Category: Car Reviews
2012 Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4X4 road test: Still a powerful player after all these years
The big, brawny 2012 Nissan Titan full-size crew cab pickup truck more than filled a tight supermarket parking space, and it towered over lesser sport-utility vehicles and sedans. It seemed to be practically begging someone, anyone, to “please put me to work.” Alas, as its temporary handler I was ill equipped to approve such a [...]
2012 Cadillac SRX Premium Collection road test: Luxury crossover is even better than before
The buyers and critics have been somewhat at odds since its introduction, but the sales figures have proven the wisdom of General Motors ways, and the upgraded 2012 Cadillac SRX luxury crossover vehicle should remove the biggest objection of the naysayers. What the critics didn’t like, at least at first, was that Cadillac down-sized the [...]
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L review: Base bug
Most reviews of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle have focused to some extent on whether the Beetle is masculine enough for a self-respecting he-guy to drive. This one won’t, because everyone either believes the Beetle is no longer the girl’s car the New Beetle was—or is so girly-girl that even if the front end were protected [...]
2013 Scion FR-S first drive review: Join the cult
Here’s an easy prediction: The 2013 Scion FR-S will become a cult. It’s a simple prognostication because the Scion FR-S is that kind of car, with the same basic elements as the original Mazda RX-7 and Miata, the Datsun 240Z, and Toyota’s own MR2 and particularly, the little-known Toyota AE86. They were attainable as they [...]
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ road test: An attractive, enjoyable subcompact that’s ready to make small big
Okay, subsonic would be a more accurate description of this car, but the five-door 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ does not need blinding speed to attract buyers looking for a feature-laden subcompact sedan. Before we even start our examination, though, let’s erase any thoughts you might have about that late Korean-made dud, the Aveo, which the [...]
2013 Dodge Dart SXT first drive review: Point man
When Dodge discontinued the Neon and filled its place on the showroom floor with the Dodge Caliber—an odd sort of crossover vehicle—it effectively abandoned the compact car market. So when the decision was made to drop the unhappy Caliber and bring back a compact car, the new car—which would become the Dodge Dar—had a blank [...]
2012 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV review: Not all new but still sweet
There isn’t much new with the 2012 Nissan Maxima. If you look closely, there’s a new grille design, new rear combination lights, and new 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, depending on whether standard or optioned up. You’re excused for not having noticed. Inside the 2012 a new meter cluster illumination color—white—new Dark Piano-hairline trim, and [...]
2012 Hyundai Accent SE review: Lots of stuff and good touch too
After spending a week with the 2012 Hyundai Accent SE, a couple of factors are evident. One is that the Hyundai tradition of getting a lot of stuff for the money continues. The other is that everything touchable feels like it should feel. The lots of stuff included on our $15,925 Hyundai Accent SE cruise [...]
2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD 2LT road test: A roomy, comfortable, compact cruiser
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is pretty much a carryover from the highly regarded and popular 2011 model, but there is a significant difference among models in the product line-up that is worth examining. Does it make sense to buy an extra-cost 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with V-6 power when a reasonably competent four-cylinder model is available [...]
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4 x 4 road test: Rough, ready and . . . refined?
The Jeep has been called a lot of things since its days as a World War II go-fer — tough, rugged, versatile, fun, etc. — but more than 70 years later the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport and its more upscale Wrangler brethren may have earned a new one — refined. No, not refined as in [...]
