The plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Benz S550e is world-class in every way. It’s also environmentally friendly with its efficient powertrain, which integrates a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and an electric motor with a seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. The combination provides premium sedan buyers a luxury driving and ownership experience with the benefit of 14 miles of zero-emission electric […]
Introduced as a completely redesigned model in 2016, the Honda Civic has been available in both sedan and coupe choices to fit varying needs. Civic fans have an additional choice in the 2017 model year, the Civic Hatchback. Honda has long sold hatchbacks in other markets where they are quite popular, but not so much […]
Like its full-size light-duty competitors, the 2017 Ram 1500 pickup offers lots of choices including Regular, extended Quad Cab, and Crew Cab variants with V-6 and V-8 gasoline engines and a high-efficiency turbodiesel V-6, available with rear- or four-wheel drive. Plus, depending on cab choice there are different pickup bed lengths. Nearly a dozen trim […]
Volkswagen added its 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a few other tweaks to the Golf SportWagen to create the Golf Alltrack, a five-seat hatchback with off-road capability. Available in S, SE, and SEL trim levels, it features a full suite of connectivity and driver assistance systems, either as standard or optional equipment. Like the Golf SportWagen, […]
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has earned 50 awards to date, the most unique its latest one awarded by Altair Corporation. This 2017 Chrysler minivan has been honored with the “Altair Enlighten Award” for weight loss, the only award of its type in the automotive industry. Altair recognizes advanced automotive engineering and its impact on fuel […]
Plug-in models with greater driving range are here and coming , countered by combustion vehicles that continue to achieve surprising efficiency gains.
Automakers have been in a frenzy of late to claim a leadership position with electrification. Volvo has now taken a significant step in that direction by announcing its intention to include an electric motor in all of its models launched after 2019. That doesn’t signify an exclusive leap toward battery electric cars, even though Volvo […]
The age-old adage, “Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday,” is being applied to driverless cars in Roborace, a global championship series for autonomous electric race cars. Rather than fender-to-fender duels between race drivers, competitors will be programmers. The ones with the best software and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques will be taking the checkered flag. These […]
General Motors has been at work electrifying cars for decades, from the EV1, Spark EV, and an array of ‘mild’ hybrids to the acclaimed Volt extended-range electric that’s seen on highways across America. Volt owners interviewed universally respond with positive accolades, which means GM has done this car right. Now, the automaker’s 5-door, crossover-like Bolt […]
In the late 1960s, many VW Beetle sedans and convertibles were converted into Baja Bugs for desert or beach duty, or just to look cool. Like the iconic dune buggies conceived by Bruce Meyers, the Baja Bug originated in Southern California. Unlike dune buggies that had completely new fiberglass bodies on a shortened Beetle chassis […]
At its introduction, the 2017 Jaguar XE became this luxury automaker's new entry level model, but don’t let that 'entry level' distinction fool you. Available as XE 25t turbocharged and XE 35t supercharged gasoline variants plus a 20d turbodiesel, this sedan delivers a lot for its reasonable price of entry. The latter is offered at […]
Toyota’s 2017 Prius Prime aims to fill the needs of drivers who love the efficiency of the ubiquitous Prius but want the added benefit of a plug. As is the case with most hybrids, all-electric drive in the conventional Prius hybrid is limited to very short stretches with light pressure on the accelerator, otherwise it’s […]
Green Car Journal has witnessed the slow but progressive evolution of the primarily gasoline fueled, internal combustion car over many decades. This evolution has included much improved gasoline engines and vehicles, the use of alternative fuels, and cars producing low- or even zero-emissions. It’s been an uphill drive, too often stalled by special interest legislation, […]
We’re behind the wheel of the all-new Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, driving the future while recalling images of the past. That’s because Green Car Journal has been following Honda’s dynamic hydrogen fuel cell vehicle program now for some 15 years.
Honda’s Ridgeline has presented a departure from conventional pickups since its introduction just over a decade ago. Now, after a hiatus of several years, Honda has brought an all-new Ridgeline back into its lineup with features that make the model better than ever. Available as a four-door crew cab with seating for five, the second […]
The advantage of a year-long test vehicle is that we’re better able to sample how it performs under all types of road and weather conditions, plus the sometimes challenging situations that life throws at everyone. In hilly Southeastern Ohio on the edge of the Appalachian range, our long term Honda HR-V conquered snow and ice […]
It’s looking like Tesla doesn’t have a lock on the fast-charging that encourages longer-distance electric vehicle journeys. While clearly in catch-up mode, a number of automakers are partnering with charging providers to install fast-charge stations at key points along major transportation routes. The latest is a partnership between Nissan and EVgo that will enable rapid […]
Like most kids growing up in the 1960s, my first experience with an electric race car was at a slot car track as a teenager. They were fast…really fast if you used a hopped-up rewind motor capable of smoking competitors off the track. This was followed decades later with the full-scale, real-life electric cars I […]