LOS ANGELES -- Toyota Motor Corp. announced another large recall of autos in the United States on Thursday, this time for a steering problem in 373,000 Avalon sedans built for the 2000-2004 model years.

Chronic speeders, it's going to take a little retraining. As the Crown Vic-based Ford Police Inetrceptor begins to fade away, GM has unveiled official details and specs for the Chevy Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV).

In some respects, the Ford Explorer nameplate is one lost in a particular time, when reality shows were fresh and new, Brittany Spears was just not that innocent, and gasoline prices were reliably under two dollars a gallon. Ten years ago, Ford [NYSE:F] sold a dizzying 450,000 Explorer SUVs, and for a few years, the Explorer was the family wagon of suburban, middle-class America.

The BMW 5-Series mid-size sport sedan has been completely redesigned for 2011, and it's more of a driver's car than the outgoing 2010 5-Series—or most other mid-size luxury sedans—while still upping the technology ante and not forgetting about the comfort and luxury that matters.There's no wagon version of the 5-Series model this time around; instead, the striking 5-Series Gran Turismo blends some station wagon and SUV cues into a shape that's not quite sedan or crossover. In the Gran Turismo, the elevated backseat space is excellent—limousine-like by most accounts—and the tailgate can be opened in two different ways. Powertrains for the GranTurismo are essentially the same, but a different suspension setup means it doesn't handle nearly as well as the 5-Series sedan. Despite being predictably conservative with the 5-Series, BMW has made the new model feel a little sportier and more expressive than the 5-Series it's replacing. When you take advantage of all of the technical achievements that are available with the Sport Package or as options—you don't have to drive fast or aggressively to enjoy them—you get a true sport sedan that will greatly satisfy you, your passengers, and your inner tech geek.

More than 5,000 late-model Jaguar vehicles are being recalled for an issue that might cause the 5.0-liter V-8 engine to stall with little or no warning.

DEARBORN, Mich. -- The Ford Explorer used to be one of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S., but as demand for big, truck-like SUVs fell, so did its sales.

General Motors today acquired subprime lender AmeriCredit, as part of a $3.5 billion deal that will help extend loans and leases to those with blemished credit.

Getting leadfoots to improve gas mileage can be a challenge, and we've heard plenty of novel techniques over the years. "Drive like there's an egg between your foot and the accelerator," is probably the most common.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is quick, nimble, and fun to drive, as we reported last week in a comparison with the new 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX. That said, it might come as a bit of a surprise that the Lancer family has been called one of the best models on the market for passive safety.

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