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 →
2024 Subaru Impreza RS Review
AWD Impreza hatchback upgrades power, interior, fun factor ... Whoa Nelly! Subaru has gone and upped its entry-level game with its new 2024 Impreza RS hatchback. Honda, Hyundai, and Mazda best be taking notes. While the auto world has been backing away from cars for a decade or more, Subaru has instead refined its Impreza... Continue Reading →
2023 Nissan Kicks SR
Low-cost Kicks loaded with a bevy of standard features ... Remember when entry-level cars were bare bones beaters? I’m thinking Ford Mavericks, Chevy Vegas, and AMC Gremlins of my youth, or more recently Honda Civics, Toyota Tercels, and Nissan Sentras. Times change and this week’s cute low-cost two-tone mini crossover is chock full of modern... Continue Reading →
2023 Honda HR-V AWD EX-L
Larger platform, refined styling make HR-V a better family car choice ... Surprises can be pleasing or concerning, something to celebrate or something to require pulling the bedspread up over your noggin. Honda’s new 2023 HR-V, its small SUV/crossover, is full of the former, yet seeing a starting price of $24,895 I had concerns. I... 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 Mazda3 Turbo Premium AWD
Turbo adds kick to Mazda3, AWD gives it traction ... It’s possible that the current new generation of drivers will never know how much fun it is to pilot a car. Sad! Crossovers and trucks are so big, so dominant in the marketplace that it’s almost unbelievable that some automakers are still making cars. Several... Continue Reading →
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE
Corolla Hatch a practical sharp looker … Back in the day I owned a Toyota Corolla, but then again, nearly everyone did at the time. The Corolla was to the 1980s what the Chevy Nova was to the 1970s, namely an inexpensive reliable car. While much has changed in the ensuing 35 or so years,... Continue Reading →
2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited
A happy surprise, new 2017 Elantra arrives early ... Looks like 2017 is already here, at least at Hyundai. My test car was a sparkling white 2017 Elantra Limited, the compact sedan that improves with each iteration. One thing that hasn’t changed is its stellar looks. Hyundai and its cousin Kia have been leading the styling... Continue Reading →
2016 Fiat 500 Easy
Fiat 500 Easy: low price, low power, lower expectations Several years have passed since I last drove a Fiat 500, the mini-car Fiat re-launched its brand with in the U.S. market for 2012. The 500 hasn’t grown any, nor changed much, which depending on your point of view may be good, or a bit sad.... Continue Reading →
2013 Acura ILX Premium
A handsome winner that slots below TSX Acura created one of the finest entry-level sport sedans with its TSX a few years back, but now introduces another winner to slot in just under the TSX. For 2013 Acura rolls out the ever so slightly smaller ILX to fill the entry slot as TSX has crept... Continue Reading →