The 2012 New York International Auto Show will provide the first glimpse of the new exterior styling direction of the updated 2013 Honda Crosstour, set to go on sale this fall.

First launched in 2009, and now available with both V-6 and four-cylinder engines, the Crosstour remains one of the most versatile choices in the midsize crossover segment, earning the distinction of J.D. Power and Associates’ “Highest Ranked Midsize Crossover/SUV in Initial Quality” in their 2011 Initial Quality Study.

Like many coffee shops, the RPM Café in Bremerton offers various conveniences in addition to espresso — from comfy seating and wireless Internet access, to quick breakfast and lunch fare. Customers can claim a chair and hang out for a few hours, or they can grab coffee and food on the run.

What makes RPM Café different is its unlikely location. read more »

The Hyundai Accent was redesigned for 2012. It has more power, a new look, a 2.8-inch longer wheelbase, a new four-door hatchback body style (the two-door hatchback was dropped), and it costs more, but it’s still a tremendous value. The Accent is tight and well built. It doesn’t come across as a cheap car, although close inspection will reveal cost saving measures. read more »

No one can accuse Nissan of building another copycat compact SUV when it comes to the unique 2012 Juke. Nissan has one of the most extensive SUV lineups in the industry, so maybe the Juke was an attempt to fill every possible niche.

The Juke is a compact crossover SUV that leans more toward the fun, sporty side than the boring, practical side of the SUV spectrum. read more »

The 2012 Acura TSX is the brand’s entry-level car. It’s a viable contender in the compact sport/luxury sedan class. TSX prices have an $8,000 spread between the least and most expensive trim packages. We drove the top model Tech V-6, which was a fine car although not as great a value as the four-cylinder models. read more »

Anyone want to buy a condo in Las Vegas? It comes with a Hummer and an Excursion in the garage. The current state of big SUVs mirrors real estate investments in parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean buyers have forsaken sport utilities. Like the real estate market it’s more a matter of need, regrouping and downsizing. read more »

I’ve been writing the car reviews that appear here in the Business Journal as well as a number of city and lifestyle-type magazines around the country for almost 20 years now.

Although I’m sure I’ll have lots of brand-loyalty disagreements, here’s the answers to my most frequently asked car questions based on cars I’ve either personally test-driven during the 2011-2012 model year, or am familiar with. Please note I haven’t driven nearly everything on the market, and these are in no particular order and grouped kind of — but not exactly — by price. read more »

Liberty Bay Auto Center has undergone many small changes and corrections over the years, yet its integrity remains steadfast and true. Back in 1989 Sandy and Dean Church said that we would “take care of our customers and they will take care of us.” This same culture is alive and well at Liberty Bay Auto Center today. Dean Church has purchased his dad’s remaining interest in the company and will continue to foster the same values as they had in the beginning with unwavering dedication to his employees and valued customers. read more »

Volvo has always had an excellent grasp of what western Washington residents really need in a crossover SUV. That may not be exactly what people think they need, but short of an imposing, macho image the Volvo XC models suit our environment and everyday driving needs. The 2011 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design is our idea of the best Volvo XC so far. read more »