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5 Global Cars with Excellent Gas Mileage

With the onset of the credit crunch and increased fuel prices, motorists are increasingly seeking out vehicles with long term affordability and lower running costs. Where once looks and performance played a major role in choosing a new car, in recent years this has often been replaced by questions about reliability, low service cost and good fuel economy. Manufacturers have played an important part by employing new and improved technologies to not only meet ever-demanding emissions standards and Green agendas but also to improve fuel consumption and make their vehicles more attractive to the discerning buyer. This article features five cars that top the tree when it comes to fuel economy.

Kia Rio

At one time Kia was viewed as very much a low-budget, inferior-quality alternative to more traditional manufacturers, but in recent years the company has evolved into one the world’s foremost automotive companies. With vehicles boasting a surprisingly high level of equipment and a wide range of options, the Kia Rio has undergone several incarnations. The most recent ‘Ecodynamics’ versions boast extremely frugal petrol and diesel engines, with some models claiming fuel economy approaching 90 miles per gallon (mpg). This is one small car not be overlooked.

kia rio

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota are renowned for launching the world’s first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius, and have now extended the technology across the range. The Yaris, already a very fuel efficient and highly-respected supermini, is now available as a hybrid, and boasts economy in the range of 80 mpg. There’s an added premium to pay for the car, but the accompanying lowered emissions and great economy make this a terrific vehicle.

Citroen C3

Another car which has been refined over the past few years, the C3 ‘Airdream’ model can attain a fuel economy around 83 mpg, and features many of the associated benefits in lowered emissions and comfort as its immediate competitors. With low provisional insurance and new driver costs, coupled with its great environmental credetials, this is a very worthy contender among the most efficient and economical cars in its class.

Renault Clio

The Clio has been around for many years, and is extremely familiar to the UK market thanks to an impressive marketing campaign in the 1990s. The bolted-on ECO credentials have once again put the Clio to the fore, with the latest models reputedly rivalling the Kia Rio’s 88 mpg performance level at a very similar cost. In a market consistently dominated by Far Eastern vehicles, the French are definitely catching up again.

Chevrolet Volt

No look at the most economical vehicles on the road would be complete without mention of the remarkable Chevrolet Volt, and its sister car, the Vauxhall Ampera. One of the first truly next-generation cars to hit the market, the Volt is the European Car of the Year 2013. It boasts an electric battery with relatively limited range, but with a petrol-powered electricity generator as backup, tests have reportedly shown that the Volt can, remarkably, produce fuel consumption of 235 mpg!

chevy volt

As new technologies are introduced into the market, no doubt fuel economy among all classes of car will continue to improve. The five examples above demonstrate that fantastic fuel savings can be made without compromising great performance and comfort, and have ushered in a new era in car manufacturing.

Car Review: 2013 Toyota Sequoia

toyota_sequoia_1

The 2013 Sequoia has made a statement of power, with all models for 2013 now boasting the 381-hp 5.7-liter V8 as standard. We had the opportunity to test drive this beast of a SUV for a week and have grown accustomed to this power trip.

EXTERIOR

There is certainly no mistaking the super white 2013 Toyota Sequoia on the open road. The Sequoia’s 0.36 drag coefficient (Cd) is comparable to smaller crossover-type vehicles. The vehicle’s mirrors, wipers, A-pillars and roof header are shaped to help maximize aerodynamic efficiency and minimize wind noise. Vehicle underside airflow is optimized to reduce drag and wind noise and to help improve directional control.

Headlamp washers are standard on all grades for improved visibility. The wide rear door-opening angle provides easy passenger ingress/egress and child seat installation. Our test model also included power heated outside mirrors, multi reflector halogen headlights with auto-off feature, fog lamps, tilt slide moon roof with sunshade, roof rack, rear spoiler, privacy glass, 18-inch alloy wheels and running boards. Yes, those running boards are worth every penny, as getting inside of the Sequoia is no joke!

INTERIOR

The Sequoia dash features a finish similar to that in fine luxury cars. Each of Sequoia’s eight seating positions provides space sufficient to comfortably accommodate people well above normal height. The same efficient packaging that allows exceptional interior comfort also allows carrying items up to 11 feet long. Folding the second- and third-row seats flat opens the cargo area to 120.1 cubic feet of carrying capacity.

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Overview of 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6L V6

2014 is right around the corner, and it’s time to take a look at what the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6L V6 has to offer in terms of aesthetics and functionality.

Durability

The Jeep Cherokee is well-known for its strength and durability, making it an excellent vehicle for areas that often see inclement weather. Cherokees sell especially well in colder climates (ME, NH, VT), but are also extremely popular in the mid-west where storms can make traveling rather difficult. Look for a good local dealer. “The staff was great,” says one happy customer in a review of Jeep Oklahoma City dealer David Stanley’s business, which sells more than its fair share of Jeeps every year to those who looking for protection from the often harsh weather seen in the area.

Performance and Interior

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo features a sturdy engine line-up. It’s an extremely efficient vehicle and everything you could ask for in a V6. The new diesel V6 really adds punch and power to this year’s update and is perfect for driving in inclement conditions.
The Laredo also features one of the most comfortable and luxurious interiors you’ll find in a mid-sized SUV within its price range (just under $30,000). Consider the 8.4″ touchscreen, for example, which is perfect for the technologically-inclined who would like to get the most out of their driving experience.

Off-road Capabilities

It’s difficult to argue with how well the 2014 Laredo handles off-road, something that Jeep afficinados have come to expect out of their vehicles.. Featuring four wheel independent suspension, a front anti-roll bar and anti-whiplash front head restraints, the Laredo is not just for a casual Sunday drive. It can take a beating, which is nice to know even if you don’t ever intend to lift it from the pavement.

Safety

Safety is an important aspect of purchasing any vehicle, and the 2014 Laredo comes stocked. The ABS break system means you won’t have to worry about lock-ups, and multiple airbags help to reduce the risk of injury in the case of an accident. The Laredo is known for having excellent traction control, and the 2014 model is no exception to this rule. Those who drive on snow and ice on a regular basis will praise the Laredo for how well it handles, and its heated door mirrors will allow you to always keep your eyes on the road no matter how bad the weather might be.

Overall

There’s been a lot of talk about competition for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, and it’s quite clear at this point that the Toyota 4Runner puts up a close fight. In the end, though, the 2014 Laredo is a vehicle for those who are serious about safety and stability on the road. At a starting price of under $30,000, those who are looking for a luxurious mid-sized SUV that can also stand up to practically anything that is thrown at it will have a hard time not loving this vehicle.

Blu Tuesday: Fast & Furious 6, Man of Tai Chi and More

Every Tuesday, I review the newest Blu-ray releases and let you know whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping, along with a breakdown of the included extras. If you see something you like, click on the cover art to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon, and be sure to share each week’s column on Facebook and Twitter with your friends.

“Fast & Furious 6”

WHAT: Laying low in Spain following their latest heist, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is visited by DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) with news that his old flame, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), is not only alive, but is working with a British soldier turned criminal named Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) who’s planning to steal a top secret computer chip worth billions. With the promise of full pardons for anyone that helps stop him, Dom enlists the rest of the crew and heads to London to face off against Shaw and his own team of street racing criminals.

WHY: The “Fast and Furious” franchise is like popcorn movie kryptonite, because for as cheesy, soapy and utterly preposterous as the movies can get at times, they’re also incredibly entertaining, especially following director Justin Lin’s retooling of the series. Though the sixth installment doesn’t quite live up to 2011’s “Fast Five,” which took the franchise to new heights in more ways than one, it still delivers everything that fans have come to expect over the years. One of main reasons the last film worked as well as it did was the excellent chemistry between its ensemble cast, and that’s still the case here. Of course, the real reason anyone watches these films is the action, and “Fast & Furious 6” doesn’t disappoint, with a series of excellent set pieces that somehow manage to outdo the previous movies in excess and sheer ridiculousness. The over-the-top nature of the “Fast and Furious” franchise has always been its greatest asset and its biggest criticism, and there’s no better example of that than in some of the gleefully amusing “Oh my god, I can’t believe that just happened” insanity that takes place in the film. Bigger and dumber but still tons of fun, “Fast & Furious 6” may have you rolling your eyes even more than usual, but that’s part of what make the series so great.

EXTRAS: There’s a wealth of bonus material on the Universal’s Blu-ray release, including an audio commentary by director Justin Lin, a four-part making-of featurette, interviews with the cast and crew, three more production featurettes, deleted scenes and an exclusive (but haunting) first look at “Fast & Furious 7.”

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

“Man of Tai Chi”

WHAT: Against his master’s wishes, Tai Chi student Chen Lin-Hun (Tiger Chen) competes in a local martial arts competition to prove the style’s effectiveness. After attracting the attention of wealthy businessman Donaka Mark (Keanu Reeves), Chen is offered the chance to compete in an underground fight club with the promise of making enough money to save his temple. But when he discovers the true purpose behind the fights, Chen teams up with an ambitious police detective (Karen Mok) to bring Mark down.

WHY: Conceived by Keanu Reeves as a starring vehicle for friend/stuntman Tiger Chen, whom he met while working on the “Matrix” trilogy, “Man of Tai Chi” is a throwback to classic martial arts films, right down to Reeves’ over-the-top villain. But while the story is pretty generic and the acting is only marginally better than the movies that it’s paying homage to, it features some incredible fight choreography from fellow “Matrix” alumnus Yuen Woo-ping. The early fights that take place inside the mirror room are not only some of the best in recent memory, but they really showcase Chen’s talent as a martial artist. The final battle between Marks and Tiger isn’t quite as memorable from a technical standpoint, but just seeing how much Reeves towers over his pint-sized co-star makes for a visually interesting sequence that evokes the Bruce Lee/Kareem Abdul Jabbar fight in “Game of Death.” Though the performances are surprisingly weak for a director that also plies his trade as an actor, “Man of Tai Chi” is nonetheless a solid debut from Reeves who smartly lets the action speak for itself.

EXTRAS: In addition to an audio commentary by director/co-star Keanu Reeves and Tiger Chen, the Blu-ray includes a behind-the-scenes look at making the film.

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

“Battle of the Year”

WHAT: Desperate to reinvigorate interest in B-Boy culture in America, hip-hop mogul Dante Graham (Laz Alonso) convinces childhood friend and former basketball coach Jason Blake (Josh Holloway) to recruit a B-Boy dream team to compete against other elite dance crews from around the world in the upcoming Battle of the Year competition.

WHY: I’m not really sure what Hollywood’s obsession is with dance movies (apart from the fact that they’re super cheap to produce), but here’s hoping that “Battle of the Year” puts an end to this strange fad, because it’s one of the worst dance films yet. The premise is absurd, particularly in its lame attempts to validate B-Boy dancing as anything other than a niche subculture, though that doesn’t stop director Benson Chen from pimping his 2007 documentary, “Planet B-Boy,” every chance he gets. It’s hard to believe that Josh Holloway is finding it so hard to get work after the success of “Lost” that he’d have to resort to this, but it goes without saying that he’s the only thing that makes this movie even remotely watchable. Usually, the dancing sequences make these films easier to sit through, but everything is edited so poorly that you can’t even enjoy the amazing technique on display. It also runs an ungodly 110 minutes long, features more product placement than should be legally allowed, and has enough split-screen montages to make you wonder if you’re watching a movie or a music video. Need I say more?

EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes a look at B-Boy culture and signature moves, as well as rehearsal footage and some extended dance sequences.

FINAL VERDICT: SKIP

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: For Her

Whatever you decide to buy, please make sure you put some thought into it. This applies to your wife or woman that you’re dating, and even that mom or other women on your gift list. They will love if you buy something that makes them feel appreciated.

Click on the image next to each item to purchase it online, and for more gift ideas, check out the other categories in our Holiday Gift Guide.

Leather Moto Jacket

Shopping can sometimes be a drag, but it’s definitely fun browsing the Victoria’s Secret site! Of course, you can always go with some sexy lingerie, but this Leather Moto Jacket caught our attention, and it’s something that she won’t expect. This jacket is edgy and stylish, particularly in black. The message with this gift is pretty clear: let’s go out and have some fun! She’ll love the gift and the attitude that comes from wearing it. The Leather Moto is also available in more women-friendly colors like red, pink and cabernet, but we’re partial to the black one, which is accented by gold buckles and zippers.

Tiffany Moderne Ring

Anything in the lovely blue box from Tiffany will get her excited, and you don’t have to break the bank to find something amazing here. This beautiful sterling silver ring jumped out as a great gift idea. Its geometric and ultra-modern design will give her something elegant and unique to show off when she goes out with her jealous girlfriends.

Coach Handbags

The holidays are not the time to question why women spend so much on shoes and handbags. If you’re going to pick a handbag, you might want to do some digging and ask her friends what she’ll like. But it’s hard to go wrong with Coach, and if your budget is flexible, you can find something she’ll cherish for years. This Borough Bag in pebbled leather jumped out as a simple, chic and sophisticated bag that most women with a sense of style will love.

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