VW's Tiguan leads the brand with better handling ... Volkswagen has had its rocky moments the past few years. One word – diesel – tells you everything you need to know. But of late the giant German automaker seems to be getting its mojo back, and none too soon. More new models are hitting the... Continue Reading →
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC
Outlander a star in Mitsubishi's quiet lineup ... Mitsubishi is the quiet company in the U.S. auto market; we hardly hear a peep out of the Japanese vehicle maker. Its lineup is compact and advertising minimal. But the star of its lineup for several years has been the Outlander, a competent crossover with available AWD... Continue Reading →
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited
Pacifica plug-in hybrid rocks the MPG ... What would you say if I told you there’s a 5,000-lb. minivan that will get 84 miles per gallon, maybe 88.9 mpg? I thought so. You’d laugh. You’d think this Savage dude has gone off his noodle, is a couple bricks shy of a full load, has an... Continue Reading →
2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium
Toyota C-HR takes cute, useful and fun to drive to a new level ... Mini has had cute pretty well sewed up among small cars with four doors, but now Toyota has stepped up to the plate with its latest C-HR crossover. The tested C-HR (cute hot rod?) was the top-level XLE Premium model decked... Continue Reading →
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD
Mazda CX-5 remains a sporty crossover ... As the world turns toward an all crossover and SUV automotive market it’s encouraging that the likes of Mazda continues to try and design sharp-looking vehicles that drive more like sports cars than trucks. This week’s fun four-wheeler is the midsize CX-5 crossover in top-level Grand Touring 4x4... Continue Reading →
2018 GMC Terrain AWD Denali
Terrain redesign lightens the load; Denali model adds luxury ... GMC redesigns its Terrain crossover for 2018 to make it lighter and a bit smaller, fighting all industry trends to add weight and length. Mostly, it’s a success. Terrain is virtually the same vehicle as Chevrolet’s Equinox with a bit boxier styling, but much improved... Continue Reading →
NEO’s 1948 Willys Jeepster
Willys Jeepster the first crossover? ... Everyone likes Jeeps and they were the real deal in leading the way to today’s SUVs and AWD vehicles. But did you know Jeep made a crossover, sort of? In 1948 the Jeepster debuted as a car that looked much like a Jeep/car/truck combo, with a convertible top. What... Continue Reading →
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited
Crosstrek sporty, practical, moderately priced ... Subaru takes a serious step forward with its new Crosstrek, a small crossover that mates sporty styling with practicality and moderate cost, a winning combo. While the former Crosstrek was sporty, it rode worse than most trucks with a choppy ride that spoiled its otherwise useful and economical underpinnings.... Continue Reading →
2018 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
New Rogue comfortable, roomy ... Rogue is Nissan’s top-selling vehicle, has been around awhile and proved itself reliable, and if you’re a Star Wars geek, its name appeals like none other on the market. What it has going for it in the small sport-utility/crossover market is that it’s not too small. It has good interior... Continue Reading →
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T quattro w/Prestige
New Audi Q5 remains smooth, luxurious … Evidently once a smooth operator, always a smooth operator. Audi’s new Q5 compact luxury crossover/sport-ute carries on its tradition of smooth, sporty performance with luxury ladled on for good measure. It’s a bit larger than its predecessor and slightly more fuel efficient too. This is an all-around winner.... Continue Reading →