nearly 30,000 units sold in the Fit's first year and by the end of 2008, sales had increased to nearly 80,000. A new edition arrived a couple of years ago and featured an improved four-way backseat configuration and an increase to 10 cupholders. More importantly, vision-improving triangular front side windows, increases in length and width and a nifty van-like windshield position were also introduced. Not much has changed for the Fit for 2012, except the

Best Used Cars: 2012 Honda Odyssey

Used Cars

The Honda Odyssey is arguably best car available currently in the United States when considering its versatility. The 2013 model is the vehicle’s 20th model year. But last year’s edition, which debuted at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, is a good value as two-year–old model. Despite is “van” status, the Odyssey is a powerful and performance oriented for its class. It features a 24-valve, 248-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Its has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating for seven adults. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I drove the five-door Touring Elite, the most expensive of