2013 Lexus GS450h


2013 Lexus GS450h : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Lexus GS450h Reviews
By Review
The Good: With its hybrid gas-electric power train, the 2013 Lexus GS 450h reliably averages 30 mpg. Its adaptive suspension gives it unexpectedly good cornering. The Enform system brings in apps such as Facebook, Yelp, OpenTable, and Bing search.

The Bad: The joystick controller on the console feels plasticky, and it is difficult to accurately control the onscreen pointer.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Lexus GS 450h is a tech tour de force, getting outrageously good fuel economy for this class of car with its hybrid drive system, and giving drivers the convenience of popular apps integrated with the cabin electronics.

2013 Lexus GS450h : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Scion FR-S


2013 Scion FR-S : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Scion FR-S Reviews

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The Good: The 2013 Scion FR-S handles beautifully, with extremely well-tuned suspension and steering gear. Digital audio sources include HD Radio, Bluetooth streaming, iPod, and USB drive.

The Bad: Low torque leads to mild starts and not much thrust out of a turn. The available Bespoke head unit only integrates apps and navigation with the iPhone 4 or better.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Scion FR-S is a fun sports car, excellent in the turns but lacking big thrust, while the cabin tech upgrade looks intriguing for iPhone users.

2013 Scion FR-S : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Nissan 370Z Touring


2013 Nissan 370Z Touring : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Nissan 370Z Touring Reviews
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Nissan is the last bastion of Japanese carmakers who still make sporty vehicles, and the 2013 Nissan 370Z continues to impress.

2013 Nissan 370Z Touring : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring


2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Review

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The Good: The lightweight 2013 Mazda CX-5 is a responsive ride at city speeds. SkyActiv technology helps it to achieve good fuel economy. A full suite of digital-audio sources is available for the Grand Touring's Bose audio system. The TomTom routing software is top-notch.


The Bad: Not much power is available at highway speeds. The TomTom navigation interface can be needlessly complex.


The Bottom Line: New styling, lightweight construction, and a thrifty little engine all come together to make the 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring a great little urban crossover, but more polished cabin tech would make it an exceptional one.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Lexus GS450h


2013 Lexus GS450h : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Lexus GS450h Review

By Review
The Good: With its hybrid gas-electric power train, the 2013 Lexus GS 450h reliably averages 30 mpg. Its adaptive suspension gives it unexpectedly good cornering. The Enform system brings in apps such as Facebook, Yelp, OpenTable, and Bing search.


The Bad: The joystick controller on the console feels plasticky, and it is difficult to accurately control the onscreen pointer.


The Bottom Line: The 2013 Lexus GS 450h is a tech tour de force, getting outrageously good fuel economy for this class of car with its hybrid drive system, and giving drivers the convenience of popular apps integrated with the cabin electronics.

2013 Lexus GS450h : Car Videos Reviews

2013 BMW 640 Gran Coupe

 

2013 BMW 640 Gran Coupe : Car Videos Reviews

2013 BMW 640 Gran Coupe Review

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The Good: Regenerative braking and an eight-speed transmission help the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe save fuel. The navigation system includes Google search, while the ConnectedDrive app brings in Facebook and Twitter feeds. The Bang & Olufsen audio system produces excellent sound.

The Bad: The ConnectedDrive app is only available for the iPhone.

The Bottom Line: Performance tech in the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe lets it be a luxury cruiser and a nimble sports car, while the cabin electronics give drivers unparalleled levels of help and entertainment.

2013 BMW 640 Gran Coupe : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Acura ILX Premium


2013 Acura ILX Premium : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Acura ILX Premium Review

By Review
The Good: The 2013 Acura ILX Premium's cabin features comfortable heated leather seats with power adjustment and a full array of digital audio sources. The 2.4-liter's performance is everything we'd expect from a car based on the Civic Si.

The Bad: The ILX lacks the Civic Si's limited-slip differential. Its seats don't offer much lateral support. The tall dashboard is difficult to see over. The Bluetooth hands-free system features poor voice command. It's pricey for what's basically a Civic. There's no navigation available on the 2.4-liter model.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Acura ILX offers everything that's great about the Honda Civic in a more luxurious form, but it doesn't really fix any of its tech shortcomings and is probably a bit too expensive.

2013 Acura ILX Premium : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550


2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Convertible Review

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The Good: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550's V-8 Biturbo engine is powerful and smooth. Motoring with the top down is amazingly quiet and comfortable. A full array of media sources and a premium audio system are standard features.

The Bad: Comand Online is almost unusably slow in its operation. The physical controller-based infotainment system takes a while to learn. Fuel economy is, predictably, low.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster is an excellent luxury convertible that doesn't rely heavily on tech gimmickry; however, its new Comand Online system falls short of the bar set by Audi and BMW.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Nissan Rogue SV


2013 Nissan Rogue SV : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Nissan Rogue SV Review

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The Good: The 2013 Nissan Rogue SV makes good use of its power with a responsive CVT. The crossover's handling is smooth and predictable. The SL package upgrade adds a lot of tech for not a lot of money.

The Bad: The screen for navigation and cameras is small and located low on the dashboard. The Rogue doesn't have Bluetooth audio streaming.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Nissan Rogue SV surprises with good available safety and infotainment tech and above-average performance

2013 Nissan Rogue SV : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Mercedes GLK350

2013 Mercedes GLK350 : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4Matic Review

By Review
The Good: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is available with a full array of dashboard, safety, and convenience technology. The small, responsive crossover is well suited for city and highway driving.

The Bad: Options can push the GLK's price remarkably high. Mercedes-Benz' Apps system is too slow and clunky to be useful.

The Bottom Line: Reasonably well-equipped, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC is a solid choice as a comfortable and capable urban crossover; just don't get carried away with the options.

2013 Mercedes GLK350 : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Ford Mustang GT Premium

2013 Ford Mustang GT Premium : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Ford Mustang GT Premium review

By Review
The Good: The 2013 Ford Mustang GT produces massive power while getting reasonable fuel economy. Sync is, as in other Ford models, an excellent means of integrating phones and music players, and offers very advanced app connectivity.

The Bad: The radio interface is clunky for browsing a connected device's music library. Paddles would have made manual shifting easier with the automatic transmission.


The Bottom Line: The 2013 Ford Mustang GT looks very cool and churns out tons of power, yet its reasonable fuel economy, easy driving manners, and useful cabin tech make it a fun daily driver.

2013 Ford Mustang GT Premium : Car Videos Reviews

2013 BMW M5

2013 BMW M5 : Car Videos Reviews
2013 BMW M5 Review

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The Good: The 2013 BMW M5 uses active dampers and an active locking differential to help it corner like a rabbit, while its engine and dual-clutch transmission give the driver excellent power control. A head-up display and collision warnings promote safety, while the navigation system provides sure guidance. The audio system delivers outstanding music reproduction.

The Bad: The M5's fuel economy earns it a gas-guzzler tax. Taking the car out of M mode is needlessly complex.

The Bottom Line: With its power and high-tech handling, the 2013 BMW M5's potential feels wasted on public roads, yet its driver-assistance and cabin-tech systems are the best in the business for road trips and daily commutes.

2013 BMW M5 : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Audi S5

2013 Audi S5 : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Audi S5 review

By Review
The Good: The 2013 Audi S5 integrates Google Earth with its navigation system, offers an excellent-sounding Bang & Olufsen audio system, and features very useful voice command. Quattro all-wheel drive and other performance gear lend to fun sport driving.

The Bad: The power steering feels overboosted even in its most aggressive setting. Connected features lack social networking or music apps.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Audi S5 demonstrates an excellent array of tech both in the cabin and under the hood, making it one of the most enjoyable all-around driving cars available.

2013 Audi S5 : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Cadillac XTS

2013 Cadillac XTS : Car Videos Reviews
2013 Cadillac XTS review

By Review
The Good: The 2013 Cadillac XTS features a versatile LCD instrument cluster and the new CUE infotainment system, with 3D maps for navigation and a combined music library interface from four USB ports. An adaptive suspension and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive highlight the driveline.

The Bad: CUE takes too long to boot up and reacts too slowly to user input. The volume slider on the dashboard is difficult to use.

The Bottom Line: Strictly a luxury cruiser rather than a sport driver, the 2013 Cadillac XTS insulates you from the outside world while providing the latest in cabin tech.

2013 Cadillac XTS : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Ford Escape Titanium

2013 Ford Escape Titanium : Car Videos Reviews
This Escape parks itself, opens its hatch for you

By Review
The Good: The 2013 Ford Escape Titanium features a variety of convenience features, such as the hands-free liftgate, that make owners' lives easier. Available Active Park Assist steers the car into parallel-parking spots automatically. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine delivers good power and efficiency.

The Bad: The MyFord Touch system, while improved dramatically, still feels slow to respond and slightly cluttered.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Ford Escape Titanium is a whole new car, both inside and out, offering great tech where the rubber meets the road and unique automation technologies that make it an easy car to live with.

2013 Ford Escape Titanium : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Ford Focus ST

2013 Ford Focus ST : Car Videos Reviews
Drive by the seat of your pants in the Focus ST
By Review
The Good: The 2013 Ford Focus ST delivers responsive handling and plenty of power from its efficient four-cylinder engine. Voice command handles destination input, music selection, phone calls, and app integration.

The Bad: The optional MyFord Touch system has a clunky interface, especially when it comes to navigation. The Recaro seats can be a little much for everyday use.

The Bottom Line: A very rewarding car to drive, the 2013 Ford Focus ST will satisfy enthusiasts on weekend runs and the daily commute, but the cabin tech is a mixed bag, with the excellence of Sync offset by the navigation system interface.

2013 Ford Focus ST : Car Videos Review

2013 Audi Allroad

2013 Audi Allroad : Car Videos Reviews
The best techie wagon you can buy
By Review
The Good: The 2013 Audi Allroad boasts Google Earth integrated with its navigation system and excellent voice command for setting destinations. The station-wagon body style is eminently practical for people and cargo, while Quattro all-wheel drive takes on slippery roads.

The Bad: Fuel economy rates in the low 20s. The iPod port is mounted inconveniently in the glove box, and the rotary MMI controller makes entering alphanumeric destinations tedious.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Audi Allroad combines excellent cabin and performance technology in an all-wheel-drive wagon, making it a car for all seasons and most purposes.

2013 Audi Allroad : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ : Car Videos Reviews
Chevy's new Malibu is satisfying, but a bit pricey
By Review

The Good: The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ's standard MyLink infotainment system offers a wide range of digital audio sources and limited app integration. SiriusXM Travel Link provides movie showtimes, sports scores, and weather on the dashboard.

The Bad: The Pioneer-branded premium audio system doesn't sound very premium. You have to choose between navigation and the MyLink system.

The Bottom Line: The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ is a comfortable ride with a good level of standard cabin tech, but it's a few thousand bucks overpriced when compared with the competition from Ford, Honda, and Toyota.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Porsche Boxster

2013 Porsche Boxster : Car Videos Reviews

By Review

The new Boxster is unmistakably edgier and eager to be taken seriously as a "real" Porsche.

2013 Porsche Boxster : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek : Car Videos Reviews
An all-new Subaru emphasizing practicality
By Review 
The Good: The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive. It features a practical mini-SUV design and excellent fuel economy. Voice command includes the ability to request music by name.

The Bad: The XV Crosstrek's acceleration is on the slow side. The navigation head unit's interface can be confusing.

The Bottom Line: Although lacking cutting-edge cabin tech, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek covers the basics very well, and offers excellent practicality and easy drivability.

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek : Car Videos Reviews

2013 Nissan Altima SL

2013 Nissan Altima SL Car Videos Reviews

Nissan supersizes the new Altima
By Review
The Good: The 2013 Nissan Altima exhibits excellent ride quality, and its continuously variable transmission contributes greatly to fuel efficiency. The available navigation system includes Google search for business addresses.

The Bad: The new Altima does not take advantage of newer, more efficient engine technologies. The base-level voice command only controls the phone system.

The Bottom Line: Larger than you would expect for a midsize sedan, the 2013 Nissan Altima offers distinctive ride quality and some surprising available cabin tech, but engine choices slip behind the tech curve.

2013 Nissan Altima SL Car Videos Reviews