Reviews

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 Jaguar XF Gets A Proper Engine

Casey Williams
Jaguars are about sexy style, deep-cosseted cabins, and V-12 power. Well, maybe not so much for that last one. I love the hot XFR and its 510-horsepower supercharged V8, and old Jags with their V-12s are divine, but what is this roomy cat with a four-cylinder engine? I mean, fuel economy is great, but a four-cylinder Jag? It’s like 1/3 of a proper engine! [...]

2013 Buick Regal GS: Six-Speed Son of Saab

Jeff Stork
The last time I drove the Buick Regal GS Sport Sedan, I found it to be the most engaging Buick since the Grand National, although thoroughly different in character. Recently I spent a week behind the wheel of a 2013 model with the six-speed manual transmission and came to a slightly different revelation. It’s not the return of the Grand National, it’s the Son of Saab. [...]

2013 BMW X1: Luxury On The Cheap

Casey Williams 1
BMW’s new X1 crossover wagon is supposedly the entry-level Ultimate Driving Machine for the upward-striding NQR40s (that’s Not Quite Rich, Under 40). The car starts at $30,650 without destination, but when our tester arrived, it stickered at $44,245! Hardly cheap. But, I’ll show you how to get a great little Bimmer much closer to the magic $30k threshold and put some money back into your skinny jeans fund. [...]

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.) [...]

2013 Acura ILX: A Civic In Drag For The NQR40s

Richard Read 2
During the next few years, no automotive segment will be more contested than the entry-luxury market. I’ve taken to calling these drivers the NQR40s, or not-quite-rich, under 40s. They’re young, not exceedingly wealthy, but they can certainly afford cars with above-average price tags. Like our own tribe, they tend to be tech- and design-savvy. Make it fun, urban-appropriate, and a bit daring, and you’ve got the perfect package for most folks in this demographic. (Or us, for that matter.) [...]