2014 Kia Forte Review: New design delivers sedan hit

Four model years after its debut in the United States, the 2014 Kia Forte represents a new look for the South Korean carmaker. Sports car sedan is an oxymoron, but the newly designed Forte’s look fits the odd definition. The 2014 edition is more aggressive-looking than its older sibling, and it’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, too. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2014 Kia Forte is available in base LX and the more-option filled EX model. I drove the latter, and it includes an adjustable steering wheel, foglights, LED running lights, chrome accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel,

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2014 Toyota Tundra: New design, rugged but carlike

Toyota kicked open the door to the party with its all-new 2007 Tundra full-size pickup truck for the lucrative U.S. large pickup market — only to find an empty room. Where was everybody? Well, the economy had collapsed, causing full-size pickup truck sales to drop an estimated 50 percent. Toyota, which had built a $2.2 billion plant in San Antonio to build the new Tundra, was left with egg on its face. Here was a Toyota full-size pickup that finally was a direct challenge to domestic full-size pickups, with comparable size, power and capabilities. There also were long faces at

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Online bidding open for Nebraska barn find car auction

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The live bidding for the Lambrecht Chevrolet Company Auction, the collection of approximately 500 “barn finds” from the long-tenured dealership in Pierce, Nebraska, will be held September 28-29. The collection of new and nearly new Chevrolets from the 1960s and survivor cars has generated international attention since the family who owned the dealership decided to sell the varied collection of vehicles. Some of the cars have remained untouched for 50 years. A substantial group of collectors and car enthusiasts are expected to gather in the small city for the weekend auction. But online bidding for the cars is currently available

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Consumer Reports: 11 Japanese cars best not to buy

Honda and Toyota make cars annually on best-of-the-year lists and perennially among the best-selling automobiles in history. Who’s to argue against the enduring success of the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry? But Consumer Reports knows plenty about cars and the respected publication has a a lot to write about Japanese cars it believes should be avoided. The Consumer Reports list is based on the company’s overall testing criteria the Japanese cars to avoid had total score below 60 and were given “F” grades. Here’s the list of the vehicles, each car’s total and comments why the vehicle is rated so

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Honda Pilot, 2013: Workhorse in tough SUV segment

Nearing the end of its 12th year, the Honda Pilot is the manufacturer’s largest and only three-row sport utility vehicle. As such and after two new generations and various updates, the 2013 Honda Pilot maintains its image as the workhorse in the Honda lineup. The Honda Crosstour, which debuted in 2010, is longer. But the big, boxy and utilitarian Pilot is built with reinforced frame rails, which assist in towing and light off-road driving. It has plenty of head and legroom and a high roofline for mega hauls from the grocery store or to store camping equipment or to carry

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Lexus LF-NX oddball concept hybrid gets world debut in Frankfurt Auto Show

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The oddly named and odd-looking  LF-NX, a Lexus compact crossover hybrid concept, will make its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will be powered by a new variant of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system tuned for SUV performance. With its distinctive and sculpted styling, the LF-NX concept’s exterior design reflects an evolution of Lexus’ L-finesse design language. The Frankfurt Auto Show begins Sept. 10 with media previews will be open to the public beginning Sept. 14. The LF-NX front is dominated by a strong interpretation of the Lexus spindle grille, expressive signature front lighting with independent Daytime

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Neil Young stalls, but still rocking on EV highway

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Neil Young has long been known as a musical innovator. But the masterful singer and composer is also equally renowned to railroad buffs and electric car enthusiats. But even someone as accomplished as Young needs an assist from time to time, which is what the California Highway Patrol offered when the singer-songwriter and owner of a one-of-a-kind electric car got stuck on Interstate 80 near Donner Summit. According to a report in the Tahoe Daily Tribune newspaper, Young’s $1 million hybrid electric remastered 1959 Lincoln Continental broke down Aug. 23 while Young was en route to a Green Festival in

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Prices set for refreshed 2014 Toyota Tacoma

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Prices have been announced for the 2014 Toyota Tacoma, with the best-selling compact pickup truck in the United States available in dealerships during September 2013, according to the manufacturer. The MSRP for the 2014 Tacoma will range from $17,875 for the Regular Cab 4×2 with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $28,285 for the Double Cab 4×4 V6 Long Bed with a five-speed automatic.  The new pricing reflects an average increase of $100, or 0.4 percent. The 2014 Toyota Tacoma offers a new SR appearance package for 2014 with four levels of Entune Audio. In conjunction with the

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2014 Toyota 4Runner prices revealed, in dealers soon

Prices have been announced for the 2014 Toyota 4Runner and the popular mid-size SUV will begin arriving at dealerships in September 2013, according to the manufacturer. Currently in its fifth-generation, 4Runner continues as one of the few fully capable mid-size SUVs. The redesigned 2014 4Runner has a new exterior design and interior refinements that add comfort and convenience without sacrificing performance and value. The 4Runner combines body-on-frame construction with suspension technology that yields optimal off-road capability with a smooth ride and comfort more often associated with crossovers. The 2014 4Runner is available in three grades: a well-equipped, value-driven SR5; top-of-the-line

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Formula One racing, Ron Howard directing equals Rush

For the second time in four years, the famed and controversial Formula One race car circuit will provide the subject matter for a major motion picture. This time it will be called Rush. In 2010, it was Senna, the documentary on Brazilian race car driver Ayrton Senna nominated for an Academy Award. Rush is the theatrical portrayal of Niki Lauda and rival James Hunt. For months, Rush, directed by Ron Howard, the two-time Oscar winner for Best Director, the movie has been promoted on social media via YouTube, Twitter Facebook, among other outlets. More recently, network television commercials about Rush

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2013 Nissan Rogue: Value, but doesn’t lead SUV pack

The Sport Utility Vehicle segment is increasingly crowded and an underdog in the marketplace like the Nissan Rogue needs an outstanding feature or two to distinguish itself among the heavy hitters. I recently drove the 2013 Nissan Rogue for eight days and for a total of about 920 miles throughout Colorado. The Rogue was an adequate companion on my trip during the third edition of the USA Pro Challenge bicycle race. I averaged 26.8 mpg for the trip and while often driving with the air conditioning engaged and at an averaged speed sometimes great than the 75 mph posting. The

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The world goes to Nebraska car auction for 500 barn finds

The nearly 500 classic cars set for auction in September in Pierce, Nebraska, have achieved international acclaim from The New York Times to network television news. Some of the vehicles from the Lambrecht Chevrolet Company have been outside and left to the elements for 50 years. And there are some cars nearly new and stored indoors for a half-century and with odometers readings of less than five miles. The sale, scheduled Sept. 28-29 with a preview day Sept. 27, is ultimate description of barn finds, without the element of surprise. Everyone knows the cars are there and will be auctioned.

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2014 Jeep Patriot: Rugged tradition continues

“Jeep” has been one of the world’s most recognized names since its performance in World War II. Mention “Jeep” to many folks and they automatically think of the familiar Wrangler model, which resembles the World War II Jeep—or the decidedly upscale Grand Cherokee model. But the 2014 Jeep Patriot I tested is the lowest-cost Jeep. The solid-feeling, four-door hatchback Patriot line starts with the base $15,995 front-wheel-drive (FWD) Sport model. Jeep says that price makes it “the best-priced SUV in America,”although the four-wheel-drive (4WD) Sport costs $18,195. And what’s a serious Jeep without 4WD? The 2014 mid-range Jeep Latitude 4WD

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2014 Kia Cadenza: Posh sedan debuts as flagship

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The luxurious new 2014 Kia Cadenza has arrived as Kia’s most powerful and technologically advanced vehicle. The Cadenza looks slick, with broad shoulders, a contoured hood, 18-or 19-inch wheels, a wide stance and sporty looking twin oval tailpipes. But a high beltline (where the body meets the lower side windows) causes even 6-footers to feel a bit buried. The backseat area seems almost limo-sized, but rear doorways are a little too narrow. The Cadenza’s interior is posh, and the 195.5-inch-long car is loaded with features. With a $35,100 list price, this South Korean sedan follows the old Toyota philosophy of

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Best Used Cars: 2010 Mini Cooper

Mini keeps innovating while also maintaining its heritage. One year, it’s the Clubman, the uber-cool “storm door” model. The next time, it’s the John Cooper Works, the model named after the deceased famous racing car guru who with his father founded the Cooper Car Company. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Mini has done it again. It’s largely left alone the 2009 model for 2010, but has debuted two special editions called Mayfair and Camden. Named after London boroughs, both special editions add $4,500 to the price of a Cooper or Cooper S. The Mayfair is available in Pepper White, Midnight

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2014 Toyota Corolla: New 12th edition icon debuts at $16,800

The Toyota Corolla, the best-selling car in history, has more competition than it once had. Which is at least one reason why the 2014 Toyota Corolla will offer, according to the manufacturer, a “dramatically elevated design, efficiency and renowned Toyota quality at an extremely attainable price.” The 12th generation of the car dating to its debut in 1966, the 2014 Toyota Corolla is available in four grades: L, LE, S, and the new LE Eco grade. The Corolla lineup offers a vehicle for broad range of customers, from the familiar value-minded to shoppers seeking a more premium compact car. The

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