Bruce Caldwell

Model Tested: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES five-door hatchback  Engine: 1.2-liter three-cylinder DOHC, 72 horsepower 74 lb-ft torque  Transmission: Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) front-wheel-drive  EPA Ratings: 37/City—44/Highway—40/Combined  Base Price: $15,195  As Tested: $15,990  Performance: 74 horsepower, 74 lb-ft torque Seriously lacking power; agonizingly slow CVT doesn’t help situation Rough, noisy engine Incredible fuel economy for a […]

Model Tested: 2015 Subaru WRX Premium  Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged flat four-cylinder Boxer design  Transmission: Sport Lineartronic automatic, all-wheel-drive  EPA Ratings: 19/City—25/Highway—21/Combined  Base Price: $29,695  As Tested: $30,490  Performance: 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft torque Ample power and torque for sporty performance Great all-wheel-drive easily handles available power Very responsive CVT automatic with paddle shifters Suspension […]

Model Tested: 2014 Honda Ridgeline SE  Engine: 3.5-liter SOHC V-6  Transmission: 5-speed automatic  EPA Ratings: 15/City—21/Highway—17/Combined  Base Price: $37,505  As Tested: $38,335  Performance: Strong, smooth Honda V-6 power Car-like ride Locking differential for heavy-duty 4×4 use Good size for in town maneuverability  Comfort: Excellent leg and headroom front and rear Adult-size rear seat Driver power […]

Model Tested: 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring  Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC 4-cylinder and 124 kW electric motor  Transmission: Electric Continuously Variable Transmission  EPA Ratings: 50/City—45/Highway—47/Combined  Base Price: $34,905  As Tested: $35,695  Performance: Strong acceleration and torque thanks to electric motor Seamless transitions between power modes Powerful, but compact hybrid system  Comfort: Two temp heated front seats […]

By Bruce Caldwell It took five decades for Jaguar to market a successor to the iconic sixties E-Type, but the all-new 2014 Jaguar F-Type is a noble heir. The new F-Type is a serious performance car that’s also gorgeous. The 2014 Jaguar F-Type has all the benefits of a half-century of technological innovations packed into […]

By Bruce Caldwell The 2014 Dodge Durango Limited AWD is a great SUV that manages to be both muscular and refined. The model has been around since 1998 and gone through a couple iterations. The present version debuted in 2011 and has been refreshed for 2014. The 2014 Durango shares much with its corporate sibling, […]

By Bruce Caldwell The Mazda CX-5 was new for the model year 2013, so the early arriving 2014 CX-5 is more of an engine and technology update than a whole new vehicle. What Mazda has done is take an already excellent crossover SUV and refine it with a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. We were […]

By Bruce Caldwell Mazda has really been on a hot streak. The CX-5 crossover SUV and the Mazda6 sedan have both fared very well in magazine comparison tests. Consumers have supported those wins at the showroom. The all-new Mazda3 compact sedan is another big winner. The company’s best-selling model scores high in all categories: design, […]

Model Tested: 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV Engine: 1.6-liter DOHC I-4, 109-horsepower 107 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 31-mpg city/ 40-mpg highway Base Price: $15,990 As Tested: $17,320 Performance: Comfort: Utility: WOW Factors: Whines: Bottom Line: The 2014 Nissan Versa Note subcompact is the company’s entry-level car, but it’s more than just an […]