ALV of the Year Announces 2012 Winners

Audi, Jeep, Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen dominate a competitive field

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year announces the winners of its eighth annual competition, following the finals at Local Motors in Phoenix, Arizona on October 21. ALV is the only car-of-the-year program to combine the input of nationally-recognized automotive journalists with elite and area athletes to determine which cars and trucks best meet the needs of buyers with active lifestyles.

“This was our first ride-and-drive program in Phoenix, and it has significantly raised the game for cars entered in the competition,” said program co-founder, Nina Russin. “For the first time, we had a serious off-road course on which to evaluate those particular categories. The number of athletes participating in the event increased threefold. Thanks to the commitment of the ALV jury panel, the team at Local Motors and the athlete team captains, I believe that the Active Lifestyle Vehicle program has come into its own.” Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Toyota Sienna SE

Eight passenger minivan for active families

By Nina Russin

2011 Toyota Sienna SE

One-box architecture makes minivans more slippery in the airstream than two-box crossovers and sport-utility vehicles, for better fuel economy. Sliding side doors make it easier to load child seats in the car in tight parking spots. Toyota’s have bullet-proof pinch protectors so kids can’t get in accidents.

When Toyota introduced the most recent iteration of its eight-passenger Sienna, engineers diversified the product offerings to include both luxury and sport models. The Sienna Swagger Wagon, a customized XLE featured at last year’s SEMA show, proved yet again that the terms “hot rod” and “minivan” are by no means mutually exclusive.

The SE is part of a five grade strategy which ranges from the base model to the upscale Limited. Buyers can choose between front and all-wheel drive versions, both powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. An Eco option optimizes the Sienna’s fuel economy when power demands are low, to further improve gas mileage.

A six-speed automatic transmission provides large overdrive gears to extend fuel economy on the highway. The front-wheel drive Sienna averages 20 miles-per-gallon in combined city and highway driving according to the EPA: pretty good for a 4500 pound car. I averaged just over 20 miles-per-gallon on my 150-mile road trip to Tucson. Towing capacity is 3500 pounds, meeting our ALV minimum standard.

Base price for the front-wheel drive SE is $30,550, not including an $800 delivery charge. Standard features include Toyota’s Star safety system, cruise control, first and second-row captain’s chairs, tri-zone air conditioning and a MP3 compatible audio system.

A premium option package on the test car adds automatic climate control, rear window sunshades, an upgraded audio system, Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel audio controls ($1545). Carpeted floor mats and a security system add $324 and $299 respectively, bringing the price as tested to $33,518. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Chrysler 300

Full-sized sedan offers contemporary styling, enhanced connectivity

By Nina Russin

2011 Chrysler 300

A few years back, it appeared that the full-sized sedan was going the way of the land line. At the height of the sport-utility boom, a number of automakers abandoned their full-sized passenger car models in favor of crossovers and full-sized trucks.

The economic down-tic and rising fuel prices have made car buyers rethink their love affairs with two-box architecture. A full-sized sedan can carry up to five passengers and quite a bit of cargo, while providing significantly better fuel economy than a sport-utility vehicle. For families who don’t need to stash bicycles and other large cargo inside the vehicle, it can be a winning combination.

The new 300 which rolled out this past spring is Chrysler’s flagship. The 300 designation hearkens back to classic sedans from the 1950s, as does the newest model’s strong, angular profile.

But the 2011 Chrysler 300 is by no means retro. From its eye-catching new grille and LED daytime running lamps to the available Garmin navigation, Sirius real-time traffic updates and Uconnect audio systems, the full-sized sedan is a 21st century automobile. Best of all, the sub- $30,000 MSRP makes this technology affordable to families watching their budgets. Read the rest of this entry »

ALV Reveals Athlete Teams

Seventy Phoenix athletes set for October 22 ride-and-drive

Ironman Triathlete Jeremy Hendricks, Urban Team Captain

Seventy area athletes will meet Saturday, October 22 at Local Motors south of Phoenix to drive and evaluate finalists for the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards. Votes from the athlete teams account for fifty percent of the final tally and will be averaged with the votes of a panel of automotive journalists to determine the winners in seven categories.
 
Team captains for each of the seven judging categories are athlete opinion leaders, including an elite marathoner, Ironman triathlete, two sports medicine practitioners, a Pilates instructor, elite duathletes and the president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists.
 
Team captains recruited the other nine members of their teams. Team members participate in a variety of sports ranging from golf to rock climbing, cycling, swimming, volleyball, running, mountain biking and paddling. In order to be selected team members must compete several times a year in their sports, and train several times a week.
 
“We had heard from the manufacturers that they wanted more athletes evaluating vehicles at the finals,” said program co-founder, Nina Russin. “This new method of recruiting the judging teams gives us a wider footprint, enabling us to reach that critical mass of quality athletes.” Read the rest of this entry »

ALV of the Year Announces Finalists

Organizers ready for ride-and-drive program on October 21

A national panel of automotive journalists has narrowed the field to the 32 finalists that will be invited to Phoenix next month for the eighth annual athletes’ ride-and-drive to determine the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year in seven categories.

The Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year is the only car-of-the-year program which combines the input of automotive journalists with elite and recreational athletes to determine the best vehicles for those with active lifestyles. Athletes participating in former events include professional ball players, elite marathoners, triathletes, cyclists, swimmers, beach volleyball players, paddlers and dragon boat racers. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

Athlete-friendly sport-utility vehicle

By Nina Russin

2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

It’s no surprise that the Nissan Xterra has dominated the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year competition in the best value off-road category. The Xterra was designed specifically for endurance athletes, with roof rack rails and cross bars, a draining gear holder, washable cargo area and true off-road capability.

This year, Nissan simplifies the model line-up with three available grades: a base X and mid-grade S models come with either rear-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive. The upscale off-road model is now called the Pro-4X.

Power comes from a 261-horsepower V-6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. In addition to its two-speed transfer case, the Pro 4X comes with an electronic locking rear differential to minimize wheel slippage, hill descent control and hill start assist.

Skid plates protect underbody components from damage on extreme off-road trails, while overhead off-road lights enhance visibility if the standard headlamps get dirty.

Base price is $30,100, not including the $800 delivery charge. There are four options on the test car: an iPod interface ($250), special floormats ($115), a tow hitch ($460), and leather trim ($1000), bringing the price as tested to $32,725. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Nissan Rogue SV AWD

Compact crossover goes to the head of its class

By Nina Russin

2011 Nissan Rogue

The problem for anybody shopping the segment is separating the wheat from the chaff, thanks to the proliferation of what appear to be similar products. Nissan, for example, has four vehicles in its lineup which meet this description: the Rogue, Juke, Versa five-door sedan, and Cube. While each vehicle is geared towards a different demographic, the products are similar enough to confuse the average buyer.

For 2011, designers refreshed the Rogue’s exterior, and added some appealing convenience options such as navigation and a rearview backup camera. But these changes alone wouldn’t distinguish the Rogue from the sea of competitors. What elevates the Rogue over like-minded products is its performance, which far exceeds the vehicle described on paper.

Over the past week, I drove the 2011 Rogue all-wheel drive model on a 400-mile road trip, with elevations ranging from 1500 to 7200 feet, and ambient temperatures between 50 and 115 degrees. The Rogue plowed its way through smog, forest fire smoke, mountain thunderstorms and wind.

Traffic over the Labor Day weekend was soul-crushing. Still, the Rogue kept its cool, even when crawling up a grade behind a slew of Winnebagos in the 110-degree heat.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine lost surprisingly little power at altitude, and maintained the 24 mile-per-gallon fuel economy the manufacturer promised. On stretches of deserted two-lane road, the Rogue proved a surprisingly fun car to drive, with excellent traction. And its cargo area held lots of stuff, including a bicycle. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Volkswagen Model Preview

Diversified lineup gives car lovers more to love

By Nina Russin

2012 Volkswagen Models

Car enthusiasts love German brands for the passion they inspire. The precision engineering which is the hallmark of all German cars elevates them from a means of transportation into something transcendent.

In today’s tough financial climate, luxury brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are beyond reach for many customers. Volkswagen, however, is not. The most affordable German brand is making hay by offering car fans its most diversified model line-up. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Kia Forte SX 5-Door

Sport grade adds wow factor to Kia’s compact platform

By Nina Russin

2011 Kia Forte 5-Door

Two years ago, the Kia Forte replaced the Spectra as the automaker’s compact offering. More recently, the Forte 5-door replaces the Spectra5. The Forte hatchback comes in both EX and SX grades. The sporty SX features a more powerful four-cylinder engine than the EX, larger wheels and a sport-tuned suspension.

Base price on the Forte SX 5-door model is $19,395, excluding the $695 delivery charge. Standard convenience features include Bluetooth interface, satellite radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, keyless remote entry, power mirrors, an ambient temperature display and a USB port.

The test car adds three option packages. Leather trim with heated front seats and an automatic dimming rearview mirror costs $1000. A technology package which includes keyless start, navigation and automatic temperature control adds $1800, while a power sunroof costs $750, bringing the price as tested to $23,640. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Audi Q5 2.0T Quattro Tiptronic

Elegance, Performance and Luxury in Smaller Crossover

by Jim Woodman

2011 Audi Q5 2.0T

My wife and three boys – ages 12, 10 and 6 – would put the Q5’s seating and cargo capacity to a stern test.

For those that may recall, the Audi Q5 was one of our ALV finalist vehicles for Luxury Onroad for 2009. When it was introduced in ‘09 as a smaller crossover alternative to the Q7 – and mainly to compete with the Mercedes GLK and BMW’s X3 – I was convinced it could be my next car. Of course, somewhere a few extra bundles of cash would have to fall my way as the Audi is certainly one of the pricier options when looking at smaller crossovers. Read the rest of this entry »