There used to be a dramatic difference in quality between smaller and larger vehicles, but that is quickly becoming a thing of the past. J.D. Power and Associates recently released findings from the annual Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which shows more than twice as many drivers "downd," or downsized when they traded in their old vehicle for a new one, than those who "upd," replaced their old model with one from a larger segment.

The former group accounted for 27 percent of new-vehicle buyers, while the latter made up 13 percent of this group. The remaining 60 percent stayed within the same segment when replacing their old cars. The study found that trade-in cars were on average about 6 years old, and since these drivers have last purchased new cars, there have been major changes and advancements across the board that have made smaller vehicles more appealing.

"New-vehicle buyers who down are not making sacrifices that they once were," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "Automakers are heavily focused on providing the U.S. market with appealing smaller models, and buyers may be surprised at just how good some of them are"

Smaller vehicles these days provide better performance, fuel economy, styling and features than many older models. That's not to say older compact and subcompact vehicles are lacking in quality. There are plenty of options available for drivers looking to purchase used vehicles at New Jersey State Auto. Every vehicle on the dealer's lot is CARFAX certified, so buyers know they'll be driving away in reliable rides.

San Francisco drivers may soon be paying taxes for how far they drive rather than how much gas they use. According to The Associated Press, the local government is determining the effectiveness of taxing motorists per mile driven rather than by gas consumption. To measure mileage, odometer-like equipment will need to be installed in personal vehicles. Drivers may be charged anywhere from less than a penny to 10 cents per mile, the news source reports.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments have decided to take this approach as an answer to the improving fuel economy, according to The Associated Press. They are also hoping this taxation may reduce congestion and vehicle emission pollutants by encouraging drivers to drive more frugally.

"The last thing we're interested in is where you go and what you do," Commission spokesman Randy Rentschler told the AP. "What we're trying to do is get people to figure out a way to raise revenue that they could support."

San Francisco is not the first city to consider this taxation method, and it may not be the last. The Jacksonville Business Journal reports Florida officials are thinking about a similar tax, in which drivers will be required to report their mileage when they renew their registrations. Being taxed per mile can encourage drivers to think more about how much they're getting behind the wheel.

Drivers can counterbalance these potential taxes by driving vehicles with excellent fuel economy. There are many fuel efficient models for drivers to choose from at NJ Auto Auction. Plus, every car is CARFAX certified, so buyers know they'll be driving away in a reliable ride.

Compact SUVs are rapidly growing in popularity among drivers, as they offer the interior space of an SUV and the handling and fuel economy of smaller vehicles. Cars.com recently got together with USA Today and MotorWeek to determine which of the leading compact SUVs stood out most among its competitors. The Compact SUV Shootout compared six different small SUVs against one another in a series of tests. The Honda CR-V beat out the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage.

The vehicles were put through tests including a 200-mile drive across highways, city streets and other environments and test drives by families looking to purchase small SUVs. Each model was also driven across the same track by the same professional driver to discern any noticeable differences in their handling and other qualities.

"This was a competitive shootout of an important segment, and we were impressed with all of the vehicles," said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief for Cars.com. "The winning Honda CR-V is a great choice for compact SUV shoppers because of its impressive lineup of standard features, great comfort and overall ride, all combined with Honda's history of strong reliability."

Drivers who are in the market for a used compact SUV like an older model CR-V can head over to NJ State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide variety of makes and models, and every vehicle is CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be getting a reliable ride. The SUVs tested in the Shootout each cost under $25,000 new, so used models are likely to be even more affordable.

Driving is a serious responsibility that requires complete attention of the person behind the wheel. While most motorists know that driving while tired is unsafe, a recent study conducted by the National Safety Council found younger drivers may not be as aware of the risks of drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as operating a car while intoxicated, as drivers exhibit similar behaviors when they are sleepy as when they are drunk. The report also indicated people under 30 are the most likely to get behind the wheel when they're feeling a bit tired, especially on longer trips.

"Drunk driving is universally viewed as dangerous, but young people especially don't understand the very serious risks associated with drowsy and distracted driving," said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "All drivers need to understand the dangers of driving while tired."

Parents of teen drivers should discuss this safety issue with their kids to ensure the young motorists are aware of the risks. Many younger drivers do not consider drowsy driving a serious offense, and find it acceptable to get behind the wheel while groggy, the study found. Alerting young motorists to the truth will help them stay safer on the road and avoid getting into car accidents.

Parents and teens shopping for cars for the new driver can head to New Jersey Auto Auction. The dealer carries a variety of makes and models, and each one is CARFAX certified. This allows parents to know their teens are getting behind the wheel of safe, reliable cars.

Total Car Score recently released its list of the Top 10 Best Off-Road Vehicles for 2012. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was ranked the number one model, due to its V8 engine and off-road capabilities. Land Rover's Range Rover and the Ford F-150 came in a close second and third, respectively. Two other pickups – the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma –  rounded out the top five. The Jeep Wrangler came in last, even though it is known for being one of the most impressive off-road vehicles available.

"The Jeep Wrangler is arguably the most capable off-road vehicle currently produced, but it gets a low Total Car Score because the industry rates it against compact crossovers that have a smooth ride and a quiet cabin at highway speeds – but very little off-road talent," said Total Car Score's editor-in-chief, Karl Braur. "That's why the Wrangler is on this list of the Best Off-Road vehicles despite its low score, and why shoppers seeking off-road prowess should look past high-level ratings to confirm what influences them."

The Total Car Score list provides a useful guideline to help narrow down your choices. Reading reviews online and talking to other owners of models you're interested in can also help you make an educated decision when it comes to choosing the appropriate vehicle. One of the best ways to better understand a particular model is to take it for a test drive. New Jersey State Auto carries a wide variety of makes and models, making it easy to try out the different cars you're interested in.

Even though gas prices may have ebbed lately, the cost of fuel is still a primary concern for the majority of drivers. A recent poll taken by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), an association of nonprofit consumer advocacy organizations, found consumer needs and demands are perfectly matched with the latest federally issued Corporate Automotive Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that were decided upon earlier this year. The CAFE standards, which will be finalized this summer, require automakers to have a fleetwide fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025.

"The 54.5 mpg by 2025 standard will be one of the most important consumer protection measures to be adopted in decades," said Dr. Mark Cooper, director of research for CFA. "Record spending on gasoline for American families, combined with consumer demand for better mileage and a broad political consensus over higher national standards, are driving faster improvements in fuel economy than at any time since the oil price shocks of the 1970s."

Not only do consumers want to save at the pump, but they are also concerned for the environment and the impact the U.S. has on on it – 88 percent of survey respondents are in favor of reducing oil consumption across the nation, and believe improving fuel efficiency is an effective way to do so. Industry experts have raised concerns that higher fuel economy standards will result in more expensive vehicle costs, but 66 percent of consumers are not worried about  this factor.

There are already many different vehicles that offer excellent fuel economy on the market today, and a number of these models can be found used. NJ Auto Auction carries a variety of makes and models at affordable prices, so drivers looking to save on a car and at the pump should head over to the used car dealership.

For many people, a cup of coffee is the most important part of the day, but sometimes there isn't enough time to make a cup at home or grab one on the way to work. Fiat has introduced a possible solution for coffee lovers on the go by installing an Italian espresso maker in the new 500L.

"The 500L is the first standard-production car in the world to offer a true espresso coffee machine that utilizes the technology of the 'A Modo Mio' pods," Fiat said in a press release. "It is perfectly integrated in the car with a deck designed expressly by Fiat."

The unique feature, which will only be offered in Europe, has raised some eyebrows, according to AOL Autos. Many see the espresso machine as another distraction, but Fiat says the machine will only work when the car is in park.  Rather than waiting in line at a coffee shop, 500L drivers can get their coffee before they get out of the car.

If you want to modify your vehicle, whether you want to install your own coffee maker or you'd like to upgrade the stereo system, opting for a used car can help you save money to put toward these aftermarket enhancements. You can find the perfect car at NJ State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices. Plus, every vehicle is CARFAX certified, so you know you won't have to worry about getting repairs done the moment you drive the car off the lot.