Smaller hybrid easy on gas, hard to get out of its own way The new Toyota Prius C is what most folks think of when they imagine a hybrid car. They think of an extremely small car that gets great gas mileage, but has a hard time getting out of its own way. But unlike many... Continue Reading →
2013 Scion FR-S
Spiffy sportster rekindles Toyota's sport coupe tradition Finally, a new sports coupe from Toyota, albeit offered through its entry-level youngster brand, Scion. I’ve missed the Toyota Celica for years now, and I’m not alone, so with the 2013 Scion FR-S, Toyota again has a low-cost sports coupe that looks great and will provide much entertainment... Continue Reading →
2012 Hyundai Equus Signature
Full-size luxury has a new name - Equus - and plenty of ponies Hyundai’s full-size Equus is a fine luxury car with one major drawback, the Hyundai name. Unlike Honda and its Acura line or Toyota’s Lexus or Nissan’s Infiniti, Hyundai has chosen to simply offer its luxury liner as an extension of its standard... Continue Reading →
2012 Nissan Murano SV AWD
Luxurious crossover, quiet comfortable family mover A lot of time has passed since I last tested Nissan’s fine Murano crossover, yet it remains a solid, quiet, comfortable family mover. While many folks buy this in front-drive form, Nissan says, I had the next to top level SL model with AWD. That means it goes for... Continue Reading →
2013 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD
Titanium edition pricy as a near premium small ute Let’s start with the shocking part, the price. The tested Ford Escape listed at $34,735. Granted this IS the top-of-the-line 2013 Escape Titanium 4WD, but that price is near premium small-ute territory, one where you expect a luxury nameplate. By adding the Titanium moniker it means... Continue Reading →
Paul drives a Ferrari
It's one of those cars most guys lust over, a Ferrari. Nothing else seems to mater when one drives by. The power is beyond words. The handling is perfect. And when the 458 is cruising around town, it's downright sedate...(you might even think you were in a *gasp* luxury sedan.) Hit the gas on the... Continue Reading →
2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
Sporty, useful, practical, some hatchbacks have it all Hatchbacks are fantastic and Hyundai’s latest entry the Elantra GT proves the point. Sporty, useful, practical and bordering on fun to drive a hatchback often gives you more for your money than any other car design on the market. Think of crossovers as hatchbacks on steroids and... Continue Reading →
2012 Hyundai Azera
Azera is aces in luxury, quiet, comfort If you are among the folks who thought Hyundai would never make it in the U.S. car market, well, get over it. I’ve driven quite a few Hyundai models of late and the new Azera is the finest yet. This is a large front-drive sedan to challenge Toyota’s... Continue Reading →
Lexus GS 350 AWD
Let the coddling begin! Luxury cars make you feel special; they coddle you. After a week in a gorgeous “mercury metallic (dark sparkling metallic blue)” 2013 Lexus GS350 I consider myself sufficiently coddled. The redesigned full-size GS comes as both a rear-drive and all-wheel-drive model, this being the latter. All come with a strong 3.5-liter... Continue Reading →