Since the Toyota 4Runner sports utility vehicle began life as the Toyota Hilux Surf with compact dimensions in 1984, it has been a trendy, hip vehicle of choice for young upwardly mobile professionals and style-conscious drivers of all ages. Now, substantially larger, and considerably more lavish, the midsize body-on-frame SUV proudly bills itself as an upscale off-road middie while competition moves to crossover marketing campaigns. In its . . . read more

We have seen the Smart Car … actually the Smart ForTwo on the road (occasionally) and in magazines, but how many of us consider that the tiny 1808-lb. vehicle is built under the umbrella luxury car giant Mercedes-Benz (actually Daimler AG)? The Smart story began in 1972, when Mercedes-Benz developed the concept of a super compact automobile measuring less than 100 inches. However, at that time technical implementation of the concept was not po . . . read more

The historic Corvette Grand Sport was a vision on wheels conceived by Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov as a light-weight, factory-built speed machine built to compete on domestic and foreign race tracks in 1963. Only five hand-assembled cars were built, as GM chose to refrain from participating in manufacturer-backed motorpsorts, and they were all driven by racing Hall of Famers including A.J. Foyt, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Bob Bondurant . . . read more

While Chrysler is eager to show off a logo change for its Dodge line, it is secretive in its expected launching of the next generation of Charger, its signature muscle car that hearkens back to the Pony Car wars and street machines of the late 1960s and early ’70s. Chrysler resurrected Charger in 2006, after a 28-year hiatus to pay homage to the marque which was first seen in 1965, as a Coronet-based muscle machine. The ’06 reincarnation was t . . . read more

On June 8, 2010, an official memo informed employees at General Motors' headquarters in Detroit to discontinue the use of the word "Chevy" in place of "Chevrolet." Employees are discouraged from saying "Chevy" when speaking with co-workers, dealers, customers and family and friends, so my recent pick-up truck test ride was not in a Chevy pick-up, it was behind the wheel of a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado LT Z71 Crew Cab. Chevrolet has been selling . . . read more

Nissan’s luxury and performance arm, Infiniti, has reached adulthood. Now in its 21st year, Infiniti is an established player in the luxury niche, and it has the power to make it a worthy combatant in the performance sector as well. Created to provide opulent vehicles that didn’t otherwise fit the Nissan market chain, Infiniti in well-positioned in the segment against its Japanese counterparts, Lexus and Acura, and is poised to go head-to-head wi . . . read more

Dodge is rebranding itself, remarketing itself and re-sloganing itself, but one of the things that has remained strong in its arsenal since 1994 is the Dodge Ram. Dodge began selling trucks in 1917, and for the past 16 years, the Ram has been its light-duty poster truck. The Ram continues to define itself as a truck leader in 2010-2011. While Chrysler recently announced that it will begin featuring a new logo for Dodge -- a pair of red racing . . . read more

When Chevrolet turned back the clock last year to re-issue the nostalgic muscle car Camaro, it created a hot retro vehicle with modern performance, combining nostalgia with modern and hip presentation. Based on the 1967-1969 Camaro, the car is both vintage and contemporary, with body-color bumpers and electronics inside. Historically, Camaro has utilized dramatic and striking colors in its exterior palette. According to Camaro historian Scott . . . read more

The commercials are starting to hit the popular TV shows … and that means Ford is joining the fun-car market with the 2011 Fiesta. Taking a page out of the Euro and Asian tuner and fun car line-ups, Ford is aggressively going after the subcompact niche with European panache. In fact, Fiesta has Euro roots. Fiesta began from 1976 to 1983 in Europe and now in its 6th generation …with some American tweaks and adaptation to conform to U.S. regs, i . . . read more

Anyone who maintains that all supercars originate in Europe probably hasn’t driven the Corvette ZR-1. Supercars are generally thought of as high-end exotic automobiles that are fast, luxurious and handle like race cars, with extraordinarily stylish looks and price tags that are extraordinarily high. One car that certainly fits the definition in all areas but price is built in Bowling Green, Kentucky -- the 2010 Corvette ZR-1. With a sticker ab . . . read more

Since 1927, Swedish automaker Volvo has earned a lofty reputation for its consistency in creating safe, quality automobiles. Volvo takes its name from “Volvere” the infinitive form of the verb "roll" in Latin (Volvo translates to “I roll”), and from the time that its first car rolled off the assembly line – the "Jakob" in 1927 – the car with the symbol of Mars (also the ancient chemical icon for iron) complemented with a diagonal band running acr . . . read more

When Ford focused on compact cars in 1999 for the 2000 model year, their engineers designed the Ford Focus to replace the Escort (and Mercury Tracer) and Contour (and Mercury Mystique) in the line-up. The North American version of Focus is expected to be discontinued after the 2012 model year, in favor of the international version – Generation III – but in all forms, it has generated more than 5 million units sold thus far. Marketed as an econ . . . read more

Forty years ago, Dodge entered the American “Muscle Car wars with the 1970 Challenger, debuting in fall 1969 with a Chrysler “E-body” short-deck, long-hood platform it shared with the Plymouth Barracuda. In its five years of production, the original Challenger wowed them on the boulevards, down the drag strips and around the race tracks with its powertrain choices that ranged from a 145-hp 225-cubic-inch I-6, to a 426-ci HEMI V-8 that thundered . . . read more

From its early days, Porsche cars, founded by Ferdinand Porsche in Stuttgart in 1931, gained a well-earned reputation for creating stylish, well-built and fast vehicles, and there was no confusion in Europe. Since it began marketing in the United States in 1950, with the 356 Speedster coupe, Porsche has kept up its eminence for creating four-wheel excitement, but has suffered in American accuracy of pronunciation. First was the confusion over th . . . read more

The monster, full-size pick-up with a Japanese pedigree and an American-built work and ethic, is a dual-purpose truck … strong enough for work and refined enough for daily and family use. The 2010 Toyota Tundra is built in San Antonio, Texas and is slightly redesigned for its second generation. Available in three cab sizes –- Regular cab, Double Cab and CrewMax body styles –three bed lengths – 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot and an 8-foot bed – and three . . . read more

When Robert S. McNamara conceptualized the T-5 Project for Ford and turned it over to lee Iacocca, they never dreamed that 40 years later, the car would endure as the greatest-selling Pony Car of all-time. The name Mustang was an after-thought. Chevy had some rights to the moniker and the names Cheetah, Puma, Cougar, Colt, Special Falcon and Torino were considered. On April 17, 1964, the $2360 Mustang was unveiled as a 1964½ car though it car . . . read more

Honda’s top-selling Civic is offered for 2010 in a number of guises, from the Hybrid, to the natural-gas powered GX, to the high-tech sedan and coupes. But for those who seek performance with their economy and style, Honda has created the high-powered Si. The Civic line has been rated as the number-2 affordable vehicle out of 29 Affordable Small Cars in a study that included some of America’s top auto journalists. The Si adds a carload of subs . . . read more

Audi’s performance version of the A4 is the S4, which began as a high-perf adaptation of Audi’s 1200 saloon sedan in 1991. After taking a year off, the S4 is back in 2010 with a more powerful engine and luxurious lines. The all-wheel drive 6-speed manual has already gained a solid reputation for its performance and handling and the 2010 model adds impressive speed and high-tech electronics to its portfolio and it tests very well against power- . . . read more

When Toyota created Project Genesis in 1999 in an effort to attract the younger generation of buyers, they introduced the Toyota Echo and spiffed-out Celica and MR2 models. Three years later they launched Project Exodus, an effort designed to separate the new-Gen cars from the Toyota marque. That second plan evolved into the Scion badge and by 2005, the third member of the scion line, tC was born. The marketing approach has worked, as Scion's . . . read more

Introduced 27 years ago, the Volkswagen GTI has become a VW icon as a vehicle that is sporty, economical, versatile, hip, aggressive and fun to drive. Now in its sixth generation, the GTI has added stylish and elegant design cues to its “hot hatch” reputation. Car enthusiasts commonly believe GTI means either Grand Touring International or Grand Touring Injected, but VW has taken no stance on the meaning. The vehicle began as a trim level for t . . . read more

Now in its fourth model year, the Mazdaspeed 3 has received a freshening for 2010 and it is hipper, more refined, more high-tech and faster in its current form. A sportcompact or sportwagon hatchback, the Mazdaspeed 3 is known as the Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan. Under any name, this is a genuine car for the young generation and a perfect canvas for the performance and style crowd. With a new, hot body design that adds 100 pounds to the car, . . . read more

When Cadillac replaced the Catera with the CTS in 2002, the alphabetically named vehicle breathed new life into the line. Eight years later, CTS has completed a three-year run as a Top-10 luxury mid-size on many car-of-the-year lists. Combining luxury, technology and power, the 2010 CTS has replaced its old 3.6-liter V-6 engine with a new a 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6, and also offers a muscular 6.2-liter supercharged engine that explodes out . . . read more

With very little in the way of changes in 2010, this year’s Subaru Impreza WRX Premium is much like last year’s model except that the base price has dropped by $1000. Subaru argues … why change if your model was already impressive? They have a point. The Subaru Impreza remains the only car in its segment to come standard with All-Wheel Drive – renowned Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive combined with standard Vehicle Dynamics Control and the v . . . read more

Available as a 3-door hatchback or a 4-door sedan, the economical, fuel-efficient Hyundai Accent began life as the X3, the original name for the Accent, the successor to the Excel in Hyundai’s 1995 line-up. In France, the vehicle was known as the Hyundai Pony and in South Korea, the car has been called the Verna. Now in its third generation and presented in four trims -- Blue, SE, GS and GLS -- the Accent is aggressively and affordably priced. . . . read more

Now in its sixth year and second generation, the Scion xB “box on wheels” is larger than in its original edition, and that added length – 12 inches on a wheelbase only 4 inches longer -- has reduced some of its squareness. The addition of rounded angles has also softened the box look a bit. The additional 2.8 inches xB has added in its width makes for better stability on the road and also lessens the harshness of the look. Make no mistake, the . . . read more

Already competing at the highest levels of the fuel economical automobile niche, Honda has gone hybrid with the second-generation Insight. The Hybrid Insight is Honda’s first production vehicle to feature the manufacturer’s Integrated Motor Assist system, and revamps the three-door hatchback Insight produced and sold until 2008 . Base priced under $20,000, it is arguably the least-expensive hybrid vehicle sold in the United States. The five- . . . read more

In 2005, Ford began production on a vehicle that was designed to be the new face of the Blue Oval. With a three-bar grille, the mid-size car was a lean-and-mean cost-saver and a hit with the public. In its second generation, the 2010 Fusion has gained a bold and clean Euro look on the outside, entertainment appeal inside and is offering hybrid performance under the hood. Ford 2010, Ford has installed new front and rear fascia, three economy . . . read more

Toyota’s flagship since 1994-’95 model year and known in early generations in Japan as the Pronard, Avalon is nearing the end of its third generation in America as the prime Toyota full-size sedan. With no significant changes for 2010 from the 2009 model, the Avalon is refined … so refined in fact that its upscale trims (XLS and Limited) could proudly carry the Lexus badge and compete notably with its sister, the Lexus ES 350. Looking fluid and . . . read more

Dodge’s mid-size crossover, the Journey, is not to be confused with the Infiniti EX35 Journey. For one thing, the Dodge Journey is base-priced at 26,280, some $11,000 less than the Infiniti; and Dodge’s mid-level crossover is longer, wider, higher and heavier than its luxury name-sharer. The Dodge is also marketed to young drivers and youthful moms (dads get to drive it as well), while the Infiniti’s niche is older professionals and established f . . . read more

Chevrolet's economy subcompact Aveo was introduced to the American market in 2004 and by 2006, the hatchback Aveo 5 joined it on the line. The original Aveo was a rebadged version of the Daewoo Kalos, and much of its engineering was based on the Pontiac Wave. Marketed to those who valued fuel economy and a low sticker price, Aveo has been slow to gain a wide purchase base. To address flat sales, GM has increased horsepower for 2010 slightly (fro . . . read more

Ford’s Taurus, in its second go-round in the Blue Oval line-up, has added advanced tech and vanguard styling to its personality. A solid hit in its first life with Ford through four generations from 1986 through 2006, the Taurus fell from grace and was discontinued after the 2006 production year (2007 model year). It was a short hiatus, though, as the nameplate returned only a year later. To buoy sales for the Ford Five Hundred, that now-de . . . read more

This past year, nostalgic Pony cars rekindled past glories with power, style and grace, a supercar was introduced and was on a par with its more-expensive European counterparts, luxury cars looked and acted the part and some were even outfitted with hybrid or diesel engines, sports cars were as powerful and sporty as ever, new players showed luxury and class and tried-and-true top-sellers continued to strive for perfection. Architecturally, ae . . . read more

For the fifth consecutive year, All About Cars wraps up its yearly coverage and issues its picks for Car Buy of the Year and Car of the Year in late December. This week’s column is devoted to the vehicle with the best bang for the buck in 2009. In a year in which the major car builders saw sales down by more than 25 percent, we are optimistic for 2010, as Value Pricing Strategy will experience resurgence. Automakers aim to come up with more re . . . read more

Kia has soul … the Soul Sport, packaged as an “Urban passenger vehicle,” created to attract young drivers and buyers. Kia markets the Soul as “A new way to roll,” ensconced as the first of a line of next-generation Kia vehicles set to launch during the next two years. The all-new Sport is an economical, yet sporty four-door hatchback, loaded with standard cool interior items and ripe to drive as-is or tricked out for the performance and st . . . read more

Lexus has been synonymous with luxury since the badge came into existence (the The LS 400 and ES 250 went on sale in September 1989). From the very beginning Lexus also meant quality -- Lexus was ranked as the No. 1 Carline in a J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study in 1990 – and the LS 400 was ranked as the Import Car of the Year by the Motoring Press Association in 1990. In 1998, Lexus introduced new breed of SUV, the mid-sized, . . . read more

When the most popular sports cars in the world are discussed, very seldom does the conversation turn to the Far East. Normally, we think of the favorite two-seaters coming from the United States, Germany, England or Italy, but in terms of units sold, that thinking would be wrong. For more than 20 years, the MX-5 Miata, built by Mazda in Japan, has been a top-selling vehicle that has offered sports car enthusiasts a pure, simple, fun-focused roads . . . read more

After gaining a reputation for building inexpensive entry-level cars, Kia is now acquiring a new fan-base by replacing its econo-boxes with well-made, trendy vehicles for today’s cool crowd. Kia’s previous top-selling vehicle in the compact segment was the Kia Spectra, a small sedan that was often ill-perceived by the public. The two-generation vehicle ended its run in 2009 and while it sold well, units purchased was diminishing due to a mains . . . read more

Last year, Hyundai made a splash and gained a ton of respect in the automotive community with its luxury Genesis. This year they have improved on the theme with the introduction of a luxury sports car, the Genesis Coupe. Competing with current “Pony” cars, at the 300-hp level, and taking on the upscale luxury sports coupes as well, the Genesis Coupe is aggressively priced under $30,000, Assembled in Ulsan, Korea, 86 percent of its parts ori . . . read more

Early last summer, I tested the 2010 Camaro 2LT RS Coupe, all 304 horses of it, and found it to be, at about $30,000, a sexy, powerful, sporty and versatile icon-ocar that should play well with nostalgic, muscle-oriented and mainstream car buyers alike. After getting behind the wheel of the SS version, I found that it might not garner as many unit sales because of its nicheability, but three letters can describe the SS … W-O-W. Based on the 19 . . . read more

The top-selling hybrid in the world has gotten sportier and more powerful, and that has not slowed down its attention to extreme mileage or its sales figures. Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than 1.2 million owners worldwide for more than 10 years (700,000 units sold in America), and Toyota expects to sell 100,000 Prius cars in the United States a . . . read more

There is a Journey song they play at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit at the Red Wings games, titled, “Don’t Stop Believing,” and the Nissan-built Infiniti is making believers in Detroit and elsewhere, with its Journey, a luxury crossover with style, performance and grace. The EX35 debuted as an all-new model in December 2007, with the task of combining sportiness with elegance with the cargo carrying flexibility of a crossover. With handling . . . read more

According to auto industry lore, the original Dodge Ram logo was created by sculptor Avard T. Fairbanks, who designed the “Flying Lady” icon for Plymouth in 1929. Fairbanks, who was head of the University of Michigan sculpting department, got an urgent call from the engineers at Dodge and was asked to meet them in 10 minutes. They explained that they had 10,000 cars that needed hood ornaments and that they wanted something as attractive as the o . . . read more

Quiet, elegant and with a back seat that is limo-worthy, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 looks, acts and feels as a luxury car is supposed to. The S-Class of Mercedes dates back to the 1950s and is arguably the world’s best-selling flagship luxury sedan. The name “S-Class” comes from the German word “Sonderklasse,” or “Special Class,” and since the Mercedes W116 officially became known as an S-Class vehicle in 1973, five generations of the delinea . . . read more

Lincoln has been the luxury brand of Ford Motor Co. since Henry M. Leland’s company was acquired by Ford in 1922. Leland, who named his auto manufacturing firm after Abraham Lincoln, for whom he voted in 1860, strove to build quality cars, and the reputation has lasted for more than 90 years. With its diamond logo firmly in place on the grille, Lincoln has come to represent the highest levels of Ford lavishness and manufacturing. With MKS, Lin . . . read more

The Dodge Avenger, which has no relationship to the original Hillman Avenger of the 1970s (often branded a Dodge), or the 1995-2000 Dodge Avenger Coupe of IROC (International Race of Champions fame), is a sedan that replaced the Dodge Stratus in Dodge’s 2008 line-up. Curiously, Stratus replaced the earlier Avenger for Dodge in 2001. Assembled in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with 73 percent of its parts coming from the United States or Canada, t . . . read more

As an automotive journalist, I have always held Pontiac with reverence. For me, it all began with a 1958 Pontiac Chieftain, my first car, and the same model hall-of-fame drag racer Arnie Beswick, an honored guest lecturer at past Carlisle All-GM Nationals events, used to blaze down the dragstrips of America in ’58 and ’59. Mine was 10 years old, white with a red “cove”, weighed two tons and was powered by a muscular 370ci engine that produced abo . . . read more

Looking for an edge in the highly competitive CUV market segment, Ford created the Edge in 2006 as a 2007 model as a choice for those who wanted a minivan layout and sports utility. While the 2009 Edge doesn’t offer a third row in true minivan fashion, it does provide excellent cross-over capabilities. Featured in the James Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” Edge is not an edgy, extreme, secret-agent type vehicle. It is, however, a reliable, conse . . . read more

Nissan is one of the champions of style; just look at the 370Z. But when it has a job to do, Nissan devotes itself to the job at hand, so when it chose to make an entry-level economy car, Nissan created a prosaic vehicle that fits all the parameters buyers have come to look for in an econo-car: low sticker; simple styling; good gas mileage and dependability. You get all of that with the 2009 Nissan Versa. I don’t understand why sporty styling . . . read more

For 56 years, Chevrolet has been putting out America’s sports car, and now, that production vehicle has evolved into something even greater, as it has attained supercar status – America’s supercar. Well before the first Corvette was presented for sale in 1953, Harley J. Earl, GM's chief designer, came up with the concept of designing an open sports car that sold for about what mainstream sedans cost. The original Corvette, code named, "Opel”, . . . read more

A few months ago, I test drove and reviewed the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid in its “Base” trim, and at $72,000, I reported that it was an odd coupling of luxury with an attempt to be “green,” and that at that price, it was a deterrent to sales of a lavish vehicle that in its “green” form, it lost some of the interior niceties that one would expect from an upscale vehicle such as the Escalade. General Motors and its press fleet reps took that . . . read more

Yaris has been Toyota’s answer to the econo-car segment since its arrival in 2007, the year it replaced the Echo as Toyota’s least-expensive vehicle in the line-up. What the Japanese manufacturer came up with was the perfect starter car or commuter car for high school students, college-age buyers, young marrieds and those families with small children. Along the way, Yaris has gained a reputation for being economical and dependable, and this year’ . . . read more

Assembled in Ota Gunma, Japan and and made entirely of Japanese parts, the symmetrical all-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza WRX has strengthened its performance, power and appeal through a campaign known in Japanese as “Kyo-Ka” translated from Japanese as “strengthening”. The Impreza impresses with a larger turbocharger that increases boost to 13.3 psi from 11.4 psi in the 2008 model, and a new larger-diameter exhaust uses a low-density catalyst for . . . read more

After test driving Chevrolet’s new retro 2010 Camaro 2LT RS, it is clear that it is thumbs up for GM’s Icon-ocar. The vehicle represents a great balance between retro/nostalgia and modern/hip, and while based on the 1969 Camaro, the entire look is not completely vintage and blends yesterday’s world with today’s – right down to its Corvette-inspired rear and body-color bumpers. Forty years ago, I cruised the “American Graffiti” auto showcases o . . . read more

Looking every bit the part of an elegant sedan, the 2009 BMW 335d has added diesel to the mix with a new 3.0-liter inline-6 Advanced diesel engine that promises excellent fuel economy without sacrificing the expected BMW power, speed and response. The 335d is the poster child for BMW’s freshening of its 3-Series vehicles, a classification BMW began some 33 years ago. According to the manufacturer, the 2009 3-Series has undergone some 2500 chan . . . read more

Last winter, I test drove a very solid Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD full-size, the lynchpin of the Chevrolet truck line, and second best-selling vehicle in America last year. At $39,010 (mine was a very upscale model with all the bells and whistles GM was willing to pack into the package), and an average of 16.9mpg during my tests, this E85-capable pick-up (I used regular unleaded gasoline) was a refined work truck that offered pampered toughness . . . read more

Toyota generally has its marketing plan in order when it refreshes an older member of its line or when it creates a new linemate, so the public eagerly awaited the arrival of the all-new Venza and the campaign that would accompany it. The 2009 Venza was to begin its assault on one market segment, or maybe two … but which ones? Toyota clouded the issue when they announced that Venza was a 4-wheel-drive 5-door “vehicle”, and on the sticker, Toyo . . . read more

Blending the retro look of the 1930s and 1940s with au current style, the Chrysler PT Cruiser has been the third top-selling product in the Chrysler line since its introduction in 2000. This nostalgic compact wagon has been discontinued by Chrysler but it is still available at local dealerships in a deal-and-steal scenario. Based loosely on three concept vehicles – the 1994 Plymouth Expresso, 1997 Chrysler CCV and ’97 Plymouth Pronto – the PT . . . read more

A new player in the luxury car genre, Hyundai, the Korean car manufacturer that began with econo-box vehicles starting with the Cortina in 1968, has grown in stature and in quality and is making its assault on the upscale car market a successful reality with the Hyundai Genesis. Noted for its slanted, stylized “H” logo, Hyundai executives say the icon symbolizes two people shaking hands. The name, Hyundai, is Korean language for “modernity” a . . . read more

BMW brands itself as builders of “America’s Driving Machine,” and its loyal following swears by the Bavarian company’s ability to make powerful, sexy, stylish, quality automobiles that utilize the most avant-garde electronics and comforts while sacrificing nothing in the driving experience. Since 1983, when BMW took the engine from its M1 and modified it as the M88/3 and installed it in the Series 6, the M6 line has been acclaimed as a luxurio . . . read more

Nissan’s exciting Z-Cars began life under the Datsun badge with the Fairlady Z in 1969. That sporty car was exported to America as the Datsun 240Z, while the original vehicle was named after the play, “My Fair Lady”. Featuring a 2.4-liter engine, the 240Z carried 150 horses and sold for $3526. Subsequent Z-cars also utilized engine size in their alpha-numeric names, as the 2.6-liter 260Z (139hp) debuted in 1974; the 2.8-liter 280Z (149hp) came . . . read more

Volkswagen’s newest offering may not be catlike in the sleekest sense, but it is versatile, and may have nine uses, if not nine lives. The allusion to cats is brought into mind due to the quizzical name given this new VW, a crossover called “Tiguan.” According to Volkswagen officials, the name Tiguan comes from a combination of tiger and iguana. We’ve seen many cat-cars – Jaguar, Cougar, Cheetah and Wildcat come to mind – but I don’t recall . . . read more

Mitsubishi has scored in America with its Lancer Evolution, or Evo. Coming to market after successes in the World Rally Championships in 1992, the Evo has had 10 generations of changes and has earned popularity as a modern-day muscle car that brings rally and track appeal to the streets. The Evo, however, has limited mainstream appeal, and to broaden its potential market, Mitsubishi has developed a new sibling, the Lancer Ralliart, which is so . . . read more

Mazda, which began business as Toyo Cork Kogyo, a machine manufacturer, in 1920, became an automobile maker in 1930 with the introduction of the Mazda-Go. All cars produced by Toyo Kogyo (the eventual name of the manufacturer) were called Mazdas, taking an anglicized version of its founder’s name, Jujiro Matsuda. The company officially became Mazda in 1984, to honor both its founder and the divinity within Zoroastrianism, Ahuru Mazda, also known . . . read more

Jeep Grand Cherokee began with a crash in 1992 when then-Chrysler president Robert Lutz made a grand entrance at the Detroit Auto Show by driving the vehicle, with Detroit Mayor Coleman Young in the passenger seat, through a plate glass window to debut the SUV. With a new generation of Grand Cherokee planned for 2010 release – a 2011 model-year vehicle – powered by a fuel-efficient V-6 engine under hood, this mid-sized unibody sports ute stil . . . read more

The Third-generation Mercedes-Benz CL-class more than lives up to its alpha-iconic name, in fact it overpowers it. The German automaker chose the CL-class name for the Germanic slogan: “Comfort Leicht,” which translates to “Comfort Light” in English. After driving the lush and plush 4650-lb. 2009 CL550, it is obvious that neither the comfort level nor the curbweight are light … the Mercedes-Benz CL550 is a genuine heavyweight in luxury and statur . . . read more

The name Sebring evokes excitement in the automotive world, beginning with the 12-hour endurance race in Sebring, Florida that was begun in 1952, and which has been won by such legendary racing names as Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Bruce McLaren, Briggs Cunningham, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jacky Ickx and Stirling Moss . Exhilarating vehicles including Maserati Sebring 2-door convertibles and Austin-Healey Sebring Sprites carried the nam . . . read more

When Hyundai redesigned its compact Elantra for the 2007 model year, the company dropped the hatchback body style, keeping only a four-door sedan. At the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai announced that a hatchback is returning to the lineup in the form of the 2009 Elantra Touring. Essentially a sportwagon, the Elantra Touring is another show of proof that Hyundai has evolved from the econo-box car maker of the past to a full-fledged quality veh . . . read more

The trendy choice for those who want what is arguably the highest level of sports utility luxury and who can afford it, is the Cadillac Escalade. Sitting at the top of the lavish SUV ladder for 10 years, the Escalade is a favorite among celebrities and performance and style aficionados who often trick out their vehicles with dubbed wheels, chrome, audio and video enhancements, more power, leather and airbrushed exteriors. Celebrities including . . . read more

The Chevrolet Malibu story began in the 1960s. Named after a trendy beach colony in Southern California – I surfed there during my teen-age years, and several surf movies were filmed there – Malibu was a mid-sized subseries of Chevelle from 1964-1978. Some Malibu SS models galloped out 350 horses and were full-fledged muscle cars – the Chevy SS (Super Sport) era began in 1961 with its Impala 409, and Malibu followed Impala, Nova and Chevelle with . . . read more

When Ford inaugurated its F-150 truck line in 1948 they believed they had developed a truck that would be competitive in the marketplace, but it is doubtful that they envisioned creating a pick-up that would become “America’s Truck” for more than three decades. They created a vehicle that was destined to be the top-selling line in the United States for more than a quarter-century. Last year’s F-150 led Ford’s F-Series lineup to a 32nd straight . . . read more

Call it retro-muscle, the 2009 Dodge Challenger is true to its heritage; it looks feels and acts like an iconic 1960s-’70s muscle car. One of the most head-turning vehicles I have driven this year, the Challenger evokes smiles, nods, double takes and knowing glances from those who saw the originals cruising the highways 40 years ago, and also those too young to have been around them, but who appreciate old-school American automotive power. . . . read more

Chevy has joined its GM siblings in presenting a large car-based sports-utility crossover with three rows. Emulating the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, the Chevrolet Traverse, which is built on the same Lambda platform and utilizes the same 3.6-liter V-6 powerplant as its clones, is ostensibly a modern minivan without the sliding doors. From the current marketing perspective, the Traverse is considered a large family crossover with . . . read more

Saab, the Swedish-based division of General Motors might have recently filed for bankruptcy (reorganization) protection, and it might be spun off into its own independent company or be purchased by another group, but it remains a solid manufacturer of well-built automobiles, and indications are that it will be around for a long time. The Saab Aero 9-3 SportCombi is one of those well-built vehicles. An upscale sport wagon created to recoup lost . . . read more

When Chevrolet brought the 2005 Cobalt into its line to replace the Cavalier and Prizm as its compact car of choice, it began a new following with three trims that were essentially the same vehicle, but with cosmetic upgrades. Five years into its history, Chevrolet has added some under-hood and personality changes that differentiate its different incarnations. Designed as an aggressively priced vehicle with gas-consciousness in its repertoire, . . . read more

A modern automotive success story, the Toyota Corolla enters its tenth generation as compact royalty. Part of Toyota’s line of “crown” cars, Corolla is Latin for “small crown,” and is joined by Corona (Latin for “crown”) and Camry (Anglicized pronunciation of “kanmuri,” the Japanese term for “crown”) in a regal line-up. Inaugurated in 1966, the Corolla, now in its tenth design stage, has sold close to 40 million cars, or about one every 40 . . . read more

The GMC Yukon is a full-size body-on-frame SUV manufactured in Arlington, Texas, that is Texas big, while sporting a rugged Canadian name. The second-generation sports-ute is built on the third-generation GMT900 platform, with 65 percent of its parts coming from the United States and Canada and 27 percent of Mexican derivation. The Yukon story began in 1992, when it supplanted the GMC Jimmy. Its current clones include the Holden Suburban (in Aus . . . read more

When Nissan introduced the Murano sports utility vehicle-crossover in 2003 for the 2004 model year, the vehicle gained an instant following for its aggressively fluid good looks, upscale interior and stylish demeanor. After sitting out 2008, the Murano is back in 2009 with its second generation, and after tweaking the original design with even greater exterior attractiveness and adding elevated performance and enhanced interior tech and comfort, . . . read more

The personification of Chevrolet’s stated commitment to the sport compact market is the Cobalt SS Turbo sedan, a performance and style canvas that can be upgraded with audio, video and interior enhancements or a tricked-out airbrush design on the hood and doors. But even right off the lot, and direct from the factory, Cobalt SS Turbo is a fun-to-drive economy-performance vehicle that can stand up quite nicely on its own. Assembled in Lordstown . . . read more

In the world of vehicle alpha-numerics, the letters in automotive models most often apply the “magic” letter combinations of GT, M, X, K, Z or F. These letters have been proven to hold marketing or psychological appeal to buyers. The accompanying numbers usually correspond to engine size or horsepower, so that an epilog of 50 of 500 either relates to a 5.0-liter engine or 500 horsepower and a 45 or 450 at the end of a model name is usually a take . . . read more

At one time, trucks were thought of only as work vehicles for those who lived on farms, owned horses, worked construction or towed boats. That’s no longer the case, as trucks have long since been mainstreamed and are the best-selling vehicles in America each year. To continue to compete in a car market, the top-sellers, including Chevrolet, with its Silverado, refine themselves annually to offer car niceties as well as truck toughness and capabil . . . read more

Now in its seventh generation, Camry, the top-selling mid-size sedan from Toyota, continues to rake in sales as its 2009 model relies on what has worked before. However, for the final year of this decade, Toyota has added some refined exterior style and interior enhancements to its look in an effort to gain acceptance into the entry-luxury arena at mid-size prices. The Camry began as a compact car in 1980, getting its name from the Japanese wo . . . read more

Made entirely of Japanese parts, and built in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, the 5-door hatchback Honda Fit has been on the car scene since 2001, but was a secret to the United States market until 2006. Known around the world as the Fit (China) and the Jazz in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, the Fit has undergone a new incarnation with an increased wheelbase, wider stance and altered profile (through a repositioning of the front windshield by 4.7 inches . . . read more

In 2001, Ford Motor Company correctly assessed the SUV market and determined that a compact sports utility vehicle could develop a large following. Designed in tandem with a Mazda design team, the Ford Escape was first released for the 2001 model year, cloned in America as the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute, and known in the UK as the Ford Maverick. Often considered a baby Explorer, the Escape has its own personality, its own look and feel . . . read more

The name Jaguar still reigns as a marque that inspires perceptions of elegance, speed and style. The XK badge has been part of that cognitive response for more than 60 years historically, but only about a dozen years in its current incarnation. The original XK was developed as a sports car and bore the alpha-numeric XK 120 name beginning in 1948, quickly becoming a winner at the track and with auto design aficionados. The XK design lasted unt . . . read more

Now in its third generation, the Subaru Forester has always been a sports utility ride for the granola-and-fresh water brigade. It has gained a following among those who genuinely love the “forest” portion of the name, despite the fact that very few Forester owners really take their vehicles off road or deep into the woods. Beginning with its first incarnation in 1997, the Forester replaced the Impreza Gravel Express in Japan, which was market . . . read more

Even though automotive industry sales dropped by more than one-quarter over-all compared with 2007 sales, the vehicles produced and offered this year were by no means classically, architecturally, technically or aesthetically inferior. From a performance, style and quality perspective, 2008 was a triumphant year, and years from now, at car shows around the nation, I believe that the 2008 and 2009 models will be remembered nostalgically with rever . . . read more

As Auto industry sales sagged by about 27 percent in calendar 2008 with credit and cost-concerns tempering each car buy, it is timely to consider which vehicles offer buyers their best bang for the buck. To address this, and for the fourth consecutive year, All About Cars wraps up its yearly coverage with two Top-10 “Best” lists. This week’s Car Buy of the Year is followed by next week’s year-end Car of the Year list. During the calendar year . . . read more

When Acura replaced its well-thought-of Legend with an alpha-numeric surrogate in 1996, the automobile-buying public took little note. The new 3.5 RL was a generic name that certainly didn’t evoke the emotional tie as a car named “Legend.” But in Acura’s attempt to build a brand, rather than a name, it continued to improve on the RL, and in some ways, created a new legend. Now in its third generation, the RL has become Acura's flagship, and th . . . read more

Few motorcycle, ATV, or marine product aficionados realize that Suzuki began in the textile business as Suzuki Loom Company in Hamamatsu, Japan in 1909. Building a solid machine-building reputation within Japan’s silk-weaving industry, the company embarked on a compact automobile project in 1937, but they were derailed by World War II and their commitment to the Japanese war effort. The company moved on to motor-powered bicycles in the early 1950 . . . read more

Volkswagen has come up with an interesting marketing tag for its new Passat version. In calling this luxury sedan the Passat CC, the initials stand for Comfort Coupe, but it’s really a 4-door, and by strict automotive definition, a coupe is a car with two doors, front seats and a luggage compartment, though Wikipedia allows that “a coupé or coupe is a closed-car body style, the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, . . . read more

The Audi A4 sticker comes with the slogan: “Truth in Engineering”. After test-driving the 2009 A4 for a full week on short trips and long hauls that took me from the Civil War battlefields of Pennsylvania and Maryland, to the farm communities, capital cities and waterside getaways of the two states, it is apparent that 8th generation luxury sedan – known internally as a compact executive car – is a German-engineered delight. Assembled in Necka . . . read more

What happens when you take a cute, but unassuming sportwagon, hitch it up to a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and add electronics and handling advances? You get a vehicle that can thrill the performance and style crowd, excite tuner enthusiasts and pump up the adrenaline in even the most sedate drivers. You also get the 2009 MazdaSpeed3: a hatchback with “zoom-zoom.” A high-performance compact with enough styling to appeal to college-age driv . . . read more

The Dodge Journey Crossover is a sporty, small-sized CUV designed to be fun for young drivers, functional for married-with-children parents, easy to maneuver around town and attractive enough to take mom and dad and their friends out for a night on the town. If Dodge pays attention to its own demographics, they’d realize that the Journey is also a Scout-mom car or a vehicle of choice for young women who want a vehicle that serves as a family h . . . read more

The Acura TSX was first introduced in 2003 as an entry-level replacement for the under-selling Acura C and has filled the void created with the discontinuation of Integra in 2001. Apparently included in Acura’s plans for the future, TSX may survive the Acura RSX after that marque ceases production. Prior to this year, the TSX was only sold in North America, but it will travel South of the Border to Mexican dealerships this year. The smallest . . . read more

Chrysler has been an American automotive giant since Walter P. Chrysler founded the company in 1925 (the Chrysler 70 was put on display in 1924). After 83 years, its current foray into the SUV world is the Chrysler Aspen (some call it Chrysler’s first SUV, but the Pacifica predates it and some even consider the PT Cruiser a small SUV). While Aspen is a twin to its sister, the Dodge Durango, Aspen still represents a series of firsts for the Winged . . . read more

Mercedes Benz debuted its stunning CLS only three years ago, introducing the world to its first luxury four-door coupe. Barely in need of a freshening, Mercedes Benz has chosen not to mess with a good thing and has made only subtle changes in this exciting, lavish driver’s vehicle. A sleek new nose and stunning 2-bar grille with a mesh background (replacing the outgoing 4-bar grille), larger exterior mirrors, built-in arrow-shaped turn signals . . . read more

Gas-pump prices have made the automotive world “green” conscious. So much so that even cars with fuel-friendly histories have gone hybrid. One of those automobiles, the Honda Civic, has been a conservation car for 35 years, and it has evolved from being a no-frills transportation vehicle to a stylish, high-tech driving pleasure. Many people believe the name Civic came from its CVCC (Controlled Vortex Combustion Chamber) engine, but that powerp . . . read more

The truck arm of the GM Empire is GMC, and a GMC truck generally means power, torque and ruggedness in a work-truck universe. Sometimes, however, GMC assembles vehicles that are essentially indistinguishable from its Chevrolet siblings with the exception of the proud GMC badge and a few options. In the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, the General has created a very good, tough, sturdy truck with some interior accouterments, but one that is fundamentally . . . read more

Historically, Volvo has been known as the Swedish car company that produces solid, dependable, reliable vehicles that don’t break down. But they also gained a reputation for building boxy cars with uninspired lines – the 1800S used in “The Saint” TV show from the 1960s, notwithstanding. Its cars were built with quality and were workmanlike, but generally were not considered to be “fun” cars. The “quality”, “non-breakable” assertion still holds . . . read more

The “Super” badge has been returned to the Buick stable for the first time in 50 years and it has been placed on the body of the 2008 Lucerne. Buick brought the Lucerne into the automotive world in 2006 as a replacement for the LeSabre and Park Avenue and it became the fourth Buick vehicle to begin with the letter “L”, joining LeSabre (1959-2005), Limited (1936-1942, 1958) and LaCrosse (2005 - Current). The Lucerne Super represents the third vers . . . read more

The 1940s meets the 21st century with Chevrolet’s 2008 HHR SS Turbo, an homage to the past with a performance eye toward the present. Listed in several surveys as one of the Top 10 “College Cars” on the market, the HHR is a retro celebration aimed at younger drivers. That marketing thrust is paying off to the tune of 100,000 units sold per year. Named for its “Heritage High Roof,” and looking like a like a modern version of the 1949 Chevy Subu . . . read more

Now in its second generation, the Lexus IS luxury sport sedan tandem (the IS 250 and IS 350) have become more refined, more luxurious and have added increased sportiness and drivability. The suffix numbers relate to engine size, with the 250 driven by a 2.5-liter engine, and the 350 by a 3.5-liter powerplant. A product of the Lexus L-finesse design program, the IS 350 is a rear-wheel-drive ride that emphasizes sporty athleticism. Displaying a . . . read more

The Corvette, arguably the first American sports car, was introduced at the Motorama Car Show in 1953, and for 55 years, the ageless Chevrolet-badged head-turner has reigned supreme as the American car that has captured the imagination of automotive enthusiasts around the world. Last week, some 5,000 of them cruised in and around Central Pennsylvania to attend the annual Corvettes at Carlisle extravaganza. Among them were a group of 2008 Corvette . . . read more

The 2008 GMC Yukon is a full-size sports-utility vehicle that puts the “full” in full-size. Akin to its sibling, the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Yukon is a truck-based SUV that shares its underpinnings with the GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado. Often, onlookers find it difficult to determine whether an SUV is car-based or truck-based, but with the Yukon, there is no doubt that this vehicle is designed on a truck platform. Weighing in at a massi . . . read more

The Pontiac G8 is an all-new offering from the Chief that doesn’t replace the G6, it lives alongside it, and perhaps above it in terms of styling, luxury and status. Often, vehicles with numbers attached to them, make engine sense. A car ending in 500 could have a 500hp engine or a 5.0-liter engine. A vehicle ending in 4 could have a 4-cylinder powerplant. But my test G8 was confusing, as my test vehicle sported only a V-6 engine, instead of t . . . read more

The traditional sports car on the American scene is the little red coupe with power to spare, an aggressive spirit and curves that turn heads. Nissan’s luxury-sports group, Infiniti, adds some size and luxury to the equation, but carries on the sports-driving legacy on U.S. roadways with the 2008 G37. What was the G35, with a 3.5-liter engine, has now grown into the G37 and its 3.7-liter powerplant. The extra .2 liters also adds about 24 horse . . . read more

Mazda’s slogan is: “Mazda, always the soul of a sports car.” Its zoom-zoom approach resonates with today’s young buyer as well as with those of us who remember and drove true muscle cars and genuine old-school roadsters that blazed down the drag strips and sauntered confidently around town on cruise nights. Mazda’s sports car soul is exemplified in its Miata, a car that appeals to the high school-college-young adult niche as well as with those . . . read more

The obvious line would be: If Ozzie and Harriet were Swedish, they’d drive a Volvo V70. Well, they’d drive one if Ozzie were status-conscious and wanted an up-market, luxury wagon to take David and Ricky on a family vacation. Or perhaps the Bradys could take a very Brady vacation in a V70. OK, maybe today’s young families aren’t hip to old-school allusions, so suffice it to say that today’s soccer moms and Little League dads and those familie . . . read more

The annual international summit meeting of governments, the Group of Eight, or G8, recently met in Hokkaido, Japan, with global hunger and the oil crisis receiving the most attention from the environment ministers. With oil and gas consumption and the ecological damage caused by pollutants receiving so much international concern, the current automotive market focus couldn’t be more favorable for an inspired hybrid niche. And when the entrant h . . . read more

The Nissan Altima can trace its lineage back to the Datsun (Nissan) Bluebird in 1957. Sitting in the Nissan line-up between the Sentra and Maxima, the Altima began as a compact, but is now a mid-size that is as luxurious, quiet and upscale as many full-size flagships. The name Altima was first employed as a trim line of the Nissan Laurel mid-size sedan sold in the Caribbean before 1992. In 1993, when Nissan ended its Stanza line, the U.S.-made . . . read more

Celebrating 60 years as an off-road innovator, Land Rover has created a vehicle that will accept any terrain challenge and fulfill the driver’s need for adventure, while being adorned with all the luxury, electronic advancements and power worthy of an upscale vehicle. Those attributes embody the 2008 Range Rover Sport HSE, and if automotive enthusiasts believe that $4/gallon fuel is sounding a death knell for the SUV, consider recent sales result . . . read more

The Ford Focus 2-door Coupe SES first introduced in 1998, has gained a slow, steady following, and its time might have come now, given the fuel and economic climate in America as well as the buying trends of its target market. Built in Wayne, Michigan, the Focus is the hottest-selling vehicle in the Blue Oval arsenal, with sales rising by 44 percent in May and continuing at the same clip in June. The current market has turned Ford purchases ba . . . read more

Jeep, arguably the first and oldest sports utility vehicle has become almost a generic term for any vehicle with the shape, style and function of a sports-ute. In fact, the term “jeeping” is a currently used verb employed to describe off-roading or driving an SUV in particularly tough conditions or environs. But there really is only one proper use for the word “Jeep,” and that is as it pertains to any of the vehicles manufactured by the Jeep b . . . read more

Billed as “The driver’s SUV,” Acura’ s flagship sports-ute, the MDX, blends functionality, technology and luxury in a package that is fun behind the wheel. While driving the 2008 MDX for a week of testing, I heard more than a dozen positive comments about the car’s design, look and abilities and not a single negative retort, and I found that the crossover is a vehicle that begs to be driven. Acura, Honda’s high-tech, luxury division, has s . . . read more

I was questioned recently by an automotive enthusiast who wanted my opinion on those smaller car manufacturers who don’t have the illustrious and storied pasts of the major carmakers. These lesser-known manufacturers typically build lower-cost vehicles and have reputations for creating low-frills cars with suspect quality and lots of plastic. I gave the questioner my honest impression, after test driving hundreds of cars over the past four yea . . . read more

When Mazda came out with its first rotary engine vehicle in 1967, the buzz was that the Wankel engine would revolutionize the auto industry. With fewer moving parts, better gas mileage, fewer contaminants dispersed and smooth power delivery from a compact, lightweight engine, the 4-stroke power plant first used by Mazda in its Cosmo Sport (known as the 110S overseas) was the innovation car-buyers were looking for. Mazda used the hype to propel it . . . read more

Noted conservationist Paul McCartney, the former Beatle, was in the news recently for having his 2008 Lexus LS 600h Hybrid shipped to him by cargo plane rather than by ocean vessel. Environmentalists complained that he offset any ecological gains he would have made with the car, by using an airplane. Shipping aside, if this vehicle is good enough for a billionaire conservationist, it certainly is worthy of a strong look by the rest of us. The . . . read more

As an influx of English cars parade through Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for the British-themed Import-Kit/Replicar show at the Fairgrounds, one car stood out from the rest, an ultra-luxury vehicle that carries the winged-B badge of James Bond’s first car. Most 007 fans believe that the Bond car is an Aston-Martin, but before James Bond drove an Aston-Martin (in Ian Fleming’s books), he drove a Bentley. In fact (actually, in Fleming’s fiction), the . . . read more

Almost everything on the asphalt today is marketed as a crossover, but when you look at the 2008 Suzuki SX4, you see a vehicle that seems to exemplify the genre. Is it an SUV? Is it a crossover? Is it a small hatchback? The answer is “yes.” The SX4 is all of those things and it is priced to sell. Assembled in Kosai, Japan, the SX4 is arguably the most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle in America, as it is stickered under $17,000. When . . . read more

Nitro is an explosive (nitroglycerin). It is also a rollercoaster at Six Flags, New Jersey that is 230 feet high, 5394 feet long and travels at 80mph …diving 215 feet. It is billed as “the most explosive coaster on the planet.” So when Dodge chose to name its first mid-size SUV Nitro in 2007, it had to present a bold, aggressive, hearty vehicle with explosive performance to match. Well, its features are certainly attractive enough to succ . . . read more

People who are serious about their trucks and who see these vehicles as necessarily functional for work, but who also want to use them for play and for refined, upscale activities, are looking toward the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ Crew Cab. A full-size ¾-ton body-on-frame truck, the Silverado 2500 was created as a blend of power needed in a work truck with the ability to pull and carry cargo, the muscle and stability to take on off-road . . . read more

"SAAB," is an acronym for "Svenska Aeroplan AktieBolaget," which is Swedish for "Swedish Aircraft Company”. Established in 1937 – with roots hearkening back to 1911 with the merger of Swedish automobile company Scania and railroad car and automobile maker Vabis – Saab has endured several mergers and re-organizations, and in the 1940s, the company produced the Svenska B-17 dive bomber. In 1947, Saab Automobile began producing automobiles and gaine . . . read more

Some SUVs and crossovers are car based and others are truck based. Often it is difficult to tell which are which. You have no such problem when seeing or driving the Acadia. Oh, and it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Take one look, or drive it around the block once and you’ll know --truck. While it is not a traditional body-on-frame truck, GMC, the General Motors division that has spent the last century building its reputation as a truck-building gian . . . read more

Cerberus, the new corporate owner of Chrysler has indicated that it is considering cutting costs by re-branding some of its badges. If that comes to pass, loyal Dodge owners might have to reconcile driving Chrysler musclecars with the winged medallion replacing the stalwart Ram insignia. A Chrysler Viper or Chrysler Charger might be seen on the streets in years to come, but for now, Dodge is still home to some of the most iconic and exciting v . . . read more

Spring is here and that means it’s time to get out your convertible roadster, take the top down and drive like the wind, with fresh air flowing through your hair and in and around the topless cabin. If you don’t already own a convertible, it’s time to check a few out. For my first press fleet car of the spring, I was fortunate enough to test drive the 2008 Honda S2000 CR in sunshine and 60-degree temperatures throughout central Pennsylvania an . . . read more

Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, was the winged messenger, known for his speed. In the 1930s, Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, sought to increase the “Blue Oval’s” commerce by adding a brand in between the average-man’s car, The Ford Deluxe, and the luxury car of the rich-and-famous, the Lincoln Zephyr. Designers came up with a new division, called Mercury, and its first vehicle, a distinctively styled and innovative car called the Mercury Ei . . . read more

Saturn has developed a car that is built in Antwerp, Belgium and brought to market in America to replace the Ion as the GM Division’s smallest compact – the Astra. It is an international vehicle – a Euro-car filled with safety features and sportiness with econo-car performance. Marketed in the United States and Canada as the Saturn Astra, and available in three- and five-door hatchback versions, the car is sold in Europe, the Republic of Irela . . . read more

If you are old-school, “Pathfinder” to you, is a novel by James Fenimore Cooper that is set in the Great Lakes of the 1750s and traces the adventures of the Leatherstocking Deerslayer, Natty Bumppo, a woodsman and champion of Native Americans. If you are rocket-age and more likely to look skyward than in the pages of a book, then Pathfinder to you, relates to the Mars Pathfinder, launched December 4, 1966. It was equipped with an alpha proton . . . read more

The Chevrolet Malibu, named for the trendy, Southern California beach community of the stars and beautiful people, began life as a mid-range Chevelle in 1964. By 1978, Malibu, which had become an FWD car, replaced Chevelle in the Chevy line-up, and in the years since, has had many incarnations as a vinyl-topped two-tone sedan, station wagon, coupe and muscle car. Now in its sixth generation, the front-drive Malibu, built on a platform it share . . . read more

What is American and green-friendly, designed in Korea, styled in Europe and assembled in Mexico? It is the 2008 Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid, an SUV without a sports-ute appetite or sticker price. Considered a compact cross-over SUV, the Vue is part of Saturn’s line-up that shares styling cues with several of parent-GM’s European children. The Vue is Saturn’s top-selling vehicle in America and is similar in appearance to GM’s international Ant . . . read more

There’s something about the Jaguar that still makes the heart pound with excitement. From its early years as the Swallow, in the 1920s, to its days of domination on the tracks of Europe as a Jaguar in the 1950s, through its highway presence today, as a division of Ford Motor Company (which acquired the Coventry-based motorcar maker in 1989), the Jaguar has embodied the sleek powerful feline after which it is named. I test drove the 2008 Jaguar . . . read more

At Hummer, the division of GM devoted to refining and marketing the rugged civilian truck that was inspired by the military HumVee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), they continue to make the right moves. Creating an icon that is second only to Corvette in GM’s toy and accessory sales, the latest Hummer incarnation, the H3 Alpha, continues the line of vehicles that are made more user-friendly with each generation. The original HumVe . . . read more

No one can say that Ford doesn’t learn from its mistakes. When it canceled production on a once-popular nameplate and found that its successor didn’t fare much better in terms of sales, Ford also discovered that name recognition for the former badge still ranked high. So the Blue Oval reversed course and brought back the nostalgic name, benching the newer nameplate, and then improving the car in an effort to rejuvenate the line. The nameplates . . . read more

Toyota, the world leader in sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles, will build its first plug-in hybrid by 2010. That puts Toyota head-to-head with General Motors in the plug-in arena, as GM has plans to sell its own plug-in, the Volt, in 2010. To hit that deadline, Toyota is developing a fleet of plug-in hybrids that run on lithium-ion batteries, instead of the nickel-metal hydride batteries that currently power Toyota’s Prius and other models . . . read more

The old adage from the 1950s, “…homerun hitters drive Cadillacs,” embodied America’s opinion of the Caddy in the mid-1900s. It was the epitome of American luxury, high-tech quality and gadgetry. It was a status symbol. Elvis Presley had one and gave some away as gifts. Sugar Ray Robinson drove one. So did Ike (that’s President Eisenhower, not Ike Turner). By the 1980s, Cadillac had fallen out of favor with some of its audience and its quality . . . read more

While the mid-size sports utility vehicle market may not be on the meteoric upswing that it enjoyed in the 1990s, it is still a solid automotive market in the late-oughts despite rising fuel costs and environmental concerns. Among car-based mid-size sports-utes, the Toyota Highlander, first launched in 2001, and fresh off a complete re-design, is the more family-friendly of Toyota’s three SUVs in the category, balancing the niche with the rug . . . read more

For years, many car enthusiasts mused that Volvo must be the Scandinavian word for “boxy,” though just as many Volvo supporters would opt for a definition of “unbreakable.” Volvo, which began building cars in 1927, is actually Latin for "I roll.” The “unbreakable” reputation still holds, as Volvo continues to produce solid, reliable transportation, but the rip for manufacturing boxy cars no longer holds true, as imagination, inspiration and . . . read more

Scion is the vanguard-thinking, hip-marketing branch of Toyota that produces cars for the young. As a brand, Scion’s demographics are heavily into the 30-somethings, and many vehicles purchased by 50-plus buyers are really being bought for their teen-aged kids. The Scion age profile shows that 42 percent of their sales are to the 36-55 group and 38 percent are bought by the 16-35 demographic. An average age of around 30 puts the marque well unde . . . read more