Behind The Wheel

Model Tested: 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 Club RF Engine:2.0-liter I-4, 181-horsepower 151 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 26-mpg city, 34-mpg highway, 29-mpg combined Base Price: $32,345 As Tested: $38,955 Performance: Great lively performance Very athletic, nimble Excellent for darting through traffic Most fun on winding country roads Excellent fuel economy—our best […]

MOST FUN COUPE A great way to evaluate new cars and SUVs is to drive them back-to-back on fun roads. Most consumers don’t have that luxury, but members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) get that experience on their annual Run to the Sun (RTTS) event. This year journalists spent three days driving two-dozen […]

MOST FUN SPORT SEDAN A great way to evaluate new cars and SUVs is to drive them back-to-back on fun roads. Most consumers don’t have that luxury, but members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) get that experience on their annual Run to the Sun (RTTS) event. This year journalists spent three days driving […]

MOST FUN SUVS A great way to evaluate new cars and SUVs is to drive them back-to-back on fun roads. Most consumers don’t have that luxury, but members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) get that experience on their annual Run to the Sun (RTTS) event. This year journalists spent three days driving two-dozen […]

Model Tested: 2020 Subaru Outback Touring Engine:2.5-liter flat-4, 182-horsepower 176 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 26-mpg city, 33-mpg highway, 29-mpg combined Base Price: $37,345 As Tested: $38,355 Performance: Standard 2.5-L engine is OK–optional 2.4-L 260-hp turbo is better Mostly seamless auto stop/start feature Good fuel economy—our best was 30.1-mpg highway Impressive standard […]

Model Tested: 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Engine:3.6-liter V-6 eHybrid, 260-horsepower Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 30-mpg gasoline only, 82-mpg electric + gasoline Base Price: $45,545 As Tested: $50,005 Performance: Strong acceleration with electric assist Smooth highway ride Excellent safety features Electric only range of 32 miles Our best mpg gas was 30.8-mpg highway […]

Model Tested: 2019 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL R-Line w/4Motion Engine:2.0-L turbocharged I-4, 268 horsepower 258 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 20-mpg city, 27-mpg highway, 23-mpg combined Base Price: $43,560 As Tested: $44,555 Performance: Smooth highway ride with adaptive dampers Excellent 4Motion for all weather confidence Very good fuel economy—our best was […]

Model Tested: 2019 Lexus RX 350 F Sport AWD SUV Engine:3.5-liter V-6, 295-horsepower 268 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 19-mpg city, 26-mpg highway, 22-mpg combined Base Price: $50,620 As Tested: $61,315 Performance: Peppy V-6 engine Very smooth highway ride Ideal long distance touring vehicle 20-inch F Sport alloy wheels Strong fuel […]

Model Tested: 2019 Honda Pilot AWD Elite Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 280-horsepower 262 lb-ft torque Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 19-mpg city, 26-mpg highway, 22-mpg combined Base Price: $48,020 As Tested: $48,020 Performance: Smooth V-6 engine Good fuel economy for its size—our best was 26.0-mpg highway Paddle shifters Hill Start Assist 20-inch alloy wheels Impressive […]