Yes, it looks like a giant Passat.  But it isn’t.

Volkswagen’s new ultra-luxury sedan, the Phaeton, has been criticized for its anonymous face, but we had a moment that belied this.  We found ourselves cruising through upscale Farmington Hills, Michigan, on I-696, and a Mercedes S-Class raced up alongside, braving triple digits to catch up, and then paced us.  Within moments, there was another S-Class on our right, also matching our speed.  The affluent couples in both cars were looking at the Phaeton and talking excitedly to each other.  Even if …

Turn the key and it’s instantly obvious that this is not your average Audi.  Instead of a silky V6 purr, the distinctive burble of a V8 engine resonates through the dual exhausts.  It’s impossible to miss, especially if the top is down.  You don’t need to be told what happens when you give the accelerator a shove, do you?

Audi’s high-performance S4 lineup gets a new addition for 2004.  The S4 sedan and Avant wagon are joined by an S4 version of Audi’s slick A4 cabriolet, bringing high power and athletic …

Buick seems to have been focusing all of its recent energy on moving into new segments; first the Rendezvous crossover, then the Rainer SUV, and next the Terraza minivan.  But what about the sedans that helped to make the brand what it is?  Never fear, Buick hasn’t forgotten its core customers.  The new LaCrosse is proof of that.

Taking its name from the 2000 show car of the same name, the LaCrosse replaces the Century and the Regal in Buick’s lineup.  This simplification makes perfect sense; both the Regal and Century …

If you’ve got the urge to put down the $32,090 for your own Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, just remember this: don’t keep it on the pavement.

Don’t let the autopilot take over full-time; you’ll miss out on the exhilarating rush from the 5.5 liter double overhead cam V8 under the hood.