Vehicles & Gear

2010 Chevy Equinox

Vehicles & Gear October 16, 2009

2010 Chevy Equinox

The discussion started as casually as most do. A co-worker asks “Would you buy a GM vehicle right now?” My answer? You bet. And one of the reasons is their new Chevy Equinox. The platform actually began underpinning the newest Saturn Vue a couple of years back, but as with all good (and not so good) architecture used by the General, it would soon spread across other corporate lines. Chevrolet chose it for the remake of the Equinox crossover utility, followed by Cadillac and now GMC. For the Chevy version, designers give the 2010 Equinox a healthy injection of new…

2010 Acura RDX is a truly good sport

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear October 9, 2009

2010 Acura RDX is a truly good sport

I am not sure just exactly who coined the phrase “sport utility vehicle” but I feel they were a bit remiss in the target segment they were identifying. Most of those giant grocery-getters of the past decade-and-a-half were anything BUT sporty. Fast forward to the 21st century and we have seen an entire new breed of SUVs, yet most have been redefined as crossover utility vehicles given the nature of configuring some form of cargo box on top of a car-based platform. We recently spent some time behind the wheel of the latest Acura RDX, junior sibling to the MDX…

2010 Mazda6: Zoom-zoom evolution

Vehicles & Gear October 4, 2009

2010 Mazda6: Zoom-zoom evolution

Despite building some decent midsize sedans over the years, Mazda knew it needed to undertake a significant model makeover in order to keep pace with the CD-segment, namely Accord and Camry. With this newest Mazda6 they have done just that. Their mantra? Zoom-zoom evolution.

Essence of Infiniti

Vehicles & Gear September 25, 2009

Essence of Infiniti

True, I may be just a “Gaijin” from Texas, but I do know a work of art when I see one. The new Infiniti Essence concept car is just that. Staring at it in adoration, I think I also broke a few commandments.

State Fair of Texas Auto Show media day(s)

Vehicles & Gear September 24, 2009

State Fair of Texas Auto Show media day(s)

With the arrival of Autumn it is once again time for the great State Fair of Texas and one of the world’s largest auto shows. Gate attendance each year at the fair reaches more than three million over its three-week run, with estimates that at least 75 percent of attendees visit some portion of the auto show.

2010 Honda Odyssey minivan

Vehicles & Gear September 18, 2009

2010 Honda Odyssey minivan

The onslaught of SUVs in the 1990s and crossover utility type vehicles of the new millennium have kept minivan sales numbers from returning to those of their glory days – but automakers are still makin’ ’em and folks are still buyin’ ’em. There aren’t quite as many players in the minivan game anymore mind you, but one who held firm to delivering a quality product over the years has been Honda. Because of that, the Honda Odyssey minivan has had a target on its back almost since its inception.

Volvo gives drivers a "brake" with all-new 2010 XC60

Vehicles & Gear August 26, 2009

Volvo gives drivers a “brake” with all-new 2010 XC60

Volvo, that Swedish car company whose memorable commercials included stacking car on top of car, etc., is expanding its crossover utility line with a smaller version of its venerable XC90. The new cute ute, dubbed XC60, offers up everything big brother 90 does while allowing the automaker an appearance into the quickly expanding small premium utility segment that features standouts such as the BMW X3, Acura RDX and Mercury Mariner.

Infiniti M reveal may be onto something

Vehicles & Gear August 13, 2009

Infiniti M reveal may be onto something

The event takes place at the prestigious 2009 Concours dí Elegance event in Pebble Beach where Infiniti will become the first company to launch a car via a full-size virtual model. The sedan won’t actually be there as Infiniti will become the first automaker to use virtual technology mapping to project the car on a full-size clay model of Infiniti’s flagship sedan to simulate the effect. In-person attendees will feel like the car is actually in the room. “On August 14 at 6:30 PM PDT, be one of the first to see the unveiling of the all-new 2011 Infiniti M…

2009 Chevy Aveo5: no movie star but worth a look

Vehicles & Gear August 7, 2009

2009 Chevy Aveo5: no movie star but worth a look

Chevrolet Aveo has been the anchor at the entry level for Chevrolet for quite some time now and is a carry over of GMs relationship with Korean automaker Daewoo. For 2009, Aveo receives a good deal more attention that began on the sedan model last year. This little econo-cruiser gets a more powerful engine, the 1.6L Gen 3 Ecotec, as standard in all models, delivering more horsepower but with the same fuel efficiency found previously.

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: a blast from the past – and into the future

Vehicles & Gear August 5, 2009

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: a blast from the past – and into the future

Being the most practical adult on your block will most likely earn you points at the PTA meeting and  the weekend youth soccer tournament, but for the rest of us, well, that’s why they invented pony cars.  Back in the 1960s and ’70s, two-door muscle cars were rolling out of Detroit in grand fashion, carrying  names like Mustang, Camaro and of course, Challenger.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid SUV

Vehicles & Gear July 15, 2009

2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid SUV

As General Motors enters its new generation, we are still testing vehicles designed and produced in its former life. The brand may have been resurrected, but much of what consumers will see over the next few years are the same products GM has been delivering – which is to say that while there are many bright spots in the lineup, there are still areas that need a bit of attention. We recently spent time in the new Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, and not just any old Escalade Hybrid but the new Platinum edition truck.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 1500 pickup

Vehicles & Gear July 4, 2009

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 1500 pickup

My relationship with the new fullsize GM hybrids continues to be a love/hate one. I love the fuel savings and cleaner emissions delivered by these “green beasts,” but I hate that consumers still cannot get an SUV for less than 50 grand. I also hate the acceleration/deceleration whine produced by the transmission/generator unit while operating in electric mode at low speeds, but then, this is the tradeoff for new technology. The good news is, these new trucks see a 40 percent fuel economy improvement in city driving thanks to GMs two-mode hybrid powertrain.

2010 Ford Taurus puts on a great SHO

Vehicles & Gear June 23, 2009

2010 Ford Taurus puts on a great SHO

The Ford Taurus – the car that changed America’s view of the family sedan – is all-new for 2010 and ready to take on the world’s best, with an upscale new design, enhanced driving dynamics, class-leading technologies and competitive pricing.

Nissan screaming 'Maxima is back' with 2009 model

Vehicles & Gear June 9, 2009

Nissan screaming ‘Maxima is back’ with 2009 model

Maxima is back. The 2009 Nissan Maxima marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan’s roots as a commanding four-door sports car – a vehicle that is unique in both appearance and driving feel, with renewed relevance for today’s active and ambitious sedan buyers.

First Drives: New Lexus IS convertible, HS250h hybrid

Vehicles & Gear June 1, 2009

First Drives: New Lexus IS convertible, HS250h hybrid

Despite all of the news coming out of Detroit recently, the rest of the automotive world is pretty much “business as usual.” Case in point, Lexus recently rolled out a pair of new models to the automotive press – a convertible version of IS sport sedan and a new entry-luxury hybrid sedan.

2009 Kia Borrego: Right truck, wrong time?

Vehicles & Gear May 19, 2009

2009 Kia Borrego: Right truck, wrong time?

As fuel prices reached all-time highs late last summer, Kia found itself introducing its newest vehicle to the American market at the worst possible time. Another big SUV into a market already overcrowded, with consumer buying trends heading in different directions. Fast forward to spring 2009, and as the U.S. prepares for vacation season amidst much lower fuel prices – but an uncertain economy – Kia once again finds itself facing challenging issues selling the new truck.

Ach du lieber! Give me back my Fahrvergnügen!

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear May 11, 2009

Ach du lieber! Give me back my Fahrvergnügen!

Quite often I am asked “What happens when you get a vehicle you don’t like”? Well, here goes. It has been very rare that I could not find it in my heart to enjoy something about the wide array of vehicles I have tested over the years. Each one of them seems to “speak” to me in a different way. Some through their luxury – others their fun factor. Lately, many have shone through the technological advancements in the marketplace. And then Volkswagen sends me the Routan minivan.