Category Archives: road test

Driving the 2012 Toyota Prius V – Another Hybrid Benchmark

Toyota has done it again. A day of test driving the newly enlarged Prius V – for versatile – model affirmed the claim that this hybrid station wagon can indeed return the expected EPA ratings of 44 mpg in the city, 40 highway and 42 mpg combined. On the road Prius V is comfortable, reasonably quick, and mostly quiet except for some pleasant hybrid drive whine and the inevitable tire noise on expansion joints and rough pavement that comes from the low rolling resistance rubber. Alas the electric steering is still vague and without usable feedback. Nonetheless Prius V is a delightful family car. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, marketing, new vehicle, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

World Car – 2011 Buick Regal

Buick Regal sales since a late summer U.S. introduction – 9,000 to date- and 2,000 sales in November are a start, but honestly more time is needed to see if the sedan is an enduring success at the GM division that U.S. Treasury Department officials wanted to kill during GM’s forced and well earned bankruptcy. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, road test, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2011 Honda Accord Freshening

The 2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe models have changes that include improved fuel economy, modified exterior and interior styling and the addition of a new leather-Special Edition (SE) trim level at a relatively inexpensive $24,000 price. It’s a mild, … Continue reading

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Driving the Hyundai Sonata

Funny thing about incremental gains in automobiles, they eventually add to something big. Last year was something big for Hyundai Motor America as it picked up more than one percentage point of U.S. market share during the worst business climate … Continue reading

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Driving Impression – Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet is finally replacing its aging Cobalt with the Cruze sedan, which is already on sale in more than 60 countries in Asia and Europe since 2009. The new Cruze is a design hybrid since its engineering was done at Opel in Germany and Daewoo in Korea. North American versions went into production at Lordstown, Ohio this summer. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, blog, design and styling, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news, news analysis, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Driving a Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Camry hybrid is a technological triumph that produces significant increases in fuel economy, particularly during urban and suburban driving that many of us face. However to achieve this Camry hybrid employs a number of sophisticated systems that affect … Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, new vehicle, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Books: Detroit Area Test Tracks

The move from street testing of automobiles to specialized facilities took place in the early decades of the 20th century. Because of what might be the first recall in the industry – copper-cooled Chevrolets without radiators in 1923 – General … Continue reading

Posted in auto news, road test | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

About AutoInformed

While “automobility” continues to thrive in this still new century, the reigning auto world order is amidst an upheaval that parallels revolutions of the 18th. There are similar consequences for all involved in automobiles.  

Posted in auto news, economy, fools 'n frauds, new vehicle, road test | Tagged , | Leave a comment