The 2021 CX-30 is one of four Mazda crossover models. We’re long-time admirers of Mazda, the little Japanese automaker that could. Overshadowed by Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, Mazda is much like Subaru and to a much lesser extent, Mitsubishi, in finding and exploiting a niche in the new vehicle market. … Read more
New sedan replaces an established nameplate (Kia Optima). The Kia Optima is a midsize sedan and has earned its place in a crowded, albeit shrinking segment. Launched in 2001, the Optima was Kia’s first midsize sedan for the U.S. market. Since then, Kia has rolled out larger models, including the … Read more
Toyota’s flagship sedan now offers a TRD option. We may be looking at crossovers more than ever before, but there are some sedans on the market worth exploring, including the 2020 Toyota Avalon. The Avalon is now in its fifth generation (second generation for the hybrid) and was overhauled in … Read more
Honda’s compact crossover remains a safe bet. Shopping for a new vehicle is never easy, as there are so many makes, models, trims, and package options to consider. Even if you narrow the list considerably, there’s always the risk you’ll drive away with something less than the ideal vehicle. But … Read more
Nissan’s smallest crossover is big on value. The world of tiny crossovers continues to grow, with the Nissan Kicks one of the newest models. This subcompact utility vehicle is small on the outside, but it offers surprisingly decent space inside. Introduced in 2018, the current model benefits from driver assistance … Read more
The all-new Versa offers its own take on the brand’s “V Motion” grille. With three new Nissan car models in just over a year, you might think the segment is poised to rebound. It likely isn’t, especially as sales of crossovers and trucks remain strong. Of course, we’re imagining what … Read more
The Nissan Altima is a strong contender in the midsize sedan segment and for good reason: it offers handsome looks, a beautiful interior, two engine choices, and value. Although the segment continues to shrink, some manufacturers including Nissan are doubling down with new models. Thus, the 2020 Altima is a … Read more
The market for cars continues to shrink, but some manufacturers are doubling down even as others depart the segment. For 2020, Nissan presents an all-new Sentra, its five-passenger, front-wheel-drive compact sedan. The latest model is its most stylish one yet and borrows elements from the popular Altima sedan. 2020 Nissan … Read more
If you’re looking for an affordable family car with room five, ample utility space, and available towing capacity, then the compact crossover SUV segment is a great place to start. Small and affordable, most models start in the low 20s and top out in the mid-30s when loaded to the … Read more
Hybrid models have evolved over the years. The first models were bulbous vehicles designed to minimize airflow and maximize fuel economy. Indeed, the Toyota Prius and first-generation Honda Insight were perhaps the best representations of what gas-electric hybridization could do. Along the way, industry leader Toyota applied its “hybrid synergy … Read more
The Lexus RX is a midsize, luxury SUV and the only model in its segment with an available full-hybrid drivetrain. For just over two decades, the RX has set the pace in the luxury sphere, delivering cutting-edge styling, efficiency, opulence, and value. For 2020, the Lexus RX 350 features a … Read more
The Ford Edge is a midsize, two-row utility vehicle, one of the earliest models in what was once a segment dominated by three-row models. The 2020 Edge is part of the second-generation line introduced for the 2015 model year. This year, dual-zone climate control is now standard. Also, the audio … Read more
Limousines take us there in style, whether to the airport, a wedding venue, or chaperoning us to a sad graveside farewell. These days, what we call a limousine is just as likely to be a large utility vehicle as it is a full-size sedan. The trend to SUVs continues unabated, … Read more
If you take heed to various Internet reports, you may think that new car ownership is far beyond your reach. Indeed, in May 2019, Kelly Blue Book reported the average transaction price for a light vehicle (passenger vehicle) was $37,185. But the average transaction price can be certainly misleading, as … Read more
It’s official: Hyundai’s latest utility vehicle, the tiny Venue, starts at $18,345, which includes the destination charge. The all-new model gives Hyundai five SUVs, supplying customers with a wide choice of models to consider. We’ll see the first Venues arrive in dealer showrooms by the end of November. 2020 … Read more
When you think of a small SUV, several models that come to mind. The Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, and Fiat 500X are fitting examples. Hyundai has a small SUV too, the Kona, which has successfully carved out a niche for itself in a fast-growing segment. Although the Kona is … Read more
Introducing the 2020 Subaru Legacy. If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, then more than likely you’re looking at a crossover, not a sedan. If you’re a Subaru fan, that means you’re probably considering a model such as the Outback, one of four utility vehicle models offered. But if you’re … Read more
The Elantra Sport is one of six trims with the 2020 Elantra sedan. The Hyundai Elantra is a compact, front-wheel-drive car, with room for five. It is available in sedan and hatchback body styles, the latter is also offered in N Line trim. We reviewed the Elantra GT N Line … Read more
Historically, Buick has served as GM’s premium brand, delivering a slew of car models of distinction. Today, Buick maintains its position between Chevrolet and Cadillac, but its model line and sales are skewed heavily toward utility vehicles. The Buick marque has successfully adapted to changing consumer tastes, delivering three SUVs … Read more
Like other manufacturers, Nissan has a full stable of utility vehicles in its portfolio. This automaker offers five crossovers, ranging from the small Kicks to the three-row Pathfinder. Add in the bigly Armada SUV and you’ll find a half-dozen vehicles for consumer consideration. Unlike its domestic competitors, Nissan isn’t giving … Read more
The Volkswagen Jetta requires little introduction, a compact model with 40 years of history on tap. This vehicle is based on the brand’s modular platform, which includes such disparate models as the subcompact Golf hatchback and the midsize Atlas crossover utility vehicle. The seventh-generation model rolled out in 2018 and … Read more
Chevy adds another crossover model. Chevy’s Blazer makes its presence known. The Chevrolet Blazer first emerged in the late 1960s, a name affixed to a full-size sport utility vehicle. Even as the model was renamed the Tahoe in the 1990s, the Blazer appellation also found its way to … Read more
The Nissan Kicks is an affordable utility vehicle for first-time car buyers. It does to the utility sphere what the Nissan Versa does in the car market, by providing a cost-effective model that blends style, utility, and comfort. With a starting price of under $20,000, the Kicks may convert … Read more
Acura releases the third-generation RDX. Acura doesn’t have the model depth and breadth of Audi, BMW, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz, but Honda’s luxury line does quite well with the six models it does offer. Further, while some of its competitors are losing market share, Acura is still gaining. Some of the … 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
Silly Wabbit, Kicks Is For Kids! The 2018 Nissan Kicks is an all-new subcompact crossover utility vehicle, which was designed for one of the hottest and most competitive passenger vehicle segments. Its arrival this past spring enables Nissan to double-down in a market where consumers continue to move away from … 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
Entry-level Hyundai Accent is new and impressive. If “entry level” represents the 2018 Hyundai Accent, then you find yourself in a laudable position. Hyundai’s smallest model has always had its accent on value, but its latest version is handsome, nimble and supplies a quiet cabin. The Hyundai Accent remains one … 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