Author
James Hamel

2014 Mazda6 iSport Sedan Is Practical, Fun, Sexy, And Affordable? Are They Insane?

James Hamel 5
When you road-test new cars for a living you start to notice that most automakers send journalists test models that are loaded to the gills with every available feature, gizmo, and gadget. It’s rare to find a brand confident enough in the quality of its product to let it stand up purely on the merit of how well it drives. Many cars try to win you over with things like value, grins per mile, and a bit of exterior style — which never hurts. Luckily, the 2014 Mazda6 has all these attributes in spades — and what’s under the hood ain’t so bad, either. [...]

2013 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro: Can It Still Compete With Younger Rivals?

James Hamel
Audi has one of the most expansive line-ups of niche luxury models in the industry, but when it comes right down to it, nearly one out of every two Audis sold is the comparatively “bread and butter” model known as the A4 sedan. But don’t think we’re likening Audi’s hottest worldwide seller to a piece of stale toast and unsavory buttery topping that just refuses to melt or spread properly. If there’s one thing we’re sure of around here, it’s that no Audi is anywhere near the equivalent of automotive prison food. [...]

2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe: Sexy, Fast, And A Bit Over The Top

James Hamel 1
There are no doubts to be had about the 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and its awesome capabilities, which rival those of most any supercar. So, if you’re a muscle Mary when it comes to car performance, we assure you that a CTS-V will cater to your every sinewy whim and desire. The biggest surprise about all its power is that the CTS-V puts it down on the pavement with grace and elegance instead of like some testosterone fueled, steroid enhanced meathead. [...]

2013 Mazda MazdaSpeed3: Larger Than Life, Frighteningly Powerful, And Occasionally Unbalanced

James Hamel 3
Some people (and cars) are just born with that special something — a star power that not only makes them special, but also makes it acceptable for them to be a bit more demanding of the world around them. This phenomenon is often dubbed “being a diva”, and it applies just as much to famous people who demand Cool Ranch Doritos in their dressing rooms (lookin’ at you, Britney Spears) as to cars like this 2013 Mazda MazdaSpeed3: both are larger than life, frighteningly powerful, and occasionally demonstrate signs of being a bit unbalanced. [...]

2014 Acura RLX First Drive: Did Our Date End With “See You In My Driveway” Or “See You Later”?

James Hamel 5
We didn’t go into Acura’s first-drive press event for its new, range-topping sedan now known as the RLX with astronomically high hopes, given the wallflower-like nature of its predecessor, the RL. The old RL was nice enough, but in no way was it revolutionary, sexy, or state of the art. And it certainly wasn’t going to blow the mind of its no doubt slightly bored driver, who probably wondered why he didn’t get a TL instead. [...]

2013 Lexus RX350 F-Sport: When Did SUVs Get So S&M?

James Hamel 1
Now, you may think an SUV that costs this much must have all the utility of a Victoria Beckham Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Pink Diamond inlayed wheels — but you’d be wrong. This Lexus offers 40 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place, doubling to 80 cubic feet when you fold the seats down. With that much room, you’ll be able to take your two 80-pound rescue dogs to the park and still have room for a Home Depot stop on the way home. (Just don’t leave the hounds in the car, please.) [...]