2009 Chicago Auto Show

Niche Automakers Making Small Big

By Nina Russin

2009 Subaru Forster

At a time when small is returning to favor, niche automakers are following in their footsteps. Nowhere was this more apparent than the recent Chicago Auto Show media preview, where manufacturers shared their plans for weathering the current economic storm.

While most of the car companies are licking their wounds after a brutal drop in sales last year, Subaru celebrated a gain in market share.

Thanks to the successful launch of its Forester sport-utility vehicle, the Japanese automaker experienced a twenty-two percent increase in market share. Subaru set sales records for the Forester, Impreza and Legacy last year, giving the company its largest presence in the US market since 1982.

Subaru will unveil the fourth-generation Legacy later this year.

Buy back program inspires consumer confidence

Hyundai, the Korean automaker that many considered an upstart just a decade back, also fared well last year. In addition to continue its value-pricing strategy and ten-year warranty, Hyundai partnered with EFG, a Canadian company, to create the Hyundai Assurance Program.

Hyundai booth at the Chicago Auto Show

Hyundai will buy back cars from any new Hyundai owner who loses his or her job.

In a keynote speech to the Midwest Automotive Media Association, Hyundai Motors America CEO, John Krafcik said that the buy back program was an example of “thinking unconventionally” in what he described as revolutionary times.

Later that morning, Hyundai unveiled the Genesis coupe: a sporty partner to the highly successful sedan.

The coupe comes with a choice of a turbocharged four-cylinder or naturally-aspirated V-6 engine. The four-cylinder version, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, averages thirty miles-per-gallon on the highway. Pricing starts at $22,000.

Track models of the Genesis coupe appeal to weekend racing enthusiasts with upgraded wheels and tires, Brembo brakes and a track-tuned suspension. The track models come with xenon headlamps and a rear spoiler: pricing for the four cylinder starts at $26,750; the six cylinder begins at $29,500.

A R-Spec Genesis coupe incorporates many of the performance features of the track models at a lower starting price, by paring away some of their standard comfort and convenience features.

The coupe rolls into dealerships this month.

New Kia compact sedan

Hyundai’s sister company, Kia, introduced a new compact sedan that replaces the Spectra, and competes against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

2010 Kia Forte

The Forte carries forth Spectra’s sporty styling and handling, with technology upgrades such as Bluetooth compatibility, satellite radio, MP3 and iPod compatibility. Standard safety features include side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The Forte goes on sale this summer, to be followed by a yet undisclosed model. Could a five-door Forte be in the Kia skunkworks?

The Forte is the first Kia being produced at the manufacturer’s new assembly plant in West Point Georgia. Kia plans to build half of its American market cars at the Georgia plant by 2013.

Suzuki stays strong

Suzuki retail sales were stable last year, thanks to its wide base of automobile, motorcycle and marine customers. The 2009 Equator pickup appeals to those customers by providing an affordable means for towing and hauling.

2009 Suzuki Equator

The Equator comes in extended and crew cab configurations. Standard safety features include side curtain airbags and electronic stability control. The Equator tows up to 6500 pounds.

A RMZ4 off-road model adds skid plates and Bilstein shocks.

An integrated cargo bed system makes it easier to customize the Equator for hauling bikes and other large items.

Active lifestyles cubed

Nissan cube

The pint-sized Nissan cube is the latest in a series of box-shaped lifestyle cars that began with the Honda Element and Scion xB. The 2009 cube shares the automaker’s B platform with the Rogue.

Power comes from a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission. Its small footprint gives the cube great fuel economy: thirty miles-per-gallon on the highway.

A refrigerator-style rear door makes the cube’s tall cargo bay easy to load. Rear passengers sit slightly higher than the driver and front passenger for a better view of the road.

Despite its small size, the cube can comfortably fit four adult men inside: a few of my colleagues hopped into a display car at the preview just to make sure.

Available technology upgrades include keyless ignition, a Bluetooth hand-free phone system, satellite radio and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with iPod interface.

There are four trim levels, ranging from the base 1.8 cube to the edgy-looking 1.8 Krom. The Krom comes with standard antilock braking, six airbags and exclusive exterior trim, including sixteen-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, a special grille and front fascia.

Happy birthday Miata MX-5

2009 Mazda MX-5

Mazda introduced the first Mazda Miata at the 1989 Chicago Auto show, and has used Chicago as a launch point for several subsequent generations. At this year’s show, Mazda celebrated twenty years of MX-5 by breaking out the sushi, and a few bottles of Kirin to go with it.

Since introducing the 1990 model, Mazda has sold 900,000 Miatas globally, proving that there is a market for affordable, two-seat roadsters.

The Miata isn’t the first small car that Mazda took a big risk on. Two decades prior to its introduction Mazda bought the rights to the Wankel rotary engine: a fledgling idea that became the basis for the highly successful RX-8 sports car.

A refreshed Mazda MX-5 rolls out for the 2010 model year.

Electric Ford Transit Connect

Jim Farley, Group vice president of marketing, reveals the 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Transit Connect

At last year’s Chicago Auto Show, Ford unveiled the Transit Connect: a compact commercial truck designed to compete against longer, less fuel efficient vehicles. The Transit connect has a small enough wheelbase to produce a thirty-five foot turning radius, and a big enough interior to hold a six-foot ladder.

Fuel economy on the gas-powered version averages twenty miles-per-gallon in the city and twenty-four on the highway. Pricing starts at $21,475.

This year, the battery electric Transit Connect DEV rolls out for fleet customers, offering businesses an environmentally-friendly alternative to the gasoline version.

Ford also unveiled its new Taurus SHO EcoBoost, building on the popularity of the original model. The new SHO will be a sleeper performance car, just like its predecessors, but with much better fuel economy. A 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 365 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque, but averages twenty-five miles per gallon on the highway.

Steering-wheel mounted paddle controls let the driver manually select gears for the six-speed automatic transmission. Standard all-wheel drive improves the SHO’s wet weather handling.

The new SHO incorporates many recent safety innovations as standard equipment, including Volvo’s blind spot information system with traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Pricing for the SHO starts at $37,995.

Green tires boost fuel economy

Bridgestone’s new Ecopia EP100 tires have thirty percent less rolling resistance than conventional treads with no sacrifice in wet weather traction. Bridgestone experts claim that the tires can increase a vehicle’s fuel economy by 4.2%

The tires come in fourteen-to-sixteen inch sizes, and are intended as a summer replacement tire for hybrid sedans.

Show and show biz cars

Mudflap, a movie car based on the Chevrolet Traxx concept.

Despite their ongoing financial struggles, General Motors and Chrysler put their best faces forward: General Motors with show cars used in the Dreamworks Transformer movies, and Chrysler with the new Dodge heavy duty Ram pickups.

The Chevrolet Beat concept car goes into production as the Spark, with forty mile-per-gallon fuel economy on the highway. The upcoming Chevrolet Cruze which replaces the Cobalt will have similar fuel economy gains.

The 2010 Dodge Ram heavy duty model now comes in a crew cab model, with a choice of 5.7-liter hemi or 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines. The heavy duty Ram tows up to 18,500 pounds.

Meanwhile, the light-duty Ram goes green, with a two-mode hybrid model rolling out next year, and diesel availability the year after.

The Chicago Auto Show, now in its one hundred first year, is one of the most heavily attended auto shows in the country. Despite the bleak economic forecast, the Chicago Auto Trade Association which sponsors the show continues to see the event as “strong and viable.”

The show opens to the public this weekend and runs through February 22.

2009 Nissan Murano S AWD

Five-passenger crossover vehicle with all-weather capability

By Nina Russin

The first generation Murano, launched in 1993, appealed to drivers who needed the versatility of a sport-utility vehicle, but didn’t want to leave

2009 Nissan Murano

the ride and handling of a passenger sedan behind. The new Murano takes the original crossover formula and improves on it with a more refined power train and a first-class interior.

The Murano shares chassis components with Nissan’s popular Altima sport sedan: a fully-independent suspension and speed-sensitive steering provide similar ride and handling characteristics. A 3.5-liter V-6 engine and continuously variable transmission give the car plenty of low-end torque, for good acceleration in the critical twenty-to-fifty mile-per-hour range.

Four-wheel disc brakes with standard antilock braking help the driver to maintain directional control on a variety of road surfaces. Available all-wheel drive automatically sends engine power to the wheels with the best traction, for enhanced handling on wet or snow-covered roads.

Sedan-like styling

The Murano’s styling always conjures up thoughts of a sedan on steroids, thanks to its large wheels and coupe-like profile. The test car features standard eighteen-inch wheels. Customers who want a sportier look can upgrade to twenty-inch rims. Dual exhaust pipes peek out under the rear bumper, giving the back end an all-business look. Up front, the Murano maintains its aggressively styled grille, framed by horizontal halogen headlamps.

But it’s the cars interior that really sets it apart from the competition. With the exception of a rather funky keyless ignition device, the Murano’s simple but ergonomic design makes it an ideal vehicle for active lifestyles.

Manually adjustable seats with cloth trim on the test car are on the firm side, with separate lower lumbar styling. Large overhead reading lamps give both rows of passengers the ability to look through maps or magazines in low light conditions.

A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps smaller drivers maintain a clear forward view and a safe distance from the front airbag. Audio and dual climate controls on the center stack are easy to reach from both front seating positions.

The Murano’s glove box is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen: large enough to hold a purse or a small pack. The center console includes a large bin for compact discs, with a twelve-volt powerpoint and a small top shelf for portable electronic devices.

The fuel filler cap release, a device often hidden under the dashboard or on the door, is located to the left of the steering wheel, where it’s easy to reach. Ditto for the vehicle stability off switch.

A standard AM/FM six-CD audio system is MP3 compatible. A large information screen at the top of the center stack displays music selections.

All four doors have map pockets but not bottle holders. Two large cupholders in the center console are large enough for water bottles.

Lack of a floor tunnel makes it possible for three passengers to sit in the second row, although the center console impinges on the middle passenger’s legroom. A bin in the back of the center console gives people in back a place to stash drinks or electronic devices.
Second-row seats are split 60/40: a strap on the seat cushion folds the seats flat without removing the headrests. The Murano easily meets our bicycle friendly standards with the second-row seats folded flat.

Despite its high profile, the back of the car has a low liftover height, making it easier to load items into the cargo bay. Levers to both sides of the liftgate collapse the second-row seats flat from the back. An optional tonneau cover is removable for larger cargo items. An underfloor cargo area with dividers is handy for stashing valuables away from prying eyes.

A convenience package on the test car adds roof rails, the tonneau cover, smoked rear glass and a car alarm.

A big car that handles like a small one

One of the nicest things about driving the Murano is that it feels a lot smaller than it actually is. Although it’s no hot rod, the engine has plenty of power for accelerating into high-speed traffic, or making the occasional emergency maneuver at speed. Variable effort power steering provides plenty of assist at low speeds for maneuvering into parking spots, without being sloppy in stop-and-go traffic. The Murano has a good on-center feel on the highway.

The suspension is compliant enough for the daily commute and the potholes that go with it. Front and rear anti-roll bars keep the chassis flat in the corners. Visibility is pretty good to the sides and rear, despite the Murano’s rather thick rear pillar. A standard rear wiper keeps the back glass clean in rain and snow. Rain-sensing wipers on the upscale grades make it easier to keep the front glass clean in mist and light rain.

Brakes are firm and linear without being grabby.

I mentioned the keyless ignition up front: it’s a design that makes no sense to me. To start the car, the driver inserts a pod into a slot near the steering wheel, and then presses a start button. It seems unnecessarily complicated: no improvement over a conventional ignition key in the steering column.

Standard safety

All models come with standard front and side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, antilock brakes, vehicle stability and traction control.

Base price on the test car is $27,930, not including a $745 destination charge. The all-new Murano is on display at Nissan dealerships nationwide.

Likes: An affordable crossover vehicle with available all-wheel drive that easily meets our bicycle-friendly standards. The attractive ergonomic interior includes most of the features active types need without a lot of nonsense to get in the way.

Dislikes: Keyless ignition is difficult to use.

Quick facts:

Make: Nissan
Model: Murano S AWD
Year: 2009
Base price: $27,930
As tested: $29,225
Horsepower: 265 @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 248 ft.-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: N/A
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Off-road: No
Towing: Yes
Fuel economy: 18/23 mpg city/highway

2009 Mazda5 Grand Touring

Compact cross-utility vehicle seats up to six passengers

By Nina Russin

Two-thousand nine was a year of extremes, especially with regards to fuel prices. After prices peaked over four-dollars per gallon last July, they fell in December to levels drivers hadn’t seem in half a decade. Now that

2009 Mazda5

regular fuel has once again summited the two-dollar mark, people are looking at their full-sized trucks and wondering if they couldn’t make do with something smaller.

The Mazda5 is a possible solution for buyers who need to carry multiple passengers, but also keep their driving expenses within reason. With a base price of $22,675 for the upscale grand touring grade, Mazda’s  crossover vehicle is an affordable car that’s also fun to drive. Its standard four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission provide a surprising amount of power, while the car’s small footprint gives it the ride and handling characteristics of a sport sedan.

Three rows of seating accommodate up to six passengers, assuming that some of those passengers are small. I was able to fit into the back seats, but I don’t agree with the manufacturer’s claim of “generous” third-row legroom. 

Sliding second-row doors make it easier for parents to fit child seats in back. The second-row seats slide forward to ease third-row ingress and egress. Rear passengers can enter and exit the car without climbing over the rear wheel arches.

Third-row seats fold flat by releasing a single strap on each seatback, making the cargo floor large enough to load in a bicycle. Folding the second-row seats flat is more complicated: it requires flipping the seat bottoms forward, and, depending on seat position, removing the headrests as well.

The grand touring grade tested comes with most of the safety, comfort and convenience features its buyers will look for: antilock braking, side curtain airbags, MP3 and Bluetooth compatible audio system, a power moon roof, leather trim with heated front seats and multiple power points. Vehicle stability control is not available on any trim level: a surprising omission considering its proven safety benefits.

Positive fuel economy plus sporty performance

The Mazda5 is a light car given its six-passenger capacity. Curb weight is 3475 pounds, allowing engineers to achieve excellent performance with a small engine. Average fuel economy is twenty-three miles per gallon for city and highway driving.

Its small footprint makes the Mazda5 quite agile as well. It has excellent on-center response at speed, and stays flat in the corners, thanks to standard front and rear anti-roll bars.

A low center of gravity keeps the car stable on the highway. Five inches of ground clearance is enough to clear the average snowfall, but not adequate for off-road driving.

The chassis seems well balanced for a front-wheel drive car: I didn’t notice a tendency to push in the corners. Although front-wheel drive improves the car’s traction on wet pavement, it makes the Mazda5 a poor choice for people who want to tow trailers.

An electric power steering pump produces plenty of assist at low speeds while maintaining good response on the highway. Eliminating the hydraulic booster saves weight under the hood and eliminates a part that frequently wears out.

Standard seventeen-inch wheels and all-season tires produce a wide contact patch, while four-wheel disc brakes stop the car in linear fashion on both wet and dry pavement.

Visibility to the sides and rear is good: the car’s lower ride height minimizes blind spots to the sides of  the car. A standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel gives smaller drivers a clear forward view.

Standard rain-sensing wipers keep the front glass clean in intermittent rain, while a standard rear wiper improves visibility to the back in stormy weather.

Standard xenon headlamps produce a longer brighter beam than halogen, making it easier to see the road at night or in bad weather.

Ergonomic interior

Designers maximized room up front by integrating the gate shifter into the center stack, as opposed to the floor console. A manual shift option allows drivers to maximize fuel economy on the highway, or choose sporty performance on winding two-lane roads.

Redundant audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel minimize driver distraction. Audio and temperature controls on the center stack are easy to reach from both front seating positions.

Trying the audio system reminded me why I don’t like speed sensitive volume controls: the sound was unusually quiet at stoplights, and deafening on the highway.

There are two twelve-volt power points: at the base of the center stack, and to the left of the liftgate in the cargo area

Manually adjustable seats have adequate lower lumbar support. Separate armrests for the driver and front passenger travel with the seats.

There are two generous-sized cupholders in the floor console: the front doors also have bottle holders and map pockets. Second-row passengers have use of a center console that can slide fore and aft with the seats. Air vents in back of the front center console circulate air through the back of the cabin.

A standard power moonroof brings extra light into the back of the car. Theater-style seating gives all three rows of passengers a clear forward view.

The rear glass flips up independent of the liftgate for loading in small items. With all three rows of seating in place, there’s enough room in back for some groceries, but not much else. A small under-floor cargo area conceals valuables.

A light in the cargo area can turn on and off without the car running: it comes in handy when loading and unloading items at night.

Mazda produces the Mazda5 at its Hiroshima, Japan assembly plant.

Likes: An affordable six-passenger vehicle with an ergonomic interior, good fuel economy, and excellent ride and handling.

Dislikes: Lack of legroom in the third row. Speed-sensitive volume in the audio system overcompensates for road noise.

Quick facts:

Make: Mazda
Model: Mazda5 Grand Touring
Year: 2009
Base price: $22,675
As tested: $23,395
Horsepower: 153 Hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 148 lbs.-ft. @ 4500 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: N/A
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Towing: No
Off-road: No
Fuel economy: 21/27 mpg city/highway
Comments: Base price does not include a $670 delivery charge.