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.
2014 Mazda3 12.02.2013
The 2014 model year marks the 10th anniversary of the Mazda3 compact series. And in that brief time it’s not only become one of our favorite small cars, but Mazda’s biggest seller. For its 3rd generation, it undergoes the most changes in its brief history, being all new from the ground up. For starters the Mazda3’s wheelbase is over 2-inches longer than before,… Read More
2014 Honda Accord Hybrid 11.01.2013
The Honda Accord has long been a favorite for families looking for a comfortable, safe, reliable, yet reasonably priced mid-size sedan. Now those same fans can add ultra-fuel efficient to that mix of attributes with the arrival of the 2014 Accord Hybrid. The latest Accord Hybrid is not a rehash of the disappointing V6 Accord Hybrid we first tested during the… Read More
2013 Lincoln MKZ 10.08.2013
One of the biggest marketing problems facing a mainstream brand like Ford is how to keep customers in the corporate fold throughout their car buying life. As a customer becomes more affluent, they often want a car with a bit more prestige. That’s where captive premium and luxury brands come into play. Chevrolet has Buick and Cadillac, Toyota has Lexus, Honda has… Read More
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.01.2013
The current generation Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle was all-new for 2011, and it has been an unqualified sales success. In fact, it is largely responsible for the Chrysler Group’s current rosy financial picture. We too are fans of the now familiar Grand Cherokee. Still, time flies and 2014 brings some significant change for Jeep’s biggest ute. At the… Read More
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 5.01.2013
After what has been a very long winter for most of the country, warm weather is finally here. Around MotorWeek, that means it’s high time for a little open air motoring. One instantly recognizable cure for this year’s winter blues is the all-new and affordable Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The new Beetle Convertible follows last year’s introduction of a more… Read More
2014 Subaru Forester 4.01.2013
Just about everyone knows someone who owns a Subaru Forester. Since it first arrived in the Americas in 1998, it has been a top choice among small utilities for both the press and public alike. So, when an all-new, fourth generation Forester was announced, everyone knew it would carry a lot of weight on its shoulders. It not only had to appeal to the Forester… Read More
2013 Ford Focus ST 3.01.2013
You may have of heard of “One Ford”. That’s the catchy name the Ford Motor Company devised for its turnaround plan back in 2008. The idea was to use the best of the company’s worldwide resources to build cars that could be sold globally with little or no change. The “World Car” approach has been tried by Ford and others before, only to fall victim to… Read More
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