taylor
Jeff Taylor
Jeff has spent more than 25 years maintaining, modifying and writing about automobiles. He became the first automotive writer for Pioneer Press 1992 and he has been reviewing vehicles and reporting on the automotive industry ever since. Jeff has been covering the Chicago Auto Show …Read More
-
2013 Buick Encore offers luxury in a crossover
Overall Encore is a decent addition to the Buick line and a pretty good value for a premium vehicle. Buick is on to something with the Encore, which opens up a new segment that other manufacturers are soon to follow.
-
Scion debuts impressive 2013 FR-S Sport Coupe
The 2013 Scion FR-S is a balanced, lightweight, nimble sports car that is a joy to drive. This is a car that won’t bite inexperienced drivers, but those with track experience can really wring this car out. Be sure to get the manual transmission to get the full experience.
-
Nissan rolls out solid Sentra for 2013
The 2013 Nissan Sentra has several good qualities; among them is that it is only offered as a compact sedan, it has good interior volume (close to midsize) and a long list of standard features for the money.
More Columns
Nissan 370Z beckons driving enthusiasts
Like other sports cars, the 2013 Nissan 370Z offers more horsepower, better fuel economy, great creature comforts and an influx of technology. Inside the cabin, the 370Z impresses with Infiniti-quality materials that blend some attentive design elements.
2013 Mitsubishi i-MIEV presents opportunity for urban dwellers
The new Mitsubishi i-MIEV is a bulbous five-door mini hatchback that looks like a futuristic enclosed golf cart but it is a real opportunity to save money. Be warned, however, that you’ll be on constant alert for an electrical outlet.
Scion iQ packs a lot into its short body
A subcompact used to be the smallest car you would see while driving, but now there are several micro-subcompact cars on the road — the 2013 Scion iQ is one of them — and many more are coming.
Lexus’ flagship LS 600 goes green
There are a plethora of hybrids available in compact and midsize form, but the 2013 Lexus LS 600h L is a plus-size luxury hybrid sedan. The passenger-catering interior is well-crafted with plenty of rich leather, including real wood accents.
2013 Ford hybrids hit fuel economy highs
Since 2013 is shaping up to be the year of fuel economy, Ford has made sure its hybrids offer maximum efficiency.
2013 Lexus LS 460 lacks bite
Improvements to the Lexus LS 460 have narrowed the gap between it and its competitors, but it still lacks excitement.
2013 Ford Fusion gets stylish makeover
Every three decades or so, Ford makes a bold styling leap. In 1955 Ford introduced the Thunderbird, which ushered in the personal luxury segment, and in 1985 Ford gambled on the futuristic Taurus, heralding the dawn of the aerodynamic sedan. Ford’s design goal for the …
New Pathfinder adds to Nissan’s SUV legacy
The first Nissan Pathfinders rolled onto dealers’ lots more than 25 years ago, ushering in a modern wave of Asian SUVs to the U.S. market. The 2013 Pathfinder, Nissan’s fourth generation, adds and subtracts from previous models. The latest Pathfinder is a midsize seven-passenger SUV …
Chevy ‘Sparks’ minicar category
Chevrolet has high hopes that the new 2013 Spark minicar will reignite the less-than- $16,000 segment that was so hot 14 months ago. The Korean-built 2013 Spark is Chevrolet’s first minicar for the United States and it is tiny, measuring just 144.7 inches long. It does …
2013 Hyundai Sonata holds its own among tough competition
The current Hyundai Sonata is in its sixth generation and with each generation the Sonata has grown larger and more refined. If you use your imagination (and follow Environmental Protection Agency guidelines), the Sonata qualifies as a large car. In previous-generation Sonatas, Hyundai stylists created …
Kia puts spotlight on 2013 Optima
Last year Kia Motors America recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to increases in perceived quality and, according to KIA, the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking. One reason that buyers cite KIA loyalty is value and warranty coverage. I …
New Altima benefits from CVT technoloy
While it’s completely redesigned for 2013, the fifth-generation Altima feels like an old friend. Built in Canton, Miss., it does what’s expected. It has tools to help you, carries a load and assists you with your gas costs on trips. What more can you ask …
Accord gets style, tech and mileage infusions for 2013
Midsize sedans are the battleground segment for 2013. Manufacturers have stepped up their game, providing midsize buyers with attractive exterior designs, increased safety and technology features, and five-passenger seating. Getting hand-me-downs from a manufacturer’s luxury brand is no longer acceptable. Celebrating 30 years of Accord …
Honda tones down sporty Civic Si
Long the poster boy for compact car benchmarking, the Honda Civic is currently available in sedan, coupe and hybrid versions that appear to be vulnerable to the competition. I tested the rakish Si (sport injection) coupe and while I liked the styling and upgraded powertrain, …
Chevrolet beefs up 2013 Camaro lineup
From the Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis to the streets of Chicago to the GingerMan Raceway in Michigan, I put the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe and convertible and road-racing-focused 1LE coupe through their paces. In terms of hierarchy, power and pricing, the 2013 ZL1 …
Cadillac ATS sedan takes on BMW 3 Series
When I was a kid I occasionally had run-ins with the bullies at Prospect Hill grade school in New Berlin, Wis. To deal with the issue, my dad told me to pick out the biggest bully and punch him square in the face. Take down …
Iconic Corvette turns 60 during 2013 model year
Chevrolet’s iconic Corvette celebrates its 60th birthday during the 2013 model year, the final year for its sixth generation. Chevrolet rolls out the Convertible 427 Collector Edition as the final and best C6 (Corvette sixth generation) convertible. Chevrolet started celebrating early as the Corvette 427 …
Ram revises 1500 lineup for 2013
Available in October, the 2013 Ram 1500 represents the first revision to the Ram 1500 truck series since the creation of the division in 2011. The new Ram will be offered in 11 models/packages: ST (fleet only), Tradesman, Express, SLT, Big Horn, Lone Star, Outdoorsman, …
Jaguar gives its cats some new claws for 2013
You don’t know Jaguar, according to David Pryor, vice president of Jaguar Cars USA. Jaguar’s consumer studies indicate that a large percentage of consumers associate the brand with cars Jaguar sold in the 1980s and 1990s or for the dubious all-wheel-drive X-Type sedan (2001-09) based …
2012 Outlander Sport creates its own niche
In the continuing evolution of the CUV segment, the latest “hot” vehicles are the compact-sized “utes.” Not too long ago midsized CUVs were the rage as consumers wanted them for better fuel economy, easier drivability and three-row seating with decent cargo space. The spotlight has …
