Model Tested: 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport Engine: 4.0-liter V-6, 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft torque Transmission: 5-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive EPA Rating: 16-mpg city, 19-mpg highway, 17-mpg combined Base Price: $42,025 As Tested: $45,904 Performance: Body on ladder frame toughness for off-road driving Pretty smooth highway ride So-so fuel economy—our best was 22.9-mpg […]
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Posted inBehind The Wheel
2022 Acura MDX
Model Tested: 2022 Acura MDX SH-AWD Type S ADV Engine: 3.0-liter V-6, 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft torque Transmission: 10-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive EPA Rating: 17-mpg city, 21-mpg highway, 19-mpg combined Base Price: $72,050 As Tested: $73,595 Performance: Pleasant city and highway ride Strong engine with twin scroll turbocharger Smooth, refined 10-speed automatic transmission […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2022 Mazda3 Turbo Sedan
Model Tested: 2022 Mazda3 Turbo Premium AWD Sedan Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4, 227-250 horsepower, 310 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 23-mpg city, 32-mpg highway, 27-mpg combined Base Price: $33,100 As Tested: $34,750 Performance: Turbocharger boosts personality Quite athletic, nimble Sport mode makes noticeable performance improvement Premium fuel boosts horsepower to 250 Good […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2022 Lexus ES 300h
Model Tested: 2022 Lexus ES 300h F Sport Engine: 2.5-liter I-4, 215 total horsepower and 163 lb.-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel drive EPA Rating: 43-mpg city, 44-mpg highway, 44-mpg combined Base Price: $45,450 As Tested: $52,695 Performance: Excellent fuel economy—our best was 45.2-mpg Electric motor aids acceleration Smooth, comfortable highway ride Excellent head […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2022 Toyota Tundra
Model Tested: 2022 Toyota Tundra HV 4×4 Capstone Hybrid CrewMax Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft torque Transmission: 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive EPA Rating: 19-mpg city, 22-mpg highway, 20-mpg combined Base Price: $73,530 As Tested: $77,339 Performance: Performance modes: 2H, 4H, HL Dial for Eco, Normal, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Custom Throttle […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2023 Honda HR-V
Model Tested: 2023 Honda HR-V 5DR AWD EX-L Engine: 2.0-liter I-4, 158 horsepower and 138 lb.-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel drive EPA Rating: 25-mpg city, 30-mpg highway, 27-mpg combined Base Price: $28,950 As Tested: $30,590 Performance: Pleasant city and highway ride Reasonably good fuel economy—our best was 31.8-mpg highway CVT transmission a little […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2022 Lexus NX 350h
Model Tested: 2022 Lexus NX 350h Luxury Engine: 2.5-liter I-4, 239 total horsepower and 167 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel drive EPA Rating: 41-mpg city, 37-mpg highway, 39-mpg combined Base Price: $48,500 As Tested: $55,645 Performance: Smooth ride on highway and in city Excellent fuel economy Console button for EV mode Electric motors […]
Posted inBehind The Wheel
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
Model Tested: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD Engine: 2.0-liter I-4, 169 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel drive EPA Rating: 29-mpg city, 32-mpg highway, 30-mpg combined Base Price: $27,625 As Tested: $33,679 Performance: Smooth ride on highway and in city Very good highway fuel economy—our best was 35.2-mpg Acceleration on […]
Posted inAuto Talk
Old Cars, Old Tires — and the DOT
There have been a number of things recently that have prompted me to look into the use of Department of Transportation (DOT) numbers on tires: a recent purchase of a used car with seemingly sound tires and a four-wheel-drive SUV that racked up 80,000 miles on a set of factory tires. In either case, knowing […]