2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD Driving Impressions
The 2019 Hyundai Kona continues the brand's notable value proposition by offering buyers competitive fuel economy, a class-above interior, an intuitive infotainment system and, for 2019, a range of advanced safety features that are standard on all trim levels. But it remains hampered by busy styling touches, a standard engine that offers only modest acceleration, and an interior that's on the small side for the segment.
Continue Reading »
2019 Honda HR-V Sport AWD Driving Impressions
We spend a week in the 2019 Honda HR-V, the brand's smallest crossover, and find that it continues to offer a smooth ride, a brilliantly versatile interior with class-leading cargo space, and a good value proposition. At the same time, acceleration is nothing to write home about, advanced safety features are missing from the two most affordable models, the new Sport model offers no performance advantage, and the sportier manual transmission has been dropped from the entire lineup.
Continue Reading »
2018 Hyundai Kona SEL AWD Driving Impressions
The 2018 Hyundai Kona cruises onto the stage in a class already awash with solid entries from Subaru, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan, along with nearly every other automaker on the planet. What the Kona brings to the party is a solid value proposition, smooth ride, and a durable, practical interior. But it's also hampered by fussy exterior touches, a finicky optional dual-clutch transmission, leisurely acceleration, and limited availability of advanced safety features.
Continue Reading »
2018 Mazda Mazda6 Signature Driving Impressions
Updated styling and equipment enhancements across the lineup that include a new turbo-four borrowed from the CX-9 only confirm our opinion that - despite the fact that the new engine is mated exclusively to an automatic transmission, while the clumsy infotainment system lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay - the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 remains the best-handling and best-looking sedan in the midsize segment.
Continue Reading »