With the debut in 2011 of the Countryman, MINI tried to address the major drawback since the manufacturer's arrival in 1959. But is a four-door MINI, which arrives 11 years after new owner BMW rebranded Mini as MINI, an oxymoron? Or can the MINI legitimately be considered a family car? The new offering is one [...]
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Dodge Charger, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
Six years ago, the Dodge Charger re-emerged from its famed muscle car heydays during the 1970s. For 2011, with a redesigned exterior and interior the Charger has now become a borderline oxymoron — a sedan sports car. The Charger name has been featured on several different Dodge products since its debut as a concept car [...]
Subaru Forester, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
In its 17-year tenure, the Subaru Forester has transitioned to having one of the coolest names in the automotive industry from having one of the worst names. The name Forester implies “Of the forest.” But when the vehicle debuted in 1995 at the Tokyo Motor Show as a concept, it was called the “Sutoriga” or [...]
Honda Odyssey, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
Has it really been nearly two decades since the Honda Odyssey debuted? In fact, it was 1994 and the 2011 version is newly designed as the fourth generation of the increasingly popular family van. Unlike some minor changes throughout its tenure, Odyssey’s redesign is drastic. Unveiled as a concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, [...]
Hyundai Sonata (Hybrid), 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
Its lithium polymer battery technology was first showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show three years ago. The result is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the South Korean manufacturer’s first hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid, which debuted in February, features a 2.4-liter engine with six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kw electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries. [...]
Hyundai Elantra, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
Introduced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the newly designed 2011 Hyundai Elantra has attracted as much attention during its first six months in circulation as any car in the country. There was little wrong with the previous version of the Elantra other than its staid appearance. But all the criticism of the previous [...]
Toyota Tacoma, 2011: The Weekly Driver review
As an ultimate utilitarian vehicle, it’s hard to find fault with the Toyota Tacoma. It’s the best-selling truck in the United States in its class, and the 2011 edition is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports. Two months ago, the Tacoma also was named the top truck in its category in J.D. Power and Associates’ [...]
Honda Civic, 2012: The Weekly Driver
Introduced 40 years ago as a two-door model and soon after in a three-door hatchback, the 1972 Honda Civic included a basic AM radio, heater, foam-cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. A lot has changed in four decades. Now in its ninth generation and its first [...]
Toyota Corolla, 2011: The Weekly Driver car review
With its unparalleled legacy via sheer numbers, the Toyota Corolla stands alone in the automotive industry. Now well into its 40s, the Corolla is the biggest selling car in history (approaching 40 million), with one new Corolla sold somewhere in world about every 40 seconds. Now in its 10th edition, the car that received its [...]
Chrysler 200, 2011: The Weekly Driver Car Review
Gone is the much-maligned Chrysler Sebring. Welcome its replacement, the 2011 Chrysler 200. The midsize sedan debuts in a crowded market featuring many of the most popular vehicles on the road. Available as a sedan or convertible, the Chrysler 200 retains the Sebring’s platform, but not much else remains cosmetically, not the powertrain nor the [...]
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