When an auto manufacturer skips a year of production, one of two things can happen: The vehicle may be going away for good or it will emerge a year later with significant changes. The latter of the two is what happened to the Hyundai Veloster, which skipped a production year in 2018 and has been […]
auto reviews
2018 Mazda3 remains top-tier compact car
There’s not one particular facet of the Mazda3 that gives it such wide appeal. Yet the overall appeal is there, judging by the annual car sales. A year ago, there were 75,018 Mazda3s sold. Although a low number compared to some other years when 100,000 in sales was not unusual, it’s pretty clear that the […]
2018 Lexus LS 500 cool luxury sedan
Bid farewell to the Lexus LS 460 and offer a welcoming hello to the all-new LS 500, an elegant full-size luxury sedan that should fare quite well in its debut season. Always a fan of the LS 460, we like its replacement – the 2018 Lexus LS 500 – even more. It has a rather […]
2018 Honda Accord better than ever
Honda has historically produced a great vehicle in the Accord, the benchmark for midsize sedans for many years. Introduced in 1976, the Honda Accord arrived with very little fanfare – it was a modest two-door hatchback. Now in its 42th year of production, the Accord remains an icon among sedans. What’s not to like? Year […]
2018 Toyota Tacoma remains popular midsize truck
Toyota enjoys huge sales numbers in the U.S., largely due to the popularity of the Tacoma. Reportedly, half the midsize trucks sold in this country are Toyota Tacoma models. For more than two decades, the Tacoma has been a very popular alternative for shoppers who feel full-size trucks are just too big and too expensive. […]
2018 Hyundai Elantra hatchback redesign
A year ago, Hyundai introduced a new bolder designed Elantra that transformed an appealing-looking compact sedan to seemingly a larger car that resembled a midsize. Somehow, Hyundai managed this transformation despite making the Elantra only about an inch longer and wider. The redesign took away the vehicle’s somewhat bold curves and replaced them with a […]
2018 Kia Niro includes EV model
Following a successful debut early last year, the folks at Kia added a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) to the 2018 Niro. A compact crossover sport utility vehicle, the Niro doesn’t have a huge range – 26 miles is the maximum mileage in EV mode. But that does extend the Niro’s overall range to around […]
2018 Mazda Miata fun, affordable convertible
One of the standard bearers in the convertible category for many years has been the Mazda MX-5 Miata. While certainly not the most practical purchase because it’s tiny, not extremely powerful, has virtually no trunk space, and can get rather noisy at high speeds, the Miata continues to be an appealing sports car. The primary […]
2018 Lexus LC 500 terrific new sports car
For a little car, this one makes considerable noise. However, this noise is a pleasurable one – a throaty engine is part of the enjoyment that comes with owning the 2018 Lexus LC 500. This is the first year for the luxury sport coupe. And judging by the looks and comments that were received here, […]
2018 Honda Fit remains standout subcompact
Subcompact cars are typically devoid of excitement. Yet they are still in demand. There’s a reason people buy subcompact cars, most notably affordability, strong gas mileage and maneuverability, which translates into a great commuter vehicle. The 2018 Honda Fit is a four-door hatchback that made its American debut in 2006. Pardon the pun, but it’s […]