Vehicle Research

The automaker hasn't announced official fuel-economy figures yet but said highway fuel economy will top 30 mpg.

Tags: 2013-MY, Cadillac, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CUE, General Motors Corp.

Safety technologies on the 2013-MY Sonata include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), six standard airbags, four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), including Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution.

Tags: 2013-MY, Hyundai, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Fleets that are interested in adding CNG Ford F-250s or F-350s to their workforce will have the opportunity to apply for Venchurs’ short-term loaner program.

Tags: bi-fuel, CNG, CNG conversion, Ford F-250, Ford F-350, Venchurs

The all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger.

Tags: electric SUV, Leviton, Tesla Motors, Toyota, Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 EV

GM cited a stat from the Diesel Technology Forum, which said half of U.S. service stations now offer diesel fuel, which is up from a third a few years ago.

Tags: Chevrolet Cruze, diesel, diesel vehicles

The 1.4L engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission gets mpg of 27 city, 39 highway, and Chrysler said the MultiAir 2 will get 41 highway (minimum) mpg and will be included in the “Aero” model of the Dart.

Tags: 2013-MY, Dodge Dart

The automaker said the new Escape will arrive in dealerships in May.

Tags: 2013-MY, EcoBoost, Ford Escape

Earlier this month Hyundai revealed its all-new 2013-MY Hyundai Santa Fe, which will come in a five-passenger model, the Santa Fe Sport, and a long wheelbase (LWB) seven-passenger model called the Santa Fe.

Tags: 2013-MY, back-up camera, brake assist, Hill Start Assist, Hyundai, Hyundai Santa Fe

The Avalanche features an exclusive Midgate that opens to extend the cargo-area from 5-foot-3-inch-long length to 8 feet 2 inches. It is available in LS, LT and LTZ models, with 2WD and 4WD.

Tags: 2013-MY, back-up camera, Chevrolet Avalanche, General Motors Corp.

Production of the Dart begins in the second quarter 2012 and will start arriving in U.S. dealer showrooms in June 2012.

Tags: 2013-MY, back-up camera, brake assist, Chrysler, Dodge Dart

Fleet and retail customers can place orders for the 2013 model year Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD beginning April 19, according to General Motors.

Tags: bi-fuel, CARB, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Silverado HD, CNG, CNG vehicles, General Motors Corp., GMC Sierra 2500 HD

Available models include the BMW X1 sDrive28i, the X1 xDrive28i and the X1 xDrive35i, which will retail for $31,545, $33,245 and $39,345 respectively (including $895 destination and handling).

Tags: BMW, BMW X1, compact car

Available only in the Super Duty crew cab, the Platinum series model can be ordered as an F-250, F-350 or F-450 pickup and with the Ford-designed and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine or the 6.2-liter V8 gas engine.

Tags: 2013-MY, back-up camera, Ford F-250, Ford F-350, Ford F-450, Ford F-Series, Ford Motor Co., Ford Super Duty, Ford SYNC, MyFord Touch

Featuring a 2.5L four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, the ES 300h hybrid is expected to earn an EPA fuel economy rating of approximately 40 mpg combined city/highway.

Tags: 2013-MY, hybrid, Lexus, Lexus ES, Lexus ES 300h

Among the 2013 Ram 1500’s features are a new 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine featuring 42% more horsepower, 13% more torque and at least 20% better fuel economy compared to the previous 3.7L V-6 powertrain, according to the company.

Tags: 2013-MY, Auto Start/Stop, back-up camera, Hill Start Assist, New York Auto Show, Ram 1500, Trailer Sway Control

Toyota said its new Avalon will feature more interior room, for example plenty of rear seat legroom and design elements that make the cabin feel more spacious. The automaker said it lowered the front seat’s hip point by 10 mm to provide additional headroom.

Tags: 2013-MY, brake assist, Toyota Avalon

The big change in the 2013 Altima’s powertrain over previous models is the addition of Nissan’s next-generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The automaker said it redesigned 70% of the parts and reduced internal friction by 40% compared with the previous transmission.

Tags: 2013-MY, Nissan Altima, XTRONIC CVT

One new feature, a first in a Chevrolet vehicle, is full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, which uses radar to sense traffic in front of the vehicle and adjust its speed, including stopping and accelerating again.

Tags: 2014-MY, Chevrolet Impala, collision avoidance technology, eAssist, General Motors Corp., lane departure warning, New York Auto Show, OnStar

New features on the 2013-MY Legacy include Subaru’s new EyeSight driver-assist system, which combines Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning.

Tags: 2013-MY, Subaru Legacy