News By Topic: 2012 New Vehicle Reviews

2012 Lexus ES 350 Review by Carey Russ +VIDEO

May 17, 2012

The New ES features something for everyone, and why not! DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS The ES has been the entry-level Lexus since Lexus's beginning in 1989. Lexus is unusual in that it now has multiple entries in the entry-luxury segment of the automotive marketplace. That shouldn't be overly surprising as som ... Continue reading

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review By Larry Nutson

May 15, 2012

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara The Little Truck That Can By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel Suzuki’s entry in the compact SUV segment is the Grand Vitara. For 2012 it has been mildly refreshed from its redesign of 2006. The basic structure for the Grand Vitara is a unibody chassis offered in ... Continue reading

2012 GMC Acadia Denali AWD Review By Steve Purdy

May 15, 2012

2012 GMC ACADIA DENALI AWD Don’t mess with a sure thing By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Michigan Bureau Three of GM’s most successful products are the trio of full-size, three-row crossovers assembled in the Lansing, MI, Delta Township plant - Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and this week’s tester, G ... Continue reading

Three More Cars Earn IIHS Top Safety Picks

May 15, 2012

AUTO CENTRAL May 15, 2012; The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, a midsize hybrid; 2012 Hyundai Azera, a large family car; and 2012 Toyota Prius c, a small hybrid, earn the Institute's top award for good performance in front, side, rollover and rear impact evaluations. The Malibu Eco is a redesigned model. The 2012 Malibu con ... Continue reading

Heels on Wheels: 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

May 13, 2012

HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE GRAND VITARA VEHICLE For a company that started out as a weaving loom manufacturer back in 1909, Suzuki proves its ability to diversity with the Suzuki Grand Vitara, a light-duty compact utility vehicle with handsome SUV styling. Stron ... Continue reading

Heels on Wheels: 2012 Honda Accord Review

May 10, 2012

HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE ACCORD VEHICLE More sophisticated than the Civic, Honda has been able to create a go-to mid-sized sedan with enough reliability and love that it is passed onto family members during its lifetime just as a cherished heirloom might. More ... Continue reading

2012 BMW 750Li Review By Steve Purdy

May 10, 2012

2012 BMW 750Li The Ultimate Riding Machine for a Potentate By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Michigan Bureau Before doing the research on this amazing limo-size BMW 750Li I was not know the details of its powertrain but when I put my foot in it on the freeway ramp and felt the thrust I knew it was something special. I ... Continue reading

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEv An Electrifying Review By Larry Nutson +VIDEO

May 9, 2012

2012 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi i-MiEv Never visit a gas station again! By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel IMG-3314) The scheduling f test drives in manufacturer’s press cars is done weeks in advance. I was more than thrilled when Mitsubishi’s car-handler in Chicago called to say they c ... Continue reading

2012 BMW 135i Review By Steve Purdy

May 3, 2012

2012 BMW 135i - Quick, Competent and Entertaining By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Michigan Bureau It’s been quite some time since I’ve reviewed any of the great cars from Munich. The first, and only, car I ever bought new was a 1970 BMW 2002 and I’ve had a special affection for the brand since. I’ ... Continue reading

Florida Fun and 40MPG With 2012 Kia Rio and Optima Hybrid +VIDEO

May 2, 2012

By Larry Nutson Senior Editor Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (IMG_3401) April 2012 From Miami Beach to Key West is about 170 miles. Kia Motors America invited 28 auto writers to test their hypermiling skills making the drive down U.S. Highway 1 behind the wheels of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, Rio sedan and Rio 5-door. ... Continue reading

2012 Toyota Prius c Three Review by Carey Russ +VIDEO

May 1, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Toyota Prius c Three Since its debut in the US over a decade ago, the Toyota Prius has become almost synonymous with the gasoline-electric hybrid car. Over half of the hybrids sold have been Toyotas, with the Prius the most popular of those. But there's room for improvement, a ... Continue reading

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2012 ACURA MDX REVIEW

Apr 29, 2012

A quick test drive should lead you out of any mid-size crossover confusion and straight into this luxury lover HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE ACURA MDX VEHICLE The Acura MDX offers smooth and predictable driving dynamics that deliver the ultimate sense of road secur ... Continue reading

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review By John Heilig

Apr 27, 2012

THE AUTO PAGE By John Heilig Senior Editor The Auto Channel SPECIFICATIONS Model: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Engine: 2.4-liter Atkinson cycle I4 Horsepower/Torque: 206 horsepower (total)/193 lb.-ft. torque (total) Transmission: 6-speed automatic with Shiftronic Wheelbase: 110.0 in. Length/Width/Height: 198.8 x 72.2 x 5 ... Continue reading

He Said - 2012 Hyundai Accent Drive and Review By Larry Nutson

Apr 25, 2012

2012 Hyundai Accent 40mpg and more! By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (IMG_3301) Fifty is the new thirty in human age terms today. And in the auto fuel economy arena here in the U.S., 40mpg is the new 30mpg. A quick look at my local Chicago Tribune automotive section and I see lots of green ... Continue reading

She Said - Heels on Wheels: 2012 Hyundai Accent Review

Apr 25, 2012

</p><p>HEELS ON WHEELS <br>By Katrina Ramser <br>San Francisco Bureau <br>The Auto Channel </p><p><b>INTRO TO THE ACCENT VEHICLE</b> <br>Instead of masking its micro-size with big car design cues, the newly redesigned 2012 Hyundai Accent chose to embraces its subcompact status by crafting eye-catching aerodynamic flare ... Continue reading