2011 Ford Fiesta 5-Dr. Hatch SE

Compact car for a global market

By Nina Russin

2011 Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a little car with a big mission: to conquest budget-minded buyers with a product that has global appeal. While the F-150 pickup truck remains a best seller in North America, the biggest automotive markets overseas are passenger cars. As Americans try to contain cost of ownership, they are also scrutinizing fuel economy.

To answer this need, Ford revived a nameplate that dates back to the 1970s. The original Fiesta, unveiled in 1975 for the ’76 model year, was a response to rising oil prices worldwide and gas shortages in the US.

The new Fiesta shares a similar mission, but with bigger challenges. Millennial buyers don’t want an econo-box: they want an affordable car they can be proud of.

In order to meet their demands, product planners added high tech features such as Bluetooth interface, MP3 connectivity and Ford sync, segment-leading safety features and a generous factory warranty.

To package all of this in a $15,000 car is impressive. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed with my first test drive, of the upscale SEL model. While the 1.6-liter engine delivered exceptional fuel economy, it was sorely lacking in power and performance. The car was not fun to drive.

In addition, I had concerns about steering response and suspension tuning. Since the first test car was a preproduction model, I was anxious to see if Ford had resolved any of these issues in the production cars. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited

Premium midsize sedan

By Nina Russin

2011 Subaru Legacy

Despite being one of the most enduring models in Subaru’s line-up, the new Legacy sedan seems somewhat un-Subaru-like. On the surface, the midsize sedan has no affinity with Subaru’s sport-utility wagons, the Forester and Outback, nor does it share the extreme sport image of the Impreza WRX: a favorite among World Rally Cup fans.

The Legacy is not suitable for off-road trails due to its scant ground clearance, nor is it particularly practical for hauling large cargo. It doesn’t have a gnarly wing like the WRX STI, or a giant hood scoop.

Twenty years after the first models rolled off the assembly line, the Legacy remains true to its original mission. It is Subaru’s offering in the most competitive passenger car segment, going head-to-head against the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima.

The Legacy is an important draw into the showroom. It keeps Subaru in the automotive mainstream, allowing the automaker to produce the specialized vehicles geared towards active lifestyles.

And while the Legacy might not be the ideal car for hauling a bicycle, the sedan has more in common with its active-lifestyle siblings than meets the eye.

It begins with the horizontally-opposed 3.6-liter engine, which replaces the three-liter six-cylinder on pre-2010 models. The horizontally-opposed engine is not only inherently balanced: it is also ideal for all-wheel drive applications. Engineers were able to give the larger-displacement engine identical dimensions to the block it replaced by shortening the connecting rods.

Subaru’s commitment to safety extends to the Legacy as well, with standard dynamic stability control, antilock braking, front, side and side curtain airbags, hill start assist and tire pressure monitoring. The Legacy shares Subaru’s ring shaped reinforcement structure with other models. A new engine cradle enhances safety in frontal collisions.

And like its siblings, the Legacy is a driver’s car. The all-wheel drive system sends more power to the rear axle under normal conditions to mimic competitive sport sedans. A quick ratio steering system gives the sedan nimble handling on challenging roads.

Formula-style shift paddles on the steering wheel allow the driver to manually select gears, for more aggressive performance. And standard 17-inch wheels with low-profile tires give the Legacy a large footprint for maximum traction. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Kia Optima

Stylish midsized sedan for value-conscious buyers

By Nina Russin

2011 Kia Optima

The original Optima was part of a product initiative, moving Kia beyond the compact segment into the automotive mainstream.  The second Optima expanded on this formula by adding safety and convenience features, while maintaining Kia’s value-pricing strategy.

Since the 2006 model rolled out, Kia has made major investments in the US market, including new a corporate headquarters and design center in Orange County, California. Having a design team on American soil gave the automaker a strategic advantage in developing the third-generation model.

Although the new Optima is built in Korea, styling took place in Kia‘s California and Frankfurt, Germany studios. The new studios created a better pipeline between the manufacturer and its target market, and streamlined the vetting process between concept and production.

As a result, the 2011 Optima that rolls into dealerships this November is Kia‘s most appealing sedan to date. Value-conscious buyers will find features such as a two-panel panoramic moonroof unusual for a model with pricing that starts under $20,000.

Kia’s new UVO infotainment system developed jointly with Microsoft rivals systems in high-luxury cars. Available heated and cooled front seats, navigation with real-time traffic updates, satellite and HD radio make the Optima seem like a much more expensive car than it actually is.

Engineers were as conscientious about safety as comfort, with standard front, side and side curtain airbags, active front headrests, four-channel antilock braking, traction and electronic stability control. Hill start assist applies the brakes when the vehicle accelerates on a steep grade, to prevent the car from rolling backwards. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Volvo S60

Luxury sedan pampers the driver and protects pedestrians

By Nina Russin

2011 Volvo S60

For runners and cyclists, driver distraction can be life-threatening. While luxury sedans pamper their passengers, none until now have protected people outside the car. The 2011 Volvo S60 automatically brakes for pedestrians, preventing low-speed injuries and significantly reducing trauma from high-speed events.

Pedestrian detection is the next stage in obstacle detection following City Safety: a Volvo technology that debuted on the current XC60 crossover. The original system recognizes a stopped car ahead of the driver, applying the brakes if it detects a potential collision due to driver inattention.

Advanced software in the S60 sedan recognizes pedestrians by monitoring arm and leg movements, turning heads, and reflections of bodily fluids such as the eyes. The camera monitors the front of the car, and 45 degrees to each side. If the S60 is moving at 22 miles-per-hour or less, the system prevents a collision. At higher speeds, it slows the sedan down to reduce the force of impact. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Acura MDX Advance

All-wheel drive gives Acura’s luxury SUV four-season performance

By Nina Russin

2010 Acura MDX

Acura’s sport-utility vehicle for active families has come of age. The original Acura MDX rolled out in 2001, combining luxury performance and four-season capability. A 3.2-liter V-6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission produced 240 horsepower, rivaling some competitive V-8 products. Three rows of seating held up to seven passengers.

While the MDX filled the needs of a growing market, the product lacked refinement. The seats weren’t particularly comfortable, and the cargo area was difficult to configure. All of that has changed with the current model. In addition, engineers refined the powertrain with a more powerful, fuel efficient V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

Acura’s super-handling all-wheel drive system distributes power between the front and rear axles as well as between right and left wheels. By controlling yaw, the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer to improve the car’s cornering capability, especially on wet and snowy roads.

Designers refreshed the MDX exterior for 2010, and added an advance package that includes 19-inch wheels and tires, and an active damping system that instantaneously adjusts the suspension for the road conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

ALV 2011

Expanded program adds driving instruction, tire safety demonstrations

By Nina Russin

Photo by Larry Edsall

At the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year ride-and-drive program this year, athletes found themselves not only behind the wheel, but in the classroom and on the test track as part of an enhanced ALV event. ALV is the only car-of-the-year program that puts athletes behind the wheel, driving and voting on vehicles that best meet their lifestyles. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Ford Mustang V-6 Convertible

Ford gets its newest drop top right in every way

By Nina Russin

2011 Ford Mustang Convertible

From an engineering stance, V-6 powerplants are inherently imbalanced. Applying the correct cylinder bank angle corrects the balance problem; producing power with good fuel economy isn‘t so simple.

Most V-6 engines rev between 2000 and 3000 rpm during normal driving: gas mileage and driving range suffer from the high engine speeds.

The 3.7-liter Duratec engine can cruise at 80 miles-per-hour without breaking 2000 rpm. Variable valve timing on the camshafts enables the engine to accelerate moderately hard at the same engine speeds. Fuel economy savings are huge.

Driving the Mustang between Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California, I averaged 26 miles-per-gallon. The trip included time in stop-and-go traffic on both ends. That’s pretty impressive for a 305-horsepower engine of any sort. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring

Two-seat roadster makes sport of the daily commute

By Nina Russin

2010 Mazda MX-5

Webster’s dictionary defines a sports car as “a small, high-powered automobile with long, low lines, usually seating two persons.” The dictionary is wrong. A car’s design and the size of its engine don’t necessarily qualify it as a sports car.

I mean no offense here to Noah Webster. But to be honest, Webster lived in the mid-1800s, when there were very few automobiles: none of which could be construed as sports cars.

Very simply, a sports car makes a sport of driving. While the Mazda MX-5 may not be the most expensive or most powerful sports car on the market, it is as pure an embodiment of the breed as anything on the road today. For over twenty years, Mazda has celebrated the pure joy of getting behind the wheel with a two-seat roadster that offers exceptional handling for an affordable price.

Last year, designers introduced a new-generation MX-5 Miata with fresh styling and enhanced performance. Power comes from a two-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to a five or six-speed manual transmission. A composite intake manifold is tuned to produce sound akin to classic British roadsters: the original inspiration for the car.

Base price for the Grand Touring model is $28,400, not including the $750 delivery charge. A premium package on the test car adds keyless entry and start, Bluetooth interface, xenon headlamps, electronic stability control and satellite radio ($1650). A limited-slip differential costs $500, bringing the price as tested to $31,300. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Toyota Avalon Limited

Fourth-generation full-sized sedan is the best yet

By Nina Russin

2011 Toyota Avalon

The Avalon is Toyota’s largest passenger sedan, built alongside the Camry and Venza in Georgetown, Kentucky. After sixteen years in production, the Avalon has come into its own, with styling and performance that sets it apart from the mid-size Camry.

When the Newport Beach-based Calty design team took over Avalon’s styling in 1995, what emerged was a more youthful and unique exterior, with performance and handling to match. Toyota builds on this formula for the all-new 2011 model. The fourth-generation Avalon is one of the most refined full-sized passenger sedans on the market.

The Avalon is so well executed, it’s virtually indistinguishable from high-luxury models. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission are perfectly matched, combining excellent power with surprisingly good fuel economy.

Considering the amount of content, the chassis is surprisingly light: curb weight for the Limited model is 3616 pounds. Containing its mass enabled engineers to deliver a positive power-to-weight ratio, with 29 mile-per-gallon fuel economy on the highway.

The Limited is the more upscale of two available grades: pricing starts at $35,485, not including the $750 delivery charge. A navigation and premium audio system on the test car adds satellite radio with real-time traffic updates, MP3 and iPod interface, Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview camera ($1450). Floor mats cost $199, bringing the price as tested to $37,884. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Ford Fiesta SEL

Compact hatchback appeals to a global audience

By Nina Russin

2011 Ford Fiesta

The original Fiesta was Ford’s answer to oil shortages in the mid-1970s. The Fiesta Mark 1 arrived stateside in 1978, sporting a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission.

It might not have been fast or fancy, but the Fiesta was the right car for the time, selling millions of units  before being replaced by the Escort in 1981.

This year, Ford rolls out an all-new model as part of a global strategy to shift focus from large trucks to fuel- efficient, small cars. As with the original, the new Fiesta went on sale in Europe and Asia before coming to the US.

With a base MSRP starting well below $20,000, Ford hopes the Fiesta will appeal to young buyers looking for segment-leading technology, style and good gas mileage.

A 1.6-liter engine produces 120 horsepower. The four-cylinder engine comes with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. A dual dry clutch design reduces parasitic power loss for the automatic transmission: highway fuel economy is 38 miles-per-gallon, according to EPA estimates. Read the rest of this entry »