2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited

Power: 3.2-liter, V6, 230 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 17-23 mpg                                  

Price: $27,000

Standard features include: four-wheel drive; automatic headlights; automatic climate control; keyless entry; steering-wheel-mounted audio controls; four-speaker stereo, single-CD/MP3 player; removable Garmin navigation unit; stability, traction control; antilock disc brakes; tire pressure monitor; rear defogger

By Jeffrey Weidel

Although it definitely warrants some attention, the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara suffers from two factors: A crowded field of strong competition in the compact sport utility class is a major hindrance, plus the number of Suzuki dealerships is limited. Good luck even finding one in close proximity. Continue Reading »

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Power: 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 185 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 23-30 mpg                                  

Price: $18,999 – $26,749

Standard features include: antilock disc brakes; stability, traction control; brake assist; push-button ignition; keyless ignition; dual-zone automatic climate control; tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; nine-speaker stereo, CD player, USB port/iPod interface, satellite radio; daytime running lights; center console;

By Jeffrey Weidel

Although its sales this year have drastically declined in the U.S., Suzuki is certainly not giving up. In fact, the Japanese auto manufacturer arguably has its best vehicle offerings than ever before, with solid cars like the Grand Vitara, XL7 sport utility vehicle and the compact SX4. Continue Reading »

2010 Honda Insight

Power: 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder, 98 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 40-43 mpg                                  

Price: $19,800-$23,100

Standard features include: automatic climate control; tilt/telescoping steering column; four-speaker CD, MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack; antilock brakes; keyless entry; power windows, doors, mirrors;

By Jeffrey Weidel

Although Honda came out with the first hybrid vehicle in North America 10 years ago, it was Toyota that beat its rival to prosperity, introducing the Prius a year later and quickly ascending to the top in the modern technology vehicle category. Continue Reading »

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD

Power: 3.7-liter V6, 305 horsepower

Mileage estimate:      17-25 mpg                 

Price: $43,385

Standard features include: all-wheel drive; xenon headlights; foglights; a sunroof; dual-zone automatic climate control; heated power front seats; 10-way power driver’s seat; leather upholstery; eight-speaker stereo, in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio, streaming Bluetooth audio, auxiliary audio jack, USB port; 18-inch alloy wheels; upgraded brakes; hill start assist; antilock disc brakes with brake assist; stability and traction control

By Jeffrey Weidel

Suffering through one of those long weeks in the Sacramento region when the valley gets overheated and the Delta breeze never comes calling to save the day (or evening), a perfect getaway is driving to Lake Tahoe to avoid the oppressive heat.

That’s just what happened on a recent Saturday afternoon when the wife and I took off on a beat-the-heat whim in the 2010 Acura TL. Heading up Interstate 80 with some steep grades to climb and several twisting stretches of road to navigate, the TL handled itself quite well. Continue Reading »

2011 Ford Mustang Coup

Power: 3.7-liter V6, 305 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 19-29 mpg                                  

Price: $29,645

Standard features include: antilock four-wheel disc brakes; side spotter mirrors; stability control; keyless entry; AM/FM stereo, CD/MP3 player; auxiliary audio jack; leather seats; power driver seat; rear seat pass-through; leather wrapped steering wheel; intermittent wipers

By Jeffrey Weidel

Anticipating something very special a year ago, many car shoppers were disappointed to discover the revamped 2010 Ford Mustang was hardly the “muscle car” everyone envision. Continue Reading »

2011 Kia Sorento EX

Power: 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 175 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 21-29 mpg                                   

Price: $24,795

Standard features include: antilock disc brakes; stability control; hill-start assist, hill descent control; tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; CD/MP3 audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, USB audio jack; tire pressure monitoring system; rear privacy glass; fog lights

2010 Jeep Commander Sport

Power: 3.7-liter, V6, 210 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 14-19 mpg                                   

Price: $33,575

Standard features include: foglights; roof rack; eight-way power driver seat; a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; rear parking sensors; six-speaker stereo, CD/MP3 player, auxiliary audio jack; satellite radio; antilock disc brakes; traction and stability control with rollover mitigation.

By Jeffrey Weidel

A redesigned model for 2011, the folks at Kia are very excited in presenting the new-look Sorento, a crossover sport utility vehicle with some definite upside.

While no major redesign accompanies the 2010 Jeep Commander, this is still another SUV coming out with significant changes, most notably becoming the first Jeep to sport a third row.

Below is a look at both vehicles: Continue Reading »

2010 Mercedes E550

Power: 5.5-liter, V8, 382 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 16-24 mpg                                  

Price: $56,300

Standard features include: driver fatigue alert; 8-speaker sound system, in-dash 6-disc DVD/CD changer; sunroof; leather steering wheel; 14-way adjustable power front seat with memory system; dual climate control; smartkey; integrated garage door opener; wood trim; leather upholstery; emergency inside trunk lid release; daytime running lights

By Jeffrey Weidel

It’s not like the price tag has dipped low enough that every car shopper can now fit this luxury automobile in their modest budget. But give Mercedes Benz credit, the prestigious German automaker is making strides in that direction. Continue Reading »

2010 Chrysler Sebring Limited

Power: 3.5-liter, V6, 235 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 16-27 mpg                                  

Price: $34,705

Standard features include: six-speaker, Boston Acoustics stereo, six-CD/DVD changer, satellite radio, auxiliary input jack; center console; six-way power driver, passenger seat; heated front seats; automatic headlights; leather upholstery; automatic climate control; antilock brakes; keyless entry; anti-lock brakes;

By Jeffrey Weidel

A rather familiar vehicle was dropped off at the house last week. It must have given the neighbors a little pause for contemplation: Two Chrysler Sebring convertibles parked in the driveway? So what’s the deal? Continue Reading »

2010 BMW X5

Power: 30-liter, inline-6, 260 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 15-21 mpg                                  

Price: $47,600

Standard features include: automatic adaptive xenon headlights; panoramic sunroof; dual-zone automatic climate control; 10-way power front seats with driver memory settings; wood interior trim; iDrive electronics interface; 12-speaker sound system, CD/MP3 player, HD radio; auxiliary audio jack; antilock brakes; stability control; rollover sensor

By Jeffrey Weidel

It was truly a chamber of commerce day as the wife and I cruised down Highway 1 south of Monterey in early May with absolutely no destination in mind.

With the rocky, shoreline of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the mountainous landscape on the other, seemingly every mile of the trip was worthy of a photo.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that we were motoring along in the BMW X5, an extremely agile, midsize luxury sport utility vehicle. Continue Reading »

2010 Subaru Outback Limited

Power: 3.6-liter, V6, 256 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 18-25 mpg                                  

Price: $30,995

Standard features include: all-wheel drive; stability and traction control; brake assist; vehicle dynamic control; anti-lock brakes; independent raised suspension; automatic headlights; adjustable roof rails and cross bars; nine-speaker stereo with CD player, auxiliary audio jack; rear privacy glass; 10-way power driver seat, four-way passenger seat; heated seats; dual-zone climate control system

By Jeffrey Weidel

Although every vehicle in its fleet is equipped with all-wheel drive capability, Subaru continues to resist the obvious temptation to produce a sport utility vehicle. Continue Reading »