2012 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design Polestar Review & Test Drive
May 21, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Test Drives, Volvo
‘ADDING THRILLS TO ITS SAFETY HERITAGE’
When you think of Volvo you think of its great safety record-solid and strong. With the new Volvo C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ edition you can add a thrilling and exciting ride with great sport coupe aggressive looks and a comfortable, sports car inspired cabin. The new C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ is now about attitude and it comes with the looks and performance to back it up.
2012 Nissan Murano Platinum Edition Review & Test Drive
May 16, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Nissan, SUV, Test Drives
‘Superb Performance, Luxury and Infotainment’
Midsize crossover sport utility vehicles continue their strong demand by consumers looking for a vehicle that they can use for many purposes-comfortably transporting up to five adults, cargo carrying flexibility, and towing capabilities for their boat, atv’s, jet skis, etc, up to 3,500 pounds.
2012 Toyota Prius Review – The Hybrid That Still Leads The Pack
May 1, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Hybrid, Test Drives, Toyota
First introduced in 2001, the Toyota Prius has been a tremendous success in the hybrid world with segment leading sales figures of more than 2-million units sold. For 2012, Toyota is upping the ante by introducing 3-new models. The Prius C is smaller, has a higher MPG spec of 53 combined, while the new V model is larger than the standard Prius and is more versatile and comfortable. The other new model is the Plug-in with an EV only mileage rating of 15 miles at up to 62mph. If you only drive up to 15 miles a day you’ll never have to put gasoline into your Prius.
2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Review – High Performance Luxury at a Reasonable Price
April 24, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Hyundai, Test Drives
Hyundai introduced their first full-size luxury sedan, the Genesis, in 2011. After many test drives and reviews from several auto magazines, the end result was a great looking luxury sedan but that it lacked the industry’s signature 7 or 8-speed automatic transmission and 400+ horsepower available now at ‘flagship’ vehicles from Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac, BMW, and Jaguar.
2012 Lexus CT 200h Premium Hybrid Review – Contemporary, Functional, Luxurious
April 16, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Hybrid, Lexus, Test Drives
‘CONTEMPORARY, FUNCTIONAL, LUXURIOUS’
Last year Lexus introduced the CT 200h hybrid to offer active lifestyle singles, young couples a more fuel efficient, functional and luxury hybrid with the contemporary styling of today’s popular five-door hatchbacks. In its second model year, the CT features a new Vehicle Proximity Notification System that helps alert pedestrians and cyclists of an oncoming vehicle under certain conditions by emitting a low audible warning sound. This new system is what many safety organizations have been asking for since the car is virtually soundless in electric mode and very quiet even with the engine running.
2012 Kia Sorento SX V6 Review & Test Drive
April 4, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Kia, SUV, Test Drives
‘NOW PLAYING ON THE SAME FIELD AS THE COMPETITION’
First introduced in 2011, the new 2012 Kia Sorento adds new high-tech features such as Kia’s new UVO powered by Microsoft voice-activated infotainment, and a new, high-tech, 2.4 liter, 191hp, GDI (gas-direct injected) 4-cylinder engine that returns an outstanding 31mpg/highway. I didn’t get a chance to test the new engine as my test model came with the 3.5, all-aluminum, V6 pumping out a class leading 276hp that gave me an excellent 20mpg/city and 26mpg/highway.
2012 Dodge Charger SXT Plus Review – ‘Affordable Performance & Luxury’
March 28, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Dodge, Featured, Test Drives
The 2012 Dodge Charger is all new inside, outside and under the hood. After my test drive I came away with the feeling that Dodge has put it altogether with the all-new Charger that features a new 3.6 liter, Pentastar aluminum, DOHC, V6 engine that pumps out 292hp and is mated to the first ‘state-of-the-art’ 8-speed automatic/sequential shifting transmission, the first 8-speed automatic fitted into any big Three vehicle, and gives back an excellent 19mpg/city and 31mpg/highway fuel economy specs. What a start! Plenty of power on hand and smooth, quick shifting enables the Charger to sprint to 60mph from a standstill in under 6sec. The ZF 8-speed automatic is only available with the V6 in either RWD or AWD configuration. My test SXT Plus Charger also came equipped with new Nappa leather 10-way power-adjustable sport bucket seats, fast and easy to use aluminum paddle shifters, and a ‘sport’ shift mode. With ‘sport shift’ mode gear changes are quicker and revs are held higher for even more performance-oriented acceleration and higher shift dynamics. For even more control, you can also use the all-new die-cast steering-wheel mounted paddle shifter on the sporty and beefy leather wrapped steering wheel and view your gear selection through an all new full-color EVIC centered in the Charger’s new rally-styled instrument cluster.
2012 GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD 4×4 Review & Test Drive
March 19, 2012 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, GMC, Test Drives
‘BIGGER IS BETTER’
Pickup trucks continue to be the best selling vehicles in the industry because of their versatility and functionality. Most are light duty 1500 models that can take care of most needs but when you need maximum torque, towing power, size and interior room and comfort nothing beats the new GMC Sierra Denali with the 6.6 liter Duramax turbo-charged diesel engine matted to the Allision 1000 six-speed automatic transmission.
