2015

Dodge Charger — Making a case for the V-6

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mention Dodge Charger these days and it conjures up images of a full-sized sedan that’s horsepower heavy making it the fastest family sedan on earth. The Charger comes in a staggering seven trim levels and with four engine choices — SE, SXT, R/T, R/T Road & Track, R/T Scat Pack, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat. The four engines include three muscle maniacs — a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 making 370 horsepower, a 6.4-liter V-8 developing 485 horsepower, and the headline-grabbing 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 Hellcat making a gargantuan 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.

Toyota Corolla — A fresh take on a best-seller

By David Finkelstein

Since 1968, well in excess of 10-million Toyota Corollas have been sold in the US alone. It's hard to wrap your mind around the fact that this model has been in the hands of consumers worldwide  for close to 50-years. The car itself was heavily refreshed back in 2008 and, quite honestly, has remained just about the same for the most part until last year's re-done 2014 version.

2015 VW Golf SportWagen



AUSTIN, Texas — Manufacturers apparently put credence in the old refrain that American drivers don't buy wagons because the segment is almost non-existent in the U.S. We think this "wagon is a dirty word" perception would be relegated to the dustbin of forgotten automotive lore if  car buyers could get behind the wheel of the all-new Volkswagen Golf SportWagen.

2015 Ford Edge



PHOENIX — Has Dearborn-based Ford Motor Company re-invented the crossover with the introduction of the new 2015 Edge? Perhaps not, but undeniably the Edge has gone through many changes with new technologies, additional driver assist/user friendly features, updated engine options and an enhanced level of styling and craftsmanship that raises the bar in the mid-sized segment.

Volvo XC60 — An alluring vehicle

By David Finkelstein

To my amazement, while recently test driving the 2015 Volvo XC60 wagon, a number of motorist and pedestrians alike stopped me, asking about the vehicle. In the 43 years that I've been test driving and writing about new automobiles, no one has ever inquired about a wagon, with a twinkle in their eye and a smile on their face.

The alluring draw that this new automobile had on people was obvious by the high accolades they gave to this vehicle. Volvo has really raised the bar when it comes to styling their product mix. Of course, that's the first thing most people notice when they see any new vehicle on the road.

Ford Expedition — Comfortable people mover

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

While large body-on-frame sport utility vehicles are a dying breed, there's still a market for the full-sized SUVs for people who need maximum passenger and storage space, heavy-duty towing capability, and off-road proficiency. One of the remaining vehicles is the Ford Expedition, and for 2015 the big Ford has never been better with a new turbocharged V-6 engine, updated suspension, more interior flexibility, and subtle exterior styling changes.

GMC Yukon — At the forefront of safety

By David Finkelstein

Prior to General Motors officially launching the 2015 GMC Yukon full size SUV, there were lots of rumors from my Detroit-based colleagues that the vehicle would be a totally new product once introduced. Well, I'm happy to report that in fact the newest version certainly appears to have been redone from bumper-to-bumper.

2015 Toyota Yaris



DETROIT — This is a funny little car. Though a mechanical carry over, the refreshed styling has given the Yaris a cheeky look that is youthful and —from the front — a bit avant-garde. You either love it or hate it, and I found it stopped just short of going over the top. Being a Toyota, reliability isn’t a problem, though — by the same token — it’s also not very likely to have much of a personality or be terribly fun to drive.

2015 BMW X5 Diesel



HOUSTON — The BMW X5 is the luxury SUV with the soul of a performance sedan. That was true when it first rolled out at the turn of the century, and it remains true today. It just so happens that it maintains its all-weather, all-capable, cargo-hauling soul as well. Powered by a diesel-fueled 6 cylinder engine, it also manages a highly respectable 27 mpg, making the X5 a luxury leader in every sense.

Ford F-150 — More than aluminum

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By the time you read this most with even a passing interest in the automotive industry will have learned that the new 2015 Ford F-150 comes with an aluminum body, the first mass-produced vehicle to forsake sheetmetal for the lighter-weight and presumably more fuel-efficient material.