As a journalist since 1976, I contribute sports, business, travel and lifestyle articles to newspapers, magazines and web sites. Many examples of my work: Tour de France to my syndicated car review column The Weekly Driver, golf to lifestyle feature — are listed in the sections to the left.
Article reprints and syndication are available via the banner below.
Cheers, James Raia. E-mail: james@byjamesraia.com.
After a few concept test runs, the Suzuki Kizashi debuted last December in the Japanese carmaker’s attempt to “deliver the sophistication and driving experience of a premium sport sedan for the price of a modest midsize car.” With the exception of the choice, definition and pronunciation of its name (KEY-ZAH-SEEE), the 2010 sedan is an unqualified success.
As the 2009 North American Car of the Year, the Hyundai Genesis may be the most unheralded car to win the honor. Still, many critics have bombarded it with hard-to-dispute praise. Without its badge and without what ever stigma remains against Korean cars, the Genesis is nearly as luxurious and nearly as unmistakable as its Lexus and Acura competitors.
Introduced in the United States in 2003, the Honda Element arrived after two years as a concept vehicle called the Model X. It was designed by several young engineers who wanted to develop a versatile vehicle that fit a young crowd's outdoor interests — skiing to cycling, camping to recreating at the beach.
It isn't often (OK, maybe never) the price of a luxury car gets reduced by several thousand dollars. But that's what Mercedes-Benz did with 2010 models, including the E550. But Mercedes-Benz not only lowered it prices, it did so with a re-designed vehicle, not the staid offerings of yesteryear. 
Friends sometimes as why The Weekly Driver (that's me) doesn't just review Ferrari or Lamborghini or Maserati The answer: They're all fine automobiles, but not too many people buy them. The Weekly Driver is all about "The Every Driver." Lots of car buyers purchase $15,000 cars or prefer SUVs and midsize sedans. Hybrids and sports cars are fun drives, but they still comprise niche market choices compared to more popular choices — Honda Accord to Ford F-150 pick-ups to Toyota Camry. Like during the previous two editions of The Weekly Driver's Best-of-The-Year list, I waited until the end of the year, the opposite approach of the major car publications. 