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Super Bowl commercials: Kia offers Las Vegas, bikinis, Gabba Gabba dolls in its new 2011 Sorento ad

Kia is advertising the 2011 Sorento with an innovative Super Bowl ad geared toward kids and their parents and featuring Yo Gabba Gabba figures. The ad features the creatures fantasizing in different situations, like partying in Las Vegas and hanging out in a hot tub bikini-clad young woman with a come-on look on her face. But by the end of the commercial, the creatures are relegated to their original locale, in the backseat of a new Sorento waiting for its driver to leave the driveway of their suburban neighborhood. The idea is clever and the music is cool. Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of

Sport Utility Vehicles

Super Bowl commercials: 2010 Hyundai Tucson without gimmicks

Hyundai is among nearly a dozen auto-related companies that will advertise during Super Bowl KLIV. Its 2010 Tucson is getting strong reviews, and with this 30-second commercial, the Korean carmaker takes a classy approach. It doesn’t specifically poke fun at any other manufacturer. Rather it touts the technological virtues of the new Tucson and simply asks the question why other manufacturer’s don’t already offer than same? The commercial is straight-forward, devoid of overt flash, talking animals and anything risking being cute. It just gets the job done Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of

Sport Utility Vehicles

Mercedes Benz GLK 350, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

Mica liked the Benz, the 2010 GLK 350. He calls it the Chuck Norris of the small luxury crossover segment. ” It just has that don’t mess with me snarling face,” says Mica is his video review. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

Automotive News, News Service, Sport Utility Vehicles

2011 Ford Explorer: Revamped SUV plans helps manufacturer create 1,200 jobs in Chicago

Providing another key example of the rebounding automotive industry, Ford Motor Company will create 1,200 jobs in its Chicago, Ill., plant to help facilitate the production later this year of the revamped 2011 Ford Explorer. “Tomorrow, in one day, we’re going to get 1,200 new jobs for Illinois,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn told the Associated Press. According to several news reports, Ford wants the new Explorer to become “greener.” The fuel economy of the Explorer will increase and CO2 emissions should be reduced by as much as 25 percent. The Explorer is an integral part of Ford’s lineup. But it’s no longer the sales magnet of yesteryear. During the SUV boom in 2000, the Explorer had sales of 445,000, and

Sport Utility Vehicles

Lexus RX 350, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

But instead of mining for gold, town’s folks now make their money selling coffee and homespun desserts. So what kind of a car is best suited for visiting a striving, hidden gold mining town like Gold Hill, Colorado in the high valleys of the Rocky Mountains? Usually. the new Lexus RX 350 is mostly seen in the low parking lots of America’s malls. But how well does this king of crossovers do when it has to tackle the steep icy and snow-cover roads of Colorado high country? Roman Mica, a contributing editor to TheWeeklyDriver.com shows and tells us in his latest video from TFLCar.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

Electric and Hybrid, Sport Utility Vehicles

Lexus 450h AWD hybrid, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

In Mica’s assessment, the vehicle’s interior is stunning and comfortable. And he’s impressed by the car’s quiet, powerful hybrid engine and its gas mileage as a luxury vehicle. He’s not as keen on the car’s exterior design. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

Sport Utility Vehicles

General Motors to Tiger Woods: No more free Buicks

Woods’ endorsement contract with GM’s Buick brand ended in 2008. But the manufacturer extended its relationship with golfer via several free loaner vehicles. Woods specifically touted the Buick Enclave, a sport utility vehicle, during his contract with GM. Buick was also a long-time sponsor of the Buick Invitational, a PGA Tour event at held in San Diego, California. The sponsorship ended following the 2009 event Buick assumed title sponsorship of the event in 1991 and its contract ended at the end of 2009. Now called the San Diego Open, the tournament will held beginning January 25 at Torrey Pines. Woods won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008. Woods has lost a host of endorsement contracts since his car

Luxury cars, Sport Utility Vehicles

Land Rover HSE Sport, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

Here are the specs for the 2010 Land Rover Sport HSE and a three-minute video of the vehicle in Colorado snow conditions: Price as Tested: 70,845.00; Engine: 5.0L Aluminum Alloy V-8; Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission with CommandShift; Horsepower: 375; G-Tac Test Data test: 5430 feet above sea level; 15.55 seconds at 96 mph; 0-60 mph: 7.35 seconds; 60-0: 101 ft; 061 g’s; EPA Fuel Economy Estimates: City, 17 mpg; Highway, 17 mpg; Combined: 14 mpg; As tested: 13.9 mpg; CO2 per year: 15,651 lbs. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a

Sport Utility Vehicles

Range Rover Sport HSE, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

With the Range Rover’s drive-train in snow mode the Brit seemed almost unstoppable even with fat non-winter tires. And you got to love any car that has not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 on board cameras giving you a 360 degree view of the surrounding road and traffic as you head down the road. We’re sure that this is a pretty useful off-road feature perhaps used to provide up close and personal views of potentially deadly drop-offs, but it’s also a lot of fun just driving to the grocery store. As of yet we have not been able to figure out how to get to the combined MPG readout to get an “as tested” mileage number

News Service, Sedans, Sport Utility Vehicles, Sports Cars

Yaris, Touareg, Probe among Cars.com worst named cars

The author writes: “Below are 10 vehicles from the past 30 years with names so awful and awkward that we’re sometimes surprised consumers gave them a shot.” No. 8 on the list, for example, is the Toyota Yaris. The author details: “There was a girl in my dorm freshman year who organized her shoes alphabetically by mood. She majored in dead languages and responded to every single question with ‘no worries.’ She once set the dorm microwave on fire by overcooking a ham-and-cheese Hot Pocket. Yes, that story is ridiculous and nonsensical … sort of like naming a car Yaris.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Here’s

Electric and Hybrid, Sport Utility Vehicles

Ford Escape Hybrid, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A hybrid sport utility vehicle? About six years ago, the idea still seemed outrageous. But then the Ford Escape hybrid debuted. Skeptics sneered. But now SUV hybrids are plentiful from several manufacturers. In other words, there’s competition for the Ford Escape, even if some of the competition remains from Ford via the very similar Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute. The Escape hybrid is a “full” hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together. That means maximum performance and efficiency. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Inclement weather or off-road treks are always good ways to test an SUV. I didn’t do

Sport Utility Vehicles

Kia Soul, 2010: The Weekly Driver car review

The Soul debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2008, it was first available in February 2009 in Europe and a month later debuted in North American dealerships. With its varied trims, engines, colors and accessory options, Kia proudly declares the 2010 Soul is available in more than 10,000 combinations. The Weekly Driver Test Drive By coincidence, I drove in consecutive weekly test drives, the Nissan Cube followed by the Kia Soul. Both vehicles are innovative and in some ways, they’re a lot of alike — versatile, Utilitarian Hatchback Vehicles or UHVs (I made up the term.) I primarily drove the Soul in city jaunts, the grocery store and other routine life tasks. Like the Nissan Cube and Scion xB,

Sport Utility Vehicles

Honda Pilot, 2009: Weidel on Wheels

When Honda came out with the Pilot six years ago the Japanese automaker quickly had another hit. The Pilot became one of the forerunners in the eight-passenger midsize crossover segment. It’s a sport utility vehicle whose car-like qualities and hauling capabilities were lauded. Despite the accolades, one aspect of the Pilot got exposed – third-row seating was lacking. It wasn’t accommodating and the guess is in many Pilots the third row lay flat and it was left unused. The weakness remained, but the popularity of the Pilot grew with sales rising more to than 152,000 by 2006. But one year later, the competition caught up; Honda sold only 117,000 Pilots in 2007. Obviously, something had to be done. Have you

Electric and Hybrid, Luxury cars, Sport Utility Vehicles

Lexus GS450h, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s a heavy heavyweight in the premium sedan market. It features extraordinary technology, including some features other hybrids don’t offer. The GS 450h operates in gas-only or electric-only mode or a combination, for example, with little difference in performance but plenty of eco-friendly ambition. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (8) Rating of 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. In a hybrid? Impressive is an understatement. Cargo Room (7) Nicely configured and deep trunk, but where’s the light? Side pockets pull out for easy access. Front-seat cup holders a little snug. Controls (6) Elegant dials. Nothing too high-tech. Independent temperature controls “ping” when increased or decreased. Some numbers and switches and not-so-easy to reach, so there’s a learning curve. Details (7) Wood

Convertibles, Luxury cars, News Service, Sedans, Sport Utility Vehicles, Sports Cars

Porsche to Audi, Lexus to BMW: Best (used) luxury cars under $30,000

For the past few years, I’ve become a regular reader of the AOL Autos. Its writers and editors seemingly have a never-ending stream of top-10 lists while approaching the automotive industry with the consumer in mind. The latest AOL Auto offering, written by Kevin Ransom, is the “baker’s dozen” list of best luxury cars for under $30,000. It’s a diverse selection, Porsche to Lincoln, Audi to Lexus. Says Ransom in his introduction: “For some buyers, the used-luxury market is a way of getting into that Lexus, Lincoln, Infiniti or Porsche you always wanted, without laying out $70,000 or $80,000 for something you’re not actually going to live in.” In conjunction with a recent Consumer Reports study, AOL has published its

Sport Utility Vehicles

Scion xB, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s a subjective call whether any Scion qualifies as royalty. Regardless of its lineage, the Scion xB is a viable SUV alternative. It’s marketed as a urban utility vehicle and often described as a box on wheels. Its appearance prompts attention, and it should gather further notice via its value as a versatile, moderately price family alternative. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) It’s a 2.4-liter, 158 horsepower, 4-cylinder upsized wagon with a four-speed automatic transmission. It’s not slow, but don’t expect much when trying to pass slower traffic on even the slightest incline. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) For its style (OK, a box with wheels), the Scion gets the job done in stride, although it’s not an off-road vehicle. In one

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