2013 Lexus LS 460: Family Checklist

It was only a couple of years ago that some said Lexus' aging lineup lacked luster and contributed to its diminishing sales. Lexus graciously listened to the criticism, made some changes and now boasts a lineup that is modern and more fun than ever.

The new 2013 Lexus LS 460 is a great example of this: This full-size sedan handles beautifully, has plenty of power and can even work for many families if — and that's a big if — you're willing to let your mess makers loose in the luxurious, expensive five-seater.

When it came time for a new look, Lexus opted to give the LS 460 a face-lift. Its new spindle grille looks fresh and ready for action. The car also seems to have realized that it's never too late to develop some muscle. A new 4.6-liter V-8 engine is matched to a smooth eight-speed transmission and provides 360 horsepower worth of muscle. I was easily able to blow by everyone on the road en route to the mountains for spring break.

2014 Lexus IS: Track Tested

With the redesigned 2014 IS sport sedan, Lexus is trying hard to appeal to buyers intent on getting a compact luxury car that's not only luxurious and well put-together, but also fun to drive. So focused is Lexus on this goal that it's holding regional media drive events at racetracks around the country for journalists to sample the IS' current variations on closed road courses.

We already reviewed the new 2014 IS earlier this year at its launch in Austin, Texas, but we're not going to pass up the opportunity to drive sport sedans around a track. So I trekked out to the media gathering Lexus held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., a track familiar to NASCAR Sprint Cup fans as the home of the Pure Michigan 400 and other races.

The course laid out for us took us onto an infield road course before dumping the cars onto the front stretch of the oval track and then back into the infield course at the end of pit lane. It was a relatively simple course, but it provided a good opportunity to see just how well Lexus has tuned the new IS as an enthusiast's option.

Recall Alert: 38,197 Chevrolet, Buick Hybrids

GM is recalling 38,197 model-year 2012-13 Chevrolet and Buick eAssist light hybrid cars due to a problem with circuit boards in the trunk that could cause a fire, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Affected vehicles include Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal sedans. Circuit boards in the trunk could overheat, causing the cars' 12-volt battery to drain and one of several indicator lights to turn on. If owners ignore the warning lights, the engine could stall and a fire could occur in the trunk, the newspaper reported. The issue is not related to the lithium-ion battery that is part of the eAssist hybrid system.

Owners will be notified "soon," according to the newspaper, though no specific time frame was given. Owners of Malibu Ecos, Buick LaCrosses and Buick Regals who notice any kind of warning light are encouraged to take their car to a dealer immediately. For more info, owners can call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

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VW Beetle Turbo, Jetta GLI Get Power Boost

Volkswagen has a midyear upgrade planned for its Jetta GLI and Turbo models of its Beetle coupe and convertible. The cars' 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is now rated at 210-hp; Volkswagen says the revised engine is quicker and more efficient thanks to reduced weight and other mechanical updates.  

As equipped, the 2013 Beetle Turbo coupe goes from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds, a hair faster than the previous model. The GLI boasts similar performance figures. Volkswagen expects fuel economy to go up too; it estimates that Beetle Turbo models should see a 4% to 9% increase in efficiency. 

There's also a few exterior changes to both cars. All Beetle Turbos will now get grained black R-Line-model bumpers and more exterior chrome trim. Model-year 2013 GLIs with the more powerful engine get LED taillights on all three trims.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Toyota Avalon

With its enormous backseat, comfy front seats and a trunk that’s double-stroller ready, the redesigned 2013 Toyota Avalon is ready for family duty, says Cars.com Family reviewer Carrie Kim. This five-seater has a smooth ride, but it also has plenty of power thanks to its 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The one downside Carrie found with this full-size sedan was its price: The Avalon starts at $31,885, but her test car cost a whopping $42,494.

2013 Toyota Avalon Family Review

Cadillac Takes Self-Driving Tech to the Streets

Cadillac has tested its semiautonomous technology, Super Cruise, on closed courses and driving simulators, and now it could be coming to an interstate near you. Not for public use, of course — the technology won't be that far along until at least later this decade — but to take testing to the next level on real-world roadways. The automaker said that by the time testing is complete, researchers will have accumulated hundreds of thousands of driving miles in varied environments, including day and night, and weather and traffic conditions.

Super Cruise is capable of semi-automated driving, including hands-off lane following, braking and speed control under certain driving conditions. It is designed to ease the driver's workload on freeways, in bumper-to-bumper traffic and on long road trips, but still requires the driver to respond to external factors when prompted. The system uses lane-centering technology that relies on forward-looking cameras to detect lane markings and other sensors to recognize curves and other road characteristics; it also incorporates a series of alerts to communicate with the driver.

2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: First Drive

When it appeared in 2011 to counter rivals like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid generally didn't fare too well in head-to-head matchups. Complaints of a lack of refinement in the hybrid powertrain and braking feel were cited, and the Sonata routinely under-delivered on the fuel economy front. Hyundai seems to have been listening, as these are exactly the areas the company focused on for the 2013 Sonata Hybrid, and the result is a top-notch, fully competitive hybrid sedan ready to take on the competitors.

Changes start with the powertrain: The same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine remains, but it now makes slightly less power, 159 horsepower compared to the 2012 model's 166. This is made up for by a more powerful electric motor, rated at 35 kilowatts instead of the last model's 30. Net power thus drops from 206 in the 2012 model to 199 in the 2013, but this is the only trade-off for superior performance, fuel economy and cargo room. The 2013 Sonata Hybrid's lithium polymer battery has a higher capacity, but it's also lighter and better packaged, allowing the trunk's cargo room to grow from 10.7 to 12.1 cubic feet.

2014 Mazda6: Second Take

Despite offering a sporty driving experience in a stylish package, the Mazda6 has struggled to win buyers in the family sedan segment. It's always been a bit player in the class, but Mazda is making a big push in the segment again with a redesigned 2014 Mazda6. The car appears to have what it takes to challenge the segment leaders, but a few common complaints also cropped up after testing by several Cars.com editors.

Read the full review of the 2014 Mazda6

The car's looks, for one, seem like they'll go a long way toward bringing shoppers into the showroom. "This is one of the best-looking cars I've driven in some time," said Managing Editor David Thomas. "I don't mean this is the best-looking sedan or midsize sedan I've driven; I'm talking looks across the segments including sports cars and luxury vehicles."

Cars.com editors weren't the only ones who noticed the Mazda6's styling. "During each of my drives, the car turned heads," said editor Jennifer Geiger. "I hadn't received that much attention from pedestrians and other drivers since I first tested the Scion FR-S."

Lexus Prices 2014 IS

When the redesigned-for-2014 Lexus IS arrives at dealerships this summer, the luxury sedan will offer a number of newly standard features at a 2% discount from last year's price for IS 350 buyers, the automaker announced today. The rear-wheel-drive IS 250 will start at $36,845 and $39,380 for all-wheel drive; the IS 350 will start at $40,360 for rear-wheel drive and $42,595 for all-wheel drive (all prices include an $895 destination fee).

The IS 250 has a 2.5-liter V-6 good for 204 horsepower and 185 pounds-feet of torque, while the 350 has a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 306 horsepower. Both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the 250 come with a six-speed automatic transmission, as does the all-wheel-drive 350; the rear-wheel-drive model gets an eight-speed automatic.

Standard features include high-intensity discharge headlights, L-shaped LED running lights, drive mode select, paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, a new touch-screen multimedia system with 4.2-inch color display, 10 airbags, and real-time traffic and weather information without a subscription. Lexus said the previously optional equipment totals $1,400.

Recall Alert: 2013 Nissan Altima

Nissan is recalling 123,308 model-year 2013 Altima sedans due to a problem with the inflation of spare tires, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected vehicles were manufactured between March 21, 2012, and March 26, 2013. The vehicles' spare tires may have been significantly over- or underinflated; this could cause failure without warning, increasing the risk of a crash, NHTSA stated.

Nissan will begin notifying owners May 3, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare-tire pressure for free. Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov for more info.

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