Combined fuel economy for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is 45 mpg according to VW’s estimate. The automaker expects their first compact hybrid model to be the performance leader in the segment, thanks to a turbocharged engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that VW calls DSG. That estimate reflects a significant 32% improvement over the next most efficient Jetta, the […]

Forget what you think you know about Buick before stepping into the brand’s smallest and most affordable model, the Verano. It seems logical that a well-rounded understanding of the history of a subject would make a writer better suited to cover it in a thoughtful and insightful way. For an automotive writer, familiarity with models of decades past should provide […]

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Mini in the United States. The lineup has grown from a single model – the 2+2 hardtop – to six variants including the extended Clubman, 4-door Countryman, 2-seat Coupe and Roadster, and commercially-focused Clubvan. The recently announced Paceman will join the lineup in 2013.

This week’s ride is the 2012 Buick Verano. Verano means “summer” in Spanish, and this car came at the appropriate time of year. Today the temperature in Atlanta reached a record 106 degrees Fahrenheit. We packed a cooler full of ice cold bottles of water and hit the streets to share some relief. Here’s what it looked like from inside […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, a 2012 Buick Verano. This is the first model year for the compact luxury four-door Verano. Pricing starts at $23,470, but the top-trim test car includes the 1SL package, also known as the leather group. It adds features like heated front seats and steering wheel, Bose audio, proximity key […]

To my delight, I’ve been behind the wheel of a wide range of cars over the past six months or so, including everything from rare vintage sports cars to modern econoboxes. Variety being the spice of life, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience these many different automobiles and to share my impressions with readers. Along with others from Atlanta’s […]

Toyota’s least expensive car is by no means luxurious. But it is safe, comfortable and economical. And even a little fun to drive. Young, first-time car owners are among the most likely to buy a subcompact car like the Toyota Yaris, but they certainly aren’t the only drivers making such economical choices today. Those with long, expensive commutes are selecting […]

The Nissan Leaf is the world’s first mass-production EV. This time, is the electric car here to stay? Electric vehicles may be a relatively recent addition to the mainstream automotive marketplace, but the technology is hardly brand new. Indeed, electric propulsion was among the earliest solutions for motivating vehicles, dating back to the late 19th century, when electric vehicles were […]

The 2012 Geneva Motor Show is underway, and so is AutoTrader.com‘s coverage of one of Europe’s biggest automotive exhibitions. I’m following several manufacturers for AutoTrader.com, including supercar builders Bugatti and Koenigsegg, each of whom are introducing new 1000+ horsepower machines. Aston Martin’s new sports cars don’t have quite that much muscle, but both its V8 Vantage and V12 Zagato look […]

A friend posted this photo on Facebook yesterday. He lives in California where, lately, a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline sells for well over $4. Just 12 gallons cost him over fifty bucks. Last year when gas prices were low, we reported on a jump in searches for trucks and SUVs. Now that prices are climbing again, we’re seeing a […]