The other day I was asked one of the most common questions folks inquire of me once they learn of my automotive alter ego – “Driven anything exciting lately?”

Normally I jump right in and rifle off any number of makes and models that have graced my driveway in recent weeks and months.

This time was different though, this one gave me pause. Had I driven anything exciting lately, I wondered? If so, why is that answer not spilling forth from my vocal chords as has so often happened in the past? Have I become complacent to the automotive industry of late? Am I perhaps as guilty as the general public in turning my attention away from the vehicular environment? Oh my God, is the honeymoon over?

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Ford Motor Company is taking a giant leap forward in rear seat occupant safety as they introduce new inflatable seat belts, set to debut on the next-generation Explorer SUV coming next year. They say that these new belts are being received as at least as comfortable as existing belts, if not more so, with the hopes of increasing seat belt usage by rear occupants. Here in Texas, lawmakers have already enacted legislation requiring all occupants of vehicles to be belted while the vehicle is in motion. I for one have never really found rear seat belts all that comfortable so this initiative by Ford is a big step in the right direction.

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Apparently, funky is going mainstream in the auto industry.

What began as a unique phenomena over at a little startup division of Toyota has now spread across other Asian automaker model lines. Nissan challenged the squared Scion with a Cube and now Kia has put their heart and “Soul” into the mix.

(Sorry, had to work the pun in somewhere.)

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The newest Honda Pilot is something of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Honda dubs it a crossover utility vehicle due to its not having a ladder frame architecture supporting the unit, but I feel this is about as close to a true SUV as one can get.
Last year, Honda introduced us to a completely made over Pilot, one that offers eight-passenger functionality without sacrificing ability and agility. The new model is larger inside and out, boasts a stronger, more fuel efficient powertrain, is more stable on the road and offers all the latest comfort and convenience amenities as well as class-leading safety. Continue Reading

We told you it was coming, and now General Motors and OnStar report the first successful use of their Stolen Vehicle Slowdown technology to end a carjacking in California.

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The discussion started as casually as most do. A co-worker asks “Would you buy a GM vehicle right now?”

My answer? You bet. And one of the reasons is their new Chevy Equinox.

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I am not sure just exactly who coined the phrase “sport utility vehicle” but I feel they were a bit remiss in the target segment they were identifying. Most of those giant grocery-getters of the past decade-and-a-half were anything BUT sporty.

Fast forward to the 21st century and we have seen an entire new breed of SUVs, yet most have been redefined as crossover utility vehicles given the nature of configuring some form of cargo box on top of a car-based platform.

We recently spent some time behind the wheel of the latest Acura RDX, junior sibling to the MDX which was given a model-line makeover at the same time a couple of years back.

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Despite building some decent midsize sedans over the years, Mazda knew it needed to undertake a significant model makeover in order to keep pace with the CD-segment, namely Accord and Camry. With this newest Mazda6 they have done just that.

Their mantra? Zoom-zoom evolution.

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OK, so your loved one has finally been able to wrestle that DuPont Registry away from you and demands you find suitable transportation back here in the real world. After spending hours perusing the Auto Trader and Craigslist, you find yourself with more questions than answers that are perhaps keeping you from signing on the bottom line or plunking down that hard-earned dinero.

For some real world advice and assistance, you might check out realworldautomotive.com, run by ASE-certified master mechanic Alex Steele.

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True, I may be just a “Gaijin” from Texas, but I do know a work of art when I see one. The new Infiniti Essence concept car is just that.

Staring at it in adoration, I think I also broke a few commandments.

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With the arrival of Autumn it is once again time for the great State Fair of Texas and one of the world’s largest auto shows. Gate attendance each year at the fair reaches more than three million over its three-week run, with estimates that at least 75 percent of attendees visit some portion of the auto show.

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The onslaught of SUVs in the 1990s and crossover utility type vehicles of the new millennium have kept minivan sales numbers from returning to those of their glory days – but automakers are still makin’ ‘em and folks are still buyin’ ‘em.

There aren’t quite as many players in the minivan game anymore mind you, but one who held firm to delivering a quality product over the years has been Honda. Because of that, the Honda Odyssey minivan has had a target on its back almost since its inception.

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So what is it? Is this a car, a sport wagon or a sport ute? Is this the new Camry station wagon or the Toyota version of the Lexus RX?

What it is is the all-new 2009 Venza from Toyota.

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Sporty and superlative, progressive and emotive – the A4 takes Audi into a new dimension in the midsize car segment. Continue Reading

That Toyota is at it again.

The Japanese automaker has once again chosen the State Fair of Texas auto venue for a world debut.

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