2012 Volvo C30 R-Design

Polestar tuning gives three-door hatch a performance boost

By Nina Russin

Photo courtesy of Volvo Cars Corp.

When I drove the first Volvo C30 in 2008, I liked the car so much that my husband and I decided to buy one. My husband, who is the primary driver, has used the C30 to commute across paved and dirt roads on the Gila River Indian reservation, through Phoenix summer monsoons, extreme heat and crazy dust storms.

The turbocharged five-cylinder engine is as fuel efficient as it is powerful, with excellent performance at altitude. The six-speed manual gearbox shifts crisply, with a light clutch pedal which is easy to engage in stop-and-go traffic.

Although the C30 is too small to hold a bicycle, the hatchback can easily accommodate some moderate-sized camping gear, luggage, skis and snowboards. I sat in the second row seats for short trips around town and found them quite comfortable. Access and egress is surprisingly good for a three-door car. After four years, we have yet to have any mechanical or electrical problems, and a modest amount of routine maintenance.

This year, Volvo sweetens the C30 with two offerings: an R-Design package and Polestar performance tuning. The R-Design option dresses the exterior up with special alloy wheels, a unique grille, 3-1/2 inch dual exhaust tips, and a rear spoiler.

Inside R-Design cars get special blue-faced gauges, two-tone leather upholstery, and a leather and aluminum steering wheel. The package also includes some chassis tuning, stiffening up the suspension and modifying steering response for aggressive driving.

Volvo’s racing partner, Polestar, offers a re-flash for the onboard computer which adds 23 horsepower and 37 foot-pounds of torque to the five-cylinder engine. The tuning enhancement increases turbo boost and modifies the throttle map beginning at 3000 rpm. It also affects wide-open throttle, taking .3 seconds off the car’s zero-to-sixty time. The re-flash doesn’t affect emissions, nor does it decrease the C30’s 24 mile-per-gallon fuel economy.

Base price for the 2012 test car with R-Design is $27,450, excluding the $875 delivery charge. A platinum package adds active bi-xenon headlamps, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers and headlamps washers, electronic climate control, power moonroof, daytime running lamps, an audio upgrade with Sirius satellite radio and a cargo cover ($4400).  An interior air quality monitoring system costs $1700, which the Polestar performance enhancement adds $1295, bringing the price as tested to $35,720. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Toyota Prius v Five

Family-sized Prius takes on Cincinnati’s seven hills

By Nina Russin

Toyota Prius v Five

Last year, Toyota expanded its Prius model line-up from a single lift-back to a family of four, including the larger Prius v, compact Prius c and plug-in Prius. The Prius v’s versatile interior can meet the needs of active families, with seating for five and plenty of cargo space.

Although fuel economy lags behind the smaller Prius models, the v’s 42 mile-per-gallon EPA estimate puts it at the top of the midsized segment. As with all gasoline-electric hybrids, the Prius v gets better gas mileage around town than on the highway: the gasoline engine shuts off when the car is idling to save fuel.

The Five is the most upscale grade, with a base sticker price of $29,990 excluding the $765 destination charge. Standard features include keyless entry and start, leather trim, a seven-inch center stack display with rear back-up camera, six-speaker audio system with MP3 compatibility, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, power seats with adjustable lumbar, automatic climate control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel and cruise control.

A premium package on the test car adds navigation, Entune concierge and emergency notification services, a premium audio system with high definition and satellite radio, real-time weather and traffic updates, panoramic sunroof, radar cruise control, and ultrasonic park assist ($5580). Price as tested is $36,330. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium

Five-passenger wagon appeals to athletes on a budget

By Nina Russin

2012 Subaru Impreza

Of all the products in Subaru’s model lineup, the Impreza wears the most hats, ranging from the fuel-efficient wagon which won our Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year award last year in the best value category, to the WRX STi, which dominates the World Rally Cup circuit. Subaru’s talent, and the secret to the company’s success, is its ability to develop loyal followings in niche markets.

Subaru owners are almost religious in their love for their automobiles, because they seem to meet their needs in uncanny fashion. For example, the newest Impreza wagon features standard all-wheel drive and 36 mile-per-gallon fuel economy. Since all-wheel drive decreases gas mileage, it’s amazing that engineers boosted EPA figures by thirty percent compared to the outgoing model.

Increasing the gas mileage for the fourth generation Impreza didn’t involve any particularly innovative technology. It was more a matter of being thrifty and paying attention to details. A new two-liter engine replaces the 2.5-liter block in the outgoing models. The new engine is lighter, with variable valve timing which improves its efficiency.

Other weight-saving measures include replacing the hydraulic steering pump with an electric one, reducing the size of the fuel tank and using more high-strength steel in the chassis. Depending on the model, the new car weighs up to 165 pounds less than the one it replaces. Low rolling resistance tires and a continuously variable automatic transmission also boost gas mileage.

Designers made the interior more spacious by pushing the wheels to the corners, lengthening the wheelbase. They added text messaging, Bluetooth streaming audio and XM real-time weather and traffic updates to the list of available options, giving owners the ability to stay connected on the road. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L Nav

Honda remakes its best-selling crossover

By Nina Russin

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD

Honda was one of the first automakers to break into the compact crossover segment in the 1990s with the CR-V. Buyers who wanted to stick with a brand they had come to know for reliability and good gas mileage could do so, and still meet the needs of their active lifestyles.

Over time, Honda’s compact recreational vehicle has grown in size, responding to a general market trend as well as buyers who wanted more space for growing families. This continues with the newest CR-V, which Honda unveiled at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Product planners sought to give buyers access to new infotainment features and updated engine technology without seriously impacting the car’s sticker price. The top-of-the-line EX with leather upholstery, all-wheel drive and navigation costs less than $30,000.

The most obvious compromise was using a five-speed automatic transmission in lieu of a six speed box with larger overdrive gears. I was able to get 29 miles-per-gallon on my 300-mile test drive, which included a road trip between Phoenix and Tucson. That number is significantly better than the EPA estimated average of 25 miles-per-gallon for combined city and highway driving.

Part of the difference was due to the fact that most miles during the test drive were on the highway. I also used the “econ” setting, and a monitor in the gauge cluster which turns green when the driver is optimizing gas mileage. In these days of rising fuel costs, the energy monitor is a useful tool for containing cost of ownership. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Buick Verano FWD

Compact luxury sedan at a best value price

By Nina Russin

2012 Buick Verano

As fuel prices rise and household budgets shrink, the bulk of the passenger car market is shifting from midsized sedans to compacts. Downsizing isn’t limited to the budget segment. Luxury automakers are jumping on the bandwagon as well, with both Acura and Buick rolling out new compact models this year.

The Verano is initially available with a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine, followed by a turbo. At this point, Buick hasn’t announced plans to add the eAssist feature which extends gas mileage on the Regal.

Average fuel economy is 25 miles-per-gallon according to EPA estimates: slightly better than the base Regal, but not as good as the mid-sized sedan with eAssist. I did considerably better on my 150-mile test drive, during which the Verano averaged 29 miles-per-gallon.

A six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection is standard. The new Verano comes well-equipped with standard convenience features, including keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated outside mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, an infotainment center which interfaces with the driver’s smart phone, and OnStar with a complimentary six-month subscription.

While these features might not be surprising for a car costing $30,000, they’re exceptional for a vehicle priced under $25,000, including the delivery charge. MSRP on the test car is $24,670: six thousand dollars below today’s average vehicle transaction price, according to statistics from the research firm, TrueCar.com.

Product planners didn’t skimp on safety features either, making ten airbags, antilock brakes, traction and stability control standard equipment. OnStar’s automatic crash notification service sends police and medical personnel to the scene if the vehicle is involved in a serious collision. Read the rest of this entry »

Extended Drive: 2012 Kia Rio EX 5-Door

Versatile hatchback for athletes on a budget

By Nina Russin

2012 Kia Rio 5-Door

Last fall Kia introduced the third-generation Rio subcompact sedan and hatchback. As the least expensive cars in Kia’s model lineup, the Rio offers buyers who might otherwise shop for used cars the option of owning something new. Kia’s ten year/100,000 mile factory warranty adds additional value to a package loaded with safety and convenience features.

Better yet, the new Rio sedan and hatch are more substantial cars than the models they replace, with a new direct injection engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The new cars are also larger. The five-door hatch, with a 101.2-inch wheelbase and taller cargo area, meets our bicycle-friendly standards.
 
There are three available grades: the base LX, upscale EX and sporty SX. Only the LX is available with the manual gearbox; both the EX and SX come with a six-speed automatic with manual gear selection.

Base price for the EX five-door tested is $16,500, excluding the $750 delivery charge. The test car comes with a convenience option package which adds alloy wheels, on-off headlamps with fog lamps, power-folding outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, UVO infotainment system, rearview backup camera leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob ($1000). Carpeted floor mats cost $95, bringing the price as tested to $18,345. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Kia Optima SX

GDI engine gives driving enthusiasts reason to smile

By Nina Russin

2012 Kia Optima SX

The Kia Optima has gone sexy. What began twelve years ago as a mid-packer its segment has moved up front. With Blake Griffin doing slam dunks over the hood and Vince Neil singing the car’s praises, the Optima’s future looks very bright indeed.

The sexiest model in the current Optima stable is undoubtedly the SX, powered by a direct injection, turbocharged two-liter engine rated at 274 horsepower. The model, priced from $26,500, comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, and high-intensity discharge headlamps.

The test car has two option packages: a technology package which adds navigation with Sirius traffic updates ($1400), and a premium package which includes a panoramic sunroof, upgraded Infinity audio system, HD radio, rearview camera, driver’s seat memory, heated and cooled front seats and heated outboard rear seats ($2950). A cargo mat and net add $95 and $50 respectively. A $750 destination charge brings the price as tested to $31,745. Read the rest of this entry »

Extended drive: 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio

Open-air fun for four

By Nina Russin

2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio with 1962 Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 Cabriolet is the yin to the Fiat 500 Abarth’s yang. Whereas the Abarth is all-business performance, the open-air version of the Cinquecento focuses on enjoying the moment. Pricing for the upscale lounge model starts at $23,500.

Power comes from a 1.4-liter engine rated at 101 horsepower and six-speed automatic transmission. Because of its high compression ratio, Fiat recommends the use of 91 octane gasoline, although 87 is acceptable.

The multi-air engine uses solenoids to open and shut the engine intake valves rather than camshaft lobes. The technology makes the engine faster at adjusting to air/fuel mixture needs.

Manual gear selection enables the driver to change gears using the center console-mounted shift lever. A sport mode alters the throttle map and holds onto gears longer for more aggressive performance.

EPA estimated fuel economy is 29 miles-per-gallon for city and highway driving. Fuel economy for my 100-mile test drive was just over 32 miles-per-gallon.

There are four options on the test car: pearl white paint ($500), leather upholstery with heated front seats ($1250), TomTom navigation ($400) and 15-inch alloy wheels ($300). Adding the $500 delivery charge, MSRP as tested is $26,450. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Sedan

Hybrid Synergy Drive gives mid-sized sedan a fuel economy boost

By Nina Russin

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Engineers shaved weight off the chassis, to make the make the new Camry hybrid more fuel efficient than the outgoing model. EPA estimated average fuel economy is 40 miles-per-gallon for combined city and highway driving. During my 100-mile drive test, my average was 38.5 miles-per-gallon.

That said, the new Camry hybrid can’t hold a candle to the Prius, at least as far as fuel economy is concerned. EPA estimated fuel economy for the current Prius is 48 miles-per-gallon on average. In my test drives, I typically exceed the EPA estimate by at least a couple miles-per-gallon.

One reason is that the Prius is significantly lighter. Curb weight is about 400 pounds less than the upscale Camry hybrid XLE sedan tested. The Prius also comes with a smaller engine. As a result zero-to-sixty acceleration is about two seconds slower.
 
Base price for the test car is $27,400, excluding the $760 destination charge. Options include a rear backup camera with HomeLink transceiver ($500), Safety Connect stolen vehicle locator ($695), leather upholstery ($1160), navigation with Entune and audio upgrade ($2600), power sunroof ($915) and wheel locks ($67), bringing the price as tested to $34,547. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro

Sport sedan with the versatility for active lifestyles

By Nina Russin

2012 Audi A6

A few minutes behind the wheel are all it takes to dispense with those preconceptions. Audi’s midsized sport sedan is a remarkable piece of work: as fast as it is fuel efficient, with an interior versatile enough for athletes. The trunk is cavernous. While sedans are rarely bicycle friendly, the A6 is. Designers added tie-down loops on the cargo floor to make securing large items easier.

A three-liter supercharged V6 engine accelerates from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in 5.3 seconds. But thanks to direct injection technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the A6 averages 28 miles-per-gallon on the highway. Average fuel economy for my 100-mile test drive was 25 mpg, three miles-per-gallon better than the EPA estimate.

Available Audi Connect turns the sedan into a mobile hotspot, with Google Earth, Google Maps and Google search. If there’s an endurance athlete on the planet who isn’t addicted to some version of Google mapping, I haven’t met him. The system also provides instant access to news, traffic alerts, and road construction updates.

Base price for the A6 is $49,900, excluding the $875 destination charge. A premium option package on the test car adds the Audi Connect, navigation, 18-inch wheels, four-zone automatic climate control, Bose surround-sound audio system, front seat ventilators, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and the S-line exterior ($6880).

A sport package upgrades the wheels to 19-inch rims, adds a three spoke steering wheel with formula-style shift paddles and sport suspension ($1500). Two additional options, LED headlamps ($1400) and blind spot monitoring ($500) bring the price as tested to $61,530. Read the rest of this entry »