Quick Spin: 2012 Lexus IS 350 AWD

By John LeBlanc What is it? The compact, five-passenger IS is Lexus’ stab at the entry-level sports sedan segment, a class invented by the BMW 3 Series in the yuppie-era 1980s. Until the $30,950 front-wheel-drive CT 200h hybrid hatchback arrived for 2011, the $32,900 rear-wheel-drive IS 250 sedan was the least expensive Lexus you could […]

The Crank: Could Detroit be doing better?

By John LeBlanc Compared to just three years ago, the trio of Detroit, U.S.A. automakers are feeling pretty good these days. It was only in 2009 where both Chrysler and General Motors filed for bankruptcy, needing tax payer “bailout” money to get by. All you hear these days from Detroit, though, are record sales and […]

First Drive & Video: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

By John LeBlanc GENEVA – There are plenty of advantages when you arrive late to a party. Looking back now, Mercedes-Benz seems to have benefited from not being one of the first to crash the luxury compact crossover festivities started almost a decade ago.

The Crank: Lexus looking to expand

By John LeBlanc After a 2011 the Toyota luxury brand would like to forget (there was that little issue of giving up its 11-year reign as the best-selling luxury brand in the United States), 2012 and beyond is looking very busy (and important) for Lexus.

First Drive: 2013 Lexus ES

By John LeBlanc NEWBERG, Oregon – Stop me if you’ve heard this story before: A once dominant Japanese luxury brand falls on hard times. Primarily due to decidedly conservative product development and a loyal-but-aging customer base. Said brand retrenches. Then comes back with a new, more aggressive design language (illustrated via a halo concept car), […]

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