hi-fi

Volvo earned its safety reputation by equipping its cars with heavy metal, making them big, boxy tanks able to protect occupants from a nuclear blast. But it's the 21st century, and Volvo has gone high-tech, using electronics to actually prevent accidents. Hence the automatic braking, collision warning, and pedestrian detection on the new Volvo S60.

But this car has more to offer than just not hitting people and other cars. Its engine makes it step lively, while a tight suspension and all-wheel drive deliver impressive handling. It is the kind of car that should have BMW engineers looking over … Read more

With its historical association to the CR-X, Honda's CR-Z elicited much enthusiasm from the tuner crowd, a group that doesn't generally favor hybrids. But the CR-Z is far from a typical hybrid, most of which are suburban commute cars with no attempt at sport looks or handling. But it also shows little advantage from its hybrid engine, never a strong point from Honda.

Ultimately, the CR-Z is a mixed bag. It handles very well, but the engine generates little power, and it takes a while to hit 60 mph. It employs a hybrid system and can turn off … Read more

Mercedes-Benz does not shy away from tech for its top-tier cars; these vehicles have every new electronic feature the company can conceive. For the CL550, that means adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a complete stop when traffic ahead halts, a split-view front LCD letting the passenger watch a movie while the driver views the navigation system, and night vision, which uses infrared projectors and a camera to show the driver the road on dark nights.

Although we've seen some of these features before in other Mercedes-Benz cars, the CL550 also debuts a new engine, a … Read more

With stylish good looks, a powerful engine, and sharp handling, the Lexus IS 350 makes for a fun driver's car. Luxury appointments in the cabin also make it a comfortable place to sit. The Mark Levinson audio system is a treat to the ears, but the rest of the cabin tech pushes no boundaries. And we found poor performance from the iPod integration.

For the 2011 model year, Lexus made some strategic updates, the biggest of which is the now available all-wheel drive. LED parking lights were a necessary addition, given the competition. And Lexus' new Enform telematics system … Read more

In some ways, the 2011 MKZ Hybrid is old news. As a badge-engineered version of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, we've seen its power train before. Cabin tech is also mostly the same, although the Lincoln benefits from an audiophile-level THX audio system.

But what was excellent last year remains excellent. Comparable midsize sedans come nowhere close to the fuel economy of the MKZ Hybrid. Sync, Sirius Travel Link, and Lincoln's navigation system are all first rate technologies. And we cannot emphasize enough the pleasure afforded by the THX audio system.

Check out our 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid review. … Read more

The wagon lost popularity in the U.S. for a time but looks to be making a comeback, as people scrapping their SUVs for more economical vehicles still find the need for useful cargo space. Acura hopes to capitalize on this trend with the wagon version of the TSX, new for 2011.

Acura invited a group of journalists to spend a day with the new car in Northern California. Wagons have always been a popular type of vehicle for automotive journalists; the cars can combine sporty driving and practicality. It was a happy group that went out driving.

In some … Read more

Taking a big risk, Nissan pushed ahead of the pack to release the first mass production electric car. Although some people might find the limited range of the Nissan Leaf makes it impractical for their needs, it will fit into the lifestyles of many suburban commuters. And clean air aside, it has the advantage of costing about 70 percent less to run than an equivalent gasoline-powered car.

We drove the Leaf through the urban and suburban landscape of the San Francisco Bay Area, and found its 100 mile range enough to cover quite a bit of ground. It felt comfortable … Read more

With its typical midsize sedan looks, the Honda Accord blends into traffic like a messenger bag at a gadget convention. It's a sensible car for urban commuters, providing hassle-free transportation and plenty of room for the family.

Keeping to the beaten track, the uses Honda's proven V-6. Its five-speed automatic was perfectly serviceable 5 years ago, and Honda saw no reason to change it. The navigation system also looks 5 years old, though, and that is not a good thing. But Honda makes up for it with a good-sounding stereo and an iPod port, almost modernizing the car. … Read more

Some cars lose their unique styling when turned into convertibles. Witness the Audi A5 Cabriolet and the Mini Cooper Convertible. But the Jaguar XK, fantastically sleek as a coupe, still retains its style with a soft top. Looks aside, the growl of its 5-liter V-8 is certainly an attention-getter. With its fast-shifting transmission and dynamic settings, we were very happy in the driver's seat of this sports car.

We also loved the sound of the Bowers and Wilkins stereo, which brought out fine, warm detail in the music we fed it. But the navigation system is very weak for … Read more