The Ford Focus, a new model in 2012 is largely unchanged for 2013. Which isn’t bad, it just means that a very good car has become just a little bit better. One of the best things about the Focus is it’s flexibility. Available as either a 4-door hatchback or a 4-door sedan the Focus can […]
Consumer Reports versus Ford
Recently Consumer Reports made headlines based on their testing of two new Ford hybrids: the C-MAX and the Fusion. Both hybrids carry EPA mileage stickers claiming the vehicles average 47 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. However, according to Consumer Reports, the Fusion averaged only 39 miles per gallon, the C-MAX 37. […]
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Review
In 2010 Volkswagen took a big gamble. They introduced a new version of the Jetta designed to compete head to head with the Toyota Corolla. The new Jetta has a lower price, a 4-cylinder engine for the least expensive Jetta S, and more standard equipment. However, so far it doesn’t appear the gamble is paying off. While the worldwide sales […]
2013 Prius v Review
The Prius v (the v is for versatility) is in reality a Prius station wagon. New for 2013 the Prius v breaks no new ground, it is simply a taller, wider and longer Prius. And, as you might expect, since it uses the same engine and drivetrain as the Prius, it is a vehicle so […]
Toyota Prius Recall
November 14, 2012 — Toyota has announced two voluntary safety recalls that could affect up to 670,000 Prius hybrids. The vehicles in question were manufactured from 2004 through 2009. So far no accidents or injuries have been reported as having been caused by either of the two issues. The first recall covers the steering intermediate […]
2013 Ford C-MAX Review
The C-MAX is the newest hybrid from Ford. It’s just arriving at dealerships in the US but has been available in Europe, in a non-hybrid form, for the last two years. Built on the Focus chassis the C-MAX is, at heart, a station wagon, in size not unlike a Honda CRV. There are three traits […]
2013 Dodge Dart Review
After a 37 year hiatus the Dodge Dart has returned. The Dart has a long history in America, first sold in 1960 where it had significant success as an inexpensive, reliable family sedan. By 1976, when the last Dart was sold, it had lost its market as it tried to be all things to all […]
Mitsubishi i-MiEV – The Forgotten Electr
While everyone was talking about the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf, the forgotten manufacturer, Mitsubishi, quietly worked on its own electric car, the i-MiEV (the name seems more like one of Einstein’s formulas than the name of a car). While Nissan got a ton of press when the Leaf was released early this year, […]
Top 10 Used Hybrids
If you want to take part in the green revolution but can’t afford a new hybrid there is an alternative that didn’t exist 10 years ago; buy a used one. Now that hybrids have been on the market for just over a decade used ones are starting to show up on some car lots. With […]
2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Preview
2013 Fusion Hybrids are arriving at Ford dealers now. The first generation Fusion hybrid was a decent hybrid but has suffered the last couple of years as competitors brought more advanced hybrids to the market. Now its Ford’s turn to be king of the hybrid hill. At 47 mpg city and 47 mpg highway the […]