2010 Volkswagen Tiguan S

Compact sport-utility vehicle is big on performance

By Nina Russin

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s compact sport-utility vehicle: available with either a front or all-wheel drive. Power comes from a turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.

For many years Americans shied away from turbocharged engines because of performance and maintenance problems. Computerized engine controls have made turbo lag and oil coking things of the past. Turbocharging is an effective way to enhance small engine performance, while boosting fuel economy and reducing toxic emissions.

Turbochargers are exhaust-driven blowers that improve the efficiency by which air flows through the engine. While belt-driven superchargers do the same thing, they can be bulky and difficult to package in a small engine bay. Smaller turbochargers are easier to fit under the hood.

The sprightly Tiguan accelerates from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in 7.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 130 miles-per-hour. Turbocharging enhances low-end acceleration: the engine’s torque rating is higher than its horsepower.

Turbines also reduce power loss at altitude. The Tiguan performs as well at 6000 feet as at sea level, with no reduction in fuel economy.

Buyers can choose from three trim levels: S, SE and SEL. Base price on the S is $24,300, not including an $800 destination charge. The test car comes with two options: seventeen-inch alloy wheels and Bluetooth interface. MSRP is $25,900. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Nissan Cube 1.8 SL

Is Nissan’s “mobile device” the right tool for active lifestyles?

By Nina Russin

2010 Nissan Cube

I have to wonder why the company which designed the iconic Z sports car produces something as deliberately homely as the Cube. Granted, the Nissan Cube isn’t the first box-on-wheels to roll out stateside. But at least two of the cars that preceded it- the Honda Element and Scion xB- have an internal logic that the Cube lacks.

The Element’s form-follows-function Honda-ness gives it a certain cache within its intended audience. The Scion xB evolved from a Japan market car called the bB. The compact box-on-wheels was a logical solution for carrying cargo in dense urban areas. The original car’s compact dimensions made sense on crowded roads with low speed limits, and fit in public parking spaces too small to hold most of what we drive in the US.

The Nissan Cube follows in the box-on-wheels tradition, without improving it in a meaningful way. Thoughtful ergonomic features are countered by design errors which essentially negate their benefit.

Here are a couple of examples: the cargo area’s low lift-over height and refrigerator-style door should make the Cube ideal for bicycle owners. However, with the rear seats in place, the cargo area is too small to hold much besides a couple bags of groceries. The rear seats fold flat, but do not create an uninterrupted cargo floor. To get a bicycle in the car, the owner has to lift the frame over the bump created by the seat cushions.

The Cube’s large windows bring an abundance of ambient light inside: an appealing feature. Unfortunately, the extreme verticality of the windshield makes it a target for every insect within range. After twenty miles, I could barely see out the front of the car for the bug splats covering the glass. In addition, wide A-pillars dissect the driver’s sight-line when cornering to the left or right. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Suzuki Kizashi SE

Midsized sport sedan moves Suzuki into the mainstream

By Nina Russin

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

The midsized Kizashi is the keystone of a product offensive that Suzuki hopes will make it a major player in North America. While Suzuki is well known in the US for its motorcycles, marine products and ATVs, automotive sales lag behind Asian competitors such as Toyota and Honda.

Midsize sedans are the biggest segment of the passenger car market. Suzuki’s strategy is to build on its reputation for value pricing, adding performance rivaling European competitors..

All four Kizashi grades come with a 2.4-liter, 180-horsepower engine and choice of a six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on all but the base model. Standard safety features include four-wheel disc brakes with four channel antilock braking, electronic stability program and traction control.

The test car is the front-wheel drive SE, with keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, a ten-way power driver’s seat, and a seven-speaker audio system with MP3 and iPod compatibility. Base price is $21,499 including destination and handling. Floor mats and special paint bring the MSRP to $21,754. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Dodge Challenger SE

Sports coupe with retro styling and a fuel-efficient V-6

By Nina Russin

2010 Dodge Challenger

Back in the day, there was no sheetmetal greater than that born in Detroit. The 2010 Dodge Challenger pays homage to the classic Mopar with retro styling, and the high-performance R/T and SRT8 models.

The SE is a more affordable version for buyers who don’t want the hemi V-8 engines. Priced from $22,735, the Challenger SE gets power from a 3.5-liter V-6, and five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection. Average fuel economy is 20 miles-per-gallon, according to EPA estimates.

A Rallye package adds dual hood and rear decklid stripes, a chrome fuel filler cap, eighteen-inch wheels and a rear spoiler.

Other options on the test car include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, audio upgrade, satellite radio, power sunroof, navigation and Bluetooth interface, bringing the total price to $31,175. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Hyundai Tucson GLS

Five-passenger crossover combines value with substance

By Nina Russin

2010 Hyundai Tucson

Two decades ago, nobody could have guessed that the Korean automakers would one day set the bar for quality and value in the US market. But that’s exactly what has happened. One need look no further than the 2010 Hyundai Tucson to discover why.

A sub-$20,000 base sticker price for the GLS grade qualifies for our urban (formerly super-value) category. Yet the Tucson doesn’t look or perform like a cheap car. Hyundai’s five-passenger crossover vehicle is the first model designed at the automaker’s Frankfurt studio. Its long hood, aerodynamic roof and strong beltline give the Tucson visual affinity to a passenger car: ride and handling are similar as well.

A standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission deliver ample power for urban commuters, with 31 mile-per-gallon highway fuel economy. Buyers in four-season climates can opt for available all-wheel drive over the standard front-wheel drive platform.

Engineers used high-strength steel to enhance the car’s torsional rigidity while reducing overall weight. Despite being larger than the outgoing model, the new Tucson is 61 pounds lighter.

In addition to weight savings throughout the body, engineers shaved weight under the hood by replacing the six-cylinder engine on the former model with a four-cylinder engine on the new car, using a lighter transmission, and replacing the former hydraulic steering system with a lighter, more compact electric one.

The GLS model tested is one of two available grades. The upscale Limited grade adds additional comfort and convenience features. Base price for the GLS is $19,995, not including the $795 delivery charge.

The test car comes with two options: carpeted floor mats ($100), and an equipment package that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth interface, rear privacy glass, redundant steering wheel controls, and roof rails ($1700). Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Lexus IS 250C

Convertible hard top is the third member of the IS family

By Nina Russin

2010 Lexus IS C

Lexus introduced the original IS series for young driving enthusiasts moving up from Toyota. The current models appeal to a wider audience, with more upscale styling and a choice of two direct injection V-6 engines.

Last year, Lexus diversified the IS family by adding the high-performance IS F and the IS C: a two-door convertible hard top with seating for four passengers. The open-air IS is Lexus’ second convertible, following on the heels of the high-luxury SC430.

A sub $40,000 base price makes the IS C considerably more affordable. Both the 2.5 and 3.5-liter V-6 engines provide spirited performance. The larger V-6 rated at 306 horsepower delivers sub-six second zero-to-sixty acceleration. The 2.5-liter engine averages 29 miles-per-gallon on the highway, while propelling the IS C from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in under 8 seconds.

The IS 350C comes with a six-speed automatic transmission: formula-style shift paddles on the steering wheel  give the driver additional control on challenging roads. The IS 250C is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or the six-speed automatic transmission.

An all-aluminum hard top deploys at the touch of a button. The air conditioning system automatically adjusts temperature and air flow out of the vents when the top is down to keep passengers comfortable. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Acura ZDX Tech

Five-passenger crossover vehicle with four-season performance

By Nina Russin

2010 Acura ZDX

Crossovers have replaced sport-utility vehicles as the go-to cars for young, active buyers: the more androgynous the styling, the better. The new Acura ZDX is a perfect example: a five-passenger crossover vehicle with visual affinity to a sports coupe.

While the ZDX may look like a dressed up version of the Honda Crosstour, it is a completely different car. The Crosstour is based on the front-wheel drive Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Acura MDX: a dedicated all-wheel drive design. Power comes from a 300-horsepower V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection.

Acura’s super-handling all-wheel drive can transfer engine power side-to-side as well as between axles to enhance traction in challenging conditions. Stabilizer bars on both axles keep the chassis flat in the corners. Aluminum wheels minimize unsprung weight for more nimble handling.

Rather than confusing buyers with an abundance of option packages, Acura offers three trim levels: each fully equipped with comfort and convenience features. A tech package adds navigation, a rearview camera, keyless ignition, sport seats, an audio upgrade and dual-zone climate control to the base model.  The advance package adds adaptive cruise control, active suspension damping, a blind spot monitoring system, upgraded leather upholstery, and collision mitigated braking.

All models come with standard nineteen-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, a high-flow dual exhaust system, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio controls and Bluetooth interface, satellite radio, USB and AUX port connectivity.

The test car is the mid-grade model with the tech package, priced at $49,995 not including the $810 delivery charge. Standard safety features include front, side and side curtain airbags, stability control, daytime running lamps, active front head restraints, and a body structure designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Honda Crosstour EX-L

Accord with a twist

By Nina Russin

2010 Honda Crosstour

Contrary to its conservative image, Honda is a risk taker. The first-generation Insight, Element, Ridgeline and FCX Clarity are all examples of what I mean. In each case, Honda reached outside the box to create a new type of vehicle, with a very specific buyer in mind.

Think about how many box-shaped crossovers rolled out on the heels of the Element. The Insight and FCX Clarity are alternative fuel vehicles whose cutting edge technology can live in the real world. The Ridgeline is the first pickup truck with a trunk.

The Honda Crosstour is a similar endeavor: a crossover vehicle based on the Accord that doesn’t look or act like anything else on the road. Designed for buyers with active lifestyles, the Crosstour comes with cylinder deactivation for enhanced fuel economy, available four-wheel drive, and a versatile cargo area with under-floor storage.

A removable cargo tray fits into the under-floor storage bay. Made of easy-to-clean plastic, it’s ideal for carrying dirty trail shoes or wet suits.

The Crosstour’s aerodynamic profile contributes to overall fuel economy, minimizes wind turbulence around the cabin, and enhances down-force for better high-speed performance.

Base price for the EX-L (tested) is $36,220: a bit higher than what one might expect for a five-door hatchback. The upscale grade comes fully loaded with comfort and convenience features, including navigation, Bluetooth interface, heated seats, satellite radio, dual-zone climate control, and a 360-watt audio system. Buyers who don’t want leather trim might prefer the base EX, which has similar features, but is not available with navigation, four-wheel drive or the backup camera. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Mazda CX-9

Seven-passenger crossover vehicle gets refreshed styling

By Nina Russin

2010 Mazda CX-9

Let’s face it: in the real world, everyone has to carry stuff. Rich people can afford to own a family car for everyday use, and a sports car to use on the weekend. But in the current economy, most of us are happy to own one car in good working order.

Since a new car is typically the second biggest purchase an individual makes in his or her lifetime, it’s nice if that car makes its owner happy. That’s where the Mazda CX-9 comes in.

Mazda’s seven-passenger crossover vehicle is a stylish and fun to drive. With pricing starting under $30,000 for the base model, it’s also affordable.

This year, designers refreshed the CX-9 exterior with a new grille and front lamps, and new trim in back. The interior gets new chrome accents, different fabric, and a more versatile center console.

Power comes from a 3.7-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda CX-9 comes in three grades: sport, touring and grand touring. Buyers in four-season climates can add all-wheel drive, giving the CX-9 better traction as compared to the front-wheel drive model. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited

Value-packed compact sport-utility vehicle

By Nina Russin

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Despite being one of the older models in its vehicle line-up, the Grand Vitara remains one of Suzuki’s best products. The compact sport-utility with true off-road capability embodies the automaker’s core values: fun, adventure and affordability.

While Suzuki’s footprint in the US car market is relatively small, the company has accrued legions of fans for its motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine products. Suzuki customers take their playtime seriously; the Grand Vitara was designed to meet their automotive needs.

It also fits their budgets. The limited grade is the most upscale of four available trim levels. Yet base price for the four-wheel drive model is just under $27,000.

Standard comfort and convenience features include navigation with real-time traffic, news and weather updates, heated leather seats, automatic air conditioning, a MP3 compatible audio system, cruise control and a tilt steering wheel. The Grand Vitara’s high content level saves buyers the hassle of wading through myriad option packages at the dealership.

There is no destination charge, further simplifying the buying progress. Suzuki’s seven year/100,000 mile warranty is a bargain as well, and is fully transferable. Read the rest of this entry »