Hello, Old Friend: 2015 Mazda CX-9

The 2015 Mazda CX-9.

It has been a long time since our last drive in a Mazda CX-9.  Almost four years, in fact.  Not much has changed, which is a good news/bad news kind of thing.

The Incredible Vanishing Car: The 2015 Scion tC

The 2015 Scion tC.

If it seems like you don't see nearly as many Scion tCs on the road as you once did, there's a good reason for that.

They're not there to see.

And The Last Shall Be First...Or Maybe Third: 2015 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD

The 2015 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD.

It is hard to believe, but this fall will be 20 years since the Toyota RAV4 came on the scene.  Tiny, tinny and underpowered, many people in America wondered what it was for, at what possible market segment it could be aimed.  It and the competitors that followed were dubbed "cute utes".

But the RAV4 (and competitors) grew, became refined and now...improbable as it seemed in the fall of 1995...they make up one of the hottest segments in the automotive industry, the compact crossover SUV.

Relentless: The 2016 Kia Sorento Limited V6 AWD

The 2016 Kia Sorento Limited V6 AWD

Regular TireKicker readers know that the Kia Sorento has earned its way onto the TireKicker's Best Cars list on the right side of this page through a series of weeklong exposures...not the least of which was serving as our trusty steed for an eight-day, 1800-mile camping roadtrip from suburban Sacramento to four national parks in Nevada and Utah and then home.

If you'd asked us, we wouldn't have thought the Sorento was due for an update.  But Kia is on a mission, relentlessly stepping up its game and its profile in the marketplace.  And the 2016 Kia Sorento is destined to play a big part in that.

Still (Mileage) Champ: The 2015 Toyota Prius C

The 2015 Toyota Prius C.

If you've checked the TireKicker's Top 10 Fuel Savers list on the right of this page, you may be confused by the headline of this review.  If the Toyota Prius C ranks number seven, how can it be a champ?

Round Two: The 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco Premium

The 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco Premium.

Nine months have passed since our last drive of a Toyota Corolla LE Eco.  So what has changed?  Apart from the model year (2014 to 2015), not much.  And that is a very good thing.

The Frugal Sonata: 2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco

2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco.

Much like the Phoenix Bureau and its recent test of three 2015 Toyota Camrys, we here at TireKicker World Headquarters in Sacramento have had a trio of 2015 Hyundai Sonatas in the last few weeks.  We've already covered the luxurious Limited and the more performance-oriented Sport 2.0T, which charmed its way onto a spot on the list of TireKicker's Best Cars (see right-hand column of this page). Now comes a completely different flavor, the Sonata Eco.

A Tale Of Three Camrys: The 2015 Toyota Camry XLE, XSE and Hybrid SE

The 2015 Toyota Camry XLE.

2015 is a year of significant change for the Toyota Camry.  Long derided, somewhat unfairly, as a transportation appliance devoid of personality, the 2015 Camry has had a significant refresh.  Only the roof is carried over directly from last year, the styling is more aggressive and the interior has had a thorough makeover, as well.

Beyond that, Toyota is marketing the Camry with models that have their own distinct personalities. We've driven three of them, very nearly back-to back, recently.

The Surprise Inside The 2015 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan

The 2015 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan.

Just days ago, I gave a positive review of the 2015 Honda Civic Si sedan, praising its 205 horsepower V-TECH engine and six-speed manual transmission. Seven months ago today, I wrote a review of the 148-horsepower 2014 Honda Civic EX-L sedan with a continuously variable transmission and said that, playing with my own money, I'd buy a new Corolla instead.

As I've said before, though, an awful lot of how you feel about a car has to do with where and under what conditions you drive it.  Last summer's '14 Civic EX-L was driven in and around town, to and from work...a 70/30 mix of urban freeways and city streets.  The '15 racked up a bunch of highway miles.  And showed a completely different side of its character.