2013

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2013 Mazda3: Spirited, fuel conscious, bang for buck

The compact front-drive 2013 Mazda3 four-door sedan or hatchback provides driving kicks and decent roominess. The 2013 Mazda3 has a good number of minor upgrades and updates from its predecessor. The 2012 model got more-aggressive styling and a new, fuel-saving 155-horsepower 2-liter fuel-stingy (and oddly named) “Skyactiv” (no “e”) engine. That four-cylinder engine delivers an estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on highways with a six-speed automatic transmission. Figures are virtually the same (27 and 39) with a six-speed manual gearbox. The Mazda3 also comes with a 2-liter, 148-horsepower four-cylinder and a 2.5-liter “four” that kicks out 167 horsepower. All come with either a five- or six-speed manual or five- or six-speed automatic transmission and just

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Kelley Blue Book: 2013 Scion iQ Cheapest U.S. car to own for five-year tenure

Kelley Blue Book, like many other automotive sites, likes car lists. Arguably the enduring site’s most popular list is its annual compilation of the cheapest cars to own. The new list covers 22 categories for 2013 models. The new list is collaboration with Forbes.com and winners of the Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership Awards. The list considers many factors: depreciation, fuel, insurance costs, registration fees and maintenance. Add up all the factors and the amount is the cost of the vehicle over five years. Here’s the list in 22 categories with the segment vehicle name, Base, MSRP, 5-year cost and cost per mile: Subcompact, Scion iQ, $16,250, $27,011, $0.36 Compact, Hyundai Veloster, $18,395, $30,581, $0.41 Hybrid/Alternative Energy, Honda

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Volkswagen Beetle, 2013: New Turbo diesel has sports car tendencies

The slogan for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is “Still turns heads. Just Faster.” Automaker slogans often don’t mean much. But in the instance of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI, which debuted this year, the words work. The Beetle TDI’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel delivers 140 horsepower, 236 lb-ft of torque and is offered with either a six-speed manual or Tiptronic automatic transmission. Those are foreign numbers when compared to the specs of the original introduced in 1938, and they should be. And yet, after 75 years, the VW Beetle in many ways is still a Bug. The Weekly Driver Test Drive As arguably the most easily recognized car in the world, and particularly in my week with a bright yellow turbo diesel

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2013 Ford Flex: Crossover adds power, styling, alternative fuel

The 2013 Ford Flex looks distinctive, but its boxy styling clearly signifies this is mainly a conservative family vehicle. But owners can stare when others try stuffing lots of people and cargo into a less-roomy vehicle. The Flex, which has front- or all-wheel drive, features three seating rows and can handle seven people when all seats are in an upright position. The Flex has a long 117.9-inch wheelbase, which helps the ride, and weighs from 4,471 to 4,839 pounds, which takes away some of its nimbleness. Still, it feels like a typical carlike crossover vehicle. Rivals include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia,Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. With the third-row seats in their upright position, there’s enough room for, say, a

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Dodge Grand Caravan, 2013: Still leads the minivan pack

Although its glory days are gone, thanks to smaller SUVs and crossover vehicles, the minivan is still much alive. And Chrysler’s Dodge Grand Caravan was the top-selling such vehicle in America in 2012. Moreover, the base Grand Caravan—the APV (American Value Package) model gets a $1,000 price cut for 2013. That makes it the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle in the United States. Introduced in 1983 as a 1984 model and as simply the Dodge Caravan, this minivan met the needs of many baby boomers who were starting families. It has been continually improved to keep up with the times—and to stay ahead of competitors. It soon was joined by the more upscale Chrysler Town & Country, which also is offered

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2013 Buick Verano: Turbo sedan blends luxury, performance

Things sure are changing. For instance, here we have the new compact, turbocharged 2013 Buick Verano sedan with an available six-speed manual transmission. Buick is after a younger crowd with the front-drive Verano Turbo, which also comes with a six-speed automatic transmission at no extra charge. It reached for a younger group with its 1960s muscle cars and 1980s Grand National models. In fact, the 1987 Grand National GNX Coupe could blow off a 1987 Chevy Corvette. But those cars, including Buick’s 1980s-1990s Reatta two-seater, just weren’t quite right for the times. Now, anything goes. And so we have the Verano Turbo’s smooth 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder 250-horsepower engine. It kicks out 260 pound/feet of torque at only 2,000 rpm. The

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Honda Accord, 2013: Family sedan turned luxury car

Now approaching middle age, the Honda Accord has been among the top-selling cars in the United States for nearly 25 years. The first generation was launched on May 7, 1976 as a three-door hatchback with 68 horsepower, a 93.7-inch wheelbase and weighing about 2,000 pounds. For 2013, after several manufacturers began to match the Accord’s quality and offer better warranties, Honda acquiesced and debuted a complete redesign. Among a vast array of other attributes, the Accord now has a 109.4-inch wheelbase and weighs 3,559 pounds. The Accord, available in more than a dozen configurations and as a coupe and sedan, has come a long way, including the V6 Touring edition, my weekly driver. It features a 24-value, 3.5-liter, V6 with

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Mitsubishi Lancer 2013: tame to wild and unheralded

The Mitsubishi Lancer compact four-door sedan and hatchback come in models ranging from a tame 148-horsepower model to a crossfire-hurricane 291-horsepower version called the “Evolution,” which car buffs love. The often-overlooked Lancer was Mitsubishi’s second best-selling model in America in 2012, behind the Outlander Sport SUV. Most Americans don’t realize Mitsubishi is a huge conglomerate that sells vehicles throughout the world and that it’s an innovative outfit. Mitsubishi’s tough race/rally cars were among the world’s championship cars. Mitsubishi pulled out of world rally competition about seven years ago, although development continues for production classes that keep its race-bred Lancer Evolution model a feared performer. List prices for Lancer sedans and hatchbacks range from $15,995 to $34,695. Besides the top-line race-style

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2013 Mitsubishi i: Inexpensive, economical, strange name

The oddly named Mitsubishi i—also known as the i-MiEV—is probably unknown to most Americans. Even regular gas-engine models from this automaker aren’t given much promotion. The i four-door hatchback was introduced as a 2012 model and was offered only in a few U.S. markets—Hawaii and on the West Coast. The U.S. version is wider to better suit American occupants, and is the lowest-cost all-electric car sold in the country. The i has served tens of thousands of drivers throughout the world, including many motorists in Japan. Mitsubishi says it has had four decades of experience designing and developing 100 percent battery powered vehicles. The 2013 i is a carryover model from 2012. I expected it to be essentially an in-town

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Mitsubishi Lancer 2013: Status quo for enduring sedan

Since its debut in 1973, the Mitsubishi Lancer has endured as a small sedan sold nearly globally and with about a dozen different names. For 2013, the Lancer in North America is available in DE, ES, SE, GT, Ralliart and the high-performance Evolution trim. The non-performance models have largely stayed the same for the past several years. The 2013 slight differences include the SE trim level standard roof rack mounts. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly driver was the Lancer SE, an upgraded trim with a 2.4-liter, 168 horsepower, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. It also featured the new, standard roof rack mounts and an alloy wheel package. The Lancer’s standard chiseled exterior with its minor improvements

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Kia Rio, 2013: Solid driving fun, utility

The Kia Rio got sporty, nicely sculpted styling for 2012 and adds such automatic transmission shifter paddles for the top-line SX, a fuel-saving “idle stop-and-go” feature and extra storage space via a cargo floor tray for 2013. The 2013 Rio looks like it’s fun to drive, and the top-line SX model I tested is just that. While small on the outside, the Rio has a fairly long (for a subcompact) 101.2-inch inch wheelbase, with wheels pulled to the far corners of the body to provide a roomy interior—although a tall person behind a driver will find they don’t have a surplus of legroom. But the middle of the rear seat is soft enough to be comfortable, which often isn’t the

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2013 Lexus ES 350: New bold image for upscale sedan

Now in its sixth generation, the redesigned 2013 Lexus ES breaks away from its 20-plus-year tradition of being a nice upscale Toyota Camry. The new front-wheel-drive ES has a nearly two-inch longer 111-inch wheelbase shared with the all-new top-line Toyota Avalon and is an inch longer overall. It has the signature Lexus spindle grille and looks more like the higher-line Lexus GS than the Camry. Its bolder appearance features such items as larger headlights and LED daytime running lights. Taillights look as if from the GS and sit above nifty dual chrome-finished exhaust tips. The low front end can result in curb damage, but helps allow smoother air flow under the car for better aerodynamics. The ES 350’s engine and

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Review: Kia Soul 2013: funky, efficient car in a box

When the Honda Element debuted in 2001 it generated immediate fans and detractors with its auto industry shocker — a box on wheels. But more than a decade later, with the influx of vehicles like the Scion xB, Nissan Cube and Kia Soul, the Element has morphed into the mainstream. The Soul, meanwhile, has assumed the front-runner’s perch in the car-in-a-box mold. The Soul debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and was unveiled in March 2009 to North America. Now in its fourth year, the Soul still gets a fair share of looks because is doesn’t look like any other car. It’s now outselling the Cube and Scion combined because while still funky it also has a lot

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Chevy Malibu review, 2013: New midsize sedan has continental flair

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu seems to walk a line between being a mainstream American sedan and a higher-class European four-door. Chevy calls the Malibu its “first global midsize sedan.” Indeed, Chevy says in promotional material the new Malibu will be at home (in various forms) from New York to Sydney and Shanghai to Sao Paulo. Or to “nearly 100 markets on 6 continents.” The front-drive Malibu is no head-turner but is handsome enough to matter how it is sold. It has an integrated rear spoiler and low .29 drag coefficient to cheat wind resistance and noise. Chevy says it is the most aerodynamic Malibu ever. Indeed, the interior is very quiet. However, the low front end, which helps aerodynamics, can

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2013 Honda Odyssey: Large luxury sedan disguised as a hip minivan

The Honda Odyssey is now 20 years old and for 2013, the hugely popular family van is in the third year of its fourth generation. The current style, unveiled at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, features a sleek modern exterior design. It’s decidedly non-minivan. The 2013 Honda Odyssey features a 24-valve, 248-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating in three rows and for seven adults. There are a few minor changes, but mostly adding features of the more expensive trims as standard on lower-level trims. The Weekly Driver Test Drive As I did with the 2012 model, my weekly driver in the 2013 edition was also the five-door Touring

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2013 Mazdaspeed3: Fun, value-priced pocket rocket

The 2013 Mazdaspeed3 compact hatchback is for those who like fast, responsive small cars, but don’t want to give up a good dose of practicality. The well-equipped front-drive Mazdaspeed3 is a far cry from the standard front-drive Mazda3, which is a pleasant, practical hatchback reasonably enjoyable to drive. The $24,200 Mazdaspeed3 looks like it’s spoiling for a fight. New for 2013 are items including 40-series tires on 18-inch “gunmetal” alloy wheels, black outside mirrors, a two-tone rear roof spoiler and rear lower valance. New for the interior is a $2,485 Technology Package that includes a blind-spot monitoring system, full-color touchscreen navigation system, HD radio, Pandora audio application, SMS test message audio delivery and voice reply. It also contains a pushbutton

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