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
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Sierra, Silverado 2500 are the real urban cowboys
I’m probably the best/worst example for owning a full-size pickup. As a single father I can make great use of either a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD or Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab pickup. The “crew” part is great for the kids, as they have two …Read More
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Sporty styling gives Mitsubishi Lancer a leg up
The current 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer SE is part of a group of capable compact sedans that are often overlooked by consumers. One reason for the Lancer’s ambiguity is finding its signature. Or maybe better said — finding what makes it a good buy. The Lancer …Read More
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All-wheel-drive Acura TL impresses
The 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD is the automaker’s entry in the performance luxury sedan segment. That description of the segment is where the TL gets a bit foggy. In some purist’s eyes, a true performance sedan has to be rear-wheel drive. Jaguar tried a front-wheel-drive-based …Read More
More Columns
2013 Chevy Malibu comes to Chicago
I had to travel to take the Chevrolet Malibu for a preview drive; readers can see the 2013 version during the Chicago Auto Show, Feb. 10 to 19 at McCormick Place. Worth the trip to this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the Malibu will be the …
Dodge charges forward with 2012 Charger SRT8
When Dodge reintroduced the Charger in 2006, there were loud groans because the car was only available as a sedan. Unlike General Motors and Ford, which offered sedan versions (even wagons) of iconic intermediates like the Chevelle, Cutlass, LeMans, Torino and Montego, Dodge didn’t offer …
Refinements enhance 2012 Honda CR-V’s appeal
The Honda CR-V has been a segment leader since, well, forever. Sales reached record highs this year, and Honda could have gone into 2012 with an unaltered CR-V and done quite nicely. So, rather than standing pat or undergoing a radical change, Honda took an …
2012 Nissan Altima remains competitive
The 2012 Nissan Altima is in a holding pattern in the high-profile and highly coveted midsize sedan market. Consider that both Kia and Hyundai have fresher midsize offerings, Toyota spruced up the Camry and Chevrolet just introduced the 2013 Malibu. Ford recently unveiled the all-new …
Chrysler 300 SRT8: A gentleman’s hot rod
Where the previous generation Chrysler 300 was big, chunky and bold, the latest version introduced for this year is refined and elegant. The 300 definitely looks the part of a large luxury cruiser, until you add the SRT8 gingerbread and performance enhancements to it. Then …
Nissan NV van inspires competitor envy
Is nothing sacred in the vehicle segment anymore? For eons if you needed a pickup, SUV or full-size van, you went to one of the Big 3 automakers. Then Toyota loosened the Big 3’s stranglehold on full-size pickups and SUVs; Nissan followed closely behind. This …
Hyundai puts Accent on looks, economy
Are Americans looking for feature-laden, sporty, inexpensive small cars or do they want low prices, fuel economy and interior space? Hyundai chose the latter with the all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent. The 2012 Accent line comes in sedan and five-door hatchback models in three different trims …
Spunky 2012 Kizashi earns respect
Wanted: a budget-conscious car buyer looking for an economical midsize four-door sedan with design flair, good build construction and handling chops. All I can say is just imagine what Suzuki could do if the automaker had a bigger advertising budget. Most buyers hear Suzuki and …
Volkswagen CC brings sensibility to compact segment
Our definition of a perfect compact sedan is one that seats just four people. What’s the point of squeezing a fifth person in a “compact” car anyway? That’s what we like about the Volkswagen CC – it’s a truly comfortable, compact four-door sedan. Imagine yourself …
Tires go high tech for improved handling
For a majority of drivers, tires are just the “black rubber doughnuts” upon which the car rolls. Tires are actually one of the most important components on a vehicle from a comfort, safety and performance standpoint. While attending a “Classroom Behind the Wheel” drive event …
Kia hits reset on Rio, Soul for 2012 models
Kia is not letting up for 2012. With 2011 double-digit sales increases, numerous product accolades and marketing awards under its belt, Kia could easily coast for a year and still be successful. However, Kia is bolstering its popular product lineup by adding a redesigned Rio …
Land Rover steps out with 2012 Range Rover Evoque
When the Indian car company Tata Motors acquired the iconic British Land Rover brand from Ford Motor Co., scribes and enthusiasts wondered whether Tata could keep this esteemed brand on high ground. After an advance test of the all-new 2012 Range Rover Evoque, the answer …
Ford blasts into 2012 with EcoBoost
The 2012 model year is now in full swing and Ford is inserting its “wonder engines” in a variety of vehicles to achieve a balance between power and fuel efficiency. Ford isn’t shy about putting the EcoBoost technology to use. The 365-horsepower EcoBoost engine (V-6) …
Chevy charges ahead with 2011 Volt
The Volt is finally available here in Chicago. I spent a week with this midsized game changer and came away with the feeling that I could live quite easily with this machine. I prefer muscle cars with snarling V-8s, so accepting a Chevrolet Volt is …
Chevy goes super Sonic for 2012
The new subcompact Aveo replacement is not fast, but Chevrolet hopes it will take off (in sales) like its bigger brother Cruze. The all-new 2012 Sonic represents the third vehicle in the center of Chevrolet’s ongoing passenger car line makeover. The remaining bookends are the …
Minivans man up to tap into male market
“Macho, macho van — I’ve got to be a macho van!” Manufacturers of today’s minivans are trying to get consumers, specifically men, to hum a different tune when it comes to minivans. I admit – I have an aversion to minivans. For me, they just …
Optima closes in on Accord in midsize car match up
The question facing midsize car buyers is: “What sedan should I buy?” There are a bewildering number of choices in this segment. The (easiest?) choices have been either the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. While Toyota has suffered some quality/confidence issues Honda has remained steady. …
Toyota expands the Prius lineup for 2012
No, not zzzz’s as in sleep or MKZ, 370z or even Z28. No, I mean “v’s” as in 2012 Prius PHV and the forthcoming Prius v. Visitors to this year’s Chicago Auto Show may recall a Toyota marketing campaign that asked show attendees what the …
Lexus IS 350C pampers while protecting
OK, so you’re looking for a luxury convertible, something a little flashy, but not too common; it has to be pampering, oh, and you want to have a few horses under the hood. Well then the 2011 Lexus IS 350C may fit those requirements. The …
Nissan Juke takes a run at Scion xB
Consumers today demand more from their small cars. Automakers have seized upon this demand and are packing more features and making some equipment and features optional in small cars that normally were reserved for pricier models. They are also trying to carve out more space. …
