Cars.com Hybrid Mileage Challenge: Video

In the first two installments of Cars.com’s Mileage Challenge, we took you through our daylong city drive to see what sort of real-world gas mileage various hybrid cars serve up. Each hybrid in our challenge had a battery of displays to convey instant and cumulative fuel economy. Some also had power flow displays or mileage history readouts, while others had meters showing the amount of electric boost or how much braking energy was recharging the battery. That’s a lot of information, and each car had a different take on how to convey it. Naturally, some did better than others.

Check out our video to learn more.

Video: 2009 Nissan Murano

Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder reviewed the new Nissan Murano a few weeks ago, but now he gets the new crossover in front of the camera for this video. The rundown shows off the Murano’s features, including a slightly odd cover for the rear cargo area and power-raising rear seats. Very nifty.

Video: 2009 Nissan Murano
2009 Nissan Murano Expert Review

Cars.com Reviews 2009 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has long been one of the best-selling cars in the U.S. Even last year, when its design was clearly showing its age, it saw increased sales, mainly due to high gas prices. Toyota has finally redesigned the compact car for 2009, and Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays put it through its paces in a full review, as well as in a video. Surprisingly, the new Corolla isn’t the slam-dunk economy choice anymore, even though there’s still plenty to like.

2009 Toyota Corolla Expert Review
2009 Toyota Corolla Videos

Video: 2009 Audi Q5 in Motion

The upcoming compact SUV from Audi gets some drive time in the video above. Not only does the dark blue Q5 look good, it looks ready for production too. We’re not so sure many U.S. buyers will take the Q5 offroad as it’s shown in the video, but it’s always good to know that it can. We’re just ogling those LED headlights.

Related
2009 Audi Q5 Revealed

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix

For 2009, Toyota redesigned not only the Corolla, its popular compact, but also the Matrix hatchback with which Corolla shares a platform. The Matrix delivers a lot more utility than the Corolla, but the new 2009 update enters a marketplace with a lot of new competition. Kelsey Mays walks us around the new Matrix and tries to figure out how well it stacks up.

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix Quick Drive

Video: 2009 Honda Pilot

On his recent trip to test drive the new 2009 Honda Pilot, Mike Hanley was busy. Besides turning in a full review, he also shot two videos — one with an overview of the new Pilot, the other checking out the seating and cargo capabilities of the three-row crossover. See for yourself below.

Video: Honda Pilot Overview
Video: Honda Pilot Seating

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

Video: Hyundai Veracruz Navigation Up Close

Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder takes an in-depth look at the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz’s navigation system in this new video. This is the first model year Hyundai has offered a navigation system, and as usual with Hyundai, it’s pretty affordable. But is it any good? Check out the video to find out. You can also see our videos on the 2007 Hyundai Veracruz's interior, seating and cargo.

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Video: Kia Koup Concept

Isn’t everyone a little tired of companies spelling words with a “K” when they should really have a “C”? Come on, when was the last time it ever led to anything good? Krispy Kreme? Kia, however, hopes the misspelling of its Koup is a good thing, and after checking it out in person at the New York auto show I’d have to agree it might be. Some of the folks over on YouTube took me to task for saying that it was both styled like an Acura from the 1990s and futuristic. They contended that would make it out of date, which is true; what I meant was that while it borrows the style, it’s still a modern interpretation. Plus, car nuts I know love Acuras from that time. You decide. Check out the video and let us know what you think in the comments.

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Video: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

Folks going to the New York auto show this week will get to check out the all-new Pontiac Solstice coupe. Those not so lucky can sit in the comfort of their desk chair and check out Joe Wiesenfelder’s video highlighting the good — hey, more headroom — and the bad — wicked blind spot — of the new two-seat sportster.

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More on the Pontiac Solstice

Video: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

After reading all you could find on the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, were you left wondering what it was really like? In this video, Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays takes a look inside and out of  Hyundai’s new rear-wheel drive performance machine and finds everything to be pretty remarkable.

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More on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Video: 2009 Volvo XC60

Cars.com's resident Suburban Dad, Patrick Olsen, takes a look at Volvo's new SUV, the XC60. It competes with the BMW X3 and Land Rover LR2 but is remarkably large for what's considered a compact segment. Patrick shows off the cargo area and rear seat room, as well as the fancy interior duds.

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More on the 2009 Volvo XC60

Video: 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

Everyone's seen pictures of the modern El Camino, but has anyone see the tailgate fold down? Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder lowers that tailgate and takes a look inside. He also shows the behind-seat storage, which we haven't seen in photos yet. Check it out.

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More on the 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

Video: 2009 Acura TSX

Acura has eloquently refreshed the TSX small sports sedan inside and out for 2009. But are looks all that matter? Cars.com’s Mike Hanley has already reviewed the new TSX, and he shares his thoughts on video at the New York auto show.



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More on the 2009 Acura TSX

Video: 2009 Infiniti FX

When the FX hits the streets this summer there’s no doubt it will scare some young children who cross its path. Its menacing grille and bold styling cover an impressive performance machine. In the video here, Kelsey Mays takes a look at the 2009 in all its purple glory. 


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More on the 2009 Infiniti FX

Video: 2008 Audi R8

Last week, Joe Wiesenfelder posted his full review of Audi’s first supercar. Now we have the R8 in all its full-motion glory in this here video. Seeing the shots of the car on ice might be hard to comprehend, but it’ll be worth the time it takes to watch.

Video: 2008 Toyota Sequoia

Suburban Dad Patrick Olsen takes you through the 2008 Toyota Sequoia and explains just how roomy the SUV is. Legroom, headroom, second row, third row — it doesn’t matter; the Sequoia has space to spare. For the most part, Patrick has nothing but good things to say about Toyota’s family-friendly SUV. … That is, until he gets to the gas pump.

Video: 2008 Toyota Sequoia (Cars.com)

Video: A Car Geek Loose at the Auto Show

Auto shows are great for car shoppers and people who want to get into as many cars as possible to make an important buying decision. For the car geek, however, they're our opportunity to drool over the hot rods, muscle cars and sports cars we’ve been obsessing about since the first jumbo-size images were posted on our computer desktops. With camera crew in hand, I took a brief look at the show-stoppers — some new, some old — at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

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Related
Muscle Cars Mount Comeback, Can Market Sustain Them? 

Video: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

While some of us were checking out exotics like the Yes! Roadster at the Chicago Auto Show, Kelsey Mays dove head-first into the value-minded 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The sedate sedan may not look much different on the outside, but Kelsey gives a full roundup of the upgrades for 2009. Share this video via YouTube.

Video: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo

Have you ever wondered how the other half lives, driving $136,500 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolets? Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen recently got some seat time in one, and this video proves that even if you’re not a high-schooler, you’re probably coveting this car. Share this video via YouTube.

2008 Chicago Auto Show Video: Yes! Roadster

One car I found astounding at the Chicago Auto Show was the German-built Yes! Roadster 3.2 and 3.2 Turbo. The company was gracious enough to let me climb all over the little orange Turbo during the media days and here’s the video proof. One correction, horsepower for the 3.2 Turbo is 355 hp not 381 hp. It’s still sub-4 second 0-60 mph fast though. Share this video via YouTube.

2008 Chicago Auto Show Video: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Unquestionably the biggest star of this year’s Chicago Auto Show was the Dodge Challenger SRT8. The muscle car begins its limited run later this year, but senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder spends some up-close time with the coupe in the first video to the left.

In the second video, Joe explains what makes the Challenger worthy of its SRT8 designation. Here’s a little hint: 425-hp, 6.1-liter V-8 that hits 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Yeah, fast. And if you get it in black, it looks realllly mean. Oh, and did we mention there are burnouts in the video? Don't forget, you can share both Video 1 and Video 2 via YouTube.

Related
2008 Chicago Auto Show Coverage (Cars.com)
Dodge Challenger News (KickingTires)

Video: VW Routan vs. Chrysler Town & Country

Volkswagen's minibus is perhaps the most iconic van of all time. Now the automaker is getting back into the van game, but with a model — the Routan — that is completely different from its old minibus; it’s based on Chrysler's minivans. In this video, we compare the new Routan with a Chrysler Town & Country to see where they're the same and where they differ. You can share this video via YouTube.

2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Chevy Traverse Video

Cars.com's managing editor and our own resident Suburban Dad, Patrick Olsen, has taken on one of the most significant family vehicles to debut at the Chicago Auto Show this year. The 2009 Chevy Traverse is similar to corporate cousins like the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, but Patrick manages to find some of the real differences in the Traverse. Share this video via YouTube.

More info and photos on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse

Video: 2008 Lotus Exige

We don’t test a lot of exotic cars here at Cars.com. Sure, we drive them at certain events, admire them from afar, but we know the mass consumer is far more interested in mainstream vehicles. The extremely limited, really-only-useful-on-a-track Lotus Exige, probably isn’t getting checked for 5-year cost of ownership too often. It’s likely something you’d see on Top Gear. But the Exige is what greeted us on a recent trip to the track to test some of the sportiest new cars for 2008. The Exige was so unique it forced our erstwhile cameraman and multimedia coordinator Eric Rossi in front of the lens to tell us about the tiny track star.

Auto Show Head-to-Head: 2009 Dodge Ram vs. Ford F-150

The 2008 Detroit auto show was the venue for two important redesigned-pickup-truck debuts: the 2009 Ford F-150 and the 2009 Dodge Ram. They are two of the best-selling vehicles in the country, and we've taken a look at what the new trucks have to offer, category by category.

Exterior
Both the Ram and F-150 sport tougher new looks — not that either really needed them. The F-150's hood is taller than before, and it's now offered with even more distinctive grille designs that help separate the various trims. There are also new headlights, and all of these elements give the F-150 a look that's more similar to its Super Duty big brothers.

The Ram also has new headlights and a new take on its trademark grille. Dodge has given the Ram's grille a forward lean for 2009 that's a radical styling element for a pickup, even though it's appeared on sporty cars before. The look is traditional yet stylistically interesting, and that's what gives the Dodge the edge in this category.
Advantage: Ram

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 Toyota Venza

One of the most intriguing new production cars in Detroit was Toyota’s new crossover, the Venza. Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder got an exclusive up-close look at the interior, which is quite luxurious for Toyota. Also check out its trick center console. If you wanted to see more of the Venza, then this is the video for you.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 VW Passat CC

One of the stranger introductions in Detroit was the Volkswagen Passat CC. It was strange not for its looks — it was quite attractive — but for the fact that it’s so similar to the regular Passat sedan we’re not sure how the company can sell the two on the same lot. That conundrum didn’t stop Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays from checking out the upscale CC in the video here.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Toyota A-BAT Concept

One concept that surprised us at the Detroit auto show was this compact hybrid pickup from Toyota. The A-BAT was a terrific size when you were standing right next to it. You don’t really find trucks this small anymore, and a hybrid power plant would certainly up its cache if it ever came to market. Check out the video with me as your humble host for a better look.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 Hyundai Genesis

One of the most impressive production cars at the Detroit auto show was Hyundai’s new Genesis sedan. Cars.com’s Mike Hanley takes you on a tour of the rear-wheel-drive sedan, showing off the numerous features the company hopes will make the Genesis a competitor with Lexus and other luxury automakers. Check out the video and let us know what you think.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2008 BMW X6

The BMW X6 is one strange SUV. Actually, BMW calls it an SAV (sport activity vehicle), but until the general populace starts using that term, we’ll stick with what we know. Kelsey Mays walks us through that debate from the show floor in this video.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 Ford F-150

Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder takes on the redesign of the best-selling vehicle in the country. There's no overstating the importance of the F-150 to Ford; check out the video to see if it measures up to anticipation.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 Subaru Forester

Cars.com managing editor — and KickingTires’ own Suburban Dad — Patrick Olsen takes a close look at the completely redesigned Subaru Forester. There’s no longer any question the Forester is an SUV, not a wagon, but is that a good thing? Check out the video to find out.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Cadillac Coupe Concept

Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder grabbed a quick video of the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept when it moved from the stage to its final show perch on a rotating pedestal. We'll have more insight from Joe on the CTS Coupe soon.

More info and photos of the CTS Coupe Concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Mercedes-Benz GLK

Kelsey Mays not only got to interview the head of Mercedes-Benz, he also took a close-up look at the GLK concept. Not only do you get moving pictures, you also get some insight into what type of engines this diesel prototype might have when it goes on sale in the U.S.

Video: 2009 Ford F-150

We haven’t stepped into the new F-150 yet this morning, but our friend Mike Levine over at Pickuptruck.com got some time with the new truck, ahead of today’s unveiling. In the video above, he walks us through the interior and in the one below he tackles even more of Ford's new truck.

Video: Delphi's iPhone Car Control

Earlier this week we reported on Delphi’s concept of software that could link your car to an iPhone and allow you to control the windows, door locks and other settings via your phone, as well as check your car’s vital info and even start the engine. The idea debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, and our friends over at Gizmodo.com were lucky enough to get this video of the product at work. Bet you never thought you’d be impressed by a descending backseat window.

iPhone Controls Vehicle in Real Time Using Delphi’s Concept Web App (Gizmodo)

Video: 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Kelsey Mays had the arduous task of finding some offroad terrain in downtown Chicago for this video, and we have to say we’re impressed with his location scouting. Perhaps he has a future in Hollywood. He also gives a terrific overview of the recently redesigned Wrangler’s capabilities, and a few negatives about living with the Jeep day-to-day.

Video: 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE

Last year, Land Rover introduced its new entry-level LR2 and we got to test it out pretty thoroughly. Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder delivered a review of the SUV and overall his impressions were quite positive. For 2008, Land Rover delivers an HSE trim level which just came through the fleet and earned our video treatment.

Video: 2008 Audi S5

As the Audi S5 hits the market, with eager car enthusiasts awaiting with high expectations, Cars.com’s Mike Hanley gives readers a chance to see the S5 up close. Just like in his full review, he gives a comprehensive video tour of the S5’s best features, and under the hood for a look at the coupe's V-8.

Video: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

What happens when I get to take the 2008 Subaru WRX STI for a few days of high-performance frolicking? Snow. Snow and cold. Snow, cold, ice and an assignment to shoot a video about this amazing new hatchback. Check out the video to the left and shoot any questions my way in the comments below.

Video: 2008 Jeep Liberty

Two weeks ago I delivered my review of the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty. Now there’s video proof of me in said SUV. OK, so what does the video prove? Not much, but now you can see for yourself whether my assessment of the new Jeep was on the money or not.

Video: Smart ForTwo

Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays delivered his review of the Smart ForTwo — hitting still-unopened dealerships in January — a few weeks back. Today we get a look at the video he shot of the convertible version of the micro-car. Yep, it really is as small as it looks.

Video: BMW 1 Series

When BMW introduced its new 1 Series at the L.A. auto show, we had a lot of questions. Would the 1 Series live up to the high standards of the brand? Would it come in costing less than $30,000 yet still maintain any excitement? Would it steal business from its best-selling cousin, the 3 Series? Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder takes a closer look at the 1 Series to shed some light on the company’s much-anticipated new addition.