Quick Drive: Hyundai Veloster N w/Performance Package

Photo by Doug Berger

Hyundai revamped its funky Veloster for 2019. It maintained much of the said funkiness from the previous model while offering up new style and new features. We always enjoyed the Veloster Turbos we've driven, as reviewed in the past. When the latest generation was announced, we were told a high-performance model was going to come out in its new N lineup. I got to drive the Veloster N with the Performance Package, and must say that it's at the top of the hot hatch game.

Quick Drive: A week with the 2016 Scion iM

By D.J. Hall

Last week I brought my daily driver, a 2013 Scion iQ (more on this at a later date) to my local Toyota/Scion dealer. As the dealer was going to have it a few days for a service, I requested a loaner car, and wanted something specific: a 2016 Scion iM in the Spring Green finish, and that's exactly what I got. It was equipped with the optional CVT automatic and the carpeted floor / cargo mat set.

My first thoughts on my way home was that the car is equipped with a fair bit of technology and convenience features, especially for the money involved. In fact, the window sticker was still in the glove box I discovered later, and as optioned, it was $20,180.

I spent nearly a week driving it around, including a longish freeway journey, some inner city and shopping center navigating (including plenty of parking maneuvers), hauling a rather large box to be shipped, as you can see in the picture, along with daily to-and-from-work duties. Speaking of cargo, as you can see, the rear seats can be folded flat for maximum cargo carrying ability.

The iM is quite well refined. The chassis and suspension tuning feel very capable, comfortable, smooth and well balanced. The independent rear suspension and big anti-roll bars undoubtedly have some influence here. The brakes are miles ahead of any Scion I’ve driven to date, and if I’m honest, better than a lot of other cars in this range. The cabin road noise is excellent; hardly noticeable in fact.

The iM is powered by Toyota's 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder; the same one found in the Corolla LE. The engine makes 137 hp and 126 ft/lbs of torque. I am still not entirely sold on the optional CVT; I still prefer a manual transmission. However, that said, the auto is very smooth, accelerates well enough for any road conditions and the throttle is easy to modulate for cornering. Even in sport with the traction and stability control turned off, and using the "tiptronic"-style manual control, it just isn't as fun as a proper manual gearbox though. Thankfully, a six-speed manual is available.

I found all the tech and controls to be exceptionally easy to use and navigate, without referring once to the owner's manual. I do wish the iM was available with front seat heaters, however. The interior is a great place to be for any length of time though. Even the rear seats are quite comfortable. Also, this car is fantastically simple to park, and the standard power-folding outside mirrors help considerably. I was able to squeeze in to a small spot without worrying about smacking the mirror on the wall, as evidenced in the photo.

On my way back to the dealer, I returned the fuel level to where it had been upon receipt, and having driven nearly 180 miles, and only putting in roughly six gallons of petrol, the iM returned just about 30 mpg average. All around, a pretty decent wagon, like a modernized version of the first-gen Matrix actually.

Truly, I would consider buying one if I were in the market for a new daily driver.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray is Not a Subcompact. It is, However, Awesome.

No, the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is not a subcompact. The EPA doesn't classify it as such. And no, I'm not trying to prove a point about classification of a car. I drove a pre-production prototype Corvette Stingray, at the NWAPA Run to the Sun event, and it was awesome.

Quick Drive: 2013 Ford Focus ST

For this year's Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) Run to the Sun drive event, Ford brought its 2013 Focus ST. I'd been looking forward to having some time behind the wheel of this hot hatch for quite a while, and I'm happy to say I was not disappointed by everything I'd read about the car to date. In fact, I was more surprised with it than I expected.

The ST is the "hot" version of the Focus. It's got a direct-injected 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine making 252 hp and 270 ft/lbs or toque. Power is put down via a six-speed manual transmission, which is the only trans available—hallelujah. To aid in spirited cornering, the Focus ST employs a limited-slip differential that uses computer-controlled magic to apply the brake to the wheel that is losing traction. Power is then sent to the wheel with the grip. Other notables on this Race Red ST included Recaro seats, 18" wheels with summer-compound tires, and a great exhaust note.

In fact, it was this exhaust note that first caught my attention. This thing sounds good. Under full throttle, the ST pulls hard all the way to redline, and sounds great doing so. Braking is excellent, thanks to four-wheel discs, and brake feels is equally good. And those Recaro seats are great, by the way (at least for the 30 minutes I was in the vehicle).

With any front-drive car, you expect things to get a bit "pushy" in the front end during enthusiastic cornering (e.g. understear). While I'm certain you can make the front end push, the car truly does its best to guard against such FWD faxu pas. I drove the car through a set of swtichbacks and amazingly, there was extremely little understeer, thanks to a great suspension setup and a not-so-invasive traction/stability control program, especially in sport mode. The car rotated very well and did so when you wanted it, not when you didn't.

I've driven a lot of front-drive cars. I would have to say that based on my short time with the Focus ST, it's probably the best handling front-drive I'd piloted. I mean, I anticipated the car to be good, but I didn't expect it to be this good. The fully loaded ST pictured above came in at about $28,000, which seems very fair. You can get into an ST for as little as $24,160, which is a great deal for a car with such wonderful driving manners. I'll tell you this: If I were in the market for a hot FWD hatchback, the Focus ST would be on my Shor lisT.

We hope to spend some more time with the Focus ST in the future, so stay tuned.

Quick Drive: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel

One of the clean diesels I was able to drive at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) alternative-fuel vehicle showcase, Drive Revolution, was the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel in base trim.

The exterior is virtually identical to its gasoline drinking cousin, but has 17” aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, aero performance package (which includes the lower front grille air shutter, mid-body aero panels, and front fascia air dam), and matching painted side mirrors.

Even though this turbo diesel vehicle is the base model, it has many amenities that would beg it to be listed as more. This ride features a remote vehicle start, driver and front passenger heated seats, driver seat power adjustability, cruise control, steering wheels controls, and Chevy MyLink—a feature that allows hands-free smartphone integration with various programs. This vehicle also has a seven-inch color touch screen, CD/MP3 player and USB Port. Did I mention this is only a base model? A base model in my day had crank windows, cloth seats, and a radio if you were lucky.

This Cruze’s powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter turbo diesel making 151 horsepower and a healthy 264 ft/lbs or torque, with power being put through a six-speed automatic (the only transmission available). I found the car to be powerful and quite fun to drive, though not as much fun as the Passat TDI I drove afterwards (which had a manual trans). This Cruze is frugal with fuel economy ratings of 27 city, 46 highway, and 33 combined; not too shabby. The vehicle rides competently and absorbed bumps easily. Interior wise, all the gauges and controls were right where you needed them and were easy to use. One thing I noticed was that the cabin had bit of road noise at highway speeds and I noticed few interior rattles, too.

So how much is such a clean diesel? This particular base model stickers at $25,795, including destination. This is $2,740 more than the cost of admission for a Jetta TDI. But the Cruze Diesel has a lot of amenities, and is definitely worth a drive if you're looking for an affordable compact diesel sedan.

Quick Drive: Ford Focus Electric

Another all-electric compact car I was able to drive at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry’s (OMSI) alternative-fuel vehicle showcase, Drive Revolution, was the 2012 Ford Focus hatchback. Even though the current model year for this vehicle is 2014, Ford brought the 2012 for this event.

Quick Drive: 2013 Fiat 500e

While at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry’s (OMSI) alternative-fuel vehicle showcase, Drive Revolution, I had the chance to drive each vehicle for about 10-15 minutes. You can learn a lot in a short amount of time regarding a car’s personality, handling dynamics, its pros and cons, and if you would consider buying one.

Quick Drive: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

I've driven the Fiat 500. I've driven the Fiat 500c. I finally got a chance to drive the Fiat 500 Abarth yesterday at the annual Northwest Automotive Press Association's Run to the Sun event. It almost goes without saying, but this 500 is a completely different animal from the non-turbo variants in most respects.

Quick Drive: 2012 Ford Focus SEL

The Ford Focus has seen its fair share of mass audience appeal and solid sales since its introduction in 2000. I lose count of how many Ford Focuses I see on the road daily. I believe that is a good thing both for Ford and its customers.

I had a few days to spend with the newly designed 2012 Ingot Silver Metallic (with charcoal and black interior) Ford Focus SEL. I had a chance to drive it a bit in the city, but spent most of my time with the car in the country on the way to Sandy, Oregon, a town near Mt. Hood.

Quick Drive: 2012 Honda Civic EX with Navigation

The compact Honda Civic has been a staple of the American small car landscape since the late 1970s. Although it's substantially grown since it's 1973 introduction, it's carried on a legacy of quality, refinement, and a fun-to-drive factor unrivaled by most. The 2012 Civic is all new, and I got a chance to spend a bit of time in the 2012 Civic EX with Navigation.

On the outside, the Civic features somewhat bland styling. The overall look may be clean, but it borders on sterile. Then again, Civics have rarely been on the lusty side of styling. This one might be a bit too inoffensive. And FYI, I am not a fan of the chrome grille.