2009 Toyota Venza

Four-cylinder crossover combines exceptional fuel economy with a versatile interior

By Nina Russin

2009 Toyota Venza

The Venza fills the gap between Toyota’s mid-sized Camry sedan and the Highlander sport-utility vehicle. Toyota calls the Venza a five-door sedan because it rides on the Camry platform. But it’s really more of a crossover vehicle in terms of its appearance and function.

Last fall, I had the chance to drive the six-cylinder Venza in southern Pennsylvania during a media preview. Recently, I drove the four-cylinder version on a weekend trip between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.

While the four-cylinder Venza lacks the power and towing capability of the V-6, its fuel economy is significantly better. The Venza is a fairly heavy car: curb weight on the front-wheel drive model is 3760 pounds: 3945 pounds for the four-cylinder all-wheel drive model.

I wanted to determine whether the smaller engine would have the power to keep up with high-speed traffic, and have adequate torque to perform emergency maneuvers. The speed limit between Phoenix and Tucson is 75: the average speed of traffic on the 10 freeway is about 80 miles-per-hour.

The other big difference between the current test drive and my experience last fall was the climate. The weather in Pennsylvania during the media preview was a pleasant 70 degrees. As I write this story, the temperature outside is 114 degrees: hot enough to melt running shoes in the trunk of a car, and make the average 12-volt battery come unglued. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S

Nissan infuses its compact sedan with youthful styling and sporty performance

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan Sentra

Whenever I get in a Nissan, I’m reminded of the company’s talent for infusing its cars with elan. Nissan maintains its competitive edge with distinctive designs, and cargo systems that appeal to buyers with active lifestyles.

The most obvious example is the Xterra gear rack: if I had a nickel for every triathlete who’s purchased the SUV because of its wet suit cage, I’d probably be rich. The roof rack on the Frontier pickup is another good example.

The Sentra compact sedan is a value-packed offering with styling and versatility rarely found in its segment. Designers used similar jewel-type headlamps and taillamps to the larger Altima, to serve as  focal points for the sporty exterior. The 140-horsepower, four-cylinder engine has surprisingly powerful performance, especially on the low end.

The interior is spacious, attractive and versatile, with a rear pass-through that extends the cargo floor for long items such as skis, snowboards or golf bags. An available cargo organizer adds utility to the trunk, as well as a hidden storage space. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Scion xD

Scion’s baby box is a super value

By Nina Russin

2009 Scion xD

Last year, Scion replaced the subcompact xA with the xD, a car that looks very much like a scaled-down xB. After driving the 2008 model, I was struck by the night-and-day difference between the xD and the car it replaced. While the xA aspired towards buyers with active lifestyles, the xD embraced them.

Not only does the xD have a more refined powertrain; its versatile, thoughtful interior is ideal for carrying large cargo. The xD incorporates all of the hot button features for millennial buyers, including iPod connectivity, available satellite radio and navigation.

At the same time, the Scion brand carries forth Toyota’s reputation for quality and dependability. The factory warranty includes free scheduled maintenance for the 5000 and 10,000 mile intervals.

Since the xD is a light car, it can run well on a relatively small engine and maintain good fuel economy. The four-speed automatic model tested averages 28 miles-per-gallon according to EPA estimates: my fuel economy for the test drive was slightly higher.

Base price is $15,450, making the Scion xD an ALV super value. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Mustang GT Coupe

All-new pony car gets power and performance enhancements

By Nina Russin

2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe

Pony cars are an American religion. Forty-five years after its introduction, the Mustang remains a favorite among muscle car enthusiasts. It’s not a car for everyone, but for some drivers, it’s the only car.

It’s iconic status makes the Mustang hard to write about. While I’ve driven and written about most Mustang models since the early 1990s, I don‘t have the deep knowledge that writers who specialize in the car do.

The drive test that follows isn’t directed towards readers who are looking for inside scoops on the car‘s engineering, or want information on the aftermarket. My goal is to see how well the new Mustang fits the needs of  buyers looking for a sport coupe that also meets their active lifestyle needs.

With that in mind, I decided to take the 2010 Mustang GT on a 1000-mile road trip from Phoenix, Arizona to Durango Colorado. The roads ranged from four-lane divided highway to twisting two-lane paved roads through the Colorado Rockies, and long stretches of high desert in between. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Infiniti G37x Coupe AWD

Infiniti upgrades the G with a seven-speed automatic and available all-wheel drive

By Nina Russin

2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe

Last year, Infiniti introduced a new G sport coupe, with a more powerful engine and enhanced steering technology. The 2009 G37 comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission that replaces last year’s six-speed box. The new transmission yields better fuel economy, and has downshift rev matching for enhanced performance. Available all-wheel drive improves the coupe’s performance on wet roads.

This week, I drove the 2009 all-wheel drive model in and around Phoenix, Arizona. While I wasn’t able to evaluate the G37’s wet weather performance, I tested Infiniti’s active steer and electronic torque distribution systems on some two-lane roads outside of town.

As with its predecessor, the G is a front mid-ship platform, optimizing its front-to-rear weight balance. The coupe sits lower and has a wider track than the model it replaced, for better high-speed handling and improved steering response. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels give the G a generous footprint. All models come with four-wheel vented disc brakes and standard four-channel antilock braking. Read the rest of this entry »