Automotive Reviews
Editorial
North American International Auto Show 2012
Jan 16th
It’s practically a tradition that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is accompanied by the worst weather of the season. The second week in January in Detroit is rarely a pleasant place, but this year’s show was preceded by unseasonably warm and sunny weather. All thoughts of global warming aside, it seemed to indicate a subtle change in the climate of the automotive industry as well. No-shows included Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Jaguar/Land Rover, but all of the major industry players were present.
Several years of economic hardship (and more than a few casualties) have left the auto industry cautious; the wild abandon that characterized auto shows past is long gone. In its place, there’s a pragmatic realism–but for 2012, that realistic outlook is also optimistic. In addition to the upcoming products that are useful refinements of existing vehicles, Detroit also saw the debut of some honest-to-goodness concept cars, showing that the industry may have scaled back on the wildest flights of fancy, but it hasn’t forgotten how to dream. More >
2012 Toyota Corolla
Jan 10th
“Beige” is fast becoming automotive-enthusiast shorthand for “dull and uninteresting appliance, so some might think it fitting that the 2012 Toyota Corolla that arrived in my driveway was painted Sandy Beach Metallic. You’ve probably already guessed that’s a fancy name for a metallic beige color.
The Corolla makes no apologies for being a driving appliance, though, and it doesn’t need to. The sturdy, reliable Corolla is the Maytag of automotive appliances not matter what color it is, with a well-deserved reputation for drama-free ownership. For 2012, the Corolla is largely unchanged after its 2011 refreshing. Toyota’s added a few features to the standard-equipment list and improved the sound systems, and left everything else be.
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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Aug 14th
The Jeep Grand Cherokee might be taken as a sign that urban sprawl is consuming our wilderness. As the rugged spaces fall prey to the bulldozers, the vehicles designed to tackle uncharted terrain must evolve to fit the changing environment. Thus, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, redesigned for 2011, is more civilized and luxurious than ever.
With its new, smooth lines, the Grand Cherokee doesn’t look “Trail Rated,” but it’s still a capable off-roader. Jeep has combined on-road stability and off-road ability into a single package, and improved the Grand Cherokee’s safety, luxury and styling at the same time. New, more efficient engines, a terrain-management system similar to Land Rover’s and an new air suspension round out the package. More >