New Cars

PREVIEW: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta is all new

The redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, which will include a host of interior and exterior upgrades — green technology innovation to design efficiency — will debut at the New York International Auto Show. The show will be held April 18-27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. The new Jetta’s efficiency has been improved by reducing air drag and utilizing new tires that help improve rolling resistance. New driver assistance systems are available, such as Blind Spot Detection, frontal collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Inside, the Jetta sees an upgraded interior with new materials and an enriched assortment of available equipment. The 2015 Jetta continues to offer three four-cylinder gasoline engines (2.0-liter naturally aspirated and 1.8T and

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Benefits of buying a new car, not a used vehicle

Purchasing a vehicle is a major expense, and often the primary consideration is whether to purchase new car or  used car. Buying a new vehicle is more expensive, of course. But there are many reasons the increased price can more beneficial than opting to buy an older model.Perhaps the two biggest benefits of purchasing a new vehicle instead of a used vehicle are the warranty and a greater selection of available cars. Considering the latter first: You still may not get the exact car of your dreams, but when buying new, more often than not the purchaser has vast choices in engine sizes and transmissions, interior and exterior colors, upholstery fabric and various high-tech options, satellite radio, multi-functioning sound systems,

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REVIEW: 2014 Lexus IS combines luxury, sportiness

Some cars don’t mix sportiness and luxury very well. But the 2014 Lexus IS sports sedan has been strategically revised to provide both luxury and sporty driving. Width of the new rear-wheel-drive IS has been increased by nearly half an inch for a more aggressive stance. The large bold-looking grille has a more “three-dimensional” design with a chrome-plated frame, but looks overdone. However, styling is generally sporty. Major changes include a nearly 2.7-inch wheelbase increase to 110.2 inches for more rear seat legroom and cargo space. The interior easily holds four 6-footers, but isn’t spacious  and has little in-cabin storage. There’s a larger, decent-sized trunk, and split 60/40 rear seatbacks flip forward and sit flat to enlarge the cargo area.

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Honda Accord named Car of the Decade

Since The Weekly Driver website began in 2004, Honda has been represented more than any other manufacturer. I’ve driven every model the manufacturer offers, the Fit to the Odyssey and the S2000 to the Ridgeline. The Honda Accord is the beacon for the carmaker, remaining among the top-selling cars in the United States for 25 years. In the observance of our first 10 years, The Weekly Driver has selected the Honda Accord as the Car of the Decade. The versatile sedan is unmatched in its combination of comfort, styling, efficiency, safety and resale value. The first generation Honda Accord 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.

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2013 LA Auto Show: New cars, concepts, sexy women (video)

As it does every year, the 2013 LA Auto Show offers a sensory overload of new cars, wild concept cars and an impressive collection of pretty women, called product specialists, who work for the manufacturers to showcase the new vehicles. Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Land Rover, MINI and Nissan and Subaru combined will present 22 global debuts of vehicles at the show, which continues through Dec. 1 at the LA Convention Center. 2014 Porsche Panamera at the LA Auto Show. Image by James Raia/2013 World debuts include the NISMO JUKE RS and a NISMO Concept vehicle from Nissan, as well as four models from Mercedes-Benz, which will be unveiled alongside the brand’s North American introductions of

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NEW CAR REVIEW: 2014 Fiat 500L: Utilitarian, Italian flair

The new 2014 Fiat 500L sedan is roomy and has some Italian flair, but isn’t much fun to drive. The new also sedan doesn’t have much in common with the lively but smaller two-door 500 models. For instance, the $19,100-$24,195 500L four-door hatchback sedan is 27.7 inches longer and has approximately six inches more height and width than the two-door 500. Its grille looks as if pasted on to provide a family resemblance to other 500 models. The front-wheel-drive 500L isn’t as cute as the smaller 500. It has a short nose you can’t see from the driver’s seat and a raked windshield. A large glass area allow good vision. It’s no head-turner, but has a clean Italian design. Rivals

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2014 Kia Forte Review: New design delivers sedan hit

Four model years after its debut in the United States, the 2014 Kia Forte represents a new look for the South Korean carmaker. Sports car sedan is an oxymoron, but the newly designed Forte’s look fits the odd definition. The 2014 edition is more aggressive-looking than its older sibling, and it’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, too. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2014 Kia Forte is available in base LX and the more-option filled EX model. I drove the latter, and it includes an adjustable steering wheel, foglights, LED running lights, chrome accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rearview camera, sliding console armrest and a fold-down rear center armrest. My test vehicle, which included a four-cylinder with 173

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2013 Honda Civic Si: New sporty look rekindles iconic reputation

Despite its lofty, top-10 perennial yearly sales status and more than 40-year longevity, the ninth generation Honda Civic was hastily introduced in 2012 among quickly increasing competition. Some critics called it a disaster, other were more kind with descriptions like ill conceived. As a result, for second straight year, Honda re-did the Civic for 2013. It’s not a new generation, but there are enough changes everywhere on the car that the Civic’s fall from grace was a one-year-and-out ordeal. The Civic is back strong and in its proper and well-deserved place among the most successful cars in history. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s a toss up most of the time. The convenience of an automatic transmission, particularly with continuously

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2013 Toyota Camry: Top-selling sedan still reliable, efficient

The 2013 Toyota Camry sedan looks sharper since its much-needed redesign for 2012. It retained its long-standing status as America’s top-selling car last year. Could 404,886 buyers be wrong? Maybe not, if all they wanted was a reliable, efficient car with a good quality reputation—although most models aren’t fun to drive—just an appliance. There are a variety of Camry models, including several gas/electric hybrids, to fit various budgets. List prices range from $22,235 for the base “L” four-cylinder model to $30,465 for the XLE V-6 version The 2012 front-wheel-drive Camry sedan got a widened, lower stance and upgraded interior. It also got a bit more-responsive handling, which isn’t saying much. But at least the SE V-6 sedan was—and is—rather fun

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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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Hyundai popularity continues with all-time record sales month

Hyundai achieved its all-time best sales month in March 2012, with the South Korean manufacturer selling 69,728 vehicles. The record was a 13 percent improvement from March 2011, the company's previous best sales month. For the first quarter 2012, Hyundai sales have increased 15 percent over 2011 and overall retail sales through dealerships have risen 33 percent over last March. “As Hyundai continues to offer more fuel-efficient vehicles, we are seeing more and more consumers in our showrooms, resulting in greater 40-mpg highway vehicle sales than ever before,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “Our 40-mpg vehicle sales are up an astonishing 67.5 percent over last March.” Here are Hyundai's comparative sales numbers from 2011 to

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New cars vs. used cars: pros, cons for both options

If you're n the market for a car and you don't know know whether to buy a new car or a used car, consider some of the pros and cons of each choice. New Cars New cars are great because they have no previous history of ownership, and you won't have to worry about maintenance records, accidents and other things. New cars also come with warranties that have a minimum of three years or 36,000 miles, and some cars have more extended warranties. Therefore, buying a new car means that you won't have to worry about paying any unexpected repair bills for the first few years you own the car. New cars also come with factory rebate incentives, and depending

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Volkswagen announces models, pricing for 2012 Beetle

Twelve years after it re-introduced the Beetle, Volkswagen has announced pricing for the third-generation of its classic “people’s car.” The new 2012 “21st Century” Beetle will start $18,995, offering a more muscular design that honors the Beetle’s past with revisions that offer a stronger, more powerful coupe. Unlike the other options in its segment, few vehicles offer consumers the heritage and character of the Volkswagen Beetle. “Cross shoppers might consider the Mini Cooper or Fiat 500,” said Jesse Toprak, VP of Industry Trends and Insights at TrueCar.com, but “most consumers looking to purchase the Beetle are already determined to buy it.” Traditionally, the Volkswagen Beetle has appealed to a primarily female audience.  The Volkswagen New Beetle was in 20101 the

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Chrysler 200, 2011 car review

Gone is the much-maligned Chrysler Sebring. Welcome its replacement, the 2011 Chrysler 200. The midsize sedan debuts in a crowded market featuring many of the most popular vehicles on the road. Available as a sedan or convertible, the Chrysler 200 retains the Sebring’s platform, but not much else remains cosmetically, not the powertrain nor the standard and optional equipment. Stiffer body mounts are new, for example, as are thicker seat cushions to a revised suspension. The Weekly Driver Test Drive In addition to its new exterior design and other changes, new for Chrysler is the 200 featuring a 3.6-liter V6 matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and generating 283 horsepower. It’s called the Touring Edition. It was my test driver

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Car buyers remain neutral with silver, black favorite colors

There’s Ferrari Red, of course. Bruce Springsteen sings the praises of a pink Cadillac. But those colors are the exceptions to the rule. Most car buyers opt for silver or black, with the two uninspired colors battling closely for the most popular vehicle color globally. According to the yearly survey by DuPont, only two percentage points separate silver from black as the leading vehicle color globally. White and gray are third and fourth among car colors choice. Red is the only non-neutral color in the top five. The top 10 global vehicle colors: 1. Silver, 26 percent 2. Black/black effect, 24 percent 3 (tie). White/white pearl and gray, 16 percent each 5. Red, 6 perecent 6. Blue, 5 percent 7.

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