Car reviews

SEE SUVs, CROSSOVERS, and MINIVANS • PICKUP TRUCKS

Most current

Chevrolet Cruze RS Premier (2016) — quiet, competent, highly advanced compact that has enough legroom and features to replace a midsize car.

Mitsubishi Lancer SEL AWD (2016) — a fun, competent car that instantly responds to the throttle with all four wheels, and has a feel we thought had been lost to the class.

Mazda3 (2016) — strong acceleration and high economy with a large interior, big trunk, and a fun, light feel — what could go wrong? We found out in our test drive (hint: the user interface).

Volkswagen Beetle Dune (2016) — fun for the everyday driver, the Beetle starts with a torquey 170 hp turbocharged engine, turns out good gas mileage along with quick acceleration, and throws in excellent handling. It feels lighter than its 3,000 pounds, has less quirky electronics than past Volkswagens. You pay a price for the look, but the Beetle is still a deal for what you get.

• Dodge Dart (2013) — hot handling, great gizmos, odd power curve and headrests
• Falcon F7 (2012) — low-volume supercar
• Fiat 500 (2015) — the small car praised by big-car lovers
• Fiat 500C (2012) — convertible-on-the-cheap with fine gas mileage
• Infiniti G37 IPL (2013) — hot luxury convertible, at a price
• Nissan Versa (2012) — biggest interior in its class
• Toyota Camry (2014)
• Volkswagen Beetle Dune (2016) — a ball of fun for the everyday driver

Past Cars

The General

• Buick LaCrosse (2005) - plush highway cruiser
• Buick LaCrosse (2010) — Lexus-like luxury with scads of gadgets
• Buick Regal (2011) — BMW styling and good cornering plus gadgetry
• Buick Park Avenue Ultra - stylish and interesting mix of new and old
• Cadillac CTS (2003-04) - handles like a demon, feels like a Caddy
• Cadillac DeVille and DTS - if they could get Mercedes buyers to drive these...
• Chevrolet Aveo5 (2009) - a Lutz-retuned suspension makes this little car a whole ball o’ fun. Yes, really.
• Chevrolet Camaro SS (2010) — real muscle with excellent grip
• Chevrolet Cruze — surprising cornering, large and upscale interior
• Chevrolet Corvette (2004) - the most power for the money, amazingly under your control
• Chevrolet Camaro SS: discontinued king of the street - 2001 automatic | 2002 six-speed
• Chevrolet Cobalt (2006) - small car with big-car feel and zippy acceleration
• Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (2009) - pleasant little small car at a good price
• Chevrolet Impala (2002-2005) - surprisingly sporty and spacious
• Chevrolet Malibu (2004) - worthy of the name and real competition for the Camry
• Chevrolet Impala SS (2007) - cushy, comfy, and V8 powered
• Chevrolet Malibu hybrid (2008) - V6 torque with small-four mileage and a good price
• Chevy Malibu LTZ (2008) - fun and refined, but big and safe
• Chevrolet Sonic (2012) — a true contender, peppy, comfortable, and stylish
• Chevrolet SSR (2005) - Corvette-powered sport pickup convertible, boatloads of fun
• Oldsmobile Aurora
• Pontiac Bonneville - quick and comfortable
• Pontiac G6 sedan (2007) - surprisingly enjoyable sedan with a cheap-looking but quiet interior
• Pontiac G8 GXP (2009) - high-tech, four-door muscle car
• Pontiac Grand Am (2002) - quite nice
• Pontiac Grand Prix GT (2004) - quick and techy
• Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (2002) - velvet-coated thrust
• Pontiac Sunfire - more refined than you'd think
• Pontiac Vibe (2002) - carlike SUV
• Pontiac Vibe AWD (2009) - well-insulated little wagon
• Saturn Astra (2008) - go-kart with weird controls, at an economy-car price
• Saturn Ion (2003) - technological tour de force with hidden rear doors and a big trunk
• Saturn LW - the wagon version of the LS
• Saturn Sky (2007) - modern British roadster with more convenience and none of that Lucas stuff

Other domestics

• Cadillac CTS (2009) — sticks to the road like glue, but still feels like a Cadillac (2009)
• Chevrolet Impala (2011) — big and refined
• Chrysler 300 (2005-07) - surprisingly agile big rear-wheel-drive American sedan with optional Hemi power
• Chrysler 300C (2008) - incredibly strong cornering and good speed in a full-size sedan (AWD version)
• Chrysler 300S (2012) — big and luxurious, with shades of past 300s
• Chrysler 300M (2003) - luxury-sport sedan at a reasonable price
• Chrysler Crossfire (2005): the Mercedes SLK gets a makeover and comes out with better grip and looks
• Chrysler PT Cruiser - retro yet attractive, with surprising handling and comfort; GT Turbo has rocket power as well
• Chrysler Sebring GTC (2001-2006) - the popular convertible
• Chrysler Sebring (2007) - refined midsize sedan killed by Top Gear guy
• Chrysler Sebring Convertible (2007) - Smooth, quiet convertible with a hard folding top
• Dodge Avenger (2011) - quieter and more refined than Camry, but more fun
• Dodge Avenger R/T (2007) - refined and quick compact sedan with aggressive looks
• Dodge Caliber R/T and SXT - good alternative SUV, but not a Neon replacement
• Dodge Caliber SRT-4 (2008) - fire-breathing cute-ute
• Dodge Charger SRT8 (2008) - spacious sedan with a heart of muscle
• Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2009) —brawn and beauty and less gas-guzzling than you’d think
• Dodge Charger: V6/8-speed and Hemi AWD (2012) — refined muscle, with grip
• Dodge Charger (2006) - big but very quick, yet comfortable
• Dodge Magnum R/T (2005 and 2007) : solid, Hemi-powered, and quite capable
• Dodge Magnum SRT8 (2007) - over 400 horsepower in a station wagon
• Dodge Neon SXT (2003) - well equipped yet cheap; mid-sized space in a compact price range
• Dodge Stratus Sedan (2001-05) - great all-around sporty, sophisticated sedan also sold as the Chrysler Sebring
• Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe - comfortable, capable coupe made in the US by Mitsubishi
• Dodge Neon SRT-4 (2003) - ultimate under-$20,000 performance, with a good-sized interior and trunk

The Korean cars

• Hyundai Accent (2000) - nice entry-level
• Hyundai Azera (2006) - Lexus feel in a Camry-priced sedan
• Hyundai Elantra (2000) - sensible family sedan
• Hyundai Elantra (2007) - luxury car ride with great sound insulation and odd steering at a good price
• Hyundai Tiburon (2001) - more fun than it should be!
• Hyundai XG350 (2003-2004) - looks and feels luxurious, doesn't cost much, great warranty
• Kia Amanti (2006) - refined, quiet, large, and pleasant, Jaguar looks and a thirst for fuel
• Kia Optima (2002-2005) - luxury look and feel, low-end price, killer warranty
• Kia Optima (2006) - cushy and quiet, but engine lag hurts
• Kia Rio (2001-2003) - sporty little car whose handling far outstrips acceleration
• Kia Spectra5 (2005) - nimble, fun little hatchback that shames the Honda Civic with best-in-class interior space, a plush ride, and a quick engine

Japanese and European cars

• Acura RSX - glued to the ground, high-winding coupe
• Infiniti G20 - low end of the luxury brand
• Daewoo Leganza (2000) - inexpensive but upscale sedan related to the Sonata
• Honda Civic EX-L Navi (2008) - loses the feel Civics are known for, gains a navigation system
• Jaguar XK convertible (2008) — brief notes
• Lexus GS300 (2006) - quick, luxurious sport-sedan
• Lexus IS350 (2007) - fun sports car with power, excitement, refinement
• Lexus ES350 (2007) - just smooth enough, just fun enough, and priced well
• Lexus GS430 (2007) - luxury with terrific performance
• Lexus GS450h (2007) - stunning speed with good mileage in a hybrid-electric sedan
• Lexus LS460 (2007) - totally smooth, no-holds-barred luxury car with automatic parking
• Lexus IS350 (2007) - fun sports car with power, excitement, refinement
• Mazda MX5 hardtop convertible (2008) - fun little open-roofed car
• Mazda3 (2008) - the most performance you can get for the surprisingly-low price
• Mitsubishi Diamonte (2003) - handling, power, ride, and space nicely balanced
• Mitsubishi Lancer (2002-2007) - too comfortable and large to feel like a low-end sedan
• Mitsubishi Lancer (2008) - sporty and inexpensive
• Mitsubishi Outlander - SUV style with car convenience
• Nissan Altima (2008) - entertaining FWD sedan
• Saab 9-5 - quirky, fast, and smooth
• Saab 9-3 (2006) - safe, smooth, sophisticated, fun sports sedan
• Saab 9-5 - quirky, fast, and smooth
• Scion xD (2010) — fun, cheap little wagon with some surprising features
• Subaru Impreza (and WRX, 2002) - rally car you can buy
• Subaru Impreza (2008)— sporty, inexpensive all wheel drive midsize sedan
• Subaru Outback - raise a Legacy, make it look like an SUV, watch sales fly until every other automaker from Audi to Volkswagen does the same
• Suzuki Aerio - fun, fast, scrappy little wagon
• Suzuki Forenza (2005) - surprisingly nice entry-level sedan
• Suzuki Verona (2005) - taking aim at the Camry
• Scion xA (2005) - surprisingly fun and economical miniature hatchback
• Scion xB (2005) - surprisingly fun and economical miniature hatchback...or is it a minivan? or an SUV?
• Scion tC (2005) - nice torquey engine, good rear-seat space for a two-door
• Subaru Legacy (2001) - refined all wheel drive sedan and wagon
• Suzuki Aerio (2002) - fun, fast, scrappy little wagon
• Suzuki SX4 (2008) - surprisingly sporty and loveable, despite entry-level price
• Suzuki Forenza (2005) - surprisingly nice and comfortable
• Toyota Camry (2004) - luxury ride coupled with thrift and reliability keeps it America's #1 car
• Toyota Camry (2007) - luxury feel in an attainable sedan, and did we mention 268 hp?
• Toyota Camry SE (2011) — refined “top family car” goes sporty
• Toyota Corolla XLE (2009) - quiet, spacious small car with good mileage
• Toyota Corolla (2003-2008) - surprisingly civilized and economical, now with usable rear seats
• Toyota Matrix (2003) - pocket rocket wagon, or carlike SUV - XRS and XR reviewed
• Toyota MR2 (2005) - extra-fun British roadster with Toyota reliability
• Toyota Prius (2005) - insanely good gas mileage in a family sized car with lots of features (see the first generation)
• Toyota Prius III (2010) — better mileage, faster, bigger, and ready for prime time
• Toyota Yaris (2007) - surprisingly quick-feeling little car with great mileage
• Volkswagen Golf and Jetta (2002-2005) - think of them as small BMWs with front wheel drive
• Volkswagen Golf GLI (2005) - quick front-drive sports car
• Volkswagen GTI - corners like a go-kart, zooms nicely; it’s “the next GTI.”
• Volkswagen New Beetle - mix of old and new
• Volkswagen GTI vs Volvo C30 comparison car reviews (2008)
• Volkswagen Passat (2001) - sporty family sedan
• Volkswagen Phaeton (2005) - understated exterior hides massive power, large size, and great handling
• Volvo S60 (2005) - Edgy but pleasant sports sedan
• Volvo V70 Cross Country (2002) - faster than you'd think, with good handling and many safety features
• Volvo V70 (2005) - blazing-fast sports wagon with traditional Volvo safety and generous space
• Volvo S80 (2008) - Zoomy, safe sports sedan

Gone but not forgotten

See our past car reviews for the cars that are gone but not forgotten. (2000 and newer)