Car Nation

Ford canceled the Escape Hybrid for 2013, but the automaker is quickly replacing it with its first dedicated hybrid crossover. When the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will start at $25,995. (A destination fee was not given.)

The C-Max “will be more affordable than the Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy,” Ford said. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder...

A new limited-edition Mini model is joining the lineup, and the automaker calls it the "sportiest road-registered Mini ever made." The Mini John Cooper Works GP is a sport-tuned, race-inspired version of the 2-door hatchback. It builds off the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit that was available in 2006.

The new version is faster, beating the old model's lap time on...

Q: Do you recommend the Acura TSX, Audi A4, Volkswagen CC or BMW 128?

A: Of the four you listed, the Acura TSX and Acura A4 are the ones we recommend. They are among our 2012 Best Bets in the luxury sedan category, and both offer buyers good performance, an array of technology and luxury features, and a range of choices in body styles and powertrains. Both are Top Safety Picks by the Insurance...

Now that the redesigned 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is on sale, the German automaker is preparing to launch the many derivative body styles that accompany the carmaker's top-selling nameplate. The first is the station wagon; we're still awaiting details on the coupe and convertible.

Besides the liftgate and the extended roofline, not much has changed in the looks department compared with the redesigned...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1951 Mercury coupe owned by Arthur French WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING Perhaps no other cars evoke memories of hot rodding, teen rebellion and Doo Wop music more than the early '50s Mercurys. "It was a teenager's dream car in the fifties," says French, whose hefty black coupe is rare among the breed because it hasn't been radically customized.

"It's a mild...

The J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Index Study measures customer satisfaction with dealer service departments during the first three years of vehicle ownership. Key factors in determining service ratings are repair work, service advice and overall service quality. Luxury Brands The average score is 819 out of 1,000. Manufacturer Customer Service Rating (out of 1,000) Lexus 846 Jaguar...

If you don't make a habit of hauling construction material, dirt bikes or other tall objects, a pickup truck bed cover makes a lot of sense.

It adds secure storage and is weatherproof if you seal factory holes; it may look better than your beat-up truck bed and typically helps fuel economy. The extra 90 pounds isn't felt much on a 5,000-pound truck, but better airflow helps on the highway....

Honda is developing technology to predict and prevent roadway congestion so that traffic jams become a thing of the past.

The automaker partnered with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo to develop a system based on acceleration and deceleration behaviors in drivers, and Honda hopes to use the results to detect patterns that lead to traffic jams....