automobile

Post image for Comfortable, No-Frills, Good Performing, Family SUV – 2013 GMC Acadia Review

The 2013 GMC Acadia is an SUV turned crossover (I still think of it as an SUV) which I believe is a bit of a sleeper. Probably the most aggressive features of it is the bold front grill with the GMC logo on it. It’s strong, as if to say, get out of my way, I’m a GMC and I’m coming through here. But the rest of the vehicle is pretty nondescript. There are no super innovative design or technology features that come out and clobber you right over the head quite the way the GMC emblem grill does. It is, in all aspects, your run of the mill SUV. Read on for my 2013 GMC Acadia Review.

2013 GMC Acadia Front Grill

2013 GMC Acadia Front Grill

I call it the way I see it…an SUV, despite what is stated on the GMC description. It’s roomy, holds plenty of cargo, and the one that I test drove for 10 days, seats 7 quite comfortably, although we only had 5 people and one small dog and lots of luggage. But it was perfect for us. For the size and the power (boasting 288 horsepower from the 3.6 liter V6), coupled with the packaged features in the SLT-1 trimline, it was a pleasure to drive. We set off from San Francisco on a road trip down to Los Angeles, with the cabin packed full of luggage and food. The Acadia is, in my opinion, perfectly crafted for that purpose. The one I tested did have a towing package (capable of pulling 5200 lbs), an Entertainment system and dual moonroofs. There was plenty of intuitive technology within the cabin and the Acadia did not feel heavy or sluggish on the road. In fact, I was actually surprised at the gas mileage, rated at 17 City and 24 Highway. We averaged 18.8 MPG in our mixed driving experience.

2013 GMC Acadia Side View

2013 GMC Acadia Side View

The leather seating was comfortable and there was plenty of leg room in the middle row (which were 2 separated captains chairs – perfect to keep kids separated). The rear bench row seats 3, although it is probably better for 2. We opted to fold down part of the rear bench to allow for luggage to be piled in. I liked the fact that the Acadia rides high, more like an SUV (as I said) and less like a crossover (which I have found to be somewhat in between a sedan and an SUV). Yes, you probably would get better mileage in a lighter crossover, but driving the Acadia inspired some confidence that you could go off road or camping quite easily. The version that I test drove was a FWD. There is an AWD version that probably would be better for more rugged experiences.

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Post image for Hitting the Bull’s Eye – Review of the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye Compact Sports Sedan

When I test drove the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye, I turned a few heads. In fact, in a parking lot, I answered a bunch of questions about this new vehicle from Dodge. While compact in size, it was roomy in performance. This isn’t the first time the Dart has spun its wheels around the block. It first graced the roads between 1960 until 1976. And now, in 2013, Dodge is re-introducing the brand.

The 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye

The 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye

2013 presents the Dodge Dart as a compact sedan. It seats 5 comfortably, has plenty of cargo space, and has a very peppy engine. Speaking about engines, there are 3 engines (both manual and automatic) available in the Dart:

  • Chrysler 2.0 liter I4 Tigershark – 160 Horsepower
  • Fiat 1.4 liter I4 Turbo MultiAir – 160 Horsepower
  • Chrysler 2.4 liter I4 Tigershark MultiAir 2 – 184 Horsepower

HTD-2013-Dodge-Dart-24

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Post image for The Ford Fiesta Movement is Back! And Here’s My Entry! #FiestaMovement

Piggybacking on the success of the previous Ford Fiesta Movement a few years ago, Ford is re-launching the Fiesta Movement (www.fiestamovement.com) to showcase the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Ford is currently looking for “the most vibrant voices and talented storytellers to be agents in the Fiesta Movement.” So, I figured that I would throw my hat into the ring!

HTD_titlepage_Ford-Fiesta-Agenst.fw

I do lots of car reviews and have participated in a few Ford programs in the past so being a Fiesta Agent makes a lot of sense to me. But as I watched some of the promotional materials about this year’s program, I noticed that it seemed to be geared towards a younger audience (20-somethings). So how could I make my voice be heard among the youth out there? I thought about it and realized that I have an even more rounded story (I hope).

I would not only be bringing 1 agent to the mix (me), but 5 others as well (my family). The program should really be about the experience, how a family (or individual) interacts with the Fiesta, and how it solves daily challenges and usage scenarios. So let me introduce you to my family of agents! Here’s the video (available directly on YouTube as well):

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Post image for Passionate about Volvo? The 2013 XC60 and S60 Won’t Let You Down!

My family seems to be quite passionate about the Volvo’s that I test drive. My wife always asks as to when we might get another one and my kids really had a great time when we went “top down” in the 2012 Volvo C70 convertible. And, a few months ago, I spent some time behind the wheels of both the 2013 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 AWD and guess what? My family was once again super excited. Can you guess which Volvo grill emblem belongs to the XC60 and which one is for the S60?

HTD-2013-Volvo-S60-T5-67HTD-2013-Volvo-XC60-37

While I typically like to do individual car reviews, it actually made sense to me to do a two-for-one review, mainly because of the consistency and continuity between these two vehicles. And honestly, this isn’t always the case for all manufacturers. I have driven cars that vary tremendously between models, so much so, that you would think they are from different manufacturers. This wasn’t the case between the XC60 and the S60. Sure, the body types are quite different, the XC60 is a crossover SUV-type and the S60 is a sedan, but in terms of design, style, comfort, tech and drivability, they are extremely similar.

Let’s take a look at some of the distinctions and similarities between the two as a quick comparison.

2013 XC60 T6 AWD2013 S60 T5 AWD
Car typeCrossover SUVSedan
Seating55
Gas Mileage (City/Hwy/Comb)17/23/2020/29/23
Engine3.0 liter, Turbo-Charged, 6 Cyl DOHC2.5 liter, Turbo-Charged, 5 Cyl DOHC
EmissionsULEV IIULEV II
Horsepower300 HP @ 5600 RPM250 HP @ 5500 RPM
Transmission6-Speed Geartronic Automatic Transmission w/ Sport Mode6-Speed Geartronic Automatic Transmission w/ Sport Mode
Packages installedXC60 Platinum, Climate PackageS60 Premier, Climate Package, Electronically controlled All Wheel Drives
Base Price$40,450$31,750
Price as Tested$48,145$38,170

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Saving the Environment & your Wallet – Review the Spacious 2012 Toyota Prius V

December 11, 2012

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, it seems like almost every third car on the road is a hybrid of some type, and of those hybrids, a huge majority of those are Toyota Prius’s. Californians are obsessed with the environment and with driving and many times, the two don’t really go hand-in-hand. About 10+ [...]

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Flexing the Form & Fun Factor of the 2013 Ford Flex SEL AWD

November 5, 2012
Thumbnail image for Flexing the Form & Fun Factor of the 2013 Ford Flex SEL AWD

Back in 2010, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Ford Flex. I always had my eye on this unique looking SUV/Crossover. It truly is sort of a blend between both of these styles. The distinct body reminded me of the old Woodie style and as I mention in my video review below, I really [...]

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Circles, Style, Performance and Fun – The Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4

October 1, 2012
Thumbnail image for Circles, Style, Performance and Fun – The Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4

I have always wanted to test drive a Mini Cooper. Yeah, ok, they are “cute” but that’s not the reason. They are fun – fun to look at, fun to experience and fun to drive. And they have quite a following of devoted fans. In fact, as I was test driving the 2012 Mini Cooper [...]

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The “Electrifying” Ride and Design of the 2012 Chevy Volt

September 12, 2012
Thumbnail image for The “Electrifying” Ride and Design of the 2012 Chevy Volt

When I was a kid, I actually invented hybrid cars. I thought – wouldn’t it be cool if when you slowed down, you could send power back to the battery. Of course my idea was essentially based on a perpetual motion machine where there is no friction or energy loss. I didn’t quite get the [...]

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