By Al Vinikour 
MotorwayAmerica.com 

It never ceases to amaze me how tone deaf consumers and lawmakers have become when considering diesel power. Mention “hybrid” or “electric” or “fuel cell” and this same group will get wild in the eyes. Trying to emulate the European economy is not a good idea. Conversely, trying to duplicate Europe’s fuel choice is not a bad idea. Diesels have been around for about a century and ignoring it is like having Alex Haley as an uncle and not asking him about family history.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

For many years Subaru with its standard across-the-lineup all-wheel drive has been popular in the colder climates, but a slow seller in the rest of the country. Quirky styling, also kept Subaru a niche brand, something like Saab but in less expensive clothes.

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The newly conceived Acura ZDX is a conundrum. On the one hand, it offers many things that make Acura vehicles desirable including solid performance and outstanding handling, a hushed interior with quality materials and stylish surroundings, and a cutting-edge audio and communications system.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We were taken back three years ago that Suzuki was selling a small, practical vehicle called the SX4 in sedan and hatchback formats with all-wheel drive, a host of options including keyless start, and a long-term warranty for less than 16 grand. We thought, “Amazing.”

Suzuki is still selling the same practical small car in 2010, but with numerous enhancements. All-wheel drive is still available in the high-roof “crossover” hatchback format and still at a bargain price in 2010 dollars of $16,849, just a thousand bucks more than the comparable two-wheel drive model.

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

It’s been a quarter century since Ford rolled out its first Taurus at a super party on the back lot of 20th Century Fox in Los Angeles that was also a swansong for departing Ford chairman Phil Caldwell. Twelve-hundred people celebrated and lauded a jellybean-shaped mid-sized sedan designed to do combat with the growing ranks of Japanese and European competition.

Taurus was a hit, praised by critics and embraced by the car-buying public, eventually becoming the bestselling car in America.

By Al Vinikour 
MotowayAmerica.com

When was the last time you heard a convertible touted as a year-round vehicle? February 30th you say? Or was it June 31st? Historically, convertibles have been the white shoes of the vehicle world – they come out after Memorial Day and end the season on Labor Day. The 2011 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet puts an end to that lore.

By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica.com 

The largest vehicle segment in North America are midsize cars and to play in this neighborhood you have to not only be tough but offer more than the next guy. Thus is the case with the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the six-generation of the midsize sedan. It’s not only mixed in with a gang of vehicles that’s the best of the best…it’s becoming the leader of the pack.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The small crossover sport utility segment has grown like a weed in a vacant lot over the past decade. The segment is populated with attractive products differentiated by little of substance.

The more popular models get the ink, big advertising dollars, and word-of-mouth endorsements and tend to lead the pack year-after-year. The top choices throughout the past decade — based on sales — have been the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape. Second-tier players, include the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan and Jeep Liberty.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We acknowledge the many virtues of the Ram 3500 Laramie Heavy Duty Mega Cab (crew cab) dually, but one of them is not as a daily driver. (Note: Ram Truck is now a brand within the new Chrysler Group and Dodge is now solely a car brand.)

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman