Tuning Truck

Why's the 2009 Audi Q5 the highest-rated compact luxury SUV here at TuningTruck.com--and even so, why does it get different scores from its 2009 Audi A4 stablemate, when the two share a drivetrain combination, all-wheel drive and lots of other under-the-skin pieces?

Answers to those questions come from our hands-on road tests. We finally scored an Audi Q5 this past week, and after hundreds of miles cruising Georgia countryside and wandering into Hazzardous territory, we found out the Q5's very nearly the best in its

The 2011 Audi A8 is on track to emerge sometimes next year.

The current A8 and long-wheelbase A8L get high marks from our test drivers here at TuningTruck.com, but today's top Audi has been around since 2003 while a new BMW 7-Series and a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class have been introduced. A minor refresh aside, the A8 is overdue for a complete reworking, and it will get it--by the end of next year, making it a 2011 model in Europe, and possibly a 2012 model in the U.S.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler

TuningTruck.com's editors drove the 2009 Saturn Vue Hybrid in order to give you an expert opinion. In addition, TuningTruck.com researched available road tests on the Vue Hybrid to produce this conclusive review and help you make a smart purchase.

Likes

Fuel economy

Backseat space

Occupant protection

Dislikes

Busy ride

Dull steering feel

No telescopic steering wheel adjustment

Not

TuningTruck.com's esteemed writers have driven the 2009 Toyota Highlander in V-6 and Highlander Hybrid form. But there's a new game in Highlander town this year, a revamped four-cylinder edition that I scored for a long weekend of much-needed beach time. Time for a "Driven," right?

Focusing on the four-cylinder version reminds me that too often, our exposure to new cars on press drives neglects the base versions that many shoppers want to see and drive. The plush six-cylinder, leather-lined editions

A 2011 Hyundai Sonata sedan is in the works, and this morning's Detroit News has a spy shot of the upcoming four-door.

The News reports the sedan's internal project codename is YF. Designed in Hyundai's Orange County, Calif., studios, the new four-door is getting a hybrid companion when it emerges this fall.

A concept car may emerge later this year, and we expect the production version to show itself at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Production of the

2010 Chevy Equinox When General Motors rolled out the new 2010 Chevy Equinox in January, they announced the new EcoTec 2.4-liter four-cylinder version equipped with direct injection was expected to get 30 mpg on EPA highway cycle. Since then, the powertrain engineers have continued to tweak the calibrations to eek out every last mile from every gallon of gas. The EPA is still finishing up its evaluation of the Equinox but Chevy spokesman Brian Goebel sent out a note this morning that the latest internal

The current Audi A8 has been on sale since 2003 and since that time has only received a minor facelift to keep it fresh alongside the updated Mercedes Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and new BMW 7-series. The minor styling changes implemented during the recent facelift will have to soldier on for at least another year as the next-generation 'D4' A8, according to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, won't arrive until the second half of next year as a 2011 model

Speaking at the carmaker's annual meeting, Stadler said the