The Basics: Whether you know trucks or not, the Chevrolet Silverado is likely a familiar vehicle; in a huge swath of variations, it’s the tool of choice for those who need to get things done. From sport trucks to hybrids, and up off-road rigs and heavy-duty models, the Silverado 1500 still stacks up well against [...]
The Basics: The Kia Optima is entering its third model year since a transformation that catapulted it far above its bland past and made it, surprisingly, one of the most sophisticated, best-looking, and best-equipped (for the money) mid-size sedans on the market. And even a couple of years later, it seems like the competition hasn’t [...]
The Basics: With its bulldog nose, edgy roofline, and boxy, appliance-like tail, the Kia Soul brought a new attitude to small cars–as well as more practicality and small-car spirit to small utility vehicles. Just one look inside and out is all it takes to see and understand why the Kia Soul has been a very [...]
The Basics: Kia has transformed its brand and its lineup in rapid succession–first with the Soul and Forte, then with the Sorento and Optima. In the 2012 model year, it was the subcompact Rio’s turn, and in another successful reinvention, the small sedan and hatchback are a magnitude better than the vehicles they replaced. As [...]
The Basics: The Kia Sorento’s transformation back in 2011 accomplished a few notable things. It turned a trucky SUV into a carlike crossover, one without so much off-road talent but far more on-road fluency. It’s put a lot of Georgians to work, overtime, building Sorentos just to keep up with its hot sales pace. And [...]
The Basics: The Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h have a lot going for them. They’re understated and comfortable, yet somehow also iconic, and they’ve found a loyal following among those who want plush comfort, plenty of practicality, and standout tech and entertainment features in a package that won’t be seen as fiscally or environmentally [...]
The Basics: It’s been a couple of years since the mid-size Hyundai Sonata went through such an extreme transformation that it could have been marked by a name change. The smooth, rakish, daring design makeover that the Sonata received for 2011 (in sharp contrast to the staid wallflower it had been before) still turns heads—and [...]
The Basics: The 2013 Volvo XC90 is the most dated design in the current Volvo lineup. But you’d probably never know it in seeing this model from the outside; in looking at its equipment list; or in driving it versus recently updated competitors. In fact, the XC90 is more feature-packed than ever and is a [...]
The Basics: You may have seen the tall, boxy Ford Transit Connect in taxicab guise, or gussied up to ferry your plumber or pet sitter on their daily rounds. Chances are the Turkish-built cargo van isn’t that common a sight as a carry-all for families on the go–though Ford does sell a version for that [...]
The Basics: You may have seen the tall, boxy Ford Transit Connect in taxicab guise, or gussied up to ferry your plumber or pet sitter on their daily rounds. Chances are the Turkish-built cargo van isn’t that common a sight as a carry-all for families on the go–though Ford does sell a version for that [...]
