Following a two-year hiatus, the Honda Ridgeline crossover pickup truck returns. Beginning in 2006, Honda sought to turn pickup truck convention on its head, by building a car-based model. Early on, sales were quite strong as the Honda Ridgeline siphoned sales from competitors while also attracting a new breed of … Read more
A final look at the outgoing Hyundai Genesis. The Hyundai Genesis is marketed as a “premium luxury sedan” and is the first upscale model sold by this Korean manufacturer in North America. Introduced in 2009, it was soon joined by the unrelated Genesis Coupe and the still larger Hyundai Equus. … 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
Auto Trends gets a second look at the 2016 Nissan Maxima, the latest iteration of this flagship model. 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 … Read more
Someone at Jaguar Land Rover loves me. Indeed, not a month, perhaps two goes by and I receive yet another SUV, sedan or sports car. And just when I thought I have seen them all, yet another variant on the iconic British conveyance theme makes its way through my press … Read more
The Chrysler 200S supplies premium features to the product line. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne did in 2014 to the Chrysler marque something that should have been accomplished decades earlier: he officially reassigned Chrysler to mainstream brand status, moving it away from its previous premium standing as a one-time direct … Read more
There are no lack of SUVs on the market and Nissan itself is well represented. From its diminutive Juke to its burly Armada, there is something for everyone — six lines of utility vehicles to choose from. A Nissan Murano was a recent weekly driver, a five-passenger midsize crossover SUV. … Read more
Of all the car segments available, large or flagship sedans have taken a punch. Most of the larger mainstream brands still offer them, but they’ve been overshadowed by midsize sedans for years. Then there are those boring crossovers that seem to be everywhere. Chevrolet has its Impala, Ford markets the … Read more
There are times when automotive journalists hit the equivalent of a mega millions lottery. In this case, the “lottery” was me receiving an updated version of a prized vehicle such as the Jaguar F-TYPE. Not only did this writer test the F-TYPE for the first time this past March, but this … Read more
The Ford Motor Company is in the midst of an experiment, one that could just as easily be described as a gamble. Beginning with the 2015 model year the F-150 is all new, but its uniqueness isn’t limited to a fresh face or a new engine — both are apparent … Read more
For 2015, the Ford Expedition continues with its traditional body-on-frame construction. Several updates, including a turbocharged V-6 engine, give this vehicle a lease on life. A more comprehensive revision is needed, one that may still be two or three years away. Sales, however, have not suffered for this big SUV. … Read more
The GMC Canyon is nothing less than a brute, a robust midsize pickup truck sold in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations. The Canyon and its Chevrolet Colorado sibling were brought back to the market in 2015 after a three-year hiatus — both models compete in a sector dominated last year by … Read more
America’s best selling car model holds tight to its lead. A V-6 option adds performance, although it lacks the handling characteristics of a sports sedan. The 2015 Toyota Camry has an appealing visage and offers a model for a variety of shoppers, including an available hybrid edition. 2015 Toyota XSE … Read more
Hyundai has its own three-row utility vehicle for your consideration. The Santa Fe is sold in Sport and standard editions, with the latter competing against seven-passenger models from Toyota, GMC, Ford and others. The Veracruz is no more, but its replacement shouldn’t be overlooked. Major car manufacturers are very careful … Read more
Your pathway to luxury in a Lexus ES 350. Like other premium brands, Lexus has been working diligently to attract and capture new customers. Unlike its competitors, it now has four lines of vehicles to get the job done. Specifically, you can choose a CT200h hybrid hatchback, an NX crossover, … Read more
Dodge’s brawny sedan also has a more subdued side. I am an enthusiast of traditional rear-wheel drive sedans. Large ones too: my first two cars were a Chrysler Newport Convertible and a Dodge Polara, although I admit having left that palatial reservation for about 10 years to drive econocars. Never … Read more
Up and down fun with a Lexus IS350 C. Is it a coupe or a convertible? Well, both if you choose the Lexus IS 350C. Lexus has three entry-level lines to attract customers to the brand. Its ES 350 is a large, front-wheel drive sedan. The CT 200h is a … Read more
Infiniti’s sporty crossover shows much muscle. It is a privilege to receive new cars every week for test drives. My weekly drivers range from plebeian subcompact hatchbacks and humble sedans to flamboyant sports cars and natty luxury barges. Crossovers compose about half the vehicles tested — such is the growing … Read more
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
Fourth generation model debuts this year. The Ford Motor Company released updated information on Wednesday about its full-size sport-utility vehicle. The 2015 Ford Expedition is the latest version of this big body-on-frame SUV. Standard and stretched wheelbase versions are once again available; a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine is now standard. … Read more
Toyota offers customers six utility vehicles — seven if you include the FJ Cruiser that is being retired this year. Half of the remaining six models are traditional body-on-frame sport utility vehicles; the other three are crossovers. It is in the middle of the line up where customers are best … Read more
One year after taking delivery of my first 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee test vehicle, the fourth model pulled into my driveway. Among Grand Cherokees the Summit appropriately occupies the apex of the model line although the Grand Cherokee SRT costs much more and acts like a sports car. It is … Read more
Second-generation model makes a luxury statement. The current Azera features Hyundais fluidic sculpture design language. Hyundai offers four medium to large sedans, more than any other brand. The Korean manufacturer has steadily expanded its product line to provide incrementally larger and more luxurious vehicles beginning with the midsize Sonata and … Read more
Traditional luxury get a fresh look. Three decades ago Toyota began considering how it might best serve premium customers, in a bid to go head-to-head against Lincoln and Cadillac. It was determined that a new brand was necessary, thus Lexus was born. Today, Lexus is one of the top selling … Read more
Lighter full-size sedan expected in summer 2015. Large sedans may no longer carry the status they once did, but to automakers they represent both premium and profitable models, serving retail and fleet customers alike. The Ford Taurus is one such vehicle, a model name rescued by CEO Alan Mulally soon … Read more
Charleston, SC was the host city for an Urban Adventure, the theme for Toyotas week-long media event featuring its all-new Highlander crossover sport utility vehicle. Founded as Charleston Towne in 1670, the city has survived hurricanes, an earthquake, war, and most recently a winter storm that brought travel to a … Read more
Jeep Grand Cherokee sales are up 15 percent for the year through Nov. 2013. Arguably, it is the most recognized name amongst premium midsize sport utility vehicles, but Jeep is not resting on its laurels. For 2014, the Grand Cherokee gains a new Summit edition, it is outfitted with an … Read more
Sport trucks are a breed apart, specialty models that bring a level of performance to the pickup truck line typically not found elsewhere. The Toyota Tacoma X-Runner was a rarity at that — a small truck in a segment with just two players remaining: the Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier. … Read more
Should I choose the Toyota Avalon or the Lexus ES? That question was posed to me recently via Twitter and I responded to the inquirer with a choose the Lexus if the pricing comes out to be the same. Then again, you may want to skip the Lexus once you … Read more
When Chrysler went bankrupt and began its restructuring in 2009, the automaker essentially ceded the 2010 model year to its competitors then immediately started work on preparing its 2011 model line. That effort paid off and by the time 2011 rolled round, 16 new or significantly updated models were found … Read more