2014 Fiat 500L

Isaac Bouchard The view out through the front window of Fiat’s 500L is the very essence of this funky family hauler. It wraps around in a kind of super widescreen way, interrupted only by slim secondary “A” pillars for roof strength, and there is nothing else like it I’ve driven here in the US. The … Read more

2014 Mazda CX-5

Isaac Bouchard The CX-5 has been a big success for Mazda. They’ve increased production three times since it came to market and they are still supply-limited in the United States, and unable to meet demand around the world. The only thing that’s been holding it back from being the clear benchmark in the compact SUV … Read more

2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring

Isaac Bouchard Some cars grow old after a few days usage; others worm their way into your affections the more you drive them. The new Forester is the latter. A return to past generations’ boxier form is the most obvious external difference; inside it is roomier and built of slightly higher quality materials. There’s abundant … Read more

2013 Ram 1500 ST

Isaac Bouchard It is rare—and refreshing—to get a basic model of any new vehicle to test. Most of the time, car manufacturers send journalists loaded versions of their wares, hoping all the lashing of luxury, power and cool trimmings will make our reports more positive. So when a “work truck” spec half-ton Ram showed up, … Read more

2013 MINI Cooper S Roadster

Isaac Bouchard For the first few days I had the 2013 MINI Cooper S Roadster I kept muttering, “I’m getting old.” The little sportster’s rough ride, invasive road noise and playful character were at odds with my middle-aged disposition. Yet gradually, like a German/British fountain of youth, the MINI began to bring my vitality and … Read more

2013 Cadillac ATS AWD 2.0T

Isaac Bouchard The first letter in the name of Cadillac’s newest could easily stand for “audacious.” Here is a car that unashamedly attempts to quantify the best from BMW’s back catalogue so as to offer serious sports sedan buyers the type of machine the Bavarians can be accused of no longer building. It is sized … Read more

2013 BMW X1

Isaac Bouchard The first time I climbed behind the wheel of the BMW X1 it felt as if I’d stepped into an alternate reality, so similar was its cockpit to our beloved—but long gone—2008 BMW 335i. Same wonderful sports seats, steering wheel, shifter, climate controls. The robust heft of the steering wheel during parking maneuvers … Read more

2013 Acura RLX

Isaac Bouchard Let’s get this out of the way up front: the Acura RLX doesn’t ride as well as a luxury car should. There, now that we’ve covered that, we can discuss how good an automobile it is otherwise. I had low expectations for this new model. It didn’t look good under the lights at … Read more

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track M/T

By Isaac Bouchard The first Korean to take a run at the classically American Pony Car formula was the Genesis Coupe, and it is interesting to revisit it after its first serious update. Outside there’s a new, “corporate” nose that many like, though I preferred the earlier frontal visage. Other external changes are minor; present … Read more

2013 Honda Accord Sport

Isaac Bouchard Honda has always had a knack for making the Accord not only a completely practical four door family car, but also for imbuing it with a dash of dynamic élan beyond most competitors. It is rewarding to enthusiasts yet doesn’t intimidate or exact penalties from those who could care less about on-the-limit handling … Read more