Tests and Features
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2013 Dodge Grand Caravan: The Embodiment of Versatility
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Test Drives
2012 Mazda MAZDA5: A Minivan For The Performance Fan
Think it’s impossible to find a six-passenger vehicle that’s actually fun to drive without spending a huge amount of money on a luxury crossover? Think again. Redesigned for the current model year, the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 crosses the boring barrier that has long separated minivans from driving enthusiasts and presents … Full story
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Los Angeles
Ford at the L.A. Auto Show: New Fiesta and Transit Connect
Ford chose the Los Angeles Auto Show to launch new versions of the restyled Fiesta featuring new drivetrains for 2013. At the same time, the American automaker unveiled new wagon variations of its Transit Connect van. The prices of all these new versions have not yet been determined and will … Full story
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Test Drives
2012 Chrysler Town & Country: In spite of everything you’ve heard
In recent years, minivans, the very vehicle we worshipped in the 1980s, have fallen out of favour. SUVs and crossovers are now more sought after, and sometimes rightly so (more dynamic ride, all-wheel drive, modern body, etc.). However, like it or not, minivans remain paragons of versatility. And if you … Full story
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Test Drives
2011 Honda Odyssey: Boldly going where... wait... Never mind.
I'm not exactly a Trekkie... not truly. Sure, I've watched my fair share of The Next Generation (like, all of them), languished in the religious overtones of Deep Space 9, and endured a special love/hate relationship with Janeway's crew on Voyager, but I've never dressed up in some weird costume, … Full story
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Test Drives
The 2012 Dodge Caravan Crew: Commodious, Comfortable... Convincing?
When you’re the paltry age of 26, unmarried, and without even so much as the threat of children on the horizon, there’s a certain tactic that’s oftentimes employed after you’ve finished parking a minivan at the local supermarket. It’s called running. Away. Because much like the Edward Scissorhands-style suburban life … Full story
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First Drives
2011 Nissan Quest: The family minivan with a peculiar look
Auto manufacturers recognize that minivans have potential. But in an effort to breathe new life into this eminently practical vehicle category, each is using a novel approach. Chrysler, for example, is trying to market the minivan as a vehicle for active men. In their advertising photo, there’s even an athletically … Full story
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Test Drives
2012 Mazda5: The Smartest Car I Don't Want
I’m young. Quite young. If I was a car, I’d be trapped in that awkward phase of old enough to be cheap, but not old enough to be cool. I would be a Yugo. This should tell you everything you need to know about my stance on minivans. And who … Full story
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First Drives
2012 Mazda5: The right recipe?
In the automobile world, there are two ways to develop a vehicle. The first is to create a product that is as spectacular in concept as it is in execution. Then you sit back and wait until it is nearly obsolete before developing another. This was certainly the recipe that … Full story
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First Drives
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan: Many more to come
For a lot of people, myself included, a car’s style and driving pleasure are much more important that its practical aspects. This is proved by the fact that, despite having two young kids, I owned a MINI Cooper for four years. That’s right, I managed to chauffeur my kids around … Full story