2012 Ford Explorer: A true new age SUV

Once the icon of the SUV movement in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Ford Explorer dropped off the new car-buying map. A casualty of high fuel prices, the economic downturn and the environmental movement, Explorer was sent back to the drawing board.

Putting on the Ritz in Laguna Nigel

Not too many hotels get songs written about them, and far fewer are memorialized the way Irving Berlin did the Ritz Hotel with his song and Broadway play by the same name: "Puttin' on the Ritz." It's actually a slang term that means dressing fashionably. Then there's the slang adjective "ritzy" meaning "luxuriously elegant."

2013 Kia Rio: New designs for subcompact

New to Kia Country is the 2013 Rio.

Mother's Day don'ts range from dish gloves to Cougar shirts

NEW YORK (AP) - What were they thinking? Through plastic smiles or gritted teeth, moms have to suck it up sometimes when Mother's Day means a gifted toilet, unsolicited wash tub or anti-aging cream.

Bus tour brings fake RI 'Family Guy' town to life

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Quahog, R.I., the fictional hometown of Peter Griffin and his dysfunctional "Family Guy" relatives, is coming to life.

Bus tour brings fake RI 'Family Guy' town to life

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Quahog, R.I., the fictional hometown of Peter Griffin and his dysfunctional "Family Guy" relatives, is coming to life.

Gucci hoochi: 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio

Gucci hoochi: 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio The Fiat 500 Cabrio is about what you'd expect and not as much as you'd like from an economy car. But its endearing charm converts the complainers. My week in a 500c Lounge Cabrio with the Gucci package drew glares and stares - as if onlookers were hoping to see J. Lo, who jumpstarted awareness of the brand in the breezy TV ad ...

Scion iQ is a small car that works

As small cars start to gain acceptance from American drivers, Scion has entered the market with a new one that ranks high on intelligence – the iQ. As the name implies, this little car has some smart features and is much more than simply small and economical.

Beverly Hills Hotel: 100 years of swank

BEVERLY HILLS (AP) - Stand on the Beverly Hills Hotel's red carpet, leading into its chandeliered lobby, and you can't help but visualize a century's worth of celebrities, royalty, politicians, musicians and actors who have stayed there, from Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to Madonna, Reese Witherspoon and Katy Perry.

Delaying car care is a costly decision

Drivers count on their vehicles to get them to their destinations safely, but how well a vehicle runs depends on how much effort motorists put into protecting their investment in their cars.

Passat: Unusual features to a mainstream segment

The 2012 Passat is Volkswagen's first German-American offspring that satisfies for its European sensitivity and U.S.-spec comfort and compliance. The new model was re-engineered to meet the demands and expectations of this country, and it is the first model built at the new factory in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Stronger Toyota helps boost auto sales in April

DETROIT (AP) - Toyota is back. It's putting a year of earthquake-related shortages behind it and grabbing sales from stumbling General Motors and Ford.

Malibu: Chevy puts its best foot forward

There's an old adage that says, "Put your best foot forward", and that's exactly what Chevrolet is doing with the introduction of the new Malibu. With gasoline pumps becoming all too familiar with the $4 a gallon gasoline, the Chevy planners are sending out the fuel-sipping Malibu Eco first as an introduction to the all-new Malibu lineup. After all, who can argue with a gasoline powered midsize sedan getting fuel economy of 25 ...

Ram: Brawn for work & play

The 2012 Laramie 2500 and 3500 models are built for work or play.

Mini Cooper 2-seater: Practicality, pleasure & precision

The Mini Cooper Coupe is a glove. Put your hand in and go out for some fun. It is just that kind of car and it's how it fits the driver. But this is not the typical point-and-shoot two-seater; this coupe actually has decent trunk capacity by a liftback design.

Brothers part of Steves traditition

OAKDALE – Nick and Alan Berg are part of the dedicated staff at Steves Chevrolet Buick. Their connections go beyond the job. Nick and Alan are also closed-knit brothers. "We get along so well that if we didn't work together we probably would see each other," Nick Berg said Wednesday at the Oakdale dealership located at 1285 East F St. Alan Berg is the fleet manager there. He has 23 years experience on that very ...

Cruises get good buzz from new ships, overhauls

NEW YORK (AP) - The 2013 cruise season began with a nightmare: A Carnival ship adrift with no power. But in the last month or so, several cruise companies - including Carnival - have announced major overhauls to old ships and exciting innovations on new ships, from engineering upgrades to theme park-style rides.

DODGE CHARGER SRT8 SUPER BEE

Remember dog-dish hubcaps? Those "no-frills" nut covers were common on muscle cars of the '60s, including the Dodge Super Bee.

Hellmann’s whips up campaign for centennial

NEW YORK (AP) - A lot changes in 100 years, but the key to Hellmann's success may be that not much has changed for the mayonnaise.

Cruise ship fitness class designed by The Rockettes

ABOARD NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY - I'd been at sea on Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship, Norwegian Breakaway, for more than 14 hours but I didn't feel the ship moving until I tried to do a dance move with the Rockettes.

RULES OF THE ROAD DMV answer drivers’ questions

Q: What are "buy-here-pay-here" dealers?

Chevy Spark: Mini-car is a city hustler

The Chevy Spark is rough but ready.

Does God really hear our prayers?

By Phil Waterford & Margarita Soto

Giving with no expectations

"I am not a hero. I'm a local business owner who is struggling like most business owners in one of the worst economies our nation has ever experience." I shared with the audience that God has put something heavy on my heart and that there is something special that I must do. I turned to two of our wounded warriors, Christopher Braley and Jose Jaurequi and presented them both envelopes. I informed them that ...

Sometimes wherever we are is where we’re supposed to be...

By PHIL WATERFORD

A Miracle was performed

Bob Gutierrez comes from a very musical family. He has an amazing voice and has always had a passion to sing. He was scheduled to appear on television's most popular "The Mike Douglas Show" in the early 70s to showcase his talents. Five days before he was to return home from Vietnam he suffered a bizarre injury when a rocket exploded in his face and severed his neck from ear-to-ear. His fellow soldiers had ...

Is this coincidental or just divine intervention?

Specialists from all over the world have no explanation of how his vocal cords have grown. Gutierrez, a Texas resident, drives all over the country sharing his amazing story. When he was invited back to Manteca for the Not Forgotten ceremony he was experiencing car trouble. He attended a church service asking the congregation for prayer that his car would get him home safely.

Crossover is almost a convertible

Rankin Ranch: Family favorite for generation

By CARY ORDWAY

Toyota’s hybrid vehicle sales pass 5 million

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota's global sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have surpassed 5 million in a milestone for a technology that was initially greeted with skepticism.