2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport

Midsize sedan gets a retuned suspension and appearance enhancements

By Nina Russin

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport

Last year, Suzuki rolled out the Kizashi: its first foray into the midsize sedan segment. While the Kizashi is a large car compared to the compact SX4, the sedan‘s agile platform reflects its creators’ years of experience producing motorcycles. For 2011, Suzuki adds a Sport variant, consisting of lighter wheels, a lowered chassis with retuned suspension, body and  interior enhancements.

The Sport grade begins under $23,000 for the GTS model with a six-speed manual transmission. The upscale SLS with the manual gearbox starts under $25,000. Both models come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 185 horsepower.

Buyers can upgrade to a continuously variable automatic transmission for $1100 more, and add all-wheel drive for enhanced four-season performance ($1350). The all-wheel drive system automatically transfers up to fifty percent of engine power to the rear wheels as driving conditions dictate. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Jaguar XKR Convertible

Classic sports car evolves with new technology

By Nina Russin

2011 Jaguar XKR Convertible

In my next life, I plan to be an obscenely rich rock star, and drive a Jaguar XKR. The only thing keeping me from buying one now is the convertible’s hundred-thousand dollar price tag.

Is the XKR well suited for active lifestyles? No particularly. Do I care? Not a whit. The fact that the XKR is both exquisitely beautiful and scarily fast is good enough for me.

Jaguar’s two-plus-two, available as both a coupe and convertible, is the latest in a long line of classic sports cars, dating back to the XK120, C, D and E-types. The current versions rolled out in 2009 as 2010 models, with new, more powerful engines and revised styling. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Scion tC

Second-generation sports coupe takes the road less traveled

By Nina Russin

2011 Scion tC

The original Scion tC that rolled out in 2004 balanced two utilitarian models- the xA and xB- with a performance coupe. Engineers set the BMW 3-Series as their target, delivering a high level of handling and response for below $20,000.

In addition, the tC was versatile: much more than one might expect for a five-door coupe. I was surprised when I was able to fit a road bike inside without removing the front wheel.

In October, Scion rolls out the second-generation model, with a more specific audience than the first. The brand originally intended to capture the youth market for Toyota has done that and more, becoming an icon for alternative lifestyles.

Designers from Toyota’s Calty studio in Newport Beach developed the FUSE concept with this in mind. The aggressively-styled tC production car is edgier than the outgoing model, with a more powerful engine and driver focused cockpit.

Scion maintains its monospec pricing strategy: both the base manual and automatic transmission models start under $20,000. Buyers can customize their cars with two audio upgrades, Toyota TRD racing accessories, aero kits and ground effects. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Value-priced compact sedan

By Larry Edsall

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

It wasn’t that long ago that Chevrolet was known as the producer of terrific pickup trucks and capable sport utility vehicles. But of cars that people might be eager to drive? Well, except for the Corvette, not so much.

That all changed with the introduction of the remarkable new Chevrolet Malibu and the stunning new Chevrolet Camaro. Now it continues with the launch of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.

The Cruze is Chevrolet’s new compact sedan. With the Cruze, Chevrolet challenges on the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra with a product that could easily have been labeled Malibu Junior.

At least that’s our first impression after spending several hours and a couple hundred miles in a couple of Cruzes. First, we drove the just-above-base LT version equipped with the sporty-looking but very reasonably priced RS appearance package. Then, we tried the top-of-the-line LTZ edition with full leather interior.

Also available is the base LS, which despite its $16,995 price tag comes with 10 – that’s right, 10 airbags and a six-month subscription to General Motors’ OnStar system with Turn-by-Turn navigation — and the Cruze Eco, which promises to return 40 miles per gallon when cruising on the freeway. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Turbo-diesel gives Volkswagen’s compact sedan power and fuel economy

By Nina Russin

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen’s newest compact sedan offers budget-conscious buyers a choice of two gasoline engines or two eco-friendly options. At the end of 2010, a turbocharged clean diesel Jetta arrives in US dealerships. A hybrid rolls out for the 2012 model year. The high-performance Jetta GLI arrives the first quarter of next year.

A value-priced base model starts under $16,000. The automaker hopes to conquest customers who couldn’t afford the more expensive outgoing car. Volkswagen simplifies the buying process by reducing build combinations from 148 to 14.

Powered by a two-liter 115-horsepower engine and five-speed manual transmission, the Jetta S comes standard with electronic stability control and complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles.

The volume-leading SE adds a more powerful 2.5-liter engine rated at 170-horsepower. The SE comes with 16-inch wheels as opposed to the 15-inch rims on the base model, upscale upholstery, cruise control, and a 60/40 split rear seat with a pass-through.

A fully-loaded SEL costs just under $25,000. Standard convenience features include keyless entry and start, 17-inch alloy wheels, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, Bluetooth and iPod interface, a sunroof and navigation system.

A sport-package on SEL lowers the chassis ride height for better high-speed performance, adds sport seats, pedals and door sills.

The upscale model comes with four-wheel disc brakes as opposed to rear drums on the other two grades. Since drum brakes can fade and perform poorly in wet weather, I’d recommend the investment for those who can afford the premium. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Hyundai Sonata SE

Full-sized sedan offers luxury features with value pricing

By Nina Russin

2011 Hyundai Sonata

It’s no surprise that Hyundai continues to post strong sales, despite the tough economy. No company works harder at keeping its customers happy.

This year, Hyundai rolls out the sixth-generation Sonata sedan. An all-new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission offer exceptional fuel economy: 35 miles-per-gallon on the highway. Direct injection reduces parasitic fuel loss by delivering gasoline into the engine cylinders rather than through the valves. Despite a high compression ratio, the engine runs on 87-octane fuel.

Later this year, Hyundai will roll out a turbocharged, high performance model and a Sonata hybrid.

Standard safety features include antilock braking, electronic stability control, six airbags and daytime running lamps.

Monospec pricing for the Sonata simplifies the buying process. A sub-$25,000 MSRP buys a fully-equipped car, including power seats, air conditioning, satellite radio, Bluetooth and iPod interface, keyless start, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering column with redundant controls. Unless the buyer wants leather upholstery or navigation, he doesn’t have to worry about the cost of add-ons.

The 2011 Sonata comes in three grades: GLS, SE and Limited. Of these, the SE (tested) appeals to driving enthusiasts with a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels. MSRP is $22,595, not including a $720 delivery charge.

Standard safety features include antilock braking, electronic stability control, active front headrests and daytime running lamps. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Kia Sportage

Compact crossover vehicle comes full circle

By Nina Russin

2011 Kia Sportage

The Sportage is the most enduring nameplate in the Kia line-up. The 1996 model followed on the heels of the Sephia: Kia’s first car for the North American market.

While Sephia came first, the Sportage was in many ways more significant. It was one of the earliest compact utility vehicles, preceding both the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV. As with the Sephia, the Sportage was also a value story. Buyers formerly limited to used cars could buy a brand new Kia for about the same money.

Though the original Sportage fell short on build quality when compared to more expensive competitors, the company prevailed. A generation of drivers came to love the Korean automaker for its value pricing strategy, as well as its commitment to continuous improvement.

The second-generation Sportage that rolled out in 2004 was a solid, attractive car with excellent build quality and much-enhanced performance. While the new car was unibody as compared to the body-on-frame original model, it maintained a similar mission: offering moderate off-road capability in a compact and versatile package.

An all-new Kia Sportage rolls out this summer for the 2011 model year. Kia has changed the model designation from sport-utility vehicle to crossover, reflecting a stronger focus on passenger car performance, with less concern for off-road capability.

The new model is slightly longer, wider and lower than the former car, giving it better aerodynamics and improved handling at speed. The cargo area is slightly larger according to EPA estimates.

An available all-wheel drive system gives the new Sportage all-season capability. The all-wheel drive system can deliver up to fifty percent of engine power to the rear wheels, as road conditions demand. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Full-sized sport-utility vehicle is king of off-road trails

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s biggest and most lavish sport-utility vehicle. For 2011, the automaker is introducing an all-new model with more comfort and convenience features, plus the off-road capability the brand is famous for.

The new Grand Cherokee is slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model. Designers pushed the rear axle back five inches to increase legroom in the second row.

An all-new flex-fuel V-6 engine comes standard on all three grades, with a five-speed automatic transmission. Buyers needing more than the standard engine’s 5000 pound towing capability can upgrade to a hemi V-8 that tows 7400 pounds. The hemi incorporates Chrysler’s multiple displacement technology which deactivates cylinders when engine loads are low to save fuel.

Jeep is introducing several new technologies to improve the Grand Cherokee’s performance on and off-road. A new air suspension system can raise the vehicle up for extreme off-road trails to create 10.7 inches of ground clearance.

The same system automatically lowers the Jeep from its normal setting to an aero position on the highway, to improve performance and fuel economy. The driver can lower the vehicle even further in park, to ease access and egress.

New front and rear independent suspensions contribute to a 146 percent improvement in torsional rigidity for better steering response. A Selec-Terrain system on the center console lets the driver choose from one of five conditions, to provide optimal engine and suspension tuning, with the appropriate safety technology.

Jeep is using the same trim designations as the outgoing model. The four-wheel drive Laredo starts at $32,995, while the upscale Overland  4X4 is priced from $42,995. 2011 models begin rolling into dealerships the end of July. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Buick Regal

Mid-sized sport sedan rolls out on three continents

By Nina Russin

2011 Buick Regal

General Motors’ restructuring transformed Buick from a premium to a core brand. Product planners are reconfiguring the model line-up to appeal to a broader audience.

The former Buick Regal was an American design for American drivers. The 2011 model, based on the Opel Insignia, was developed in Germany for buyers in North America, Europe and China.

Both available engines are fuel-efficient four-cylinder blocks. Base models come with a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter engine rated at 182 horsepower. The upscale 2-liter turbocharged engine develops 220 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, for enhanced low-end acceleration.

For the first time in decades, Buick is offering a six-speed manual gearbox on turbo-equipped cars. An interactive drive control system lets the driver adjust the suspension settings for a firmer or softer ride.

By giving the new Regal a distinctly European character, Buick hopes to appeal to younger driving enthusiasts, who will cross shop Asian and European luxury models such as the Acura TL and Volvo S60.

Buick’s ace-in-the-hole is value pricing. Both the base and turbocharged grades start at under $30,000, including destination and delivery.

All cars come with a high level of standard safety features: four-channel antilock braking, stability and traction control, six standard airbags and OnStar, which automatically notifies the police and medical personnel if the airbags deploy. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Volvo C70 Convertible

Retractable hardtop adds four-season versatility

By Nina Russin

2011 Volvo C70

I doubt there’s a group of people in the western world who appreciate sunshine more than the Swedes. After a long, dark winter, the arrival of summer and the midnight sun is cause for celebration.

By Swedish standards, a sunroof is a compromise. The only way to truly enjoy driving in the sun is to go topless.

As much as convertibles appeal to the Swedish sensibility, soft tops are not practical in the harsh Scandinavian winter. The C70 is a coupe with a retractable hard top: a car with the versatility to function in both winter and summer.

The steel hardtop adds a measure of safety by making the overall body structure more rigid. Volvo engineers found a way to incorporate both side and side curtain airbags in the car: something not found in competitive products.

A standard five-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 227 horsepower. Peak torque of 236 foot-pounds comes on just off idle, enhancing the car’s performance on uphill grades. Turbocharging, which uses exhaust driven blowers to enhance airflow through the engine, reduces emissions as well as power loss at altitude.

The C70 averaged 22.9 miles per gallon on the 130-mile test drive: about a mile-per-gallon better than the EPA estimate.

A five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection gives the driver more control on challenging roads. A fully independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars provides a comfortable ride, while keeping the chassis flat in the turns. Read the rest of this entry »