Model Tested: 2016 Mazda6i Grand Touring Engine: 2.5-liter I-4 gas, 184 horsepower 185 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 28/City—40/Highway—32/Combined Base Price: $30,195 As Tested: $33,695 Performance: Excellent, responsive engine and transmission Quite lively in Sport mode Taut, but smooth handling … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Lexis NX 200t F Sport Engines: 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 gas, 235 horsepower 258 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 22/City—27/Highway—24/Combined Base Price: $38,365 As Tested: $44,605 Performance: Enjoyable to drive Sport tuned suspension Sharp 18-inch F Sport alloy … read more

 Model Tested: 2016 Lincoln MKX AWD Engine: 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 gas, 335 horsepower 380 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 17/City—24/Highway—19/Combined Base Price: $47,650 As Tested: $61,760 Performance: Surprising horsepower from small displacement V-6 (2.7L) Great torque Very car-like handling for … read more

“Birds of the Puget Sound Region — Coast to Cascades” by Dennis Paulson, Bob Morse, Hal Opperman and Tom Aversa is a new edition of the popular field guide, “Birds of the Puget Sound Region.” The changes, rewrites and additional photographs reflect the … read more

Model Tested: 2016 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 4WD Crew Cab Engine: 6.2-liter V-8 gas, 420 horsepower 460 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 15/City—21/Highway—17/Combined Base Price: $53,565 As Tested: $60,765 Performance: Smooth, car-like highway ride Excellent 8-speed automatic transmission Seamless transitions … read more

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from “Mason Bee Revolution: How the Hardest Working Bee Can Save the World One Backyard at a Time,” a book by Dave Hunter and Jill LIghtner recently released by Seattle-based Mountaineers Books. Read Part 1 to learn … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Acura TLX 3.5L SH-AWD Tech Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 290 horsepower 267 lb-ft torque Transmission: 9-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 21/City—31/Highway—25/Combined Base Price: $41,575 As Tested: $42,495 Performance: Integrated Dynamic System controls driving modes Econ, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Kia Sedona SXL Engine: 3.3-liter V-6 gas, 276 horsepower 248 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 17/City—22/Highway—19/Combined Base Price: $39,900 As Tested: $44,690 Performance: Pleasant, easy to drive Acceptable fuel economy, our best was 21.8 mpg Sharp … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 gas, 175 horsepower, 195 lb-ft torque Transmission: 7-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 24 city, 28 highway, 26 combined Base Price: $31,300 As Tested: $35,070 Performance: Peppy turbocharged engine Confident handling … read more