Model Tested: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 155 horsepower, 148 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—34/Highway—30/Combined Base Price: $28,600 As Tested: $32,820 Performance: Club model has extra performance enhancements Limited slip differential 17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels Brembo brakes Bilstein shocks Shock tower brace Front air dam […]
Bruce Caldwell
A lifelong car enthusiast, Bruce Caldwell has an English degree from the University of Washington. In 1975 he joined CAR CRAFT as associate editor. He was a feature editor at HOT ROD and editor of Chevy High Performance, Muscle Car Review, Mustangs and Fords, Chevy Action, Corvette Milestones, Street Rod Quarterly, Mopar Milestones, Mustang Milestones, and Muscle Car Milestones. He has authored several best-selling automotive how-to books and written for numerous national magazines. He has tested over 2,000 new vehicles. He restores collector cars in a well-equipped home shop. Bruce is married with three children.
Posted inBehind The Wheel
Flash Drive 2016 Acura MDX
Model Tested: 2016 Acura MDX AWD Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 290 horsepower, 267 lb-ft torque Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—26/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $57,080 As Tested: $58,000 Performance: Very smooth, powerful V-6 engine 9-speed automatic: a gear for every occasion Paddle shifters Unique buttons on console for transmission engagement Push for Park, Neutral, […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
Flash Drive 2016 Honda HR-V
Model Tested: 2016 Honda HR-V 5-Door AWD EX-L Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas, 141 horsepower, 127 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, Real Time all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—32/Highway—29/Combined Base Price: $25,840 As Tested: $26,720 Performance: Nimble off-road capabilities Full time AWD, but no locking features Paddle shifters Econ mode button for transmission/engine Good acceleration Smooth highway ride […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
Flash Drive 2016 Scion iA
Model Tested: 2016 Scion iA 4-Door Sedan Engine: 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas, 106 horsepower, 103 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 31/City—41/Highway—35/Combined Base Price: $15,700 As Tested: $16,470 Performance: Acceptable acceleration if manual trans is used aggressively Very good fuel economy, our best was 35.7 mpg Easy to park and maneuver around town […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
Flash Drive 2016 Scion FR-S
Model Tested: 2016 Scion FR-S 2-door coupe Engine: 2.0-literflat four-cylinder gas, 200 horsepower, 151 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 22/City—30/Highway—25/Combined Base Price: $25,305 As Tested: $28,544 Performance: Great driving fun Tight, concise handling Responsive Agile Smooth 6-speed and clutch Good acceleration, but nothing spectacular Sport mode button Excellent brakes We averaged […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
Flash Drive 2015 Subaru Impreza
Model Tested: 2015 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Engine: 2.0-literflat four-cylinder gas, 148 horsepower, 145 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—36/Highway—31/Combined Base Price: $23,295 As Tested: $26,885 Performance: Reasonable acceleration, but nothing like the WRX variant Smooth CVT transmission Seamless AWD Excellent fuel economy We beat EPA estimate with 37.2-mpg highway Lane […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
Flash Drive 2015 Jeep Cherokee
Model Tested: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4×4 Engine: 3.2-liter V-6 gas, 271 horsepower, 239 lb-ft torque Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—26/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $30,395 As Tested: $36,869 Performance: Engine has start/stop feature for fuel economy Strong V-6 engine 9-speed automatic transmission Off-Road suspension Highly capable on rugged off-road terrain and snow Electronic […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Model Tested: 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas turbocharged, 291 horsepower, 300 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed twin clutch automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 17/City—22/Highway—19/Combined Base Price: $38,995 As Tested: $41,805 Performance: A four-door go-kart Crazy acceleration Glues itself to corners A pocket rocket Powerful big Brembo brakes BBS alloy wheels Crisp shifting […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2016 Mazda CX-3
Model Tested: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Touring AWD Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 146 horsepower, 146 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—32/Highway—29/Combined Base Price: $23,210 As Tested: $26,050 Performance: Peppy, Skyactiv four-cylinder engine 6-speed automatic with sport mode All Wheel Drive Four-wheel disc brakes Fuel-efficient; we averaged 30.2 mpg Short overhangs for agile […]