News By Topic: Carey Russ

2013 Hyundai Azera Ride and Review By Carey Russ

Sep 28, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Hyundai is aggressively gaining market share in the best way -- by not only meeting its competition, but beating it on price, standard equipment, and build quality. And not just in the sub-compact, compact, and midsize classes, but in near-luxury and luxury as well. Case in point: ... Continue reading

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport Review By Carey Russ

Sep 6, 2012

MORE INFO Honda Buyers Guide Perfect New Car Match DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Since its debut in model year 2006, the Ridgeline, Honda's unique take on the pickup truck, has carved out a solid niche for itself in what is usually thought of as a conservative field. And it has recently expanded its lineup with ... Continue reading

2013 Scion FR-S Review By Carey Russ

Sep 6, 2012

2013 Scion FR-S press launch of the Scion FR-S a few months ago, and being mightily impressed by its abilities on the track and street, I've just had the opportunity to spend a week at home with one. It works every bit as well in the everyday world as it does at a track day or autocross. And if you're careful, you coul ... Continue reading

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T Review By Carey Russ

Aug 23, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWITH CAREY RUSS 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T If there is anyone out there who still thinks of Hyundai’s as poorly-made vehicles that epitomize the most negative connotation of the word "cheap", it's time to reset your clock. Twenty-five years forward would be a good start. While you're at i ... Continue reading

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Review By Carey Russ

Aug 16, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid The current Optima has put Kia on the map for buyers of mid-size, middle-class sedans by offering distinctive European-influenced style to go with Asian value. Fuel economy was improved as much as power output, and has been brought further with the Optima Hyb ... Continue reading

2012 Lexus CT Hybrid 200h Premium Review By Carey Russ

Aug 10, 2012

…yes a hybrid can be fun to drive, if it's a Lexus CT 200h.! DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Lexus CT 200h Premium "Performance-oriented luxury hybrid hatchback." What's wrong with this phrase? Nothing, if the car so described is the Lexus CT 200h. Which has been a surprising success, unlike the mostly- ... Continue reading

2013 Ford Taurus Limited Review By Carey Russ

Aug 8, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2013 Ford Taurus Limited Once, long ago, the full-size sedan was the mainstay of the American automotive world. Then came the SUV fad; and there went large sedans. But life is cyclical, and as monster SUVs gave way to crossovers, the full-size sedan made a comeback. Not everyone wh ... Continue reading

2012 Scion iQ Review By Carey Russ

Aug 8, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Scion iQ The Scion iQ is not a car for everyone, nor is it meant to be. It's the Americanized version of a car sold in Asia and Europe as the Toyota iQ, built for the densely-crowded cities on those continents. America is the land of wide-open space… except in our ... Continue reading

2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4x4 Review By Carey Russ

Aug 8, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4x4 Jeep has an enviably long history manufacturing off-road vehicles that are beyond merely capable, but the vast majority of today's SUV/crossover buyers want car-like comfort and all of the conveniences of home -- even if they don't have much money to ... Continue reading

2012 Nissan Murano SL FWD Review By Carey Russ

Aug 2, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Nissan Murano SL FWD If the Nissan Murano looked more than a little different from the then-typical SUV of the day when it debuted nearly a decade ago, it's decidedly more mainstream now -- and not merely because Nissan has used styling cues on its smaller Rogue and Juke cross ... Continue reading

2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium Review by Carey Russ +VIDEO

Jul 13, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Volkswagen wants more market share, especially in the U.S. The American automotive market is very different from that of Europe, and so VW has changed its strategy. Formerly, Volkswagen cars and crossovers sold here were the same as those sold elsewhere, differing mostly in drivetr ... Continue reading

2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Review By Carey Russ

Jun 22, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth When I drove the Fiat 500 last year, I found it endearing, entertaining, and stylish. It wasn't particularly quick, and my first thought was "there's nothing wrong with this car that a good turbo wouldn't cure." Which is exactly what Fiat has done with the 500 ... Continue reading

2013 Dodge Dart First Drive Preview by Carey Russ +VIDEO

Jun 22, 2012

The new Dart will only add to the name's historic reputation. by Carey Russ The Auto Channel The 2013 Dodge Dart is coming, the Dodge Dart is coming! The first product of the merger between Chrysler Group and Fiat, the Dart puts Chrysler back in the compact sedan business. In a big way, as evidenced by an all-too-short ... Continue reading

2012 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD Review By Carey Russ

Jun 18, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD Volvo owned the premium wagon sector of the U.S. automotive marketplace for years -- until its XC70 crossover replaced its V70 wagon. The V70 continues elsewhere. Here, sales overwhelmingly went to the XC70, to the point that not enough wagons were being boug ... Continue reading

2012 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro Ride and Review by Carey Russ +VIDEO

Jun 15, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2012 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro Audi's compact A4 sports sedan is little-changed for model year 2012, and congratulations to Audi for that. No major changes were needed. As ever, the A4 combines elegant simplicity in form with prowess in function. Standard and optional equipment leve ... Continue reading