2012

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Honda Pilot cited twice in top-10 cheapest 2012 trucks, SUVs to insure

The Honda Pilot is the least expensive 2012 model truck or sport utility vehicle to insure, according to a MotorTrend article based on information compiled by CoverHound, the car insurance rate monitoring website. The 2012 Honda Pilot (Touring) cost on average $108.33 per month. The reasons: The Pilot received “good” safety ratings across the board from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which also named it a Top Safety Pick. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it at least four stars out of five for all of its major metrics — front, side, rollover and overall ranking. Plus have you ever heard someone say, “Let’s go out and steal ourselves a Honda Pilot?”, MotorTrend editors write.

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Honda CR-V, 2012: New design, more power, more features, same top SUV

It’s hard to imagine the Honda CR-V is 18 years old. But with its sibling, the Element, discontinued, the CR-V is now the Japanese manufacturer’s entry-level Sport Utility Vehicle. There’s plenty of competition in the SUV segment, so for 2012, the CR-V was redesigned. The exterior has deeper sculpting, a bolder front fascia and a more overall aerodynamic look. More standard features, increased horsepower and one mpg improved mileage estimates also debuted with 2012 edition. Key Takeaways Redesigned for 2012 with more power: The fourth-generation CR-V gained deeper body sculpting, a bolder front fascia, and five additional horsepower (185 total) from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Extensive standard features even on base LX: Standard equipment includes a rearview camera, Bluetooth, USB

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Honda offering $3,000 in free gas to 2012 Civic natural gas model buyers

Honda is offering its biggest incentive for its least marketed car. Buyers of the 2012 Civic Natural Gas prior to January 2, 2013 will receive a $3,000 fuel card. The prepaid card will be good only at compressed natural gas stations run by Clean Energy Fuels, a nationwide retailer of CNG fuel, and will only given to those who buy the car at participating Honda dealers. Honda has 199 dealers in 36 states accredited to sell and service the CNG-burning Civic Natural Gas model. The new promotion, which launched Oct. 9, is available at 19 dealers in California, Washington, Utah, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio. The base price of the Honda Civic CNG it is priced about $7,000 more than a

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Dodge Journey, 2012: Carlike SUV offers subtle ride, good cargo space

The Dodge Journey mid-size four-door hatchback crossover was substantially upgraded for 2011 to address shortcomings. It had everything from a redesigned suspension and sharp new interior to a more powerful V-6. The handsome 2012 model is virtually unchanged from 2011. Moreover, there are few changes for 2013. Grab a reduced-price 2012 Journey if it appeals to you. But avoid the standard 173-horsepower four-cylinder engine because it’s underpowered for the Journey, which is heavy at approximately 4,000 pounds. Moreover, this rather noisy engine works with a dated four-speed automatic transmission. The other choice is the quieter, smoother 283-horsepower V-6, which provides quick merging into fast traffic and fast passing above 65 m.p.h. on highways. The V-6 works with an alert six-speed

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Kia Optima Hybrid, 2012: Stylish, efficient sedan improves Korean lineup

Twelve years after the Kia Optima debuted in the United Sates with little fanfare and few sales, the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and was available to the public one year later. The 2012 Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, nearly the same as the 2011 editions, use the same powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid. Key Takeaways Shared powertrain with Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: The Optima Hybrid pairs a 2.4-liter engine with a 30kW electric motor and lithium polymer batteries through a six-speed automatic, producing 206 combined horsepower. 35 city/40 highway/37

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Acura MDX, 2012: Versatile SUV best in its class

Now in the sixth year of its second generation, the 2012 Acura MDX is the flagship midsize crossover Sport Utility Vehicle in Honda’s luxury brand. As the first crossover to offer third-row seating, it’s hard to view the modern MDX as a sibling of the Isuzu Trooper. But 12 years after its debut, the MDX (Multi-Dimensional Luxury) retains little resemblance to its long-gone utilitarian SUV beast of a relative. Instead, it’s firmly positioned as the top-rated vehicle in its segment. Key Takeaways Segment-leading luxury crossover in its sixth year: The second-generation MDX remains the top-rated vehicle in its class, offering a rare combination of three-row seating, genuine luxury, and engaging driving dynamics. 300-horsepower V6 with paddle shifters: The 3.7-liter V6

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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 of the Year” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. A decade ago, the EPA first designated, the Civic

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Chrysler 200, 2012: Quiet, comfortable cruiser built for moderate speed

Chrysler significantly redid its aged Sebring model for 2011 and renamed it the “200.” The 2012 version with the optional hardtop and strong V-6 make it a pleasant cruising convertible, and it’s virtually unchanged for 2013. The front-drive, two-door Chrysler 200 convertible with its cloth power top starts at $26,995, but you get far more than open-air driving with it. Standard items include a six-speed automatic transmission instead of the dated entry level 200’s four-speed automatic, power driver seat, climate and cruise controls, adjustable wheel with audio controls, keyless entry and power windows and mirrors. The 200 convertible is offered with a marginal 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder or a smooth 3.6-liter, 283-horsepower V-6, which provides fast merging and passing. The four-cylinder

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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 and navigation package. Upgrades for 2012 are minimal, but include an aero kit for JCW versions only and floor mats

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Jaguar XKR-S, 2012: Stylish, fastest model of iconic sports car

The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S is likely the last, extremely fast model that retains much of the automaker’s traditional “E-Type” sports car styling. The sensational race-bred Jaguar E-Type sports car arrived for 1961 with a potent inline six-cylinder engine. It was sold as a coupe or convertible and was known to most Americans as simply the “XK-E.” Many still feel that it’s the most beautiful sports car ever built. But the E-Type began to lose some of its luster when government regulations forced it to detune its engine and add such items as clumsier bumpers and smoothly faired plastic covers over the headlights in 1967. The E-Type went from 1971 through 1975 as a heavier-looking car with a potent, but often

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Nissan Murano, 2012: Quick, sporty SUV fares well in tight market

The Nissan Murano debuted in 2003, but updates have kept it sharp and competitive with other mid-size SUV/crossover vehicles. It’s luxurious enough to wear a badge from Nissan’s upscale Infiniti division. Sculpted body lines and chromed exhaust pipe tips help give the Murano a sporty look, and it has definite sporty performance. The Murano was overhauled for 2009 and updated a bit for 2011, so the 2012 model has small trim changes and the addition of a new Platinum Edition equipped with such things as 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. There are minor changes for the 2013 Murano. The 2012 Murano, which I tested, comes with front-wheel drive or an advanced all-wheel drive system that automatically adjusts to road conditions. The

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Concours on the Avenue, Carmel, 2012: Jaguar to Muscle Cars, Maserati to Mercedes-Benz

Concours on the Avenue is an ideal way to begin Monterey Auto Week. It’s low-key with a great mix of automobiles parked on Ocean Ave., and adjoining side streets for a one-day, judged show. The beauty of the show, this year, held Aug. 14, is the combination of the cars and their  engaging owners eager to discuss their vehicles w — Bugatti to Buick, Ferrari to Ford Pinto — with the public. And it’s hard to go wrong with a car show stationed in Carmel. The weather was in the mid-60s and the sunshine, as per Monterey Peninsula tradition and right on time, arrived in late morning. Bruce Aldrich publisher of I’mTahoeLive,com, filmed and edited the video below. James Raia,

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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 to do with its split personality and the best definition ever among manufacturers with less-than-sterling reputations. Of course, we mean

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Kia Optima Hybrid, 2012: Mixes racy style with economy, comfort

The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid gas-electric sedan offers a good combination of comfort, practicality, style, performance and high fuel economy. The mid-size Optima Hybrid is rather large, as are many current mid-size sedans, and its racy-looking body has a roomy interior. However, the coupe-like styling results in narrow rear door openings and poor visibility through the rear window. (The optional rear camera display thus is a good idea.) The small rear “lip” spoiler is so nicely integrated into the styling that you have to look twice to notice it. But too bad the gas/electric hybrid system prevents use of dual exhausts with shiny outlet tips—always a nice touch for a racy-looking car. Although the trunk is generally large, with a

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Infiniti FX35, 2012: Luxury SUV with sports car ride

Now ending its first decade, the Infiniti FX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by Nissan's luxury brand. The FX replaced the QX4 and debuted at the same time as the Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC90. Sometimes called a "Bionic Cheetah" because of its unique combination of a SUV lower body and sleek upper body, the Infiniti FX blurs the boundaries of a sports car and SUV. It's both performance-oriented and functional, and since 2009 is in its section generation. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My test drive for the week was the Limited Edition. It's less powerful (but still plenty powerful) with a 3.5-liter, 303-horsepower engine with all-wheel drive. There's also the FX50, the 5.0-liter V8 option that's

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Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2012: Unheralded SUV offers truck strength, street savvy

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara has the structural integrity of the Brooklyn Bridge with its ladder-frame-reinforced unibody, and that helps make it a solid off-roader with its available four-wheel-drive system. This compact, fairly handsome, reasonably priced SUV has much standard equipment—including a navigation system. Numerous safety features include all-disc anti-lock brakes with a brake-assist feature, electronic stability control, traction control and lots of air bags. The Grand Vitara is often overlooked because Suzuki lacks the dealer network and advertising firepower of rivals, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It has a more trucklike-feel than most competitors, with an upright windshield, high seating position and a firmer ride. But that’s not to say the Grand Vitara isn’t refined. Its

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