Category: compact cars

  • 2016 Honda Civic Coupe – Drive & Review

     Honda’s Civic is all new for 2016 and was named the North American Car of the Year. I recently test drove the Civic 2-door coupe with the 174 HP turbo engine. Coupes offer a sense or personal style and expression. The Civic’s crisp exterior design and revamped interior cabin adds some style of its own.…

  • 2016 Ford Focus – Drive and Review

    Hot and spicy or sweet and mild, that’s the 2016 Ford Focus. Hatchback or sedan, high fuel economy or high horsepower and even an EV version. Ford has done a nice job in offering lots of variety in just one very practical compact car. Check out my thoughts on the 2016 Ford Focus right here.…

  • 2016 Nissan Sentra – Drive Report

    The Sentra has been around for about 30 years. Now for 2016 the 7th-generation Sentra has been freshened on the outside and inside. New driver-assistance safety technology is also offered. Forward collision warning with emergency braking and intelligent cruise control are well worth the investment. The Sentra is a high-value, good looking compact sedan that…

  • 2016 MINI Cooper Clubman – Drive Report

    It’s bigger and better, but not really that big. With two engine choices and yes even the chance to get a “stick shift” transmission, the new Clubman makes for a very “right-size” city car. It seats five and has a roomy rear cargo area. Its go kart-like handling makes for a lot of fun-to-drive. Read…

  • In the News: January sales, Scion, Tesla, self-drivng cars, air bag recalls, motorsports and more.

      While you welcomed February and got psyched up for the Super Bowl lots of things were going on in the auto world. Catch up with just one click right here. @1ChicagoCarGuy

  • 2016 #Honda Civic- the North American Car of the Year

     The 2016 Honda Civic, now in its 10th iteration, is all-new from the ground up. It’ll do well as a car for your commute into the city or perhaps you’re a reverse commuter and drive out of the city each day. It’s the new benchmark in the compact segment and offers driver-assistive technology that will…

  • 2016 #Fiat 500 Abarth

    Small but wicked. The Fiat 5oo Abarth is the pocket-rocket version of the iconic Cinquecento. It’s lots of fun to drive, handles like a go-kart, and is great for zipping around busy urban neighborhoods. The cabin is fairly decent size for two as long as you are not an NFL linebacker. Open the large rear…

  • 2016 #Volkswagen e-Golf; Review by Henny Hemmes

    My Netherlands-based colleague Henny Hemmes was in Los Angeles for the recent media previews at the LA Auto Show and had the opportunity to take a quick spin in VW’s new e-Golf. Click here to read what she had to say on this all-electric entry from VW. @1ChicagoCarGuy

  • 2015 Audi A3 TDI – thoughts and views

    My Michigan colleague Thom Cannell shares his views and opinion on the new Audi A3 sedan and its TDI diesel engine. Also check out his thoughts on the recent diesel scandal that has embraced the VW Group and its various brands that use the same engine. Just click here and have quick read. @1ChicagoCarGuy  

  • Two new vehicles from #Toyota – 2016 Prius and 2016 RAV4

     Toyota recently held media introductions and driving programs in Southern California  for two of its new vehicles, the Prius and the RAV4. Two of my colleagues were on hand for these and I want to bring you their first-hand reports. You can read about the new Prius from my Netherlands-based colleague Henny Hemmes who had…