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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek 2.0i Limited: Good Things Come in Small Packages
The new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstek 2.0i Limited may seem like a small SUV on the outside, but inside is where it counts. And it counts for something truly awesome. The XV Crosstek is a new variant of the Subaru Impreza hatchback offered back in 2011, and the main differences between the two are the [...]
Is The 2013 Nissan Altima an All-Timer? Or Old-Timer?
The Nissan Altima has been around the block, and its experience shows with the latest model. Stepping inside the car, you’d be forgiven to think it more expensive than its actual sticker price. Compared to last year’s model, the 2013 Altima is roomier than its predecessor and has a more evolved styling. Given its leather [...]
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SE Jets Away From The Competition
With hybrids being a relatively new breed of car, choices are limited. So what does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SE have to set it apart from the rest of the pack? Hybrids have a tendency to lack spark due to their less-than-stellar performance and poor handling. Unfortunately, these are the trade-offs for maximizing fuel [...]
2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited: All-Wheel Drive in a Family Package
New for the 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R ltd. is a gussied-up front end, improved transmission, tuned-up suspension and an optional collision avoidance system. Bluetooth is standard on even base models this year. If you like all-wheel drive, you’ll like the Subaru Legacy. But because of the internal friction endemic to all-wheel drives, you’ll find the [...]
MobilityWorks, Providing Independence to Physically Challenged Individuals
MobilityWorks is an industry leader of wheelchair accessible vans. Offering wheelchair vans, power scooter lifts, handicapped accessible vans and adaptive driving equipment to provide mobility and independence to physically challenged individuals across the country. Tim Rosso of the Pasadena location said, “It is extremely rewarding to watch a client drive away in their new van [...]
2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum is Luxury on Wheels
Replacing the larger STS and DTS sedans, the 2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum may be smaller but it still retains the same interior space and is much more agile. The exterior of the XTS Platinum is reminiscent of Cadillac’s angular design philosophy, with a profile and stance that’s aggressive yet not imposing. Though it may [...]
2013 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T Turning Heads While Turning Corners
Five or so years ago, when you spoke of Hyundai, you’d get an image of shoddily made, sub-par automobiles designed to be a cheaper alternative to the Japanese big boys. Fast forward to today and you’d think the opposite was true. The 2013 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T is a new breed of Hyundai that can [...]
Giving The Disabled Freedom to Move
People are meant to be free. While wars have been fought in the name of freedom, the handicapped and disabled often feel trapped and unable to experience the freedom they so rightly deserve. One of those freedoms is the ability to go anywhere, anytime. Not just from room to room, but from place to place. [...]
Taking the Middle Ground: 2013 Dodge Durango SXT RWD
The SUV market seems to have split, some makers going for the hardcore off-road capabilities but lacking in comfort or going for the cushy seats and infotainment but losing the off-road capabilities. The 2013 Dodge Durango SXT RWD has taken the middle ground offering power for towing, room for hauling but comfort enough for everyday [...]
2013 Kia Forte Koup SX Deserves a Second Look
Once upon a time compact cars were utilitarian at best and boring at worst, these days car companies seem to cram a lot of zing into their compacts. The Kia Forte Koup SX is no exception. In a market where the competition is stiff, the Forte Koup still manages to command a second look due [...]
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES Does it Handle Like One?
Made as a “sporty” alternative to its bigger brother, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES seems more like the runt brother. Changes this year for the Outlander Sport include exterior styling updates, improved sound insulation and better quality sound system speakers. All-wheel drive is also now available on the ES trim as [...]
2013 Chrysler 200 Limited Sedan: A Car Out of Time
The 2013 Chrysler 200 comes in sedan or convertible. For the small convertible market, the 200 is a solid choice. But for the sedan segment, it lags behind its competitors. The 200 sedan drives pleasantly and ranks higher than its competitors with above average handling and good steering feedback, and if driving impressions were all [...]
2013 Mazda2 Double the Value or Redundant?
Is the 2013 Mazda2 an economical hatchback worth your time and money? Or does it serve up more of the same? To sum up what’s new with the 2013 Mazda2 over the previous model: a new USB connection to its audio system. This says a lot about what to expect from the 2013 Mazda 2. [...]
2013 GMC Terrain Denali FWD Drives It Home
Taking up the midway between mainstream and luxury crossovers, the 2013 GMC Terrain gets the Denali badge to push it towards the premium side. The Denali comes with most of the optional features for the Terrain as well as unique interior and exterior accoutrements to give it a more luxurious feel over its non-Denali counterparts. [...]
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: An Entertaining Ride
Since 1989 the Chrysler Town & Country has held the title of the most entertaining and most luxurious minivan. Though others have tried to capture the essence of the Town & Country (notably the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Nissan Quest) it still holds firm as one of the best-selling people and stuff mover in [...]
2013 Infiniti JX35 FWD The Driving Force is Comfort
The 2013 JX35 FWD is the latest crossover from the Infiniti brand, and though it takes its design cues from its range of vehicles, overall it looks like a watered down Infiniti, which is not necessarily a bad thing. This pared down design makes for a more mainstream look, and is very appealing. The only [...]
2013 Hyundai Azera Luxury for Less
Last year’s Hyundai Azera was a stylish, premium sedan that was economical, practical and spacious. A bang-for-the-buck value any which way you looked at it. The 2013 Azera continues that tradition with an even more luxurious feel. The 2013 Azera is arguably the best looking large sedan in its class. It’s also the most fuel-efficient [...]
2013 Kia Optima SX Turbo A Family Sedan With Class
Looking at the exterior of the 2013 Kia Optima, one is forgiven to ask: “THAT’S a Kia sedan?” The new 2013 Kia Optima SX Turbo has been redesigned to be much more sleek, and well, muscular. Gone are the days of boring, uninspired sedans from Kia, what we have here in the new Optima is [...]
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 2.5L The Lighter Side of Life
With a wider, longer, sportier look than its predecessors, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible means business. With a dash of fun. Keeping its iconic bug-shape, the Beetle may be more muscular but it still retains its quirky character, with a lot of modern additions of course. The interior is well-made with vinyl seats that can [...]
The 2013 Mercedes E350 BlueTEC: Quiet Elegance
Remember the clackety-clack of the nearly indestructible Mercedes’ diesels of yesteryear? Put them out of your mind when you think about the 2013 E350 BlueTEC sedan. With an oil-burning engine, the E350 is much more in keeping with a tony Mercedes-Benz. Sporting a 3.0 liter V6 turbodiesel under the hood the BlueTEC delivers 210 horsepower [...]
European Styling: All New Hyundai Elantra GT
More European in styling than its cousin the Elantra sedan, the all new Elantra GT replaces the lack-luster Elantra Touring. With an inline four-cylinder engine, the Elantra GT delivers 148-horses which doesn’t exactly live up to the hype of Grand Touring. However the GT makes the most of what it’s got by coming equipped with [...]
Style, Performance, Technology Defines Infiniti FX50
The FX50 will fool you with its lively, responsive handling a ripping V8 engine into thinking you are driving a car. But make no mistake this stunning automobile is an SUV. Sporting a plush cabin with modern features such as an intuitive electronics interface, the FX50 invites the driver in with comfortable quilted leather [...]
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: Fully Hybrid, Fully Fantastic
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid in Satin Metal The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid has no significant changes from the 2011 model except for the price. Down $800 from last year’s model this makes the Optima Hybrid a great deal at $25,700/base. Of course if you get all the extras like the model I test drove [...]
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan: A Car Even Your Teen will Love
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan in Crystal Red When you think Cadillac does a ponderous, float-like automobile come to mind with seats so comfy you’re in danger of falling asleep at the wheel? When you see the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V it will blow that image right out of your head. With handling fine-tuned at Nurburgring [...]
2012 Infiniti FX35 Ltd. Edition: A Twofer
Just imagine. You reviewed your budget for this year and set aside $50,000. The problem is that you want a new car and you were also hoping to hire a personal assistant, but your budget doesn’t allow for both. Stop imagining. With the 2012 Infiniti FX35 AWD Limited Edition, you can have both. The [...]
With a Refresh for 2012 the Mercedes C350 Sedan Delivers
If you’ve always enjoyed sitting behind the wheel of a C350 Sedan . . . If you appreciate the abundant power and strength of the Benz’ 3.5-liter V6 . . . If you enjoy commanding control and smoothness of a Mercedes’ automatic transmission, don’t worry. The current generation of Mercedes’ C-Class has the right combination [...]
Lower Sticker Price May Interest You in German-Engineered 2012 VW Passat
2012 Volkswagen Passat LE in Reflex Silver Metallic If you’re looking to purchase a German-built, German-engineered car less than a comparable Japanese or Asian vehicle, you persistence has paid off. It’s the 2012 VW Passat 2.5-litter SE. VW begins by capturing American consumers’ interests in a sticker price at only $19,995. However, adding $1,100 [...]
2012 Dodge Journey Crew: Bit more Room, Bit more Zoom
If you like the room and versatility of many mini-vans (but don’t want to be seen driving one), and driving some large SUVs feels somewhere between driving a tank and a monster truck, the 2012 Dodge Journey Crew may be the answer to your prayers. This year Dodge is making 4 models available to consumers: [...]
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring: A Great Ride Even in Traffic
Is it an SUV or a minivan? A first look at the Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring says minivan, as does the third row seating. But upon closer scrutiny the chrome-lined windows, door handles and 20-inch wheels tell you this is not a minivan….but is it? Open the door and the supple leather seats won’t give [...]
2012 Kia Sorento: Affordable Style
For 2012 the Kia Sorento EX FWD gained a few more upgrades from last year’s redesign. At the top of the list are the new optional direct fuel injection four cylinder engine, ventilated drive seat and “Uvo” voice-activated control. All of which were included on my test model. One of the selling points of this [...]
2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS: It Keeps Getting Better
Hyundai has hit a bull’s-eye with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS. Not only is the exterior sleek and sculpted but its interior boasts a whole pack of modern features. From stop to start the Sonata delivers. You’d swear it was packing a V6 under its hood but in reality it’s a 4 banger that produces [...]