en Latest news, reviews, and more from around the The Car Connection https://static.thecarconnection.com/website/tcc-logo-rectangle.png https://www.thecarconnection.com Wed, 30 May 2018 11:27:00 -0400 The Car Connection https://www.thecarconnection.com The 2018 Mini Countryman is a compact crossover that adapts the automaker's shape into a bigger body. It's newly available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is the automaker's first. We give the Mini Countryman a 6.6 on our overall scale thanks to plentiful features and good style. The plug-in hybrid would do better thanks to its...]]> Wed, 30 May 2018 11:27:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/mini_countryman_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/mini_countryman_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/mini_countryman_2018#comments Aaron Cole The 2018 Mini Countryman is a compact crossover that adapts the automaker's shape into a bigger body. It's newly available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is the automaker's first. We give the Mini Countryman a 6.6 on our overall scale thanks to plentiful features and good style. The plug-in hybrid would do better thanks to its...]]> The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is a solid mid-size sedan that commits no sins. It stands out for its attractive styling, refined demeanor, and efficient hybrid powertrain, but we wish that its high-tech safety equipment didn’t require ponying up quite so much cash for a loaded model. Overall, we’ve assigned it a 7.3 out of 10. (Read more...]]> Tue, 29 May 2018 15:21:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_malibu_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_malibu_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Andrew Ganz) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_malibu_2018#comments Andrew Ganz The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is a solid mid-size sedan that commits no sins. It stands out for its attractive styling, refined demeanor, and efficient hybrid powertrain, but we wish that its high-tech safety equipment didn’t require ponying up quite so much cash for a loaded model. Overall, we’ve assigned it a 7.3 out of 10. (Read more...]]> Some days you feel like an electric, some days you don't. The 2018 Chevrolet Volt is both, if that's what you're looking for. It's a five-door compact hatchback that can be driven up to 53 miles on electricity alone, but offers a backup gasoline motor for longer trips. It was the pioneer extended-range electric car, a vehicle that eliminates range...]]> Fri, 25 May 2018 15:50:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_volt_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_volt_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Andrew Ganz) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_volt_2018#comments Andrew Ganz Some days you feel like an electric, some days you don't. The 2018 Chevrolet Volt is both, if that's what you're looking for. It's a five-door compact hatchback that can be driven up to 53 miles on electricity alone, but offers a backup gasoline motor for longer trips. It was the pioneer extended-range electric car, a vehicle that eliminates range...]]> The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is a mid-size sedan with all the right moves. On top of its safe package (its crash-test scorecard is spotless) and relatively handsome looks, a fuel-efficient powertrain is subbed in for fewer trips to gas stations. For those reasons, the 2018 Optima Hybrid earns a heady 7.3 overall score on our scale, reflective of its...]]> Fri, 25 May 2018 12:24:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1111708_2018-kia-optima-hybrid https://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1111708_2018-kia-optima-hybrid news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1111708_2018-kia-optima-hybrid#comments Aaron Cole The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is a mid-size sedan with all the right moves. On top of its safe package (its crash-test scorecard is spotless) and relatively handsome looks, a fuel-efficient powertrain is subbed in for fewer trips to gas stations. For those reasons, the 2018 Optima Hybrid earns a heady 7.3 overall score on our scale, reflective of its...]]> These days BMW leaves no stone unturned, yet the 2018 BMW 3-Series is still its rock. The automaker seemingly makes a model for every imaginable mood, and the 3er’s starting to feel tired to us. It earns a respectable 6.7 out of 10 on our overall scale. Its style, tech, and execution are outclassed by competitors from Mercedes and Audi, but...]]> Thu, 24 May 2018 15:28:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_3-series_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_3-series_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_3-series_2018#comments Aaron Cole These days BMW leaves no stone unturned, yet the 2018 BMW 3-Series is still its rock. The automaker seemingly makes a model for every imaginable mood, and the 3er’s starting to feel tired to us. It earns a respectable 6.7 out of 10 on our overall scale. Its style, tech, and execution are outclassed by competitors from Mercedes and Audi, but...]]> The 2018 BMW 5-Series is more than a mid-size luxury sedan. Aside from the hardware that powers the car, helps drive the car, and is the car, the new 5-Series is more about what you don’t see. It's one of BMW's most advanced vehicles. It can park itself without a driver, take pictures of its own surroundings without a driver on hand, can...]]> Thu, 24 May 2018 15:23:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_5-series_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_5-series_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_5-series_2018#comments Aaron Cole The 2018 BMW 5-Series is more than a mid-size luxury sedan. Aside from the hardware that powers the car, helps drive the car, and is the car, the new 5-Series is more about what you don’t see. It's one of BMW's most advanced vehicles. It can park itself without a driver, take pictures of its own surroundings without a driver on hand, can...]]> The 2018 BMW 7-Series full-size luxury sedan is excellence hiding in plain sight. The flagship sedan from BMW may be lost among the company’s growing number of crossovers, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The 7-Series features the automaker’s most advanced construction, its most powerful or most efficient engine, and the latest...]]> Thu, 24 May 2018 14:53:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_7-series_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_7-series_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/bmw_7-series_2018#comments Aaron Cole The 2018 BMW 7-Series full-size luxury sedan is excellence hiding in plain sight. The flagship sedan from BMW may be lost among the company’s growing number of crossovers, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The 7-Series features the automaker’s most advanced construction, its most powerful or most efficient engine, and the latest...]]> The first days of Lexus were filled with champagne glasses stacked on hoods and ball bearings running down doors. Forget that. Lexus is now in the game of big power and handling, outrageous looks and nothing boring. It earns a 7.4 on our overall scale, but it's deceptively low—for now. Crash data doesn't exist right now (and likely won't...]]> Wed, 23 May 2018 17:07:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_lc_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_lc_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Martin Padgett) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_lc_2018#comments Martin Padgett The first days of Lexus were filled with champagne glasses stacked on hoods and ball bearings running down doors. Forget that. Lexus is now in the game of big power and handling, outrageous looks and nothing boring. It earns a 7.4 on our overall scale, but it's deceptively low—for now. Crash data doesn't exist right now (and likely won't...]]> The 2018 Infiniti Q50 is the automaker’s most popular vehicle and returns this year after a modest restyling and reshuffling of its trim levels. The major changes include new front and rear bumpers, some light, stylish interior refinements, and a reshuffled trim lineup. These changes are enough to score a 7.0 out of 10 on our overall scale...]]> Tue, 22 May 2018 22:32:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/infiniti_q50_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/infiniti_q50_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Brandon Turkus) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/infiniti_q50_2018#comments Brandon Turkus The 2018 Infiniti Q50 is the automaker’s most popular vehicle and returns this year after a modest restyling and reshuffling of its trim levels. The major changes include new front and rear bumpers, some light, stylish interior refinements, and a reshuffled trim lineup. These changes are enough to score a 7.0 out of 10 on our overall scale...]]> MSRP: From $34,385 Horsepower: 268 hp MPG: Up to 21 mpg city/30 highway Dimensions: 195” L x 72” W x 58” H Curb Weight: 3,461 lbs The 2018 Toyota Avalon is a safe pick. Not only is the full-size sedan a top performer when it comes to safety data, it’s also a purely logical pick: not a lot of style, all substance. This year...]]> Mon, 21 May 2018 17:26:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/toyota_avalon_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/toyota_avalon_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/toyota_avalon_2018#comments Aaron Cole MSRP: From $34,385 Horsepower: 268 hp MPG: Up to 21 mpg city/30 highway Dimensions: 195” L x 72” W x 58” H Curb Weight: 3,461 lbs The 2018 Toyota Avalon is a safe pick. Not only is the full-size sedan a top performer when it comes to safety data, it’s also a purely logical pick: not a lot of style, all substance. This year...]]> The 2018 Toyota Prius C is the least expensive hybrid from the company that’s made more hybrids than any other. Now in its seventh and perhaps last year, the 2018 Prius C is a compact hatchback that’s the smallest of the four-car Prius lineup. For 2018, it gets some minor styling tweaks after a more comprehensive front and rear restyle...]]> Mon, 21 May 2018 16:54:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/cars/toyota_prius-c https://www.thecarconnection.com/cars/toyota_prius-c news@thecarconnection.com (John Voelcker) https://www.thecarconnection.com/cars/toyota_prius-c#comments John Voelcker The 2018 Toyota Prius C is the least expensive hybrid from the company that’s made more hybrids than any other. Now in its seventh and perhaps last year, the 2018 Prius C is a compact hatchback that’s the smallest of the four-car Prius lineup. For 2018, it gets some minor styling tweaks after a more comprehensive front and rear restyle...]]> A luxurious alternative for Volkswagen Golf owners that are looking for a more prestigious ride without an appreciable increase in vehicle size, the 2018 Audi A3 soldiers on with minor equipment changes. The 2018 Audi A3 scores a solid 7.2 out of 10, thanks to a class-leading feature set and an impressive focus on safety. (Read more about how we...]]> Thu, 10 May 2018 14:44:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/audi_a3_2018 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/audi_a3_2018 news@thecarconnection.com (Brandon Turkus) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/audi_a3_2018#comments Brandon Turkus A luxurious alternative for Volkswagen Golf owners that are looking for a more prestigious ride without an appreciable increase in vehicle size, the 2018 Audi A3 soldiers on with minor equipment changes. The 2018 Audi A3 scores a solid 7.2 out of 10, thanks to a class-leading feature set and an impressive focus on safety. (Read more about how we...]]> Incoming college freshmen, take note: Your roommates should not be your friends, good shower shoes are indispensable, and leaving campus will become mandatory approximately four days after classes start. Reliable transportation comes in handy for 2 a.m. burrito dashes, 4 a.m. jam sessions, and 11 a.m. cross-campus runs to class. (Additional note...]]> Mon, 17 Jul 2017 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1111554_autos-for-non-majors-what-cars-wed-take-back-to-school-and-where https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1111554_autos-for-non-majors-what-cars-wed-take-back-to-school-and-where news@thecarconnection.com (Aaron Cole) https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1111554_autos-for-non-majors-what-cars-wed-take-back-to-school-and-where#comments Aaron Cole Incoming college freshmen, take note: Your roommates should not be your friends, good shower shoes are indispensable, and leaving campus will become mandatory approximately four days after classes start. Reliable transportation comes in handy for 2 a.m. burrito dashes, 4 a.m. jam sessions, and 11 a.m. cross-campus runs to class. (Additional note...]]> The Nissan Rogue covers the middle of the automaker's crossover SUV lineup. Tucked in between the teensy, utterly impractical Juke and the big three-row Pathfinder, the Rogue relies on good seats and interior space to move its metal. In a tough class along with the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the Rogue's unexciting powertrain and handling...]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:21:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/nissan_rogue_2017 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/nissan_rogue_2017 news@thecarconnection.com (Martin Padgett) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/nissan_rogue_2017#comments Martin Padgett The Nissan Rogue covers the middle of the automaker's crossover SUV lineup. Tucked in between the teensy, utterly impractical Juke and the big three-row Pathfinder, the Rogue relies on good seats and interior space to move its metal. In a tough class along with the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the Rogue's unexciting powertrain and handling...]]> The 2017 Lincoln MKZ gets a slight freshening to bring it back toward the brand's understated, conservative, inward-looking take on luxury—one that backs away from the bold design statement the MKZ made when it debuted back in 2013. With the new Continental flagship launched this year, the MKZ gets a new nose with that family identity, plus...]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:46:00 -0400 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lincoln_mkz_2017 https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lincoln_mkz_2017 news@thecarconnection.com (John Voelcker) https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lincoln_mkz_2017#comments John Voelcker The 2017 Lincoln MKZ gets a slight freshening to bring it back toward the brand's understated, conservative, inward-looking take on luxury—one that backs away from the bold design statement the MKZ made when it debuted back in 2013. With the new Continental flagship launched this year, the MKZ gets a new nose with that family identity, plus...]]>