DETROIT -- U.S. buyers shrugged off economic worries and snapped up SUVs and pickups last month, surprising the auto industry and raising hopes that a bumpy year will end on a high note. Big trucks typically sell when the housing market and construction industry are strong, gas prices are low and consumer confidence is high. None of those was true in September.
DALLAS -- Just a year ago, no one could touch the kings of compact cars, the venerable Toyota Corolla and feisty Honda Civic. Both stood so far above the more prosaic vehicles in the segment that they were automatic choices for most consumers.
HUDSON, Mass.
THE craze for panoramas swept America in the 1840s, inspiring both P. T. Barnum and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
THE Bentley Mulsanne, it turns out, is a pleasant car to drive.
TESTED 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive 28i
Paul Gianakas saw a business opportunity in the cars of the future. To finance it, he had to part with cars of the past. His 1965 Chevrolet El Camino left the garage and never came back. His 1968 Ford Mustang moved on to greener driveways.
Hyundai's fresh interpretation on the hatchback, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, won't hit dealers for a few months yet. If you're eager to see how the Veloster stacks up when you begin adding option packages, Hyundai now has its Veloster configurator online.With a starting price of $18,060 (including a destination charge of $760), the Veloster is priced to compete against the Volkswagen Golf, the Mazda3 and the MINI Cooper. Loaded up with every available option, the Veloster still won't hit the $24,000 mark, and that includes premium accessories like a navigation system unavailable on most competitive models. Hyundai has found success with the "more content for less money" model, and we don't see that changing any time soon.Those looking for a hot hatch version of the Veloster will be disappointed, at least for now. The first model to launch will come with the same 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine used in the 2012 Hyundai Accent, and it will be offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. There's no turbocharged version (yet, at least), and a sport suspension is not on the list of available options; that leads us to believe that Hyundai has other Veloster-related announcements to make in the near future, but that's just our hunch.Even in base trim, the Veloster gives you a lot of content for the money. All Veloster models come with a full array of safety features (including traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags), 17-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering wheel mounted controls, Bluetooth phone integration and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system.A $2,000 Style package adds 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, an upgraded interior with a premium audio system and fog lights. Opt for the $2,000 Tech package (which requires you to buy the Style package first) and you'll get unique 18-inch wheels, a rear parking sensor system, a navigation system with rearview cam