Rita Cook

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum a home away from home

On a recent ride and drive in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Ford folks rolled out the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum trim where improved safety features, as well as an extremely comfortable ride, means this one will shine in the three-row crossover SUV market.

September 28, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: 2016 Hyundai Tucson redesigned and offers more passenger room

The redesigned 2016 Hyundai Tucson is a sight for sore eyes in the compact crossover segment with a turbocharged attitude and a new styling that is all about turning heads. Incorporating what is called the "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0" in the new styling component, this Hyundai introduction also boasts more backseat comfort for passengers and added safety and technology tweaks too.

September 22, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: New Rolls-Royce Dawn expected to bring in a younger owner

Folks at Rolls-Royce are also hoping to attract a broader, younger and more socially-aware audience around the world with this one too with a main goal to make a car that looks as beautiful with its roof up as with it down. One could almost say that the result of the design team's endeavor on this one has been to make the new Rolls-Royce Dawn two cars in one.

September 13, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback offers new front-end styling

The folks at Hyundai have a few new things up their sleeve in 2016 and for the Hyundai Elantra GT that includes not only new front end styling, but a new tech package as well. Riding high in the hatchback market, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT is a solid choice and the warranty on this one can't be beat. Competition includes the Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and the Kia Forte and each have their own highs and lows in this compact car class.

September 6, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: Toyota Tacoma team rolls it out sexier, tougher for 2016

The Toyota team regrouped when they decided on the changes for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma and the introduction of this very popular Toyota midsize truck is coming out better and tougher than ever.

August 30, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: A new design for the 2016 Kia Sorento means bigger and better

Bigger, bolder and happier all around, the 2016 Kia Sorento fills a lot of needs in the five to seven-passenger SUV midsize crossover market. Even better, the Sorento has been redesigned for 2016 with a number of competitors like the Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe having to do a double take to keep up.

August 23, 2015

RITA COOK: 2015 Lexus RC350 is entry-level luxury

Brand new for 2015, the Lexus RC 350 is actually based on the Lexus IS sedan model and is a two-door, sporty, and very sexy, coupe with a V6 engine and a luxurious interior.

August 14, 2015

RITA COOK: 2015 Toyota Tacoma gets ride of regular cab body

What has happened to the Toyota Tacoma's regular cab body style? Well, in 2015 it is not available anymore. Instead, it's just the extended cab/Access Cab version as well as the crew cab/Double Cab option.

August 5, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: 2016 Mazda CX-3 set at a low price in subcompact crossover market

The Mazda folks announced this week the very reasonable price tag for the all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover, which will start at $19,960. Even better, this latest evolution of Mazda's signature KODO design comes embodied in a crossover that is available with premium, class-exclusive features and class-leading fuel economy.

July 19, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle sets driving range record

For folks looking for the next big thing, look toward the Toyota Mirai, a vehicle that Toyota folks say has "officially proven itself as the future of mobility."

July 12, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: The 2015 Volvo XC60 goes the extra mile

As I continue my summer sojourn in France this month, the Volvo folks allowed me to take the 2015 Volvo XC60 out for a few weeks in order to discover the French countryside. For the consumer looking for the perfect compact luxury crossover, new additions mean that the Volvo brand has even more charm. This coupled with an all around best in show and you'd be hard pressed to find a better vehicle for the road.

July 5, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: Only 311 new Lotus 3-Elevens will be made in 2016

For the car buyer who wants to add not just a little pizzazz, but just about the biggest bang to be made, the all new Lotus 3-Eleven might be the ticket. A few facts from the folks at Lotus include that production will be limited to just 311 vehicles and this vehicle will have the quickest production of any Lotus road car ever.

June 28, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: Nissan skews a bit differently in Europe with the 2015 Nissan Qashqai

Spending the last month in Europe, it has made me take notice of the difference in the cars we have here in the United States and those driven on the other side -- across the pond. A few weeks ago, the Nissan folks put me in a 2015 Nissan Qashqai while I was driving in Paris.

June 21, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: 2015 Mini Cooper Hardtop offers four doors holding five passengers

I took the fun little 2015 Mini Cooper Hardtop Hatchback for a spin during the holidays this year on a road trip to New Orleans and the Cooper more than outshined. With quick acceleration and a tight ride most Mini Cooper fans adore this little car and so did I. It's easy handling and I felt a real confidence since it rained the entire time I drove the eight plus hours to my destination.

June 7, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: New design adds even more luxury to the 2015 Hyundai Genesis

Into its seventh year since being introduced, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is a high-end luxury option that won't break the bank either. However, the Hyundai folks also decided to offer buyers a redesign this year meaning a total redesign with all the missing elements from years past added.

May 31, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: Safety additions and standard tweaks for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder offers a variety of standout qualities for the consumer looking for the perfect midsize seven-passenger crossover vehicle. Inside the cabin is charming with style and comfort and for driving the fuel economy also gets high marks.

May 25, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: Plenty of breathing room in the luxurious 2015 Infiniti QX60

Reasons to like the Infiniti brand are many. Reasons to become particularly attached to the 2015 Infiniti QX60 begins with the fact that for large families this vehicle is not only spacious and comfortable, but even for a SUV seating seven, it also radiates luxury.

May 19, 2015

RITA COOK: CAR REVIEW: The 2015 Mercedes-Benz E series fits the needs of any driver anytime

In my ongoing quest for the ultimate luxury driving experience this week, it's the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class that takes center stage. I had the 2015 Mercedes Benz E400 Cabriolet to play with for a week. This one definitely exemplifies what an elegant piece of metal should look like and feel like. It's of the midsize luxury distinction and there is so much to choose from in the E series it's hard to know where to begin.

May 3, 2015

RITA COOK: A refined ride with old world luxury on the 2015 Jaguar XJ, XJL

I can never wait to get behind the wheel of a Jaguar, any Jaguar because over the years I have learned that a Jaguar just tends to drive itself. All I have to do is sit back and look good. When they picked it up from me after one week of my driving the 2015 Jaguar XJL I had some serious separation anxiety.

April 26, 2015

RITA COOK: Meet the redesigned 2015 Nissan Murano

There was nowhere better to test out the all new 2015 Nissan Murano than in Northern California, where the Nissan folks introduced a sexy redesigned model that includes not only a new interior, but an overall sleeker styling and better gas mileage too.

April 17, 2015