How The 2014 Lexus LX 570 Justifies Its Existence (And Price Tag)

The 2014 Lexus LX 570.

Let's cite one good thing about the economic shakeup of the past five years:  It chased the me-toos out of the luxury SUV game.  Manufacturers who had no business blinging up enclosed trucks and selling them for inflated prices found the well running dry fast.  The action in luxury sport-utes returned to those who could play the game without breaking a sweat...the buyers who had significant bank, and the manufacturers who could deliver a high-quality product that justifies the price.

And that's pretty much a class of three.

Why The Lexus IS 350 F-Sport May Make BMW Dealers Nervous

The 2014 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport

The very best cars are works of art.  It is visual interest, after all, that is the first connection most people make with an automobile.  Even those who do not consider themselves to be "car people" will usually admit that the car they are driving was chosen mostly because of how it looks.  In fact, that may be more important to them than it is to enthusiasts, who may be willing to overlook aesthetics in favor of the driving experience. Take BMW, which certainly has an identifiable look, but hardly an exciting one in recent years. Yet they sell because of performance.

A car that can provide visual interest and excitement before it is even driven, and then back that up once in motion is a powerful combination.  And after years of building strength upon strength--first handling, then engine power, now styling--the 2014 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport appears to have reached that balance.

What Makes The Kia Optima Hybrid A Solid Choice

2014 Kia Optima Hybrid.

Hard to believe that it's been four model years (2011, 2012, 2013 and now 2014) since the introduction of the current-generation Kia Optima.  Long a blandly-styled staple of rental fleets, the sleek, slick and super-sized new Optima knocked a lot of peoples' socks off and turned up the volume of the increasingly common question "No, seriously...that's a Kia?"

The Hybrid has been part of the lineup since '11, and we liked it a lot then.

Why Two Fewer Cylinders Makes The Honda Accord EX-L A Better Buy

The 2014 Honda Accord EX-L.

Most car guys spout phrases like "There's no substitute for cubic inches".  Or "More power!" Well, that's great if you're paid to hammer cars around test tracks or back roads when the Highway Patrol (hopefully) isn't looking five days a week.

But what if you're Everyman, simply looking for the right car?  For years,  my answer to that one was "Honda Accord". That was back in the day when there was only one engine under the hood of an Accord...a four-cylinder.

As the Accord grew in weight and complexity, a six was the obvious answer.  And, as recently as last year, we found that (especially as Honda finds its way back from the wilderness with a new and improved Accord) to be a fine engine.

But you know what?  Go for the four.

How The Mitsubishi Lancer GT Surprised Me

2014 Mitsubishi Lancer GT.

If you live anywhere other than, oh, say...California...you could go a very long time without seeing a new Mitsubishi Lancer go by.  In the Golden State, however, there are a fair number on the roads, and not all wearing bar codes in the rear window identifying them as part of the inventory of a rental fleet.

In fact, 2013 was a good year for Lancer sales...up significantly. On its face, that seems puzzling, since Lancer is in its eighth year without major changes.  So what's going on?

Why The Mazda MX-5 Miata Makes Me Smile

The 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club.

Well, just look at it, wouldya?  I mean, if you don't break into an involuntary grin at the sight of a gleaming, polished Miata, you should check to see if you have a pulse.

And if the driver's seat is empty, and you have the key fob to said Miata in your pocket...well, the fun is just beginning.

Why The 2014 Kia Forte Is So Important

The 2014 Kia Forte.

Ten years ago, a compact Kia sedan was what you bought if you couldn't afford anything else. Hey, at least it had that 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.

Four years ago (this month, in fact), we wrote about the 2010 Kia Forte and how it had come from behind to be a legitimate contender in the small car field...something for Toyota and Honda to worry about.

Well, with the all-new 2014 Forte, the day of reckoning has arrived.

2014 Toyota Tundra: Has Toyota Finally Gotten The Big Pickup Thing Right?

The 2014 Toyota Tundra Limited

Okay, I'll admit, the headline is a bit of a trick question.

Regular TireKicker readers who recall our review of the 2013 model just last summer know that we think Toyota got the big pickup thing right with the last-generation Tundra.  But buyers don't agree..the Tundra is still not a threat to the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram.

So is the new 2014 Tundra a game-changer?

Where Will The Prius Price Creep Stop?

Toyota Prius.

Four and a half years ago, we reviewed a then-new 2010 Prius. Lavishly equipped, it had a base price of 25,800 and an as-tested price of $30,709.  Even then (though I didn't say it in print), I wondered at what point a Prius could be too pricey.

Just shy of two years ago, we tested a then-new 2012 Prius.  Again, a well-equipped model (known as the Four), base price $28,235, as-tested price $33,035.

Now comes another turn in a well-equipped Prius (a 2013 Five model)...and the car (essentially the same as the last two...the same generation of Prius, the same EPA estimated 51 city/48 highway) now has a base price of $30,005 and our tester rang in at.....