Cars.com Offsets Test-Fleet Carbon

Here at Cars.com we have a revolving fleet of new cars for our editorial department’s use. We drive these cars extensively so we can craft informed reviews, film video and produce various other content, including blog posts. Logically, we know that the fuel used and carbon dioxide produced during these tests is a necessary evil to provide the best car coverage possible.

Today, we’re announcing that Cars.com will contribute to TerraPass to offset all the fuel used and the resulting pollution emitted by our test fleet.

PickupTrucks.com Joins Cars.com Family

In the greatest partnership since peanut butter and chocolate — OK, nothing is that good — PickupTrucks.com has joined the Cars.com family of websites. Editor Mike Levine has been reporting on the truck segment for more than a decade and brings his considerable expertise to a family of sites that also includes MotherProof.com, KickingTires and Ask.cars.com.

Check out the site here and let us know what you think in the comments below. 

Welcome to the family, Mike!

Baby Boomer Buying Guide

The first wave of American Baby Boomers is nearing that magical age when, if they’ve invested wisely and gotten a little bit lucky, they can retire forever. (No thanks to those ungrateful brats and their “college tuition.” Harumph.) Retirement is supposed to be a time of personal fulfillment. For many, that means a cool new car — the perfect payoff after 20 years of minivan driving. Cars.com’s recently launched Baby Boomers Guide can help you decide just which car that hard-earned 401(k) should pay for.

Cars.com Baby Boomers Guide

Cars.com's New Green/Hybrid Buying Guide

Happy Earth Day! In a terrific bit of coordination, Cars.com launched its first Green/Hybrid Buying Guide today in an effort to help car shoppers better sort through all the new hybrid, high-mileage, E-85 and diesel vehicles automakers are now producing.

Check out the buying guide where we break down all the latest models, stories that can help you decide how to go green if you’d like, as well as the latest green news from KickingTires, Ask.cars.com and MotherProof.com and our most recent green-car videos.

Cars.com Launches New Video Gallery

Not getting enough of David Thomas here on KickingTires? Wish you could see more of Suburban Dad? Want to catch up with John Davis and the rest of the MotorWeek crew? Dying to see what Kelsey, Joe and Mike have been up to lately? Then you’re in luck. Cars.com has launched its Video Gallery, a place where you can pick from hundreds of videos from Cars.com and MotorWeek.

You can select videos by Auto Show, Body Style, Most Recent or Most Popular. We’ll help you navigate through them, and offer you related videos when there’s more than one for a popular model.

Check it out: http://www.cars.com/go/video

Let us know what you think.

Patrick Olsen
Cars.com Editor-in-Chief

Today on Mother Proof: Road Maps and Spare Clothes

April 5 is National Read a Road Map Day, and Sara Lacey encourages you to celebrate by putting down your portable GPS devices and turning off your factory navigation systems in favor of using an old-fashioned, foldable (by someone) road map. Also, Courtney Messenbaugh gets first-hand experience with a portable pouch of baby clothes meant for kids who get into messy situations on the road — and, apparently, in Mexican restaurants.

Celebrate National Read a Road Map Day (Mother Proof)
Extra Clothes Spare Mama the Drama (Mother Proof)

Greenest Car-Shoppers Gather on West Coast

We know that judging a city's eco-consciousness strictly by the number of times its residents search for hybrids on Cars.com's website will never encapsulate the “feeling” of a city. But the results still say a lot about where you live. We looked at new-car searches in every major American city and calculated what percentage of those searches were for hybrids. True to stereotype, we found that the top five cities interested in hybrids were all on the West Coast.

California’s Bay Area led the way with 5.62% of its searches being for hybrid vehicles. Portland, Ore., and Seattle rounded out the top three. Does this mean our friends in the West are the most eco-conscious?

Well, yeah, probably. Still, the numbers here don't count searches for clean diesels or fuel-efficient cars with regular gasoline engines, like the Toyota Corolla. We’re a bit surprised that notoriously congested urban areas like New York City, Chicago and Atlanta — where hybrids would return the best mileage in a long, slow commute — didn’t make the list. Check out the top 10 hybrid cities after the jump.

Today on Mother Proof: A Mazda Designer and the Collision.kit

Sara Lacey took some time at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show to interview Mazda’s lead designer and find out how decisions are made about a car’s interior, design and color. As if this weren’t enough, she also gives us the scoop on the Collision.kit, an all-purpose tool for the worst kinds of driving situations.

Collision.kit a Dream in Nightmare Situation (Mother Proof)
Video: Interview with Mazda Designer (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: The New 'Kids and Cars' Law and Driver's Edge Video

Courtney Messenbaugh takes a look at the new Kids and Cars legislation that recently passed in Congress. She points out the highlights and tells us why the new law could one day help prevent tragedy. Also, Sara Lacey took some time at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show to interview the guys of Driver’s Edge, a school meant to make young drivers safer.

Bill a Victory for Child Safety (Mother Proof)
Video: Driver’s Edge (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 BMW 535xi Reviewed and the My Choice Chart

Today, Colette Fischer does double duty, taking a look at the benefits of the My Choice Chart and giving it the Mother Proof Seal of Approval, plus the arduous task of piloting a classy BMW 535xi, which she found to be all but overflowing with “sleek, sexy she-power.”

2008 BMW 535xi Review (Mother Proof)
SOA: My Choice Chart (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Cameron Diaz and Kids Talking Cars

Cameron Diaz may not have won an Oscar last night (or even been nominated for one), but that didn’t stop Courtney Messenbaugh from giving her an honorary award anyway. Also, check out today’s Mom on the Street video, which features interviews with kids at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Prepare to be awed by these kids’ automotive insights.

Hydrogen Car Shows Up for Oscar Night (Mother Proof)
Video: Mom on the Street (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Idle Engines

After seeing a piece on the news about drivers being ticketed for letting their engines run when they weren’t in the car, Sara Lacey wanted to find out more about this environmental nitpicking. Turns out, though, that the law had less to do with the environment than it did with crime. Did any of these drivers end up in jail? No, but Sara cleared the air with this report on why city police frown on idling cars.

Don’t Leave Your Motor Running (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: The Volvo XC60 and Mother Proof Awards Video

The slate is full today on Mother Proof: In addition to Sara Lacey’s take on the sensuality of Volvo’s newest SUV, we have video of the 2008 Mother Proof awards, which were handed out at the Chicago Auto Show. Chief Mom Kristin Varela and the rest of the gang were on hand to dole out the top prizes for their favorite vehicles from the past year.

Volvo Launches Hot New SUV (Mother Proof)
Video: 2008 Mother Proof Awards (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Driver's Edge and a Suburban Dad vs. Chief Mom Video Challenge

There’s a full slate today on Mother Proof. First, if you missed it earlier, check out the ultimate clash of parenting titans as KickingTires’ Suburban Dad takes on Mother Proof’s Chief Mom in a video from the Chicago Auto Show. Then read about Sara Lacey’s take on the Volvo for Life heroes award, which she thinks Volvo may have flubbed. Oh, she has her reasons.

Video: Suburban Dad vs. Chief Mom at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show (Mother Proof)
Volvo for Life Gets it Wrong (Mother Proof)

Video: Suburban Dad vs. Chief Mom

KickingTires collides with Mother Proof at the Chicago Auto Show, as Chief Mom Kristin Varela takes on Suburban Dad Patrick Olsen in a test of wits, cunning and parenting skill. The contest pits the two parenting heavyweights in an epic race to quickly and safely load a Hyundai Veracruz with a kid and a day’s worth of shopping. Sure, Kristin’s children are closer to the “loading” age, but Patrick has years of seniority and experience on her. Who takes the top prize in this battle of Goliath vs. Goliath? Check out today’s video to find out.

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 Lexus LX 570 Previewed

What do you do if you need to haul 8,500 pounds but can’t spend more than $15,000 on a car? We have no idea. That’s a pickle. If you have $74,000, however, Courtney Messenbaugh has just the ride for you. It’s called the Lexus LX  570, and she wants one. Courtney took some time to get up close and personal with the LX 570 and reports back on the SUV that may very well be nicer than her house.

2008 Lexus LX 570 Previewed (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 Mazda6 Reviewed

Lori Hindman was really looking forward to testing the Mazda6 Grand Touring, but after spending some time with the car, she couldn't help but find herself let down. It wasn't that one glaring oversight did in the vehicle, it was that after tallying the minor flaws, Lori saw her initially high opinion of the Mazda6 begin to crumble. See what death by a thousand cuts looks like for a car today on Mother Proof.

Review: Mazda6 Grand Touring (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: The Driverless Car

Sure, the ladies at Mother Proof consistently point out features they like in their cars, but today Courtney Messenbaugh takes a look at the real feature that would make her driving life simple: A car that drives itself. GM has the prototype, Courtney has some errands to run — it’s a match made in heaven. Read Courtney’s report on Mother Proof.

Mom-Chauffeur’s Dream: A Driverless Car (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Chevrolet Traverse Video

Kristin Varela takes you on a tour of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, and if you’re like her, you’ll be impressed. The Traverse is loaded with safety features, brimming with storage space, and is as family-friendly a vehicle as you can find. With six airbags and a Mother Proof first-look endorsement, the Traverse is a car for moms to keep their eyes on.

Video: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 Mother Proof Awards

Yesterday, the moms of Mother Proof doled out their picks for the 2008 Mother Proof Awards at the Chicago Auto Show. It was an all-day event that featured guest speakers and even an appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants. Check out their picks for 2008 and follow the links to each of their choices to find out why these vehicles are so family-friendly.

2008 Mother Proof Awards (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Mazda5 Video, 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport Review

Emily Hansen didn’t get to test drive the Suzuki SX4 Sport in ideal conditions, but was pleasantly surprise to find that the zippy sedan handled well in harsh winter road conditions — even without AWD. Read her full review today on Mother Proof, and as a bonus check out Kristin Varela’s video report on the Mazda5 from the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport Review (Mother Proof)
Video: 2008 Mazda5 (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Day 2 of the Chicago Auto Show

Kristin Varela finishes off her trip to the Chicago Auto Show with reports on the Mazda5 and the Scion tC RS 4.0. Apparently, the Mazda5 has undergone a “minor refresh,” and Kristin wants to know what exactly that means. Then she checks out how the Scion would fare with a teenage driver and, more importantly, the mother of a teenage driver.

Mother Proof Live from Chicago: Day 2 (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Child Seat Recall and the Chicago Auto Show: Day 1

While Sara Lacey alerts us to a recall for a child-safety seat, Kristin Varela has hopped a flight to Chicago so she can be at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. On the first media day, she checked out the family-readiness of the Chevrolet Traverse crossover and the new Volkswagen Routan minivan. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more posts from the show.

Mother Proof at the Chicago Auto Show: Day 1 (Mother Proof)
Evenflo Car Seats Recalled (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Child Safety Seats and Lexus IS F Preview

Mother Proof contributor Courtney Messenbaugh has a mindset for safety and a craving for a little luxury. Today, you get the chance to see both those sides. First, she takes a look at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new rating system for child-safety seats, then follows this up with a spin in the one gift Santa forgot to bring her for Christmas: the 2008 Lexus IS F.

NHTSA Rolls Out Child-Safety Seat Ratings (Mother Proof)
2008 Lexus IS F Preview (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: More on the Lincoln MKT and Tata Nano

Kristin Varela reports from the Detroit Auto Show with one of the designers of the Lincoln MKT concept in this brand-new Mother Proof video. Also, Courtney Messenbaugh takes on the world’s cheapest car from the Indian company, Tata and wonders if a pint-sized vehicle that costs less than $3,000 can really be safe.

Video: Mother Proof Checks Out the Lincoln MKT (Mother Proof)
Beep, Beep! Tata Nano is Cheap, Cheap! (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 Honda Accord Reviewed

Sara Lacey takes the Honda Accord for a spin and renders her judgment without mercy. OK, so she did kind of like the redesigned Accord, finding it more than suitable as both a family car and a car you can feel good driving. Still, she had some minor complaints. Get a full overview on Mother Proof.

2008 Honda Accord EX-L Review (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: The Full-Body Bib

As most parents know, a standard bib is only good for keeping food off a small, square-shaped space on a child’s chest. Otherwise, said child is more or less free to mash food into any surface within easy reach, including pants, sleeves and stomach. Short of dressing your child in an easily-to-hose-down tarp, Courtney Messenbaugh has found the next best thing.

Full-Body Bib a Dream Come True (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: gLovies

The above is not a typo. Courtney Messenbaugh recently discovered gLovies to assist her 15-month-old son in his feverish battle to protect himself against his daily exposure to germs. OK, so he probably doesn’t care that much. Courtney does, though, and surely many moms will be interested to hear how they can keep their kids’ hands clean and germ-free (relatively speaking, of course).

A Defense Against the Wide World of Germs (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Stress-Free Driving and a New Vocabulary Word

Are you dying to find out what ‘Priora’ are? Let’s just say that people went to a lot of trouble to track this word down, and the way things are going, it should be important for a while. Also, Colette Fischer offers 33 resolutions she plans to stick by to make driving less stressful this year. Let us know how many of them you plan to take up.

What Do You Call More Than One Prius? (Mother Proof)
New Year’s Resolution: Ideas for Stress-Free Driving (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Be Prepared for Accidents

The theme today on Mother Proof is accident preparedness. First, Kristin Varela interviews OnStar’s Suzanne Johnson in a video that offers a behind-the-scenes look at how OnStar keeps drivers safe. Then, Colette Fischer drew up an accident information form to help things go smoothly in case of a fender-bender or minor collision.

Video: Learn More About OnStar (Mother Proof)
New Year’s Resolution: Accidents Happen, So Be Prepared (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Trouble With Rental Cars

After her husband got a $18,000 bill from a car rental company for damage he didn’t cause, Sara Lacey learned an important lesson: Be cautious when you rent a car; it’s not just driving that can be hazardous. She advises that as soon as the man or woman behind the desk hands over your keys, be on the lookout for troublesome damage or other exterior flaws that might cost you later.

Rental Car Counter a Good Place to Be on Alert (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Hooking Up Your iPod

Lori Hindman woke up Christmas morning to find the fantastic gift of a brand-new iPod sitting under her tree. She’d love to bring her new toy along in her car, but she’s noticed just how lacking her options are when it comes to iPod adapters for your car. If you don’t have a built-in jack, then the remaining options all have downsides. Lori went in search of the ideal adapter and reported her findings in today’s Mother Proof post.

Luster of iPod Rubs Off in Car (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Land Rover LR3 and VW Eos Reviewed

Hmmm … which would be the more family-friendly car: A cavernous, titanic Land Rover LR3, or a slick hardtop convertible, the Volkswagen Eos? OK, so maybe we won’t have to write in to Ask.cars.com for this one. All the same, Lori Hindman and Courtney Messenbaugh offer their thoughts on the two polar-opposite vehicles. Be warned: You may find yourself sold on one but in love with the other.

2008 Land Rover LR3 HSE Review (Mother Proof)
2007 Volkswagen Eos Review (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Confusing Your Automotive Terms

At the 2008 Detroit auto show, Sara Lacey could not help but notice the barrage of new car terminology introduced to the common car lexicon. Say goodbye to the simple days of “sedan” and “SUV” and say hello to new terms, like “coo-PAY.” For a full roundup of all the new terms to watch out for, check out Mother Proof. Maybe you can even find out what the heck a coo-PAY is.

New Car Definitions Leave Us Lost in Translation (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Video Tips for a Family Car

There are three types of vehicles that car buyers with large and growing families usually find themselves choosing between: Do you go with the vast space of a minivan, the towing capacity and utility of an SUV, or the middle ground of a crossover? Mother Proof’s Kristin Varela weighs the pros and cons of each in today’s video.

Video Tips: Should I Buy a Minivan, an SUV or a Crossover? (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Video from the Detroit Auto Show

During three whirlwind days at the 2008 Detroit auto show, Kristin Varela and Sara Lacey reported back with their thoughts on the show’s offerings. Now you can check out a video where they go over some of the show’s family-friendly highlights. The Mother Proof moms discover automakers who have dreamed up some impressively practical additions to family vehicles, some wildly creative storage space and even a car that benefits craftsmen in Nepal. To find out what we’re talking about, take a look at Mother Proof.

Video: Mother Proof in Detroit (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Alive at 25

One of the scariest prospects for mothers (not to mention dads) everywhere is handing over the keys to an inexperienced teenage driver. Young adults are statistically twice as likely to die in a vehicular accident as the rest of the driving population, and this does not sit well with parents. Fortunately, Mother Proof’s Emily Hansen has found a defensive-driving course that offers targeted training to new drivers in hopes of preventing that unthinkable tragedy.

Alive at 25 a Wake-Up Call for Young Drivers (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Disappearing Doors

Have you ever opened your car and said to yourself, “Boy, do I hate doors”? Yeah, none of us have either. Yet Courtney Messenbaugh has discovered a company that removes the issue of car doors — literally. Where do they go? What happens to them? Check out Courtney’s report on the amazing disappearing doors to find out.

Move Your Car Doors Out of the Way (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Day 3 of the Detroit Auto Show

On the final media day of the Detroit auto show, Mother Proofers Kristin Varela and Sara Lacey round up some last-minute highlights. Check out what they have to say about a new Toyota mom-mobile, a Lincoln with carpet woven in Nepal, a zero-emissions Cadillac concept and a Saab that makes elaborate, ground-breaking use of storage space.

Live from Detroit: Day 3 (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Day 2 of the Detroit Auto Show

Kristin Varela and Sara Lacey are back for a second day from the auto show floor, working tirelessly as always to bring you the latest on new production and concept cars. Today they try to justify the family readiness of the BMW X6 and, with more difficulty, the 128i convertible. They also check out the Land Rover LRX concept (for the “off-roading, fill-the-gas-tank-with-vegetable-oil executives” segment) and try to appease all the Subaru Forester fans they’ve previously offended.

Live from Detroit: Day 2 (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Live From the Detroit Auto Show

Mother Proof reviewers Kristin Varela and Sara Lacey are in the Motor City checking out the 2008 North American International Auto Show, and today they got up close and personal with some of the show’s most anticipated vehicles, including a beefy Honda Pilot, a movie-star Mercedes GLK, a redesigned Ford Explorer and Ford’s interesting Verve concept. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more coverage.

Live from Detroit: Mother Proof at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: The Meanest Mom on the Planet

What qualifies one for the title of Meanest Mom on the Planet? According to Mother Proof’s Sara Lacey, the answer is heroics. She describes what one Iowa mother did to her son’s car after he broke a very simple rule, and why that makes her a proud nominee for the title of the planet’s cruelest, most unforgiving mother.

The Meanest Mom on the Planet Got it Right (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Car-Seat Laws

New Mother Proof writer Lori Hindman makes her debut by tackling the laws that govern your child’s car seat. Such laws vary from state to state, and if you end up on the wrong side of some, you might find yourself paying a hefty fine. Welcome Lori to the Cars.com family by checking out her first post.

New Year’s Resolution: Learn Your State’s Car-Seat Laws (Mother Proof)

Nissan Rogue Most Popular New Car on Cars.com

Judging from consumer searches on Cars.com, the Nissan Rogue was the most popular new car of 2007. The Rogue narrowly beat out the Infiniti G37, Buick Enclave and Dodge Avenger to nab the top spot in the most recent Cars.com Consumer Search Index.

This list included only new 2008 models that were introduced to consumers in 2007, and popularity was determined based on the average number of searches each month for each car since it was introduced.

The Rogue is Nissan’s first foray into the small SUV/compact crossover segment, and it has garnered largely positive reviews. In his expert review, Cars.com’s David Thomas noted that “even in its rookie season, [the Rogue] seems ready for the pro bowl.”

With gas prices steadily high, the Rogue should remain popular, along with other compact SUVs from Honda, Ford and Toyota. Below is the full list of the most popular new-car introductions on Cars.com in 2007.

Today on Mother Proof: The Truth About Family Vacations

Courtney Messenbaugh recently discovered the unfortunate truth about family road trips, which is that the classic Chevy Chase movie about one wasn’t all that far off the mark. Today on Mother Proof she doles out a few tips on how to make that car-based vacation a bit more comfortable, a tad less messy, and tolerable enough that you might even want to repeat the experience someday.

Lampooned Road Trips a Reality for Families (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 Audi S5 Review

The idea of a two-door family car may seem counterintuitive at first, but Sara Lacey is ready to swear by the 2008 Audi S5. It held up to the most strenuous tests she and Mother Nature could throw at it, including a trip to a birthday party in a full-fledged Mountain West blizzard. Check out her full review on Mother Proof.

2008 Audi S5 Review (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander SE XLS Previewed

Fresh off a trip to the racetrack, Courtney Messenbaugh wasn’t thrilled about climbing back into a humdrum mom-mobile like the Mitsubishi Outlander. After all, how could it compare to the thrills of tearing down straightaways at 100 miles per hour? The answer: it couldn’t. Still, Messenbaugh found plenty to like about the Outlander. Read her full preview on Mother Proof.

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander SE XLS Preview (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Video Tips for Car Buying

You’re about to buy a car. Before walking into a dealership, it’s important to be prepared. Make sure you’ve researched the vehicle you want to test drive. Have a list of the features most important to you. Know how much you want to pay on a monthly basis. And so on. Mother Proof’s Kristin Varela dishes out important tips for car buyers in today’s video.

Video Tips: How to Prepare Before Entering a Dealership (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: All-Weather Floormats

It’s the time of year for Sleigh bells, New Year’s Eve parties and, of course, brutal weather. As it does every year, winter takes its toll on the interior and exterior of your car. Fortunately, Colette Fischer has discovered the key to at least keeping your interior carpet safe from the nasty elements all those shoes and boots pick up.

I Love My All-Weather Floormats (Mother Proof)

Today on Mother Proof: Dirty Car Art

Everyone’s seen it: Those words of wit and wisdom sketched into the grime of a filthy car’s back windshield: “Clean Me.” While unoriginal, sometimes a particularly dirty car just begs for a bit of temporary vandalizing. Sara Lacey, however, has discovered an artist who actually puts that windshield grime to aesthetic use.

Make Art From Your Dirty Car (Mother Proof)