Behind the Wheel | 2011 Ford Edge Sport

Tussling With New Technology

By JOHN R. QUAIN

IMPROVED The 2011 Ford Edge Sport is a significant upgrade over the previous model and has a larger engine that is also found in the base Mustang.

The 2011 Ford Edge Sport is a very competent vehicle, but its in-car computer control system, called MyFord Touch, offers way too many options.

Slide Show: Decisions, Decisions

May 31, 2011

Wheelies: The Unobtanium Edition

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG loses its gullwings, a Fisker Karma is driven through Monaco and the Aston Martin V-12 Zagato gets a shakedown at the Nurburgring.

May 27, 2011

Reviewing the Ford Edge Sport

The popular crossover can be optioned with the latest MyFord Touch in-car connectivity system. John R. Quain wonders whether that is a good thing.

May 26, 2011

Wheelies: The Speedy Exit Edition

The high-performance BMW 1 Series M likely will end production next spring.

Handlebars

STREET BIKE The 2011 Honda CBR250R is reminder of just how much fun a good lightweight motorcycle can be.

You Meet the Nicest Sportbikes in the 250cc Neighborhood

By DEXTER FORD

Honda has the reputation of building bikes that change the world’s perceptions of what a motorcycle, and motorcycling, can do, and the company has done it again with the CBR250R.

A Classmate Feels the Pressure

Behind the Wheel | 2011 Mazda 2

LITTLE ZOOM The 2011 Mazda 2 is a small car that is actually fun to drive.

Its Footprint Is Small, but Its Chassis Is Classy

By JONATHAN SCHULTZ

The Mazda 2, which arrived in the United States late last year, is a useful four-door hatchback that is fun to drive. Actually, that’s its greatest strength.

Slide Show: 2011 Mazda 2

Behind the Wheel | 2011 Audi A5 and S5

V-8 The 2011 Audi S5 coupe offers a 354-horsepower version of the engine the company puts in its R8 sports car.

Perfectly Tailored Two-Doors Coming Up Short on Charisma

By JOHN PEARLEY HUFFMAN

The Audi A5 and S5 coupes and convertibles are two-door versions of the A4 sedan. But while the cars are in many ways wonderful vehicles, they lack mechanical character.

Slide Show: In Search of Star Power

Behind the Wheel | 2011 Chrysler 300

RETAILORED The 2011 Chrysler 300 has been restyled and now has a refined, soft-shouldered look.

The Gangster Gets Rehabilitated

By JERRY GARRETT

When the Chrysler 300 swaggered into the full-size sedan market in 2004, it helped the company stay in business. Now the car has been redesigned to look less Chrysler, more upscale and less menacing.

Slide Show: A More Refined 300

Behind the Wheel | 2011 Kia Optima

The 2011 Kia Optima is a cousin of the Hyundai Sonata.

The Family Show-Off, Offering More for Less

By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN

The 2011 Kia Optima strongly challenges the Sonata made by Kia’s parent, Hyundai, and tops competitors on price and standard equipment.

Slide Show: A Rising Midsize Contender

Handlebars

VERSATILE The Husqvarna TE 449 is street legal, but is no slouch in the desert.

Civilized and Road-Legal, but Ready to Play Dirty

By DEXTER FORD

The Husqvarna TE 449 is street-legal, go-anywhere motorcycle that is capable of handling deteriorating urban pavement and the extreme outdoors.

Around the Block

GROWING UP The 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara.

A Nicer Way to Wallow in the Past

By EZRA DYER

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara is still a rough-and-tumble ride, but Jeep has made several refinements to make the experience a bit more pleasant.

Behind the Wheel | Ford Transit Connect Taxi

COMPETITON Ford's Transit Connect Taxi, one of the New York's three finalists for the Taxi of Tomorrow, at Times Square.

Take Me to the Future, and Step on It

By JOHN SCHWARTZ

New York is about to pick its next taxi, and one of the three vehicles being considered is the Ford Transit Connect. A Times reporter takes it out into New York and picks up passengers along the way.