2014 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4×4

Inexpensive new Patriot fills roll as soft-roader I like the Jeep Patriot for what it is, an inexpensive sport-utility truck that’s available with four-wheel-drive. In that, it’s simple and straight forward and has a much Jeepier look than its twin, the Jeep Compass. Let’s get this out of the way up front. Compass and Patriot are the... Continue Reading →

June 25, 2013 4

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 50s Edition

Beetle drop-top reflects heritage of 1950s models Simplicity is its own reward, but it’s often accompanied by modest cost and a style that stands out in today’s overwrought world.Such has always been the case with Volkswagen’s simply shaped Beetle. Now comes a new Beetle convertible, replacing the 8-year-old New Beetle convertible. THIS new iteration actually... Continue Reading →

June 18, 2013 0

2013 Nissan Sentra SL

Sharp new Nissan Sentra has its mojo back A few years back Nissan’s Sentra lost its way. For years it had been right up there with Toyota’s Corolla and Honda’s Civic as a premier entry level sedan, great for young families. But then it started to look like a cheap little car, inside and out. Worse... Continue Reading →

June 14, 2013 2

2013 Ford C-Max Energi

Sayonara Prius, C-Max Energi more useful, drives better Families looking for superior gas mileage, a small crossover/wagon with generous cargo room and a roomy back seat with massive headroom will feel comfortable in Ford’s new C-Max. This is a tall wagon this is 100% hybrid, as in that’s all you can buy, although there are... Continue Reading →

June 7, 2013 2

2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium

Subaru adds some macho to its 2014 Forester Simply put, I have a new favorite small sport-utility vehicle, the 2014 Subaru Forester. While the rest of the small ute world is going toward crossover status and swoopy designs, the Forester, one of the early crossover/utes with AWD, is going away from that. It’s going all... Continue Reading →

May 31, 2013 0

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

Hybrid is good on gas mileage and easy on the eyes Ford’s new Fusion might do well to co-opt the old Miller Lite motto and tweak it a bit - Looks Great, Less Filling! That seems apt for Fusion’s hybrid model, which was my first full drive of the swoopy new Fusion with its fastback... Continue Reading →

May 17, 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 Toyota Avalon

Avalon XLE Premium aims for younger drivers An old automotive axiom goes that you can sell a young man’s car to an old man, but you can’t sell an old man’s car to a young man.Apparently Toyota didn’t know that, until now. Toyota’s Avalon, long a senior citizen favorite, has been restyled and its suspension... Continue Reading →

April 23, 2013 0

Die-cast: Autoart Lamborghini Aventador

Autoart creates flashy Lamborghini Aventador For many years now, Lamborghini and Ferrari have worked their Italian design magic to tug at supercar aficionados’ heart strings like another rendition of “O Sole Mio” in the mother country.Lamborghini was created to spite Enzo Ferrari, who insulted Ferruccio Lamborghini, who was, at the time, a customer. And it’s... Continue Reading →

April 15, 2013 0

2013 Toyota Corolla S

New Corolla S a family sedan, with sporty look My family owned a Toyota Corolla back in the early 1980s. That’s family as in me, my wife and two small kids. So, take note young families, you CAN survive without a minivan, crossover or sport-utility truck. That’s even easier now as the current Corolla, the... Continue Reading →