All Words and Photos by Anne Proffit Everything’s bigger in Texas. That’s why, despite mostly disliking big, hulking sport utility vehicles (SUVs) we happily accepted the opportunity to drive the 2017 Nissan Murano Platinum AWD on a trip from Dallas to Austin and back for IMSA’s recent race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). This smooth, elegantly styled five-seat SUV sets itself apart from its crowded marketplace with dramatic styling, a near-silent and elegantly-appointed cabin and great … [Read more...]
We Pick the Best First New Cars to Buy in 2017 (part one of two)
Written by James Hamel People in the market to buy their first new car are all at different stages in their lives. Some have just gotten their driver’s license; some are going to a university where the parents are hoping their kids will drive home now and then to visit them while still there are others who have always before now bought used cars but this time wanted that “new car smell.” If you want to know, the new- car smell is the odor coming from the toxic glues, dyes and sundry chemical … [Read more...]
2017 Mazda CX-3 Road Test and Infotainment Review
When Mazda quietly stopped importation of its petite Mazda2 hatchback, theirs was a decision hard to understand. Now, there is nothing wrong with the 2017 Mazda CX-3 subcompact-SUV we tested here but The Mazda2 hatch was one of those great little secrets in the automotive world whose benefits were whispered about in enthusiast’s conversations. Heck it was one of the base vehicles for a Pirelli World Challenge class, a worthy successor to showroom stock as Touring Car B (TCB). But we all know … [Read more...]
2017 Subcompact SUVs: Jeep Renegade Limited vs. Honda HR-V vs. Fiat 500X Trekking
Written by James Hamel It could well be argued, especially looking at the models tested for this 2017 subcompact SUV comparison test, that these are the latest cute-utes that we are told are not aimed at “manly men.” So, does this make these SUV’s “girly?” What century is this? Well, if by “girly” you mean totally off-road capable all while offering slick and enjoyable manual transmissions at various trim levels then we suppose that is true. So, if slipping your CVT … [Read more...]