Kirk Bell, Author at NewCarTestDrive

Kirk Bell is a seasoned auto scribe with more than 20 years of experience writing about cars. He spent 12 years editing Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine, five years at Consumer Guide Automotive, and has been a prolific freelancer since 2007. Bell’s knowledge of cars includes both the old and the new. He has edited several books on automotive history, winning gold and silver International Automotive Media Awards for Hot Rod & Custom Chronicle and NASCAR Chronicle, respectively. Kirk grew up around Pontiacs. His father drag raced them and his mother’s daily driver was a 1969 GTO Ram Air IV. Bell now spends his time fiddling with a 1968 Pontiac Firebird.

Reviews by Kirk Bell

2016 Kia Sorento

It appears that Kia just can’t stop updating the Sorento. After switching to a unibody structure for the 2010 model year, Kia gave it a major refresh for 2014, adding a...
2013 Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox has pricing and features of a compact SUV, but it's slightly larger than its direct competition, closer in size to a midsize and it has features not expected...
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550

The Mercedes-Benz SL550 is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive roadster with a convertible hardtop, and it’s all-new for 2013. The SL-Class is redesigned for 2013 with new styling, and the models are lighter,...
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

The Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is the smaller and less-expensive of the marque’s two-door roadsters. The SLK350 features a retractable hardtop that shuts out the weather when up and allows for the freedom...
2011 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is a premium car in a compact package. It’s an affordable car that offers a pleasant interior environment, sporty handling, and useful space. Completely redesigned for 2010, the...
2011 Dodge Journey

The 2011 Dodge Journey benefits from significant upgrades. The Journey is a midsize sport-utility that offers the smoother ride and better fuel economy of a car with the cargo space and...
2011 Chrysler Town & Country

The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country features revised styling, a new engine, an upgraded suspension, and a reworked interior. This represents an extensive mid-cycle update for the 2011 models, improving them...
2010 Acura TL

The Acura TL has long been a favorite among entry-luxury cars. Significantly redesigned for 2009, when it received a powerful V6 engine and the availability of all-wheel drive, it continues into...
2010 Hyundai Genesis

The Hyundai Genesis, with its rear-wheel drive and available V8 power, aspires to the category of the BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Infiniti M, but is priced considerably...
2010 Dodge Journey

The Dodge Journey is a family-friendly type of vehicle that we found to be very user-friendly. A midsize crossover sport-utility, the Journey offers the cargo and passenger space of an SUV...
2010 Chrysler Town & Country

Minivans offer roominess, convenience, versatility and fuel efficiency. There is no more sensible choice for a family with more than a couple of children. Chrysler was the first into this market...
2010 Chevrolet Traverse

Chevy Traverse is a large crossover SUV. Benefitting from a strong unit-body structure, it makes big, clunky, truck-based SUVs practically obsolete, at least when it comes to moving people and cargo....
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

The Cadillac CTS, the marque's lowest-priced luxury car, was originally offered only as a four-door sedan. In 2009, Cadillac added a Sport Wagon. For the 2011 model year, a coupe is...
2011 BMW X1

In BMW-speak, Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV, is the functional equivalent of crossover SUV. BMW's SAVs use car-type unibody structures, feature raised ride heights, and stay true to BMW's core value...
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Sports cars are cool, and lightweight versions of sports cars are even cooler. For 2011, Porsche is taking weight out of the mid-engine Boxster, 176 pounds to be exact, and calling...
2010 Porsche Panamera

The 2010 Porsche Panamera is the marque's first-ever four-door sedan. Aimed at the Audi A8, BMW M5 and 7 Series, Maserati Quattroporte, and Mercedes-Benz S Class, this grand tourer is somewhat...
2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

As BMW explains it, the original Gran Turismos of the 1950s and '60s were stylish and luxurious two-seat performance cars with roomy trunks that could handle two people and their luggage...
2009 Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV. Based on a car platform, it's considered a crossover vehicle, like the Honda CR-V. The Rogue seats five and comes with a four-cylinder engine,...
2009 Audi TT

The Audi TT appeals to sports car enthusiasts and weekend cruisers alike. The powertrains are responsive and quick. The steering is sharp and the handling is crisp. Quattro all-wheel drive gives...
2010 Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is redesigned for 2010. That makes this the second generation of this crossover SUV. Though sized more like a midsize SUV, the Equinox has pricing and features of...