If you’re confused by all the new automatic-transmission types now available, you’re not alone. This Toyota Prius v shift lever manipulates a type of continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Automatic transmissions have gone through many changes since being introduced by Oldsmobile for 1940, but rarely have there been as many different types offered as there are today. Following are technical descriptions of the four basic types that have been used of late, but if you prefer to simply know how they might affect the driving experience, just skip down to the “On the Road” section.
Test Drive: 2014 Mini Cooper S
Consumer Guide’s test Mini Cooper S Hardtop came to $36,895 including automatic transmission and destination charge.
2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Automatic
Miles Driven: 210
Fuel Used: 7.8 gallons
Real-world fuel economy: 26.9 mpg
20 Top-Rated Car Brands by Women
According to research conducted by Women-Drivers.com, the following list represents the car brands most highly rated by women.
The compact Ram ProMaster City goes on sale this fall. An SLT Wagon is shown here.
Again tapping Fiat’s European-market product lineup, Chrysler’s Ram brand will begin selling a small front-drive van beginning late this year.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic Brougham
What’s in a name? Sight unseen, would you be more likely to let Thurston Howell III borrow your comb, or some guy that goes by Gilligan? Would your sandwich taste better as croquet monsieur et gruyere, or as a ham and cheese?
Lexus enters the premium compact-crossover fray with the 2015 NX. An NX 200t is shown here.
Lexus is expanding by going smaller for 2015. The luxury-brand automaker is adding a fourth member to its lineup of sport-utility vehicles, but this newest one—the NX—is the smallest of them all.
Cadillac’s Elmiraj scored the 2014 North American Concept Vehicle of the Year “Most Significant Concept Vehicle” award.
Cadillac’s latest expression of what it calls “a two-door grand coupe”—the Elmiraj—has been selected as the “Most Significant Concept Vehicle” of 2014 from among all concepts shown at the most recent major auto shows in the U.S. and Canada.
An all-new Mazda MX-5 Miata is scheduled to arrive in showrooms as a 2016 model, the fourth generation of this classic sports car.
It wasn’t long after its introduction for 1990 that the Mazda Miata gained a cult following. Clearly intended as a resurrection of the classic British sports car (though one that was actually likely to get you home), the Miata has survived nearly 25 years in an industry that sheds low-production cars like a Shetland Sheepdog sheds fur.
Test Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis
Consumer Guide’s test 2015 Hyundai Genesis arrived well equipped. As tested, our Genesis listed for $52,450 including the $950 destination charge.
2015 Hyundai Genesis AWD 3.8
Dates tested: 5/12/2014-5/26/2014
Miles Driven: 1722
Fuel Used: 75.8 gallons
Real-world fuel economy: 22.7 mpg
Test Drive: 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid Touring
Dates tested: 5/18/2014-5/25/2014
Miles Driven: 158
Fuel Used: 5.6 gallons
Real-world fuel economy: 28.2 mpg
Classic Cars
