Hopefully, we’ve honed our winter driving skills during the December appearance of snow-covered roads. The basics of slowing according to conditions, effecting gentle input to steering, throttle and brakes, and leaving extra space around your vehicle should be habit by now. But there are other…
The availability of self-driving cars is imminent, but the route leading to them is still somewhat dubious. Much of the confusion stems from the current approach by automakers. Given corporate competition and secrecy, each manufacturer is on a different page as to the how, what,…
With the 2017 Cadenza sedan, Kia fast-tracks its North American learning curve. Kia made its name here selling well-equipped, value-priced small cars and crossovers and covering them with the industry’s best warranty. Now, it aims to repeat that success in larger, more luxurious segments. Quickly.…
My column, “Seeing the light,” elicited many responses, answering my query of where readers stand on full-time vehicle lighting. The column was meant to open debate on the merits or faults of daytime headlight use. But while nearly 20 drivers responded, the debate was non-existent,…
Subaru has created an enviable space for itself in the compact crossover category. Subaru debuted the Forester crossover in the U.S. in 1998. It was based on the compact Impreza sedan, and ran Subaru’s full-time mechanical all-wheel-drive system. In snow and mud, it easily outpaced…
I think we’ve all heard of frequent fatalities occurring on U S Highway 195, which is better known around here as the Pullman Highway. There are serious mishaps on just about every bit of that 95-mile stretch of mainly two-lane roadway on a regular basis.…
You can call it downsizing or your can call it right-sizing; either way, GMC’s 7-passenger Acadia crossover enters 2017 leaner and smarter. For 2017, the midsize Acadia ($29,925 FWD/$35,375 AWD) has lost 7.2 inches in length, 3.5 inches in width and 6.6 inches in height.…
If you found yourself salivating over the Infiniti QX80 we reviewed recently, but couldn’t get past its eye-watering ($88,850) price tag, take heart; Nissan may have your rig. The all-new, 2017 Nissan Armada is a mechanical twin to Infiniti’s QX80. The large, truck-based SUVs are...
I always appreciate reader input. The comments and questions you send provide a real-world glimpse of items on drivers’ minds. Here’s a sample of those communications. A common query came in from L.H., who wrote, “What is the passing rule for passing a school bus…
We live in anxious times. We’re anxious about politics, errant space rocks and the doneness of the bird we’ll cook for Thanksgiving. Why add range anxiety to that mix? For many, the anticipation of driving an electric car beyond its battery-powered range is a show-stopper.…
After returning to standard time, there’s an earlier advent of evening darkness. As we adjust our biological clocks to our physical ones, the reality is that it now gets dark an hour earlier than it did during daylight savings time. Judging by their behavior at…
Perpetually, news reports remind us that road rage is an impetus for collisions, fights and even death. Stress can escalate during the holiday season; don’t exacerbate it with road rage. Remember, other drivers may be as angry with you as you are with them. The…
A few years back, during a big gas price spike, electric vehicles (EVs) were all the talk. Now, in the midst of a gasoline price rollback, much of that talk has subsided. Nevertheless, automotive engineers are quietly working on advancing the technology. For most consumers,…
A new Prius arrives at Toyota dealerships in December and this one comes with a power cord. The 2017 Prius Prime is Toyota’s all-new plug-in hybrid. It’s based on the fourth-generation Prius and adds a battery pack large enough to allow 25 miles of electric-only...
When the first car was built, I’ll bet its builder wanted to see how fast it would go. As soon as a second car was assembled, I suspect it raced the first car. Since their inception, an exhibition of speed has always been associated with…
Conclusions derived from analyzing driving topics are not always definitive. In fact, there is sometimes only one conclusion on a topic: It doesn’t make sense. One of those instances regards the non-existence of school bus seat belts. On an airplane? Yes. In a car or...
A whiff of alchemy attends the creation of every great car, a bit of magic that allows it to transcend the sum of its parts. The 2017 Audi Q7 is such a car. Fresh off a year-long hiatus, the large crossover returns to the fray…
It’s evident that Americans love their automobiles. First, we keep buying them in spite of ever-growing “sticker shock.” Despite an initial cost, operating expense and depreciation that few consumer goods rival, the love affair (maybe love/hate at times) continues. The ubiquitous array of clubs, collector…
Several years ago, a young couple hit me up for some car advice. Following a long decline, their car had finally expired. Now they longed for the security of a new car and its warranty. They were living off what they could squeeze out of...
A well-detailed car or truck shows pride of ownership. Besides that, it helps protect your dollar investment by averting the ravaging effects that exposure to the elements heaps on your ride. Dirt roads and foul weather are not the only culprits in the detrimental mix…
Few brands do DNA better than Mazda does DNA. A strong familial thread links the smallest Mazda with the largest. Across the board, exterior design is fluid and dramatic. Cabins share a breezy, high-touch/high-tech aesthetic. Suspensions are tuned to allow precise responses. Every model —...
For many, the bicycling and motorcycling season is coming to a close. But for others, who ride two-wheelers all year, a possibly more perilous period may be coming. Automobile drivers often have a difficult time recognizing bikes and cycles in the summer when they are…
Heading out of Chicago in a mid-day rainstorm, I power on the rain-sensing windshield wipers, activate the intelligent cruise control and settle in for a quick drive north. We’re deeply ensconced in the leathery confines of the 2016 Kia K900, a full-size luxury sedan from…
The time to quit driving arrives for everyone. The decision to hang up the keys does not come as readily, however, as the symptoms indicating that the time has come. For starters, drivers with an advanced age or medical condition impairing their ability to safely…
Faced by the twin pressures of competition and escalating efficiency standards, automakers find themselves forever falling into the future. That crossover you bought last week? A team of engineers, designers and product planners is already working on its replacement. The current crop of gas-electric hybrids…
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