Reviews

For vehicle review columns

Jeep Grand Cherokee — Still goes anywhere, on or off-road

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

In designing its all-new Grand Cherokee, Jeep had two distinct goals.

The first was to build an engaging family hauler to compete with the vast array of compact and mid-sized crossover products now available and thereby gain a bigger slice of the segment pie.

The second was to keep Jeep’s vaunted off-road “Trail Rated” capability intact, a trait not found in most crossovers, which are simply minivan and station wagon replacements for suburban families.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe — Keeps one young

By Al Vinikour 
MotorwayAmerica.com

GM’s Cadillac Motor Division once had a tag line that read, “Cadillac…Standard of Excellence Throughout the World.” It might want to think up a new slogan, something like, “Cadillac…Supersonic Luxury.”

Nissan Leaf — Plug and play

By Al Vinikour 
MotorwayAmerica.com

Many things will make a believer out of someone but the best way I know of is to experience something first-hand. Thus, when tasked with “field testing” the 2011 Nissan Leaf, dubbed the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car, I was skeptical because all one hears is “Green,” or "Environmental Friendly.”

Toyota Sienna — Getting a head start

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Minivan sales are going to rebound.

That’s not our prediction or a proclamation by automotive experts although sales of the people movers have been on the upswing. That’s the prediction of the Japanese Big Three (and Chrysler Group). They are voting with their pocketbooks, betting billions of dollars on the once-healthy segment returning to a semblance of its former glory.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport — Luxury on or off the road

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Land Rover in 2006 added a stylish high-performance model to take on competitors such as the BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.

The goal with the Range Rover Sport, now entering its sixth model year, was to plug a hole in the British brand that has been known for decades as offering an unsurpassed combination of ultimate luxury and off-road toughness.

Ford Fiesta — Back with a vengeance

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The 2011 Ford Fiesta was born in Europe and carries all the best and some of the worst traits of B-segment European cars.

The cause for celebration, the good stuff far outweighs the minor annoyances in this nifty little car, which has been sold in Europe for decades and is in its sixth generation.

Volkswagen Jetta — Get more, pay less

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Volkswagen Jetta for years has felt more upscale than its competitors, offering a premium vehicle experience not found in other segment cars. The all-new 2011 Jetta — at least in upper trim level — does a nice job of advancing the Jetta mystique.

Honda CR-Z — Only takes two to tango

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Let’s just put aside the fact that the sporty little two-seat 2011 Honda CR-Z hatchback is a hybrid. Let’s think of it as a stylish, diminutive, agile machine with scads of cargo space (25 cubic feet) for its size.  Let’s think of it as a fun, go-anywhere car that just happens to derive exceptional gas mileage of 31/37 or 35/39 depending on transmission choice.

Mercedes E550 cabriolet – A first class, four place ragtop

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

It might be the epitome of sophisticated open air transportation for those of discerning tastes. It’s the E-Class of top-down driving excitement. Indeed, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class yet enters another segment. The most popular of all Mercedes nameplates sold in the United States now comes in cabriolet format in addition to the popular sedan and coupe.

Toyota Avalon — Tuned for comfort

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

If you desire a confident, comfortable — and plush — driving experience, but are dismayed that your choices have dwindled over the last decade we have an interesting suggestion.

Trek down to your nearest Toyota store and check out the 2011 Toyota Avalon.