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 →
2019 Infiniti QX50 Essential FWD
QX50 a crossover that nearly drives itself … Got a bad case of the wants for a mid-size crossover that is both peppy and fun to drive, but also will do some of the driving for you? Infiniti’s all-new QX50 Essential model should be on your most-wanted list. Nearly identical in size and intent as... Continue Reading →
2019 Ford Edge Titanium AWD
Edge's new turbo and tranny provide crossover zip ... Ford revamps and upgrades its popular Edge mid-size crossover for 2019, discarding its V6 for a twin-turbo I4 and a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The result is a fairly peppy crossover that will easily haul five adults with oodles of rear seat legroom and equally expansive... Continue Reading →
2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line
VW Jetta offers high value, driving fun … With all the trucks, SUVs and crossovers crowding showrooms these days it’s refreshing to come across a sporty sedan like Volkswagen’s Jetta, that also represents high value. Jetta was restyled for 2019 and mostly that’s all good news. First, it continues the lean European look that VW... Continue Reading →
2019 Nissan Rogue SV AWD
Rogue feels refined, oozes value, and now it's orange ... Barely a year had passed since I tested Nissan’s revamped Rogue, one of the best-selling small crossovers on the market, and particularly popular in the Milwaukee area. This is Nissan’s No. 1 seller and it’s obvious why. It looks refined, drives fine and is economical.... Continue Reading →
2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring RF
MX-5 RF a fun-sized droptop made for summer ... Looking for muscle? Read no further. Looking for fun? Mazda’s sporty MX-5 RF is a fun-sized 2-seater. The MX-5, known in the U.S. market as the Miata, has added muscle to be sure. But easy driving and economical fun is what has set it apart from... Continue Reading →
2019 Lexus UX200 F Sport
Tiny UX 200 big on luxury, small on power ... Fins are back! That’s right, if you’ve secretly been craving the fin-crazy styling of the late 1950s and early ’60s, Lexus has something special for you, finned taillights on its new UX. No, these aren’t those Himalayan peaks from grandpa’s old Dodge or Plymouth, these... Continue Reading →
2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport
Low-end Lexus ES just keeps getting longer, wider ... The new Lexus ES 350 is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, a formula that sounds a lot like that offered by Pontiac for years. Remember Pontiac’s wide-track marketing? Well, even if you don’t, the Lexus ES is a substantial luxury sedan that for 2019... Continue Reading →
2019 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design
U.S.-built Volvo S60 torques up the power ... Volvo torques up the size and horsepower in its newly redesigned 2019 Volvo S60 sport sedan, plus this is the first Volvo sedan ever to be made in America. That’s right, if you’re a buyer who insists your car be built in the United States, well, add... Continue Reading →
2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD
Mazda CX-3 sticking with a good thing ... Not much seems to have changed with Mazda’s stylish small crossover, the CX-3, since I last tested it a couple years ago. I mean it gained two horsepower (big whoop), but really nothing much needed to change. I’d still like more horsepower, but at least there’s a... Continue Reading →