Hybrid Avalon comfy big sedan, easy on the gas ... Sadly big comfortable sedans are about as popular these days as a new Nickelback album or The Dixie Chicks at a Texas veterans fundraiser. Too bad because as passé as big sedans are, they can move a family of five in smooth, quiet comfort and also... Continue Reading →
2017 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid
High-value Toyota Camry hybrid does it all, efficiently ... For 35 years Toyota has cranked out one Camry after another, often grabbing North America’s best-selling car title. That probably won’t be changing any time soon if the 2017 Camry hybrid is any indication. Everything buyers like about a Camry is here, economy, value, comfort and... Continue Reading →
2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring
New Prius Four looks better, drives better too ... Prius’s nerdy look is gone, so if you were one of those kids, like me, who had the mechanical pencil and pocket protector in high school, well, you’d best reconsider buying the hybrid. Toyota has jazzed up the Prius in looks and performance. The bright “hypersonic”... Continue Reading →
2016 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD Hybrid
Toyota RAV4 hybrid = good mpg, sporty handling Funny, but I enjoyed driving the new Toyota RAV4 hybrid more than its gas-powered model that I had earlier this year. This one seemed sportier, and that’s a contradiction to all things hybrid. Power seems a bit better, and is with a combined 194 horsepower for the hybrid... Continue Reading →
2016 Lexus RX 450h
Lexus restyles, upgrades its RX 450h The Lexus RX series has been ruling the luxury mid-size crossover roost for nearly two decades and there’s no reason to think the new RX will sully that record run. Lexus and its mainstream counterpart Toyota wised up and started restyling its vehicles and giving them some personality the... Continue Reading →
2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Advance
New Acura RLX sport sedan does it all ... I quickly feel in love with driving the new Acura RLX Hybrid, a sport sedan that does everything right from a performance standpoint. One could argue that its looks are pedestrian, and they are mid-pack at best. But driving the RLX is like flying under the radar of... Continue Reading →
2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
Hybrid gives us another good reason to buy a Camry Toyota’s Camry was the best-selling car in the United States last year, topping the No. 2 Honda Accord by roughly 40,000 units. In fact, Camry has been one of the top-selling cars for years, and for several, Toyota was happy to let it idle... Continue Reading →
2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Avalon Hybrid excels at comfort, quiet, fuel efficiency A couple years ago Toyota wised up and restyled its full-size Avalon sedan to avoid it turning into the Grand Marquis of Japanese makes. The more stylish lines, thinned taillights and overall slimed down look moved it from senior-citizen-mobile to family friendly sedan. Now comes the hybrid... Continue Reading →
2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX
Optima Hybrid a looker with spunk, yes a hybrid with spunk! Let’s put this right out there, I like Kia’s Optima. Optima is one of the best looking mid-size cars on the market, looks like a luxury sedan and rides and feels like an entry-level luxury sedan. It also is well equipped for its price,... Continue Reading →
2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE
Plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi touts impressive fuel economy Ford’s midsize sedan, Fusion, has been well received both because of its high-end somewhat sporty looks and its driving characteristics. Fusion may prove to be Ford’s biggest hit since the Taurus was new. Fusion melds, or should we say, fuses the looks of an Aston Martin or... Continue Reading →