Twenty-five years of Avalon history brings with it an all-new fifth-generation model. The sedan market may be shrinking, but Toyota remains committed to its largest sedan. The Toyota Avalon is a large sedan, one that was overhauled for 2019. It’s based on the same platform as the popular Toyota Camry … Read more
The Ford Mustang recently celebrated its 55th anniversary, a strong tribute to this model’s enduring appeal. America’s pony car is also the world’s muscle car, a sport coupe or convertible with robust performance aspirations. 2019 Ford Mustang Overview The 2019 Ford Mustang returns with trim and package changes. The big … Read more
The SUV craze is in full swing and it is almost hard to remember when cars were once the dominant body style. But consumers are voting with their wallets and utility vehicles as well as those that manufacturer them — they are the winners. Audi has built SUVs since 2005 … Read more
Fiat Chrysler, Ford, and GM have each announced the discontinuation of several car models in recent years, including the Dodge Dart, Chrysler 200, Ford Focus, and the Buick LaCrosse. Apparently, these manufacturers have read the writing on the wall, which in no unmistakable terms indicates “crossovers.” The reason manufacturers are … Read more
Note: Moving forward, Auto Trends will give our recommendation of the trim and packages we think you should consider when shopping for a new car. Although we don’t specifically endorse any model, the fact that a vehicle is reviewed by us means we find it acceptable for your purchase consideration. … Read more
Toyota launches the latest generation Avalon Hybrid sedan. The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is a large, five-passenger front-wheel-drive sedan that’s also all-new. While some competing manufacturers are fleeing sedans altogether, Toyota is doubling down and releasing new models, including the hybrid version of its flagship sedan. The current version is … Read more
The V60 is all new and handsomely designed at that. Just as some manufacturers are distancing themselves from cars, Volvo is embracing them. Further, these car models are not just sedans, but wagons. Indeed, this Swedish automaker offers not one, but two wagon models, including the all-new 2019 V60. No, … Read more
Whatever became of the Infiniti QX50, Nissan’s luxury brand’s sporty, compact SUV? After a 10-year run under various naming conventions, the QX50 disappeared. But not for long. Indeed, after a one-year hiatus, the QX50 is back, an all-new model that’s quite different from the original. That newness is immediately evident … Read more
The C-HR brings it to the small crossover segment, but in a different way. We like crossovers and are buying them in record numbers. That said, Toyota recognizes that there is some ambivalence amongst buyers, which is why we have a model such as the Toyota C-HR, a compact crossover … Read more
Fast times in a Polestar sedan. Electrification is now a significant part of what Volvo is all about. Indeed, the Swedish automaker continues to roll out plug-in variants of its cars and crossovers, models which are more efficient but also pack a strong punch. The 2019 Volvo S60 is one … Read more
Infiniti’s largest model combines power with luxury. The QX80 is the largest of four Infiniti utility vehicles. Large, luxury sport utility vehicles are the ultimate expression of a brand’s strength and visibility, as these models utilize much sheetmetal and girth to convey a powerful image. The QX80 offers a clear … Read more
Kia rolls out its third-generation Forte. Compact cars and all car models, in general, have seen an unprecedented drop in sales over the past decade. Consumers have voted with their wallets, opting for more utility vehicles and pickup trucks instead. Some manufacturers, such as Ford and Fiat Chrysler, are cutting … Read more
With the G70, Genesis now has a trio of luxury sedans to consider. Things are getting serious at Genesis Motors. When launching the upscale brand in 2015 with two sedans, the Hyundai Motor Group promised to populate its luxury marque with six models. This year, Genesis released its third model, … Read more
The Kia K900 is one of the most improbable and unlikely models from a mainstream manufacturer. Introduced in 2015, the K900 immediately gave Kia an entry in the niche full-size luxury sedan segment. That segment is occupied by the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Jaguar … Read more
Chevrolet’s Volt maintains its place in a niche segment. The 2019 Chevrolet Volt operates in a limited, but important segment. As a compact plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Volt supplies sufficient electrification range for local drivers, then backs it up with a small generator (engine) for longer trips. The original … Read more
Updated September 19, 2018, to include model year price information. We have fresh information about the Genesis G70. The 2019 Genesis G70 is one of three sedans sold by Hyundai’s luxury brand. It has several things we like, including standard rear-wheel drive, an available 6-speed manual gearbox and tough looks. … Read more
The 2019 Chevrolet Impala represents one of a small cohort of full-size mainstream sedans. Its bold style is just as appealing as it was when the current model rolled in 2014. The Impala has a comfortable interior and supplies a great ride. It could use more active safety tech, however. … Read more
The new Veloster targets entry-level performance enthusiasts. The Hyundai Veloster is back and is ready for round two. After a six-year model run, Hyundai seemed to have called it quits with its quirky compact coupe, but following a one-year hiatus, an all-new model has emerged. The 2019 Hyundai Veloster reflects … Read more
The best-selling Corolla is the most attractive one yet. When you have the world’s best-selling model and the market is shifting away from cars to crossovers, you have a bit of a dilemma on your hands. On the one hand, you can acknowledge the shift and reduce your investment in … Read more
The seventh-generation Lexus ES arrives this summer. When Toyota launched its Lexus brand in 1989, it had two products to show for it: midsize ES and full-size LS sedans. Both models remain an important part of this luxury marque’s portfolio, although newer models such as the RX crossover are far … Read more
A summer arrival for the 2019 Corolla hatchback. Updated May 25, 2018, to reflect prices and fuel economy ratings. I’ve checked out new vehicles on showroom floors, at auto show exhibits and also upon various ballroom, convention center and theater stages. I’ve yet to find myself tired of the process, … Read more
The fifth-generation Toyota Avalon steps up its game. Flagship sedans are a thing of the past, right? After all, the segment continues to shrink as customers shift to crossovers. The Hyundai Azera is no more and there is talk that the Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Impala will soon receive the … Read more
The Altima carries the fight forward, adds available all-wheel drive. Car manufacturers find themselves in a bit of a quandary — do they continue to build more crossover utility vehicles as customers demand or do they hedge their bets with their tried-and-true sedans? When it comes to the top manufacturers, … Read more
Cadillac: New V8 underpins 2019 CT6 V-Sport model. Cadillac made some news this week when it announced the forthcoming 2019 CT6 V-Sport model, a performance variant of its largest sedan. But it wasn’t simply a new trim that caught everyone’s attention, rather an all-new engine, one exclusive to GM’s luxury … Read more
Veloster N brings Hyundai’s performance division to North America. “N” stands for Namyang, the location of Hyundai Motor’s global research and development (R&D) Center in Korea. The “N” also represents Hyundai’s performance division, the automaker’s equivalent of Ford’s ST and Volkswagen’s GTI lines. Starting this year, the first model bearing … Read more
Kia’s Forte compact sedan is big on style. Son of a Stinger! At first glance, the 2019 Kia Forte looks a lot like the premium Kia Stinger performance sedan. Those ported design elements provide the Forte with perhaps the most handsome sheet metal amongst small cars, something certain to capture … Read more
The Road to Avalon comes paved with handsome intentions. Sales of large sedans have tanked in recent years, falling faster than other car segments as consumers beat feet to crossovers. Manufacturers such as Hyundai (Azera) have abandoned the segment while others, such as Ford (Taurus) and GM (Chevrolet Impala and … Read more