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Auto review: 2013 Subaru BRZ is an honest-to-goodness sports car

By David Undercoffler — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 EDT

Don't let the low horsepower fool you. The Subaru BRZ offers good, clean thrills from a car not unlike a bigger, more refined go-cart.

You look fat in that. Of course I'll be late. Your baby reminds me of Gollum's uncle.

Review: Infiniti JX offers comfort even in the third row

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 2 May 2012 18:20:00 EDT

In addition to offering an excellent driving experience and a plush interior, the 2013 Infiniti JX does something many crossovers don't: keeps its promise of adequate room for seven.

Jerry Seinfeld once said, "There's no such thing as fun for the whole family." Ask anyone who has tried cramming himself or his kin into the third row of seats in a crossover sport utility vehicle, and it's likely they'll agree.

Review: Hyundai Azera perfectly parked in large sedan segment

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Hyundai has taken the time to engineer an interior and exterior worth showing off, and the 2012 Azera's body challenges the engine for title of this car's best feature.

In a quiet, forgotten corner of the automotive landscape there is a segment of vehicle called the large sedan. These cars tilt toward luxury but have a foot firmly planted in practicality and economics.

Car review: Mazda builds fun, efficiency into CX-5 compact SUV

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Thu, 5 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The vehicle is Mazda's first to be designed from the ground up using an efficiency-focused engineering philosophy. Although somewhat light on power, the CX-5 ranks high on fuel economy.

If there's an ideal vehicle for every buyer, consider matching Mazda's 2013 CX-5 with Zeus or better yet, his kids' baby sitter.

Buick Verano isn't up to running with a younger crowd

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:23:00 EDT

The compact sedan aimed at thirtysomethings is filled with impressive features. But the design screams Geritol, not Generation X.

The Verano is a new compact sedan from that near-luxury nameplate, Buick. It's an impressive, competitively priced car; a stellar cut from the quiet and comfortable motoring cloth.

Car review: Porsche 911 takes an evolutionary leap

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 7 Mar 2012 21:47:00 EST

The Porsche 911's progress since its inception in 1963 has been carefully modulated. This year's model grows significantly in size and it puts a previously unappreciated importance on efficiency.

One hundred years from now, when auto historians go all Charles Darwin dissecting the evolution of Porsche's 911 sports car, they may notice a bit of a dogleg in the year 2012.

BMW 328i takes new path, raises the bar

By David Undercoffler, Auto Critic — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The car's biggest change is its more efficient yet more powerful engine.

Imagine if Orson Welles was expected to improve on "Citizen Kane" every six years, or if Kobe Bryant's contract demanded that every time he put Nike to hardwood, he needed to score 60 points.

2013 Lexus GS 350's passion found in its performance, not looks

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 22:49:00 EST

The luxury sedan moves the emotion needle from a driving standpoint, but its new design falls short of the car maker's ambitions.

Like first-timers at a key party or a cheesehead's trek to Lambeau, Lexus is on a quest for passion and it couldn't come at a more critical time.

Car review: 2012 Subaru Impreza adds fuel economy

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:54:00 EST

Subaru says this new Impreza, available as a sedan and a hatchback, is the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle in the U.S. It's rated at 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

The recipe for Subaru's compact Impreza is getting a rewrite for 2012.

2012 Honda CR-V sports all-new looks inside and out

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 19:15:00 EST

The 2012 Honda CR-V has a degree of styling and refinement that just didn't exist in the three previous generations. It also rides and handles with confidence born out of recent engineering.

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to be more honest and you just bought Honda's new 2012 CR-V, you may be up a creek without a spark plug.