The 2014 Volkswagen Golf is offered only as a 4-door hatchback with a choice between two engines– one gasoline, the other diesel. The gasoline choice is a 170-horsepower, 2.5L 5-cylinder, while clean-diesel fans will like the 2.0L turbo-diesel ‘TDI’ 4-cylinder. A 6-speed automatic is standard equipment. Meanwhile, Golf TDI models come with a 6-speed manual …
The BMW X1 is offered in three different models for the U.S.: rear-wheel-drive sDrive28i, all-wheel-drive xDrive28i, and all-wheel-drive xDrive35i. Both of the 28i models include a 240-horsepower, 2.0L TwinPower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, while the 35i gets a 300-hp, 3.0L TwinPower turbocharged 6-cylinder. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The X1’s powertrain …
The original Prius set the hybrid standard for the rest of the American car market. It proved that a practical mid-size hybrid vehicle could work and be family-friendly while achieving 50 mpg efficiency ratings. The full hybrid drivetrain of the Prius means it can run on engine alone, battery alone or a combination of the …
For 2014, Toyota has paired the Sienna down to just one powerplant: a 266-horsepower 3.5L V6. The engine comes linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and is estimated to deliver 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg highway. While the Sienna’s suspension is tuned toward comfort, the SE trim gets revised springs/dampeners for better …
The 2014 Toyota Sequoia model line consists of SR5, Limited and Platinum models. All models get a 381-hp, 5.7L ‘i-Force’ V8 rated at 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway in 2-wheel drive form. 4-wheel drive Sequoias are rated at 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. The optional 4-wheel drive …
The 2014 Nissan Versa is offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles. Four trim levels are offered on the Versa sedan: S, S Plus, SV and SL. All are powered by a 109-hp 1.6L 4-cylinder with continuously variable valve timing. In the S, a 5-speed manual transmission puts power to the front wheels, while …
The original Prius set the hybrid standard for the rest of the American car market. It proved that a practical mid-size hybrid vehicle could work and be family-friendly while achieving 50 mpg efficiency ratings. The full hybrid drivetrain of the Prius means it can run on engine alone, battery alone or a combination of the …
The 2014 Lexus IS sedan vehicle comes in three distinct models — IS250, IS350 and IS F– the 250 and 350 are available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the IS F is rear-wheel drive only. The IS250 is powered by a 2.5L V6 producing 204 hp and 185 ft-lb of torque, while …
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in five trims: the base Laredo, Laredo E, Limited, Overland, Summit and the high-performance SRT. All but the SRT feature a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine that makes 290 horsepower and 260 ft-lb of torque. The flexible-fuel engine features variable-valve timing and is mated to a new 8-speed …
The Patriot shares much of its mechanical components with both the Jeep Compass and the Dodge Caliber, including a layout that’s much more car-like than any of Jeep’s larger models. With a MacPherson strut front suspension and rear multi-link setup, quick-ratio rack-and-pinion steering and a very manageable 174 inches of total length, the Patriot is …
