Mazda CX-5 delivers looks, power and sports sedan handling … Mazda may have dumped its zoom-zoom tagline, but the Japanese car maker hasn’t eliminated it from its vehicles, witness the CX-5 compact crossover. While most car makers are happy to offer decent power, meh handling and a useful interior, Mazda doubles down on excellent power,... Continue Reading →
2019 Volvo V60 T6 AWD Inscription
Volvo V60 brings style to station wagons ... Something strange happened as I was testing Volvo’s new wagon, the V60. People waved and gave me an approving thumbs up. A young man yelled to me at the gas station, “awesome car.” I remind you, this was a wagon. Is it possible we’ve started to tire... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Replicarz 1952 Indy 500 Winner, Agajanian Special
New 1/43 Indy Winner a colorful replica of Ruttman's racer … If you’re an Indy 500 nut like me you’ll recognize Troy Ruttman’s name, otherwise he might be a mystery, or vague memory to you. There’s a reason for that. Ruttman won the 1952 Indianapolis 500, but never won another IndyCar race during his long... Continue Reading →
2019 Honda Pilot AWD Elite
Well-rounded Honda Pilot a stellar SUV ... Not that long ago Honda’s Pilot was a boxy ol’ thing that frankly was as stylish as a shoe box jacked up on 20-inch wheels. But like its chief rival, Toyota, Honda seems to have suddenly gotten the word that blah styling doesn’t help you stand out in... Continue Reading →
2019 Nissan Altima Edition One
Altima's engine main difference from Maxima … Outside of engines there’s not much difference between Nissan’s Maxima, tested a few weeks back, and the latest version of Nissan’s Altima. The sedans are nearly identical in size now, the Altima actually having a longer wheelbase than Maxima, which used to be the larger of the two.... Continue Reading →
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4WD Double Cab
Tacoma TRD Pro the ultimate Bro Truck ... A 20-something friend assures me Toyota’s Tacoma TRD Pro is a Bro Truck, or what us older guys would have called a boy toy. I know that has other connotations, but you get my drift. This Voodoo Blue TRD model, complete with 4-wheel-drive and in double cab... Continue Reading →
2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure AWD
Practical RAV4 muscles up its exterior ... There’s no denying that Toyota has done well with its RAV4, one of the first small SUV/crossovers on the market, and it continues to be among the most popular in its segment. For 2019 Toyota restyles the RAV4 to give it a more chiseled nose that easily calls... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Automodello 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V
1978 Mark V marked Ford's Diamond Jubilee … For a time in the 1960s and ‘70s luxury meant length in the auto world and there’s probably no finer example than Lincoln’s Continental Mark V. This was the best-selling Mark series Lincoln at more than 228,000 units and was the longest two-door coupe ever sold by... Continue Reading →
2019 Nissan Maxima SL
Near-luxury Maxima loaded with power, technology … If you’re looking for a sporty family sedan, one that looks stylish, rides sweetly and generates plenty of V6 power, well, you’re among a shrinking minority. Still, a few automakers continue courting this formerly mainstream market. Nissan is trying to woo you with its near luxury Maxima sedan... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: NEO’s 1981 AMC Eagle wagon
AMC Eagle wagon beat crossover trend by decades … History seems to show us that the innovators, the forward thinkers are not always rewarded with success. Consider the move over the past 25 years to AWD vehicles and crossovers in particular. Then consider the American Motors Eagle wagon. It was an early crossover to be... Continue Reading →