Department: Test Drive
Sporty 2018 Infiniti Q60 AWD Powerful Enough for New England Winters
September 15, 2018. John Paul
It seems like the number of luxury two-door sport coupes gets smaller every year. But one car that keeps getting better is the Infiniti Q60 coupe, an attractive-looking car with great lines. The Q60 has two engine choices: a four-cylinder 2.0-liter 208 horsepower engine and a V-6 engine that changes depending on trim level. The…
Stylish 2018 Nissan Rogue Rivals Any Luxury Vehicle
September 15, 2018. John Paul
This compact sport-utility vehicle comes in three trim levels powered by a 2.5-liter engine. This four-cylinder engine is connected to a continually variable transmission that can power the front wheels or – in the case with my test car – all four wheels. I tested the top-of-the line SL model with the premium package, which had…
Hot Hatchbacks – Toyota Corolla Hatchback/Honda Civic Hatchback
August 28, 2018. Alan Rider
Sexy: There’s a word you don’t generally apply to affordable cars. And yet, it’s an apt description of the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Granted, it’s not bright-red Ferrari kind of alluring. Just the same, this all-new hatchback offers a lot more style than just about any other four-door compact you can name, starting with its distinctly…
Tough Trucks – Ford F-150 Raptor/Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
August 27, 2018. Alan Rider
The full-size Ford F-Series didn’t achieve its best-seller status by resting on its past successes. Which explains the existence of the high-performance Ford F-150 Raptor. The four-door crew cab Raptor I drove frankly looked like it could eat other pickups for breakfast. Unlike many special-edition models, however, this next-generation Raptor is more than just a…
Performance, Please! – Fiat 124 Spider/Kia Stinger
July 28, 2018. Alan Rider
If there’s a nicer place to be on a sunny afternoon than a winding two-lane road behind the wheel of the Fiat 124 Spider (with the top down, of course) we honestly can’t think of it. Yes, this two-seat roadster is every bit that agreeable. Built on the underpinnings of the highly regarded Mazda MX-5…
Dodge Durango Packs Full-Size Features Into Midsize Model
July 16, 2018. John Paul
The Dodge Durango three-row SUV comes in five trim levels, rear or all-wheel drive, and a V-6 or V-8 engine. My road test was in the high-performance SRT version with a 475-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine. The cabin of the Durango was comfortable, featuring heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel. Combined with a…
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Couples Extensive Features, Great Warranty
July 16, 2018. John Paul
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – not to be confused with the larger Santa Fe – is a five-passenger SUV that comes in two trim levels: base and ultimate. The base model is equipped with a 2.4-liter engine that develops 185 horsepower while the ultimate model has a 2.0-liter 240-horsepower turbocharged engine. My road test was…
Making Tracks – Subaru Crosstrek/Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
June 28, 2018. Alan Rider
While crossovers are known for their practical side, the all-new Subaru Crosstrek may be the Swiss army knife of the segment. It doesn’t offer 64 separate implements, but the second generation of this compact SUV is a versatile enough tool for wherever life takes you. On the road, the Crosstrek offers a refined ride and…
American Dreams – Chrysler 300/Buick LaCrosse
June 28, 2018. Alan Rider
What’s in a name? When it comes to the Chrysler 300, about six decades of American motoring history. Not surprisingly, that original 1955 300 was a large automobile, albeit one with an unexpected performance edge. Much the same can be said about the current 10th-generation of this full-size sedan. I drove both the upscale 300C…
BMW X3 Combines Luxury, Sport and Utility
June 15, 2018. John Paul
The redesigned BMW X3 has grown in just about every dimension: It’s slightly longer, wider and taller than previous models. There are two versions: one with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and one with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Both models are only available with all-wheel drive. My road test was in the X3 M40i. The interior…