Top 10 Stories of 2014
Here at Clean Fleet Report we had a great year, seeing and reporting to you on a record number of cars, trucks, SUVs and even some two-wheel fuel-efficient vehicles.
Test Drives
2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The 2015 Jetta TDI SE has had minor but important interior and exterior design changes that make it the best overall car in its class for comfort, torque, fuel economy and ease of operation.
Road Test: 2015 Mazda CX-5
Where the 2015 Mazda CX-5 stands out from the crowd is its combination of fuel economy, Zoom-Zoom driving behavior, and a competitive price with good value for the dollar spent.
Road Test: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI – DSG Automatic
While both TDIs are very nice cars and equally worth owning, I lean towards the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with the automatic versus the manual.
Road Test: 2015 Kia K900
Kia wants to “challenge the luxury you know” with the 2015 K900 because, in their own words, “the K900 signals a new era for Kia and advances the brand to new levels of sophistication” and hopefully it will have the “power to change perceptions.”
Road Test: 2015 Ford Escape
What you get with the 2015 Ford Escape is an SUV that is secure, confidence inspiring and pleasing to hustle along a back road. It also has a sexy appearance, a top-notch interior along with more connectivity and high-tech features than any competitor. As an added incentive, the fuel economy is damn good.
Road Test: 2014 BMW i3 & i3 REX
The 2014 BMW i3 is the Rorschach test of electric cars. What you see says more about you than the car you’re looking at – or even driving.
Road Test: 2014 Dodge Dart GT and Dart Limited
The 2014 Dodge Dart does this well with its Italian heritage and distinctive styling that separates it from other compact sedans that tend to look pretty much the same. Dodge also did a fine job with the interior design, roominess and instrument and infotainment system layout.
Road Test: 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD
The Highlander Hybrid was completely redesigned for 2014. Toyota did a good job in softening the edges and making the Highlander more contemporary and in line with the fierce competition in the midsize SUV market.
Road Test: 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX
The 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid has freshened styling, technology upgrades and mechanical improvements to make it worth adding to the list of good-looking five-passenger cars.