The large pickup truck segment has rebounded from its recessionary lows when sales fell by more than half in 2009 before beginning a steady recovery in 2010. Ford continues to lead the segment with its F-150, but it by no means has the newest truck on the market. The Toyota … Read more
The Nissan Altima is all-new for 2013, the fifth generation of this popular midsize sedan. A coupe is also available, but it is based on the fourth generation Altima and will no longer be offered after 2013. A week spent with the Nissan Altima SL has convinced this writer that … Read more
Fiat’s return to the US market in 2011 came by way of its smallest model, the 2012 Fiat 500 hatchback. This mini car line also includes a convertible and a performance Abarth edition, giving Fiat the most model choices in its segment. The segment is a small one and includes … Read more
I bet you never thought of a pickup truck in terms of flavors, am I right? Then again, with each full-size truck manufacturer offering variants on the big truck theme, it is often the sub-models or special editions that attracts customers to a particular truck. Several of these flavors were … Read more
When Chrysler went bankrupt and began its restructuring in 2009, the automaker essentially ceded the 2010 model year to its competitors then immediately started work on preparing its 2011 model line. That effort paid off and by the time 2011 rolled round, 16 new or significantly updated models were found … Read more
It was an opportunity too good to pass up. Fly in to Atlanta, get whisked away to a luxuriant resort some 75 minutes north of the city, and then take in a ride and drive event for the third generation Toyota Tundra. Also making an appearance was the Toyota 4Runner, … Read more
One look at the Sentra and can you say, “Altima?” The compact vehicle market is competitive, one where every car manufacturer has at least one model present. The Nissan Sentra is one of the best known and longest running model names in this segment, introduced in 1982 just as Datsun … Read more
The upscale brands are embracing their crossovers, SUVs that ride more like a car than a truck. Infiniti is no exception, offering three models plus the QX56 SUV. I got a hold of one of the last of the 2013 models for my weekly drive, the all-new Infiniti JX35, what … Read more
Buick Encore: Premium, subcompact crossover SUV. Most Buick and GMC vehicles are sold under one roof, part of a strategy that GM put forth more than two decades ago. Pontiac was included in that directive, one that made it possible for consumers to shop across three brands and inspect numerous … Read more
Small cars offering very good value, ample interior room and excellent gas mileage may very well drive the auto industry in the coming years. Not so much in profits, but in helping car manufacturers maintain and expand market share. The thinking here is that if you like a certain entry-level … Read more
Youngsters the world over are fascinated with LEGO toys, those colorful, inter-locking plastic bricks that can be crafted into virtually any design. My two sons are no exception, so when my oldest boy found out about a show featuring LEGO artist, Nathan Sawaya, being held in Alamance County, NC, we … Read more
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a leading crossover sport utility vehicle, a five-passenger model sold in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations. Laredo, Laredo E, Limited, Overland and Summit models are available plus a special edition SRT8 equipped with a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8. I’ve had a chance to drive both the SRT8 … Read more
There are two things of note about the 2013 Infiniti M Line that have little to do with the sedan itself. First, the M56S designation signals that this model is the ultimate vehicle in the Infiniti pack. The “S” stands for sport, a model that employs special tuning that sets … Read more
Aligning the right vehicle for the proper trip can sometimes prove challenging. A convertible is ideal for excursions to the beach, a crossover or a minivan is perfect for a long regional trip with the family while a big, burly crew cab pickup truck is the right model for taking … Read more
The Dodge Grand Caravan is the antithesis of a sports car, a wholly practical vehicle that has dutifully served as a family hauler for the past three decades. When the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan were introduced in 1983, a new vehicle segment, minivans, was introduced. The Grand Caravan, a … Read more
It is true that if you buy most any BMW product, you will enjoy the driving experience. It is also true that if you opt for one of several M-designated models, you will find yourself taking that experience to a whole ‘nuther level. And that is the experience this writer … Read more
There is nothing ordinary about the Nissan Juke NISMO. Take one part SUV and another part rally car and what you have are the makings of a highly unusual vehicle. About as unusual as the Nissan Cube, but one that provides a far superior driving experience than its quadrate platform … Read more
Hyundai has successfully made the transition from a substandard purveyor of rehashed automotive products to a world-class car manufacturer. Yes, the argument can be made that Hyundai is not on par with Rolls-Royce, Daimler or certain exotic brands, but as a mass producer of the types of vehicles that most … Read more
Fourth-generation Subaru Forester debuts. Subaru has the midas touch as everything it makes seems to turn to gold. This Japanese automaker is much smaller than its homegrown contemporaries Toyota, Nissan and Honda but it may yet avoid the fate of its even smaller rivals that have left the US market … Read more
The latest iteration on the Chevrolet Impala theme. What were GM designers thinking when they crafted the 2014 Chevrolet Impala? Well, they must have looked at various models that have worn the Impala name down through the years and decided that there was only one way for the new design … Read more
Updated May 25, 2013, to reflect correct towing limit. Do you know your SUV history? No, not that Jeep and Land Rover got the segment going beginning in the 1940s, rather than souped-up SUVs are uncommon, especially a factory-built model. After all, SUVs are bulky, creaky, and just plain uncool, … Read more
Large and luxurious sport utility vehicles are a small segment with Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln and Lexus each fielding a model. The Infiniti QX56 should be named among them, a handsome three-row SUV that is based on a traditional body-on-frame platform. Our latest weekly drive was the 2013 Infiniti QX56, a … Read more
Updated October 3, 2012. Compact CODA Sedan joins the EV fray. If you never heard of CODA Automotive before, you are in good company. This Los Angeles-based automaker has launched its first model, a 5-passenger all-electric compact sedan. This past week I had the opportunity to drive one of the … Read more
A day of test driving in Queens, NY. The next time you’re pulled over for reckless driving, make sure that you tell the officer you admire his new ride. Last week, Auto Trends reported that Ford’s two new police pursuit vehicles were ready for duty. These vehicles — the Police Interceptor … Read more