Ford Performance, Focus ST style. Tangerine Scream was the perfect name for the tri-coat finish smothering the body of a delicious 2015 Ford Focus ST five-door hatchback tasked with teasing and pleasing me recently. Indeed, the ST’s bright finish served as an exclamation point on a model with more attitude … Read more
The Civic and Accord are among the best-known model names in the entire auto industry. The Honda Accord was introduced in 1976, three years after the Honda Civic went on sale in the United States. Initially a compact car, the Accord has grown through the years and is now categorized … Read more
The CX-3 is the smallest of its three SUVs, a crossover that might be mistaken for a hatchback. The Mazda CX-3 makes for yet another entry in the small crossover SUV segment. This emerging class, blazed by the Nissan JUKE five years earlier, now includes models from Honda, Jeep, Chevrolet, … Read more
Auto Trends gets a second look at the 2016 Nissan Maxima. This time around its a sporty SR edition for the testing. From time to time, car manufacturers ask journalists to review a vehicle again for the same model year, delivering a different trim level the next time around. That’s … Read more
Acura’s ILX offers a sleek exterior, a prosaic interior, and a price point keeping in line with this compact gateway sedan’s contribution to the premium segment. Acura is a nameplate searching for an identity. Launched three decades ago by American Honda to provide a line of upscale products for the … Read more
Honda has enjoyed much success with its first two utility vehicles. Notably, its compact CR-V leads in that segment, while its larger, three-row Pilot competes effectively in its own space. A third model, the subcompact HR-V, was introduced on May 15 and six months later it is tearing up an … Read more
Think “minivan” and the Dodge Grand Caravan and Toyota Sienna are a few of the models that may come to mind. Before the advent of the crossover sport utility vehicle, these small vans served as the primary people movers for more than two decades, stepping in where station wagons left … Read more
Is it possible to pay too much for a new car? Absolutely. And with the average selling price of a new vehicle coming in around $32,500, there’s a good chance that a significant number of consumers must realign their expectations or forego a new car entirely. Happily, Hyundai seems to … Read more
Volvo China exports extended wheelbase S60 Inscription edition to the US. Brutally tough competition and a change of owners has not brought Volvo Cars to ruination. Instead, the Swedish automaker continues to exploit a safety niche, while bringing forth an assembly of new and updated products. The Volvo S60 is … Read more
Car manufacturers sometimes choose odd names for their vehicles. Most such names, including the Mazda Bongo and the Mitsubishi Pistachio, never make it to the US as marketers wisely intervene and demand changes. The Nissan Rogue has one of those names that slipped through the cracks, although it is doubtful … Read more