Toyota, Subaru, VW launch new vehicles, but there's much more … Chicago’s Auto Show is always amazing and also a drain as Paul Daniel and I walk a good 5 miles a day to take photos and video. This year it was worth it as there were four new production models introduced, plus some new... Continue Reading →
2023 Nissan Kicks SR
Low-cost Kicks loaded with a bevy of standard features ... Remember when entry-level cars were bare bones beaters? I’m thinking Ford Mavericks, Chevy Vegas, and AMC Gremlins of my youth, or more recently Honda Civics, Toyota Tercels, and Nissan Sentras. Times change and this week’s cute low-cost two-tone mini crossover is chock full of modern... Continue Reading →
1973 Toyota Celica Liftback GT2000
Autoart nails the sexy Japanese 'Mustang' look ... I came of driving age in the early 1970s and while I drove a snazzy copper-colored Plymouth Duster, which I thought beautiful, the Japanese makes were just getting their footing in the U.S. market. Most models were boring, but to me, the “hot” car was Toyota’s Celica... Continue Reading →
2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic Sedan
Restyled and sporty C class may again spur sedan sales ... The compact C Class sedan has been a hot seller for Mercedes-Benz for years, but its popularity has waned like yesterday’s boy band the last couple years and one has to wonder how much of that is because it hadn’t been redesigned in seven... Continue Reading →
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Plug-in hybrid smooths Wrangler power, boosts mpg ... Jeeps come in all sizes these days and with multiple powerplant choices, the latest of which provided the grunt for the tested 4-door Wrangler Rubicon. Here the power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 with plug-in hybrid system using a couple electric motors to help boost gas... Continue Reading →
James Bond’s Lotus Esprit S1
Nobody does it better than Auto World for a submarine/car ... Rare, or should I say never, that I have seen a die-cast car that was also a submarine. But now I have. If you’re hearing a James Bond soundtrack playing in your head right now then you’re ahead of me. The car/sub in question... Continue Reading →
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX AWD
New hybrid is larger, more efficient, family-priced SUV ... Kia’s Sportage just keeps getting bigger and better, and now with a hybrid power system it’s more efficient and still can boast of family-friendly pricing. That’s a lot! But Kia and its twin cousin Hyundai have always been about value, generous feature content, top-notch warranties, and... Continue Reading →
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB300 4Matic
EV puts a spark in new electric EQB wagon, er, crossover ... Automakers are doing buyers no favors with their insistence on introducing nonsensical alphabet soup when “naming” their vehicles. German automakers are among the leaders in blending alphanumerics and the latest electric-powered wagon, er crossover, is a prime example, the Mercedes-Benz EQB300. Rolls right... Continue Reading →
2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge AWD Ultimate: Bright Theme
Plug-in hybrid XC90 long on luxury, power, efficiency ... Apparently it’s time for me to adjust my thinking on where luxury SUV prices begin and end, especially end. Volvo, long the bastion of safe, solid wagons has made the transition to SUVs easily as it already knew how to make big family-haulers and so a... Continue Reading →
2023 Lexus RX 350 Limited
Restyled RX 350 still fills luxury SUV prescription, but ... Luxury and utility are ubiquitous with the Lexus RX 350, otherwise known as the unofficial soccer mom car of suburbia. This SUV that started out more as a tall wagon when introduced in the U.S. market in 1998 has been the best-selling luxury vehicle here... Continue Reading →