MT WOT Review: Don’t Slam the 2013 Scion FR-S

The rear-drive 2013 Scion FR-S can be seen as a blank canvas for enthusiasts to customize and make their own. That’s the approach we have been taking with the Motor Trend long-term 2013 Scion FR-S, and in this WOT blog with original photography, I share my thoughts on one modification I would avoid if it were my car.

Is the 2013 Nissan Altima the Altimate Family Sedan? Motor Trend Will Soon CVT

When it was time to write the Motor Trend long-term vehicle arrival story for the 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL sedan, we decided to have some fun with the subheading, which read: “The Altimate Family Sedan? We’ll CVT.” Over the next 12 months, it will be my job to evaluate the four-cylinder Altima sedan in a way few other tests — based on vehicle loans of one or two weeks — can.

Quick Review: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S550 Last Drive

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S550 remains a popular flagship luxury sedan, even as the 2014 model’s debut is just around the corner. Recently, we had the opportunity to evaluate the 2013 S550 sedan on a road trip that included highway, stop-and-go, and winding road driving conditions. So how did the car perform?

Motor Trend 2013 COTY Contender: Toyota Prius C

The Toyota Prius C was another Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year contender. Were we judging OCOTY (Orange Car of the Year), the Toyota Prius C would be a front-runner. The Habanero Orange color maximizes the four-door hatchback’s cheap and cheerful appeal. But how cheap is the new compact Prius variant, really?

Motor Trend 2013 COTY Contender: Nissan Altima

One of Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year contenders, the Nissan Altima burst back onto the midsize sedan scene about 10 years ago with a bolder body and an available 240-hp V-6. Today, the Ford Fusion and Kia Optima are the style leaders, and Nissan isn’t the only game in town for those who want plenty of power. Where does that leave the 2013 Altima sedan?

Review: Aston Martin DBS Carbon Volante – Put Your Aston Blinders On

It’s difficult not to enjoy a $300,000 convertible as beautiful and powerful as the 2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Volante, but with the new Vanquish arriving soon, we wonder in this Motor Trend review just how desirable the DBS Carbon Volante really is.

Review: 2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost – Explore the Edge EcoBoost or Escape?

The 2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost is an ambitious part of the automaker’s plan to use downsized engines across its SUV lineup. But how good could a turbocharged four-cylinder engine possibly be in a midsize crossover as large as the Edge?

Review: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist – Not LaCrosse GLamorous

The Buick LaCrosse GL concept demonstrated how impressive the brand’s full-size, front-drive-based luxury sedan could look, but the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist proves to be the yin to that yang, wiping away much of the style that so effectively distinguishes the LaCrosse from competitors like the outgoing Lexus ES.

Review: 2011 Lexus GS 450h – Saying Goodbye to a Car Most Already Forgot Existed

The 2011 Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan fails a game of numbers and, as a result, won’t be missed by many. For a V-6 luxury hybrid promising V-8-like power, the GS 450h’s 22/25 mpg city/highway EPA rating and its overall performance aren’t bad, but it turns out few people will pay a $12,050 premium for “not bad.” So while the outgoing GS 450h has been driven into irrelevancy, will the new 2013 Lexus GS 450h suffer the same fate?

Review: 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate sedan – Hyundai’s Forward Momentum Hits a Speed Bump

Hyundai’s 2012 Equus Ultimate is a reasonably executed flagship luxury sedan — but should anyone care? Flagship luxury and sound financial sense just don’t go together, and that’s what makes the 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate so tough to review.