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New Vehicle Reviews (Page 62)

New Vehicle Reviews

This section will review cars, trucks, products and books related to the auto industry.

By Don Bain on
Now in its 15th year since release, the Lexus RX 450h continues a fine tradition in the Lexus lineup with this crossover vehicle ready for city highways, interstate travels and even mountain passes, providing power and performance plus fuel efficiency to boot.
By Patrick Rall on
The Ford F150 is America’s bestselling truck and while there weren’t many changes for the 2013 model year F150, pretty much every change made for 2013 was featured on my F150 FX4 EcoBoost test vehicle – making for a very clear illustration of why this is America’s bestselling truck and how Ford keeps holds onto that title with new high tech features.
By Patrick Rall on
While the auto industry is packed full of vehicles that have exterior additions to make them sportier, the new 2013 Honda Accord Sport takes a modest approach to exterior styling while fitting the package with a handful of upgrades that make the Accord Sport more fun to drive – just like a car wearing the “Sport” nomenclature should be.
By John Goreham on
Tesla founder Elon Musk insists Model S is the world's best car. He could be six months from being right.
By Patrick Rall on
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition is named after the famous offroading area in Utah and while the features of the Moab Edition make this model a nearly unstoppable machine when it leaves paved roads – with plenty of luxurious features inside that make this a very comfortable daily driver on the asphalt.
By Don Bain on
Ford's C-MAX Energi is perhaps the perfect balance between a hybrid drivetrain and plug-in enhancement of already excellent efficiency and versatility.
By Don Bain on
The 2013 CT 200h provides the optimal combination of style, efficiency, size, comfort and technology to empower the lifestyle of the up and coming urbanite, dedicated to finding the good life in a sustainable city community.
By Patrick Rall on
The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2013 model year with a bold, upscale exterior design coupled with a big, plush interior that offers many of the comforts of a large luxury sedan without the high price that comes with a luxury moniker – showing just how far the Avalon has come over the past two decades.
By John Goreham on
We drove the hottest new compact crossovers to see which has better real-life performance. Our testing contradicts other experts.
By Patrick Rall on
While German and Japanese luxury brands grab the lion’s share of attention in the modern auto industry, the 2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Premium serves as a stark reminder that there is a true luxury flagship sedan that offers all of the comforts and amenities offered by the foreign counterparts made in the USA with a surprisingly low price.
By Patrick Rall on
The 2013 Lexus IS350 is a great car so it is hard to believe that the redesigned 2014 Lexus IS350 is significantly improved but after spending a few hours driving the two Japanese luxo-sport sedans head to head – it is clear that Lexus has done a masterful job of improving an already very good option in the small luxury sedan segment.
By Patrick Rall on
The 2013 Subaru BRZ departs from the company’s traditional recipe for success of combining turbocharging and all wheel drive so while it is a very different sort of fun than Subaru owners get out of vehicles like the WRX STI – the BRZ is one of the most exciting sports cars available in the US.
By Patrick Rall on
Although the early days of the 2013 Ford Escape were plagued with precautionary recalls, spending a week behind the wheel made it clear why the Escape was, is and will continue to be one of the bestselling vehicles in the United States – with great power, tons of room and incredible fuel economy. It’s quite a bit of fun to drive, as well.
By Patrick Rall on
There was a point in time where buying a compact American sedan meant that you were driving a cheap, boring car but the 2013 Dodge Dart Limited shows how well the Chrysler Group has answered the increased demand for efficient and affordable compact vehicles that don’t skimp on the options – or the fun.
By Don Bain on
The fully loaded 2013 Lexus GS 350 is second only to the brand’s LS flagship in premium appointments, and yet can deliver spirited handling when called upon to perform.
By Patrick Rall on
The Chevrolet Suburban is the longest running vehicle nameplate in the American auto industry with the first version being introduced way back in 1933 and after an incredible 80 years on the market – the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ is a clear illustration of why this brawny SUV is still one of best options in the segment.
By Patrick Rall on
The 2013 Ram 1500 took the industry by storm with a refreshed exterior, a refined suspension system and the powerful Hemi drivetrain – easily making this one of the best half ton trucks on the marketing and showing that all of those awards handed to the Ram team over the past six months weren’t just the result of marketing fluff.
By Patrick Rall on
While the sport utility vehicle segment is chock full of vehicles desperate to offer good fuel economy, the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited offers some of the best EPA ratings in the segment while also offering great power, tons of interior space and every modern gadget that you could ask for in an SUV.
By Patrick Rall on
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the founding members of the sporty utility vehicle segment and with the 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 – it is clear why this is the most awarded SUV ever considering that it is one of the few on the market that emphasizes both sport and utility.
By Don Bain on
Currently in its third generation, the Lexus RX 350 has long been one of the better looking mid-size SUVs on the market and represents the only true crossover in the luxury line.
By Patrick Rall on
General Motors doesn’t call the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco a hybrid because – while it offers similar fuel saving technology through the eAssist drivetrain packed in a good looking, upscale midsized sedan – it doesn’t come with many of the quirks of the other popular hybrids on the market today.
By Patrick Rall on
While the number of inexpensive, efficient compact coupes in the US market is quickly dwindling – the 2013 Kia Forte Koup offers a roomy interior, a low purchase price and excellent fuel economy without taking all of the fun out of the driving experience.
By Don Bain on
It was a bright sunny day this week as Colorado Auto Dealers Association President Tim Jackson drove me to Phil Long Ford in Littleton to pick up a 2013 C-Max Hybrid SEL, for the first leg of the 2013 Colorado Green Car Convoy.
By Patrick Rall on
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT doesn’t pack the advanced all wheel drive system of the high performance, turbocharged engine but with a roomy interior, a sporty exterior, a spirited yet efficient drivetrain and a purchase price just over $20k – the Lancer GT is a great compact sedan for someone who wants a fun to drive car but not the costs associated with the top of the line Lancer Evolution.
By Don Bain on
The all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4 has lost the identifying rear-mounted spare tire, but has gained richly in added value in the fourth generation of the Recreational Activity Vehicle.
By Patrick Rall on
While the 3.8L V6 engine packs more punch, the turbocharged 4-cylinder that serves as the base engine for the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe performs beautifully while also offering better fuel economy than the larger and more expensive V6 – while also featuring all of the strong points that make the Genesis Coupe one of my favorite cars on the market today.
By Patrick Rall on
It has been many moons since the Buick brand offered a high quality compact option but with the 2013 Buick Verano, General Motors has an affordable compact sedan that offers a luxurious interior, a superb ride and drivetrain that is both powerful and efficient that makes the Verano exactly what Buick has been needing.
By Patrick Rall on
This past summer, I spent a few hours driving around Florida in the 2013 Scion FR-S in an area with no traffic, no stop lights, no real turns and no destination which really showcased the performance attributes of the FR-S but it didn’t really give me a chance to see what it was like to drive under normal circumstances – a problem solved recently when I spent a week behind the wheel of Japan’s uber popular sports coupe.
By Patrick Rall on
The 2013 Lexus GS350 F Sport is a premium luxury sport sedan fitted with all of the amenities and features that a car claiming to be both luxury and sporty should have – with these attributes combining to create a roomy sedan that is a blast to drive while also being packed to the roof with the greatest of creature comforts.
By Patrick Rall on
I have driven the Hyundai Veloster a handful of times including spending a full week testing the funky little hatchback and my only concern was that it could use a little more power – a problem that is well solved with the Hyundai Veloster Turbo which adds a turbocharged to the standard 1.6L engine and more than just a little more power.