2016 Audi TTS review: In a class by itself?

PHOTO BY AUDI

ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $52,825
AS TESTED PRICE: $58,500
DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC I4, AWD six-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 292 hp @ 5,400-6,200 rpm, 280 lb-ft @ 1,900-5,300 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3,230 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 23/27/25 mpg
(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
PROS: Clean design inside and out, plenty of power and seamlessly integrated technology
CONS: For the money, that BMW M2 is going to be awfully tempting

2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country review

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $44,440

AS TESTED PRICE: $48,390

DRIVETRAIN: 2.5-liter turbocharged DOHC I5, AWD six-speed automatic

OUTPUT: 250 hp @ 5,400 rpm, 266 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,200 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 3,528 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 20/28/23 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

Sino-Swedish brand goes crossfit with the Cross Country


PHOTO BY VOLVO

   Automakers, particularly premium automakers, are going niche in their car manufacturing, with vehicles like the BMW X4 and the Mini Countryman trying to redefine vehicle classifications. Volvo takes a stab at the indefinable with the S60 Cross Country T5.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE63 S Coupe review

PHOTO BY MERCEDES-BENZ

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $110,225

AS TESTED PRICE: $118,330

DRIVETRAIN: 5.5-liter DOHC V8, AWD seven-speed automatic

OUTPUT: 577 hp @ 5,525-5,750 rpm, 561 lb-ft @ 1,750-5,250 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 5,180 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 14/18/15 mpg

(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

PHOTO BY MERCEDES-BENZ

   Love-it-or-hate-it looks, just-plain-love-it powertrain

Some Mercedes Benzes absorb the AMG treatment beautifully. C63? Love it. SL65? Right on. GT S Coupe? Yes please …

2015 Mini Cooper JCW review

PHOTO BY MINI
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $31,450
AS TESTED PRICE: $37,000
DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter turbo DOHC I4, FWD, six-speed manual
OUTPUT: 228 hp @ 5200-6000 rpm, 236 lb-ft @ 1,250-4,800 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 2,845
FUEL ECONOMY: 23/31/26 mpg
(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
PROS: Tons of fun to drive
CONS: Yeah, about that sticker price...

2016 Audi TT roadster review

PHOTO BY AUDI

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $47,325

AS TESTED PRICE: $54,125

DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC I4, AWD six-speed dual clutch automatic

OUTPUT: 220 hp @ 4,500-6,200 rpm; 258 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,400 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 3,384 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 23/30/26 mpg

(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 28 mpg

PROS: Thick top keeps the elements out

CONS: Annoying logistics: door pulls, seatbelt chime

PHOTO BY AUDI

Less cute, more brute

   The best thing about the 2016 Audi TT roadster—at least in the winter—is its all-wheel drive chassis and thick, power retracting soft top that keeps the elements out. It keeps the noise out too. Come to think of it, the TT is a damn fine ride for the Christmas season, although, no luggage space, so your gifts will have to be of the card variety.

2016 BMW 750i xDrive review: A 130K bargain?

PHOTO BY BMW

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $98,395

AS TESTED PRICE: $129,245

DRIVETRAIN: 4.4-liter turbo DOHC V8, AWD 8-speed automatic

OUTPUT: 445 hp @ 5,500-6,000 rpm; 480 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,500 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 4,610 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 16/25/19 mpg

(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 17.5 mpg

PROS: Driving dynamics are still all Bimmer

CONS: Truly a staggering level of tech, sometimes too much

   Bimmer's new flagship gets mobility interface fob instead of keys

2016 Audi RS7 performance and S8 plus: Supersedan first drive

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: S8 plus $115,825, RS7 performance $129,925

DRIVETRAIN: 4.0-liter turbo V8, AWD, 8-speed automatic

OUTPUT: 605 hp @ 5,700 rpm, 516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 4,497 (RS7 performance) lbs, 4,685 (S8 plus)

FUEL ECONOMY: 15/25/18 mpg (RS7), 16/26/20 (S8)(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

PROS: Insanely fast, well-built German luxo-bruisers

CONS: Couldn't get it to stop raining long enough to really explore the limits

Rain tries to keep us from enjoying Audi's Autobahn beasts, but we persevere

PHOTO BY AUDI

What is it? 

   Audi has goosed the horsepower in two of its performance leaders, the S8 and RS7, and named them S8 plus and RS7 performance.

   The ’16 S8 plus packs a 4.0-liter turbo V8 with an eight-speed Tiptronic trans. The V8 is updated and now cranks out 605 hp (up 85 hp) and 516 lb-ft while an extra 73 lb-ft is available through overboost. Audi says the car rockets to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds on to a 155-mph top speed (the available Dynamic package bumps top speed to 190 mph).

2016 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder first drive: The $267,545 exotic ragtop comes of age

PHOTO BY LAMBORGHINI
ON SALE: Spring 2016

BASE PRICE: $267,545

DRIVETRAIN: 5.2-liter V10; AWD; seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

OUTPUT: 602 hp @ 8,250 rpm; 413 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 3,399 lbs

0-60 MPH: 3.4 sec (0-62 mph)

FUEL ECONOMY: 13/26/19 mpg (city/highway/combined, European test cycle)(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

PROS: Lamborghini's signature flamboyance is finally backed up by credible performance

CONS: Hefty price tag; not for introverts

PHOTO BY LAMBORGHINI

   Everything we love about the Huracan, minus that pesky roof

2016 Bentley Continental GT Convertible: Same as the old boss

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $234,525

AS TESTED PRICE: $264,195

DRIVETRAIN: 4.0-liter twin-turbo DOHC V8, AWD, 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

OUTPUT: 582 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 531 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 5,501 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 12/20/15 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

PROS: Gorgeous to look at, listen to and pilot

CONS: Lack of updates have cheaper competitors nipping at its heels

It’s got flash and dash, but is it worth the cash?

PHOTO BY BENTLEY

2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS review: A true sports car at last?

PHOTO BY CHEVROLET

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $42,295

AS TESTED PRICE: $46,095

DRIVETRAIN: 6.2-liter OHV V8, RWD six-speed manual

OUTPUT: 455 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 455 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 3,685 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 16/25/19 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

OPTIONS:

PROS: Everything great about the previous Camaro gets better -- and nearly everything bad is history

CONS: Still no rear visibility; you’ll pay handsomely for a V8

PHOTO BY CHEVROLET

Playful pony has morphed into a world-class machine in its latest incarnation

2016 Chevrolet Volt review notes

PHOTO BY CHEVROLET
ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $38,345

AS TESTED PRICE: $39,750

DRIVETRAIN: 1.5-liter DOHC I4, FWD continuously variable transmission

OUTPUT: 101 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 111kw (electric), 103 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm, 249 lb-ft (electric)

CURB WEIGHT: 3,543 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 43/42 mpg (gas), 106 MPGe (electric)(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

2016 Subaru WRX STI Limited review notes: Purpose-built for the hardcore.

PHOTO BY SUBARU

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $40,790

AS TESTED PRICE: $40,790

DRIVETRAIN: 2.5-liter DOHC H4, AWD six-speed manual

OUTPUT: 305 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 3,439 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 17/23/19 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 17.6 mpg

OPTIONS: None

PROS: All-season, all-weather fun

CONS: Bounciness could get taxing

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider first drive: Joy at your fingertips.

ON SALE: Late summer
BASE PRICE: $65,495
DRIVETRAIN: 1.742-liter turbocharged I4, six-speed twin-clutch automated manual
OUTPUT: 237 hp at 6,000 rpm; 258 lb-ft at 2,200-4,500 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 2,487 lbs.
0-60 MPH: 4.1 seconds
FUEL ECONOMY: 24/34/28

Alfa's targa-top 4C sports car offers one of the purest driving experiences anywhere

Pointless panache: 2015 BMW X6 xDrive35i review notes

PHOTO BY BMW

 

ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $62,850
AS TESTED PRICE: $73,150
DRIVETRAIN: 3.0-liter turbocharged I6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 300 hp @ 5,800-6,000 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 1,300-5,000 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 4,630 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 18/27/21 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 15.6 mpg

   THE X6 IS GOOD FOR SOMETHING; WE’RE JUST NOT SURE WHAT

High priced and high functioning: 2015 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD review notes

  PHOTO BY FORD

 

ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $33,425
AS TESTED PRICE: $38,820
DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, six-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 240 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3,821 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 22/31/25 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 21 mpg

 BETTER THAN MORE POPULAR OPTIONS FROM JAPAN 

High-powered hatch: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG 4Matic review notes

PHOTO BY MERCEDES BENZ

ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $49,225

AS TESTED PRICE: $64,525

DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

OUTPUT: 355 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 332 lb-ft @ 2,250-5,000 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 3,457 lbs

FUEL ECONOMY: 23/29/25 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 18.9 mpg

Instant classic: 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe long-term update

    PHOTO BY JAGUAR

   FUN, BEAUTIFUL AND WELL SUITED FOR EVERY SEASON, OUR JAG BRINGS SMILES DURING ITS SECOND QUARTER

Refreshing understatement: 2015 Jaguar XF 3.0 AWD Portfolio review notes

PHOTO BY JAGUAR

ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $60,800
AS TESTED PRICE: $61,175
DRIVETRAIN: 3.0-liter supercharged V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 340 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 332 lb-ft @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 4,145 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 17/27/20 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 16.6 mpg

AN UNDERSTATED AND ELEGANT SPORTS SEDAN

Phase 3: Profit! 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT review notes

PHOTO BY GMC

ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $47,045
AS TESTED PRICE: $53,200
DRIVETRAIN: 6.2-liter V8; 4WD, eight-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 420 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 5,518 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 15/21/17 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 15.7 mpg

GMC’S SIERRA IS A SLIGHTLY NICER CHEVY SILVERADO

Skip the minivan: 2015 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring review notes

PHOTO BY MAZDA
ON SALE: Now

BASE PRICE: $37,455

AS TESTED PRICE: $39,890

DRIVETRAIN: 3.7-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic

OUTPUT: 273 hp @ 6,250 rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

CURB WEIGHT: 4,559 lb

FUEL ECONOMY: 16/22/18 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 17.5 mpg

AN ATHLETIC THREE-ROW CROSSOVER