One week before a new U.S. president is sworn into office, a second major automotive scandal--the one involving Takata's fatally flawed airbags--is coming to an end. But while today's agreement may wind down the government's investigation of the Japanese supplier, the recall and repair of vehicles...Read More»
A little over a week ago, we told you that Takata was still producing airbag inflators using potentially deadly ammonium nitrate, and that those devices were still being installed on U.S. vehicles--even though the vehicles will all have to be recalled by 2018 to have the inflators replaced. Now...Read More»
Earlier this month, we heard reports that Takata would soon expand the recall of its fatally flawed airbags by as many as 40 million devices. Without waiting for Takata to act, Honda quickly enlarged its recall by some 20 million. Now, Toyota has announced its own expanded recall plan, affecting...Read More»
Toyota has announced an extensive recall of Lexus vehicles from the 2006 to 2011 model years. According to a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (PDF) the recall is meant to fix a potential leak in the fuel system, which could cause the vehicles to catch fire. The...Read More»
Last year felt like the year that automakers refreshed many of the top-selling mainstream models on the market; now 2014 is shaping up to be a year of new luxury vehicles. We can't recall a single year when so many all-new and redesigned luxury vehicles have taken form; and as we put together our...Read More»
Critics of Consumer Reports often argue that the magazine is predisposed to rank foreign cars -- specifically those from Japanese automakers -- higher than their competitors from Detroit. If you count yourself in that number, take note, because Consumer Reports has judged two major Japanese models...Read More»
Toyota has issued two unrelated recalls today. Together, they affect more than 235,000 vehicles in the U.S. The first recall centers around the 2006-2010 Highlander Hybrid and the 2006-2008 Lexus RX 400h. According to Toyota, the transistors located in the inverter assemblies on those hybrid models...Read More»
Score two for Consumer Reports. Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency said that it would investigate fuel efficiency on the 2013 Ford C-Max and Ford Fusion Hybrid -- in part because Consumer Reports had been so vocal in its criticism of those vehicles' claims. Now, the magazine's...Read More»
Today at High Gear Media, we review the 2012 Kia Soul and Consumer Reports says the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's powertrain is unrefined. The 2013 Toyota Prius C gets an early reveal and a Lexus IS-F is crushed on video. All this and more in today's car news, right here on The Car Connection. We...Read More»
It appears that the worst of Toyota's recall woes might not yet be past. The world's largest automaker confirmed plans today to recall nearly 1.7 million vehicles globally, for issues including oil leaks, faulty fuel pumps, and fuel lines. The number includes about 245,000 Lexus IS and GS models in...Read More»
Chances are good that you're reading this from an office cubicle somewhere in America. Or Canada. Or maybe Australia. Or any other place on the globe that isn't the 2010 Paris Auto Show. Not to worry, though -- many of us are right there with you, scarfing down Lunchables from the vending machine...Read More»
Late last week, Lexus launched an eye-catching new commercial for the 2011 IS sedan. It's also proven to be fairly ear-catching, and now Lexus has uploaded a YouTube clip to show how the ad was made. The commercial is called "Music Track", and it features an Ultrasonic Blue Lexus IS drifting...Read More»
Lexus has announced that it will recall about 138,000 of its luxury sedans in the U.S.—including the 2008 model year of its flagship Lexus LS 600h L hybrid—due to a potential engine defect. In some 4.6- or 5.0-liter V-8 engines, along with some 3.5-liter engines, valve springs might be...Read More»
We've already covered what to pack on a road trip, and now, with the weather improving in those parts of the country that spend half of the year under a blanket of snow, this is as good a time as any to cover what should be brought to the beach. Now, you might be saying that certain items, like...Read More»
Toyota announced today that it would recall 3.8 million of its vehicles to replace the accelerator pedals, to alleviate once and for all any chance of uncontrolled acceleration from the pedal being trapped by ill-fitting floor mats. While it develops new pedal designs, Toyota will have its dealers...Read More»
One week ago today, owners of eight Toyota and Lexus models got an urgent plea from the U.S. Department of Transportation, delivered via the media: Remove your driver's side floor mat immediately, and don't replace it until you've taken your car to the dealer. With much of the coverage calling it a...Read More»
With the launch of its new 2010 IS C Convertibles, Lexus is expanding its relatively new line of F Sport dealer-installed accessories to the IS C and to the larger GS. So far, the F Sport upgrades have only been offered on the IS sedans, but the IS and GS are built on the same platform and do share...Read More»
Your editor just returned from a first drive of the new 2010 Lexus IS C and brought back some good, simple advice to those who've decided to go take a look: Unless you live in flat terrain, skip the base IS 250C—it just feels a little too winded. If you enjoy driving, go with the IS 350C. The...Read More»
Prices for the new Lexus IS C have just been announced. The IS 250C starts at $38,490, while the IS 350C begins at $43,940, not counting an $875 destination charge. Like in the IS sedan, the 250C (204-hp, 2.5-liter V-6) comes with a standard six-speed manual but the 350C (306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6)...Read More»
