New compact hybrid truck starts at $19,999, on sale this fall ... Ford recently announced a new compact pickup, surprising the market by not calling it Ranger, as its compact had been known for years. Today it shows off the new Maverick pickup. Boomers will remember the Maverick name from a compact car Ford sold... Continue Reading →
2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL
Elantra offers value with distinctive looks, spunky performance ... Surprises tend to hang out at the low end of the automotive market, where expectations may be lower because, well, prices are lower. That continues to be the case with Hyundai’s popular Elantra compact sedan, refined and upgraded for 2021. I had the SEL model, just... Continue Reading →
2021 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid
Hybrid Accord feels familiar, consistently good ... Honda’s Accord hybrid is consistent, consistently good, just like the internal combustion version. I suppose if you refined most products, constantly improved them, for 40+ years you’d end up with a diamond of sorts. Honda deserves a lot of credit though. This week I slipped behind the wheel... Continue Reading →
2020 Volkswagen Passat SEL
Crisply styled Passat a high-value sedan ... When was the last time you heard of a car costing less than it did three years ago? I’m betting never, unless it was a 3-year-old used car. Well, Volkswagen is making a big push again in the U.S. You’ve likely seen its ads for the new Atlas... Continue Reading →
2020 Mazda CX-30 Premium
Mazda's sporty new CX-30 crossover a top choice ... If I were to vote on my car of the year today, it would be the Mazda CX-30, a new larger subcompact crossover, up a step from Mazda’s current CX-3. This new crossover in the fastest growing part of that market is easily the most stylish,... Continue Reading →
2020 Hyundai Venue SEL
Hyundai new Venue a primo entry-level vehicle ... If you’re belly-aching about the costs of new cars you obviously haven’t driven a Hyundai Venue. This all new crossover from Hyundai is as good as it gets for entry-level vehicles, the kind recent college grads and others just working their way into our economy can afford.... Continue Reading →
2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL S-AWC
Mitsubishi's Eclipse Cross is a high-value compact crossover, with a timely name and pretty sharp looks.
2020 Infiniti QX50 Essential AWD
AWD makes stylish QX50 a near perfect blend ... Technology dominates much of our lives and increasingly our automotive lives so that finding a nice blend of tech along with fun and practicality is a stretch. Well, Infiniti’s QX50 makes that stretch without even glancing over its shoulder. Two things, no, make that three, stand... Continue Reading →
2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV (Rock Creek Edition)
2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4WD Do you prefer old school or retro to an overabundance of digital doodads? Do you prefer driving your vehicle to your vehicle driving you? Nissan has an answer for you if you’re an SUV lover. Its name is Pathfinder. This is a fine SUV with room for seven passengers, but... Continue Reading →
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Limited hybrid
New Pacifica hybrid a refined people hauler ... Chrysler has been making minivans since the 1984 model year, but its latest, the 2020 Pacifica, is easily the best of the bunch. Chrysler minivans have nearly always been comfortable and easy to drive. The company’s Stow N Go seats were a brilliant addition, as were its... Continue Reading →