2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 - It's been argued by some that a GMC Truck is the same as a Chevrolet and built on the same assembly line. That of course is the argument from Chevrolet owners and not the opinion of GMC. For 2014, GMC offers a completely redesigned Sierra 1500 that goes toe-to-toe with some very stiff competition from Ford and Dodge. To sum up our GMC test -- "Filled with luxury features, utility and over 20 miles-per-gallon." 

2014 Cadillac XTS  - As a late baby-boomer it's difficult to forget the distinction of Cadillac in the past 30 years. So, I went into the XTS test with a somewhat jaded attitude -- a don't let the good looks fool ya way of thinking. But to my surprise, the XTS is smooth, quick, handles responsively and is extremely fuel efficient for a car of its size. In the late 80's when the Japanese too the bells-and-whistles that Cadillac buyers grew so fond of and matched them with a car that was not a performance-minded as Mercedes Benz and BMW, it offered creature comforts the German engineers found despicable. The Cadillac XTS fits in the same category.

2014 Ford C-Max Energy - Ford's entry into the plug-in hybrid segment the C Max is a solid contender. In many respects, it performs relatively the same as the Chevrolet Volt or the Toyota Prius, so it becomes similar to the Mailbu, Fusion or Camry in many respects. What do you prefer? As a late bloomer in the segment, the C Max offers a well designed interior with plenty cargo space. Decent ride, drive and handling make it a solid choice for the local commuter who is looking to say good bye to the pump. 

2015 Dodge Ram - New styling and a fresh interior make the Dodge Ram a leader in the full-sized pick up truck world. As the new Chrysler ownership (Fiat/Chrysler) begin to put the thumbprint on the new models, it's great to see that the is finally moving forward as the recent financial wows placed new models and redesigns on hold for the past ten years. At Take Two TV, we would have a difficult time not making this our personal favorite truck.

2014 Chevrolet Volt - Now in its third year of production, the Chevrolet Volt has proven to be a solid entry in the plug-in hybrid segment. A segment which have almost doubled in sales in recent years. As that number sounds like exciting news, it's still only 3.5% of all sales in the United States. Our take is, if you plan properly and plug in you can realistically use little if any gasoline while driving less that 50 miles per day. With all the comfort features you could ever want, the Volt is a great way to avoid the pump. On the flip side, in long-term testing, we found our Volt struggled to reach slightly over 30MPG. Which, is less than cars we have tested for far less than the $40,000 plus price tag. It's always best to know your personal driving habits prior to buying any vehicle, and know why your buying it! In the case of the Volt, your choices are -- Good for the environment or save money on fuel? The latter may not always be the case.

2014 Audi S5 - When I test a car, the last thing I take into consideration is the price. Which is probably opposite of most people. The reason I do that is to see if I like the car or not at any cost. A bargain on something I am not fond makes no sense to me at all. In regards to the Audi S5, mark that one a bargain in my book! Our test car had an MSRP of $54,000, and offered in my opinion is the perfect combination for a luxury sports coupe. The 2.0 liter turbocharged engine linked to the quattro all-wheel-drive system is not the fastest kid on the block, but delivers smooth consistent power, incredible handling and braking, all while delivering relatively good gas mileage. 

2014 Nissan Titan - It's hard to believe that the Nissan Titan is over 10 years old and in many ways relatively unchanged from the original. That said, Nissan has done a good job of keeping their full-sized pick up truck modern and up-to-date. Lots of plugs and places to store things matched with a powerful V8 and easy-to-use four-wheel-drive system. Fuel economy has never been a strong point for the titan, and our test vehicle proved that point.

  2014 Nissan Altima - We live in a time when most cars are very good. Gone are the days of the Pinto's and Vega's, so in the mid-sized class it's hard to be a stand-out. The Altima offers edgy styling with a strong engine and all the comfort features you would want in the segment. The CVT transmission offers the perfect gear for every situation and delivers the maximum fuel efficiency possible, but the trade-out is a somewhat numb shift from the competition. 

2014 Jeep Wrangler - After 60 years and seven owners you could make an argument that the Jeep Wrangler still shares the rugged off-road spirit of the original Willys-Overland. Today's version is far more civilized than it's predecessors, with creature comforts in the cabin along with a suspension that won't jar your fillings loose (the new one anyway). Redesigned in 2006 the Wrangler has not skipped a beat under current owner Fiat, or as they call themselves to -- Fiat/Chrysler LLC. Our test model offered the hardtop option with a removable T-Top for open-air driving. This to me is the best way to go as the soft top, although vastly improved from past models that required two-and-a-half men to put up-and-down, isn't something that transforms effortlessly. A Jeep Wrangler for your daily driver may not be for everyone, but rest assured, you will be hard-pressed to find a vehicle with better resale value should you grow tired  of too much fun. 

2014 Nissan Juke

2015 Jeep Cherokee