Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Despite having the fewest week-to-week carryovers of any most-read reviews list in recent memory, this week saw the obstinate 2013 Toyota RAV4 refuse to budge from the top spot it has dominated since the start of the year. Not only that, but the RAV4 managed to double the number of page views it received. A surprising seven of the remaining nine reviews were not in the top 10 last week.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Mazda6
3. 2014 Subaru Forester
4. 2013 Ford Fusion
5. 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
6. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
9. 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
10. 2013 Nissan Altima

Infographic: Headlight Regulations by State

Laws governing different aspects of driving often vary by state, from distracted-driving rules to booster seat guidelines. Headlight use is one of them; a new infographic from Nissan illustrates each state's regulations. The automaker's Smart Auto Headlights — available on the Altima and Sentra sedans as well as the Pathfinder crossover — automatically turn on when the wipers are activated or in low-light conditions. Click the infographic above to enlarge the map.  

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2013 Nissan Altima's 'Easy-Fill Tire Alert' Video
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Recall Alert: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti JX SUVs

Nissan is recalling more than 19,258 model-year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX SUVs due to a problem that could result in reduced braking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicles were manufactured between Dec. 3, 2012, and Jan. 29, 2013. In these impacted cars the front brake torque member was improperly cast, resulting in structural weakness; this can lead to premature failure and cracking. If the part fails, the brake caliper could move and contact the inside of the road wheel, resulting in reduced braking and increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan will begin notifying owners in early May, and dealers will replace the parts for free. The investigation was prompted by a field report in March of a braking failure, the Detroit News reported.

Owners can contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

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Nissan recalls SUVs to fix brake problem (Detroit News)
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Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Although there was no movement in this week's top two spots, the 2014 Subaru Forester substantially increased its lead after toppling longtime champ the 2013 Toyota RAV4 last week. The new Forester saw nearly double the RAV4's traffic in its second week atop our most-read reviews list. Meanwhile, the 2013 Buick Encore compact crossover — which Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays said stuffs a whole lot of refinement and features into a tiny package — debuted big at No. 3.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2013 Buick Encore
4. 2013 Ford Fusion
5. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
6. 2013 Ford Escape
7. 2013 Honda Accord
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Toyota Avalon
10. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Recall Alert: Airbag Problem Affects Millions of Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda Vehicles

Four Japanese automakers — Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda — have announced a voluntary recall of 3 million vehicles worldwide because of possibly faulty airbags; more than a million of those vehicles are in the U.S.

According to the automakers, the problem lies in the front-passenger airbag inflator, which in affected vehicles could deploy with too much pressure due to improperly manufactured propellant wafers, causing the inflator casing to rupture. This could result in injuries to passengers, though none have been reported. The airbags were manufactured by Japan's Takata Corp., a major world supplier of airbags.

According to Toyota, affected vehicles in the U.S. include 510,000 Toyota Corolla compact sedans, Matrix compact hatchbacks, Sequoia SUVs and Tundra pickup trucks, as well as Lexus SC 430 sport coupes, all manufactured between 2001 and 2003. According to news reports, Toyota is recalling 1.7 million vehicles worldwide.

Toyota said it will notify owners by mail. Dealers will inspect the front-passenger airbag; if it is equipped with an affected inflator, the inflator will be replaced with a new one for free. Toyota owners can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331; Lexus owners can go to www.lexus.com/recall or call Lexus customer service at 800-255-3987.

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

It's like when Rocky made Ivan Drago bleed in "Rocky IV," proving the Soviet boxer was not a machine and could, indeed, be defeated. Although far from symbolizing the fall of Cold War-era communism, the 2013 Toyota RAV4's defeat after a three-month reign atop our most-read reviews list is, nonetheless, a glorious victory for our new champ, the 2014 Subaru Forester. Meanwhile, the 2013 Toyota Avalon returns to the top 10 this week at No. 9, and the 2013 Honda Civic debuts in the bottom spot.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2013 Honda Accord
4. 2013 Ford Fusion
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
7. 2014 Mazda CX-5
8. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
9. 2013 Toyota Avalon
10. 2013 Honda Civic

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

In Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays' critique of the 2014 Lexus IS 250, he says the new model's practical improvements are what make it stand out among competing sport sedans, but in a field where being fun to drive is the key concept, it stands little chance of leading the pack. The same goes for its chances on our list of most-read reviews, where the IS 250 — the lone newcomer to this week's list — finished sixth. Still at No. 1, where it has now spent a full three months, is the seemingly unstoppable 2013 Toyota RAV4 — though it's worth noting that the 2014 Subaru Forester came within about 400 page views this week, closer than any review in recent memory.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2013 Honda Accord
4. 2013 Ford Fusion
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2014 Lexus IS 250
7. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
10. 2013 Ford Explorer

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid at the 2013 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango and Chevrolet Traverse
• Looks like: A Pathfinder. Only a badge and LED taillights differentiate the hybrid version from the regular Pathfinder. 
• Drivetrain: Supercharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine and a 15-kW electric motor paired with a compact lithium-ion battery; continuously variable automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Late summer

For model-year 2013, Nissan's Pathfinder underwent a radical change from trucky SUV to family-friendly crossover. Model-year 2014 brings more changes to its lineup — Nissan unveiled the Pathfinder Hybrid at the 2013 New York International Auto Show with promises of 27 mpg and uncompromised interior space from the seven-passenger crossover.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

Nissan's first hybrid crossover, the front- or all-wheel-drive Pathfinder Hybrid, uses a new supercharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine and a 15-kilowatt electric motor paired with a compact lithium-ion battery. A CVT is the sole transmission. Nissan puts total power output at 250 horsepower and 243 pounds-feet of torque and says it will be able to tow 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Fuel-economy gains will be modest. The automaker estimates that the hybrid crossover should get 25/27 mpg city/highway. The gas version's 260-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 is EPA rated at 20/26 mpg (front-wheel-drive models). 

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

In Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley's critique of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, he describes the sedan’s triumphant return to a form worthy of its flagship status. That triumph was validated by the review rocketing straight up to No. 2 in its debut on our list of most-read reviews. It still wasn't enough to interrupt the 2013 Toyota RAV4's nearly three-month reign at No. 1.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
3. 2014 Subaru Forester
4. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
5. 2013 Honda Accord
6. 2014 Mazda CX-5
7. 2013 Ford Fusion
8. 2013 Ford Escape
9. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
10. 2013 Ford Explorer

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Now halfway through its third month atop our list of most-read car reviews, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 remained holed up at No. 1 this week with no other vehicle even coming close to smoking it out. The 2013 Ford Fusion, Ford Escape and Hyundai Santa Fe also stayed put at Nos. 5, 6 and 10, while all the other returning reviews shuffled around again.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2013 Honda Accord
4. 2014 Mazda CX-5
5. 2013 Ford Fusion
6. 2013 Ford Escape
7. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
8. 2013 Toyota Avalon
9. 2013 Ford Explorer
10. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe