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With the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and others, competition among midsize sedans has always been fierce. But that wasn't a deterrent when Kia launched the all-new Optima in 2010. Since it underwent a major redesign last year, the sleek and attractive ride has stood apart from the crowd.
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Dear Tom and Ray:
Dear Tom and Ray:
Subaru owners love their "Soobies" like Snooki loves big hair and way-too-tight dresses.
An average of 43.5 mpg -- that was during a week's test drive of the 2012 Honda Civic hybrid on city streets and highway. Now, that's pretty impressive. And we didn't have to sacrifice ride quality, safety or comfort in the redesigned gas/electric hybrid.
Dear Tom and Ray:
Second only to Madonna's tour bus, there's probably no better way of transporting seven people in cushy comfort than Nissan's latest Quest minivan.
Dear Tom and Ray:
Automakers like to call 'em hatchbacks. But Mitsubishi, always looking to stand apart from the crowd, calls its five-door sports car the Sportback. And rightly so for a ride that combines the bold Lancer sedan looks with the functionality of a compact SUV.
Dear Tom and Ray:
Dear Tom and Ray:
So when's the last time you hoisted the hood on your car and took a peek at the motor? Would that be the summer of 2009? Or maybe never.
Dear Tom and Ray:
Automakers, do you think you need a hybrid, electric motor or a turbocharger to ensure gas savings? The carmaker with the "Zoom-Zoom" factor says there should be no reason for compromise. To prove its point, Mazda has introduced an all-new, direct-injection Skyactiv technology, which uses a torque boost via a high compression ratio for eking out tremendous fuel economy figures. Available in the 2012 Mazda3, the substantial gain at the pump will be clearly felt in the wallet as $4-gallon fuel becomes the norm for now.
When it comes to success stories, Toyota's gas-sipping, electric-whirring Prius hybrid has been the iPod of the auto biz.
This one's made for the city. Need proof? Take a look under the hood of the 2012 Kia Rio. The 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder engine develops 138 horsepower (up from 110 hp in previous version) at 6300 rpm and 123 pounds-feet of torque at 4850 rpm. Now, that's adequate for dodging rush-hour traffic or hustling along on narrow streets and tight corners.
BMW should start its own reality TV show. Title it "BMW 3 Series - How Do They Do That?" and it could be bigger than M.A.S.H.
Dear Tom and Ray:
Dear Tom and Ray:
Agreed, the Cadillac Escalade is an upscale version of the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. But for folks who like to be pampered, the full-size luxury SUV should fit their needs.
Once in a while a new car comes along that impresses you when you least expect it. I think the technical term is "surprise and delight."
Dear Tom and Ray:
As gas prices creep into the $4 range, the redesigned 2012 Toyota Yaris has become even more appealing than in the past. Admittedly, the three- or five-door lift back won't fulfill the needs of all drivers and their families as far as space is concerned. But if you are looking to eke out more than 30 mpg in city/highway driving, this subcompact is well worth a test drive.
Dear Tom and Ray:
The new, tiny-tot Scion iQ is all about numbers. So let's start counting the ways you might fall in love with this, the world's smallest four-seater.
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