How much better can the Chevrolet Corvette get? The current generation Corvette is so spectacular that improvements have to be incremental. The modern Corvette so long ago surpassed domestic performance cars as well as most foreign competitors that there doesn’t seem like much point in going quicker or faster.

Changes for 2010 are very minor. There is the new Grand Sport model. This model reaches back to a historically significant read more »

Cadillac’s original SRX is history, with nothing left but the name. The all-new SRX should be a strong contender in the rapidly crowding, and largest industry segment — the midsize luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. Stiff competition is provided courtesy of the Lexus RX 350, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Volvo XC60 — among others. read more »

In the past few years, Kia has changed my mind in terms of both its quality and dependability. It began when the company introduced its 100,000-mile warranty, but what really turned my attitude around was the full-size Borrego SUV, and then the new Soul. Kia has solidified me with the all-new Forte, which replaced the Spectra.

The Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic rule this market segment, boasting huge sales numbers, long lists of standard features read more »

I think the Ford Motor Company knows something about longevity. Ford started the whole pony car segment before the segment even had a name. The segment was named after the Mustang. Ford has done very well with many other well-known models and series such as the Model T Ford, the Model A, and the F-150. Besides building excellent vehicles, Ford knows how to inspire customer loyalty.

Other pony cars (e.g. the Challenger and the Camaro) are making strong comebacks, but the Mustang never left. read more »

Chrysler designers nailed the Dodge Challenger styling forty years ago and they were smart enough not to mess it up later. Some companies try too hard to throw a new spin on a classic design, but Dodge was very careful. Dodge did such a great job that the 2010 Challenger can be deceiving. From a distance it looks very much like a 1970 Challenger, but the closer you get the more you realize that this is a larger car. Some retro cars are scaled down, but the Challenger is scaled up. The Challenger shares the same platform as the four-door Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.

Walkaround: The new Challenger is surprisingly read more »

Back in the 1970’s, Nissan, then known as Datsun, was first to market in the U.S. with a compact pickup — well before Ford, Chevy, Dodge — or Toyota. That truck has morphed into today’s Frontier.

Nissan seriously upped the ante in 2005, redesigning the Frontier, and capturing the leading edge of this market segment. The Frontier is built on the same rugged F-Alpha platform as the full-size Titan pickup, Armada and Pathfinder SUVs. Naturally, they share a number of significant features including fully boxed all-steel, body-on-frame construction. read more »

The big $4.00/$5.00@ gallon gas scare seems to have subsided in the wake of tougher economic times, but the push to save resources and “drive green” hasn’t. The fact that people aren’t panicking about gas prices makes now an even better time to purchase a hybrid. When crazy second stickers were in force they wiped out much of the financial savings afforded by hybrids. If you buy one now with a more noble green philosophy you’ll still end up saving the folding type of green. read more »

Acuras are wonderful long distance cars. They’re built so well and so comfortable that the miles just melt away. I’ve always felt that Acura cars were based on outstanding engineering. That super solid basis comes through when covering multi-state distances.

The precision engineering shines on boring freeways and even more on secondary roads. The Acura TSX is a nimble sedan read more »