Review and photos by Derek Mau

Highs

• Toyota quality and ergonomics
• Lots of space for people and their stuff
• Very good fuel economy for an SUV
• Star Safety System™

Lows

• 4-speed automatic transmission
• Optional side-step rails only work for small feet or loading the roof rack
• Standard audio system is weak sounding

continue reading "2009 Toyota RAV4 Review - a car disguised as an SUV"

Pros

• A brawny V8 provides über amounts of torque
• Traction borders on super-glue proportions
• Big brakes take away speed faster than your Labrador cleaning off a bowl of mac-cheese
• A lot tougher than it looks
• Porsche Active Suspension Mechanism (PASM) and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDDC), combined, work harder than James Brown at the Apollo.

Cons

• The Bose audio system is so weak that the engine and exhaust note sounds better when turned up
• Slurps more gas than Ludwig at Octoberfest

continue reading "2008 Porsche Cayenne Review"

By Peter N.

Pros:

• B I G
• Powerful acceleration
• Nice luxury details (dual zone climate, seat & mirror memory, heated seats)
• Great stereo sound

Cons:

• B I G
• Rough ride
• Fit and finish rivals Detroit, not Japan
• Annoying telescoping steering wheel
• Difficult access to third row

continue reading "2009 Kia Borrego Review - Kia goes B-I-G"

Pros:

• Microsoft Sync (for the most part)
• Ride quality
• Quiet cockpit

Cons:

• Torque steer
• Small rear seat
• No auto unlock feature with smart key

Introduction

I’ve driven a handful of luxury vehicles as a tester, but most have been of foreign origin (Jaguar or Infiniti) so I was quite interested to see what America had to offer especially in light of the economy and current state of US car manufacturers.  Could Ford create a car that I’d want to buy?  Did the MKS have features that American’s want?  With questions like this, I was eager to test Lincoln’s mid-priced sedan.

continue reading "2009 Lincoln MKS Review - A shot in the arm for Ford"