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:

GM's Large Crossovers Earn Five Stars from NHTSA

GM's updated-for-2013 people movers just earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's top score. The 2013 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia were awarded an overall rating of five stars.

The large crossovers, which share a platform with each other, earned five stars in frontal and side tests and four stars in rollover tests; front- and all-wheel-drive versions were tested. The upscale GMC Acadia Denali received the same scores.

GM's seven-passenger crossovers got refreshed for 2013 with updated styling, more safety features and a new multimedia system.

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Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse

Watch your back, Honda Pilot — the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has addressed previous shortcomings and covets the car-based SUV crown. Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder says the new Traverse makes great strides with its interior, particularly in the LTZ trim. A redesigned center control panel, classier looking controls and wood-look trim, soft-touch surfaces with contrast stitching and effective faux aluminum make us forget 2012's already-forgettable black-plastic backdrop. Where the Traverse loses us is its optional touch-screen navigation system that has an undersized screen and imprecise capacitive touch buttons; the ride also feels firmer than before. So is the Pilot getting grounded? Read Wiesenfelder's Traverse review below and decide.

2013 Chevrolet Traverse Review

2013 Chevrolet Traverse Video

When Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder says large-family-vehicle shoppers would be "nuts" not to consider the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, he means the Traverse-averse literally should seek psychiatric help. Although we weren't crazy about the Traverse in a 2012 three-row crossover comparison, the 2013 model is strong, with improved exterior styling, upgraded interior materials and a comfortable ride in all three rows. Beware, however, of lackluster multimedia controls and a squeaky center console, he cautions. Check out the video above.

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2013 Chevrolet Traverse: Car Seat Check

For 2013, Chevrolet's three-row crossover got a mild update, with updated exterior styling and an upgraded interior. The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse may have enough room for a growing family, but connecting to its Latch anchors is anything but comfortable.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

Top 10 Most-Watched Videos of the Year

The end of another review- and video-packed year at Cars.com is approaching. Our most popular video of 2012 comes from sister-site PickupTrucks.com and features the Ford Raptor SVT and the Mopar Ram Runner duking it out in the desert. In the video, professional off-road racer Chad Ragland and PickupTrucks.com editor Mark Williams test the trucks' limits on the rugged terrain of Ocotillo Wells, Calif., in a first-time duel to determine which would emerge victorious once the dust settled.

Check out that video above and see what other videos were popular in 2012:

1. Raptor vs. Ram Runner: Head to Head
2. 2013 Ford Fusion
3. 2013 Honda Accord Coupe
4. 2013 SRT Viper First Live Exhaust Note
5. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
6. 2013 Nissan Altima
7. 2013 Cadillac ATS
8. 2012 PickupTrucks.com Midsize Shootout
9. 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
10. Mopar Ram Runner: Sights & Sounds

Third-Row Access: Captain's Chairs Save the Day

I recently test-drove a luxurious, comfortable car that got decent gas mileage and came standard with a roomy third row. However, there was a problem: My son had to vault over the second row to get to his car seat in the third row. Because I had my girls' child-safety seats installed in the second-row outboard positions, this car's slick one-touch flip-and-fold feature was rendered useless.

For better or worse, my son's vault training didn't start with this car. Many cars on the market require athletic skills to access the third row once you have car seats installed in the second row. This is definitely something to consider if you — like me — have more than a couple of children in car seats and need a three-row vehicle.

A minivan is an obvious solution, but there are other options. One of the best ways to avoid this third-row-access debacle is to opt for captain's chairs in the second row, creating a little pathway to the third row. Several savvy automakers offer this option. While this may knock your second-row seating capacity down a notch, it also increases your possibility of getting children and even adults into the third row without resorting to vaulting.

Consider the Dodge Durango (photo above): It's long been popular for families, but it lacked practicality for those of us with three or more children because of the crossover's bench-only second row. For the 2013 model year, the Durango will offer second-row captain's chairs for the first time.

Chevrolet Spark EV to Debut at L.A. Auto Show

Chevrolet is hoping to spark some interest in its new minicar when an electric version of the Spark makes its debut later this month at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

So far, Chevy's smallest car has been a sales success. "Building on that success, the plug-in electric version of the Spark EV will offer consumers the same package that has made the gasoline-powered model so popular while delivering the technology and performance of pure electric power," the automaker said in a statement.

In addition to the Spark EV, other Chevrolet vehicles expected to be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, include the new Impala, Malibu Turbo midsize sedan, Sonic RS compact car, Traverse crossover and Camaro Hot Wheels Edition.

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Hurricane Sandy Recovery: Automakers Pitch In

Million-dollar donations to Hurricane Sandy-relief efforts from high-wattage celebrities like Lady Gaga are guaranteed to make headlines, but automakers are also making major contributions to help those impacted by the storm. Many automakers have made contributions of as much as $1 million, started payment-relief programs and donated vehicles for use in disaster areas. That's in addition to varied discounts, cash-back bonuses and other programs aimed at helping storm victims replace damaged and destroyed cars.

Car-Payment Relief
For the scores of disaster victims facing with massive personal-property losses, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota are offering some leeway with regard to car payments. 

Recall Alert: 2011-12 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia

General Motors is recalling 50,001 model-year 2011 and 2012 versions of its midsize crossovers due to problems their windshield wiper arms, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia models registered in the following Snow Belt states: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Alaska and the District of Columbia. In these vehicles, snow or ice buildup on the windshield wipers restricts them and could loosen the arm, rendering it inoperable. This decreases visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

GM will notify owners starting April 16, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts free of charge. Owners can call NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.