Reviews of 2011 & 2012 electric plug-ins, hybrids, diesel vehicles

2013 Tesla Model S

The 2013 Tesla Model S is the second year of the electric sport sedan that went into production last June. Silicon Valley startup carmaker Tesla Motors is now producing a few... November 13, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta sedan range, now in its third year, has expanded from the traditional gasoline and diesel versions to include a new hybrid model as well. This makes... November 12, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Chevrolet Spark

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is the smallest Chevy sold in the U.S. in at least 20 years. Still, early sales results seem to show that it's finding a market among young and urban... November 12, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Chevrolet Volt

The 2013 Chevrolet Volt is the third model year of Chevy's unique range-extended electric car, and after a challenging start and a lot of bad media, it has emerged as the... September 17, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5: Less Active Than You’d Think

There are two main types of hybrid car in the world: those that are built from the ground up as hybrids, and those that are hybrid conversions of existing cars. The... July 30, 2012 by Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

2013 Acura ILX

New for 2013, the Acura ILX line gives Honda's upscale brand something it hasn't had for a while: a compact near-luxury sedan with an array of engines and performance... July 1, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Dodge Dart

The new 2013 Dodge Dart gets the post-bankruptcy Chrysler back into the compact car game with a dose of rakish style and more than a little attitude. The Dart is not only... July 1, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Mazda CX-5

The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 may be our favorite crossover, wrapping remarkable fuel economy and some of the most fun driving we've experienced in any utility vehicle into a... July 1, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Audi A3

In its last year on the market before an entirely new model is launched, the 2013 Audi A3 continues in its niche as a small but luxurious five-door compact hatchback that... May 25, 2012 by John Voelcker

2013 Smart ForTwo

You could make the case that the 2013 Smart ForTwo is the most argued-about car on U.S. roads, though certain plug-in electric cars might give it a run for its money. But the... April 8, 2012 by John Voelcker

2012 Toyota Yaris

The all-new 2012 Toyota Yaris at last yanks this subcompact model into the current decade, with sportier styling, a more conventional interior (no more central instruments!)... April 8, 2012 by John Voelcker

2012 Honda Insight

Two years ago, Honda launched its Insight subcompact hybrid hatchback to high hopes. Regrettably, the company saw its hopes for soaring sales of its mild hybrids dashed, with... April 8, 2012 by John Voelcker