Car of the Month
Each month, MotorWeek host John Davis selects a vehicle to highlight that has the potential to be a game-changer, sets a new benchmark in its class, or exemplifies the latest trend in the automotive world.
2013 SRT Viper 2.01.2013
Even after Chrysler began building the first Dodge Viper sports car in 1991, I really don’t think their executives realized the staying power of this crude, in-your-face, two seater, the likes of which had never before rolled out of an American auto plant. The Viper was more than just a long overdue answer to Chevrolet’s benchmark, and by then highly civilized… Read More
2013 BMW X1 1.01.2013
Automakers are leaving no stone unturned in the search for better fuel economy. But, while there is solid evidence that, even at premium brands, many buyers will trade down in car size to increase miles per gallon, it is unclear if the same will hold true for luxury SUVs and crossover utilities. Still, various manufacturers, both foreign and domestic, are rushing… Read More
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 12.01.2012
Since it first arrived here for the 2001 model year, the Hyundai Santa Fe has been a hit with owners by providing a great value among other mid-size crossover vehicles. That in itself is a pretty impressive feat since few automotive segments are more crowded and competitive than middle weight CUVs. Now, for the 2013 model year, an all-new Hyundai Santa Fe debuts… Read More
2013 Ford Fusion 11.01.2012
It could be argued that the 1996 Ford Taurus was the last straw for the vast majority of midsize family sedan buyers in America. After reigning as the bestselling car in the land for five years running, an all-new “oval” Taurus design sent buyers fleeing to the more conservative Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Since then, domestic brand family cars have taken a… Read More
2013 Chevrolet Spark 9.30.2012
There are small cars and then there are extremely small cars. The smallest examples are known as mini-cars; that is they are smaller than a subcompact; or city cars since that is where these tiny four-wheelers fit best. Up until now, mini-cars have not gained a meaningful foothold in America. Buyers have resisted them because of a limited size that also limits… Read More
2013 Cadillac ATS 9.01.2012
The 2013 Cadillac ATS is the brand’s first compact luxury-sport sedan and their first car that is sized right to do battle with the BMW 3 Series and other smaller European performance sedans. While we’ve heard claims of sport sedan parity from Detroit brands before, the engineers behind the ATS have taken all the necessary steps to meet their off-shore… Read More
2013 Nissan Altima 8.01.2012
Nowhere in the automotive business is the competition more intense than among mid-size family sedans. Every full-line automaker has at least one entry, all trying to unseat a pair of industry stalwarts; the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. In recent years several competitors have made significant inroads including the Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, and the Nissan… Read More
2013 Scion FR-S 7.01.2012
The 2013 FR-S is Scion’s first rear-wheel-drive car and makes one heck of a first impression. With an aggressive front end and angular headlights glaring back at you, this coupe comes ready to rock. The dual exhaust around back reinforces that message, and another: this is no ordinary Scion. Light on its feet, this sport coupe wrangles up 200 horsepower and makes… Read More
2013 Ford Escape 6.01.2012
The Ford Escape was not the first compact crossover on the road, that honor falls to the Toyota RAV4. However, with over two million sales over the last 12 years, the Escape’s success has been a key to the rapid growth of the small utility market. But, anyone familiar with the previous Escapes will find the all-new 2013 model a huge departure. Gone is the boxy… Read More
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco 5.01.2012
Up until just a few years ago, Detroit auto companies were making big profits by catering to America’s taste for larger SUVs and trucks, fueled by the free flow of relatively inexpensive gasoline. But, this false prosperity caused the companies to put a low priority on designing cars for the volume family sedan market. There were still lots of great sedans… Read More