2009 Dodge Nitro SLT 4X4

Mid-sized sport-utility vehicle is an athlete’s tool box

By Nina Russin

2009 Dodge Nitro SLT

Two years ago, the Dodge Nitro won our ALV of the year award in the best value, off-road category. Jurors were impressed with the sport-utility vehicle’s combination of off-road capability and cargo features, including a sliding load floor that holds up to 400 pounds.

For 2009, Dodge refines the Nitro with some chassis enhancements, and additional convenience features. A four-speed automatic transmission is now standard on all models with the base 3.7-liter engine. Stiffer rear axle shafts, a re-tuned suspension and steering components improve the car’s handling. Revised brake calipers and a re-tuned booster produce better braking response.

The Nitro’s roster of convenience features now includes standard floor mats, a rear dome lamp, and automatic door unlock when the driver shifts into park. Express-down front windows are standard equipment on the upscale SLT and R/T models. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Toyota 4Runner Debuts in Texas

Toyota unveils the fifth-generation model at a September 24 news conference

2010 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota announced today that it will unveil the fifth-generation 4Runner at the Texas State Fair, during a September 24 news conference. The State Fair in Dallas runs from September 25 through October 18. Texas is Toyota’s biggest full-sized truck market. The automaker’s San Antonio assembly plant produces the full-sized Tundra.

The 4Runner is Toyota’s volume-leading off-road sport-utility vehicle. The original model entered dealer showrooms for the 1985 model year. The current version has been on the road since 2003. The 4Runner is available with a choice of V6 or V8 engines, in two or four-wheel drive configurations.

A two-speed transfer case, downhill assist control and hill start assist on the four-wheel drive truck give the 4Runner the ability to negotiate extreme terrain. A trail edition, introduced for the ’09 model year, adds a locking rear differential, active traction control, Bilstein shocks, special wheels and tires.

2009 Nissan cube 1.8S

Does Nissan’s funky box fill the squares for active lifestyles?

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan cube

The box-shaped crossover is to the new millennium what microbuses were to the 1960s. What made the microbus so popular, aside from its anti-establishment image, was its functionality. It was cheap, inexpensive to operate, and it held a lot of stuff: enough to function as a home away from home. The question is whether or not the new Nissan cube can do the same.

The cube’s exterior design is simpatico with the Scion xB and Kia Soul. All three fly in the face of mainstream aerodynamic design, giving them a certain cache. Nissan’s model designation as a common rather than proper noun is a nod to text messaging: devoid of punctuation. Nissan’s marketing strategy focuses on non-traditional media as well, with a “mobile hub,” accessible via a “text to” number, and a unique iPhone application.

Entertaining though they may be, these communications strategies aren’t enough to drive value-conscious customers into the showroom. But the cube’s base price of $13,990 is a good start. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe

Can Chevrolet’s powerful new two-plus-two dominate the pony car wars?

By Nina Russin

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

This year, Chevrolet introduces an all-new Camaro for the 2010 model year, with a powerful SS grade that promises to give the Mustang GT a run for the money. There are two available V8 engines: the L99 on automatic transmission models, and the LS3 on cars equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

The L99 engine has a cylinder cut-off feature that enhances fuel economy when engine load is low. The LS3 engine on the manual transmission model is also the base engine in the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Camaro LS3 engine is slightly detuned, producing four less horsepower than the block in the Corvette. As someone who’s spent lots of time around both cars, I would guess that a cold air package would quickly bring the Camaro engine up to Corvette speed.

Both of the Camaro V8 engines are significantly more powerful than the 315- horsepower block in the Mustang GT. Since the Camaro SS and Mustang GT have similar EPA fuel economy ratings, one might wonder why anybody would choose the Ford over the Chevy.

One deal breaker is the price: base on the Camaro SS with the manual transmission is $33,430, as compared to $27,995 for the Mustang. The test car, which comes equipped the RS package and twenty-inch alloy wheels costs $35,850.

The other deciding factor could be Chevrolet’s loss of owner loyalty. When the automaker stopped building the Camaro eight years ago, enthusiasts were left with the choice of upgrading to the pricier Corvette, or changing brands. In the meantime, Ford continued to build Mustang equity with new models and features. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Toyota Prius IV

Third-generation sedan raises the bar for hybrid performance

By Nina Russin

2010 Toyota Prius

Prius is a Latin word meaning “to go before.” That’s exactly what Toyota did, prior to unveiling the original hybrid sedan in 1997. Ten years before the great recession and record-breaking oil prices, Toyota invested heavily in alternative fuel technology.

Rather than outsourcing, the automaker kept Prius development in-house. Doing so cost more, and slowed the process down. But once accomplished, it also set Toyota up for a leadership position in what has turned out to be a burgeoning market.

Today, Priuses are everywhere: I see almost as many used by cab companies and delivery services as I do privately-owned vehicles. While the federal tax credit helped to stimulate sales early on, it can’t account for the car’s overwhelming popularity.

The reason the Prius is so popular is because it’s easy to live with: durable enough for four-season climates, with a surprisingly versatile interior. Since the nickel-metal hydride battery recharges using regenerative energy, owners don’t have to fuss with plugging the car in.

This year, Toyota introduces the third-generation Prius, with better fuel economy than the model it replaces, and some compelling new features. An optional solar roof panel powers a remote air conditioning system that pre-cools the car. The new model is also safer, with a standard driver’s knee airbag, and available adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist. Read the rest of this entry »

Volvo Unveils New Safety Initiative

Crash test dummies focus on pedestrian safety

Volvo Crash Test Dummies

Volvo has added two new members to its family of crash test dummies. Bob and his son, Bob Junior are pedestrians that Volvo is using to find new ways to protect people outside the car.

The pedestrian dummies are suspended from a crane. The machine can propel them into the driver’s line of vision: they may appear from behind a parked car or around a corner. Volvo engineers want to see if new technology that uses both radar and cameras can register the pedestrians, and respond before an accident occurs.

“We have a lot of faith in Bob when it comes to the development of our active safety systems, and it would have been even more exciting to develop a dummy that could move by itself,” said Anders Eugensson, a safety expert at Volvo.

Volvo will be adding a female dummy soon, to complete the pedestrian group.

2010 Ford Taurus SEL

First drive

By Nina Russin

2010 Ford Taurus

For a certain generation of drivers, the full-sized sedan is the archetypical American car. Those of us who were kids prior to the introduction of the minivan grew up in family sedans. Back then, few families owned more than one car, so the sedan that carried dad to work also took the kids to school, mom to the grocery store, and the whole clan on summer road trips.

The first-generation Ford Taurus that debuted for the 1986 model year was a car in that tradition. It was one of Ford’s greatest success stories, becoming the top selling sedan in North America.

After several iterations, Ford discontinued the Taurus, focusing on trucks and sport-utility vehicles that were dominating the market. A couple years of tough economic times and rising gas prices have the car-buying public shifting its focus back to passenger sedans. Enter the 2010 Ford Taurus.

In addition to buyers moving out of trucks and sport-utility vehicles, Ford expects to draw Crown Victoria owners, now that the full-sized sedan is out of production.

The new Taurus is stylish, fuel-efficient, and comes standard with a host of segment-leading convenience  and safety features,  including Ford SYNC, adaptive cruise control, collision warning with cross-traffic alert,  and MyKey: a chip that allows parents to control the maximum speed their kids can drive the car at. Lucky for Ferris Bueller that Ford has yet to share the technology with Ferrari. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

Volvo hits a home run with its new mid-sized crossover vehicle

By Nina Russin

2010 Volvo XC60

Volvo may not be the biggest player in the sport-utility segment, but as of this year, it’s an important one. The new XC60 is one of the best luxury crossover vehicles on the market, combining innovative safety and ergonomic features in a stylish package.

I realize that saying this sets me up for a collective eye-roll from colleagues who know that my perspective on Swedish cars isn’t completely objective. The fact is: I love all things Swedish. Gravlax, pannkakor, Orrefors glass, clogs, and the midnight sun are among my many favorite Swedish things. On a good, day, I even enjoy a little Abba.

My husband and I have owned three Volvos: our current car is a C30. But I will remain glued to my soapbox, proclaiming to anyone willing to listen that the XC60 is a near-perfect car. It’s beautiful to look at, a dream to drive, and has standard City Safety: a technology that could make rush-hour fender benders a thing of the past. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan

Clean, green and so much fun

By Nina Russin

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Diesel technology has evolved significantly over the past two decades. The new generation of clean diesel cars are fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly, nimble performers. Last year, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen won our ALV green car of the year award. This week, I had the chance to drive the wagon’s four-door sibling: the Jetta TDI sedan.

The secret to diesel performance is its low-end torque. The Jetta TDI develops peak torque of 236 foot-pounds at 1750 rpm: just above idle. As a result, the car can accelerate extremely hard from a stop.

Common-rail technology and on-board computer controls have eliminated the lag that plagued older diesel cars. Throttle response on the Jetta TDI is virtually indistinguishable from its gas-powered counterpart.

Diesels emit less carbon dioxide than gas cars: carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas thought to be a major factor is global warming.

But here’s the best part: diesel cars yield between 25 and 30 percent better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline models. The fuel economy improvement is applicable to both city and highway driving. And unlike hybrids, the buyer doesn’t pay extra for the technology. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT Coupe

Chevrolet reinvents its legendary two-plus-two for the twenty-first century

By Nina Russin

2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS

The Camaro may not be an active lifestyle vehicle, but it’s a car close to my heart. Last May, I parted ways with the 1994 Camaro Z28 that I bought new.

The name, Camaro, comes from the French word “camarade,” meaning “companion, or partner.” My Camaro was truly that. In addition to being my daily driver for many years, it was the car I made my last cross-country trip with my mother in, as well as many shorter trips through the Midwest, Arizona, and up the California coast.

By the time I sold the car, the cloth seats were stained with sweat from morning runs here in Phoenix. The folding cover over the storage well was chewed up as well: a victim of repeated crushing from cameras, lighting, duffel bags, coolers, and heaven knows what else I stuffed in back. My two cats rode with me on the cross-country trip: something neither ever forgave me for.

The old F-Body wasn’t a perfect car. Many of my colleagues commented on the solid rear axle, which lacked the finesse of an independent rear end. The exterior styling wasn’t exciting, and the interior certainly wouldn’t have won any design competitions.

None of this mattered to me, because nothing beat the Camaro when it came to horsepower for the money. The Z28’s six-speed ZF manual transmission was icing on the cake.

Out with the old, in with the new

Following an eight-year hiatus, the Camaro returns to the showroom for 2010. In many ways, the new car is a huge improvement over the old one, with a fully-independent suspension, more powerful engines, and a host of interactive features to entice the driver.

The 2010 Camaro’s styling comes closer to heritage models from the 1960s and 70s than the F-Body. Its wide, smiling grille, bulbous front end, huge wheels, and snub rear deck remind me of the cars I grew up with.

There are three available engines: a V6 rated at 304 horsepower, and two V8 blocks rated at 400 and 426 horsepower. All are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Read the rest of this entry »