ARLINGTON, Va. -- Minicars don't do well in head-on collisions with midsized autos despite advanced safety features in the smaller vehicles, crash tests indicate. In frontal crash tests involving the minicars Honda Fit, Smart Fortwo and Toyota Yaris, with midsized cars from the same manufacturers, each vehicle did poorly in protecting the minicar occupants, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Tuesday in a release. "Some proponents of mini and small cars claim they're as safe as ... [full story]

The modern Mini Cooper "is the instigator of optimism," says Mini USA Vice President Jim McDowell. And who couldn't use a little optimism these days?   Sporty and powerful, the 2009 Mini Cooper should popular in any circle. Photo courtesy of MINI USA.  SPECS 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible Body style: compact, front-wheel drive, four-seat, power soft-top convertible Engine: 172-horsepower, 1.6-liter four cylinder with 115 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm Transmission: six-speed manual Acceleration, 0-60 mph: ... [full story]

For many buyers opting out of a larger, thirstier car or SUV, the Honda Fit is a little big car. Few small cars or wagons are as roomy or have such a wide, flat, tall and square cargo space — and all that wrapped in speedy styling. Designated a small station wagon by EPA standards, Fit has about the same interior room as the Civic sedan — 90.8 cubic feet — but it is 15.7 ... [full story]

A four-door Jeep Wrangler is one of those ideas that sounds bad on paper and looks ungainly in photography. The concept should have had about as much chance of flying as a bumblebee — but it took off.   The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, available with a three-piece hardtop, adds 20.6 inches to the standard Wrangler's 95.4-inch wheelbase, length that went to back-seat space and more cargo room.  The bee and the four-door Wrangler defy logic. And the ... [full story]

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Only four of 12 small sports utility vehicles tested for roof strength in rollover crashes have garnered "good" ratings, a U.S. insurance group says. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in release Tuesday that Volkswagen Tiguan had the strongest roof, while the Subaru Forester, Honda Element and Jeep Patriot also tested in the "good" range. The Kia Sportage has the weakest roof among the 2008-09 models evaluated, IIHS said. Other findings indicated ... [full story]

I want this $46,000 car — and I can't have it. I could, I suppose. I qualify financially, if I could get a loan, but between the economy and a kid in college, I shouldn't.   The Audi A4 is contemporary and sleek, inside and out, without compromise to headroom, which is 40 inches in front with a sunroof. Photo courtesy of Audi.  SPEC BOX 2009 Audi A4 2.0t Quattro Tiptronic Body style: compact, five-passenger sedan Engine: ... [full story]

The 2009 Acura TL Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive Tech model is the Type A personality of sport sedans. It is pointed — literally in design — and absolute in power and purpose.   The 2009 Acura TL Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive Tech gets 17 mpg city and 25 highway on premium fuel. Photo courtesy of Acura.  SPEC BOX 2009 Acura TL Body Style: Midsize, five-passenger sedan Engine: aluminum, SOHC 3.7-liter V-6, with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control ... [full story]

Kia may have missed the wild party of sales for sport utility vehicles, but it had time to evaluate the competition, learn from their mistakes and make improvements for its new seven-passenger Borrego, sold in V-6 and V-8 models.   The Kia Borrego's exterior styling is basic SUV, but there are no contrived curves and bulges that get in the way of sightlines or comfort. Photo courtesy of Kia.  SPEC BOX Body style: midsize, seven-passenger sport utility ... [full story]

The young, muscular man had stopped to check out the 2010 Mustang GT test car, painted Sunset Gold and optioned with the panorama glass roof. It was still about three months before the 2010 would be on sale and few had been seen on streets, but much has been written about it in magazines.   The 2010 Ford Mustang will hit the market this spring sporting a significant "freshening" of exterior design and interior improvements. Photo ... [full story]

In the early days of the Toyota Prius, it was prized for giving solo drivers access to carpool lanes. Now, with gasoline prices surging and many drivers growing more concerned about their carbon footprint, hybrid vehicles are gaining in popularity.   MODEL CAR - There are 16 hybrid models on sale today and several more will be introduced this year. CNS Photo courtesy of Ford.  Hybrids are cleaner burning because their small gasoline engine is integrated with ... [full story]

Porsche's monthly sales report is my favorite fantasy reading.   NEW PORSCHE - There's not much new for 2008 on the 911 Carrera, but it's still an iconic Porsche. CNS Photo courtesy of Porsche.  SPECS 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera Body style: two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive coupe; steel body with aluminum trunk lid Engine: aluminum, 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder with variable valve timing and lift control Horsepower: 325 at 6,800 rpm Torque: ... [full story]

Although I didn't get as much driving in as was planned, I had an hour behind the wheel on dry pavement, then plenty of snow driving. The car kept me safe, but it also might be too safe and free of emotion.   ACURA - The spirit of the $30,000 2009 Acura TSX speaks through the six-speed manual. The gearbox is so slick that it seems meant for speed shifts. CNS Photo courtesy of Acura.  SPECS 2009 ... [full story]

DETROIT - General Motors Corp. Chief Executive Rick Wagner said he believes the company will increase its hybrid sales ten-fold, reaching 100,00 hybrid vehicles a year.GM's new line of hybrids, set to debut in 2010 and using smaller but more powerful batteries, focuses on making hybrids powerful and affordable, The Detroit News reported. Wagner made his projection at the Geneva Auto Show on Tuesday, the paper said."In order to have a real impact ... advanced ... [full story]