Auto Word from Creators Syndicate

Chevy's Traverse Crossover Offers Plenty of Power, Stability and Room for 07/14/2009

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Chevrolet Traverse is designed for the ego of the American family man. It can transport the same cargo as a minivan without calling to mind the term "soccer mom."

This family-class crossover is more stylish than the Toyota Highlander, less bulky than the Honda Pilot and is as functional and innovative as either of those imports. American competitors in this seven- to eight- ...

Updated: Tue Jul 14, 2009

From 0 to 60 in $2,100,000 for 07/21/2009

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

How does an automaker sell a $2.1 million convertible in this economy?

If it is Bugatti, it takes its rakish Veyron Grand Sport "roadster" on a monthlong tour to its 11 dealerships in the United States. It then invites select media for a test drive and potential owners to an open-car "experience" at the dealerships. But only those very likely to buy the car get to dri ...

Updated: Tue Jul 21, 2009

Handsome Hybrid, Hefty Price for 07/28/2009

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Lexus GS hybrid is an elite sport sedan that takes a little too much green — about $60,000 — for the privilege of driving green.

Lexus sells the GS in V-6, V-8 and hybrid configurations. Pricing starts at $45,675 for the GS 350 (or $47,625 for all-wheel drive). The V-8-powered GS 460 starts at $54,145.

The GS 450h starts at $57,225, including a $825 freight charge, ...

Updated: Tue Jul 28, 2009

Subaru's Bad Boy Makes for Good Fun for 08/04/2009

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Subaru Impreza WRX is like that buddy who always got you to do things on a dare, even when you knew better. You were the nice kid, but with him (or her) you were both hooligans, and loved it.

I just spent a week with this turbocharged, all-wheel-drive hooligan, which had about $2,100 in Subaru Performance Tuning accessories. SPT parts are developed by Subaru of America and U.S. suppl ...

Updated: Tue Aug 04, 2009

G8 Is Enough for 08/11/2009

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

After two recent weeks in two new Pontiacs from the Old GM, it seems unfortunate the brand ran out of time before the company ran out of money. The plans were going in the right direction.

The Solstice Coupe I wrote about a few weeks ago and the most recent test car, a top-line G8 GXP, would have recaptured the public's attention on the brand, said automotive industry analyst Jim Wangers ...

Updated: Tue Aug 11, 2009

Prius Not Just a Gas Pincher Anymore for 08/18/2009

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The new Prius has matured from green car poster child to a nicely refined, midsize hatchback that happens to be a gasoline-electric hybrid that is EPA-rated for 51 mpg around town.

Most people know this pop-culture icon as a hybrid and a Toyota, but the redesigned 2010 model may be less of a rebel.

For those who haven't been inundated with Prius trivia, it is a full hybrid with a ...

Updated: Tue Aug 18, 2009

Soul has Spirit: Kia Loads Economy Model with Style and Comfort for 08/25/2009

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The more they design cars for young people, the better they fit old people. Think Pontiac Aztek, Honda Element, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Scion xB, Suzuki SX4 hatchback and, more recently, the Nissan Cube and the Kia Soul.

Auto marketers cringe when their trend-setting, versatile vehicle could be labeled an old-person's car, but function and comfort have no age limit. Young people will be com ...

Updated: Tue Aug 25, 2009

Stylish Kia Forte Sedan Challenges Toyota and Honda Models for 09/01/2009

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Kia is pushing limits and raising expectations with its new compact Forte sedan.

The 2010 Forte, which replaces Spectra, could cause Toyota to put some style in the next Corolla and make Honda look over its shoulder to protect the Civic's turf.

Forte — pronounced For-tay — is the first compact, Kia says, to offer a USB port, satellite radio and Bluetooth phone connecti ...

Updated: Tue Sep 01, 2009

Despite Safety, Solid Shells Spoil Purity of Top-Down Driving for 09/08/2009

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Retractable hardtop convertibles are becoming the new standard for top-down driving, leaving traditional soft tops to appear drafty and unsafe.

Automakers like the marketability of a retractable hardtop because it can be sold as a four-season car. And its safety features are obvious. Miscreants can't slice their way into the car and there's substantial rollover and crash protection.

...

Updated: Tue Sep 08, 2009

Chevrolet's Compact Crossover has Economy, Engineering to Excel for 09/15/2009

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

As American consumers learn to do more with less, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox crossover makes economic sense.

It has more room than a midsize sedan but comparable pricing and fuel economy. The standard model of Equinox has an EPA fuel economy rating of 32 mpg on the highway from a sophisticated four-cylinder engine. That's one mpg less than the Malibu sedan — and a notable accomplis ...

Updated: Tue Sep 15, 2009

Ford's Raptor Pickup Can Hold its Own on Ragged Trails for 09/22/2009

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Twenty-two miles in 25 minutes isn't a commute time worth bragging about — but it's a brisk clip behind the wheel of a Ford Raptor on the San Felipe Wash of the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area in San Diego County.

Ford was at the off-road area recently for the media debut of its V-8 powered Raptor SVT, a modified F-150 pickup. This truck has no fear of going a mile a ...

Updated: Tue Sep 22, 2009

Mercedes-Benz Coupe Rewarding to Drive, with Generous Trunk Space for 09/29/2009

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The new Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe is an elegant four-seater that should have a better fighting stance against the Audi A5 and BMW 3-series than the CLK model it replaces.

Sold in V-6 and V-8 configurations, the E-class coupe replaces the CLK line, which had always been just a design stroke away from gorgeous.

Pricing for the 268-horsepower, V-6 model begins at $48,925, including ...

Updated: Tue Sep 29, 2009

Mini Cooper Clubman Combines Fun and Function for 10/06/2009

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Mini Cooper is like Cinderella's slipper. A lot of people want to wedge a size-12 lifestyle into this lithesome little four seater, but it just doesn't fit.

Mini came out with a shoehorn in 2008 with its Cooper Clubman, today's test car, which is a stretched version of the hardtop Mini. It adds one back door on the passenger side and quaint barn doors to access a slightly larger carg ...

Updated: Tue Oct 06, 2009

Hyundai's Roomy Midsize Might Not Get Recognition It Deserves for 10/13/2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Hyundai Sonata is a well-done package of space, accommodations and comfort, but a little too stealth to get the recognition it deserves.

Recently in the parking lot at work, a colleague gave the car a look and said: "Nice looking. What is it?"

When I answered "a Hyundai," the response was: "Really!"

That evening, a neighbor saw the Sonata L ...

Updated: Tue Oct 13, 2009

Four-Seater Faithful to Porsche's Performance Standards for 10/20/2009

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Now it's my turn," said professional racer Bob Faieta, who was my mentor around the Road America racetrack for the media launch of the 2010 Porsche Panamera.

Faieta was among several past and present Porsche racers, including Hurley Haywood and Patrick Long, who pushed or reined in journalists on a day of hard driving. Porsche always holds new-vehicle introductions at racetrac ...

Updated: Tue Oct 20, 2009

Outback Gets You There and Back in Style for 10/27/2009

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The new Subaru Outback isn't just about getting to the backcountry; it is about arriving there in style and comfort.

The humble, wagonlike Outback has traveled a long road in its 14 years. For 2010, it emerges at a clearing surrounded by very capable crossover-type vehicles.

Outback could be a Car of the Year contender, or at least Most Improved Car of the Year, which is also true ...

Updated: Tue Oct 27, 2009

Z4: Speed to Thrill for 11/03/2009

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

If absolute power corrupts absolutely, I'm guilty.

I was moving rapidly in a recent test of the top-line, 300-horsepower, twin-turbocharged BMW Z4 retractable hardtop. Good luck finding the limits of this car on city streets. The faster it goes, the more in control it feels.

At high rpms, the 3-liter, straight-six engine has the blare of a track racer. It challenges the Porsche Bo ...

Updated: Tue Nov 03, 2009

Aston Martin's DBS Volante is a Work of Art on Wheels for 11/10/2009

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

If I owned the Aston Martin DBS Volante, I'd put a garage door in my living room and park it inside at night, so I could spend time just looking at this sensuously skinned convertible.

This is a $300,000 piece of 12-cylinder artwork. It is a statement and it makes one. It is as if designer Marek Reichman and his team captured a living being and encased its soul in aluminum, magnesium all ...

Updated: Tue Nov 10, 2009

Lancer Sportback Ralliart is the Crossover with Kick for 11/17/2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is a hot hatch with a fierce, pavement-eating face and a performance option to back it up.

It is a step-up model from the Lancer sedan and is sold in two trim levels -- the front-wheel-drive GTS and the all-wheel-drive Ralliart, today's test car.

The Sportback GTS emphasizes style with utility and econo ...

Updated: Tue Nov 17, 2009

Mazda3 S Grand Touring is Packed with Uplevel Features for 11/24/2009

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Before there had been a big jump in fuel prices and long before Cash for Clunkers was dreamed up, the Mazda3 hatchback made a connection with drivers of sport-utility vehicles who wanted a change.

The Mazda3 was the right car at the right time.

The five-door model was, essentially, an early crossover — before there was a term for crossover, said auto industry analyst Jim Wan ...

Updated: Tue Nov 24, 2009