Consumer Reports Tests Dodge Dart, Says Close Enough, But No Cigar; XTS, MKS & ES Also Rated

The Dodge Dart compact is the first completely new product to come out of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance and it has just been tested by Consumer Reports (CR). While buyers don’t necessarily adhere to what the motoring press has to say, CR’s tests still command enough heft in the U.S. market to make a carmaker dread its verdict.

So, how did the Dart do? The good news is that CR, which tested two versions of the Dart, the US$20,680 2.0-liter SXT and the US$24,490 1.4-liter Rallye, praised their quiet cabin, nimble handling and taut yet compliant ride. The bad news is that, neither of them scored high enough to earn the coveted “recommended” tag.

“The Dart is the first decent compact car from Dodge in decades,” said CR’s Auto Test Center director Jake Fisher. “It has some solid positives. But overall it can’t yet measure up to the best in class.”

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Consumer Reports Discovers a Problem with Lexus ES and GS Emergency Trunk Release System

At some point in life, kids want to learn more about their daddy’s work, so they begin to ask questions. If said person works as an editor for an automotive publication or website, it’s quite natural that they will get to be around, and inside, quite a lot of vehicles.

Consumer Reports has a reputation for discovering malfunctions that others have failed to spot. Unlike what some manufacturers who were slammed by CR may believe, its editors are normal human beings, with families and all.

Director of testing Jake Fisher, for example, has two sons aged four and eight. Fisher says that they “already want to be car testers” and they “love exploring every new car I bring home and enjoy trying to fit into every small opening possible”.

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Lexus Prices New 2013 ES from $36,100* or $625 Lower Than the Outgoing Model

In preparation for the launch of U.S. sales next month, Lexus has announced pricing for the all-new 2013 ES models.

The 2013 ES 350 sedan carries a base sticker of $36,100, which reflects a $625 or 1.7 percent drop over the outgoing model's MSRP, while the first ever hybrid version of the series, the ES 300h, has an MSRP of $38,850. The aforementioned MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee (*) of $895.

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2013 Lexus ES Fuel Economy and Performance Figures, Hybrid Returns up to 40mpg [76 Photos]

We are still waiting for Lexus to price the new ES sedan, but today, the Japanese automaker released EPA estimated fuel-economy ratings and performance figures for both the 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h.

The new ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

According to Lexus, the mid-size saloon completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 7.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.1 seconds, and tops out at 130mph (209km/h – electronically limited). It returns an EPA estimated 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

By comparison, the outgoing 2012 ES 350 does 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds, the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds and achieves 19mpg city, 27mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, meaning that the new model is equally fast but more fuel efficient.

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2013 Lexus ES Sedan Talk-Around and New Promo Film

As Lexus prepares for the market launch of the new ES this summer, the Japanese company wants us to be better acquainted with the mid-size model through the release of two videos.

The first clip includes a quick 360-degree walk-around the car with Bill Camp from the Lexus College pointing out the highlights, while the second video is a promotional film showing the ES on the road.

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Poll: Which is the Best Looking New Sedan of the New York Auto Show?

If you've been following our coverage of the 2012 New York Auto Show, you will no doubt have noticed that a significant number of automakers revealed brand new sedan offerings.

In the full-size category, we have the near-premium 2013 Acura RLX, which is somewhat misleadingly labeled as a concept study, and the mainstream 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

The mid-size segment is represented by the Fisker Atlantic showcar, which like the RLX, is more or less production ready, the 2013 Lexus ES, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, the 2013 Nissan Altima and the 2013 Toyota Avalon, which has been re-categorized as a mid-size model.

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Lexus Unveils Sleek 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h Hybrid Sedans at the New York Auto Show [Pics & Video]

Blame prior experience, but of all Lexus models, the last one you would expect to impress with its styling would be the ES, yet the Japanese automaker did precisely just that with its sixth generation mid-size sedan that was officially revealed today at the New York International Auto Show.

With the 2013 model, Lexus has turned the ES from a bland mid-size model to a sleek looking sedan, which most other carmakers today wouldn't have a problem describing it as a "four-door coupe".

Even though the new ES incorporates the brand's latest design language as seen on the 2013 GS for example, the overall result is much crispier and cleaner.

In terms of dimensions, the wheelbase of the new ES has been lengthened by 1.8 inches, while the overall length of the vehicle has grown by just one inch. Lexus promises a more spacious interior as knee room is increased by 2.8 inches and legroom by 4.1 inches. According to the company, the new design also offers additional foot room below the front seat.

The cabin itself has been designed from scratch, with the dashboard reminding us that of the new GS sedan. Among other notable features is the availability of the next-generation Lexus Enform system, a Display Audio package that adds a seven-inch screen, a backup camera, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, Bluetooth audio, phone transfer, and a vehicle information display.

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First Official Photos of the Honda Crosstour Concept, 2013 Ram 1500 and 2013 Lexus ES Leaked?

The automotive pundits over at Cheersandgears seem to have scored a hatrick of scoops publishing what they claim to be, the first official shots of the Honda Crosstour Concept, the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck and the 2013 Lexus ES sedan, all of which are set to make their world premiere at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, April 4.

Beginning with Honda's concept model, if this image is indeed real, then the Crosstour study is nothing more than a light facelift of the current model with a revised snout sporting a new chromed grille and a more rugged-looking front bumper, plus different wheels and protective black cladding all around.

The second picture allegedly shows us the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck, which looks like it gains a reshaped crosshair grille with a full-chrome treatment (at least on this edition), new headlamp fixtures, possibly featuring LED daytime running lights, and a redesigned bumper with new fog lamps.

The Chrysler Group has already revealed that the 2013 Ram 1500 will get a new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar V6 matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

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Lexus Continues to Tease 2013 ES Sedan, Asks what's This we're Seeing Here

It's always good to build some hype around the presentation of a new model, but unfortunately for Lexus, we have already had the opportunity to see its upcoming 2013 ES sedan in some very illuminating pictures sourced from China last month.

Of course, not everyone reads news on automotive websites, which is probably why Lexus posted a picture of the new ES being lifted up on a crane and asked its fans this question: "It's on a crane and under a cover. What is this masked machine?"

The best replies we found on Facebook were: "It's a car!", "It's the Honda Accord" and the "new PT Cruiser". Perhaps you can add some better / more humorous answers in the comments section below.

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