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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

Mitsubishi Lancer, 2012: Unheralded entry level sedan offers good value

Mitsubishi is at a disadvantage against better-known competitors such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic because it lacks their volume and promotional firepower. Because of that you might find Mitsubishi dealers more willing to deal than those selling rival cars. The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer has lots to offer. For one thing, it’s sleeker than some popular rivals. Most Lancers have front-wheel drive, but a race-proven all-wheel-drive system, called “All-Wheel Control,” is offered for some models. The wide variety of models have list prices ranging from $15.695 to $37,695, although most have prices that don’t top $21,000. Prices and models

Two Fords, Two Chevys among 10 worst cars ever sold in America

It's not the first time the Pontiac Aztek has been named the worst car in history. But Jerry Hirsch, the long-time auto reviewer for the Los Angeles Times, has a lot of fun revisiting his list and calling it the "Ten Worst Cars Sold in America." The Aztec is again No. 1. The current list spans more than 85 years and includes four vehicles from the 1970s as well as two Fords and two Chevrolets. Each vehicle on the list is feature with a picture, and the axiom that one picture is worthg one thousand words certainly holds true by

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2012: Compact SUV keenly appointed, needs power

Now in its third generation and more than 20 years old, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the compact version of the larger and older Outlander. Specifically, it’s 14 inches shorter, 2 inches lower about 700 pounds lighter than its sibling. The current generation debuted in 2010 and for 2012 there are only minor changes — the available of a rearview camera for the base SE trim, additional sound insulation for models with a continuously variable transmission and a recalibration of the transmission to improve response and acceleration. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in two trims, I test drove the

Subaru BRZ, 2013: Toyota, Subaru team to offer gifted sports coupe

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is the real deal. After two days of driving the 200 horsepower rear-wheel drive sport coupe on the street and at the race track, there is no doubt Subaru's new sport coupe is gifted with exceptional balance and poise. The BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe that came about as a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. The manufactuers' design focus was to engineer a sports coupe with a low center of gravity, light weight and precision handling. The results are two affordable sports coupes that attain their design goals and exceed expectations. The BRZ (like

Hyundai confirms first hydrogen car Tucsan ix will debut in late 2012

Hyundai has confirmed its previously announced plans to introduce later this year its hydrogen car, the Tucsan ix, as a 2013 model and at a cost of nearly $90,000. The initial release will be 1,000 cars, with Hyundai predicting it will sell 10,000 units of the new vehicle per year by 2015. Most of the debuting hydrogen Hyundai models will be released in Europe. Most major manufacturers are planning fuel cell vehicle rollouts in limited production numbers in 2015, including Toyota, Honda, and possibly General Motors. Although the new vehicle is largely set for distribution in Europe, new Tuscan ix

Dodge Dart 2013 will offer automotive first, wireless charging

The 2013 Dodge Dart will not only mark the return of an iconic car in the summer of 2012, it will mark at automotive first — wireless charging for electronic devices. Called a power bin and measuring 8.27" by 9.5" by 3.25", the charger, made by Chrysler Croup's Mopar division, is installed just below the center stack and in front of the center console. The bin has a built-in charging grid activated when customers place in their battery-powered device. The unit begins to charge when the vehicle is started. A phone case, specifically designed for a variety of smartphones, is

Bubba Watson, Carl Edwards talk golfer's 1969 Dodge Charger (Video)

Unlike other pro golfers who drive and sometimes arrive at PGA Tour events in Mercedes-Benz sedans to motorhomes and vintage Porsche coupes to Cadillac Escalades, Bubba Watson prefers Chrysler — a 1969 Dodge Charger, General Lee edition. Only slightly more than 300 of the 1969 Dodge Chargers were modified and used in the television program, The Dukes of Hazzard. In the program, cousins Bo and Luke Duke drove the cars in chases and stunts, especially high jumps, in almost every episode. The doors were welded shut, leaving the cousins to climb in and out through the windows. Watson purchased his

Chevrolet dominates 2012 safest small cars list

Advanced design, safety features more stringent seatbelt and DUI laws have resulted decreased traffic fatalities in recent years. But nearly 33,000 people died in traffic accident in the United States in 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA further details the yearly death vehicular accidents mean a fatality occurs once every 16 minutes and that vehicle collisions remain the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of three and 34. As such, with an increase in the purchase of small cars because of better fuel efficiency, safety or lack of safety are omnipresent

Volkswagen up! one-ups 33 rivals for World Car of the Year honors in New York

The Volkswagen up!, the car with arguably the most unique name in automotive history and a vehicle not expected to be available in the United States, has won World Car of the Year honors as selected by international auto journalists at the New York International Auto Show. The minicar defeated 33 other nominees in the competition judged on merit, value, safety, environmental impact, significance and emotional appeal. "This award shows once again that in the up! our designers and engineers have created a vehicle that has been thought through in minute detail, said Volkswagen Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn. The Volkswagen,

Hyundai Veloster, 2012: Sexy, fuel efficient newcomer shines

To some, a high point of the new Hyundai Veloster hatchback is its clever, practical three-door arrangement, with a second right-side door. But that’s not looking hard enough at this 2012 hatchback. Indeed,the Veloster is a sporty, fuel-efficient model with a sculpted, sexy interior. The car shows Hyundai isn’t afraid to take chances, and we need more of that adventuresomeness today. With its Tiburon and Accent coupe models gone, Hyundai needed a new car to fill a hole in the Hyundai lineup. However, the front-wheel-drive Veloster could use more power to back up its sporty look and nimble handling. Its

Chevrolet Impala, 2014: Three trims, new interior for iconic sedan (video)

The redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala, which will debut at dealers in early 2013, will feature a more-refined interior, easy-to-use technology and an anticipated exhilarating driving experience. As the best-selling full-sized sedan in the United States in 2011 with sales of more than 171,000, the Impala joined siblings Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Cruze among the country's 10 best-selling vehicle. Highlights of 2014 Chevy Impala: sculpted body sides, standard 18-inch wheels and projector-beam headlamps, with HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps standard on LTZ models. Three direct-injected engines, including a 3.6L V-6, new 2.5L four-cylinder and a 2.4L four-cylinder with eAssist,

Mazda2, 2012: keen handling lightweight among top sub-compacts (video)

The sub-compact car segment is increasingly popular among buyers on tight budgets and interested in saving money on rising fuels cost. The 2012 Mazda2 joins the Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio as top offerings in the class. A year after Mazda introduced the third generation of the "2," the 2012 edition remains the same. It's a 100-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder entry level sedan with a a five-speed manual transmission standard or a four-speed automatic optional. Videographer Bruce Aldrich (www.tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com) produced this video and The Weekly Driver (James Raia) provided commentary.

Dodge Viper, 2013: V10, 640 horsepower and new interior technology (video)

The 2013 Dodge Viper, the third generation of the elusive supercar, is debuting in the New York Auto Show and will be welcomed by power hungy fans of the iconic massive machine. The new Viper, anticipated since the new beast's pending arrival months ago, features its signature long hood, short deck and double-bouble roof as well as twin air extractors, fender vents and side exhausts. The 8.4-liter V10 produces 640 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via its only transmission option, a six-speed manual. The body is made lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum. Chrysler detailed that

Hyundai to dump Veracruz, replaced by new Santa Fe

For all of its recent successes, Hyundai has also had disappointments — like the Veracruz. The poor-selling, seven-passender sport utility vehicle will soon be no more, according to John Krafcik, the carmaker's North American CEO. According to Autoblog.com, quoting Krafcik, the seven passenger Santa Fe, which debuted at the 2012 New York Auto Show, will replace the Veracruz. The Veracruz debuted in 2007, but has been among the lowest-selling Hyundai models. This year, while Hyundai is selling at a record-setting pace overall, sales of the Veracruz has continued to struggle. In just-released totals, the Veracruz sold 622 units in March