Category: On The Road: Driving Impressions

The original 1970 Datsun 240Z had a formula Americans could accept and appreciate. The first generation Z’s were lightweight, well balanced, equipped with a 2.4 liter inline six engine and due to their great handling were often compared to such admirable adversaries as the Porsche 911. First and foremost, they were very affordable giving outstanding bang for the buck (but they were rust buckets).

As the decades rolled by the Z found itself caught in a downward spiral becoming longer, heavier and less nimble with every new model change. Nissan eventually lost the Z’s pedigree and subsequently it’s huge following. It was ultimately dropped, citing production costs, in 1997.

The original 1970 Datsun 240Z had a formula Americans could accept and appreciate. The first generation Z’s were lightweight, well balanced, equipped with a 2.4 liter inline six engine and due to their great handling were often compared to such admirable adversaries as the Porsche 911. First and foremost, they were very affordable giving outstanding bang for the buck (but they were rust buckets).

As the decades rolled by the Z found itself caught in a downward spiral becoming longer, heavier and less nimble with every new model change. Nissan eventually lost the Z’s pedigree and subsequently it’s huge following. It was ultimately dropped, citing production costs, in 1997.

The best part of the Pathfinder is under the hood.

The Impala SS is truly the best non-Corvette car we have driven in a long time.

The 2007 all-new Hyundai Santa Fe is materialistic and can be wooed with money alone. It doesn’t care to remember the snide remarks or perplexed gawking it drew from its adolescent years. It no longer looks like an overstuffed pork chop with pointy ears. The new Santa Fe has made it through puberty, lost the baby fat and come into its own.

Chrysler updates the Pacifica with a new look and a new engine.

Chrysler updates the Pacifica with a new look and a new engine.

VehicleVoice and AutoPacific staff get behind the wheel of Jeep's new baby. Here's our first take on driving the Compass.

Hyundai Azera surprises and delights. Azera wins AutoPacific's prestigious Vehicle Satisfaction Award. Top car overall.

Lexus GS 450h combines powerful V6 with hybrid power to make a high performance Lexus that feels like it has an "electric turbocharger." And all for less than $60,000.