Auto News 5

With the winter months approaching, many Americans are looking for the safety and stability provided by all-wheel drive. Sending power to all four wheels can help a vehicle gain traction in all weather conditions. Luckily for all-wheel drive shoppers, there are many options to choose from without venturing into the realm of high-riding trucks and SUVs. Although the advantages of four driven wheels are obvious in slippery road conditions, the technology usually comes at a cost - both upfront and at the pump. We've indicated the extra cost of the all-wheel-drive option, or the cost differential compared with the equivalent two-wheel-drive model, as well as its EPA gas mileage ratings, and the fuel economy penalty versus the two-wheel-drive version of the same car for every vehicle on our list.

Although the GT-R might appear to be unchanged since its launch in 2009, a lot has been going on behind the scenes. In 2010, it gained five horsepower, a revised launch control system, and an updated navigation system. For 2011, Nissan tweaked the suspension tuning, and added conveniences like automatic wipers and a USB audio input. Bigger changes came in 2012, when the GT-R gained a new front fascia (dig those de rigeur LED running lamps!), another 45 horsepower, new dampers and revised suspension geometry, and a new top-spec Black Edition model. Alas, Nissan still wasn't done. The 2013 GT-R is almost identical to last year's model, save for the fact the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6's output has been cranked up another 15 hp to 545 hp.