Super Moody Group

Used cars like this 2016 Toyota Corolla LE are a great choice for a fuel-efficient, affordable car. Updated April 2026 Don't let high gas prices convince you to get a new car just to "save money." Sure, you might save money at the Chevron station, but if that new car results in an $800 per month payment, then how are you actually "saving" money? You're not. If people are serious about using less gas and fewer resources, then just driving something used, like a 10-year-old Toyota Corolla, is great. Non-hybrid versions of the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord come close to 40 MPG highway.  Used hybrids are good too - look at a used Toyota Prius c (50MPG), Hyundai Elantra Blue (54MPG), or a Honda CR-V Hybrid (38MPG). By the way, a new $50,000 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets 35 miles per gallon in mixed highway/city driving. I drove a 2012 Mazda5 and got 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The Mazda5 is comfortable, fun to drive, and versatile - plus, it cos...

I'm tired of harsh riding, bouncy and noisy cars being give a pass because some PR person said "It's sporty." Acura, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz and Infiniti make perfectly sporty cars and they don't jar your teeth even on rough roads. Even the Honda Civic has a pretty decent ride. Sporty shouldn't mean unrefined.

Soon BMW owners may be able to use their car's electronic key to do more than just open doors and start the engine. Thanks to Near Frequency Communications (NFC), a BMW key could be used like a credit card to pay for purchases and maybe even access card lock doors. But the technology could go even further by linking the key to the vehicle’s navigation system. This would allow the driver to buy tickets or make reservations through the vehicle’s navigation system and because the key is integrated into the car, paying for or verifying that purchase would be as simple presenting your BMW key upon arrival. Even your electronic proximity key for a hotel stay could be integrated into the electronic BMW key. BMW’s electronic key already holds some vehicle information on it so paying for maintenance or repairs is another obvious application.

Nissan has done a full 180 with the new Quest minivan. The previous version was curvy and had an interesting interior - it was an attempt to stylize the minivan. Now, the 2011 model is like a giant box. Nissan readily admits it - "A box is the most efficient use of space" company officials said. It's not bad looking but many will disagree. The interior is a step above other minivans - even the base and midtrim models have an upscale look. The Toyota Sienna by comparison seems a little cheap in LE trim. The Quest's 3.5 liter V6 is carried over from last year but it's plenty powerful and super smooth. That engine makes 260 hp – all Quests get that same V6. Acceleration is more than adequate and the engine never sounds harsh. Expect 18 mpg city / 24 highway. The Quest is front wheel drive with constantly variable transmission or CVT. Prices range from $28,550 to just over $42,000 and there aren't many options since even the mid-level SV van is well-equipped.

Ford just showed the Focus Electric at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. Unlike the Nissan Leaf, the all-electric Ford is based on a gasoline powered car. The Focus EV will charge up quicker than a Leaf and has a little extra power too. The Focus EV's 6.6kW on-board charger has twice the capacity of the Leaf's. The Focus EV has a top speed of 84 mph, delivers 123 hp and includes tons of standard features like 17 inch wheels, MyFord Touch, Sat nav, and four wheel disc brakes. Ford hasn't confirmed range but did say it's about 100 miles, like the Nissan Leaf. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric should be available by early next year.