Despite seeming innovative in 2004 when it was launched, the Titan never really caught on with pickup truck buyers. The Titan brought a punchy and refined powertrain, large four-door cabin, relatively agile handling, a pre-sprayed bed, and a damped tailgate. But sales were lagging expectations and a host of reliability problems plagued it in the first few years.

Is the Chevrolet Volt the most significant car that General Motors has produced in the last 20 years? Has the automaker ever bet so heavily (or invested so much money – $1.5 billion) to bring a new design to market? Is the Volt the answer to high gas prices? Whatever the perspective, the plug-in hybrid Volt certainly has people talking. Unfortunately, not many shoppers are buying.

With the recent coronation of the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid as Consumer Report’s Top Pick for a family sedan, some have wondered if this is a sign that the automaker’s mojo is back. Looking deeper at the Top Picks this year reveals that a full 50 percent are Toyotas, making this a natural question indeed.

We realize that times are tough all over. Let’s say you really, really want a cool sports sedan (Audi A4; Infiniti G37; or BMW 3 Series with a few options) but simply can’t swing the payments. Well, here’s an entertaining alternative: Volkswagen’s fun (and affordable) Jetta GLI.

In our initial Just In report, we noted that Jeep Wrangler owners seem to really enjoy themselves, even routinely waving to one another. Admit it: The Jeep Wrangler looks like fun incarnate, but is it truly fun to drive? A lot of buyers must think so, because Jeep sells a lot of them. Now that we have logged more than a thousand miles on this newly purchased test model, let’s review the candid, initial logbook comments from the staff.

No surprise: Fuel prices are up. Diesel, especially, is topping off at a national average of $3.85/gallon - compared to Regular fuel at $3.58/gallon. What choices do consumers have to battle fuel-price fatigue? Perhaps consider a small-displacement diesel.

There was a time, back in the '90s, when Chrysler's minivans were competitive, ranking near the top of our rankings. So when we tested the redesigned model in 2008, we were disappointed with its below-par handling, braking, fuel economy, and fit and finish.

As summer approaches, the staff has been busy putting miles on more than 40 vehicles in various stages of testing. While many models have been chronicled in recent Just In blogs, we wanted to share some odds and ends from our recent experiences:

Considering the rising price of gas, fuel economy seems to be what everyone wants to talk about these days. During our recent trip to the New York auto show, we saw automakers rolling out many new and redesigned models aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency.

Since purchasing our 2012 Volvo S60 T5, we’ve had lots of time and miles behind the wheel to get acquainted with Volvo’s latest sedan. So far, our $35,100, front-wheel drive, 250-hp T5 hasn’t disappointed us.

Many of us at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center have loved driving present (and past) versions of Audi’s flagship. For some (but not all), it’s the one we’d personally choose when comparing the A8 to competing high-end cars - such as the BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Most others are still wowed by the Jag’s mix of agile handling, precise steering feel, and luxurious appointments. So why is the A8 so appealing to some?

There are some who say that certain cars come along and virtually "save" a car company. The first-generation Taurus is one that comes to mind. Or the original Chrysler minivan. I wonder if the Grand Cherokee—based on the next-generation...

I think it’s fair to say that the Forester is a model many of us recommend to friends and family. For years, it has consistently ranked among the best small SUVs and, as my colleague Tom Mutchler pointed out,...

Sometimes in a relationship, you can get off on the wrong foot. Such was the case with our 2011 Jaguar XJ, a gorgeous car that broke out in a rash of electronic blemishes as soon as we took delivery,...

It's been a long time since we posted a "Logbook" blog on a Porsche. Too long. The last Porsche logbook we shared was back in 2006 for the much-revered 911, which was among a number of high-end sports cars...