Test Drive: 2015 Nissan Murano SL AWD
This week, we’re driving the 2015 Nissan Murano, featuring a new exterior design, way more interior room and the trusty mechanicals that have made it one of Nissan’s most popular vehicles.
Autos
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015
More bus discussion 1
An email from a city bus driver informed me that people in automobiles display some crazy behavior around busses. At the time, he did not specify those antics, but his topic encouraged me to speculate about some of those behaviors in last week’s column. Now,…
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2015
New Honda HR-V brings family virtues to micro-crossover segment
The pint-sized, four-passenger HR-V packages traditional Honda virtues -- rock-solid body structure; firm-but-compliant ride; quiet, comfortable cabin — into a small, efficient footprint.
Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Crosstrek
This week, we’re behind the wheel of the 2015 Subaru Crosstrek, one of the newer all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles that have helped make Subaru a household name. Introduced in 2013 and built to compete with the overabundance of small crossover utility vehicles that are popping up everywhere, XV Crosstrek is actually an alteration of the popular Imprez
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015
Collector Car Corner: One of a kind Granatelli owned ‘Avanti Cadillac’ resurfaces 1
I recently purchased a 1964 Avanti with a 429 V8 Cadillac engine. The exterior color is gold and it has gold Recaro seats. I am led to believe it was owned by Joe Granatelli and am in the process of restoring the car.
Driving with busses
An email from a city bus driver indicated that drivers do “stupid stuff” around busses. G.F. claimed he will compile some of those episodes and eventually forward them to me. He hasn’t sent them yet, but in the meantime, I can speculate on a few.…
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2015
2016 Acura MDX sheds weight, adds tech to remain a premium pick among luxury crossovers
I don’t know about you, but I’d love to drop a few pounds and gain three new gears. I’m pretty sure I’d be nimbler and feel more energetic. I’d be quicker and more efficient. I’d be just as comfortable and no less luxurious. And so...
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
Test Drive: 2016 Honda HR-V AWD
There’s a new kid in town in the compact Crossover class, namely the 2016 Honda HR-V. Built smack in the middle of siblings sub-compact Fit and ultra-popular CR-V, this new effort from Honda is sure to be a crowd leaser, especially considering its attractive entry price of just $19,995.
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015
Collector Car Corner: First American 'compact cars'
"When do you feel the first true compact car appeared in America, either foreign or domestic? I say Rambler gets the credit for doing so as they were into compact cars back in the early '50s."
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
More traffic, better drivers
During my drive to California in May, contrasts to our northwest driving experiences became evident. Approaching Los Angeles, I experienced the biggest difference: multiple freeways with multiple lanes. There’s a theory that more lanes allow improved traffic flow — a concept that may have been…
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015
2015 Kia Sedona focuses on value, quality and versatility
We were badly outnumbered as we piloted our Kia Sedona deep into Southern Utah’s red-rocked vacationland.
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015
2015 Genesis: Hyundai’s luxury player
A few things we know about Hyundai: it’s relentless, it dreams big and it does things in whole measure.
Our crazy obsession 1
I’ve often quoted an old friend, W.W., who said, “People are funny, aren’t we?” By that philosophy, he included himself in the peculiarity of human behavior. Regarding motor vehicles, his sentiment is certainly evident. Judging by America’s network of pavement alone, our vehicle obsession is…
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015
Test Drive: 2015 Acura TLX
Following a continuing theme this year is yet another test drive of an all new vehicle, notably the 2015 Acura TLX sedan.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015
Collector Car Corner: ‘Unusual’ American Motors engine?
I was at a car show recently and spied a group of people peering into the open hood of a 1965 Rambler American, so I thought I would check it out.
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015
V2V making news again
Vehicle-to-vehicle communications, widely known as V2V, is regaining attention in the auto industry. Transponder systems that allow vehicles to signal their locations to one another show much promise for collision avoidance. And as certain entrepreneurs are proposing, such systems could provide further safety and convenience…
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015
RDX: Acura's near-luxury compact crossover grows more enticing
If you now and again work your way this far into the Saturday S-R, you may be aware we’re deep into AcuraLand. We’ve recently driven the midsize TLX and compact ILX sedans. Today, we test the smaller of Acura’s best-selling crossovers, the RDX, and in…
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
U-Turn addendum
This weekly column is about dispelling knowledge, and sometimes the recipient of that education is me. My May 23rd column explored allowable U-turns in Washington and Idaho. In summary, such turns are legal given certain prerequisites, such as no vehicles coming in either direction within…
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
Acura ILX: Acura’s near-luxury compact charts new course for 2016
The near-luxury ILX has grown more refined in each of its first four years, but this year’s updates are the most significant by far.
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
A touchy coexistance
I’ve often noted the strained relationship that motor vehicles and bicycles seem to experience and demonstrate on our roadways. I’ve also written that I have little hope for a harmonious coexistence between the two. My skepticism rises from several factors, but I’m essentially hopeless for…
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015
Test Drive: BMW 228i
This week, we’re driving BMW's all new 228i xDrive, the latter the nomenclature for AWD mechanicals. This all-new 2-Series is going to be a big hit with people of all ages as it delivers true BMW-bred road manners and is within economical reach of many of today’s consumers.
Acura TLX: Split-personality sedan is big win for Acura
Last year, Acura replaced its two smallest sedans with one, the all-new 2015 TLX The base, four-cylinder TLX 2.4L ($32,365, including transportation) effectively replaced the compact TSX; the six-cylinder 3.5L ($36,240) took over for the midsize TL. In October, I tested a loaded 3.5L AWD....
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015
More from a MOPAR enthusiast
I just read your article responding to the lady with the ’56 Plymouth. I had a four-door ‘56 Belvedere in the 1960’s with the flathead six cylinder and three-speed column shift manual transmission. I loved that car!
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015
Allowed when "safe"
In Washington, certain driving maneuvers are allowed when drivers deem them to be “safe.” That may seem vague, but the rules of the road governing certain procedures leave their legality up to individual driver judgment. There are two examples within the same email from reader…
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015
Hyundai Santa Fe: System tweaks enhance three-row crossover’s appeal 1
Hyundai’s pitch for the 2015 Santa Fe is mercifully succinct.
The latest news, reviews and commentary about cars, trucks, and more, automotive technology and car culture