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
The XT4 is the latest crossover for the Cadillac brand. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is a subcompact luxury crossover, the latest model for GM’s luxury marque. It has a bold style and delivers a quiet ride. However, its part-time all-wheel-drive system isn’t as user-friendly as some competing models. Cadillac’s XT4 … 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
The 2019 XC40 makes it three SUVs for Volvo. Volvo Cars makes a name for itself as it overhauls its product line. We have seen new sedans, wagons and SUVs launch over the past few years as the company takes full advantage of its new modular platform to update and … 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
Toyota’s C-HR delivers the goods to the compact crossover segment. Take a coupe and blend it with a crossover and out comes the Toyota C-HR. Well, not exactly. Toyota’s newest model is definitely a crossover, but with coupe-like elements. It is a styling direction advanced previously by Nissan in the … Read more
Subaru’s small Crosstrek is big on available advanced safety features. What on earth is Subaru doing?! This once niche automaker is tearing up the market, consistently so since the Great Recession. Subaru continues to expand its product mix and will soon have four lines of utility vehicles when its largest … Read more
The Elantra offers something for everyone in the compact sedan range. The Hyundai Elantra is a model that keeps on giving. Giving, as in great value, multiple trim levels, three engine choices and a selection of transmissions. While all automakers are feeling the impact of consumers shifting their purchase decisions … Read more
Mitsubishi’s smallest SUV makes a statement. Straddling the white space between subcompact and compact SUV is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, a model big on value in a segment where prices continue to rise. The 2018 Outlander Sport comes in three grades, has available all-wheel drive, and provides two engine choices. … Read more
Mazda 6 makes a case for the midsize sedan segment. Manufacturers typically adhere to model years except when they don’t. A case in point is the 2017.5 Mazda 6, a midsize sedan benefiting from light changes put in place too late for the 2017 model year, but months before the … Read more
Many miles and smiles with Kia’s Optima Hybrid sedan. Hybrid sales peaked in 2013 and have fallen steadily since. Low fuel prices are a significant contributor, falling below $2 per gallon at times with those low prices covering large swathes of America. Another reason is the advent of modern electric … Read more
Mazda packs in a little zoom-zoom for some fun-fun. Compact SUVs dominate the market with some models jockeying for best-seller status this year. Consumers love these vehicles, which explains why the 2017 CX-5 remains Mazda’s top model. If you’re looking for something that isn’t a Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Chevrolet or … Read more
Jeep strengthens the model line with an all-new compact SUV. Updated October 17, 2017, to include IIHS rating. The fast-growing Jeep product line has had the burden in recent years of carrying a pair of aging and underperforming models, namely the compact Patriot and Compass SUVs. Although sales for both … Read more
Infiniti’s entry-level sedan steps it up for 2018. The Infiniti Q50 is an entry-level luxury sedan, the first model to advance the company’s current naming convention, which rolled out in 2014. The sedan replaced the widely-acclaimed G Series without losing its predecessor’s top attributes — value, styling, and premium touches. … Read more
Straddling the space between subcompact and compact SUV. The Nissan Rogue Sport is an all-new model or at least it is new to North America. Not to confuse it with the Nissan Rogue, the Rogue Sport is smaller than the compact Rogue, yet larger than the tiny Juke. Thus, it … Read more
Updated February 1, 2018, to include pricing. Hyundai Kona: Make that four Hyundai SUV models by March 2018. Hyundai’s US sales are down this year and for one significant reason: the automaker lacks a tiny SUV, a model occupying the red-hot subcompact range. This week, the Korean automaker introduced the … Read more
Volvo’s largest sedan is a head turner. There aren’t too many times when I may urge shoppers to wait a year to purchase a particular model. Indeed, most people who approach me about my car recommendations have already completed their research and are simply looking for validation that their decision … Read more
An attainable luxury model from Britain’s iconic SUV maker. Consider the Discovery Sport your cost-effective Land Rover, the SUV you’ll want until you can afford a Range Rover. This five-passenger, all-wheel-drive utility vehicle starts at under $40,000 and delivers a handsome product in an altogether tidy package. When you think … Read more
Top-of-the-line 2017 Elantra trim delivers the trappings in style. Compact sedans typically offer great value, supplying an ideal entryway to new car ownership for the majority of consumers. Nearly all manufacturers offer one, although the segment has been taking a hit as shoppers continue to shift their purchase decisions to … Read more
The latest rendition of a SportWagen theme. Take a Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, add lift to its ground clearance and imbue this vehicle with all-wheel drive, and what you have is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, a new model. Lifted wagons are nothing new — the Subaru Outback is a fine … Read more
A compact crossover with a growing audience. The Nissan Rogue was a latecomer to the compact SUV segment, but has certainly made up for lost time. Introduced in 2008 and overhauled in 2014, the Nissan Rogue is now one of the top sellers in the segment, trailing only the Honda … Read more
A small cargo van for a niche market. Did you know Nissan has a burgeoning commercial vehicle business? This Japanese automaker with a huge manufacturing and distribution presence in the United States has pickup trucks, vans, and taxis designed with commercial customers in mind. With this particular sales division, Nissan … Read more
GMC’s midsize SUV lighter, smaller, & more efficient than the previous model. Eleven years is an awfully long time to stick with the same model. Typically, customer appeal fades after a few years. Even with product refreshes it usually requires a clean sheet design to reinvigorate consumer interest and the … Read more
Hyundai’s compact sedan turns another chapter. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is all new, a compact sedan introduced in the early 1990s. Now in its sixth generation, the front-wheel drive Elantra continues to push the envelope in a competitive segment, by offering premium touches for this mainstream model. 2017 Hyundai Elantra … Read more
Chrysler’s current midsize sedan may be short-lived as parent Fiat Chrysler looks for a partner to build two of its current models. Introduced in 2011, the Chrysler 200 is the midsize sedan for the brand, with the 300 serving as the flagship model and the Town & Country (soon to … Read more
The Buick brand is enjoying a not-so-quiet renaissance, one where its entire fleet has been overhauled in the space of four years. This transformation has updated the marque with products better suited to attract younger buyers, consumers who are more likely to stay with the brand than the 70-something owners … Read more
A diesel for Audi’s smallest range. A quiet diesel powers this A3 sedan. With gas prices falling below $2 per gallon in most states it can be difficult to argue for the benefit of purchasing any fuel-efficient car, including diesels. Besides, diesel prices remain about 75 cents higher than gasoline … Read more
Rapidly falling gas prices will squeeze Camry Hybrid sales. Through 2014, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car model in America, outpacing the likes of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and its own compact sibling, the Toyota Corolla. Sales of the standard-bearer Camry routinely top 400,000 units per year, … 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