Toyota Truck 4runner 22re 3.4 5vz-fe V6 Knock Sensor 4 on 2040-parts.com

Consumer Reports gets top vehicle picks mostly right

Despite the publication's uncomfortably broad definition of reliability -- it spans everything from "the engine fell out" to "the touchscreen display shows fingerprints too easily" -- automakers still clamor to get on the Consumer Reports recommended vehicle list. This year's winners cover a broad spectrum of vehicles, and for the most part, we're in agreement with the magazine's editors, with one significant exception at the top of the list. Best overall vehicle went to the Tesla Model S.

Fisker Karma S concept

Fisker Automotive revealed the newest addition to its lineup at NAIAS 2009, exactly a year after the independent carmaker unveiled its first concept vehicle, the Karma. Called the Karma S concept, the four-seat convertible was designed by Henrik Fisker with input from a newly assembled design team taken on to help bring the Karma sedan to production. The design of the S is likely to make it to the showroom almost unchanged.

Volvo S60 R-Design & V60 R-Design launched

Volvo S60 R-Design Both the Volvo S60 and the Volvo V60 are new in 2010, and both illustrate that Volvos are no longer just safe, boring boxes. They’re actually quite stylish in a grown-up, subtle kind of way. But Volvo thinks there’s a market for their ’60s’ with bolt on go-faster bits, so we’re treated to the Volvo S60 R-Design and the V60 R-Design.