Wow. There are very few cars I test drive that surprise me. I expect that certain vehicles will stand head and shoulders above the pack, including the Porsche Cayman among sports cars and the Toyota FJ Cruiser among 4×4 models. But I must tell you that Hyundai has trotted out … Read more
Small crossover extends Audi’s product range. Audi’s product expansion continues, its latest vehicle a compact crossover utility vehicle designed to serve as another gateway model to the brand. The 2015 Audi Q3 joins larger Q5 and Q7 crossovers, and is itself a five-passenger vehicle retailing from $32,500. The Q3’s competitive … Read more
On the road with a Swedish wagon. You are to be forgiven if you have have some difficulty placing the Volvo XC60 in the right category. This model is a cross between the traditional station wagon and a utility vehicle, what some might consider a “tall wagon” while others would … Read more
A sporty CUV with luxurious features. Mazda is one of the smaller of Japan’s six automakers that still maintain a stake in the US market, trailing Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru, but well ahead of Mitsubishi in vehicle sales. Concern that Mazda might someday exit the market have been brushed … Read more
Second generation A3 meets an important price point. Take one look at the Audi pecking order and you’ll find a good mix of small, medium and large models. When it comes to the compact end of the market, Audi offers a two-prong approach in both the A3 and A4 sedans, … Read more
A line of dark, foreboding clouds begins to appear on the horizon, signaling trouble ahead. You turn on your weather alert and your suspicions have been confirmed: strong winds are forecast with the possibility of isolated tornadoes. On top of that, damaging hail may occur with this storm, putting you, … Read more
Buick’s flagship sedan now delivers Wi-Fi and more. Buick calls its LaCrosse a luxury, midsize sedan. Though there is little to dispute the luxury label, calling this sedan “midsize” just doesn’t seem right. Instead, what you have here is a fairly large four-door model that comfortably seats five people and … Read more
Subaru continues to ride on a crest of month-over-month sales increases, based largely on its mix of utility vehicles. Not to be overlooked is the midsize Subaru Legacy sedan, the only standard all-wheel drive model in the segment. For 2015, the Legacy is all-new and Auto Trends had one 3.6R … Read more
The 2015 Cadillac Escalade marks the start of this luxury SUV’s fourth generation and remains the largest and most expensive model in the brand’s lineup. As always, the Escalade rests on the platform that underpins GM’s pickup trucks and other large SUVs, and is sold in rear- and four-wheel drive … Read more
From time to time I am asked about the manufacturing status of a particular make/model. No, not whether the vehicle is still being made rather where it is being assembled. Some people make a big stink about where a car is built, then quickly realize that a model from … Read more