New Vehicle Reviews (Page 55)

I recently logged over a thousand miles on a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE – the top of the line fuel sipping version of Toyota’s top selling midsized sedan – and while the new Camry Hybrid packed all of the amenities that you would expect from the range topping trimline, it was the performance of the hybrid drivetrain that really impressed me the most.

Hyundai’s goal with the new Veloster was to create a fun-to-drive hatchback that offered incredible fuel economy and a truly unique design, with two doors on the passenger side while just a single door on the driver’s side – and the result is a sporty 4-door hatchback that gets an impressive 40mpg on the highway that also offers easy access to the rear seat thanks to the “extra door”.

We get a short test drive of the long-awaited all electric car from Coda Automotive that is now being delivered to dealers, with customer deliveries beginning in March.

There was a point in the not-so-distant past where buying an affordable compact 5-door meant that you were sentenced to a bland, amenity-free driving experience but the 2012 Kia Rio 5-door is a great illustration of how much you can get for your money in the modern compact segment.

I recently had a chance to spend some time with a 2012 Ford Focus SE, a sporty C-segment sedan that illustrates how far the American compact sedan has come with incredible fuel economy, a low price and loads of amenities – meaning that owning an affordable American compact no longer means driving a bare bones vehicle with no soul.

The key issue facing the hybrid automotive segment in North America is that hybrids can either be affordable or luxurious but with the 2012 Lexus CT200h, a new car buyer who wants the efficiency of a modern hybrid and true luxury amenities can have just that without a massive shock to the savings account – with a price starting under $30,000.

After having the opportunity to drive three of the four trim levels of the 2012 Toyota Prius C during a media event in Austin last week, we were impressed with the compact’s handling and interior space, as well as its potential to provide economical transportation to young urban singles, couples and small families on a budget.

Since I first laid eyes on the Fisker Karma at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, I have been enamored with the high performance electric luxury sedan with extended range capabilities and earlier this week, I was among the first journalists to drive the production ready Fisker Karma on US soil – a drive that met every expectation that I have had for the sleek new sedan over the past 4 years.

2012 is shaping up to be a year where you are able to choose from more electric vehicles, EV and plug-in hybrids, PHEV than ever before.

When the Dodge Charger was reintroduced as a full sized four door sedan for the 2006 model year, some Mopar faithful grumbled about the addition of the “extra doors” but as the new Charger powers through its second generation with a sleek new exterior design – the only people who could question whether the 2012 Charger SRT8 car is deserving of the Charger name are those who haven’t been behind the wheel.

The German electric bicycle maker is aiming to best the highly niche market of high-end performance electric cars, EV that Tesla Motors and Venturi has had until now with its PG Elektrus Roadster.

The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V sedan is shining proof that American carmakers have no problems making luxury, high-performance four-door cruisers that compete on level footing with foreign OEMs and beat them by thousands of dollars in price.

TorqueNews asked a random Nissan Leaf driver to write about his experience. Brian Keez's story is very interesting as he writes how he obtained his orphaned Leaf and how his father also bought one, spending only 12 dollars a month on charging his EV.

Until this year, my admiration for the New Beetle had to kept largely silent because no self-respecting automotive journalist could like this chick car. All that has changed with the 2012 VW Beetle because men can like it, too.

The fourth generation of the Lexus GS Hybrid is an exercise in balancing opposing concepts, something it manages to do very well. First and foremost, it manages to strike equilibrium between the primary attributes premium automobiles embody to one degree or another, namely luxury and performance.

The compact and fuel efficient 2012 Fiesta is light on your pocketbook, and light on the environment. It is part of Ford's Power of Choice tour which came to San Francisco yesterday.

An electric version of the popular Transit Connect, 80 mile range, excellent speed and handling, and offers savings to fleet owners. It was shown today in the San Francisco leg of Ford's Power of Choice tour demo'ing the carmaker's line of eco-friendly vehicles.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 packs a supercharged V8 engine first offered in the Cadillac V-Series models along with a high tech suspension system that has made its rounds in General Motors’ Corvette ZR1 and Z06 supercars. These are two features of many that help make the 2012 Camaro ZL1 one of the most amazing performance cars of all time but is the new super Camaro one of the best muscle cars of all time - or is it the best muscle car there will ever be?

The 2012 Porsche Boxster S is a great looking car with a surprising amount of passenger and cargo space but the most exciting part of the Boxster S is driving it...as whether blasting down the highway or cutting along a twisty country road - the 2012 Boxster S provides an incredible rush.

The Porsche name is well known for being among the most well respected performance/luxury brands in the world and while the 2012 Boxster S is Stuttgart’s "entry model" – this car is a beautiful example of what Porsche can offer to those who are looking for a European sports car sans the six figure budget.

We have talked about the new Ford Explorer quite a bit this year, from the impressive fuel economy of the initial models to the high tech MyFord Touch infotainment system to the introduction of a 4-cylinder EcoBoost but beyond all of that, can the new unibody-based Explorer live up to the rugged sport utes of the past?

The Japanese car maker has achieved its objective with the 2012 Toyota Prius, but it had to give up something to reach its goal.

It's easy to underestimate a vehicle's capabilities – to take it for granted. Such was the case with the 2011 Toyota Highlander. It was a crossover utility vehicle that seemed to have been passed by other more worthy competitors.

The Toyota Venza made a good impression on us when we first checked it out back in 2009. It was a nice size and shape, with oversized wheels and a roomy interior, but at that time we didn’t get to drive it very far. Recently we had the opportunity to take the 2011 Toyota Venza on an extended road trip, finding it even more likable than we at first imagined.