Review Archive

Debut! 2011 Audi A8 – The Eyes Have It by Frank S. Washington The 2011 Audi A8 has a full set of optional LED head and tail lamps. In fact, the only conventional light bulbs are the backup lights.

MyCarData.com 2011 Mazda2 -- Big Small Car News by Casey Williams Mazda2 orignally debuted in Europe, Japan, and Australia in 2007. Since then, it has won over 48 awards from around the world.

City Drive 2010 Mazda3 Gets My Vote by Frank S. Washington The Mazda3 was a finalist in the Internet Car and Truck of the year awards.It was stylish, easy to drive, comfortable and fuel efficient.

MyCarData.Com Caddy CTS Sport Wagon by Kelly Foss The CTS Sport Wagon is capable of an EPA 28 mile per gallon rating on the highway. The CTS comes standard in a rear-wheel drive configuration.

City Drive Buick LaCrosse -- The Stuff by Mary Chapman Back in the day, if you drove a Buick, you were doing something. You were the stuff. Doctors' cars, they called them.

MyCarData.com 2011 Infiniti M -More Power by Infiniti The 2011 M models will be designated the Infiniti M56 and Infiniti M37 respectively, reflecting their more powerful, larger displacement engines.

City Drive Mercedes CL550 -- Soft & Smooth by Frank S. Washington When it comes to Mercedes-Benz excellence is routine. Words like comfort, dependability, luxury, quality and refinement are often used.

City Drive Lexus HS 250h – Dedicated Hybrid by Frank S. Washington The Lexus 250 HS had a four cylinder engine, the first for the brand, and an electric motor. Both produced 147 horsepower.

Motor News Media 2010 Audi A5 Drop Top by Ken Chester, Jr. The introduction of the Audi A5 Cabriolet marks the expansion of the A5 model line and the replacement for the 2009 A4 Cabriolet nameplate.

City Drive Ford Fusion – A Lot of Sedan by Frank S. Washington The midsize sedan market has always been fueled by function and reliability rather than style. The Fusion remains a formidable competitor.

Motor News Media Acura ZDX -- Dramatic Versatility by Ken Chester, Jr. The all-new 2010 Acura ZDX four-door sports coupe boasts dramatic styling, outstanding performance and the latest in advanced technology.

Preview Ram HD – Back to Business by Frank S. Washington The heavy duty Ram is the brand’s 4th best-selling vehicle and it accounts for one third of Dodge Ram sales.

MyCarData.com Buick Regal -- Rump Turner by Casey Williams Buick Regal: a world-class sport sedan set to turn the mid-size sedan market on its rump. Will roll into Buick dealers by 2011.

MyCarData Accord Crosstour -- Functionality by Casey Williams Based on the benchmark Honda Accord, Crosstour promises all of its sister’s excellence with even more functionality.

Preview 2010 Lexus GX 460 – Still Rugged by Frank S. Washington One of the most significant things about the 2010 GX 460 is that Lexus stuck with the traditional body on frame construction.

Preview Nissan’s $400 Nav System by Frank S. Washington A new navigation package would be available in Nissan's compact and subcompact cars for which it will charge about $400.

MyCarData.com Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid by Toyota The 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) Concept vehicle will make its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

City Drive 2010 Mustang Sophisticated Muscle by Frank S. Washington Ford has done a lot of work on the interior of the 2010 Mustang. It’s not as closed in as past models, the materials made me feel comfortable.

MyCarData Kia EcoDynamics Sub Brand by  Kia Kia Motors made its presence felt at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show by showcasing several new models, including the ‘EcoDynamics.’

RoadWorthy! Caddy CTS Wagon -- Luxury & Speed by Ken Chester, Jr. Cadillac’s first-ever North American wagon is a progressive take on the classic wagon body style that delivers significant functionality.

Preview 2011 Kia Sorento Up to Snuff by Frank S. Washington Kia has completely changed the Sorento from a truck based sport-utility vehicle into a car based crossover-utility vehicle.

Preview 2010 Suzuki Kizashi – A Good Car by Frank S. Washington The Suzuki Kizashi was a small midsize sedan powered by a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine that made 185 horsepower and 170 pounds-feet of torque.

MyCarData Aston Martin’s One-77 by Aston Martin The One-77 epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, to hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail.

Preview New VW Golf, New Prestige by Frank S. Washington The car felt “awesome.” The Golf TDI’s narrow torque ban translated into instant passing power to get around trucks that cluttered HWY 248.

City Drive GMC Terrain – Studly & Beefy by Mary Chapman I tooled around Michigan's western environs in a 2.4-liter direct-injection four-cylinder, six-speed automatic that can get 32 mpga.

City Drive Lincoln 2010 MKT – Tough! by Frank S. Washington The face of the 2010 MKT is the best example yet of what Lincoln’s new mug will ultimately look like on future models. I call it the butterfly grille.

Automotive Rhythms 2009BMW 750Li Long Term by Brian Armstead & Kimatni Rawlins This car is chocked with so much technology, it requires a bit of study to effectively operate it, even for a seasoned automotive writers.

City Drive Lincoln MKS EcoBoost by Frank S. Washington Lincoln now understands that long term reputations in the luxury market are built on car platforms and not on utility vehicles.

Automotive Rhythms 2010 Audi R8 V10 by Geoff Reeves & Kimatni Rawlins Audi reels you in with stunning exterior designs, making the eyes follow their flowing sharp lines ...you want to touch every surface.

Preview GMC Terrain -- Better Than Good by Frank S. Washington This is GMC’s smallest utility vehicle but that doesn’t mean it’s miniscule. The Terrain is a five-passenger utility vehicle

On the Road Ford Mustang is Worry Free Classic by Mary Chapman Like certain purses or hats,the Mustang is, and always has been, more than suitable for any occasion. Not sure who'll be there, take the Mustang!

City Drive 2010 Chevrolet Camaro – “The Car” by Frank S. Washington With a low stance, a wide ground hugging appearance, sharp angles and creases and a raked windshield, the Camaro is simply a stunner.

City Drive Ford Transit Connect by Sue Mead Ford has brought its Transit Connect to the American market, promising low cost and high utility transportation for small business owners.

Preview Nissan Z Roadster – Another Winner by Frank S. Washington The Z Roadster has a synchronized downshift rev which matched the transmission speed. It makes downshifting seamless.

Automotive Rhythms The 2010 Land Rover Experience by Kimatni D. Rawlins You can find me atop a steep mountain alongside the Megget Reservoir in the countryside of Scotland where goats and rams graze in romance.

City Drive Chevy Equinox -- Simply a Stunner by Frank S. Washington Although my Chevy Equinox featured OnStar with all sorts of services,I was impressed that GM has adapted and now includes Bluetooth.

City Drive Toyota Prius -- Fun Drive by Mary Chapman The most flattering thing I can say about the new Toyota Prius is that it doesn't feel like a Prius. that's meant as a compliment.

City Drive Honda Insight Lowers Playing Field by Frank S. Washington At a $19,800 base price, what Honda has done is lower the hybrid playing field to a more affordable price than competitors.

Motor News Media Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback --Functional Sportiness by Ken Chester, Jr. Building on the Lancer sedan introduced two years ago, Mitsubishi ups the stakes with the new-for-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.

City Drive Honda Fit – Well Worth its Price by Frank S. Washington This gas sipping econo-box is just what consumers need to ride past gas pumps. And that’s with a small fuel tank that holds 10.6 gallons.

MyCarData.com Luxury is Being Redefined by John Peige Like the dinosaurs that preceded them, the gas-guzzling luxo-barges of yesteryear are part of a vanishing breed.

Preview Suzuki Kazishi – Do or Die by Frank S. Washington The Kizashi was a good looking midsize sedan that will be powered by four cylinder engine. It will be available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive.

City Drive '09 Infiniti G Convertible -- Coninued Innovation by Sue Mead Infiniti achieves perfect proportions no matter the perspective, with the three piece hardtop either upright or tucked beneath the tonneau cover.

Preview Acura Turns it up a Notch by Frank S. Washington When Acura, the first Asian luxury brand to be sold here, invited me to look at what it had coming for the next model year I jumped at the chance.

Preview 2010 Toyota Prius -- Even Better by Sue Mead During the Prius’s second generation, this hybrid sedan truly came of age in America, when it won the 2004 North American Car of the Year.

City Drive Audi A4 Avant – Just the Ticket by Frank S. Washington The A4 Avant is not for everyone but for those folks with a couple of bucks and want something small but it might be just the ticket.

Road Test VW Touareg TDI Anew by Sue Mead VW debuts a new Touareg diesel, having given the TDI Touareg a go before-- only to see it forced out of showrooms due to U.S. emissions compliance.

Preview Buick LaCrosse Tops Expectations by Frank S. Washington Buick has done it again. As with the Enclave crossover, the interior of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse exceeds expectations.

Automotive Rhythms.com 2010 Porsche Panamera: Amazing by Kimatni D. Rawlins On Germany’s Autobahn we were able to surpass 178 mph in the Turbo Panamera; that's a bit shy of its top speed of 188 mph.

Preview Ford Flex EcoBoost – Remarkable! by Frank S. Washington The Ford EcoBoost delivers V8 power with V6 fuel efficiency. By the numbers, it makes 355 horsepower and 350 pounds-feet of torque.

Motor News Media 2010 Caddy SRX by Ken Chester, Jr. The redesigned Cadillac SRX brings a more dynamic alternative to the luxury crossover segment. It's dramatic with more efficient engine.

City Drive Audi A5 – Still in Love by Frank S. Washington The A5 has a long hood, a short deck lid and an awfully low stance. Audi’s wide single frame signature grille is particularly effective on the A5.

MyCarData.com Nissan Maxima -- Not Quite by Chris Jackson When I first slid behind the wheel of the Maxima, I had no idea that it would be so hard to classify. How difficult could that be?

City Drive Infiniti EX – Nice Touches by Frank S. Washington If it wasn’t for bad news, we might know more about the nice touches that Infinti has given the EX; its smallest utility vehicle.

Motor News Media Lexus IS Convertible -- Luxury Motoring by Ken Chester, Jr. The 2010 Lexus IS hard-top convertible gives Lexus a coupe and convertible in the entry luxury segment for the first time.

City Drive Mazda6 Pleasantly Surprising by Frank S. Washington I didn’t realize that the Mazda6 was available with a manual transmission. Mazda is serious about its Zoom Zoom brand identity.

Car-Data.com GMC's Terrain Notches Up Styling, Refinement by Casey Williams The GMC Terrain jumps up about four notches in style and refinement while satisfying SUV drivers.

Preview Taurus Sho --Serious Performance by Frank S. Washington The Taurus SHO has a 365 horsepower dual turbocharged direct fuel injected V6 that makes 350 pounds-feet of torque from 1,500 to 5,250 rpm.

City Drive M-B BlueTEC – Time to Consider Diesel by Mary Chapman The Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC, which supplants the ML320 CDI is a stereotype-busting diesel, and a looker, and a hauler too boot.

Preview With New Taurus – Ford Icon's Back by Frank S. Washington Although it is a family sedan capable of carrying the clan, the 2010 Taurus is a “my car” kind of sedan.

Car-Data.com BMW Z4 -Evolutionary Step Foprward by Kelly Foss The past Z4 was good but the new model is a significant step forward. It offers more style, more utility, more versatility and definitely more fun.

City Drive Audi TT Coupe an Exotic Bargain by Frank S. Washington At less than $40K, Audi’s TT coupe is one of the most exotic looking cars on the road today. I had the 2009 Audi TT Coupe 2.0 quattro S tronic.

City Drive Chevy Equinox -- Darn Decent Value by Mary Chapman The new Chevy Equinox gets better mileage than its rivals. It is also, overall, a pretty darned decent value. Did I mention that it's good on gas?

Preview Kia Forte Strikes Emotional Chord by Frank S. Washington The Kia Forte is Kia’s second product aimed at the emotional chords of consumers. It has a wide stance, broad shoulders and an aggessive face.

City Drive M-B C Class -- Not Much to Dislike by Mary Chapman The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 is elegant yet sporty, brawny but not aggressive, and relatively affordable -- if one eschews some key add-ons.

City Drive Volvo XC70 – It’s a Crossover by Frank S. Washington When I first got a look at Volvo’s XC70 crossover, I thought it was a station wagon. After a short test drive, I quickly dumped that notion.

City Drive '09 Subaru Forester Appeal Widens by Mary Chapman Subaru has admirably pulled off the balancing act -- reworking the popular Forester without alienating the ride's core aficionados.

City Drive '10 Mercury Milan Hybrid – Hey Good Looking by Frank S. Washington A couple of guys commented that the Milan was a “good looking car.” That doesn’t happen all that often, Mercury is not known for style.

City Drive Ford Transit Connect from Europe by Earle Eldridge Anyone who has seen a European light delivery van knows that styling is not their strong suit. But appearance - as long as it's not butt ugly.

City Drive VW Jetta TDI – Truly Impressive by Frank S. Washington The Jetta TDI is meant for hauling people and their stuff on a day-to-day basis to work, to school and to wherever on the weekends.

On the Road 20 Hours in a Lexus RX 450h by Mary Chapman The second-generation RX hybrid tops the previous iteration in refinement and fuel economy. It is also quieter and emits less emissions.

City Drive Kia Borrego – Reasonable for the Times by Frank S. Washington What impressed me the most about the 2009 Kia Borrego was the powertrain. It was smooth, it had a lot of oomph but it was very docile at low speeds.

Preview Nissan Cube's for Big Aspirations by Sue Mead Nissan hopes that its all-new 2009 Cube – a stylish, new 4-door compact box – will resonate strongly among consumers with big aspirations.

Travel Toyota Highlander Hybrid Gets Great Mileage by Frank S. Washington I had the Highlander Hybrid for two weeks, drove to five cities, sometimes back and forth between them, and spent less than $100 on fuel.

Preview 2010 Mazda3 Hopefully Continues Momentum by Sue Mead The all-new 2010 Mazda3 enters its second generation with more power and substantially updated styling.

City Drive Mercedes’ GLK is Really Good by Frank S. Washington The third time is not always the charm. Sometimes it’s the fourth. It seems that's the case with the Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic.

Car-Data.com New Jeep Grand Cherokee by Casey Williams Although it pushes through the air with a smoother face and sculpted bodysides, you’ll instantly recognize the new Grand Cherokee.

City Drive Pontiac G3 – It’s Here? by Frank S. Washington GM announced in September that the Pontiac G3 would go on sale in the U.S. in March. What’s astounding is that it has come in under the radar.

Car-Data.com Dodge Challenger -- Deftly Designed by Kelly Foss So how good is the new Challenger? How does it compare with the former models? In short, in every way, it is a far superior vehicle.

Preview Nissan Cube – Small & Snappy by Frank S. Washington Get used to it; that is small snappy cars that are fuel efficient and fun to drive. The latest is the Nissan Cube -- a square block on four wheels.

Travel '09 Ford Escape -- A Comer by Mary Chapman Tweaks to shock absorption have markedly improved the ride of the Ford Escape. Helping the chassis are re-done dampers and a new stabilizer bar.

Preview Hyundai Genesis Coupe Spells Trouble by Frank S. Washington Putting power to the rear wheels means that Hyundai's Genesis Coupe has automotive chops that front-wheel drive competitors simply can’t match.

Motor News Media Saturn Sky Roadster -- Instant Classic: by Ken Chester, Jr. The rear-wheel drive Saturn Sky Roadster has helped to usher in an impressive product renaissance at GM’s “Different kind of car company.”

Preview New Toyota Prius Still on Top by Frank S. Washington The new Prius will achieve 51 mpg on the highway and 48 mpg in the city. The boost in power does not come at the expense of emissions.

Car-Data.com New BMW Z4 -- Large & Evolutionary by Kelly Foss The new Z4 has more presence but the big news is a two-piece folding hardtop that ducks into the trunk in just 20-seconds.

Preview Infiniti G Convertible – A Bullet by Frank S. Washington The Infiniti G Convertible is the drop top version of the automaker’s G37 series. It completes the nameplate lineup.

Car-Data.com Ford Mustang Still Exhilarates by Casey Williams Year after year, generation after generation, the original pony car excites drivers with exhilarating performance and beautiful bodies.

Preview New Camaro Saves GM -- Maybe by Frank S. Washington The bottom line is that most auto writers loved the old Camaro and I found no reason here to think they won’t love the new version as well.

Car-Data.com Chevrolet Spark -- Great Style by Casey Williams Front design is vulture-hawk aggressive with a pointed beak and large Chevrolet trademark crossbar grille while fenders are accentuated.

City Drive Ford’s F-150 -- A Great Pickup by Frank S. Washington The 2009 Ford F-150 Lariat was an extraordinarily great pickup truck. It’s hard to believe that it was meant to haul anything.

Motor News Media Audi Q5 -- Sporty & Versatile by Ken Chester, Jr. The new 2009 Audi Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with highly variable interior and versatile options for leisure-time and family use.

Preview Kia Soul – ‘A New Way to Roll’ by Frank S. Washington The Soul is an urban car aimed at youthful drivers. But Kia is realistic. Executives understand that style and value attract older drivers, too.

Motor News Media Lincoln MKT -- Distinctive Luxury by Ken Chester, Jr. The new Lincoln features the automaker’s signature design, three-row interior and intuitive technologies that will make customers' lives easier.

City Drive Saturn Astra an Acquired Taste by Frank S. Washington The Astra is utilitarian. Although handling was impressive, it lacked the power to characterize it as fun to drive. It was an adequate small car.

Motor News Media Buick LaCrosse -- Global Luxury by Ken Chester, Jr. The LaCrosse has been redesigned offering drivers a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features.

City Drive Chevy Traverse – Doggone Good by Frank S. Washington I really appreciated Chevy's Traverse every morning when I started it from my kitchen. That means a lot when it’s less than 20 degrees outside.

Car-Data.com '09 Toyota Highlander -- Still Green by Sandi Pedersen I use reusable grocery bags, I recycle paper ...I drove the Highlander Hybrid. Yes, I am doing my part to save the planet and go green.

City Drive Range Rover Sport a $62,000 Bargain by Frank S. Washington Despite its posh ambience, it’s easy to forget that the Range Rover is one of the most advanced off-road vehicles in the world.

Car-Data.com Taurus Sho -- It's Back by Casey Williams Having debuted at the North American International Auto Show, the paint is hardly dry on early production units of the next-generation Taurus Sho.