The CarGurus Blog

Daily coverage of the world of cars.

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Will the Toyota Avalon Make Big Sedans Cool Again?


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If you’ve never driven a Toyota Avalon, I’d highly recommend you do so next time you’re in the market for a sedan.

The Avalon isn’t especially fast and it won’t carve the corners like sport sedans do. The Avalon, though, is a comfortable cruiser that feels more planted and solid than a Camry while offering more of an understated style compared to a Lexus. I’ve driven a few and always fall a little bit more in love every time.

Sedans like the Avalon are falling out of favor with American consumers as they turn en masse toward higher-riding crossovers and SUVs. That’s a shame, because the Avalon is a worthy vehicle in an almost forgotten segment.

Buyers will have another chance to rediscover the Avalon because it’s coming back, all new, for 2019.

Continue reading >>>

GM’s Marketplace Helps You Shop From Your Car


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Like it or not, you are the average American consumer.

So am I.

We all take our paychecks, however large or small, and buy what we want or need. We buy gifts online, we buy food in stores, we order coffee on the way to work. We can do it in person or via our smartphones. But shopping from our cars?

Your car has been the one place that’s been free of e-shopping. But GM has just changed that with an app that looks to add a dose of convenience, and probably caffeine, to your daily drive. Continue reading >>>

Will INFINITI’s New Engine Lure Buyers From the Competition?


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The 2019 INFINITI QX50, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, is not only a stunner, it’s a technological marvel that will be surprisingly affordable when it hits the U.S. market next year.

In addition to coming equipped with a semi-autonomous driving system, the new luxury crossover will have the world’s first variable compression engine. What is that exactly?

We’ll get to that.

Let’s talk about the luxury crossover segment first. It’s red-hot right now, and entrants from Infiniti, Lexus, Jaguar, and more are stepping up the competition. Will Infiniti’s new engine make the choice easier for car buyers? Continue reading >>>

Volkswagen “Crozzes” Over to World of EVs


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Volkswagen knows a thing or two about branding.

VW’s first hit the U.S. market in 1949. The Type 1 Beetle was a car with a deep military history, earning it its nickname “The Victory Wagon.” In 1959, the company stepped away from its military history with its “Think Small” campaign. It set its sights on a decidedly different audience with a new campaign with the goal of attracting a younger consumer eager to find an affordable car that was also fuel efficient.

The oil crises of the 1970s led VW to make a major pivot: It invested in diesel engines. And for decades, the company could, literally, go the distance with diesel.

But oh, how the times have changed. Nowadays, consumers want fuel-efficient cars that are also environmentally friendly.

Based on what we saw at the LA Auto Show, VW is up to the task.

Enter the Volkswagen I.D. Crozz.

Continue reading >>>

Kia Optima Offers Infiniti-Level Style


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Thanksgiving weekend in Southern California. More specifically, a car rental parking lot at LAX.

To my left was a dark gray 2017 Kia Optima, a 178-horsepower 4-door midsize sedan with knockout good looks and impressive highway fuel economy.

On the right was a blue 2017 Toyota Camry, promising plenty of comfort and reliability.

In the middle was a silver 2017 Ford Fusion, a car with sleek design and a high-quality interior.

If you had free access to the keys of each of these cars for a long weekend in Southern California, which would you take?

The Kia was my choice. How does the Infiniti work into this story? Read on, dear friends. Continue reading >>>