Cars

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Toyota announces special editions for 2013 Corolla

The enduring Toyota Corolla, which debuted in 1966 and as it approaches its 50th birthday remains the best-selling car in history, will soon be offered in two 2013 model special editions. Toyota has announced the two 2013 Corolla Special Editions will offer standard features in two grade levels, LE and S. The LE Special Edition will offer 16-inch alloy wheels, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune™ (three-year subscription), Power and heated Beige leather-trimmed seats, Special Edition floor mats and exterior badging, and a unique Black Currant Metallic exterior color. The Corolla S Special Edition will provide new styling along with 17-inch alloy wheels, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune™, Sport fabric seats coordinated with a unique Hot Lava exterior color

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Ford cooking with anything but gas in sustainable car-making initiative

For about a year, Ford has been touring the country with a marketing program, Fusion Meets Fusion. The initiative allows the carmaker to explain how it uses sustainable food sources to replace plastic and rubber in cars like the fuel-efficient Fusion sedan. Like in other locales, the Sacramento presentation was offered at an established local restaurant, Mulvaney’s B&L in midtown Sacramento. Restaurant co-owner and chef Patrick Mulvaney prepared a family-style meal incorporating soybeans, wheat straw, coconut and dandelion greens. Dandelion greens were used in the spring greens salad and whole wheat fettuccine; wheat straw was an ingredient in hay-scented chicken; soybeans were used in the salad served with salmon; coconut was prominent in the crème brulee dessert. Carrie Majeske, Ford‘s

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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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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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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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George Orwell right again? Black boxes in all cars required by 2014?

Another example of the reality of George Orwell’s 1984 will commence in September 2014 if federal regulators get approval to require all new cars to have “black box” data recorders as standard equipment. Although some new cars already have the devices, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes black boxes can help determine the cause of crashes and lead to safer vehicles. The potential requirement has prompted concerns among privacy advocates who believe the prevention of the misuse of the devices should determined first. Although some car models have had recorders since the 1990s, a federal requirement automakers disclose their existence in owner’s manuals began three months ago. Besides the upcoming proposal to put recorders in all new vehicles, the

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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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Nissan Versa keeps Cheapest Car in the U.S. title for 2013

It’s about five times more expensive than the Tata Nano, but the Nissan Versa maintains its unique position in the automotive industry. Including a $790 destination charge, the 2013 edition of the subcompact sedan is the cheapest new car in the United States with a beginning price of $12,280. The Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Sonic all have entry level prices of less than $15,000. But the Nissan Versa retains its current status despite an increase of $1,100 from the 2012 model. The top-of-the-line 2013 Nissan Versa sedan starts at $17,380, including shipping, which places it higher than comparable models of key competitors from Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet and Honda. Nissan recently announced improvements for the updated 2013 Nissan Versa include a

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2013 best sedans: Ford Fiesta to Audi A8

Sedans are arguably the most competitive car segment, and the uniqueness of the Edmunds.com list for 2013 is that Toyota, which manufacturers the Camry and Corolla, both perennially among the top-10 selling cars in the United States, is not on the  recommended list in any sedan price category. None of the members of the Toyota Prius family of hybrid cars are on recommended sedan list, either, although Toyota products are listed in other recommended categories. Here’s the top-three in eight price categories for Edmunds.com, the online automotive information resource guide headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Under $15K Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent Under $18K Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus Under $25K Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Ultima Under

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2013 Infiniti G IPL Coupe: Blast to drive, hefty price to pay

Now in its third year, the Infiniti IPL G for 2013 features only minor tweaks from the 2012 model. It remains the mainstay of the carmaker’s Infiniti Performance Line — a powerful sports car with aggressive styling and keen performance via its 3.7-liter, 24-valve, 348-horsepower V6 engine. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Beyond a sports car’s streamlined looks and performance, its colors add to the total package. In some instances, like the Infiniti G37 IPL’s combination of “gun metal” gray exterior and Monaco Red leather interior, the package is greater than the sum of its parts. As such, the new Infiniti not only powers along a country road or on the freeway with great acceleration and superior handling, it does

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2014 Subaru Forester: Bigger, roomier, better mpg for enduring crossover

The 2014 Subaru Forester, the fourth generation of the all-wheel driver crossover that debuted in 1997, will be slightly longer, taller and wider than its predecessor and will make its North American debut at the LA Auto Show in late November. While featuring slightly bigger dimensions, the 2014 Subaru Forester will be closely related to its older siblings and will offer, according to the manufacturer: “An exceptionally roomy interior, featuring increased rear seat legroom, and an enlarged cargo area.” New features will also include for the North American market: an infotainment system with smartphone integration, navigation, rear view camera, and harman/kardon premium audio amplifier and speakers. In Japan, the new Forester’s powertrain options include a 146 horsepower, 2.0-liter flat four

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2013 Volvo XC60: Solid sports car alternative with vast cargo room

It used to be that a need for more room called for a move to a truck-like SUV. But then vehicles such as the Volvo XC60 crossover came along, feeling much like a sports sedan but providing lots of cargo space. The 2013 XC60 drives more like a carlike compact premium crossover vehicle than a typical SUV. It continues in a variety of trim levels, starting at $34,200 for a front-wheel-drive (FWD) version and ending at $48,750 for a more powerful, deluxe, turbocharged all-wheel-drive (AWD) model. The XC60 has a non-turbocharged 3.2-liter 240-horsepower six-cylinder engine or a potent turbocharged 3-liter six-cylinder that generates 300 horsepower—or 325 if you want the higher-performance R-Design model. Any XC60 model tops 4,000 pounds, so

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Lexus GS 350, 2013: Plush new sedan ready to challenge German luxury leaders BMW, Audi

Like its siblings throughout the Lexus line-up, the GS 350 has been redesigned for 2013. The fourth generation of the upscale midsize sedan is slightly wider and taller than previous editions and it’s also touted with improved steering, more power and increase fuel efficiency. The length and wheelbase remain the same as older models and the GS 350 still features a 3.5-liter V6. But its new exterior design has resulted in 25 percent more trunk capacity, and with all of its improvements Lexus is hoping to provide more competition for the dominating German brands. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Driving the GS 350 is everything that defines a luxury sedan, and as part of Toyota‘s upscale lineup, it did little

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Chevrolet Corvette, 2014: Out with the old, in with the new in January 2013

The seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette will be introduced Jan. 13 in Detroit, a few days prior to the North America International Auto Show, and will feature little from previous editions of the iconic sports car that debuted in 1953. The new Corvette will have only two parts from the sixth-generation Corvette — a cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel. The current generation Corvette, or C6, was introduced as a 2005 model. As as tease to the 2014 Corvette, the automaker revealed the vehicle’s new crossed flags logo. The new logo was selected from more than 100 logo candidates. General Motors said production of the 2014 Corvette will begin in the third quarter of 2013.

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