Venza XLE delivers power, good looks and AWD Five years have passed since I last drove Toyota’s Venza, a crossover based on its popular Camry sedan. Not much has changed though, it’s still an attractive, competent crossover. In fact, Venza may be one of the best looking crossovers, simply because it blends the Camry’s sophisticated styling with... Continue Reading →
2014 Jaguar XJL AWD
Jaguar XJL extends the legend with AWD Jaguar’s image has been polished, tarnished and polished several times, but its history of racing success, generous power and spirited road manners, along with an expectation of gentlemanly comfort, endures. The restyled XJL does nothing to dispel the legend, with its muscular but trim lines, big chrome grille... Continue Reading →
2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
Accord Hybrid quietly delivers improved gas mileage Honda's Accord has grown to be a larger sedan, but remains a smooth, quiet comfortable family car that will haul five adults while remaining a good family value. NOW, it adds a hybrid power system. The tested silver Accord features a 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder gas engine that creates... Continue Reading →
2014 Hyundai Equus Signature
Equus has it all, nearly literally More than a year ago I told you that the only major drawback to the full-size Hyundai Equus luxury sedan was its Hyundai badge. I’m sticking by that, but if anything, the Equus has gotten better and that means other luxury makes might want to rethink their pricing. Because... Continue Reading →
2014 Mazda3i 4-door Grand Touring
Mazda3 delivers good looks, modest price, driving flair The new Mazda3 is better looking than its predecessor, gets better gas mileage and still delivers driving flair, a fair accomplishment for a modestly priced family sports sedan. First, Mazda reshaped its former gaping smiling nose with this more Audi-like big grille and swept its profile lines back... Continue Reading →
2014 Lexus RX 450h
H = hybrid in luxurious 450h crossover for a smooth quiet cruiser Lexus makes quiet, comfortable and reliable vehicles as well, if not better, than most car makers and its RX crossover has been a hit for years, being an early entry into the crossover, or tall wagon, market. Certainly Lexus does nothing to embarrass itself... Continue Reading →
2014 Toyota Corolla S Premium
Simplicity, reliability, economy = Corolla Our family owned a Toyota Corolla in the 1980s and it’s on that generation of Corolla’s reputation that Toyota has built its automotive empire. Simplicity, reliability and economy were the building blocks and the revamped 2014 Corolla appears to continue that corporate line of thinking. There are no surprises here,... Continue Reading →
2014 Kia Forte EX
Common sense Forte also sporty, fun, loaded with goodies Kia cranks out another winner with its updated Forte compact sedan, a near sport sedan with a modern sporty look and common sense price tag and performance. The Forte is stellar in nothing, but good at everything. Such solid execution from a car maker creates the... Continue Reading →
2014 Nissan Versa Note SV
Versa is inexpensive, versatile, but extremely underpowered Rarely have I driven a car as underpowered as the Versa Note, Nissan’s new four-door hatchback version of the Versa, which debuted last year as a sedan. Naturally this is an economy model, but still, with a 1.6-liter, I4 that cranks only 109 horsepower the acceleration is lackluster,... Continue Reading →
2014 Ford Fiesta SE
Small cars can be fun to drive if spunky and good handling Driving small cars isn’t a turnoff to me. I enjoy their economy, their simplicity their easy handling and their low cost. But frugal needn’t mean blah, and Ford’s Fiesta has learned that lesson. It offers a spunky look and feel, good handling and an... Continue Reading →