Category: Lifestyle - Transportation - Automotive - Gallery - Small Family Hatchbacks

2016 Scion iA and 2016 Scion iM - Sons of Toyota Lose Quirkiness, Keep Value - First Drive Review

"Son of Toyota" Renaissance:<br> <br> (TOP) All-new 2016 Scion iA subcompact family car, built off Mazda2 bones & muscle, priced loaded at $15,700.<br> <br> (BOTTOM) New for 2016 Scion iM sporty compact hatchback. Scion rebadged its European-market Toyota Auris, with familiar U.S. spec Corolla guts, pricing a loaded iM at $18,460 <br>.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – “Drive…He Said” just returned from a Scion Automobiles media preview in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a first chance for seat time in the all-new 2016 Scion iA and 2016 Scion iM automobiles.... Read more »
By George Straton,
August 6, 2015 at 1:40 pm • 

2015 Honda Fit vs. 2015 Nissan Versa Note - Versatile Fitting Hatchbacks - Comparison Review

Two versatile fitting "True-Blue"hatchbacks go to the Gym for a "workout." <br> <br>(TOP): re-designed 2015 Honda Fit, starting at $15,525 with a loaded EX-L with moonroof, leather and navigation jogging at $21,590.<br> <br> (BOTTOM): 2015 spruces up the Nissan Versa Note with a sporty new SR model. Our tester including rear-view camera and NissanConnect apps comes in at under $19,180. <br>
* * * * * * * * * * * * Honda used to make a city sub-compact car called the Civic. Mom used to drive us kids around in that 3-door hatchback, with 4-speed manual, AM radio and no rear window defroster. Today’s Civic, unrecognizable to the former, has morphed into one of... Read more »
By George Straton,
September 29, 2014 at 3:48 pm • 

2014 Fiat 500L and 2014 Kia Soul - Getting Personal - Comparison Review + Vids

Cute Utes - (TOP) 2014 FIAT 500L starts at $19,195 for a base Pops edition. A loaded 500L Lounge registers at $27,745<br> <br>(BOTTOM) 2014 Kia Soul 1.6L base stickers at $15,495, while our filled-to-the-gills Soul ! 2.0L rings up at $26,195<br>
* * * * * * * * * * * * Small “urban crossover vehicles” sure started out bland, boxy and inert. See the original Scion xB.  An infusion of soul gave them the lifestyle that milennials expect. We say “personal crossover.“ Two of the “Cuter Utes” to recently hit the U.S. scene include... Read more »
By George Straton,
April 18, 2014 at 9:34 am • 
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2014 Mazda3 i Grand Touring - What Does 走る楽し Spell? - Review

2014 Mazda3 i Grand Touring - What Does 走る楽し Spell? - Review
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Did we mention that the very first “Drive…He Said” impressions of the 2014 Mazda3 remake came on a road racing circuit? Under-shod (215/60-16 H M+S)  and under-displaced (1998 cc 155hp) we were sandwiched between... Read more »
By George Straton,
January 18, 2014 at 9:26 am • 

2013 BMW X1 - Choice of Colloquialism - Review

Bayerische Motoren Werke calls its 2013 BMW X1 a "Sport Activity" vehicle. Our Alpine White tester optioned with M-Sport Line package, 18" M-wheels, dual panoramic moonroof, leather seating and trim, bi-xenon lighting, HDD Navigation with I-Drive controller and superb Harman Kardon audio arrived at our door for $44,000.
“Drive…He Said”has to hand it to BMW. Now they have gone ahead and revived the first lift-back version of the 3-series sedan for the States since 1999’s E36 318 ti. This, despite the floundering U.S. sales of that 5-door distortion of  F10 5-series, the Gran Turismo. Those determined Bavarians regard their 2013 BMW X1 28... Read more »
By George Straton,
August 1, 2013 at 8:51 am • 

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT and 2013 Mistubishi Lancer GT - Will the Genuine GT Step Forward - Comparison Review

Will the "Real GT" step forward. (top to bottom) the five-door 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT and the four-door 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT.
“Touring Car” = an automobile suitable for distance driving, typically in two-door sedan configuration. Back seat included. Touring Car + a dash of refinement + a pinch of occupant comfort = “Grand Touring Car” So “Drive…He Said” is wondering “How in the hey” do two front-drive small family haulers, the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback... Read more »
By George Straton,
July 5, 2013 at 10:47 am • 
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RO-RO Your Kia Soul Gently Down to Crete

* * * * * * * * * * * * Recently your faithful “Drive…He Said” crew had the stars sufficiently aligned in our favor to be given a KIA’s new SOUL sub compact CUV to play with in of all places, Greece. Despite that country’s public debt service issues, we are still speaking... Read more »
By George Straton,
May 14, 2012 at 2:14 pm •