Buick added two variants to the Buick Regal for the 2012 model year, including the eAssist and GS trims. The eAssist powertrain, which is GM’s second-generation mild-hybrid system, offers similar power but up to 36 mpg highway compared with the Regal's current standard four-cylinder. The top-of-the-line GS trim offers better power than other Regals, but it’s still not quite a performance machine, Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays says.
Toyota's smallest hybrid, the Prius c, promises big fuel economy and a small price. But how does it drive? That's what Managing Editor David Thomas discovered during his test of the new vehicle. Find out if it lived up to the hype or disappointed when the low-rolling-resistance tires hit the road.
Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela thinks Hyundai is on a roll, and its Veloster compact is one reason why. She tested the new-for-2012 funky compact hatchback and found it to be one of the most exciting cars she’s tested in weeks.
Its edgy styling won over her whole family, from her 69-year-old mother to her teenage nephew. Tune the suspension a bit softer and add some highway power, and she may even buy one.
Like the comfortable and composed S-Class sedan but need more room? The M-Class midsize SUV should do the trick, says Cars.com Editor Mike Hanley, who tested the ML350 Bluetec diesel version and found it powerful, fairly quiet and pretty fuel efficient for a vehicle this size.
But diesel costs several cents more than premium gas, and Hanley also points out that the Bluetec version starts around $1,500 more than the base gas version. Is it worth the price?
The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid is as capable as any other midsize hybrid on the market, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas. The hybrid componentry works seamlessly, but you sacrifice a lot of trunk space and the car costs $8,000 more than a gas-powered Optima, Thomas says.
Between new engines and the model's hatchback and sedan body styles, the 2012 Mazda3 now comes in 11 versions. Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays put many of them to the test, including the 40-mpg SkyActiv engine variant and the zoom-zoom Mazdaspeed3.
Does the refreshed compact car have what it takes to beat strong sellers like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Chevrolet Cruze?
One decision after another: That's what our days have become. Each decision seems to come with more and more options whether ordering coffee or buying a new car. And now my kids have opinions, too? What's up with that?
Buying a car is a complicated process. What are the safety and reliability ratings? Does it have a third row? Is there enough space for that rear-facing child-safety seat? What about all-wheel drive and the all-important keyless entry?
When Cars.com's editors review cars we provide shoppers with this baseline information as well as our first-hand impressions. However, I recently discovered another strong variable. In addition to a spouse's reaction to a car, apparently kids have strong opinions about them, as well. This makes me wonder, how much weight (if any) do parents give their kids' opinions during the car-buying process?
Compared to the rest of the redesigned Honda Civic litter, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is certainly the most disappointing, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas. The hybrid system doesn't feel as refined as those offered by competitors, and gas mileage isn't that much better than some of the regular gasoline Civic trims, yet it costs nearly $5,000 more.
Large SUVs might not make the most ideal family vehicles, but the 2012 Infiniti QX56 is an exception, according to Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela. The mammoth QX56 manages to be both a nimble handler in parking lots, thanks to its cadre of cameras and sensors, and a comfortable commuter for the driver and kids in tow with its wide range of available luxury features.
The 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan is one of those cars that looks a lot more expensive than it really is, says Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela. She was pleasantly surprised by how well Hyundai's sedan fit her family’s needs. Varela reviewed the 3.8-liter V-6 version, and the model's peppy power, sharp looks and loads of convenience features were a hit with her husband and three kids.
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