With automatic transmissions coming with Sport and Sport+ modes and manual gear selection via paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel or, in some cases, the steering wheel column, vehicles equipped with manual transmissions continue to fade from the market.
According to various sources such as Carfax.com and autowise.com, just over 40 vehicles for 2020 come with the capability of the traditional clutch and shift operation, which sounds like a decent number of options. Read more
Introduced as a 2017 model, the Alfa Romeo Giulia gets technology updates for 2020 that makes it an even more attractive option for those looking for “something different” in the compact luxury sedan segment.
Its Italian styling and lively handling made it an immediate hit among critics, and now such new features as a new 8.8-inch touchscreen display for infotainment functions and connectivity features like a wi-fi hotspot and SOS call add to its appeal. Read more
If you still cling to the notion that a gas-electric powertrain has to be a boring vehicle that is no fun to drive, you need to check out the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. You will likely change your mind. Read more
While it is an outstanding vehicle that takes performance to the extreme, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster is not for everyone, and not just because of its six-figure price tag.
This is a vehicle that requires you to give your full attention to matters behind the wheel, which is not all bad but sometimes you just want to relax and cruise along without worrying about running over some unsuspecting econobox in your path, not to mention an occasional cyclist. Read more
Chevrolet was an early player in the plug-in hybrid game of post-2000 with the 2011 Chevy Volt, which at the time was considered revolutionary with an extended range of driving on electric power only for everyday commutes paired with the convenience of a gas engine for longer treks.
Early reaction was mixed. Read more
Every car enthusiast should have a Ford Mustang sometime in their life, and, with the possible exception of the debut 1964 1/2 model or the original Fastback that starred in the 1968 movie Bullitt (more on that later), there may not be a better time for that than now.
For 2020, Ford continued to build on the 2015 redesign that moved the Mustang into its sixth generation with up to nine variants of the famed coupe and convertible filling out this year’s Pony portfolio. Read more
At a time when some automakers are giving up on sedans or least pushing their SUVs/crossovers to buyers seeking family transportation, Dodge seems to be taking a different approach. Read more
It doesn’t rank up in medical history with the discovery of penicillin or the creation of the polio vaccine, but Nissan has found a common remedy for owners of all-electric vehicles: range anxiety. Read more
In the interest of full disclosure, I should state at the start that I have been a fan of South Korean automaker Hyundai’s products for close to 20 years now. We had a good experience with the 2003 Santa Fe SUV we bought, and it worked well for my daughter and son as well.
So that could be seen as influencing my opinion of the new Genesis G70 sedan, which is no longer a Hyundai but a stand-alone entity, much like Lexus is Toyota’s luxury outlet, Acura is Honda’s, and Infiniti is Nissan’s. (Interesting that they are all Asian products.) Read more
The good reception that Hyundai’s earlier ventures into the three-row SUV segment (Santa Fe XL, Veracruz) received never really translated into much of the way of overall success in the market, but that may be changing, and soon.
There’s no guarantee of that, of course, but the 2020 Hyundai Palisade’s combination of good looks and functionality will even appeal to those who customarily browse luxury showrooms. It’s a high-class vehicle! Read more
Considering that Alfa Romeo races in Formula and is known for producing nifty little roadsters like the 4C Spider it brought to the U.S. just a few years ago, it is not surprising that the Italian automaker’s first venture into the SUV/crossover world would come down heavy on power and performance. Read more
