2018 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium

The Niro crossover is available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. It’s Kia’s third plug-in model. It has up to 26 miles of all-electric range and with the gas engine, total driving range is about 560 miles. So you can drive on EV power for daily trips and have enough total range for a long…

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT

Mitsubishi bills the Outlander PHEV as the world’s best-selling plug-in hybrid crossover. Now there aren’t exactly a ton of plug-in hybrid crossovers so it’s not too tough to be the best-selling vehicle in this category. But the Outlander PHEV still has a lot going for it especially for consumers who want an affordable and more…

2018 BMW i3s with Range Extender

The 2018 BMW i3 is available as an electric-only vehicle, or you can get the extended-range model which adds a two-cylinder gas engine and functions as a plug-in hybrid. Either way, it’s a hatchback that seats four passengers.   Yes, it’s a bit odd looking inside and out and definitely attracted attention during my week-long…

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso

The Fiat 124 Spider looks a lot like the Mazda MX-5 Miata. That’s because both are based on the same platform and built in the same plant in Hiroshima, Japan. Both are two-seat convertibles that will put a smile on your face on a sunny day! The Spider has five more horsepower and is about…

2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake S

A Jaguar wagon? Yep, the Sportbrake is the new wagon version of the midsize luxury XF sedan. Instead of a trunk, there’s a hatchback.   Wagons have been popular in Europe for years, while compact crossovers are the top choice for Americans. But wagons are making a comeback here with offerings from Audi, Buick, Mercedes-Benz,…

2018 Mazda Mazda6 Signature

The Mazda6 was known as being a sportier option for consumers wanting a sedan, competing against stalwarts the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Accord and Camry are both re-designed for 2018 and are pretty sweet to drive. The Mazda6 also gets re-engineered, with a more refined but still fun-to-drive spirit and more emphasis on…

Android Auto, Apple CarPlay less Distracting for Drivers than Built-in Systems

AAA Foundation releases Phase 6 of Distracted Driving Research PORTLAND, Ore., – Apple CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto are less distracting to drivers when compared to built-in vehicle infotainment systems designed by automakers, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. While many of today’s infotainment systems create potentially unsafe levels of…