About the Author
Articles by Alan Rider
Hot Hatchbacks – Toyota Corolla Hatchback/Honda Civic Hatchback
Sexy: There’s a word you don’t generally apply to affordable cars. And yet, it’s an apt description of the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Granted, it’s not bright-red Ferrari kind of alluring. Just the same, this all-new hatchback offers a lot more style than just about any other four-door compact you can name, starting with its distinctlyRead More
Tough Trucks – Ford F-150 Raptor/Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
The full-size Ford F-Series didn’t achieve its best-seller status by resting on its past successes. Which explains the existence of the high-performance Ford F-150 Raptor. The four-door crew cab Raptor I drove frankly looked like it could eat other pickups for breakfast. Unlike many special-edition models, however, this next-generation Raptor is more than just aRead More
Performance, Please! – Fiat 124 Spider/Kia Stinger
If there’s a nicer place to be on a sunny afternoon than a winding two-lane road behind the wheel of the Fiat 124 Spider (with the top down, of course) we honestly can’t think of it. Yes, this two-seat roadster is every bit that agreeable. Built on the underpinnings of the highly regarded Mazda MX-5Read More
Making Tracks – Subaru Crosstrek/Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
While crossovers are known for their practical side, the all-new Subaru Crosstrek may be the Swiss army knife of the segment. It doesn’t offer 64 separate implements, but the second generation of this compact SUV is a versatile enough tool for wherever life takes you. On the road, the Crosstrek offers a refined ride andRead More
American Dreams – Chrysler 300/Buick LaCrosse
What’s in a name? When it comes to the Chrysler 300, about six decades of American motoring history. Not surprisingly, that original 1955 300 was a large automobile, albeit one with an unexpected performance edge. Much the same can be said about the current 10th-generation of this full-size sedan. I drove both the upscale 300CRead More
Sought-After Sedans – Volkswagen Jetta/Toyota Camry
There are folks for whom the mere suggestion of driving a practical car generates eye rolls. If you’re one of them, the all-new Volkswagen Jetta will quickly wipe away that look of disdain. You see, this new seventh-generation Jetta sedan looks and feels a lot more upmarket than the window sticker’s bottom line would suggest. ThatRead More