Toyota launched a bombshell this week at the New York International Auto Show: A dramatically redesigned 2013 Avalon guaranteed to turn heads.
In fact the car is so different from anything ever seen with an Avalon nameplate that Toyota is calling it a complete reconception of the nameplate.

 
“The new Avalon is re-conceived for the premium mid-size sedan segment with a progressive and emotionally styled exterior design,” a Toyota news release says.” When it arrives to dealerships late this year, the new Avalon …

When the going gets tough in the auto industry,  what with hot competition, increasingly choosy customers and 0ther challenges, it’s time to pull out all the stops and make a big splash.
Nissan, without a doubt, did that with the introduction of the 2013 Nissan Altima, a car that represents a huge, dramatic departure from the current model.  It’s making its debut at the press days event this week at the New York International Auto Show.

In addition, the Nissan Pathfinder Concept, …

By Don Hammonds
Toyota’s Camry  may look similar to the prior model, but don’t be fooled.
There are big-time improvements on the popular family sedan: Much much better steering and handling. Better fuel economy. Vastly improved interior with a more solid look, and even better fit and finish inside and out, too.
All in all, it stands to be a highly competitive, nice-looking car in the family sedan field, and though it might be outshown on styling by some new and other soon-to be introduced …

By Don Hammonds
There are times when older is better.
This is one of those times.
Compact cars have been redone, reiggered and renovated like crazy over the last few years, yet one of the very best of the bunch is one of the older designs: the Mazda3.

Consider. It handles better than just about any of the other compacts we’ve driven this year, rivaled only by Ford’s Focus–a car which doesn’t share Mazda3′s straightforward, sporty, yet elegant interior. It shifts smoothly, again, better …

    By Don Hammonds
 Looking for a  tough handling little compact car that has outstanding mileage?
     Look no further than Ford’s way cool 2012 Focus, a car that likely will have plenty of pleasant surprises for you, not the least of which will be its road handling and fun to drive factor.

If you’re looking for performance and sportiness, Focus will likely win you over hands down. The Focus SEL we tested drove like a baby BMW, with a taut, muscled feel as …

By Don Hammonds
It’s probably safe to say that Chevrolet’s Cruze has turned the image of a Chevy compact on its ear.

After years of moving from gawdawful (Chevy Vega) to Cavalier (we remember wanting to see a convertible at a dealership and the mortified salesman couldn’t even get it started to move it off the sales floor) to Cobalt (pleasant, a big improvement, but no game changer), Chevy’s finally introduced one that  is hands-down terrific: the Cruze.
But changing an image is …

      
By Don Hammonds
  When it comes to subcompact cars, there’s “basic”—and there’s bare bones.
There’s no denying that you won’t find a lot of fancy gimmickry and gee-whiz features on the new 2012 Nissan Versa four door, more specifically known in our tester as tne 1.6 SV sedan.  There’s no heated seats, no armrest for the driver’s right arm, no kick-ass audio system (though the one you get is just fine, thanks), etc.

But….just about all the creature comforts most people look …

By Don Hammonds
It’s wonderful when you have a wealth of choices, whether it’s a menu at a terrific restaurant–or for a new automobile.
In the entry level luxury field, you have a number of excellent alternatives, and it’s not a matter of one being better than the other–it’s more a matter of knowing who you are and what you want to present to the world as you drive around in your new wheels.
Of course, Audi’s 2012 A4 appeals to the designer …

By
John Heilig
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4
Horsepower/Torque: 200 hp @ 5,100 rpm/207 lb.-ft. @ 1,700 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 104.4 in.
Length/Width/Height: 182.2 x 70.0 x 57.2 in.
Tires: P225/40R18
Cargo volume: 15.5 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/23.7 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.
Curb weight: 3,210 lbs.
Sticker: $26,445 (base)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Nice package
2. Good power
3. Good handling
4. Excellent audio
5. Excellent HVAC
 
The Bottom Line: The Volkswagen Jetta has been a hit ever since its over-top-introduction in Times …

Toyota’s expanding Prius’ line of offerings again, this time with a fuel-efficient hybrid at a more accessible price called thePrius c, which  joins the Prius lineup in the spring of 2012.

If you want an early look, be sure and catch the  U.S. debut of the Prius c  next month at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
    One of the knock against hybrid products–not always fair, we think–is that they are prohibitively expensive, thus, some consumers automatically dismiss the idea of buying …