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New Vehicle Reviews (Page 56)

New Vehicle Reviews

This section will review cars, trucks, products and books related to the auto industry.

By Patrick Rall on May 31, 2013 - 4:58PM
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition is named after the famous offroading area in Utah and while the features of the Moab Edition make this model a nearly unstoppable machine when it leaves paved roads – with plenty of luxurious features inside that make this a very comfortable daily driver on the asphalt.
By Don Bain on May 29, 2013 - 12:44AM
Ford's C-MAX Energi is perhaps the perfect balance between a hybrid drivetrain and plug-in enhancement of already excellent efficiency and versatility.
By Don Bain on May 27, 2013 - 9:36PM
The 2013 CT 200h provides the optimal combination of style, efficiency, size, comfort and technology to empower the lifestyle of the up and coming urbanite, dedicated to finding the good life in a sustainable city community.
By Patrick Rall on May 22, 2013 - 5:36PM
The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2013 model year with a bold, upscale exterior design coupled with a big, plush interior that offers many of the comforts of a large luxury sedan without the high price that comes with a luxury moniker – showing just how far the Avalon has come over the past two decades.
By John Goreham on May 20, 2013 - 6:59AM
We drove the hottest new compact crossovers to see which has better real-life performance. Our testing contradicts other experts.
By Patrick Rall on May 14, 2013 - 8:11PM
While German and Japanese luxury brands grab the lion’s share of attention in the modern auto industry, the 2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Premium serves as a stark reminder that there is a true luxury flagship sedan that offers all of the comforts and amenities offered by the foreign counterparts made in the USA with a surprisingly low price.
By Patrick Rall on May 10, 2013 - 8:52PM
The 2013 Lexus IS350 is a great car so it is hard to believe that the redesigned 2014 Lexus IS350 is significantly improved but after spending a few hours driving the two Japanese luxo-sport sedans head to head – it is clear that Lexus has done a masterful job of improving an already very good option in the small luxury sedan segment.
By Patrick Rall on May 6, 2013 - 1:19PM
The 2013 Subaru BRZ departs from the company’s traditional recipe for success of combining turbocharging and all wheel drive so while it is a very different sort of fun than Subaru owners get out of vehicles like the WRX STI – the BRZ is one of the most exciting sports cars available in the US.
By Patrick Rall on April 27, 2013 - 2:28PM
Although the early days of the 2013 Ford Escape were plagued with precautionary recalls, spending a week behind the wheel made it clear why the Escape was, is and will continue to be one of the bestselling vehicles in the United States – with great power, tons of room and incredible fuel economy. It’s quite a bit of fun to drive, as well.
By Patrick Rall on April 19, 2013 - 2:07PM
There was a point in time where buying a compact American sedan meant that you were driving a cheap, boring car but the 2013 Dodge Dart Limited shows how well the Chrysler Group has answered the increased demand for efficient and affordable compact vehicles that don’t skimp on the options – or the fun.
By Don Bain on April 17, 2013 - 6:19PM
The fully loaded 2013 Lexus GS 350 is second only to the brand’s LS flagship in premium appointments, and yet can deliver spirited handling when called upon to perform.
By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2013 - 5:01PM
The Chevrolet Suburban is the longest running vehicle nameplate in the American auto industry with the first version being introduced way back in 1933 and after an incredible 80 years on the market – the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ is a clear illustration of why this brawny SUV is still one of best options in the segment.
By Patrick Rall on April 1, 2013 - 5:36PM
The 2013 Ram 1500 took the industry by storm with a refreshed exterior, a refined suspension system and the powerful Hemi drivetrain – easily making this one of the best half ton trucks on the marketing and showing that all of those awards handed to the Ram team over the past six months weren’t just the result of marketing fluff.
By Patrick Rall on March 21, 2013 - 5:40PM
While the sport utility vehicle segment is chock full of vehicles desperate to offer good fuel economy, the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited offers some of the best EPA ratings in the segment while also offering great power, tons of interior space and every modern gadget that you could ask for in an SUV.
By Patrick Rall on March 12, 2013 - 5:01PM
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the founding members of the sporty utility vehicle segment and with the 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 – it is clear why this is the most awarded SUV ever considering that it is one of the few on the market that emphasizes both sport and utility.
By Don Bain on March 11, 2013 - 4:30AM
Currently in its third generation, the Lexus RX 350 has long been one of the better looking mid-size SUVs on the market and represents the only true crossover in the luxury line.
By Patrick Rall on March 4, 2013 - 5:09PM
General Motors doesn’t call the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco a hybrid because – while it offers similar fuel saving technology through the eAssist drivetrain packed in a good looking, upscale midsized sedan – it doesn’t come with many of the quirks of the other popular hybrids on the market today.
By Patrick Rall on February 24, 2013 - 11:30PM
While the number of inexpensive, efficient compact coupes in the US market is quickly dwindling – the 2013 Kia Forte Koup offers a roomy interior, a low purchase price and excellent fuel economy without taking all of the fun out of the driving experience.
By Don Bain on February 20, 2013 - 7:59PM
It was a bright sunny day this week as Colorado Auto Dealers Association President Tim Jackson drove me to Phil Long Ford in Littleton to pick up a 2013 C-Max Hybrid SEL, for the first leg of the 2013 Colorado Green Car Convoy.
By Patrick Rall on February 15, 2013 - 11:06AM
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT doesn’t pack the advanced all wheel drive system of the high performance, turbocharged engine but with a roomy interior, a sporty exterior, a spirited yet efficient drivetrain and a purchase price just over $20k – the Lancer GT is a great compact sedan for someone who wants a fun to drive car but not the costs associated with the top of the line Lancer Evolution.
By Don Bain on February 14, 2013 - 10:04PM
The all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4 has lost the identifying rear-mounted spare tire, but has gained richly in added value in the fourth generation of the Recreational Activity Vehicle.
By Patrick Rall on February 4, 2013 - 5:58PM
While the 3.8L V6 engine packs more punch, the turbocharged 4-cylinder that serves as the base engine for the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe performs beautifully while also offering better fuel economy than the larger and more expensive V6 – while also featuring all of the strong points that make the Genesis Coupe one of my favorite cars on the market today.
By Patrick Rall on January 30, 2013 - 9:35PM
It has been many moons since the Buick brand offered a high quality compact option but with the 2013 Buick Verano, General Motors has an affordable compact sedan that offers a luxurious interior, a superb ride and drivetrain that is both powerful and efficient that makes the Verano exactly what Buick has been needing.
By Patrick Rall on January 22, 2013 - 6:08PM
This past summer, I spent a few hours driving around Florida in the 2013 Scion FR-S in an area with no traffic, no stop lights, no real turns and no destination which really showcased the performance attributes of the FR-S but it didn’t really give me a chance to see what it was like to drive under normal circumstances – a problem solved recently when I spent a week behind the wheel of Japan’s uber popular sports coupe.
By Patrick Rall on January 11, 2013 - 3:02PM
The 2013 Lexus GS350 F Sport is a premium luxury sport sedan fitted with all of the amenities and features that a car claiming to be both luxury and sporty should have – with these attributes combining to create a roomy sedan that is a blast to drive while also being packed to the roof with the greatest of creature comforts.
By Patrick Rall on January 6, 2013 - 3:55PM
I have driven the Hyundai Veloster a handful of times including spending a full week testing the funky little hatchback and my only concern was that it could use a little more power – a problem that is well solved with the Hyundai Veloster Turbo which adds a turbocharged to the standard 1.6L engine and more than just a little more power.
By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2012 - 9:00PM
The Fiat 500 Abarth might not be the fastest or the most high tech sports car in America but with a price starting just under $23,000, fuel economy measures in the 30-34 mile per gallon range and driving characteristics that make it just as much fun to drive as far more power and far more expensive sports cars – it is my belief that the Fiat 500 Abarth is not only the most engaging compact car sold in America but it is also the most exciting car sold in the US with a price tag under $25,000.
By Patrick Rall on December 17, 2012 - 2:38PM
When you look at the traditions of American luxury it is all about being the biggest and having the best of everything - two qualities that are well represented in the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum and while the top of the line Escalade might carry a big price tag, there is no question that this is truly a premium American luxury vehicle.
By Patrick Rall on December 12, 2012 - 4:56PM
The German auto industry is ripe with sports cars that can offer an exhilarating driving experience with a stylish exterior combined with a luxurious, high tech interior but few do it as efficiently as the 2012 Audi TT 2.0 Quattro S-Tronic Coupe – a compact sports coupe that offers everything that you would expect from a European luxury sport model.
By Patrick Rall on November 16, 2012 - 7:47PM
The 2012 Jaguar XF Supercharged very well may be the perfect embodiment of the British luxury brand as it isn’t the biggest, it isn’t the fastest and it isn’t the most powerful among the lineup but much like the four legged Jaguar in the animal world – the XF Supercharged is sleek, smooth and powerful enough to be taken seriously be its prey.