GMC Acadia Denali - Goes Upscale

Much of the big news around SUVs will be focused on the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer, but the popular GMC Acadia takes a step out and up with the Denali edition.

GMC Sierra Denali 2500 Crew Cab

Its up-level accommodations, stump-pulling power and over-all quality notwithstanding, reviewing the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup -- or any full-size pickup for that matter -- is a writing assignment undertaken with a degree of dread. As with its traditional competitors, purchasing the Sierra 2500HD requires sifting through a myriad of choices. Offered in multiple configurations, it is available with two V8s, three cab types, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and up to four trim levels. 

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - Ford's nasty snake

Snakes are just nasty. My mother would be the first to tell you. They slither, shed, hiss, rattle, suffocate, and sometimes bite. Mostly, they just do their own thing, wishing to live in peace. Despite every warning, somebody always has to walk up and poke venom with a stick. Do that to the Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 and you’ll get a nasty surprise.

Ford C-MAX - 2012 model is Very Clever

With the exception of the Mazda5, Americans have not warmed to mini-mini vans. The Mitsubishi Expo, Nissan Axxess, and first-generation Honda Odyssey were dismal failures. But, times change, and a new generation comes along with different needs. Ford’s C-MAX is a very clever answer to questions you may not have thought to ask.

Fiat 500C - something new for the American market

“The new Fiat 500 changes the rules of personal transportation and delivers a new sense of individual expression and opportunity.” — Laura Soave

Fiat 500
– OVERVIEW Los Angeles - Beautiful Italian styling combined with timeless functionality, efficient design and innovative technology – these are the attributes that made the original Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) a timeless icon. More than 50 years later, the same qualities make the new 2012 Fiat 500 relevant for an entirely new generation of drivers.

Fiat 500 - New Italian arrival for 2012

The Italians are coming back to America – the 2012 Fiat 500 is here
It can’t be much “newer” than this one – the Fiat 500 which will be a 2012 model and not available until next year. It was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week and I was lucky enough to have a front row seat during the press conference. During the two day media frenzy, this press conference and unveiling probably received the most attention of all the events.

Dodge Challenger - Dodge meets challengers SRT8-away

Dodge’s road with the Challenger was never going to be an easy one. Even in the good old days, the car was over-shadowed by its arch rivals, the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro. As the latest generation was prepared for market, Ford launched a brand-new retroish Mustang and Camaro rolled out a future-tech concept with all the right style. In comparison, the Challenger looked cool, but stood in the shadows. Now that I think about it, that’s really unfair.

Dodge Grand Caravan Crew

Recently, I had a new Dodge Grand Caravan for a week-long test drive. Yes, I know it is a minivan, but with so many manufacturers re-introducing them, it certainly appears they are making a come-back.  The Dodge Grand Caravan has always been very family-friendly. Many have considered the Dodge Caravan as a main-stay of the vehicle line-up. It has been steady and reliable for many years. However, with the big and bulky SUV's that permeated the industry these past few years, up-and-coming males turned up their noses at the minivan. Now, more moms are convincing their husbands of the advantages and flexibility of the family minivan.

Chrysler 300 - Refined in 2011

How do you change the car that changed everything for Chrysler? When the 300 debuted in 2004 as a 2005 model, it couldn’t have been more different than the cab-forward designs that had been staples of Chrysler for over a decade. From the company that pushed windshields out to the front wheels and arched rooflines to extremes came a muscle sedan that looked like a modern Bentley, riding on a Mercedes-based chassis. It changed everything. Updated and refined for 2011, the Chrysler 300 readies itself for the coming decade.

Chrysler 200 - something new for 2011

It is a fun little car to test drive – an all-new Chrysler 200, but is it a good buy? That is the question. Well, maybe. The Chrysler 200 is not quite all that “new.” It is definitely a redesigned and re-named Sebring. Sebring was just not getting any attention except from car rental companies. It was acceptable to drive, but not much more than that. So the Chrysler engineers have done some major changes. The Sebring, oops – I mean the 200 has not only a new name, but a new interior, a generally new exterior, better suspension, and more sound deadening materials.

Chevy Volt - receives its official EPA sticker – 93 mpg equivalent

The scene was the Texas Hill Country north of Austin and the driving took place around the Lake Travis area. It was the first extended media driving experience in the south central area of the US for the new Chevy electric VOLT. Shortly before the media “ride & drive”, Volt received its official EPA sticker proclaiming 93 mpg.

Chevrolet Cruze - Cruizin' for a Chevy

 Chevrolet struggled to offer a competitive small car since Americans realized there was such a thing. The Corvair was a fine little ride that Ralph Nader saw otherwise. The Vega was a complete piece and so was the Citation. Cavaliers eventually became quite good and the Cobalt was also a decent car, but neither made much of a dent in Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla sales. By next year, there will be an all-new Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Ford Focus to contend with. The all-new 2011 Chevy Cruze must be better than good

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe - eats asphalt for giggles

Cadillac once represented the unquestioned standard of the world among automakers. High fins, big V8 power, and a level of panache desired by kings made Cadillac the hottest thing in rubber loafers. Those cars caused people to stand back, wide-mouthed, as the behemoths of glitz and power glided by. For a few decades, Cadillac was railed by Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus. One drive in the 2011 CTS-V Coupe and you know Cadillac has come to reclaim the standard.

Cadillac ULC - Urban luxury concept

Cadillac is well on its way to becoming the Standard of the World once again. The Escalade is the gold standard among luxury SUVs, the CTS-V is nearly as fast as a Corvette ZR-1, and the SRX has carved a place in the mid-size crossover segment. A new compact, the ATS, is just over the horizon as are the XTS full-size sedan and finally a flagship luxury sedan on par with the Mercedes S-Class. Success is not keeping the brand from looking to different markets and drivers, especially given impending fuel economy standards. Take a look at the Urban Luxury Concept from the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Buick Regal CXL - GM's cross pond collaboration

The new Buick Regal is a good-looking vehicle. You comment, “I thought the Regal went away from the Buick lineup about 5 or 6 years ago.” You are correct, but General Motors has brought the nameplate back. Actually, this car is not new because it is sold in Europe as an Opel and in Great Britain as a Vauxhall Insignia. It is simply being brought to North America as a sporty family sedan. Why didn’t GM simply call it a Buick Insignia?

Buick Regal - a growth hormone for an iconic brand on the rebound

It’s an improbable story. Stuck in the mud, Buick looked like a sure candidate to be eliminated by a struggling General Motors a couple years back. Sales in 2009 had slumped to just over 100,000 units and the average age of Buick buyers had risen to nearly 70. Those numbers should have spelled the end of the line for the venerable brand; but instead, Pontiac got the ax and Saturn was put on the trading block and eventually died when no suitable buyer stepped forward.

BMW 550i - high speed perfection, almost.

You'll hear a lot of superlatives when reading write-ups of the BMW 5-Series. It seems like it's always been that way. This big, confident sports sedan is all-new for 2010, and like its predecessors, BMW has hit upon just the right combination of agility, power and responsiveness to push the buttons of driving enthusiasts worldwide.

BMW 7 Series - The flagship BMW

The 7 series is well and truly the flagship of the BMW marque. This large sedan is offered in many iterations ranging from the “base” 740i with a starting MSRP of only $77,000 to the 760Li V12 road eater whose beginning price is $137K! Hybrid and all-wheel drive versions are also available.

BMW 1 Series M Coupe

With anticipation of enthusiasts around the world at fever pitch, today BMW M GmbH unveiled the newest member of its intimate product family. For the first time, the coveted M badge has been granted to the popular BMW 1 Series in the form of the all-new BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The M badge was imparted after a two-year development process through which BMW M engineers and test drivers achieved the exceptional power delivery and the signature, near-perfect driving behavior of a BMW M car.

BMW

Acura ZDX

Here’s a recipe: take an Acura MDX and sift in some BMW X6 and a touch of Acura TSX and mix well. When the batter rises, carve a bit more than five inches off the top and remove the third-row seats, but keep the spices in the middle and the rubber on the road.

Acura RDX - high tech and satisfying

Some station wagons seem to be the best of both worlds – room for five and cargo, yet still fun to drive like the Cadillac CTS wagon, BMW’s 325xi, Audi’s A3 Avant, Volvo’s V50 and Mercedes-Benz’s E350.
But station wagons aren’t a big thing for some now that crossovers have hit the scene, although some drive like an SUV. That’s where Acura made a smart move back in 2007 with the compact RDX back in 2007, calling it a "5-passenger entry premium SUV."

ACURA

2010 HUMMER H3

Price Range: $33,390 - $41,705 | MPG: 9 city/18 hwy

What's New for 2010

Like the H2, very few if any H3s were produced in 2010 but for 2009 the Hummer H3 got hill start off assist and Bluetooth connectivity standard. There is also an H3X chrome appearance package for the H3 Alpha. The 2009 model year also saw the introduction of the H3T pickup to go along with the H2T.

2011 Acura ZDX

Price Range: $45,645 - $56,195 | MPG: 16 city/23 hwy

What's New for 2011

The ZDX is Acura's all-new crossover luxury vehicle and blends coupe-like styling and driving dynamics with the versatility of an SUV. Conceived by Acura's first female designer, the sharp ZDX flaunts sweeping curves and dramatic angularity, in addition to an all-glass panoramic roof from that is said to be the longest continuous glass surface in the automotive industry.