2012 Kia Rio SX Review: The 2012 Kia Rio SX is a fine small, entry-level car. The test Rio comes in a 5-door or hatchback version. The car has a sporty feel created by a stiff suspension and contoured seats. The Rio’s interior is youthful and delivers an understated performance look. These features give Rio a stiffer, more performance oriented feel. The Rio comes with a 1.6-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder engine …
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2013 Ford Escape Review: The “king” is being replaced by a better-looking, better-handling and more powerful and versatile king, and regardless of what extenuating circumstances combined to make the Ford Escape the top-selling king of the SUV industry for 2011, Ford’s timing couldn’t be better for replacing it with an entirely new Escape for 2013. Technology and a tough economy are dominating the industry, and the Escape was positioned perfectly …
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In academia, the motto is “publish or perish.” In the modern automotive world, with its increasing diversity of products and sophistication among consumers, it is “innovate or languish.” At Infiniti, the luxury division of Japan’s Nissan, they get it. With the 2013 JX35, the company has produced a two-fer: a new vehicle with saleable elements of originality that also bridges a gap in its product lineup. At first blush, the …
2013 Bentley Continental Review: Nobody gets a pass any more. This applies even to the folks who cater to the recently derided one percent—that is, the people who own most of the wealth. It is the reason that a company like Bentley of Great Britain, whose customers are solidly insulated from the 99 percent, cannot be profligate even as it seeks to deliver the finest goods available. It is a …
2013 Acura RDX Review: Actually, you can walk that cat back. Just ask Acura about its sport-oriented crossover utility vehicle, the RDX. Added to the lineup just six years ago, it complemented Acura’s upscale, full-size crossover, the MDX. But it never quite caught on. Its best year was 2007, its first full year on the market, when 23,356 were sold. In 2011, sales totaled just 15,196. The RDX’s driving dynamics …
2013 Dodge Dart Review: AUSTIN, TEXAS — Chrysler’s new-car stable was so desperate for a compact car that the bar was pretty low for the 2013 Dodge Dart to hurdle. For example, imagine that to be successful you only had to pick two of the following assets: A. good looks, outside and inside; B. tight build quality; C. excellent fuel economy; D. reasonable base price; E. performance that is pleasingly …
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2012 Mazda CX-5 Review: The Mazda CX-5 is an attractive vehicle that offers better than average gas mileage, a pleasant ride, above average handling and a stylish interior. The CX-5 feels solid and well built, with a quiet and luxurious interior. That’s helped by perforated tan leather seating and soft-touch black textured trim on the dash and doors. A black gloss trim strip accents the dash while the remaining interior …
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2012 Hyundai Veloster Review: Hyundai has created another styling home run. This time it’s the diminutive 2012 Hyundai Veloster, a sporty coupe/hatch with a bonus back door on the passenger’s side. Veloster is a fun drive. It combines the swoopy appeal of Honda’s CR-Z hybrid coupe, with the light feel of former Toyota Celicas. Youngsters will dig this economical coupe/hatch. Beyond its stellar looks is a solid sporty car, one …
