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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Subaru BRZ
Model Tested: 2015 Subaru BRZ Series Blue Engine: 2.0-liter flat four 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: $27,695 As Tested: $30,285 Performance: Peppy Subaru flat four engine Good 6-speed manual makes best use of power Nimble handling Assertive exhaust system Handles like an air-conditioned go-kart […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 LEXUS IS 350
Model Tested: 2015 Lexus IS350 AWD Sedan F Sport Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 306 horsepower 277 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19City—26/Highway—21/Combined Base Price: $42,300 As Tested: $50,375 Performance: Strong, smooth V-6 Excellent transmission with paddle shifters Multiple modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow Snow mode makes IS350 a true […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Ford F-150
Model Tested: 2015 Ford F-150 4×4 Supercab Engine: 2.7-liter V-6 gas, 325 horsepower 375 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 18/City—23/Highway—20/Combined Base Price: $37,005 As Tested: $43,460 Performance: Surprisingly powerful 2.7 V-6 Ecoboost engine Excellent highway fuel economy; we got over 24 mpg Dial for 2H, 4H, and 4L drive modes Tow […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 Hyundai Genesis AWD
Model Tested: 2015 Hyundai Genesis AWD 3.8 Sedan Engine: 3.8-liter V-6, 311 horsepower 293 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 16/City—25/Highway—19/Combined Base Price: $40,500 As Tested: $52,450 Performance: Lots of high tech safety features Smooth engine and automatic transmission Seamless AWD application Comfortable, but not numb highway ride Sport and Eco drive modes […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2015 BMW M235i
Model Tested: 2015 BMW M235i xDrive Coupe Engine: 3.0-liter I-6 gas, 320 horsepower 330 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 20/City—30/Highway—24/Combined Base Price: $44,900 As Tested: $45,850 Performance: Legendary BMW six cylinder engine Twin Power Turbo Pulls like a freight train Driving Dynamic modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport Paddle shifters All-wheel-drive xDrive […]