Archive for April, 2016
Our extended-use 2015 Kia Soul EV lists for $36,625 including floor mats ($125) and destination ($800); various federal and state incentives can bring that down considerably. EPA range estimate is 93 miles on a charge.
According to a recent report from the Consumer Federation of America, 54 percent of Americans surveyed had a positive view of electric vehicles (EVs), and nearly a third said they would consider buying one as their next car. Yet electric vehicles currently make up only about one percent of overall sales.
2016 Jaguar XJL Supercharged
2016 Jaguar XJL Supercharged
Class: Premium Large Car
Miles Driven: 233
Fuel Used: 14.5 gallons
1949 Meteor ad
Approximately 1.2 million American married couples divorce each year. While financial issues, infidelity, and control of the remote are generally understood to be primary causes for divorce, I think we can safely say there’s another reason for the all the acrimony: couples aren’t car shopping enough.
First Spin: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
The redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Cruze starts at $17,495 for the base L with manual transmission, while an LS with automatic transmission — the least-expensive model with automatic — starts at just under $20,000.
It’s going to be hugely confusing some years down the road, because there are now two completely different versions of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.
Last fall, Chevrolet introduced the 2016 edition of the Cruze as the “Cruze Limited.” What we now know is that the name modification was an attempt to differentiate it from the upcoming redesigned Cruze, which recently debuted as a “late” 2016 model.
2016 Ford F-150
For an auto news geek, one of the more entertaining monthly reports to peruse is the new-vehicle inventory update published in Automotive News. From it, we can deduce what vehicles are in short supply (i.e., probably selling well), and which are taking up space (i.e., selling poorly). The report is not infallible in this regard, however, as factory down time, model-year build-outs, and other factors can cloud the overall picture.
First Spin: 2017 Jaguar XE
Jaguar re-enters the premium-compact segment after a near-decade absence with the 2017 XE. Due on sale this spring, it will come in rear- and all-wheel-drive versions with prices starting at about $36,000.
Despite the fact that the famous brand has been around since the 1940s, Jaguar has devolved into somewhat of a “forgotten” premium make in recent years. Part of that stemmed from a lack of product diversity, something the company is working hard to correct.
2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
2016 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
Class: Large Pickup Truck
Miles Driven: 616
Fuel Used: 43.0 gallons
Doug Thorley Streetubes Ad
Advertising to men used to be a lot easier than it is now. From an article on 602communications.com, “Marketing to men has changed immensely over the years. Just putting a hot chick up on a motorcycle using your product doesn’t cut it anymore when advertising to men. The key here is to really dig deep down and figure out what men really want to feel about themselves.”
2016 Volkswagen CC 2.0T R-Line (in a rainstorm… the weather did not cooperate during our photo session)
2016 Volkwagen CC 2.0T R-Line manual transmission
Class: Premium Midsize Car
Miles Driven: 239
Fuel Used: 11.4 gallons
2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring
2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD 
Class: Compact Crossover
Miles Driven: 681
Fuel Used: 26.7 gallons
Driving mix: 55% city, 45% highway
