Nissan youth-anized its compact Sentra for 2007, creating an economy sedan with so much interior space the EPA considers it a midsize. The last-generation Sentra languished for years in a dowdy body style. But no more. The new model has more shapely legs if it has to go that life cycle distance again.   ATTENTION SENTRA - Sold in three trim levels, new Sentra prices start at $16,425, with continuously variable automatic transmission. CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

The Altima Hybrid is a roomy and attractive sedan sold in one well-equipped model with a base price of $25,015, which includes conveniences such as Intelligent Key push-button starting and six air bags. The test car included the Connection Package, $5,250, which created a comfortable environment featuring leather upholstery and other weighty things such as power, heated seats and a trunk-lid spoiler.   NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID - The Altima Hybrid still has a government credit of ... [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]

I've found the great American cruiser - and it's a Buick. And not even a sedan, but the Enclave crossover.   BUICK ENCLAVE - The Buick Enclave is an attractively styled family or business vehicle with high-quality fabrics, plastics and leather-trimmed seats, all assembled with care and attention to detail. Base pricing ranges from $32,790 to $36,900. CNS Photo courtesy of Buick. For those skeptics who still doubt the credibility and quality of an American-made vehicle, this ... [full story]

Nissan has broadened its lineup and widened its appeal in the past year with several new four-cylinder offerings, including the compact Versa hatchback and sedan, a new Sentra sedan and Altima coupe. And now comes the five-passenger Rogue crossover.   NISSAN ROGUE ROAD - Nissan's new Rogue crossover is ideal for young families. Starting prices range from just less than $20,000 to about $22,000, but popular options can add up to $3,000 or more. CNS Photo ... [full story]

Touareg 2, the sequel, is out and ready to climb any mountain. After Volkswagen dropped off a 2008 Touareg 2 to be reviewed, I spoke with a company representative who said, "You'll want to take it off-road and up some really scary stuff to see what it's actually made of."   VW TOUAREG - Would you drive your new $40,000 Volkswagen Touareg 2 in rough terrain? It can be done. The Touareg 2 has some minor ... [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]

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]

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]

Some days it just feels right to heel-toe downshift and slide into work with the engine fan blowing and the brake discs tink-clinking as they cool. At least it felt that way while I was driving the new Subaru WRX STI.   SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI - Subaru found its design muse for the 2008 Impreza WRX STI. The high-performance hatchback has bulging fenders and rear quarter panels, a rear gate-mounted spoiler and aerodynamic ground effects. ... [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]

I wasn't expecting black leather with white stitching, nor the Pirelli P6 tires - nor the $20,000 sticker price of the 2008 Ford Focus SES test car. But a top-line test car with options is a good way to illustrate the effort that went into the redesign of Ford's smallest car.   FORD FOCUS SES - The exterior and interior of the Ford Focus are new, with engineering enhancements for ride quality. The styling tries to ... [full story]

How big can you go for a midsize sedan? I think Honda has found the limits in its 2008 Accord, which is longer and larger than last year's car and technically a "large" car by government interior specifications.   HONDA ACCORD - The redesigned 2008 Honda Accord is longer and larger than last year's model, with more choices for features and horsepower. More length and a longer wheelbase have also allowed for a more spacious back ... [full story]