2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD

New Lincoln MKZ's crisp style shows flair, staying power More than three years have passed since I last tested a Lincoln, which tells you a lot about how stagnant Lincoln’s lineup has been. Lincolns have been little more that gussied up Fords for some time, but that may be changing as Lincoln gets serious about... Continue Reading →

October 25, 2013 0

2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

Mazda CX-5 better than ever with more powerful engine Give Mazda credit, once it decided to remake its small sport-utility for 2013, it didn’t rest on its laurels, although it could have for a couple years. Nope, for 2014 it rolls out a new efficient, and more powerful 2.5-liter I4 using its Skyactiv technology that aims at... Continue Reading →

August 3, 2013 0

2014 KIA Sorento SX Ltd. AWD

Sorento handling, performance make it more fun than Santa Fe KIA has raised the bar with its revamped 2014 Sorento crossover, making it a much more enjoyable drive than the 2012 model I tested roughly 18 months ago. This is the smaller cousin of last week’s Hyundai Santa Fe, which wins on value and size,... Continue Reading →

July 27, 2013 0

2013 Infiniti FX37 AWD

FX37, a love-hate relationshipInfiniti’s racy FX37 sport-ute is a classic case for a love-hate relationship.If you enjoy performance, and don’t really expect such from a sport-ute, you’ve got to love how the FX37 responds. It feels like a tall Porsche, with oodles of power from its new 3.7-liter V6. In fact, Infiniti rates it a... Continue Reading →

April 29, 2013 0

2013 Lexus LS 600h L

Hybrid Lexus LS delivers high-end luxury with a price to match Where to begin? Let’s just put the price tag out there to clear the air. My silver Lexus LS 600h L listed for $119,910 and settled at $135,029 after adding copious high-end options. As way of background, the LS is THE Lexus flagship, its full-size... Continue Reading →

April 10, 2013 0

2013 Cadillac ATS AWD 2.0T

Looks, handling, turbo give small Cadillac a boost Those of us who have been around for a few decades may be forgiven for our skepticism when we hear Cadillac is creating an entry-level sport sedan. Visions of Cimarron dance in our brains. Ah, but those who observe the car market closely know that Cadillac has... Continue Reading →

March 10, 2013 0

2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL AWD

No longer truck-based, Pathfinder a softer, more civilized crossover Back in the day, which wasn’t long ago, Nissan’s Pathfinder was a sport-utility truck that was truck tough and set for off-roading and hauling gear. Today, like many of us as we age, it has gotten a little softer and is tailored now more for comfort.... Continue Reading →

February 17, 2013 0

2013 Honda CR-V

Upon further review ... solid, but bulbous and not as refined as expected Every once in a while I get to test a vehicle twice in a single year. It’s rare, but this week I had the 2013 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with navigation, just one model year newer than the CR-V I had tested early... Continue Reading →

December 27, 2012 1

2013 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

A Volvo wagon (crossover) with style, luxury? YES! Volvo has been a master of wagons for decades, its sturdy boxy 240s setting the standard for boring (yet safe) upscale suburban transport. So it’s no surprise when its tall wagons, the XC crossover vehicles push that bar higher and give the Lexus RX 350 a run... Continue Reading →

November 9, 2012 0

2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum

Luxury, your initials are XTS Luxury always has its price and for Cadillac, that price is $60,385 for its new XTS sedan. Don’t gasp, that’s nowhere near where the price for luxury starts, nor where many other midsize luxury sedans end up. This one added but a $920 delivery charge to end up at $61,305,... Continue Reading →