Category: fuel economy

  • 2017 Toyota Prius Prime – Drive Report

    The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid may just be a perfect car for Chicago residents. Well, not only Chicago but for residents of any large, crowded, densely populated city. With a pure-EV battery operation of up to 25 miles, the Prius Prime will easily let you criss-cross a city to run your Saturday errands…

  • 2017 Kia Soul Turbo – Drive Report

    Kia added some punch to its Soul with the addition of a new 201-HP turbocharged engine in the Soul Exclaim (!) model. The boxy, 5-passenger compact hatchback/wagon not only has more go-power but better fuel economy too. A 7-speed dual clutch trans makes for quick shifting and lot of fun. Read more right here with…

  • 2017 Kia Niro – Drive Report

    The Kia Niro is all-new. It’s new to the market having made its global debut at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. The Niro is hybrid-powered and EPA-rated at 50mpg. Looking more like a hatchback than an SUV, the Niro is a pretty-near-perfect urban transporter. In addition to the low fuel consumption it has a compact…

  • 2017 Infiniti QX30 – Drive Report

    The very coupe-like QX30 from Infiniti with its bold styling certainly sets itself apart from other compact crossover SUVs. Priced starting around $30K it’s the entry into the luxury Infiniti brand. It seats five and has a fairly spacious cargo area for its compact size. Whether you are an active lifestyle empty nester couple who…

  • 2017 Honda CR-V – Drive Report

    Honda completely redesigned the CR-V for 2017 making this class-leading compact SUV even better. Restyled and sculpted on the outside, more modern and upscale on the inside, and a new 1.5-L turbo engine pushing you down the road make the 2017 Honda CR-V a must-drive if you are car-shopping. Prices run from around $24K to…

  • 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 – Drive Report

    AMG did its thing with the GLC. Biturbo 3.0-L V6 with 362 HP; enhanced nine-speed automatic; performance 4Matic all-wheel drive; mixed-size tires with 255/45 R 20 on 8 x 20 up front and 285/40 R 20 on 9.5 x 20 in the rear; 21s are optional; 155mph top speed; 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds.…

  • 2017 Jaguar F-PACE 20d – Drive Review

    It was named the 2017 World Car of the Year as well as being the World Car Design of the Year award winner. The F-PACE from Jaguar deserves the titles. It’s quite lovely. Nicely designed on the outside; luxurious on the inside; lots of power– if that’s what you want; and, frugal on fuel with the…

  • 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport – First Drive

     Nissan’s new Rogue Sport hits the U.S. market this month, May. It’s a bit smaller and lighter than its sibling Rogue, has seating for five and decent cargo room. Powered by a 141HP 2.0-L 4-cylinder the Rogue Sport is well suited to city life as well as those periodic weekend getaways. Read my driving impressions…

  • 2017 Volkswagen Passat – Drive Report

    Four doors, five seats, a choice of two engines, priced from $22K to $34K and built in Tennessee. The 2017 VW Passat represents a good choice in a family sedan. The Passat was refreshed for 2016 with new sheetmetal, a revised interior and new connectivity and available driver assistance systems. For 2017, driver assistance, connectivity, and…

  • 2018 Volkswagen Atlas – First Drive

    Volkswagen is moving in to the mid-size SUV marketplace with its all-new 3-row 7-passenger Atlas that will hit VW showrooms in May. It has loads of room, comes with 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder power and can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. Prices start in the low $30s and go up into the high $40s.…