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 »

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 »

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 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 »