CAR REVIEWS
by car review editor on May 21, 2013
THE 2013 NISSAN QUEST REVIEW
Full Review by Andy: How to Be Cool
Just seven years ago, you were cool. Friday nights brimmed – overflowed, really – with late nights, tall drinks, and loud music at the downtown speakeasy. Your skinny jeans fit perfectly because every morning at 9:00 a.m. found you sweating on the treadmill. You even owned a pair of genuine Oakley Holbrook shades.
Then came Junior. And his sister. And her sister. And the dog. And 15 pounds. And the Nissan Quest: your last-ditch effort to convince yourself that you – family, pets, and waistline notwithstanding – are still cool.
Now, go strap in that booster seat like a boss. → Read More
by car review editor on May 20, 2013
THE 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 REVIEW
Full Review by Andy: Grand Touring Tradition
The SLK is a compact convertible roadster designed to be sporty, lightweight, and compact. It is the cheapest roadster made by Mercedes, and like most niche products, is more publicity stunt than sales product. Less than 5,000 SLKs were sold last year, and it was a good year by most any reasonable standard.
What separates an SLK350 roadster from, say, a Pontiac Solstice? Whereas the Solstice was a conventional soft-top and is currently on the wrong side of a coffin, the SLK350 is very much alive and sports a power-retractable hard-top roof. The advantages of a hard-top roof are legion: reduced wind and road noise, improved → Read More
by car review editor on May 19, 2013
THE 2013 VOLSKWAGEN JETTA HYBRID SEDAN REVIEW
Summary Review by Tess: Well-Rounded Performance for the Modern Road
A new entry in the Volkswagen lineup for 2013, the Jetta Hybrid sedan seats five in comfort and delivers a mix of exceptional fuel economy and superior performance. Its turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine provides the motivating power to take drivers from Point A to Point B quickly and quietly. The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is available in four trim levels and offers an attractive array of standard features; however, its steep price tag may deter some budget-minded buyers. → Read More
by car review editor on May 18, 2013
THE 2013 INFINITI QX56 REVIEW
Full Review by Andy: It’s All About Perspective
To describe the Infiniti QX56 simply, it is a full-size luxury SUV with commendable performance and a treasure trove of standard and optional features to fit any buyer in the segment. Describing the QX56 in more detail puts the QX56 in a whole new light, and a case can easily be made for or against the Infiniti QX56. Considering that it has few competitors, however, it may be best to weigh comments more heavily in its favor.
Actually, the SUV is exceptional in terms of performance. The standard powertrain is a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 connected to a → Read More
by car review editor on May 17, 2013
THE 2013 SUBARU TRIBECA REVIEW
Full Review by Andy: Lessons Learned
Why, I wonder, have I been assigned to write about the 2013 Subaru Tribeca?
The ostensible purpose of a car review is to provide customers with relevant information, pertinent opinions, and the occasional dose of silliness. Opinion and silliness I have in spades; information I can tolerate. What I lack are customers.
In 2012, Subaru sold 2,075 Tribecas, which makes the Tribeca a horrendous flop. Maserati sold more vehicles → Read More
The redesigned BMW 5 Series starts at $50,425, a $1,700 price bump from the previous model year. Arriving in dealerships this August, the 2014 BMW 5 Series receives an enhanced exterior, more technology, and a few changes under the bay.
Kia, a brand traditionally known for its economy cars, is taking a bold step by confirming the launch of a new luxury model in the U.S. Looking to secure a spot in the competitive premium car marketplace, Kia will introduce the Quoris luxury sedan in the U.S. next year.
Chrysler reached a milestone last week when a special Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition model rolled off the assembly line in Toledo, Ohio. The black JK brought the number of Wranglers produced to a cool million. The Wrangler JK was designed as a recreational vehicle after the World War II all-terrain military vehicle first built in 1941 and, like all Jeeps, is known for its off-road capabilities.
Tesla’s stock value has doubled in the past month to more than $90 a share. The company, which rapidly evolved from an EV startup to a well-recognized profitable company, is now valued at $10.6 billion. This valuation puts it at a higher than established Italian automaker Fiat, which is worth less than $8 billion.