Kicking Tires: May, 2012
Posted at 03:03 PM ET, 05/31/2012
By Cars.com
Toyota has added a little sibling, the Prius c, to its expanding lineup of Prius cars, which also includes the original, the stretched Prius v and the Prius Plug-In. The 2012 Prius c is a four-door hatchback that gets an...
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03:03 PM ET, 05/31/2012 |
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Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 05/31/2012
By Cars.com
Fatalities for teen drivers plunged dramatically between 1996 and 2010; for 16-year-old drivers, the rate dropped 68%, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Those drops can be partially attributed to graduated driver licensing laws that have been implemented,.
By Cars.com |
02:24 PM ET, 05/31/2012 |
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Posted at 12:54 PM ET, 05/31/2012
By Cars.com
Volkswagen of America CEO Jonathan Browning told reporters Wednesday that the automaker would add a midsize SUV positioned between the Tiguan and Touareg, according to Bloomberg News. Browning declined to elaborate on a timetable for introduction, but there's clearly room.
By Cars.com |
12:54 PM ET, 05/31/2012 |
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Posted at 07:09 AM ET, 05/31/2012
By Cars.com
Everyone has the right to their opinion, especially when it comes to evaluating new cars. But sometimes — only one other time, actually — we have to step in and let car shoppers know we have a different point of...
By Cars.com |
07:09 AM ET, 05/31/2012 |
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Posted at 07:04 AM ET, 05/31/2012
By Cars.com
Ford and Lexus have a lot riding on their new SUVs. The redesigned Ford Escape and refreshed Lexus RX recently hit dealer lots and have big shoes to fill. The two have been hot sellers for their brands — the...
By Cars.com |
07:04 AM ET, 05/31/2012 |
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Posted at 03:04 PM ET, 05/30/2012
By Cars.com
With the announcement of more sophisticated, technology-laden versions of the Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Impala, you'd think the state of large, non-luxury family sedans was pretty sound, but think again. Over just the past five years, the full-size.
By Cars.com |
03:04 PM ET, 05/30/2012 |
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Posted at 02:03 PM ET, 05/30/2012
By Cars.com
Red apparently meant "Go" to more than 2 million drivers last year, according to a study by the National Coalition for Safer Roads. Its report found that more than 2.3 million drivers in 18 states ran a red light in...
By Cars.com |
02:03 PM ET, 05/30/2012 |
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Posted at 01:18 PM ET, 05/30/2012
By Cars.com
It was the pickup truck equivalent of an uncaged match: The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor up against the Mopar Ram Runner, racing over dunes, ruts and dried river beds in the blistering-hot desert that’s well east of Los Angeles. It...
By Cars.com |
01:18 PM ET, 05/30/2012 |
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Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 05/30/2012
By Cars.com
There's good news if you plan to finance your car purchase: The average credit score for car shoppers dropped to pre-recession lows as auto lenders extended some of the best terms since the financial crisis, Experian Automotive says. In the...
By Cars.com |
11:58 AM ET, 05/30/2012 |
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Posted at 10:05 AM ET, 05/30/2012
By Cars.com
On the verge of reaching dealerships, the 2013 Cadillac XTS has big shoes to fill; the model replaces both the DTS livery vehicle and the sportier STS large sedan, both of which are now defunct. The XTS combines an affordable...
By Cars.com |
10:05 AM ET, 05/30/2012 |
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Posted at 07:04 AM ET, 05/30/2012
By Cars.com
There are a slew of minivan alternatives out there for large families who don't want to succumb to the rolling stereotype. Three-row crossovers are the most popular choice, but I'm always looking for something unique that can fit families with...
By Cars.com |
07:04 AM ET, 05/30/2012 |
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Posted at 07:07 PM ET, 05/29/2012
By Cars.com
BMW has always been more aggressive with its roadsters' styling; check out the avant-garde 2003-08 BMW Z4 for an example. For folks who think the aggressive look of the current BMW Z4 is just too conventional, feast your eyes on...
By Cars.com |
07:07 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |
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Posted at 04:13 PM ET, 05/29/2012
By Cars.com
BMW has always been more aggressive with its roadsters' styling; check out the avant-garde 2003-08 BMW Z4 for an example. For folks who think the aggressive look of the current BMW Z4 is just too conventional, feast your eyes on...
By Cars.com |
04:13 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |
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Posted at 02:03 PM ET, 05/29/2012
By Cars.com
In the growing sea of new and redesigned subcompact cars, Kia's Rio was easy to overlook. Not anymore, says Cars.com Editor Mike Hanley. The Rio 5-Door hatchback model's great gas mileage, appealing styling, decent cargo space and low prices mean...
By Cars.com |
02:03 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |
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Posted at 01:09 PM ET, 05/29/2012
By Cars.com
Competes with: Buick Regal, Infiniti G, Nissan Maxima Looks like: New bumpers, side skirts and taillights give the CC a more menacing, aggressive look Drivetrain: 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission Hits dealerships: End.
By Cars.com |
01:09 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |
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Posted at 12:03 PM ET, 05/29/2012
By Cars.com
The Toyota Prius is now the third best-selling car across the globe, according to Bloomberg News. The growth comes from strong sales in both Japan and the United States, Bloomberg News reports. With 247,230 models sold in the first quarter...
By Cars.com |
12:03 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/29/2012
By Cars.com
As the mercury rises this May, so does the risk of children dying of heatstroke in vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash-related vehicle fatalities of children younger than 14.
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/29/2012 |
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Posted at 09:03 AM ET, 05/27/2012
By Cars.com
The 2013 Acura ILX is the first model from the brand to share a platform with the Honda Civic since 2007. Despite sharing mechanics with the hum-drum Civic, the Acura has better ride quality and handling, a quieter cabin and...
By Cars.com |
09:03 AM ET, 05/27/2012 |
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Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 05/26/2012
By Cars.com
The exhaust on the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth pops, spits and gargles like an aftermarket system rather than something found on a production vehicle, according to Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek. The Abarth's muffler is designed for minimal exhaust gas restriction.
By Cars.com |
01:04 PM ET, 05/26/2012 |
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Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 05/25/2012
By Cars.com
Competes with: Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, Jaguar XJ, Bentley Continental Looks like: BMW’s flagship gets a host of needed technology updates Drivetrain: 315-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder (740i/Li); 445-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 (750i/Li); 535-hp, 6.
By Cars.com |
02:48 PM ET, 05/25/2012 |
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Posted at 02:03 PM ET, 05/25/2012
By Cars.com
After a rocky start, Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela and her busy family loaded up Volkswagen’s Tiguan with all the passengers and cargo it can handle. Although it gets a lower base price for 2012 and has a lot...
By Cars.com |
02:03 PM ET, 05/25/2012 |
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Posted at 01:43 PM ET, 05/25/2012
By Cars.com
Ralph Gilles tapped the drivetrain's Sport button and held down an adjacent key to deactivate the electronic stability system. We were in a 470-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT8 — Gilles at the wheel, me riding shotgun — about to hug the...
By Cars.com |
01:43 PM ET, 05/25/2012 |
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Posted at 01:03 PM ET, 05/25/2012
By Cars.com
When the updated-for-2013 Toyota Venza goes on sale next week, it'll start at $28,510 (including an $810 destination fee). The midsize wagon gets exterior styling tweaks and more standard and available features for the new model year. Trim levels LE,.
By Cars.com |
01:03 PM ET, 05/25/2012 |
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Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 05/25/2012
By Cars.com
Cadillac is rolling out its touch-sensitive CUE system, Cadillac User Experience, as standard in the new XTS sedan and refreshed SRX crossover, and optional in the smaller ATS sedan. What about the rest of the lineup? Thursday, Cadillac marketing director.
By Cars.com |
12:13 PM ET, 05/25/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/25/2012
By Cars.com
For 2012, Chrysler introduced a new S trim to the 300 lineup. The 300S is a full-size sedan with a V-6 or V-8 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. On the inside, it seats five in sport seats and has...
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/25/2012 |
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Posted at 02:04 PM ET, 05/24/2012
By Cars.com
The 2012 Honda Odyssey is the ultimate family mobile, says Cars.com Family contributor BreAnn Ahara. With seating for eight and enough Latch anchors to handle a small preschool, this minivan successfully combines form with function. One of BreAnn’s favorite features.
By Cars.com |
02:04 PM ET, 05/24/2012 |
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Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 05/24/2012
By Cars.com
GM is recalling 4,304 Chevrolet Malibu sedans from the 2013 model year because after hard braking, the sensing and diagnostic module could reset itself, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If the module resets itself during aggressive turning.
By Cars.com |
11:39 AM ET, 05/24/2012 |
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Posted at 07:33 AM ET, 05/24/2012
By Cars.com
On my last trip to the grocery store, I squeezed the large Chrysler 300 sedan into a less-than-large parking spot and ran in for some supplies, not giving the car or the spot a second thought. When I returned, it...
By Cars.com |
07:33 AM ET, 05/24/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/24/2012
By Cars.com
I like to mark milestones in my parenting life and not just the big ones like first steps or graduating from kindergarten. I also celebrated both kids being out of diapers and getting rid of all my sippy cups. You'd...
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/24/2012 |
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Posted at 01:03 PM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
The Nissan Sentra has faced a steady stream of new competitors since the sixth generation of the sedan debuted in 2006. It remains a competent choice, but there are better options, according to Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays. 2012 Nissan...
By Cars.com |
01:03 PM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 11:33 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
Fiat, the parent company of Chrysler, announced an alliance with Mazda to develop a rear-wheel-drive roadster, according to the Detroit News. The car is expected to be based on Mazda's MX-5 Miata and will be sold under the Mazda and...
By Cars.com |
11:33 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:14 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
You'll have loads of fun driving Hyundai's sleek and sporty Genesis coupe and you'll look good, too — especially after its 2013 refresh. However, parents should be aware that the fun stops just short of the backseat, where it's incredibly...
By Cars.com |
10:14 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:12 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
I've never been one of those people who dangle items from their rearview mirrors. While the law differs from state to state, in Colorado, where I live, having an item dangle from your rearview mirror can be considered an "obstruction...
By Cars.com |
10:12 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:12 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
Mike Hogan didn't expect much for his trade-in, a 13-year-old stick-shift Subaru Forester SUV with 129,000 miles on the odometer. He'd have been happy with $1,500. The dealer offered $2,750. "I suppose I undervalue my used cars because I drive...
By Cars.com |
10:12 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
Despite the law and warnings that seat belts save lives, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says people still aren’t wearing them, making high-travel holiday weekends especially dangerous. According to NHTSA, if all passengers age 5 and older had worn.
By Cars.com |
10:11 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
America's second best-selling car, the Nissan Altima, received a significant update for the 2013 model year, and now it's about to go on sale. Assembly of the new 2013 Altima is already underway with deliveries showing up at dealerships starting...
By Cars.com |
10:11 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:09 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
Is there demand for compact, premium-priced sedans? Acura thinks so, and its newest and smallest sedan is a credible player in the burgeoning entry-luxury class, says Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder. The ILX’s competent handling and well-executed, comfortable cabin make.
By Cars.com |
10:09 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:09 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
For the 2013 model year, Mini's entire high-performance John Cooper Works lineup gets a revised engine and a new optional automatic transmission. The automaker also announced that its Countryman crossover is getting a high-performance John Cooper Works model starting in.
By Cars.com |
10:09 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:08 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
With its redesign for the 2011 model year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a new powertrain, new looks and a new attitude, says Cars.com Family contributor Carrie Kim. This upscale SUV has a beast of an engine that's paired to...
By Cars.com |
10:08 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 10:08 AM ET, 05/23/2012
By Cars.com
Gas mileage tops drivers' lists as the "most important consideration" for their next car, according to a new survey from Consumer Reports. Two-thirds of consumers expect their next car to get better mileage than their current one — which they...
By Cars.com |
10:08 AM ET, 05/23/2012 |
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Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 05/04/2012
By Cars.com
Here's what we have our eye on today: As gas prices ebb nearly 13 cents from month-ago levels, the race toward higher fuel economy has momentarily slowed. The latest figures from the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute shows car.
By Cars.com |
11:39 AM ET, 05/04/2012 |
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Posted at 09:04 AM ET, 05/04/2012
By Cars.com
Though it's a midsize sedan, the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is on the larger side of the class. This allows it to comfortably fit three passengers in its backseat, but child-safety seats often take up more backseat real estate. The LaCrosse...
By Cars.com |
09:04 AM ET, 05/04/2012 |
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Posted at 07:33 AM ET, 05/04/2012
By Cars.com
Chevrolet's full-size Tahoe SUV excels at towing, but it's also dated and thirsty, says Cars.com Managing Editor Dave Thomas. If you don't need Tahoe's hefty towing capacity, there are other vehicles on the market that offer more passenger and interior.
By Cars.com |
07:33 AM ET, 05/04/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/04/2012
By Cars.com
You've just learned your family is expanding and Baby No. 3 is on the way. You have all of the gear thanks to those first two offspring. You know what you're doing as a parent (relatively speaking), so rookie jitters...
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/04/2012 |
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Posted at 03:04 PM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
For 2013, the Chevy Malibu gains better fuel economy with its Eco trim, but it loses some roominess in the backseat, says Cars.com Family contributor Courtney Messenbaugh. Even though the Malibu Eco can’t fit three child-safety seats across its second.
By Cars.com |
03:04 PM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
When Nissan unveiled its Juke-R concept last January in Dubai, the automaker said a production version of the hand-built, performance-tuned crossover would never see the light of day. According to Nissan's official Juke Facebook page, however, the automaker changed its.
By Cars.com |
02:14 PM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
Unintended acceleration isn't just a Toyota problem. Hyundai is taking steps to ensure its cars are safeguarded from the issue by making brake override systems standard on all new models. Two years ago, the automaker made the system standard on...
By Cars.com |
01:04 PM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
Here's what we have our eye on today: GM filed its ninth consecutive quarter of profits, announcing first-quarter net earnings of $1 billion today. Still, that's about 69% less than first-quarter profits a year ago, The Detroit News reports. The...
By Cars.com |
12:18 PM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 10:35 AM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
Dead may be too strong a word. The Ford Escape, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Impala, among others, are far from dead. In fact, before long they'll be breathing crisp mountain air. But in April 2012, these and other cars saw...
By Cars.com |
10:35 AM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 07:38 AM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
Stop being lazy and start using your turn signal. That's the message of a new study that found that drivers who neglect to use turn signals cause more accidents than distracted drivers. The Society of Automotive Engineers say that drivers...
By Cars.com |
07:38 AM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/03/2012
By Cars.com
While she was impressed with the featured-filled 2012 Kia Sorento SX she tested in our Cars.com's $37,000 SUV Shootout, the more barebones four-cylinder EX model, with all-wheel drive, merely felt adequate to Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela.
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/03/2012 |
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Posted at 02:39 PM ET, 05/02/2012
By Cars.com
The Toyota Prius c kicked off sales in mid-March at a blistering pace, selling 1,201 cars in just three days. By contrast, it took Toyota all month to sell as many Scion iQ minicars. April marked the Prius c's first...
By Cars.com |
02:39 PM ET, 05/02/2012 |
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Posted at 01:03 PM ET, 05/02/2012
By Cars.com
Ford revealed more information about its high-performance 2013 Focus ST, including finalized power specs and pricing details. The Focus ST goes on sale this month and is already available for preorder. The Ford Focus ST has a base price of...
By Cars.com |
01:03 PM ET, 05/02/2012 |
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Posted at 11:03 AM ET, 05/02/2012
By Cars.com
Can you believe some kids get out of school for summer vacation in just a few weeks? While some of us are scrambling to get them signed up for summer classes and camps, others might be prepping their cars for...
By Cars.com |
11:03 AM ET, 05/02/2012 |
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Posted at 07:39 AM ET, 05/02/2012
By Cars.com
Chevy's midsize Malibu sedan marks model-year 2013 with a redesign and a new addition: The higher-fuel-economy Eco mild hybrid joins the lineup this year. How well does Chevrolet's popular family sedan handle child-safety seats? For the Car Seat Check, we.
By Cars.com |
07:39 AM ET, 05/02/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/02/2012
By Cars.com
I’ve been waiting for a button like this for some time: automatic doughnut mode. Engage and do your best impersonation of a winning NASCAR driver with smoky, tire-torching doughnuts until the tires pop. I wish that button did exist in...
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/02/2012 |
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Posted at 04:05 PM ET, 05/01/2012
By Cars.com
Eight of March's 10 best-sellers returned to the table in April, but one of the newbies may surprise you. In March, an incentive-heavy Nissan Altima fell just 1,517 cars short of the redesigned Toyota Camry, clinching the No. 2 best-selling...
By Cars.com |
04:05 PM ET, 05/01/2012 |
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Posted at 01:38 PM ET, 05/01/2012
By Cars.com
The Subaru Impreza has been redesigned for the 2012 model year, but it’s not chockfull of technological gadgets and doodads, according to Cars.com Family contributor Sara Lacey. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because this compact sedan is straightforward and.
By Cars.com |
01:38 PM ET, 05/01/2012 |
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Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 05/01/2012
By Cars.com
It's no secret that Scion is after the youth market with its tiny, new iQ subcompact; now the automaker is adding a unique incentive to make it even more appealing that crowd. Customers who buy a 2012 iQ from May...
By Cars.com |
01:04 PM ET, 05/01/2012 |
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Posted at 11:04 AM ET, 05/01/2012
By Cars.com
I recently went through a heart-wrenching breakup — with my cute and sexy Volvo C30. It fit my previous life as a single mom to two little girls perfectly. It was functional, fun and unique. Best of all, it had...
By Cars.com |
11:04 AM ET, 05/01/2012 |
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Posted at 10:04 AM ET, 05/01/2012
By Cars.com
A mild winter followed by early spring-like weather have provided many benefits, including a supposed bump in U.S. economic activity, but it's not all good news for motorists. An early spring will likely increase car-on-wildlife collisions, according to the Chicago.
By Cars.com |
10:04 AM ET, 05/01/2012 |
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Posted at 07:03 AM ET, 05/01/2012
By Cars.com
Honda is developing technology to predict and prevent roadway congestion so that traffic jams become a thing of the past. The automaker partnered with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo to develop a...
By Cars.com |
07:03 AM ET, 05/01/2012 |
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