Under-Floor Storage Keeps Clutter to a Minimum

Whenever I get a test car, I always lift the cargo-floor flap just to see if it's there — the under-floor storage tray, which always confounds me.

What can someone do with the partitioned, shallow foam tray besides look at it and wonder what will fit in there? It's not big enough to house dirty shoes or jugs of windshield washer fluid. So, what does fit then? I usually ignore the trays in my test cars, but I've learned from others that to do so is to eliminate a serious tool from our bag of storage tricks.

AAA: Fear of Unknown Fuels Aversion to EVs

If U.S. car shoppers were more informed about the capabilities and advantages of electric vehicles, they'd be more inclined to buy one, according to AAA. Despite technological advancements and thousands of available charging stations that make EVs far more practical than before, an AAA survey showed that eight out of 10 adults are still either unsure about or unlikely to buy one.

Mileage limitations were the top concern for 30% of surveyed drivers who were uncertain about buying an EV. AAA contends that such fears are largely unfounded, as modern EVs have a driving range of 60-100 miles compared with the average commute of 16 miles one way. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 5,800 EV charging stations are now available for public use across the nation. Moreover, AAA noted that it is now testing specially equipped roadside-service vehicles capable of providing EV charging to stranded motorists in 15 minutes for 10 miles of driving.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 BMW 135is

With the 135is, BMW took a less-is-more strategy — and to good effect. The compact coupe delivers an entertaining driving experience with refreshingly few frills, says Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley. Its potent turbocharged inline-six engine and slick-shifting six-speed manual make it engaging; its simple interior layout and gadget-free control system keep the focus on the driving.

2013 BMW 135is Review

Hyundai Plans Tucson Fuel-Cell for 2015

Automakers have been making and breaking fuel-cell vehicle promises for years, and now Hyundai is jumping into the fray with the Tucson Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle. The automaker is joining the Energy Department, gas suppliers, hydrogen and fuel-cell businesses and other automakers with the goal of solving infrastructure and resource challenges in order to bring an FCEV to market.

Hyundai has a 2015 target for the Tucson fuel cell and a goal of 1,000 units. It's not the first automaker to launch a fuel-cell vehicle — in fact, we've even tested Chevrolet's Equinox FCV — but it claims to be the first to mass produce one. "One of our biggest FCEV differentiators for us is that Hyundai is the first automaker to launch assembly line production of a fuel-cell vehicle," Derek Joyce, Hyundai's manager of product public relations, told Cars.com.

Recall Alert: 2005-08 Maserati Quattroporte; 2008 Granturismo

Maserati is recalling 7,438 model-year 2005-2008 Quattroporte and 2008 Granturismo vehicles due to faulty tie rod assemblies, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The handful of model-year 2008 Alfa Romeo 8Cs sold in the U.S. are also affected.

The affected vehicles have rear tie rod assemblies that lack a sufficient amount of anti-corrosion material, allowing them to weaken. This could lead to a loss of vehicle control. Maserati "has not received any reports nor is it aware of any accidents or personal injuries related to this issue," the automaker said in a statement.

Maserati will start notifying owners in June, and dealers will inspect and replace the affected parts for free. Owners can call Maserati at 877-696-2737 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

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Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

The 2013 Toyota RAV4, which spent the first three months of 2013 atop our most-read reviews list, is once again at No. 1, overtaking the also-popular 2014 Subaru Forester. Following its long reign, the RAV4 relinquished its throne to the Forster to hold the No. 2 spot for a month before returning to the top spot for a week – before losing it again to the Forester last week only to reclaim it this week … whew! The other significant change this week is at No. 10, where the 2013 Nissan Altima returns to the list.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 BMW 3 Series
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Buick Encore
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Honda Accord
9. 2013 Dodge Dart
10. 2013 Nissan Altima

Most-Watched Videos of the Week

In this week's most-watched video, PickupTrucks.com Editor Mark Williams offers the Cars.com sister site's first impressions of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. Williams recently had an opportunity to tow, carry payload and even do some off-roading at Knibbe Ranch outside San Antonio, Texas, and our No. 2 video features more of the Silverado from that visit. In third place was the debut of our new 2014 Mazda6 video. Check out what else was popular:

1. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Impressions
2. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado
3. 2014 Mazda Mazda6
4. 2013 BMW 135is
5. 2014 Acura MDX

NHTSA Tests New Crop of Vehicles

A host of 2014 vehicles have earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's five-star rating in crash tests, perhaps most notably the redesigned-for-2014 Cadillac CTS.

Both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the CTS got an overall score of five in NHTSA's safety ratings. Both earned fives in frontal-crash tests and side-crash tests, and fours in rollover tests. Meanwhile, its compact sibling, the 2014 ATS, earned fives across the board for both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. Both the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the 2014 XTS also earned an overall five-star score, with fives in frontal- and side-crash ratings and fours in rollover tests.

Other 2014 models joining NHTSA's five-star club earned fives in frontal- and side-crash ratings and fours in rollover tests. They included:

Chrysler Delays 2014 Jeep Cherokee One Month

Fans of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee will have to wait until the kids start summer vacation to buy one. Chrysler told The Detroit Free Press on Thursday that its midsize SUV, slated to hit dealers right about now, won't arrive until the middle of June. But dealers should have plenty of cars by fall, said Mark Chernoby, who heads up engineering at Chrysler.

Chrysler builds the Cherokee in Toledo, Ohio; the automaker said it's smoothing out a few issues common with new-vehicle launches.

"Right now, we are at a point where we have dozens of open issues. It is less than 100," Chernoby told the Free Press. But those represent "the normal" for any vehicle launch, he added, particularly one with a new drivetrain. In particular, the automaker is tinkering with processes along the assembly line and calibrating the new nine-speed automatic.

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2014 Jeep Cherokee Video
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2013 Audi RS 5: Photo Gallery

Cars.com's test cars are parked amid a vast sea of vehicles in a multistory parking tower; Audi's RS 5 was easy to spot with its unmistakable LED headlights, aggressive grille, carbon fiber accents and Sepang Blue pearl paint. Likewise, its throaty exhaust note is hard to miss.

The performance-oriented RS 5 slots above the already amped up S5 and regular A5 in price and power. It's equipped with a 4.2-liter V-8 good for 450 horsepower and 317 pounds-feet of torque.

Our test RS 5 coupe Quattro started at $68,900 but had an as-tested price of $77,320, including destination, thanks to goodies like the pearly paint, MMI Navigation Package, Titanium Package and sport exhaust system. Even without the options, it commands a hefty premium over the S5's $51,795 starting price and makes the A5, which bases at, $38,745, look like a bargain.

Check out Cars.com photographer Evan Sears' photos below.