If GM’s board had simply hired away the entire management team at Hyundai back in ’08 – and fired everyone at the Renaissance Center in Detroit – it would saved taxpayers a lot of money. Those guys – the Hyundai guys – know what they’re doing. One brilliant design after the next. It’s almost...
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The obvious often isn’t until someone makes it so. For instance, adding a real-sized rear door to a sporty coupe – as Hyundai has done with the Veloster. Much better than one (or even two) quarter-sized rear doors, as in cars like the old Saturn Ion – and more recently, the Mazda RX8. It’s...
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The two-door layout might just do it. Buyers who in past years would probably have never considered a Kia or Hyundai – much less a Ford or Chevy – over a car as blue chip as the Honda Accord now frequently do consider it. Toyota’s got the same problem as far as the Camry....
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2013 Ford Flex 2013 Ford Fusion 2013 Scion FR-S (the other twin) 2013 Lexus ES300 Hybrid 2013 Toyota Avalon 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport 2013 Dodge Dart 2013 Jeep Compass 2013 Nissan Sentra 2013 Buick Verano 2013 Cadillac ATS 2013 “Sciobaru” BRZ/FR-S 2013 Nissan Murano 2013 Dodge Challenger 2013 Lincoln MKS 2013 Volvo...
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Where does bread and butter end – and entry luxury start? It’s a tough question, because there’s no longer a clear line in the sand – in terms of equipment and features – and even power/performance – separating the mass market from the something a cut above. Volkswagen’s CC occupies this marketing-branding gray area....
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The new Chevy Malibu was one of the earliest 2013 models to become available during early 2012 (I drove one back in April). It’s new in another way, too: It’s no longer available with a V-6 upgrade – but does offer an automatic engine stop-start function, just like a hybrid. There is also a...
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Have you noticed? Kia Optimas are seemingly everywhere – like IROC-Z Camaros back in the ’80s – or more appropriately, Camrys in the ’90s. People love this car – and more, they’re buying this car. Lots and lots of them. In the neighborhood of 15,000 a month now – on track for six-figures, annually....
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Last week, I reviewed the Prius C – and for the first time, found myself praising a hybrid car’s design and economics. Or at least, not condemning them. The C is reasonably light (about 2,500 lbs.) great on gas – and most relevant of all, price-competitive with non-hybrid economy-minded cars. I’d have liked to...
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Toyota has built a better Prius – a hybrid that is economical to buy as well as operate. It’s called the Prius C – and it’s 542 pounds lighter than the regular Prius, costs $5,000 less to start than the regular Prius – and is also noticeably more fuel efficient than the regular Prius....
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If you like the current Ford Fusion, now’s the time to get serious about snapping one up. Because an all-new Fusion is on deck for model year 2013 – which will be introduced before calendar year 2012 is over. The ’13 Fusion will be a major re-do and will offer features the ’12 does...
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