New Vehicle Reviews (Page 58)

Yesterday, Ford Motor Company announced that the 2013 Ford Taurus would be offered with a new 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that puts out an impressive 32 miles per gallon on the open road and shortly after making that announced, FoMoCo put me in the new EcoBoosted 2013 Taurus to experience this peppy, fuel sipping engine.

The Lexus ES lineup shares a great many components with popular Toyota models but while the early days of the ES sedans were criticized for being too much like the Camry, the newer versions have taken strides to clearly differentiate the two – a point that is very evident with the 2013 Lexus ES350.

The new 2013 Lexus ES300h will be remembered as the car that was the tipping point for hybrid drivetrains in premium automobiles. From here forward the elements this car has perfected will become expected in all cars of its type.

The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid is an attractive option in the hybrid sedan segment, one that is still growing despite several months of relatively stable gasoline prices. With an EPA rating of 40-mpg highway and a base price of $25,700, this vehicle warrants the hybrid buyer's consideration.

Since the first official information was offered up for the 2013 Scion FR-S months ago, there has been a great deal of speculation about whether or not the output of the naturally aspirated Boxer engine would be enough for the FR-S to feel like a sports car and I admit that I am among those people who questioned the new Scion’s place in the sports car world - until I drove one.

There was a point in time where the suggestion of a great looking Korean sport sedan that had the brass to back up the title would have been little more than a joke but Kia is one of the American auto industry’s most improved brands over the past few years – a fact clearly illustrated by the 2012 Kia Optima SX.

The Honda CR-V was the 13th bestselling vehicle in the US last year and the second bestselling SUV behind only the Ford Escape and after spending some time in the 2012 CR-V, it is clear why this is one of America’s top selling models.

Scion has introduced its first-ever sports car: a rear-wheel drive two-door sports performance coupe jointly developed with Subaru called the 2013 Scion FR-S.

Changing the number two selling car in the U.S. is a huge gamble, but Nissan has pulled off a stunning success with the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima.

The compact sedan class is jam packed full of affordable models boasting about how they offer a blend of fuel economy and spirited driving but few are as efficient as the 2012 Mazda 3i Grand Touring featuring Mazda’s Skyactiv engine technology – offering 40 miles per gallon on the open road.

There was a point in time where buying an inexpensive American compact sedan meant that you were buying a cheap car but with the progressive incline in quality for the crowded C segment class – the 2013 Dodge Dart should become the standard to which other compact sedans will be based.

The 2012 Fiat 500 Sports comes in a high-gloss Brilliant Red, among other choices, that truly befits its flashy urban style and surprising small car performance.

The 2013 Ford Mustang GT benefits from a slight bump in power to 420hp and a fairly substantial exterior refresh – both of which work together to help the mighty Mustang to be one of the most exciting and entertaining cars to drive in the modern American market while also being one of the most head-turning cars on the road today.

The 2012 Fiat 500 Cabriolet is so stylish and cute it’s as much a fashion accessory as a comfortable, functional commuter for the design conscious urban fashionista.

Many new car shoppers do much of their research online and while the 2012 Subaru Impreza may not turn heads based on its specifications – this is a vehicle that you need to drive before removing it from your short list due to impressive acceleration, incredible fuel economy, lots of room and the surefootedness of Subaru’s all wheel drive system.

Driving the 2012 Audi A3 TDI daily last week revealed it to be a comfortable if still compelling Eurowagon with performance and efficiency perfect for the commuter with a primarily intercity work routine, like exburb residents who regularly drive to and from metropolitan suburbs.

I recently had a chance to get behind the wheel of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe in 3.8 R-Spec for a short test drive and while I would have loved to spend more time in this powerful Korean sports car – the seat time received was more than enough to show how far the Hyundai performance program has come.

Sometimes driving is more about the passengers as was the case when I drove the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE to Wichita last week to visit Ms. Eva, a respectfully submitted pseudonym for my dear mother’s true name.

The 2012 Jeep Compass Latitude 4x4 sports the refreshed Grand Cherokee-like front end, a roomy interior and a fuel friendly drivetrain for those buyers who want the go-anywhere capabilities of the Jeep brand with less impact on the checkbook.

The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI was among the cars driven throughout Colorado as part of the Green Car Convoy this week, a prelude to the Denver Auto Show, revealing many of the reasons the small VW is a favorite of some automotive pundits.

I recently logged over a thousand miles on a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE – the top of the line fuel sipping version of Toyota’s top selling midsized sedan – and while the new Camry Hybrid packed all of the amenities that you would expect from the range topping trimline, it was the performance of the hybrid drivetrain that really impressed me the most.

Hyundai’s goal with the new Veloster was to create a fun-to-drive hatchback that offered incredible fuel economy and a truly unique design, with two doors on the passenger side while just a single door on the driver’s side – and the result is a sporty 4-door hatchback that gets an impressive 40mpg on the highway that also offers easy access to the rear seat thanks to the “extra door”.

We get a short test drive of the long-awaited all electric car from Coda Automotive that is now being delivered to dealers, with customer deliveries beginning in March.

There was a point in the not-so-distant past where buying an affordable compact 5-door meant that you were sentenced to a bland, amenity-free driving experience but the 2012 Kia Rio 5-door is a great illustration of how much you can get for your money in the modern compact segment.

I recently had a chance to spend some time with a 2012 Ford Focus SE, a sporty C-segment sedan that illustrates how far the American compact sedan has come with incredible fuel economy, a low price and loads of amenities – meaning that owning an affordable American compact no longer means driving a bare bones vehicle with no soul.

The key issue facing the hybrid automotive segment in North America is that hybrids can either be affordable or luxurious but with the 2012 Lexus CT200h, a new car buyer who wants the efficiency of a modern hybrid and true luxury amenities can have just that without a massive shock to the savings account – with a price starting under $30,000.

After having the opportunity to drive three of the four trim levels of the 2012 Toyota Prius C during a media event in Austin last week, we were impressed with the compact’s handling and interior space, as well as its potential to provide economical transportation to young urban singles, couples and small families on a budget.

Since I first laid eyes on the Fisker Karma at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, I have been enamored with the high performance electric luxury sedan with extended range capabilities and earlier this week, I was among the first journalists to drive the production ready Fisker Karma on US soil – a drive that met every expectation that I have had for the sleek new sedan over the past 4 years.

2012 is shaping up to be a year where you are able to choose from more electric vehicles, EV and plug-in hybrids, PHEV than ever before.

When the Dodge Charger was reintroduced as a full sized four door sedan for the 2006 model year, some Mopar faithful grumbled about the addition of the “extra doors” but as the new Charger powers through its second generation with a sleek new exterior design – the only people who could question whether the 2012 Charger SRT8 car is deserving of the Charger name are those who haven’t been behind the wheel.