Model Tested: 2015 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-door Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas turbocharged, 189 horsepower, 207 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 24/City—34/Highway—27/Combined Base Price: $25,100 As Tested: $34,500 Performance: Small car with big driving fun Nimble and quick Shines on twisty backroads Reasonable highway ride Excellent 6-speed and clutch Quick steering […]
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
2015 Volvo V60
Model Tested: 2015 Volvo V60 T5 AWD Cross Country Engine: 2.5-liter 5-cylinder gas turbocharged, 250 horsepower, 256 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 20/City—28/Highway—23/Combined Base Price: $41,000 As Tested: $49,350 Performance: Confidence inspiring safety features Blind spot monitoring Lane departure warning Collision warning with full auto brake Pedestrian detection Parking assist Excellent […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Model Tested: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.0T Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas turbocharged, 264 horsepower, 269 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 18/City—24/Highway—21/Combined Base Price: $33,000 As Tested: $38,350 Performance: Powerful turbocharged engine Locking center differential Confident off road handling Active Eco driving mode Hill descent Traction control Blind spot monitor […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
Model Tested: 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas plus electric motor, 196 horsepower total, 122 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT electronic automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 50/City—45/Highway—47/Combined Base Price: $35,055 As Tested: $35,845 Performance: Outstanding fuel economy We fell a little short at 44 mpg in mixed driving Lithium-Ion battery Lane departure warning […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Kia Sedona
Model Tested: 2015 Kia Sedona 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: $39,700 As Tested: $43,295 Performance: Smooth, refined V-6 Good power Efficient 6-speed automatic transmission Pleasant highway ride Two drive modes: Eco and Comfort Blind spot monitoring Lane departure warning Forward collision […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Hyundai Sonata
Model Tested: 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport Engine: 2.4-liter I-4 gas, 185 horsepower 178 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 24/City—35/Highway—28/Combined Base Price: $23,175 As Tested: $27,560 Performance: Pleasant highway ride Nice, comfy commuter car Adequate engine gets the job done Efficient automatic transmission Reasonable fuel economy—we averaged 27 mpg Blind spot monitoring […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Mazda CX-9
Model Tested: 2015 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD Engine: 3.7-liter V-6 gas, 273 horsepower 270 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 16/City—22/Highway—18/Combined Base Price: $36.625 As Tested: $39,800 Performance: Very pleasant highway cruiser Good (not great) acceleration Smooth 6-speed automatic transmission Dual exhausts Blind spot warning in side mirrors Moderate fuel economy, […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2016 Acura RDX
Model Tested: 2016 Acura RDX AWD Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 279 horsepower 252 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—28/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $43,420 As Tested: $44,340 Performance: Strong, smooth engine with expected Acura precision 6-speed transmission has paddle shifters Sequential Sport Shift Nicely balanced electronic power steering Fair fuel economy, we averaged […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Honda Fit
Model Tested: 2015 Honda Fit 5DR EX-L Engine: 1.5-liter I-4 gas, 130 horsepower 114 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 32/City—38/Highway—35/Combined Base Price: $20,800 As Tested: $21,590 Performance: Peppy performance for small engine CVT transmission worked fine Paddle shifters Eco and Regular engine mapping modes Border of speedometer glows green or blue […]