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Honda Pilot, 2012: Best buy midsize SUV/minivan

The mid-size Honda Pilot hits all the sweet spots when it comes to three-row family minivans—plenty of space, good power, decent handling, comfort and even optional all-wheel drive. The Pilot is generally called an SUV, but lines between vehicle categories are blurring. Car and Driver magazine says the Pilot has "minivan-based underpinnings" and thus it is essentially a minivan with an SUV-style body. It could be called an SUV/minivan. Or just a minivan. The 2012 Pilot has sleeker front styling, a redesigned instrument panel, upgraded audio systems and more sound-deadening. Never mind the boxy old-school general styling—it allows plenty of

Honda Crosstour, 2012: A practical SUV alternative, but sadly no Accord wagon

What do you call a Honda Accord wagon that isn’t a wagon but should appeal to those who would buy an Accord wagon? If you’re Honda, it's the Crosstour. Introduced in 2010 as the Accord Crosstour, Honda dropped Accord for the name for 2012. The Crosstour still shares its chassis and powertrain with the Accord, but it has its own identity. Honda refers to the Crosstour as a 5-door hatchback. Since its rear hatch limits available cargo space, it doesn't have the functionality of a full-blown wagon. The car's size makes the term hatchback inappropriate, though, and so I've lumped

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

Rare 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible set for national TV auction

An original, unrestored 1957 Ford Thunderbird, which has been driven 20,000 miles, had one owner and garage kept, will be auctioned May 19 on national television as part of Dana Mecum’s 25th Original Spring Classic Auction. Sold new at O’Shea-Rogers Ford in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Thunderbird is still painted in its original factory-applied Starmist Blue paint. The V-8 powered Ford classic is offered with its original porthole hardtop and wide whitewall tires and is documented with the original bill of sale and a signed affidavit attesting to its actual mileage.

How hot is Hyundai? Son of company founder seeks nation's presidency

As Hyundai continues its current front-of-the-pack status, the South Korean manufacturer's legacy is now going in a new direction. Chung Mong-joon, a veteran lawmaker and a son of the late Hyundai Group founder, has declared his candidacy for president. Chung, 60, said in a news conference announcing his candidacy. "I will write a new history for Korea by drawing on my experiences in managing a firm, in foreign diplomacy and in helping the Republic of Korea become one." The presidential election is scheduled for Dec. 19 with incumbent President Lee Myung-bak barred by law from seeking re-election. Chung was re-elected

Volvo XC60, 2012: New style dispels rocky SUV crossover reputation

The boxy Volvos of the 1980s almost seem like classics, and few would have guessed then the automaker would make a premium, sporty crossover such as the 2012 Volvo XC60. Although large and heavy, the mid-sized XC60 has shapely sculpted styling, with sexy chromed exhaust outlets, and drives much like a smaller sports sedan. In fact, it’s based on Volvo’s athletic S60 sedan architecture. The firm steering is quick, handling inspires confidence during hard driving, backed by stability and traction control systems.The ride is a bit firm, but supple. Powerful anti-lock brakes have a nice pedal action. Rivals include the

2012 Honda Fit video review

The 2012 Honda Fit sport model features a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine with 117 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. The sport model also includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler keenly integrated into the hatchback and an optional navigation system. The Fit’s interior is space efficiency defined. There's 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space, as much as some compact SUVs. With all seats down, cargo space expands to 57.3 cubic feet. Although numerous subcompacts and compacts are averaging more than 40 mpg, the Fit doesn't fare as well, with averaged of 27 mph in city driving and 33 mpg

Scion FR-S, 2013: Performance-oriented, mean sports car machine

The 2013 Scion FR-S, with its affordable $24,000 base price packed with value, is a true rear-wheel drive sports machine, not some vague imitation with front-wheel drive pretending to be a sports coupe. I test drove the Subaru BRZ and walked away thoroughly impressed. If the FR-S is anything close to performing like its Japanese cousin, we can look forward to seeing a lot them being picked up by the enthusiast crowd. Just the Numbers The FR-S is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder boxer engine that can crank out 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque at

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

Nissan Quest, 2012: Luxurious minivan an ideal family mover

Purchasing a minivan may not inspire a lot of enthusiasm — until you're a parent. But then the beauty of the minivan concept — the heft, girth, length and uninspired steering, acceleration and cornering — no longer add up to a yawn. Minivans' interior space is handy for families. Factor in the convenience of the power doors and lift gate when your hands are full of groceries and your children are full of energy and things change. It's why I was excited to test drive the 2012 Nissan Quest. Driving Impressions Zero to 60 mph? The Quest’s 3.5 liter V6

Infiniti FX35 Limited Edition, 2012: Stylish, high-performance SUV gets jolt

When the Infiniti FX was introduced in 2003, the luxury performance SUV was a novel, if strange, idea. Now, nearly every brand has some version of a sporty crossover, which means many drivers are looking for sports car performance with SUV functionality. Although not the sales leader it once was, the Infiniti FX continues to offer unique styling and competitive performance. For its mid-cycle update, Infiniti has given the 2012 FX a mild makeover. Most noticeable is a revised front fascia that gives the FX a decidedly more aggressive appearance. To generate additional interest, Infiniti is also offering a Limited

2013 Nissan GTR vs. 2012 Audi R8 vs. 2012 Jaguar XKR-S

By David Colman It isn’t often one has the opportunity to sample three of the fastest sports cars in the world back-to-back on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. But such an opportunity occurred during the recent Western Automotive Journalists’ 20th annual Media Day at Laguna Seca Raceway. The urge to compare the Nissan’s GT-R to Audi’s R8 and Jaguar’s XKR-S proved irresistible. 2013 NISSAN GT-R Even though this supercar has been on the market for a while and is in its second detail revision, I never had a chance to drive it. “That’s why we brought them out” said Nissan PR

Dick Clark: rock & roll icon, purveyor of 1957 classic car museum

Auto Shows-Museums

Dick Clark was synonymous with rock & roll. But like many celebrities, the host of American Bandstand who died April 17 of a heart attack at age 82, was an avid automobile collector. Of course, 1957 was an iconic year for the music, the man and the cars, most notably the ’57 Chevy. Clark had many cars in his collection, including the iconic ’57 Chevy Larkspur Blue drop top with a dual-barrel 283 V8 with a Continental kit. Clark’s collection was located in a museum called the 57 Heaven Museum in Branson, Missouri. It was part of one of Clark’s

Dodge Dart, 2013: Pricing announced for return of iconic sedan

The 2013 Dodge Dart, which will be available in five trims when it debuts in the summer of 2012, will be priced from $15,995 to $22,495, according to Chrysler. The entry level price for the Dodge is lower than some of its main competition in the compact market, which accounts for about 15 percent of new car sales. “The all-new Dodge Dart is a groundbreaking car, offering features and benefits never before found in a compact car,” said Reid Bigland, Dodge President and CEO. With class-leading style, customization, safety, technology, and interior levels of roominess, the all-new Dart perfectly blends

Toyota Yaris, 2012: Better looks, but still basic, no-frills machine

The redesigned 2012 Toyota Yaris looks better, inside and out, and is more refined. But it still is just basic, no-frills transportation. The subcompact Yaris was introduced for 2007, when gas prices were rising. That helped give it a good start. But that was five model years ago, an eternity in the increasingly competitive small economy car market. This second-generation Yaris is longer and lower, with a stretched wheelbase. But it continues with a small 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine weak on highways, where it must work hard for even mediocre 65-75 mph passing maneuvers. The four-speed automatic transmission, although responsive, is

2012 Scion tC with Five Axis Designs Aero Kit and TRD Performance Parts

I have always been skeptical of aftermarket performance parts simply because changing anything from factory spec affects reliability and most often the fit and finish are not up to OEM standards. There are a few notable exceptions that have earned the trust and respect of carmakers – AMG, Shelby, and Mugen are a few names that quickly come to mind. For Toyota performance products, Five Axis Design (Five:AD), the Southern California-based design house responsible for putting together the Lexus LF-LC Concept and creating the FR-S Concept car which toured the nation, builds an aero kit for the 2011-12 Scion tC