Auto Reviews

The BMW X5 comes in two variations, distinguished primarily by engine type, both with all-wheel drive. For 2008, both models get an upgrade in standard equipment, new engines and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The BMW X5 3.0si ($46,200) is powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 260 horsepower. It comes well equipped, with a 12-speaker, single-CD stereo, niceties such as a choice of wood trim, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, driver’s seat memory and, for 2008, a power sunroof. The standard upholstery is BMW’s Leatherette vinyl, and the wheels measure 18 inches in diameter. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve heard many people refer to the Subaru Forester as a “granola” car, often seen in major granola zones like Boulder, Colo. Many people consider me sort of granola-ish, but I’ve never found the Forester appealing. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found it to be much more interesting than I had previously judged. Read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy of its curvaceously fluid lines, the styling of the 2009 Nissan Maxima can actually be called voluptuous. Long, lean, and gracefully agile, if the road is a dance floor, the 2009 Nissan Maxima is the Beyonce of sport sedans. Like that long-legged siren, the new Maxima has both the voice and the moves to accelerate your respiration and put you on a first name basis with perspiration. Read the rest of this entry »