The guy at the transmission shop rushed out to get a look at the Toyota Matrix.  “What is it?” he asked.  “It’s pretty cool.  Is it a four or a V6?”  A grizzled diesel mechanic had a similar reaction when he saw our dark blue test car on his lot.  “Is it a four-by-four?” he asked.

Not bad curb draw for a vehicle that’s basically a glorified Corolla wagon, eh?
Oh, right, we know, it’s called a “crossover” and all sorts of other hip-sounding things, but the fact of the matter is, …

Subaru’s Outback spawned a whole category of imitators when it appeared on the scene offering some of the versatility of a sport-ute without the tradeoffs in ride and handling. Big-tired, all-wheel-drive station wagons have become almost as common as Ford Explorers, and the combination of carlike ride and off-road ability could be said to have inspired the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX300, and other “soft-utes.”  Subaru lays claim to inventing the “sport utility wagon” niche (although we think that if AMC were still in business, they might dispute that, citing their …

All new for 2003, the Pontiac Vibe and its twin, the Toyota Matrix, herald a new era in small cars.  Their tall bodies and multi-configurable interiors make them friendly, economical people-and-stuff movers, and with optional all-wheel drive they’re a good alternative to a small or even a mid-sized sport utility vehicle.

But did you know they could run, too?  Perched at the top of the Vibe lineup is the hot-rod Vibe GT, which chucks the standard Vibe’s 130-horse powerplant for a double overhead-cam screamer churning out fifty more horses–an engine similar …

As a long time fan of station wagons, this reporter is always happy to see another Giant Box version of a sedan come along.  They’re getting more common too, thanks to a backlash against gas-guzzling SUVs and a recent image boost in the form of hot-rod station wagons like Subaru’s WRX and Audi’s S4 Avant.  The latest entry into the squareback brigade is Mitsubishi’s 2004 Lancer Sportback.

The new wagon shares the Lancer’s new-for-’04 sheetmetal and suspension revisions, and is available in standard or performance-enhanced Ralliart trim.  That’s a good thing; …

It’s versatile!  It’s friendly!  It’s even cute, in a weird-looking  sort of way.  Mini-SUV manufacturer Suzuki is the latest to jump into the  growing “crossover vehicle” market.  Crossovers combine varying percentages of sport-utility vehicle, minivan, and car into a multi-useful,  city-friendly package, usually with a high roof.  The 2003 Suzuki Aerio is all-new,  and it joins the Pontiac Aztek, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and Toyota Matrix in this rapidly growing new segment.

The Aerio is a much-needed all-new platform for Suzuki, whose  mini-SUVs are showing their age.  The modern design of the …

When Subaru introduced the Forester in 1997, its unique blend of car and sport-utilty vehicle proved to be a perfect match for suburban buyers who wanted a bit of ruggedness without the weight and unpredictable handling of a truck.  The niche for more carlike trucks has grown since then.  Like the Forester, the competition began building SUVs based on cars instead of trucks, and with newcomers like the Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape vying for space in the crowded market, it’s no surprise that Subaru decided 2003 was a good …

Warning:  This review may seem a bit enthusiastic and unabashed in its praise of the 2002 Lexus IS300 SportCross.  That’s because it is.  I liked the IS300 sport sedan when it made its debut in 2001, gunning for the BMW 3-series and largely finding its mark.  I’m also a big fan of station wagons, partly because they make good cargo-carrying alternatives to SUVs and minivans without sacrificing handling, and partly because they just look cool.  So it should be no surprise that a Lexus IS300 station wagon would be met …

Audi’s new A6 model lineup was a certifiable home run.  A formerly dowdy sedan was transformed with show-car like styling and a level of refinement that made it seem more like a work of art than an automobile.  It was hailed as Audi’s first true challenge to arch-rival BMW in many years.  An A6 Avant station wagon version soon followed, broadening the A6’s appeal to capture disillusioned minivan buyers and even some loyal Volvo and Mercedes wagon customers.  So what was next?

Getting it dirty.
Introduced just last year, the Audi allroad …

227 horsepower.  All-wheel drive.  You probably don’t need to know what a rally car is to appreciate all that’s wonderful about the 2002 Subaru WRX wagon.  But just in case you do, we’ll explain it anyway.

The largely European sport of World Rally Championship (WRC) racing involves a driver, a navigator, and a car sturdy enough to thrash as fast as possible over nasty, twisty unpaved roads, through mud, snow, or ice.  The navigator’s job is to call out directions to the driver; the driver’s job is to execute the specified …

You say L.L. Bean doesn’t build cars, and have no right to put their name on the new Subaru Outback?  Yeah, right.  Tell it to Eddie Bauer.  And Orvis.  And Harley-Davidsion.  And don’t forget to remind Nautica, Fila, Kona, Trek, Warner Bros., Lego and Neiman-Marcus while you’re at it.

Whether the association makes sense or not, specialty-edition automobiles pay off, for both the car manufacturer and whoever they decide to team up with.  For 2001, Subaru has gone the same route, with a special L.L. Bean Edition version of the popular …