Department: Test Drive
Hardworking Ford F-150 Can Replace the Family Car
September 15, 2018. John Paul
The Ford F-150 is the undisputed leader in pickup truck sales. Its seven versions come with various engines, cab configurations, bed lengths and rear-wheel- or four-wheel-drive versions. I drove the top-of-the-line Ford F-150 Limited Edition SuperCrew with a 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 engine. The cabin is as luxurious as any passenger car, with spacious rear seating….
Sporty 2018 Infiniti Q60 AWD Powerful Enough for New England Winters
September 15, 2018. John Paul
It seems like the number of luxury two-door sport coupes gets smaller every year. But one car that keeps getting better is the Infiniti Q60 coupe, an attractive-looking car with great lines. The Q60 has two engine choices: a four-cylinder 2.0-liter 208 horsepower engine and a V-6 engine that changes depending on trim level. The…
Stylish 2018 Nissan Rogue Rivals Any Luxury Vehicle
September 15, 2018. John Paul
This compact sport-utility vehicle comes in three trim levels powered by a 2.5-liter engine. This four-cylinder engine is connected to a continually variable transmission that can power the front wheels or – in the case with my test car – all four wheels. I tested the top-of-the line SL model with the premium package, which had…
Hot Hatchbacks – Toyota Corolla Hatchback/Honda Civic Hatchback
August 28, 2018. Alan Rider
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 distinctly…
Tough Trucks – Ford F-150 Raptor/Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
August 27, 2018. Alan Rider
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 a…
Performance, Please! – Fiat 124 Spider/Kia Stinger
July 28, 2018. Alan Rider
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-5…
Dodge Durango Packs Full-Size Features Into Midsize Model
July 16, 2018. John Paul
The Dodge Durango three-row SUV comes in five trim levels, rear or all-wheel drive, and a V-6 or V-8 engine. My road test was in the high-performance SRT version with a 475-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine. The cabin of the Durango was comfortable, featuring heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel. Combined with a…
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Couples Extensive Features, Great Warranty
July 16, 2018. John Paul
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – not to be confused with the larger Santa Fe – is a five-passenger SUV that comes in two trim levels: base and ultimate. The base model is equipped with a 2.4-liter engine that develops 185 horsepower while the ultimate model has a 2.0-liter 240-horsepower turbocharged engine. My road test was…
Making Tracks – Subaru Crosstrek/Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
June 28, 2018. Alan Rider
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 and…
American Dreams – Chrysler 300/Buick LaCrosse
June 28, 2018. Alan Rider
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 300C…