Car Spot: 1975 Honda Civic CVCC

Honda was way ahead of the game when it came to US emissions Still going through EAA AirVenture withdrawal. I was up at this year's annual airplane gathering, the 71st edition of the event is July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One of the big sponsors, and a supporter of WomenVenture (which... Continue Reading →

August 16, 2024 0

Ford’s Maverick hybrid pickup earns top EPA city MPG rating

New hybrid rated 42 MPG city, 37 MPG combined … A 2022 Ford Maverick at Road America, with Indy Lights racer on track. Last week a bunch of us Midwest auto writers got to give the new 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid pickup a spin up at Road America, and trust me Ford is gonna sell... Continue Reading →

October 21, 2021 0

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 →

February 16, 2019 0

2017 Honda Civic Si

Honda's Civic Si returns and it's still an economical sportster! ... If you can get beyond the new Honda Civic Si’s odd Transformer-ish rear-end you’ll find one of the finest, and most economical, sporty coupes on the market. There’s a lot to like here, even if eye candy is not one of them. The souped-up... Continue Reading →

October 20, 2017 0

2017 Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500 Abarth pumps up the low-cost fun ... Few cars are pure joy to drive, yet cost less than $30,000. I’d put the Mazda Miata at the top of those, and a few models of the Mini Cooper would slot into this price range. But Fiat’s 500 Abarth is a relative newcomer and blows... Continue Reading →

July 16, 2017 0

2017 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Premium

Hybrid Avalon comfy big sedan, easy on the gas ... Sadly big comfortable sedans are about as popular these days as a new Nickelback album or The Dixie Chicks at a Texas veterans fundraiser. Too bad because as passé as big sedans are, they can move a family of five in smooth, quiet comfort and also... Continue Reading →

March 10, 2017 0

2017 Ford Escape Titanium FWD

Ford refines its Escape crossover . . . For 2017 Ford has restyled its popular Escape inside and out, plus developed two new engines for the entry-level sport-utility, er crossover. There’s no mistaking the Escape for something else as its profile remains much the same, but there’s a new hexagonal grille, LED trim headlights and revised... Continue Reading →

December 2, 2016 0

2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring

New Prius Four looks better, drives better too ... Prius’s nerdy look is gone, so if you were one of those kids, like me, who had the mechanical pencil and pocket protector in high school, well, you’d best reconsider buying the hybrid. Toyota has jazzed up the Prius in looks and performance. The bright “hypersonic”... Continue Reading →

September 10, 2016 0

2016 Volkswagen CC 2.0T R-Line

VW's CC a fine handling sedan with a stick! ... Why Volkswagen doesn’t advertise its CC sedan is beyond me. This sporty family sedan has been on the market seven years and is nearly invisible in the marketplace. I’ve never seen a magazine or TV ad for it. That’s particularly weird at this time when VW... Continue Reading →

June 24, 2016 0

2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Advance

New Acura RLX sport sedan does it all ... I quickly feel in love with driving the new Acura RLX Hybrid, a sport sedan that does everything right from a performance standpoint. One could argue that its looks are pedestrian, and they are mid-pack at best. But driving the RLX is like flying under the radar of... Continue Reading →