New Car Test Drive: The Toyota Prius is an impressive technological feat. It offers much better fuel economy than conventional cars and radically less environmental impact. We wouldn't have expected the pairing a small gas engine with a battery-powered motor to create a social phenomenon, but that's what the Prius has done, and it continues to be in demand. The Prius is the best-selling gas-electric hybrid in the United States and in the world. Toyota sold just 5,600 in 2001, but annual sales expanded to 54,000 in 2004 and 108,000 in 2005. Sales for the first quarter of 2008 were up from the same period in 2007. Introduced as a 2001 model, the Prius was redesigned for 2004 and updated for 2006. The 2008 Prius gets some new options, notably leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. We find the Prius to be a comfortable car that's easy to like and live with. It's roomy, with adult-size back seats and lots of cargo space. It's pleasant to look at, with sleek, futuristic styling, easy to spot in a   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The Honda Civic holds its position at the top of this highly competitive class, with innovative styling, segment-leading refinement, and a broad model line that ranges from eco-friendly to sport-compact racy. The Civic is comfortable and affords the driver outstanding outward visibility. It comes standard with side-impact airbags and other safety features that are optional on competitive models. The Honda Civic Hybrid sedan is powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a permanent magnet electric motor and a continuously variable transmission. The Hybrid features dramatically reduced emissions, and it delivers an EPA-rated 40/45 mpg City/Highway, second only to the Toyota Prius. The Civic Hybrid sedan ($22,600) features a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), automatic climate control, a roof-mounted radio antenna, a rear decklid spoiler, and hybrid-pertinent digital data displays. The Hybrid is also available with the navigation system and XM Satellite Radio ($   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The first-generation Smart Fortwo has been available in Europe since 1998. Now in its second generation, the Fortwo is finally available in the United States as a 2008 model. The car is produced by the Mercedes Car Group and sold through stand-alone Smart dealerships and Mercedes-Benz dealers in the U.S. It is imported by Smart USA Distributor LLC, which is a division of Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group. At less than nine feet long, it is the smallest car sold in the United States. As its name suggests, it is a two-seater. It comes in coupe and convertible versions, both two-door models. It's powered by a tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, and the transmission is a five-speed automated manual. The Smart Fortwo is rear-wheel drive. Meant for use in the city, it's capable of speeds of up to 90 mph. Its small size makes it easy to park and allows it to easily dart in and out of traffic. With fuel mileage of 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, the Smart car will appeal to c   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: Neither a rocket scientist nor a car critic is needed to figure out why the Toyota Camry has been America's best-selling car nine of the past 10 years. This mid-size sedan does just about everything well, and it's supported by Toyota's well-earned reputation for quality, reliability and value retention. Wash-and-wear, no-worries reliability is not a bad thing. Owners depend on the Camry, and they're seldom disappointed. This four-door sedan seats five in reasonable comfort, yet it's relatively compact and easy to park. It's smooth and quiet, but it can accelerate with vigor. Its cabin is attractive, functional and as refined as anything in its class. The Camry is thrilling in no respect, and no particular aspect of its performance is outstanding. Yet it's good in nearly every respect, bad in almost none, and it has a steady, set-and-forget quality that many drivers appreciate. It's pleasant to drive in all circumstances. In SE trim, with the manual transmission, it approaches fun. The Camr   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: Toyota's rise in becoming the world's second largest automaker has been marked by the excellence of its luxury Lexus line and hybrid engine program, but this new, second-generation Yaris is a solid reminder that Toyota earned its way into this elevated position by building good, basic transportation. The Yaris, however, is better than just good. This replacement for the unloved Toyota Echo boasts the good looks, suave road manners, perky performance and well-tailored interior that establish new benchmarks in the entry-level game. And this will cause the increasing competition in that market many sleepless nights figuring out how to offset Toyota's deep well of talent, materials and technology. The Yaris combines the economies of an inexpensive sticker, outstanding fuel mileage and the solid integrity that underlies every Toyota vehicle. Sure, certain aspects of the car, such as noise isolation and driving position, are far from ideal, but the Yaris owner will never feel as though he or she   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: With the long list of optional upgrades, buyers can easily go from the economy-level entry price, promised to be increased only slightly from 2006, right up into the near-luxury class, but BMW quality may convince many customers that's a reasonable trade-off. With the Mini still capable of generating smiles on both, owners and passersby, five years after the introduction of the first generation model, the completely new 2007 Mini Cooper still thankfully displays the same insouciant appearance and offers the same fun-loving performance. To meet European environmental and mileage requirements, BMW designed a completely new engine for the 2007 Mini Cooper in cooperation with Peugeot. It produces approximately the same horsepower as before: 120 in the Cooper and 175 in the Cooper S. But the devil lies in the details. A turbocharger in the Cooper S in place of the old supercharger produces 177 pound-feet of torque from 1700 to 5000 rpm, significantly improving the sportier model's performance.   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The Mini Cooper gets rave reviews for its go kart driving dynamics, but the small size and lack of cargo space are issues for some buyers. Now comes Mini's answer to that dilemma: the Mini Cooper Clubman. The Mini Cooper Clubman is 9.4 inches longer than the regular Mini Cooper and it rides on a 3.1-inch longer wheelbase. That extra room translates into added rear seat and cargo space. While the base Mini Cooper's rear seat is quite restricted, the Mini Cooper Clubman's second seating row is a viable space to put two adults. Be aware, however, that even with the extra size, the Clubman is still a small car, and as such the rear seat isn't exactly cavernous. The 2008 Mini Clubman is offered in two models, Mini Cooper Clubman and Mini Cooper S Clubman. The base Clubman comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 118 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 114 pound-feet of torque at 4250 rpm. The S also has a 1.6-liter four, but it is turbocharged and makes 172 horsepower and 177 pound-feet   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: The 2009 Toyota Corolla is a new car, the 10th generation of the world's most popular passenger car. More than 30 million have been sold in more than 140 different countries. With five distinct models there is something for everyone; and those looking for a hatchback, wagon, or all-wheel-drive can check out the Toyota Matrix which shares many mechanical components. Working from a concept developed for the first Corolla, the new one shows you can make a car inexpensive without it being cheap. It feels more like a small car than an econobox, as much a smaller Camry as anything else. There is no hybrid version: 27/35 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, hybrid technology isn't inexpensive, and the Prius has that covered. Younger and older buyers alike appreciate low purchase and operating costs, and previously Corollas have proven reliable and not an expensive insurance proposition. First-time drivers will do well with straightforward controls, minimal distractions, and standard passive safety equipm   << collapse text

The 2008 Versa sedan and hatchback are Nissan's entry-level models, slotted below the Sentra. It offers energy-, budget-, and safety-conscious consumers inexpensive entry into one of the safest and smartest small cars on the market. With respective S model base prices of $12,630 and $12,730, and SL prices of $14,630 and $14,730, buyers get a strong 1.8L inline four making 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque and plenty of amenities usually reserved for more upscale segments. The six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models, while the four-speed automatic adds $800 to the base S and the Xtronic CVT is a $1,000 option on the better-equipped SL. The automatic is not available in SL trim. Notable standard equipment on the S includes power mirrors, air conditioning, a CD player, a tire pressure monitor, and six air bags. The SL models feature 15-inch alloy wheels, upgraded cloth seat trim, power accessories, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, and an auxiliary audio input jack. A 60/40 split rear seat is   << collapse text

New Car Test Drive: Rio has received Autobytel's "Editor's Choice for Most Improved New Car," and ranked highest for initial quality in the subcompact segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study. Rio has also been recognized as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market by both the Environmental Protection Agency and by J.D. Power. All '07 Rios come with new shift knobs (manual and automatic), a chrome Kia logo on the steering wheel pad, and an illuminated ignition-switch surround. The SX models' 15-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned, and 16-inch rims are now available. SX models also feature new chrome accents on their instrument panel air vents. The Kia Rio sedan and five-door hatchback are powered by the same 110-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It's a sophisticated, modern engine, complete with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. Safety features for all models include front seatbelt pre-tensioners along with six airbags: dual frontal, front seat sid   << collapse text