Auto News 5

Will absence make our hearts grow fonder of the Four Seasons Nissan Juke? The Ann Arbor-based Automobile Magazine staff members will find out, because the quirky hatchback just left for a stay on the East Coast with senior editor Joe Lorio, who had a lot to say about the car even before he left Michigan:

"Big as a Buick" is a phrase that rolls easily off the tongue, and for good reason. For decades, one of this stalwart brand's consistent deliverables was sheetmetal and lots of it. That started becoming a problem, however, round about the days of the first gas crisis. Buick, like other GM divisions, rushed out a series of smaller entries, most of them called Skylark -- although a Skyhawk also snuck in there. And most of them were forgettably, or regrettably, restyled versions of cheap Chevrolets.

Buying a new car -- like lying to your mother, getting a tattoo, or tying the knot -- is difficult to undo. Once you've signed on the dotted line and accepted the keys, you're stuck with your choice -- or forced to swallow a big financial loss if you decide to sell it or trade it in. One of the functions of an Automobile Magazine Four Seasons test is to explore the waters before you commit to years of monthly payments. So what are we second-guessing with our long-term Dodge Charger? Here's senior editor Joe Lorio, who recently took his first extended drive in our Four Seasons car and found a very different experience from his previous stint in Dodge's full-size sedan.

Let's be honest: the third row of seats in the Acura MDX is laughable. There is virtually no leg- or headroom, relegating these seats for use only by small children or extremely flexible adults. And with the third row raised, cargo room also is diminished quite a lot. Put that concern aside, and the MDX is a great vehicle. It drives much like smaller Acuras, with sporty handling and an excellent V-6 engine. I'm even a fan of the angular, creased exterior design.