Vehicles & Gear

2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV a Real ‘Stunner’

Prepare to be shocked. Sticker-shocked that is. Are you sitting down? I am about to give you the window sticker price of the new 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV I recently tested. Set your faces to stunned … 88 – and I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout no Benjamins either. 88 grand, 88 large, ochenta y ocho mil, 88 Grover Clevelands. The big Jag we just had wasn’t that much, and it gave massages. Yes, Cadillac’s biggest SUV is sporting quite the pricetag these days, although in its defense this was the Platinum edition. With the launch of Escalade over a decade ago…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Made For Summer Travel

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is the luxury marque’s first foray into the world of hybrid technology. It goes without saying this technology is borrowed directly from the Ford Fusion Hybrid. What does need said is this is a very good package. Since first driving this hybrid powertrain arrangement in the Fusion a couple of years back I knew the engineers at Ford were on to something. Fuel economy figures (41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway) have continued to impress the automaker and consumers alike, especially in the wake of once-again-higher fuel prices. Wrapping the Fusion in Lincoln luxury was…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Chevrolet Cruze a ‘Sound’ Choice

Last summer we got our first drives in the all-new Chevrolet Cruze. Recently we spent a week behind the wheel of a 2LT RS model with the new turbocharged 1.4-liter inline four-banger. (The base engine for American Cruze models is a 1.8-liter producing the same horsepower – 138 – and both are backed by six speed manual or automatic transmissions.) Our tester had the automatic gearbox connected to front drive underpinnings and we found the turbo 1.4 quite satisfactory in rural and urban driving conditions with minimal noise, vibration or harshness transferred to the passenger compartment. Despite being called a…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS: Headbangers’ Paradise

A little over a year ago I had written how impressed I was with the new Chevy Camaro RS and its new V-6 with a six-speed manual gearbox. Fast forward and GM sends a V-8-laden SS model of almost the exact same color scheme and, well, perhaps my expectations were a bit too high for their “beast.” For me, the new Camaro still wins out were I only judging styling. Slip behind the wheel and my concerns quickly repeat those of my auto press brethren: Limited sightlines, funky steering wheel and a mismatched dash panel. First though, let’s explore the…

How to Do It Yourself!, Vehicles & Gear

HDSLR, Part Two: Getting It In Gear

I did not choose the Nikon D7000 for its digital still photography features, no, I solely based my purchase on its HD video capabilities. This morning I ran out to shoot a few shots of a couple of vehicles I am reviewing this week and the D7000 had the lens on it that is my new workhorse, the 16-85 VRII. Wow, what a nice still camera.

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Volkswagen Grand Caravan … or is it the Chrysler Routan?

Oops! … I did it again. I played with your heart. Got lost in the game. As the Brittany Spears song lyrics above suggest, someone “did it again.” Volkswagen. Once again they raise my ire as they deliver a minivan model “imported from Detroit” … literally. I am speaking of the Routan/Grand Caravan. When they first launched Routan a few years back I expressed in words that my opinion of the brand slapping their badge on someone else’s work was not winning any accolades from me. To be fair, this is a very good minivan and ALL the credit goes…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Ford Taurus Ready to Serve and Protect

Every time a certain co-worker logs on to a computer at work I see his wallpaper of a map of a special place called “The Dragon’s Tail.” “Hey, I’ve been there,” I tell him. “What kind of bike were you riding,” he queries. “Bike? We were testing the new Ford Taurus SHO – and it rocked.” Yes, add taming the Dragon’s Tail to the list of things the new Ford Taurus – in SHO trim – can do. It is also the next Police Interceptor sedan package. Will it work as the next workhorse for the men and women in…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Toyota Tundra Up To Snuff

Contrary to the only other Asian full-size pickup, the Toyota Tundra boasts a choice of powertrain configurations including a more powerful V-6. This on top of the truck arriving in two model grades, three cab styles, three wheelbase lengths and three bed lengths. And on top of all that there are still the “special edition” packages that can be had, such as our recent TRD Rock Warrior tester. While the truck was no wimp, truth be told I did not go out and battle any rocks with it. The styling package was very attractive and I did not want to…

Gear Bits, Vehicles & Gear

TrueCar.com’s Top 10 Apps to Help Save Money on Gas

For those of you not fortunate enough to be taking advantage of the latest automotive technology whilst behind the wheel, online sites and blogs are offering their advice on how to squeeze as much value out of a gallon of fuel as possible, be that by recommending to combine trips and map out the shortest route prior to cranking the engine, or by directing you to the lowest price of fuel for that day. And do not forget that hauling around extra weight just adds to decreased fuel economy so get rid of excessive “junk in your trunk” and see…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Fights for Respect

Rodney Dangerfield based an entire stand-up career on it, singer Aretha Franklin had a big hit with it and the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe demands it: Respect. Two things might help them out here. First, get your marketing department to begin plastering every new action film with the car and second, spin a performance division off from the main corporate umbrella and give it a brand name consumers can easily pronounce. Sure, I had read the glossy newsrack reviews pitting the new Korean coupe against the latest Detroit had to offer but did not really take them seriously until I…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart: More Than Just an Evo-Lite

Mitsubishi, specifically Mitsubishi Motors in North America, always seems to be a car company struggling for recognition and respect. Over the past few decades they have been quietly supplying OEM engines and automotive components for many domestic vehicles but without much fanfare. A few years ago, with the help of a popular movie with the 20-something crowd, the automaker began to see brand recognition begin to take off. And thanks to the fast and furious attention they gained through the box office, Mitsubishi began making a new name for themselves.

How to Do It Yourself!, Vehicles & Gear

Long Playing Long Gone an In-Vehicle USB-powered Turntable

I read a story the other day about how automakers have finally axed putting cassette players in new vehicles. Lexus was the final brand to do so and that went away with the announcement of the SC430 being discontinued. As I look around my office area here at home I am reminded of other technology gone the way of the Dodo bird. Nearby sits an old 8-track tape and in the other room is a “stack of wax” as DJs of days gone by described them. LPs. Long-Playing Records. This past Christmas I bought a USB-powered turntable to turn some…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford F-450 Super Duty Lets the Good Times Roll (and Roll and Roll)

Every time I write about pickup (trucks) I mention Texas being the No. 1 market in the world. And every time I write about Ford pickups I mention their market domination (Ford has led in pickup sales for 34 years straight now). And every year about this time, this top market is inundated with television and print advertising announcing some sort of “truck month” promotional campaign. And this year is no different. What is different is that fuel prices are skyrocketing at a record pace and may potentially threaten truck sales even while pickup manufacturers have been working to produce…

News, Vehicles & Gear

CNN and Cadillac Introduce ‘Cadillac Business Unusual’

Innovation can lead to great things. That is the concept behind a new series from CNN and Cadillac called “Cadillac Business Unusual” that debuted Feb. 28. Fearlessly individual.?Unfazed by risk.?Relentlessly Optimistic. Cadillac salutes business visionaries who are using their passion, ingenuity and drive to set new standards of success. Chris Hardwick hosts a road trip across America as he meets entrepreneurs who’ve turned bold dreams into business triumphs. Cadillac Business Unusual uncovers unique stories of entrepreneurial spirit, and the risk and passion that accompanies them. Host Chris Hardwick (Nerdist.com) also writes for Wired Magazine and acts for film and television….

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Nissan Murano: Premium Crafted Crossover

Truth be told, yes, I would much rather be writing about the new Nissan Juke or Leaf but the rep for the automaker only sent me a Murano, a crossover that has been in the Nissan lineup for a few years now. Murano was one of those vehicles that, at first glance, was polarizing – you either loved it or hated it. To be perfectly honest I was not a big fan of the original styling. But Nissan pushed forward and evolved Murano with tweaks and improvements here and there and the latest edition scores significantly higher points with me….

News, Vehicles & Gear

Mark Levinson Helps Lexus Celebrate Launch of CT200h

The automotive audio industry has been a busy and competitive business segment for several decades. What began on the west coast in the 1970s spread to the rest of North America in the ‘80s and from there to the OEM side for automakers around the turn of the millennium. Entering its 10th year with luxury brand Lexus, Harman and Mark Levinson recently celebrated their latest partnership for high-end mobile audio with the release of the new Lexus CT200h hybrid sport wagon.

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Mazda CX-9 Still a Winner

Mazda’s CX-9 is one of the automakers most award-winning vehicles, garnering North American Truck of the Year and the Motor Trend Sport Utility of the Year, amongst others.

News, Vehicles & Gear

Buick Gets eAssist but Chevy Brings the Thunder

The Chicago Auto Show brought powertrain announcements from General Motors anchoring each end of the economical scale. First, Buick. If we as consumers are not already befuddled by all of the “e” and “i” lower case leading letters for proper names in our world today, GM is going to throw another into the mix. eAssist. eAssist will arrive on a pair of 2012 Buick sedans ¬– LaCrosse and Regal – to up the ante in the fuel economy game. This new technology is a sort of “hybrid lite” if you will as the electric-assist motor and battery pack offer much…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 GMC Acadia Denali Brings the Bling

Glitz and glamour are no longer reserved for the Cadillac bunch. Denali packages have been offered on GMC Sierra pickups for years and bring a certain sparkle to the lineup. That sparkle is being spread. The “Professional Grade” division of General Motors has added the top-of-the-line Denali trim package to its Acadia crossover utility vehicle. Acadia is GMC’s larger-than-mid-sized CUV that is made for families who want the capacity of a big ute but not the heft usually associated with frame-based models such as the Yukon. The Acadia is unibody construction, powered by a slightly more fuel-efficient V-6 engine and…

Gear Bits, Vehicles & Gear

Scion and XLR8R Update City Guide App

Here is a bit of info Gear Diary received recently regarding a Scion-related app update. It is not a Scion owner-specific app, rather it’s one that seeks to enhance the lifestyle of the Scion demographic. The City Guide app now offers more than 15 locales in the database, but Dallas/Fort Worth, who is hosting the big game this weekend, is not among them. I did check out the Austin guide as I was visiting the capital city recently, but the place we had dinner and drinks at (The Highball) was not listed. It was a cool restaurant/bar/nightclub/bowling alley complete with…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander GT Super This Week

What a difference a year makes. It was February, 2010 that we received a record snowfall here in North Texas and almost one year later we get socked in with ice and sleet just as teams arrive here for the big football game. I hope they feel right at home. For me, I am just thankful that this time around for the frozen weather I can actually get out of my driveway. No roadsters or performance cars this year, no sir – sitting in the front drive is the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander GT with Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) complete with…

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