The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque looks more like a concept car than a production car. But this real-life model stunned our editorial team and onlookers throughout the Chicago area, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder. To top it off, the Evoque is a comfortable highway cruiser and fuel efficient.
Mazda's all-new compact crossover made its official production debut at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show earlier this month. A few days later, Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays got to test-drive the 2013 Mazda CX-5 and found it impressive in many ways but felt the driving experience didn’t hold up to Mazda’s well-known Zoom-Zoom ethos.
Like the rest of the redesigned Civic lineup, the high-performance 2012 Honda Civic Si is a disappointment when compared to its competition and its predecessor, according to Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays. The new Si is equipped with a more powerful engine, but the redesign also brought a cushier ride with pronounced body roll when cornering. That’s not something you want on a high-performance model.
Our podcasts are often a mixed bag in terms of discussing various cars for very different buyers. That holds true with this podcast where editors Joe Wiesenfelder, Kelsey Mays and Mike Hanley talk about a high-power compact coupe, mainstream family sedan and luxury hardtop roadster.
The all-new Honda CR-V just debuted at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show, but I’ve already test-driven the compact crossover. I put the CR-V through hundreds of miles of driving across Southern California and discovered it’s one of the most well-rounded SUVs in the segment … but the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 just joined what was already a crowded party. Check out my full review to learn about the improved cargo space and interior.
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV is 20 inches longer than its sibling SUV, the Escalade. This additional length translates to tons of third-row legroom and a ginormous cargo area, says Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey. All that extra space doesn’t make it family-friendly, though. In three rows of seats, there are only two sets of lower Latch anchors for child-safety seats, and the three-seat third row is split 50/50, leaving a big crack between the seats for the unfortunate person in the middle seat.
Like an NFL linebacker, the 2012 Challenger SRT8 possesses a quickness that's unexpected from something so big and heavy, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley, who also tested the 3.6-liter V-6 Challenger. Even with its aggressive side, the Challenger makes for a refined and spacious commuter, too, Hanley says. There are still some limiting factors, though, and most are attributed to the Challenger's '70s-era body styling.
There isn’t much to complain about on the 2011 Toyota Highlander, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas. The vehicle is quiet, comfortable and capable against newer competitors like the Ford Explorer. Not much has changed on the 2012 model year compared with the 2011 model, so this review will serve shoppers of that vehicle, too.
The 2012 BMW X5 helped to bridge the driving sensibility gap between Cars.com Family reviewer Carrie Kim and her husband, aka Mr. Driving Enthusiast. While he enjoys tiny cars that hug the road, she wants to ride in comfort in an SUV. With the X5 SUV, both Carrie and her husband were happy. With its precision handling, acute responsiveness and large backseat and cargo area, there were few complaints about this five-seater.
2012 BMW X5 Family Review
The Cadillac SRX has been a strong seller for GM’s luxury brand, and a lot of that appeal stems from the crossover’s edgy looks, according to Cars.com senior editor Bill Jackson. Still, looks can only get you so far. With an upgraded powertrain, the SRX feels punchy, but the brakes, transmission and backseat headroom still need work, he says.
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