2009 Nissan Murano: “Murano-ness” Exemplified

Driving the all-new 2009 Nissan Murano, I had a flashback to winter, 2002, when a blizzard struck the Washington, D.C. area. My niece, who suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia, was having a crisis, and had to be quickly transported to Children’s Hospital in Washington. The only problem was the snow was so [...]

2008 Toyota Highlander LTD Video

The Toyota Highlander has been upgraded for 2008 model year, growing taller, wider and longer by offering 95.4 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, an increase from the predecessor’s 81.6 cubic feet. The Highlander has really packed on the pounds with the added cargo space and some of the new features, making the ‘08 [...]

2008 Jaguar XJ Super V8: The Cat’s Meow

Jaguar’s XJ line is the epitome of tradition. The basic shape, with its classic long hood and deck, hasn’t changed much in the last few decades. The four circular headlights, the double-kidney grille, and the leaping cat are as recognizable as any set of automotive features on the road.

So when I clambered behind [...]

2008 Subaru Tribeca: Toeing the Line

For 2008, Subaru has significantly re-vamped its full-size Tribeca crossover SUV. The original Tribeca, released in 2005, was puzzlingly called the “B9 Tribeca” and featured what looked like an upside-down Alfa Romeo grille. For those of us with a sympathetic eye toward daring design, the car was fine the way it was. [...]

2008 Subaru Tribeca Video

In its third year of production, the 2008 Subaru Tribeca has come a long way from the original 2006 B9 Tribeca. With styling changes equivalent to allowing Ty Pennington to makeover your home, the 2008 Tribeca (noticeably missing the B9 moniker) has responded to the public’s initial and unkind complaints about styling.

Performance-wise, the 5-speed [...]

2008 Jaguar XJ Super V8 Video

Essentially a long wheelbase, supercharged, more upscale XJ8, the XJ Super V8 first debuted in Europe in 2003, boasting the new X350 body style. The Jaguar XJ Super V8 represents one of the fastest and most expensive members of the XJ family with its supercharged 4.2L V8 engine (mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission) [...]

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited - A Wolf in Billy Goat’s Clothing

Starting this article is tough. There is no way to properly set my reader up for the surprise I experienced lately without sounding contrived or hucksterish. This experience came behind the wheel of Subaru’s Outback wagon, specifically the 243-hp 2.5 XT variant with the 2.5-liter turbocharged ‘boxer’ four and all-wheel-drive.

When I heard that [...]

2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Car Review Video

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 proved to be the perfect mix of performance, style, and luxury at the right price. Our 6-speed manual transmission tester, with $10,000 worth of options like navigation and heated seats, topped out at $57,835, with the base price starting at $47,400. The SLK350, electronically governed to 155 mph, boasts [...]

2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Car Review

The Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster is perhaps the standard-bearer for the quadroon of small, sporty German drop-tops. It debuted in 1997, with a revolutionary power folding hardtop and styling that was drop-dead gorgeous. It was visually superior to the BMW Z3 and the Porsche Boxster, but not as dynamic in terms of performance. [...]

BMW Alpina B7 Video

Charlie Romero recently had the opportunity to test drive the 2007 BMW Alpina B7 at Pocono Raceway. The 4.4L supercharged V8 handled like a sports car, despite its large size. Priced around $120,000, the B7 may not be affordable for everyone, but with the sexy Alpina styling, 500hp, 21” wheels, and a 0-60 [...]