Automotive

Minicars do poorly in head-on crash tests

2009-04-14T00:00:00-07:00

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 ...

Mini Cooper has major appeal

2009-04-13T00:00:00-07:00

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 ...

Restyled Honda wagon does it all

2009-04-06T00:00:00-07:00
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 â€” and all that wrapped in speedy styling. Designated a small ...

Wrangler scores with 4-door hardtop convertible

2009-03-27T00:00:00-07:00
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 â€” but it took off. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, available with a three-piece hardtop, adds 20.6 inches ...

Four of 12 SUV models have 'good' roofs

2009-03-24T00:00:00-07:00
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 ...