Author
Casey Williams

2013 Lexus GS 350: Responsible Decadence

Casey Williams
Lexus has always been about restrained decadence. It’s the luxury brand for those who want cocoons of excellence without the ostentatious flare of American and German marques. But like Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady or the clueless bros on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, if you dress a Lexus in a new grille, slap on some alloys, and wire in LED taillamps, you get a hottie worth taking home. Re-designed for 2013, the Lexus GS rolls into its new skin. [...]

2013 Infiniti JX35 AWD: Ultimately Adoptable

Casey Williams 1
My partner and I are trying to adopt a baby. It was a big decision, fraught with more decisions. One of the biggest will be, “What to drive?” We need a family-friendly ride that won’t diminish our style cards. Occasionally, we may want to take grandparents, aunts, or cousins to the park with us. And, if our tykes park their trikes in the driveway, our car must be ready for that too. I think the Infiniti JX35 can handle it [...]

2012 Nissan Juke SV: Defying Boredom

Casey Williams 1
What the hell is a Juke? It’s jacked up like a crossover, but it doesn’t look much like a crossover. My neighbor tried to get his 50-something self into the rear seat and nearly required three young men to yank him back out. You could forgive the rear seat if it was a sport coupe, which it definitely is not. It is, however, a whole box of funky coolness. Throw in a quarter, kick the big pedal, and go for a spin. [...]

2012 Range Rover Sport Is Smooth, If Pudgy

Casey Williams
Driving the Land Rover Range Rover puts you among queens of all hair heights, but the big gal’s size can make you wince at the idea of hustling her through curves and tight city streets — even if the SUV’s off-road capability and all-road luxury are legendary. What Land Rover needed was a vehicle that combined all of the Range Rover’s excellence in a slightly compressed package. Shimmy up to the Range Rover Sport. [...]

2012 Buick Verano: Alternative Luxury

Casey Williams 2
It’s so easy to take the normal path. Just buy that European or Japanese luxury car your mother and father always hand in mind for you. But, what if your 30-something self comes to Easter Dinner driving a Buick? Just wait for the preaching to start! You’ll be accused of growing blue hairs, eating at cafeterias, and heading to church. Be not dismayed because rewards are great for those driving the Buick less traveled. It’s the alternative luxury car. [...]

2012 Lexus CT200h: Great Car, But Engineers Need To Sweat The Details

Casey Williams
Two of my favorite Lexus models of all time are the 2002 IS300 wagon and the current HS250h. The wagon was arguably ugly, but I liked the size, sporty feel, and impeccable build quality. It was also a little out of the Lexus mainstream, which added cachet. Despite its high price, the HS250h has a luxurious leather-lined cabin that also taps the tech genies for a powerful hybrid system, heads-up display, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a space shuttle’s worth of toys. Put them together, and you get something like the CT200h. [...]

2012 Hyundai Accent

Casey Williams
I’m driving along in the all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent, enjoying the crisp handling, hearing the solidness of the body structure, and appreciating how the powertrain does its thing. Then it hits me, “This is the entry-level Hyundai!” It is a suave little fuel-sipper that won’t put you out on the street – unless you want to be. [...]

2012 Infiniti G37 IPL Coupe

Casey Williams
I enjoy the Nissan 370Z, but its hyper-tweak personality can wear me out. Revving the engine to a scream and lighting up the tires makes me giddy, but constantly getting thrashed by the suspension is a bit much. I can think of a number of more entertaining ways to get thumped that don’t require a sports car. Coffee down the front of my shirt, throbbing headache, sore – never mind. There’s not even a rear seat. Point is, I could go for sports car fun without all of the sports car drama. [...]