2012

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Hyundai Sonata, 2012 2.0T: Spacious, better gas mileage for stylish sedan

Now in the second year of its sixth generation, the Hyundai Sonata is a midsize family sedan. It has steadily advanced in its highly competitive segment and is no longer a fringe alternative to the automotive mainstream represented by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. With its redesign in 2011, the Sonata had its most successful year (225,961 units sold). It was the first time a Hyundai model sold more than 200,000 units in a year, and the stellar year vaulted the Sonata into 11th on the season-end, best-selling list where Honda, Ford, Nissan and Toyota all had sedan entries. The 2012 Hyundai Sonata, therefore, largely remains the same as last year (why tinker with success?) with only a few

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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. Standard safety features include four-wheel ABS brakes, Hill Start Assist Control, and Electronic Stability and Vehicle Stability Control systems. The

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Hyundai Sonata 2012: Value-priced, performance-oriented family sedan

The mid-size Hyundai Sonata is the automaker’s top-selling car with swoopy styling, a roomy interior and muscular performance from the turbocharged version. The front-drive Sonata sedan is sold with either a 198-horsepower (200 with dual exhausts) 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine or a 274-horsepower turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder in the 2.0T. A 206-horsepower gas-electric hybrid version also is offered. The 2011 Sonata set the large, generally conservative and cut-throat mid-size car segment on its head with new, head-turning styling, roominess, good fuel economy and upscale nature. Not to mention Hyundai’s 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Turbocharged Family Car Keeping everything up to date, power was transmitted through a new six-speed automatic transmission replacing a five-speed automatic. A six-speed manual was—and is—still offered, but only

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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2012: Overlooked, sporty SUV warrants attention

“Mitsubishi” and “often-overlooked” long have belonged in the same sentence. The automaker lacks the advertising firepower, dealer number and model-loaded product line of better-known nameplates in America. But Mitsubishi has come up with innovative models, and so what if its vehicles aren’t on everyone’s shopping list? Some folks don’t want to drive the same vehicles they see al the time, which include Outlander Sport rivals Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Don’t confuse the aggressively styled Outlander Sport with the larger Mitsubishi Outlander. For instance, compared to the Outlander, it’s more than a foot shorter and doesn’t have a third-row seat. However, they share the same 105.1-inch wheelbase. At approximately 3,000 pounds, the Outlander Sport is one of the lightest vehicles

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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 for its expansive laundry list of standard features and the TSX wagon is no exception: 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon

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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 feature a newly designed grille design and improved fuel economy. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Sport trim, my Weekly

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Tour de France, 2012: Citroen exhibit showcases iconic French carmaker

Bugatti, Citroën, Peugeot and Renault are the current major French automakers. With the exception of Bugatti, French highways and country roads are often crowded with many models, new and old, from the other three carmakers. And also with the exception of Bugatti, I've driven new models of Citroën, Peugeot and Renault as rental cars in different years since I began attending the Tour de France in 1997. French cars, like other countries' cars, have strengths and weaknesses, Yet, French cars often get criticized unfairly. While none of the carmakers' vehicles I've driven could be described as performance cars, all three got me through three weeks and about 4,000 miles of driving, including some treacherous ordeals in the Pyrenees and the

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Honda Civic Sedan, 2012: Economic, reliable, enhanced elegance

By Mary Ellen Ash Honda’s flagship Civic has been hugely popular since its debut in the early 1970s. For years, it’s been the benchmark for compact car manufacturers and its name is synonymous with long-term reliability, low running costs and high economy. For 2012, Honda introduces the redesigned ninth generation Civic which continues to refine the winning combination of reliability, economy and value. Interior/Exterior Styling Our test vehicle was 2012 Civic EX-L with a Taffeta White exterior. It's stunning and sharp at first glance. The newest Civic bodywork has sweeping, angular lines with increased aerodynamics giving the care an air  elegance and luxury. This theme is also visible with flowing interior paneling and dashboard layouts. The dash materials are textured,

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Fiat 500 Abarth, 2012: Italian, sexy mini car has Ferrari relatives

The sexiest cars arguably long have come from Italy, and the new Abarth version of the 2012 Fiat 500 is such a car. The 500 Abarth follows the colorful tradition of the very small, low-volume race-winning “Double Bubble” Fiat Abarths of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Those cars are valued at $135,000—if you can find one that wasn’t thrashed in races. (They had nifty twin roof humps—or “bubbles”—to clear race driver helmets.) The early Abarths were standard Fiats cleverly modified by Karl Abarth, who made a fortune selling hot rod exhaust systems, mainly for sports cars. If you wanted the greatest sports car sound around and higher performance, it seemed mandatory that you get an Abarth catalog-available exhaust system.

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Nissan Juke, 2012: Looks funny, drives fast, best buy small SUV crossover (video)

Introduced to the North American market at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the Nissan Juke is another in the ever-evolving series of unique-looking crossover vehicles with equally ever-evolving names. With the 2012 edition, the Juke remains the same as its 2011 debut edition — a turbocharged 1.6-liter, 188-horsepower 4-cylinder with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Nissan calls the Juke "The Bold Urban Sport Cross." The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like some of its rivals, including the Kia Soul and Scion xB, the Nissan Juke gets immediate attention. One national reviewer said its distinctive exterior is reminiscent of a "horned lizard." Another critic said it was stil in its "larval stage." The Juke's fans call it sporty. During my test

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Redesigned sedan enchances carmaker's stellar lineup

The old Hyundai Azera sedan was solid, although bland. But with swoopy new styling, more power and lots of features, the redone 2012 model that arrived this spring makes the car stand out. The new front-wheel-drive Azera comes in only one spacious trim level and slots between Hyundai’s Sonata and Genesis models. It looks more expensive, inside and out, than its $32,000 list price might suggest. Its nicely shaped and bumper-integrated tailpipes look as if they came from a top custom-car operation. The only option is a $4,000 package that contains such items as wider tires on 19-inch (vs. 18-inch) wheels, ventilated front seats and a huge panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade. The Azera’s long list of standard items

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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 Drive The Kizashi may not be the great car Suzuki is seeking, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, it's

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Toyota Prius v, 2012: Roomier, supple sedan expands best-selling hybrid lineup

If you like the Toyota Prius, but want more room than the standard model offers, meet the larger, roomier new 2012 Prius v wagon. The four-door hatchback Prius v expands the Prius line. It’s longer, wider and taller than the standard Prius, although it doesn’t look as attractive. Its rear end seems to be grafted onto a standard Prius, which is no beauty contest winner, anyway. List prices for the front-wheel-drive Prius v are $26,400 for the base “Two” version, $27,165 for the mid-range “Three” version and $29,990 for the top-line “Five” which I tested. All are well-equipped. Even the Two has climate and cruise controls, AM/FM/CD stereo, back-up camera, keyless entry and power windows and mirrors. The Three’s items

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Kia Rio, 2012: Sleek, improved mpg, efficient sedan/hatchback

The 2011 Kia Rio looked plain, but was fairly lively, economical and backed with a long warranty. You either bought it — or maybe a used car. The redone 2012 model has slicker, European-inspired styling, more power, a better automatic transmission and improved fuel economy — besides keeping Kia’s 10-year/100,00-mile powertrain warranty. The front-wheel-drive Rio comes in base LX, mid-range EX and top-line SX trim. It’s sold as a sedan or hatchback. List prices range from $13,400 to $17.700, excluding a $750 destination charge. Standard for the LX are air conditioning, AM/FM stereo, CD Player, satellite radio, adjustable steering wheel with audio controls and large power mirrors. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the LX sedan and hatchback, but

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Kia Optima, 2012: upscale look, good performance, tough competition

While gaining ground, Kia still lacks the appeal of more established brands. But cars such as the mid-size Kia Optima are throwing a big spotlight on it. The Optima is a corporate cousin of the above-average Hyundai Sonata. This Kia looks much like a slick European four-door sports sedan, and its attractive, roomy interior doesn’t disappoint. However, a driver should keep in mind the car has a very low front end for superior aerodynamics and a racier appearance. The front-wheel-drive Optima comes in LX, EX, EX Hybrid and SX turbo trim levels. The regular LX and EX have a 2.4-liter, 200-horsepower four-cylinder that provides decent performance. The hot number is the 274-horsepower turbocharged 2-liter direct-injection SX, which I tested. It

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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 room for passengers with the third-row seat in its normal position. Honda claims the four-door hatchback Pilot seats eight, but

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