By Don Hammonds
Undeniably, the 2012 North American International Auto Show will go down as one of the most significant shows in years, with important introductions of family sedans and compact cars, more economical hybrids and other alternative vehicles, and a healthy smattering of mouth-watering sports cars and concepts for added spice.
       All of this is occuring against a backdrop of strong sales increases for most brands and a resurgent domestic auto industry, lower interest rates, many more interesting, better-built …

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By John Heilig
 2012 Cadillac SRX
Engine: 3.6-liter V6
Horsepower/Torque: 308 hp @ 6,800 rpm/265 lb.-ft. @ 2,400 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 110.5 in.
Length x Width x Height: 190.3 x 75.2 x 65.7 in.
Tires: P235/55R20
Cargo: 29.2/61.1 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row/3rd row folded)
Economy: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/16.2 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 21.0 gal.
Curb Weight: 4,277 lbs.
Sticker: $36,000 (base)
Five reasons to buy this car:
1. Very nice package
2.  Good performance for a CUV
3. Cadillac comfort in a SUV package
4. Excellent heater
5. Good handling
The Bottom Line: …

Infiniti’s got a sexy new crossover on the floor at the Los Angeles International Auto Show—-the JX.

And come this spring, the JX  is getting availability of a unique feature for Infiniti—a  Backup Collision Intervention system that has the ability to detect vehicular cross traffic and other rearward objects while backing up and, if necessary, will automatically apply the brakes to help prevent a collision.
Infiniti says, “As a fresh alternative to the many flavors of vanilla currently dominating the luxury crossover segment, the …

Ford’s out for blood with the all new 2013 Escape, introduced at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show this  week, pointing to 11 new features and claiming  it wlll have”fuel economy projectged to top anyt vehicle of its kind on the market today.”

      First things first: The new model is vastly better looking than  the outdated squared off current one, with lots more athletisicm in its lines, and plenty of character lines that make it look as though it …

 
By Don Hammonds, executive editor
This model year promises to be a blockbuster one, with so many new models coming out that you’ll need a scorecard to keep up with it all.
Yet, amid the dozens of new models, and hundreds of continuing ones, there are still some diamonds that we believe will shine far above the others before the model year’s out. 
We selected our picks based on their impact on the automotive market, their uniqueness, in some cases, their transformations from …

Here’s something to get your blood going:  Jeep has introduced an all new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8, guaranteed to put some pop into your day.

     Previous Grand Cherokee SRT8s were nothing to mess with on the road–superior handling and awesome acceleration earned the high performance SUV accolades and respect everywhere.  That should be no sweat at all for the new model, which, thanks to its well-made, well-appointed presence, represents a big improvement over its predecessors.
“Delivering outstanding driving performance in all …

If ever there was a car that had just about everything I need, it’s the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Hybrid economy in a crossover? Yep. It’s rated at 28/28 with its 3.5 liter, 280 horsepower hybrid drive system. And annual fuel costs are estimted at $1,606 a year, based on 15,000 miles and $3.00 a gallon gasoline.  All-wheel drive? Check.  Room for a family of five? Uh-huh. Easy to use navigation. Are you kidding?  Toyota’s systems are among the best on …

 
By Don Hammonds
“What’s up”  at Mercedes for 2012?
Plenty.
Try an all-new SLK.  How about an all new M-Class?  How about some new AMG iron, too?  And all of that is just for starters.
2012 SLK
Let’s talk about the all-new SLK. It’s tougher, even better handling, and at least to the eyes of those of us at Automobile Journal, it’s even better looking, if that’s possible. And it’s also got some interesting new technology, too.
There’s also some new iron under the hood– a …

 
It’s 2012, or so says the automotive industry calendar—-and that means new cars and trucks.
Automobile Journal today begins a periodic series of articles highlighting changes and new models among each of the companies we cover, starting with Nissan. Stay tuned for other pieces as information becomes available.
Executive Editor Don Hammonds
Nissan’s making big changes for 2012 at both ends of the market spectum.

At the more affordable end, Nissan’s unveiled the 2012 Versa (see article by Automobile Journal staffer John Heilig further …

       By Don Hammonds
It’s tough living in somebody else’s shadow.  Just ask anybody who’s got a more popular overachiever as an older sibling. Or anybody who’s toiled away in an office for years while a more flamboyant co-worker gets all the glory.
      Now consider the 2011 Nissan Murano.  Once the darling of the crossover world, the Murano has been pushed out of the spotlight by its more glamorous younger sibling, Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet.

    But the Murano SL has plenty …