May 18, 2013
- Pros and Cons* Pros Eye-catching style, standard all-wheel drive, sporty handling and luxury cabin all get thumbs up for the 2013 Infiniti FX. Cons We can reproach the FX for its limited luggage space, poor fuel economy, lack of high-end comfort and for overpriced 21-inch wheels on the more expensive versions. Price The 2013 base model FX37 starts at $53,350. With a V6 engine, AWD and automatic transmission, it also includes keyless ignition/entry...
May 17, 2013
- Audi hasn't been shy in telling the world that it has big plans for growth. In fact, its parent company Volkswagen has plans to take over the world overtake General Motors and Toyota as the world's largest automaker, and the four-ringed luxury brand is going to play a critical role in meeting that goal. How you ask? With new performance models...
- Audi is counting on bigger sales of high-performance cars like the RS5, as well as the new version of the A3 compact, to propel volume this year amid intensifying economic headwinds.
May 16, 2013
- Pros and Cons* Pros The interior of the 2013 Infiniti M features high-grade materials and well-integrated, ergonomic technology. Agile on the road, the Infiniti M also offers a good selection of powertrains, including AWD. Cons However, the car suffers from reduced rear visibility, costly option packages and a slightly diminished look - it is not yet in the same league as its German competition. Price The M37, equipped with a 6-cylinder engine,...
- Summary The Mercedes-Benz R350, which falls somewhere between an SUV and a minivan, has yet to find its way into the hearts and minds of consumers, with just 515 units being delivered in 2012. In spite of its gargantuan size, it's supposedly easy to manoeuver and quite agile, and has been described as such by numerous automotive journalists. Pros Prestigious people-hauler, exceptionally quiet ride. Cons Expensive maintenance, dull interior, uninspired silhouette...
- Lexus really needed a new IS. Its entry level sport/luxury sedan was treading water, sure, but with a new BMW 3-Series and Cadillac ATS, outlier competitors like the Volvo S60 and Buick Regal, and newer, freshly facelifted models from Mercedes-Benz and Audi, it’s pretty clear that the sharks have been circling.
- Pros and Cons* Pros Excellent build quality, numerous storage options and its smooth, quiet ride are just some of the strong points of the 2013 Cadillac SRX. Cons Poor lateral seat support, sluggish transmission, unproven reliability, restricted rear visibility and excess weight are some of the sorer points. Price The base SRX has a MSRP of $40,495. The SRX Leather Collection starts at $43,595 to which an additional $3,000 is required for all-...
- Audi AG, the world's second-largest maker of luxury cars, said high-performance cars like the RS5, as well as the new version of the A3 compact, will help propel sales this year amid intensifying economic headwinds.
May 15, 2013
- Summary The Mercedes-Benz R350, which falls somewhere between an SUV and a minivan, has yet to find its way into the hearts and minds of consumers, with just 515 units being delivered in 2012. In spite of its gargantuan size, it's supposedly easy to manoeuver and quite agile, and has been described as such by numerous automotive journalists. Pros Prestigious people-hauler, exceptionally quiet ride. Cons Expensive maintenance, dull interior, uninspired silhouette...
- Pros and Cons* Pros The comfort level and quiet interior are the epitome of American luxury vehicle know-how. The sophisticated all-wheel drive system and numerous standard features make it a very attractive proposition. Cons Complex system controls and a striking physical resemblance to its Ford stablemates in design and name do nothing to help MKX sales. Price The MKX, which starts at $47,850, is available in all-wheel drive only. The 100A...
- Summary The Mercedes-Benz R350, which falls somewhere between an SUV and a minivan, has yet to find its way into the hearts and minds of consumers, with just 515 units being delivered in 2012. In spite of its gargantuan size, it's supposedly easy to manoeuver and quite agile, and has been described as such by numerous automotive journalists. Pros Prestigious people-hauler, exceptionally quiet ride. Cons Expensive maintenance, dull interior, uninspired silhouette...
- Strategic Vision has released its annual Total Quality awards, and some of the winners may come as a surprise. To quote Alexander Edwards, President of Strategic Vision, "For the first time in over a decade our comprehensive and complete study of Quality resulted in more domestic winners than imports." That's not to say import brands performed poorly. Volkswagen was voted the best overall corporation in Total Quality for the eighth-straight year, and Audi tied with Lexus for the best...
May 14, 2013
- Note to luxury automobile manufacturers interested in entering the performance market: The world’s strategic reserve of performance-signifying alpha characters is dwindling fast. BMW has M locked up, Audi claimed RS, Cadillac took V, and greedy old Mercedes-Benz, acting with characteristic disregard...
- Britain's best cheap used cars; Mitsubishi Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen buying guide; Ford Fiesta ST road test; Alpina B6 Biturbo driven; next-gen Land Rover Freelander This week James Ruppert, the founding father of Bangernomics, takes you on a tour of his buying philosophy, lays out his top buying tips and then recommends his favourite bulletproof bargains in our massive cheap cars special.Fans of Ruppert will know his status as the finest used car expert, and throughout a 17-page special he shares...
- Tesla Motors is on quite a roll: Not only did the small electric car maker sell 4,750 Model S sedans in the first quarter of 2013 (eclipsing the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF), but it outsold the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (3,077 units), BMW 7 Series (2,338 units), and Audi A8 (1,462 units) as well. Equally impressive is the fact that Consumer Reports has awarded the Model S 99 out of 100 points, and said it's the best car the magazine has tested since 2007. Wait, there's more: On May 10th, the...