When I heard about Ford’s new-to-the-U.S. three-cylinder EcoBoost engine available on the subcompact Fiesta, I was intrigued. The tiny, 1.0-liter turbocharged motor is lightweight yet relatively powerful, and Europeans – both auto experts and everyday drivers – have raved about it for years. But beyond this interesting engine, my expectations for the 2014 Ford Fiesta SFE were modest. This is […]

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi SEL. The C-MAX is a five-passenger gasoline-electric vehicle with an emphasis on fuel efficiency and practicality. Two versions are available, both pairing a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with electric motors and lithium-ion battery packs. The C-MAX Hybrid is a more conventional hybrid, generating all of […]

Any reasonable assessment of a hybrid or EV automobile with a premium price tag must consider the break-even point achieved through lower ownership costs, right? In this 2012 Chevrolet Volt review, surely I’ll explain how, over time, plugging in saves money compared with filling up, allowing a rational person to get over the Volt’s relatively high bottom line. Well, no.

Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The Volt is not a huge-volume seller, but unless you’re a Chinese Olympic athlete who’s been sequestered away, training for London 2012 over the past four years, you’ve almost certainly heard of it. That’s because the car has received plenty of attention for its high-tech […]

I traveled to Charlotte to meet up with Mini Takes The States, the 3,900-mile cross-country rally that brings together thousands of Mini owners, drivers and enthusiasts. We partied in Charlotte, drove on Charlotte Motor Speedway, slayed The Dragon at Deal’s Gap and autocrossed in Nashville. Then the rally went west, I headed back home to Atlanta. Last weekend the group […]

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.

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 […]

J.D. Power’s annual Dependability Survey results show Toyota brands on top in eight of the fourteen categories. The Blue Oval is a big winner too, with vehicles from Ford brands taking three slots. The survey looks at 3-year-old vehicles, so these 2012 rankings reflect 2009 models. Here are the winners by category: Sub-compact Car: Toyota Yaris Compact Car: Toyota Prius […]