Cars

Whenever I get into a discussion about the Hyundai Equus, often as not, the Phaeton -- Volkswagen's ill-fated 2004 attempt to build their own high-dollar luxury car -- will come up in comparison. Hyundai, the argument goes, has no more business building a Mercedes-beater  than Volkswagen did, and the Equus will suffer the same fate.

My take on it is that the Equus and the Phaeton are two entirely different kettles of fish. Here's why. Read More...

Hyundai introduced their luxury flagship, the Equus, as a 2011 model, and this year they've given it a new engine. On the surface, the Equus has all the qualities we expect from Hyundai: High content, low price, and excellent execution -- a formula that works well in their non-luxury offerings. But once you decide to take on big boys like Mercedes, BMW and Audi, things get a whole lot tougher -- so is Hyundai up to the challenge? Maybe not. Find out how the Equus stacks up -- and where it stumbles -- in my 2012 Hyundai Equus review. -- Aaron Gold

Related: 2012 Hyundai Equus photo gallery

Photo © Aaron Gold

Just a reminder that nominations for our 2012 Readers' Choice Awards will close this Wednesday, February 15th, at 11:59 pm. If you haven't nominated your favorite cars, now is the time to do it!

The nomination form can be found here. Now, I know some of you prefer not to log in or sign up, so as an alternative, you can email your nominations to carsnominations@gmail.com (your email address will not be retained or used for anything). If you do choose to nominate by email, remember to give me up to three nominees for any or all of the following categories:

• Best family car
• Best performance car
• Best car for teens
• Best car under $16,000
• Best new or redesigned car of 2012

Once the nomination phase closes, I'll tally the results and you'll get a chance to vote on the top nominees.

Don't know what this is all about? Read more about the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards, and then go forth and nominate! -- Aaron Gold

This week's COTW is short and sweet, from Kah-Nut in response to Photo Gallery: 2012 Chicago Auto Show:

"The winner, for me, in the group is Kia: the underdog shows the big money how to do it."

The Chicago Auto Show bills itself as the nation's largest and oldest auto show, although it's usually the smallest in terms of world premieres and concepts. This year, 13 new vehicles and one concept car were revealed at Chicago, but what the introductions lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. I didn't get to the show this year, but I had spies on the ground and I have photos of the new products and concept shown in Chicago. -- Aaron Gold

Related: Visitor's Guide to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show

Photo © Ford

A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed my first four-cylinder BMW, the two-liter 528i, and marvelled that such a small engine could motivate such a big car. Hot on the heels of the 528i came the new four-cylinder Mercedes, the 1.8 liter C250. Did Mercedes' four impress me as much as BMW's? Yes and no -- but there's a whole lot more to like in this new-and-improved C than just the engine. Get the whole story in my 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe test drive. -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe photo gallery
• Your comments on the C-Class Coupe's styling

Photo © Aaron Gold

I am probably the only automotive journalist who genuinely likes the Honda Insight, although I've always thought that if Toyota launched an entry-level hybrid, they could easily blow my beloved Honda clear out of the water. We're about to find out if I'm right, because Toyota has just introduced the compact Prius c, a smaller alternative to the regular Prius priced well under $20,000. Is this the end of the line for the Insight? Find out in my 2012 Toyota Prius c review. -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• Momma Prius: Toyota Prius v test drive
• Daddy Prius: Toyota Prius Liftback test drive

Photo © Toyota

I'm putting the finishing touches on my review of the Mercedes' new four-cylinder C250 Coupe, but I wanted to share the photos with you today, as I'm curious to get your opinion. I like the C-Coupe's' styling -- it's rather subtle, a bit grown up, not as attention-getting as a BMW 3-series or an Infiniti G37. But is it too subtle? Check out the photos, then hit the Comments link below and tell us what you think. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

After waaaaaaaaaay too long an absence, the Comment of the Week is back! And to make up for lost time, I have two winners this week, both in response to my Who makes the best luxury cars? poll.

First, Gary from Atlanta:

"A Lincoln is a nice car if you drive people to and from airports for a living. Infiniti... I like them so little I can't even think of a comment to insult them... I guess it's cool when your valet says he has the same G37 you do."

Next, Mike in Minn:

"I think a CTS-V is pure unadulterated cool right from the factory. Smooth, quiet, reasonably luxurious, and faster than a Hilton sister."

COTW will be back next and every Saturday, or at least until I get bored of it. Keep commenting! -- Aaron Gold

I've updated my Best New Cars for Teens list for 2012. Now that the Federal government has mandated electronic stability control in all new cars, I've got a much broader selection from which to pick -- so I looked for cars that offered low purchase and running costs and a bit of style. Of the ten cars, three are new entries, which meant saying good-bye to the Kia Forte, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Toyota Corolla. And the Subaru Impreza once again proves its staying power, with the new 2012 version replacing last year's Impreza 2.5i on the list. Check out my picks for the Best New Cars for Teens. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold