Reviews

2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO

Casey Williams
Chevy’s Malibu will be “lightly electrified” when re-designed for 2013. “What in batteries does ‘lightly electrified’ mean,” you may ask? Apparently, “hybrid” was too much for the last Malibu to live up to. Its system was expensive and did little to wean the car off fossil fuels. Re-booted and uplifted, the 2013 Malibu ECO with eAssist benefits greatly from junk, err lithium-ion batteries, in the trunk. [...]

2013 Lexus GS: First Drive

Nick Kurczewski
Lexus wants to add some dynamism and excitement to its lineup, beginning with the luxury sedan it hopes is ready to take on German rivals head-to-head. The 2013 Lexus GS represents the Japanese luxury brand’s new focus on driving dynamics, along with a new design that will migrate to the rest of the lineup. And frankly speaking, it’s the GS’s bold grille that could take the most getting used to. [...]

2012 Scion iQ: Driven

Nick Kurczewski
During the media drive of the 2012 Scion iQ, an auto journalist leaned over and said, “I guess this is the future” with a notable lack of enthusiasm. Stretching only 120.1 inches in length – and seemingly as wide as it is long – the iQ has a squat stance and, yes, it does look pretty futuristic. Yet from the deflated tone of this fellow’s comment, my guess is that he’s referring to the iQ’s modest 94-horsepower engine and extreme packaging solutions for passengers and cargo. [...]

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

Casey Williams
My partner thinks the CLS is sexy – he calls it the “moon car” – while I appreciate its accentuated rear fenders, a throwback to mid-century Mercedes-Benz “Adenauer” sedans, and grille lifted from any number of sporting Mercedes since the 1955 300SL Gullwing. It looks smokin’ on its set of 18-inch AMG alloys. Some people don’t understand the CLS, but the ‘four-door coupe’ bodystyle has been copied for cars as diverse as the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7, Volkswagen CC, and Hyundai Sonata. [...]

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist: Driven

Nick Kurczewski 2
The good news, especially if you’re a Buick PR rep, is that I’ve really enjoyed a week spent with the 2012 LaCrosse eAssist. The handsome 5-passenger sedan is comfortable, quiet, roomy, and it offers an EPA rated 25/36-mpg in city and highway driving. The bad news, also if you’re a Buick PR rep, is that I’m kind of embarrassed to be gushing over the fine attributes of a Buick sedan. [...]

2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe: Test Drive

Nick Kurczewski 2
My boyfriend says I’m too quick to judge people. So allow me to rectify this bad habit, at least when it comes to cars. My first impressions of the 2012 Honda Civic were definitely less than flattering. The bland exterior redesign left me indifferent. The Civic is still a handsome car, though the new one sure doesn’t look much different from the outgoing model. [...]

2011 Nissan Leaf SL

Richard Read 1
You’ll never visit a gas station while driving an electric-powered Nissan Leaf. But if you don’t have somewhere to keep it plugged in when not in use, get ready to spend lots of time on Google Maps, carefully planning each trip. For a New York apartment dweller like myself, someone who routinely drives short distances but doesn’t have a garage, the Leaf offers the best (and worst) of both worlds. [...]