While consumers' interest in the plug-in electric vehicles has reached an all-time high, buyers still have some issues with the Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt, according to J.D. Power and Associates. Car shoppers said the Leaf was unattractive in the survey; they also said the Volt was too expensive. Read more about that, and our other top stories of the week, with the links below:

1.  Shoppers Say Chevy Volt Expensive, Nissan Leaf Ugly in Study
2.  2013 Ford Escape Goes Green, Literally
3.  Top 10 Best-Selling Cars: January 2012
4.  Woman Wins Suit Against Honda
5.  2013 Honda Accord Sedan Shrinks, Gets Plug-in Hybrid Model

1. Cindy Crawford Drives a Bentley Continental GT
2. Paris Hilton and Her Bentley Continental GTC
3. Did J’Lo Buy Her Boy Toy A Bentley?

Tomorrow, at Super Bowl XLVI, Cars.com will air its fifth Super Bowl ad, this time titled “Confident You.” The 30-second spot is scheduled to air toward the end of the second quarter. If you can’t wait to see it, you can get a sneak peek of the ad (above). Also make sure to check out our other top videos of the week, below: 

1.  Cars.com Super Bowl Commercial
2.  2012 PickupTrucks.com Midsize Shootout 
3.  MotorWeek 2011 Lotus Evora S 
4.  MotorWeek $37,000 3-Row Utility Shootout
5.  MotorWeek 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

1. January Jones With A Range Rover Evoque
2. Last Weeks Guess Who – January Jones
3. Chace Crawford’s Dodge Challenger SRT8

1. January Jones With A Range Rover Evoque
2. Last Weeks Guess Who – January Jones
3. Chace Crawford’s Dodge Challenger SRT8

In the morbidly amusing Super Bowl ad, a survivor drives his Silverado out of the rubble to meet up with friends, but he learns that one of his buddies didn't make it. Actually, "Dave drove a Ford." Ouch. Sounds like the gloves are off between the perennially dueling automakers. The Twinkies (and their infinite shelf life), however, keep the friends smiling amid a hailstorm of frogs.

GM is really pushing its bow-tie brand this year; this 60 second ad is one of five spots that Chevrolet is debuting on Super Bowl Sunday. Watch them all here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Chevrolet/home.

• On the heels of a free-trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea, Ford plans to expand its sales in the country by 50% to about 6,000 vehicles in 2012, the Detroit News reports. Sales will include the 2013 Fusion and Escape, as well as the Explorer, Taurus and diesel Focus.
• Toyota estimates it will sell 9.58 million vehicles globally in 2012, up 21% over 2011’s 7.95 million, Bloomberg News reports. The automaker is betting big on a sales lift from its redesigned Camry, whose U.S. sales improved 55.9% in January, as well as more versions of its Prius hybrid.
• Chrysler will trade Eminem for Clint Eastwood in its Super Bowl commercial this Sunday, The Wall Street Journal says. Last year's two-minute spot won an Emmy; its follow-up will be the same length, sources told the publication, with the venerable Eastwood "giving the country a pep talk."
• At the White House's behest, import automakers transported executives and fuel-efficient cars, including fuel-cell vehicles from Honda and Mercedes-Benz, to the nation's capital for President Barack Obama's tour of the Washington Auto Show. But Bloomberg reports Obama paid little notice, spending most of his half-hour tour alongside a Dodge Dart, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford C-Max and Chevrolet Malibu, among other cars from Detroit automakers. Michael Stanton, head of the Association of Global Automakers, told Bloomberg his member automakers "were just terribly disappointed" at the apparent snub.
• Automakers and car dealers added 15,000 of January's 243,000 jobs, the Labor Department reports. Today's better-than-expected report dropped unemployment to 8.3%, the lowest since February 2009, notes Bloomberg.

The affected vehicles, which were manufactured from Nov. 24 through Dec. 19, 2011, do not use the correct propellant that helps to initiate the expansion of the airbag. As a result, one or both side curtain airbags might not deploy in an accident, increasing the risk of injury.

Toyota will start notifying owners in March, and dealerships will replace one or each of the side curtain airbags, if necessary, free of charge. Owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Maserati has issued a recall for 1,768 GranTurismos and GranTurismo convertibles from the 2008-10 model years because of a faulty lamp assembly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, which were manufactured from June 2008 to March 2010, both the taillights and brake light could fail because of the faulty lamp assembly. This could lead to reduced vehicle visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Maserati will notify owners this month, and dealers will inspect and replace affected rear taillamp assemblies free of charge.

For more info, owners can call Maserati at 201-816-2600 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

In certain vehicles, the side curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger may have a faulty inflator. In the event of an accident, the affected airbags will not deploy, increasing the risk of passenger injury.

Honda will begin notifying owners on Feb. 10, and the affected airbags will be replaced for free. Owners can call Honda at 800-999-1009 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Check out what made the list.

1. Hayden Christensen and Sophie Monk: Hot New Hollywood Couple Spotted in Taxi-SUV?
2. Hayden Christensen in his Ferrari 360 Modena
3. Hayden Christiansen: Riding Around Girlfriend’s Prius

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus appealed to the two sides of Cars.com Family contributor Sara Lacey. Sara’s fun side enjoyed the Focus hatchback’s updated looks with its large grille and swoopy taillights. Meanwhile, her more rational side appreciated Focus’ cargo space and roomy backseat — the latter made installing child-safety seats a breeze.

2012 Ford Focus Review

1. Petra Ecclestone: There’s A New Rover In Town
2. Petra Ecclestone Gets Rolls Royce Wedding Gift
3. Pete Wentz: Pulled Over In His Rover

Built by Mr. Thomas.

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Yep, its a Prius. Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Built by Kapgar

Built by BlazerMan

Built by Ernesto Carrillo70

Built by Dan Fegent

Built by ZakOvermyer

Built by Thirdwig

Built by LegoVaughan

Built by Artifex Creation

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Subzero_600

Built by Wunztwice

Cool aren’t they? If you have a lego truck photo you’d like to submit for inclusion, please leave a comment below with a link and we’ll check it out.

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

Built by Mr. Thomas.

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Yep, its a Prius. Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Built by Kapgar

Built by BlazerMan

Built by Ernesto Carrillo70

Built by Dan Fegent

Built by ZakOvermyer

Built by Thirdwig

Built by LegoVaughan

Built by Artifex Creation

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Subzero_600

Built by Wunztwice

Cool aren’t they? If you have a lego truck photo you’d like to submit for inclusion, please leave a comment below with a link and we’ll check it out.

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

Built by Mr. Thomas.

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Yep, its a Prius. Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Photo by Mad Physicist

Built by Kapgar

Built by BlazerMan

Built by Ernesto Carrillo70

Built by Dan Fegent

Built by ZakOvermyer

Built by Thirdwig

Built by LegoVaughan

Built by Artifex Creation

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Big Rafalski

Built by Subzero_600

Built by Wunztwice

Cool aren’t they? If you have a lego truck photo you’d like to submit for inclusion, please leave a comment below with a link and we’ll check it out.

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

Its edgy styling won over her whole family, from her 69-year-old mother to her teenage son. Tune the suspension a bit softer and add some highway power, and she may even buy one.  

2012 Hyundai Veloster Review

Its edgy styling won over her whole family, from her 69-year-old mother to her teenage son. Tune the suspension a bit softer and add some highway power, and she may even buy one.  

2012 Hyundai Veloster Review

• Competes with: Mini Cooper, Fiat 500
• Looks like: Identical to every other Beetle
• Drivetrain: 140-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel making 236 pounds-feet of torque; six-speed manual or dual clutch automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: This summer

Volkswagen has had great success with its diesel lineup of TDI models, especially the Jetta and its 42 mpg highway rating. The Beetle TDI, however, is estimated to get 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway despite using the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel power plant as the Jetta.

We’ve been impressed with the redesigned Beetle’s interior space, quality materials and design but nonplused by its mediocre mileage. The TDI certainly makes it more attractive for the gas conscious out there while still producing an impressive 140 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque.

Pricing will play a big part in the decision-making process of the model, but the company says it won’t reveal the cost of the three trim levels until closer to the on-sale date this summer.

The Beetle TDI comes with more standard equipment than the gasoline Beetle base model as well as two additional trim levels listed below.

The Beetle TDI comes standard with 17-inch wheels, leatherette seating, Bluetooth connectivity, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, keyless entry and push-button start, eight-speaker stereo and USB input.

The Beetle TDI with Sunroof adds a panoramic sunroof and six-disc premium stereo with a touch-screen display.

The Beetle TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation adds a 5-inch touch-screen navigation system and a Fender premium stereo with subwoofer.

But diesel costs several cents more than premium gas, and Hanley also points out that the Bluetec version starts around $1,500 more than the base gas version. Is it worth the price?

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Review

But diesel costs several cents more than premium gas, and Hanley also points out that the Bluetec version starts around $1,500 more than the base gas version. Is it worth the price?

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Review

1. Akon’s White Ferrari 458
2. Video: Inside Look At 50 Cent’s Car Collection
3. Manny Pacquiao’s New Ferrari 458 Is A Real Knockout!

Kia released a sketch showing an aggressive, two-door version of its boxy compact hatchback. The automaker plans on showing off the concept at the Chicago Auto Show next week. Check back with us on Wednesday for more from the show. 

• Total car sales for January came in at about 900,000 units, an 11% increase from last year, according to Automotive News. That puts the U.S. auto industry at a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 14.2 million, the highest rate since Cash for Clunkers in August 2009. Best-sellers for the month included the Toyota Camry, which outperformed the Chevrolet Silverado to become the second best-selling vehicle in the country. Read more about the Top 10 Best-Sellers, here.

• Chrysler reported its first profit since 2005, and that means the carmaker's union workers will get their first profit-sharing checks in more than six years. Chrysler's earned profit of $183 million translates into about $1,500 per Chrysler worker, according to the Detroit Free Press. Chrysler surged back to profitability last year on the backs of strong sales from models like the Chrysler 200, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

• The Detroit Three gained some ground last year in the largest car market in the country, California, according to Automotive News. Domestic automakers picked up a 1.8% market share, for a total of 31.8% in the Golden State. That pales in comparison to the 47% market share GM, Ford and Chrysler collectively held nationwide in 2011. Even though domestics gained market share, Japanese automakers still account for 44.5% of the California market, and Toyota remains on top as the state's largest automaker, with a 19.2% share.

• BMW was the best-selling luxury automaker for 2011, but that won't necessarily be the case in 2012. The automaker ceded the best-selling crown to Mercedes-Benz for the month of January, according to Bloomberg News. Mercedes-Benz sold 20,306 cars last month, with C-Class sales surging 56%. BMW sold 16,405 vehicles (19,739 if you include the Mini brand) and was buoyed by robust X3, 6 Series and 7 Series sales. BMW may have pulled ahead in December with aggressive incentive spending, which slowed the pace in January, according to analysts who spoke with Bloomberg. Lexus, the automaker BMW usurped last year to become No. 1, still lagged behind in a distant third place, with 12,274 deliveries or a 4.6% decline month-over-month.

The 500L — the L stands for large — is a five-passenger hatchback, and though specs haven't been released, it will be larger than Fiat's current 500. Based on the photos, it looks like the 500L is taller and a bit longer than the 500 subcompact. 

The 500L will be made in Kragujevac, Serbia, and is expected to arrive in the U.S. in 2013. It will officially meet the public at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 6.

Honda is recalling 206 Ridgeline pickup trucks because they may be equipped with the wrong type of spare tire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, which were manufactured from Aug. 25 through Nov. 29, 2011, the pickup may be equipped with a full-size tire instead of a temporary spare tire. In these cases, the tire specifications listed on a placard affixed to the vehicle — listing the size and recommended cold inflation pressure for a temporary tire — are not correctly displayed. An improperly inflated tire could cause tire failure and increase the risk of a crash.

Honda has already started to notify owners, and dealers will exchange the spare tire assembly or replace the information placard for free. Owners can call Honda at 800-999-1009 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

The former corporate attorney took Honda to small-claims court last year alleging that her hybrid never delivered the fuel-economy Honda promised. The car's window sticker advertised a 49/51 mpg city/highway rating, which she claims never happened. Peters also said a deteriorating battery and software update worsened the car’s fuel economy.

AP News is reporting that the judge agreed. "At a bare minimum Honda was aware … that by the time Peters bought her car there were problems with its living up to its advertised mileage," Superior Court Commissioner Douglas Carnahan wrote in the judgment.

Peters opted not to join the related and ongoing class-action lawsuit against Honda. It involves owners of 2002-09 Civic Hybrids and could net each one $100 to $200. She launched DontSettleWithHonda.org to encourage owners to take Honda to small-claims court instead. A ruling on that class action suit is expected in March.

Honda plans to appeal the ruling.

Woman wins small-claims suit over Honda hybrid mpg (AP News)

1. Michael C. Hall Gives His Audi Some TLC
2. Charlize Theron Fills Up Her Lexus
3. Dianna Agron Makes A Pit Stop In Her Audi

The GMC Terrain is a five-seat crossover and a boxier version of its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Equinox. Although it looks like a truck-based SUV, the Terrain is built on a car platform and has a comfortable ride, thanks to its four-wheel-independent suspension. Families also will appreciate the Terrain's standard backup camera.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver's seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row's middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there's a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible.

Here's how the 2012 Terrain did in Cars.com's Car Seat Check:

Latch system: The Terrain's two sets of lower Latch anchors will make parents quite happy. The anchors, which are in the outboard seats, are visible between the back and bottom seat cushions. Three tether anchors are found midway down the second row's seatbacks. They're also easy to use.

Booster seat: Our high-back booster seat fit well in the Terrain. The second row has some seat bolstering that helps to cradle the booster seat, keeping it in place. The seat belt buckles are floppy but don't fall behind the booster seat base because they're placed far away from it.

Convertible seat: The second row's head restraints are fixed and pushed our forward-facing convertible far forward on the bottom seat cushion. Parents can counteract this by reclining the seatback, giving the car seat a little more room to fit securely on the seat cushion. The rear-facing convertible fit well in the second row. One bonus to the Terrain's floppy seat belt buckles is they can be moved out of the way, allowing better access to the Latch anchor it covers.

Infant-safety seat: This rear-facing car seat also fit well in the Terrain.

How many car seats fit in the second row? Two

Editor's note: For three car seats — infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats — to fit in a car, our criterion is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.

The GMC Terrain is a five-seat crossover and a boxier version of its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Equinox. Although it looks like a truck-based SUV, the Terrain is built on a car platform and has a comfortable ride, thanks to its four-wheel-independent suspension. Families also will appreciate the Terrain's standard backup camera.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver's seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row's middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there's a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible.

Here's how the 2012 Terrain did in Cars.com's Car Seat Check:

Latch system: The Terrain's two sets of lower Latch anchors will make parents quite happy. The anchors, which are in the outboard seats, are visible between the back and bottom seat cushions. Three tether anchors are found midway down the second row's seatbacks. They're also easy to use.

Booster seat: Our high-back booster seat fit well in the Terrain. The second row has some seat bolstering that helps to cradle the booster seat, keeping it in place. The seat belt buckles are floppy but don't fall behind the booster seat base because they're placed far away from it.

Convertible seat: The second row's head restraints are fixed and pushed our forward-facing convertible far forward on the bottom seat cushion. Parents can counteract this by reclining the seatback, giving the car seat a little more room to fit securely on the seat cushion. The rear-facing convertible fit well in the second row. One bonus to the Terrain's floppy seat belt buckles is they can be moved out of the way, allowing better access to the Latch anchor it covers.

Infant-safety seat: This rear-facing car seat also fit well in the Terrain.

How many car seats fit in the second row? Two

Editor's note: For three car seats — infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats — to fit in a car, our criterion is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.

Audi says the hand-built droptop R8 goes from zero to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, thanks to its 560-horsepower, 5.2-liter V-10. Its top speed is 197 mph. R8 GT Spyder-specific features include unique 19-inch wheels, carbon-fiber exterior mirrors and interior trim, aluminum doorsill inserts, R8 GT badge on the steering wheel, sport seats in Alcantara leather and a carbon-fiber spoiler. 

Audi is producing 333 units, but only 50 of those will be for sale in the United States. Each car sold here will have its production number displayed on the gearshift. Customer deliveries begin this month.

Toyota faced with a ban on rare earth materials has developed a new way to produce Hybrids that is more earth friendly.

Currently, Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of hybrid vehicles. However, the production of these vehicles require certain expensive metals, such as neodymium and dysprosium. These metals are typically mined in China, and manufacturers such as Toyota depend on the reliable exports of these metals.

However, China may soon limit their trade policy for materials that diminish the country’s natural resources. Such potential new export laws would threaten hybrid car companies. Without these minerals, the magnetic properties of electric motors cannot function, and without a proper substitute the manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles would be threatened. The possibility of a restricted mineral trade has spurred electric car manufacturers to seek alternatives.

Their new, but unspecified, technology will be utilized for wide-scale manufacturing in just two years, according to a Toyota spokesperson. However, there is currently no time-line regarding the availability of the unnamed substitute in the wider electric and hybrid car market.

Hybrid and electric vehicles are gaining in popularity by environmental and gas-conscious consumers across the world.

Related Posts:

• Toyota Building Prius-Flavored Pickup?
• New 2010 Toyota Prius In High Demand
• Prius vs Corolla – Which Makes More Economic Sense?

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

Toyota faced with a ban on rare earth materials has developed a new way to produce Hybrids that is more earth friendly.

Currently, Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of hybrid vehicles. However, the production of these vehicles require certain expensive metals, such as neodymium and dysprosium. These metals are typically mined in China, and manufacturers such as Toyota depend on the reliable exports of these metals.

However, China may soon limit their trade policy for materials that diminish the country’s natural resources. Such potential new export laws would threaten hybrid car companies. Without these minerals, the magnetic properties of electric motors cannot function, and without a proper substitute the manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles would be threatened. The possibility of a restricted mineral trade has spurred electric car manufacturers to seek alternatives.

Their new, but unspecified, technology will be utilized for wide-scale manufacturing in just two years, according to a Toyota spokesperson. However, there is currently no time-line regarding the availability of the unnamed substitute in the wider electric and hybrid car market.

Hybrid and electric vehicles are gaining in popularity by environmental and gas-conscious consumers across the world.

Related Posts:

• Toyota Building Prius-Flavored Pickup?
• New 2010 Toyota Prius In High Demand
• Prius vs Corolla – Which Makes More Economic Sense?

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

Toyota faced with a ban on rare earth materials has developed a new way to produce Hybrids that is more earth friendly.

Currently, Toyota is the world’s largest manufacturer of hybrid vehicles. However, the production of these vehicles require certain expensive metals, such as neodymium and dysprosium. These metals are typically mined in China, and manufacturers such as Toyota depend on the reliable exports of these metals.

However, China may soon limit their trade policy for materials that diminish the country’s natural resources. Such potential new export laws would threaten hybrid car companies. Without these minerals, the magnetic properties of electric motors cannot function, and without a proper substitute the manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles would be threatened. The possibility of a restricted mineral trade has spurred electric car manufacturers to seek alternatives.

Their new, but unspecified, technology will be utilized for wide-scale manufacturing in just two years, according to a Toyota spokesperson. However, there is currently no time-line regarding the availability of the unnamed substitute in the wider electric and hybrid car market.

Hybrid and electric vehicles are gaining in popularity by environmental and gas-conscious consumers across the world.

Related Posts:

• Toyota Building Prius-Flavored Pickup?
• New 2010 Toyota Prius In High Demand
• Prius vs Corolla – Which Makes More Economic Sense?

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

A visual comparison of PIAA super silicone wiper blades.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants high-quality wiper blades and is willing to pay a bit of a premium. The active silicone windshield treatment boosts clarity and, logically, enhances safety…especially in nighttime and low-visibility driving conditions.

Key Features:

• The active silicone coating treats your windshield as it operates, creating a thin layer of silicone that beads water for easier wiping.
• High-quality silicone-rubber compound promotes quiet chatter-free and streak-free operation.
• Better performance than standard wiper blades in nighttime and inclement weather conditions

What Owners Say: One reviewer on AutoAnything.com tried a pair of these wiper blades and remarked that these “clear the windshield better than any I’ve ever had.” Other reviewers agreed, impressed with both the quality and the ease of installation offered by these wiper blades.

Who Makes It? PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades are made by PIAA Corporation, an American company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Since its founding in 1963, PIAA has manufactured lighting products for various consumer automotive, racing and powersports applications. The part is manufactured in the USA and features a 1-year warranty.

How Much? AutoAnything.com offers PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades for as little as $25 and as much as $36 (depending on application). Also, be sure to check prices at AutoAccessoriesGarage as well, as they currently have a lower starting price ($20)

Related Posts:

• LED Lights Are In – Everything Else Is “Out”
• Spyder Headlights

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

A visual comparison of PIAA super silicone wiper blades.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants high-quality wiper blades and is willing to pay a bit of a premium. The active silicone windshield treatment boosts clarity and, logically, enhances safety…especially in nighttime and low-visibility driving conditions.

Key Features:

• The active silicone coating treats your windshield as it operates, creating a thin layer of silicone that beads water for easier wiping.
• High-quality silicone-rubber compound promotes quiet chatter-free and streak-free operation.
• Better performance than standard wiper blades in nighttime and inclement weather conditions

What Owners Say: One reviewer on AutoAnything.com tried a pair of these wiper blades and remarked that these “clear the windshield better than any I’ve ever had.” Other reviewers agreed, impressed with both the quality and the ease of installation offered by these wiper blades.

Who Makes It? PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades are made by PIAA Corporation, an American company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Since its founding in 1963, PIAA has manufactured lighting products for various consumer automotive, racing and powersports applications. The part is manufactured in the USA and features a 1-year warranty.

How Much? AutoAnything.com offers PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades for as little as $25 and as much as $36 (depending on application). Also, be sure to check prices at AutoAccessoriesGarage as well, as they currently have a lower starting price ($20)

Related Posts:

• LED Lights Are In – Everything Else Is “Out”
• Spyder Headlights

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

A visual comparison of PIAA super silicone wiper blades.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants high-quality wiper blades and is willing to pay a bit of a premium. The active silicone windshield treatment boosts clarity and, logically, enhances safety…especially in nighttime and low-visibility driving conditions.

Key Features:

• The active silicone coating treats your windshield as it operates, creating a thin layer of silicone that beads water for easier wiping.
• High-quality silicone-rubber compound promotes quiet chatter-free and streak-free operation.
• Better performance than standard wiper blades in nighttime and inclement weather conditions

What Owners Say: One reviewer on AutoAnything.com tried a pair of these wiper blades and remarked that these “clear the windshield better than any I’ve ever had.” Other reviewers agreed, impressed with both the quality and the ease of installation offered by these wiper blades.

Who Makes It? PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades are made by PIAA Corporation, an American company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Since its founding in 1963, PIAA has manufactured lighting products for various consumer automotive, racing and powersports applications. The part is manufactured in the USA and features a 1-year warranty.

How Much? AutoAnything.com offers PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades for as little as $25 and as much as $36 (depending on application). Also, be sure to check prices at AutoAccessoriesGarage as well, as they currently have a lower starting price ($20)

Related Posts:

• LED Lights Are In – Everything Else Is “Out”
• Spyder Headlights

Find new Tundra info in our official 2012 Tundra buyer’s guide.

The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid is as capable as any other midsize hybrid on the market, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas. The hybrid componentry works seamlessly, but you sacrifice a lot of trunk space and the car costs $8,000 more than a gas-powered Optima, Thomas says.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Review

After capping 2011 with four decent months, the auto industry hit 2012 running. Analysts expect auto sales to outpace 2011 figures anywhere from 6% to 10%, which could make 2012 the best sales year since 2007.

January enticed consumers with total incentives — including financing offers, automaker and dealer cash, and trade-in bonuses — amounting to 16% off the average car’s MSRP, CNW Marketing Research reports. That beats January 2011, when shoppers saw only 13.5% off the average MSRP.

Shoppers took advantage. January sales jumped 11%, beating Tuesday’s expectations. This marks the best annualized month since 2009, Automotive News reports. Chrysler, Nissan and Hyundai-Kia saw double-digit sales gains, with GM the only top-seven automaker to post a loss.

Pickups were all over the place. Helped by higher incentives versus year-ago levels, sales for the Ram increased 46.8%, making it the strongest January for Chrysler’s popular pickup since 2008. The Ford F-Series improved 7.5%, but Chevrolet can’t wait for the next-generation Silverado to arrive. The outgoing truck, which has been around since late 2006, fell 4.7% versus a strong January 2011.

With higher incentives to start the year, Nissan Altima sales ballooned 35.9% off of a slow January 2011. The Altima would have been January’s top-selling sedan, had the redesigned Toyota Camry not jumped 55.9% — a Mitt Romney-size smack-down to keep the title of best-selling sedan, though we doubt the Camry demographic includes guys like Mitt. (For the record, though, Romney’s cars during his ’08 campaign don’t exactly smack of privilege.)

We digress. Small cars are selling well: A lukewarm reception has had little effect on the redesigned Honda Civic, whose sales are up nearly 50%. The Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze fell less than 1,700 units off the Top 10, with the Ford up some 60%. Focus ended January just 649 sales short of the Cruze, a car that trounced Focus last year. Ford may close the gap yet, but it comes at a cost. Shoppers in January enjoyed up to $1,000 off the 2012 Focus — a big discount for a redesigned compact — while Chevrolet kept its narrow lead with no cash incentives on the Cruze.

Both are looking up at the Toyota Corolla, which is down 12.6%. Rounding out the list are the redesigned Honda CR-V, the ever-popular Ford Escape and the age-old Chevrolet Impala, a popular alternative to the defunct Ford Crown Victoria for police fleets.

Despite sales falling 6.1%, GM keeps its 2011 crown as America’s best-selling automaker. Ford, Toyota, Chrysler and Honda follow. Hard-charging Hyundai-Kia improved 20.3% in January sales to come within 1,102 cars of Nissan, but the Japanese automaker gained 10.4% to keep sixth place.

Here are January’s 10 best-selling cars.

1. Lisa Vanderpump Sits In The Backseat Of Her Bentley?
2. Lisa Vanderpump’s Beverly Hills Bentley
3. Lisa Vanderpump Valets Her Bentley

To further push the redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry, which has competitors like the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata chomping at the bit, Toyota has decided to give away two new Camrys to a lucky winner who uses the Shazam music service.

For folks who don't know about Shazam, it's a music identification application available on most major smartphone operating systems. Toyota wants you to Shazam its latest commercial, which sentimentally talks about the generations of Toyota Camry owners. By playing along, you'll be entered to win two new 2012 Toyota Camrys, collectively worth $53,280, says the automaker. You can watch the ad online on YouTube and use Shazam to enter. You can circumvent Shazam and just enter the game on Toyota's website.

The sweepstakes ends Sunday. Contestants can enter it once a day until Saturday.

To further push the redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry, which has competitors like the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata chomping at the bit, Toyota has decided to give away two new Camrys to a lucky winner who uses the Shazam music service.

For folks who don't know about Shazam, it's a music identification application available on most major smartphone operating systems. Toyota wants you to Shazam its latest commercial, which sentimentally talks about the generations of Toyota Camry owners. By playing along, you'll be entered to win two new 2012 Toyota Camrys, collectively worth $53,280, says the automaker. You can watch the ad online on YouTube and use Shazam to enter. You can circumvent Shazam and just enter the game on Toyota's website.

The sweepstakes ends Sunday. Contestants can enter it once a day until Saturday.

To further push the redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry, which has competitors like the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata chomping at the bit, Toyota has decided to give away two new Camrys to a lucky winner who uses the Shazam music service.

For folks who don't know about Shazam, it's a music identification application available on most major smartphone operating systems. Toyota wants you to Shazam its latest commercial, which sentimentally talks about the generations of Toyota Camry owners. By playing along, you'll be entered to win two new 2012 Toyota Camrys, collectively worth $53,280, says the automaker. You can watch the ad online on YouTube and use Shazam to enter. You can circumvent Shazam and just enter the game on Toyota's website.

The sweepstakes ends Sunday. Contestants can enter it once a day until Saturday.

The Chrysler 300's composite score was composed of mostly five stars across the different areas of testing, but it did earn four stars in the driver safety column and in the rollover test. The sedan earned fives in frontal, side barrier and side pole crashes. 

NHTSA recently adopted more stringent guidelines and rigorous testing practices, so it's harder for vehicles to get five stars. Chrysler's largest sedan is the ninth vehicle to be awarded NHTSA's highest combined star rating for the 2012 model year. Other five-star vehicles include the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Sonic, Saab 9-4X, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60. 

The Chrysler 300's composite score was composed of mostly five stars across the different areas of testing, but it did earn four stars in the driver safety column and in the rollover test. The sedan earned fives in frontal, side barrier and side pole crashes. 

NHTSA recently adopted more stringent guidelines and rigorous testing practices, so it's harder for vehicles to get five stars. Chrysler's largest sedan is the ninth vehicle to be awarded NHTSA's highest combined star rating for the 2012 model year. Other five-star vehicles include the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Sonic, Saab 9-4X, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60. 

The Chrysler 300's composite score was composed of mostly five stars across the different areas of testing, but it did earn four stars in the driver safety column and in the rollover test. The sedan earned fives in frontal, side barrier and side pole crashes. 

NHTSA recently adopted more stringent guidelines and rigorous testing practices, so it's harder for vehicles to get five stars. Chrysler's largest sedan is the ninth vehicle to be awarded NHTSA's highest combined star rating for the 2012 model year. Other five-star vehicles include the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Sonic, Saab 9-4X, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60. 

Does the refreshed compact car have what it takes to beat strong sellers like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Chevrolet Cruze?

2012 Mazda3 Review