Archive for February, 2016
Question: What Australian-conceived pickup truck was based on a Dodge Dakota, lacked a rear axle, and very nearly came to the United States?
I would make a lousy forensic investigator. Actually, I am a lousy automotive forensic investigator. I confess this because, try as I might, I cannot piece together the complete story of a car company that existed—or nearly existed—just 25 years ago.
2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring
Chicago radio legends Steve and Johnnie take the 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD for a video test drive. What did they think of their test vehicle? Watch and find out.
2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman
2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman
Class: Sporty/Performance Car
Dates tested: 2/01/2016 – 2/08/2016
Miles Driven: 351
Fuel Used: 14.6 gallons
Test Drive: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V
2016 Cadillac CTS-V
2016 Cadillac CTS-V
Class: Premium Midsize Car
Dates tested: 1/11/2016 – 1/18/2016
Miles Driven: 370
Fuel Used: 23.4 gallons
While its starting price of $62,665 may seem high for a premium compact (to say nothing of its as-tested price of just under 70 grand), this is no ordinary premium compact — not with 464 horses in the running.
2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
Class: Premium Compact Car
Dates tested: 2/08/2016 – 2/15/2016
Miles Driven: 215
Fuel Used: 14.0 gallons
1986 Renault Encore
Consumer Guide Automotive has enjoyed the service of countless long-term test vehicles over the past few decades. As a matter of policy, those vehicles generally remained in our test fleet for a period of six to 12 months, and represented models that we felt were of special interest to our readers.
Test Drive: 2016 Honda Civic Touring
Although base models of the redesigned 2016 Honda Civic start at less than $20,000 including destination, our loaded, top-line, turbocharged Touring tipped the price scales at $27,335.
2016 Honda Civic Touring
Class: Compact Car
Dates tested: 2/15/2016 – 2/22/2016
Miles Driven: 232
Fuel Used: 6.9 gallons
2016 Lexus LX 570
Thirty years ago, the most-expensive Japanese car available in America was the Acura Legend. At just under $20,000 with automatic transmission, the Legend listed for almost exactly twice the price of a same-year Chevrolet Impala.
Test Drive: 2016 Chevrolet Volt
2016 Chevrolet Volt LT
2016 Chevrolet Volt LT
Class: Electric Car
Dates tested: 2/01/2016 – 2/08/2016
Miles Driven: 344
Fuel Used: 1.9 gallons
198? Volkswagen Scirocco
Apart from being the home of Consumer Guide Automotive, Lincolnwood, Illinois is a rather ordinary municipality. Adjacent to Chicago’s Northwest Side, Lincolnwood is a middle-income community of 12,000 citizens, most of whom appear to be in their seventies. I intend to retire someplace with less traffic, but I digress.
