Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, a 2013 Toyota 4Runner Trail. The 4Runner is one of the few remaining true SUVs. It’s a body-on-frame vehicle with available part-time or full-time four-wheel drive, a powerful standard V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. Optional third-row seating allows space for seven passengers, but most 4Runner drivers will […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week: the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel. A small badge that reads “2.0TD” is mounted on the decklid of this compact Chevy sedan. It’s the only indication that this Cruze runs on Europe’s favorite fuel. To the casual observer, the diesel-powered version is identical to it’s gasoline counterpart. Drivers, however, will notice three significant […]

The latest Ride of the Week is a 2013 Buick Encore Premium FWD. The Encore is a compact 5-passenger crossover that debuted for the 2013 model year. Earlier this year I had an opportunity to get an up-close look at the Encore and take a short drive, but it wasn’t enough exposure to really get a sense of what this […]

Here’s a first look at the latest ride of the week, a 2013 Toyota Tundra Crewmax Limited 4×4. The timing on this drive of the second-generation Tundra pickup is perfect. The upcoming 2014 Toyota Tundra is completely redesigned, and this second-generation model provides a baseline for comparison with the redesigned Tundra. In a few weeks, I’ll have a chance to […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, a 2013 Lexus IS 350. This year marks the final one for the current-generation IS. The completely redesigned 2014 model debuted at the Detroit Auto Show and is due to hit Lexus showrooms in June. So now is the last chance to buy a new, second-generation IS 350 like […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo LTZ. If you told me just a few years ago that I could soon buy a Chevy Malibu with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine instead of a V6, I would’ve guessed that was unlikely. If you told me that this engine would have a displacement […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2013 Nissan Quest LE. Minivans get a bad rap. Critics say these vehicles are uninspired and boring, that they’re transportation appliances designed with the sole purpose of moving people. The naysayers recommend car shoppers that want engaging styling and driving dynamics look elsewhere. I disagree. After owning a […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2013 Scion FR-S. Jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota, Scion’s parent company, the FR-S is a small, 2+2 sports car that arrived this year as an all-new 2013 model. Except for some styling details, it’s identical to the Subaru BRZ. The name “FR-S” stands for “Front-engine, Rear-drive Sport.” […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2013 Honda Accord EX. Now in its ninth generation the latest Accord is completely redesigned with new features and styling, a new direct-injection four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the first of its kind for Honda’s popular midsize vehicle. Accord continues to be offered in both […]

Here’s a first look at the latest ride of the week, a 2013 Lexus GS 350 F SPORT. Redesigned for the 2013 model year, the latest GS is the first model representing what Lexus calls a new design philosophy. In terms of engineering, the GS 350 also represents a departure as the luxury automaker aims to build more passion and […]