Giametta's Driveway

WHAT’S IN GIAMETTA’S DRIVEWAY?

Get behind the wheel of a new car each week. From Hummer to Hyundai, Corvette to Corolla, the good points and bad are on display in Giametta’s Driveway.

Chuck Giametta’s evaluations are informed by two decades of automotive testing and reporting for newspapers, books, magazines, and the Internet. The former Executive Auto Editor of Consumer Guide, Chuck has written about cars for HowStuffWorks.com, Collectible Automobile magazine, and Publications International Ltd.’s automotive book series.

The cars, pickups, minivans, crossovers, and SUVs passing through Giametta’s Driveway are on loan from the automakers’ press pools, and every one gets a plain-talk evaluation that zeros in on what you want to know.

How much does it cost and is it worth it? What’s to like, and where does the car fall short? What does its manufacturer claim, and does a professional automotive journalist agree?  

For car reviews that are smart, concise, and a little irreverent, check out the driveway of a friendly neighbor who’s happy to share the ride.

2009 BMW 750i
All the luxury that fits, and some behavior that doesn’t.

2009 Chevolet Aveo LT
Don’t be rash just to save gas.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Doesn’t deliver what’s expected of a modern gas-electric automobile.

2009 Ford Flex SEL
The 2009 Ford Flex SEL is a station wagon with a 21st century sensibility, but no other low-slung crossover SUV has been a success.

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLE
Goes about its work like a pro, but Ford and Dodge are pros, too.

2009 HONDA FIT SPORT
The small, light car that could change your mind about small, light cars.

2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited
Better in the showroom than on the road. Should you care?

2010 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost
A more successful performance sedan than its hyped-up cousin, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

2009 MAZDA6 s GRAND TOURING
Pushes all the right beautiful-car buttons. Is that enough?

2009 Mini Cooper Clubman
Add a few inches to the body. Insert a backwards-opening side portal. Dress the tail with a couple of doorlets. You’ve created the jumbo shrimp of Minis: the 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman. Find out what makes it endearing – and a little frustrating.

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium
Legitimate at last: a deft redesign creates a terrific compact crossover SUV

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion
A compact SUV built by adults for adults, but reliability is a question mark.