Comparo: 2014 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vs. 2014 Lexus IS 350

Story and photos by John LeBlanc It’s all thanks to the success of BMW’s 3 Series sedan — arguably the vehicle that invented the entry-level sports sedan segment in the mid-1980s — that we’re now evaluating the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid AWD Sport and equally fresh 2014 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport.

First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf R

Story and photos by John LeBlanc MUNICH, Germany — After a couple of days embedded in the annual GTI Wörthersee fan festival in Austria, it seemed all-too-appropriate to make my half-day return drive to my awaiting flight in Germany in what is known as the ultimate Volkswagen Golf, the R.

First Drive: 2015 Lincoln MKC

Story by John LeBlanc SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. —  The new 2015 MKC compact crossover is yet another in a long line of “make it or break it” vehicles Ford’s struggling luxury brand has trotted out since its sales peaked in the late 1980s. But after a day driving Lincoln’s first ever compact crossover, the signs […]

First Drive: 2015 Ford Transit

Story and photo by John LeBlanc KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The next time you need to rent a vehicle to move your graduating daughter out of your home, have a courier package home-delivered, get a ride from the airport or are considering a recreational vehicle for your retirement years, you may be looking at the […]

Road Test: 2014 BMW 228i Coupe

Story and photo by John LeBlanc With BMW’s recent niche-within-a-niche product strategy, maybe it’s best to describe the new 2014 BMW 2 Series Coupe for what it isn’t. As in it’s not a coupe-slash-SUV nor a coupe with four-doors nor a tall-hatchback-crossover thingee. Nope. The new-this-year 2 Series is a relatively straightforward, rear-wheel-drive, two-door small […]

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