Category: new car review

  • 2017 Toyota 86 – A Closer Look

    The Toyota 86 2+2 sport coupe is the reborn Scion FR-S with some styling tweaks on the outside and a few upgrades on the inside. A bit of chassis stiffening and suspension retuning makes this fun sportster very tossable. The 2-liter flat-four will take you to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds which is plenty…

  • 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander – Drive Report

    There’s a lot of players in the SUV market and the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander is one that offers good value for the money. The Outlander was refreshed in 2016 and for 2017 it gets a few more tweaks. With 3-row seating and a versatile cargo area the Outlander might meet your needs both financially and…

  • 2017 Kia Forte sedan – Drive Report

    With a freshened exterior, a new 147 HP 2.0-L engine and the addition of the S trim, the 2017 Kia Forte 4-door is a good choice in the compact sedan market. Value-priced in the $15-20,ooo range and with plenty of available driver-assistance safety features the Forte should not be overlooked for any member of a…

  • 2017 Volvo S90 – Drive Report

    It’s a finalist for the 2017 North American Car of the Year award. The all-new 2017 Volvo S90 luxury sedan is turning lots of heads. With a sophisticated Scandinavian style and a comfortable and roomy interior, the S90 should satisfy the Euro-car need in you. Two engine choices paired with front-wheel or all-wheel drive along…

  • 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor – in the Desert

    It’s the only purpose-built, high-performance off-road truck on the market. The Ford F-150 Raptor is back for 2017. With its all-aluminum body and stronger and stiffer high-strength steel frame, it’s now driven by a 450HP 3.5-L twin turbo V6 that makes more power and torque. A 10-speed automatic is programmed to alway give you the…

  • 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser – Drive Report

      The iconic Toyota Land Cruiser works well both on the road and off. With seating for eight and 8100 lbs. of trailer pulling power the 2017 Land Cruiser is great for touring the wide open spaces. Although the Land Cruiser is a little large for everyday big city use and it’s a bit thirsty…

  • 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco – Drive Report

    The Hyundai Elantra is a roomy, 5-passenger, front-wheel drive compact sedan that has been extensively redesigned for 2017. Added is a new Eco model that sips fuel. The turbo 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that makes for fun yet economic driving. And, prices are in the low $20s. Please give a…

  • 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – First Drive

    The world’s first and only hybrid minivan is here from Chrysler. With seamless and automatic power coming from two electric motors and a 3.6-L V6, the 7-passenger 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid may just eliminate stops at the gas station. Or, at least make them very infrequent. Expected to deliver an 84* MPGe rating , the…

  • 2017 Lexus ES 300h – Driving on “E”

    “E” for electric.  That’s where the Lexus ES 300h gets a good part of its motive force. With a system total of 200 HP, the combination of a 2.5-L gasoline engine and a high output electric motor moves this hybrid-powered entry-luxury 5-passenger sedan nicely down the road. 40 mpg is easy to come by and…

  • 2017 Ford Escape – First Drive

    Ford has made some changes on its Escape for 2017. Fresh styling up front and at the rear, two new EcoBoost engines, new driver-assistance safety features, more conveniences for the folks in the front seats and a new FordPass app that let’s you talk to your car remotely are among them. I r0ad-tripped in the…