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Author Archives: Bob Plunkett

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Bob Plunkett is a veteran automotive reporter whose articles have appeared in industry and consumer magazines for 30 years. He currently produces syndicated automotive reports published weekly newspapers across North America, putting the reader in the driver's seat for a hands-on feel of a vehicle. An adventurer, Plunkett has raced cars, scaled mountains, dived with sharks and run on foot across entire countries to research his articles. For the decade of the 1980s he reported on automotive subjects for an Arkansas newspaper, and during that time wrote speeches for a young Arkansas governor, Bill Clinton. Today, Plunkett still writes from his Arkansas home, but he travels extensively, crisscrossing the globe to drive new cars.

2010 Cadillac CTS Luxury Sport Wagon

The new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon has a classy, European-inspired body that's as practical as it is stylish. It has the cargo space of a crossover vehicle along with the great performance of a sports sedan. Inside, the CTS Sport Wagon shares its front-seat layout with the CTS sedan. It's very driver-oriented and has the kind of build quality and styling detail that make it feel upscale and comfortable. Read More »

2010 Suzuki Kizashi SLS Sport Compact Sedan

The Suzuki Kizashi looks and feels very European. It's a truly world-class compact car from Suzuki, a brand previously known more for its low prices than anything else. The Kizashi exudes a premium feel thanks to the quality construction and upscale materials in its cabin. It offers more space than most of its compact competitors, feeling almost like a mid-size car. Read More »

2010 Acura TSX Compact Near-Luxury Sedan

The 2010 Acura TSX looks like it has muscles bulging just below the sheet metal, which is appropriate now that it's available with a powerful V6 engine. The TSX's cabin has a high-tech feel with its brushed-metal trim. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, great for cruising the highway or blasting down winding roads. Read More »

2010 Acura TL Midsize Near-Luxury Sedan

Acura's TL is now available with a manual transmission, highlighting the performance potential of its solid chassis and nicely tuned suspension. The TL's interior has a high-tech style to match its luxury features, including an available navigation system that can warn you about hazardous road conditions on your route. Read More »

2010 Honda Accord Mid-Size Coupe

Honda's two-door version of the Accord has a good-looking body that turns heads with its sleek, sophisticated style. The Honda Accord Coupe has a high-quality interior with tight construction, making it feel like it could last forever. Read More »

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Sports Car

What was tested? 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 3LT ($60,525). Options: Magnetic selective ride control ($1,995), automatic transmission ($1,250), navigation system ($1,750), polished 18-inch wheels ($1,295). Price as tested: $66,815. There’s no other car like the Chevy Corvette. If you’re looking for, say, a mid-size luxury car, you’ll find a Cadillac CTS, BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus ES are all ... Read More »

2009 Acura TSX Compact Sedan

What was tested? 2008 Acura TSX with Technology Package ($32,060). Options: None. Price as tested: $32,060. As a card-carrying member of the Automotive Know-It-All Society, I think General Motors has too many brands for its own good. Plenty of other AKIAS members agree with me. Our logic goes like this: If Toyota has Lexus, Nissan has Infiniti and Honda has ... Read More »

2008 Pontiac G8 GT Midsize Sedan

Pontiac G8 GT – exterior. 2008 Pontiac G8 GT Mid-Size Sedan – enlarge What was tested? 2008 Pontiac G8 GT ($29,310). Options: Premium package ($1,250). Price as tested: $30,560. There was a time when Pontiac’s lineup was mainly comprised of rebadged Chevys with a bit of extra plastic glued around the chin. Aside from occasional thrillers like the GTO and ... Read More »

2009 Hyundai Sonata Midsize Sedan

What was tested? 2009 Hyundai Sonata SE V6. Options: Carpeted floor mats ($90). Price as tested (including $675 destination charge): $23,935. When the new Hyundai Sonata debuted in 2006, it was hard to believe how good it was. Judging from the way it looked and drove, the Sonata was just as impressive as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, yet ... Read More »

2008 Volvo C30 Compact Near-Luxury 2-Seat Sport Hatchback

C30 exterior. 2008 Volvo C30 – exterior – enlarge What was tested? 2008 Volvo C30 2.0 ($25,700). Options: None. Price as tested (including $745 destination charge): $26,445. It’s not uncommon for carmakers to try to move their lineups upmarket. “Halo cars” are often built not to sell more vehicles but to create an upscale image for an entire brand, as ... Read More »