2011 Lexus CT 200h Premium

Compact hybrid sedan is eco-friendly

By Nina Russin

2011 Lexus CT 200h

Like the HS, there is a focus on sustainability which extends beyond the car’s fuel-thrifty powertrain. Eighty percent of the vehicle is recyclable. Recycle marks on the front, rear and tailgate trim make it easier to dismantle and recycle the car. A new interior fabric called NuLuxe resembles leather, but is actually made from recyclable materials.

Power comes from a four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine which operates in concert with two electric motors: an 80 horsepower drive motor and a second motor which triggers the engine starter and functions as a generator to recharge the battery pack. Together the gasoline engine and electric motors yield 134 horsepower. The CT 200h accelerates from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in 9.8 seconds.

Buyers can choose between a standard and premium grade. Pricing for the premium grade (tested) begins at $30,900 excluding an $875 delivery fee. Options on the test car include a premium audio upgrade  which also adds an electro-chromic rearview mirror ($1125), LED headlamps ($1215), leather seating ($1330), a cargo net ($75) and illuminated door sills ($299), bringing the price as tested to $35,819. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Lexus IS 250C

Hardtop convertible for driving enthusiasts

By Nina Russin

2011 Lexus IS C

The IS 250C is the less expensive of two open-air IS models. Pricing starts at $41,060, plus an $875 destination charge. Power comes from a 2.5-liter direct injection V-6 engine rated at 204 horsepower. Direct injection delivers gasoline into the engine cylinders without passing through the valves. This reduces parasitic loss for better gas mileage, and also provides a cooling effect which enabled engineers to apply a very high compression ratio: 12.0:1.

The engine has excellent throttle response: zero-to-sixty acceleration is 8.4 seconds according to the manufacturer. The down side of the high compression engine is its premium fuel requirement. Running the car on regular unleaded fuel could produce detonation and engine damage.

A six-speed automatic transmission includes formula-style shift paddles on the steering wheel. The paddles enable the driver to choose gears manually for more aggressive performance on challenging roads.

The IS 250C runs on 17-inch alloy rims and all-season tires. The wheels are large enough to provide an ample footprint, but the tires have enough sidewall to offer a comfortable ride on uneven road surfaces.

Options on the test car include a hard drive navigation system and Mark Levinson audio upgrade ($4015). Lexus Enform, which comes with the option, adds connection to a remote call center which can provide turn-by-turn directions.

A cargo net and trunk mat add $64 and $73 respectively, bringing the price as tested to $46,087. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Toyota RAV4 Limited

Compact crossover vehicle seats up to seven passengers

By Nina Russin

2011 Toyota RAV4 Limited

The RAV4 was one of the first vehicles to combine the versatility of a sport-utility vehicle with car-like ride and handling. The name stands for “recreational active vehicle:” a phrase which should resonate with readers of this web site. Buyers can choose between two or three rows of seating, depending on how many passengers they need to carry.

The newest model is available with a choice of four-cylinder or V-6 engines and front or all-wheel drive. The six-cylinder engine costs a little more, but achieves fuel efficiency close to the four. Given the means to afford the premium, I’d recommend it for the extra power and performance it offers.

The V-6 RAV4 comes with a five-speed automatic transmission, as opposed to a four-speed box with the four-cylinder model. This accounts for the larger engine’s enhanced fuel economy. In addition to adding a large overdrive gear, the five-speed automatic minimizes shift shock during hard acceleration.

Buyers can choose from three grades: a base model, Sport, and upscale Limited. The front-wheel drive Limited starts at $26,835, not including an $810 delivery charge. The V-6 engine is standard, as are 17-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized spare. The spare tire is mounted on the rear door, where it’s easy to reach.

Comfort and convenience features include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, a fold-flat feature for the second-row seats, satellite radio and keyless start.

A premium option package on the test car adds leather upholstery, upgraded audio system, Bluetooth interface, heated front seats, power moonroof, eight-way power driver’s seat and a 120-volt power outlet ($3480). The test car also includes a towing prep package which I’d recommend against, since the RAC fails to meet the ALV minimum 3500-pound towing standard ($160). Carpeted floor mats cost $199, bringing the MSRP to $32,179.

A new extra value package discount reduces the MSRP by $2000, bringing the price as tested to $30,179. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

2012 Kia Rio 5

Sexy subcompact is value packed

By Nina Russin

2012 Kia Rio 5

This fall, Kia rolls out the third iteration of its subcompact Rio, beginning with the five-door hatchback. Although the Rio is the smallest car in the Kia lineup, the new five-door offers its owners a remarkably versatile interior with standard convenience features normally not found in the subcompact segment.

The volume-leading is EX sits in the middle of a three grade strategy, which also includes the base LX and sporty upscale SX. EX buyers might be surprised to find cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power folding mirrors and a soft-touch dashboard on a car priced from $16,500. Pricing does not include a $750 delivery charge.

Kia product planners knew that the gloves had to come off in order for the Rio to compete against the popular Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta and Nissan Versa. A new direct injection 1.6-liter engine delivers up to 138 horsepower as well as 40 mile-per-gallon fuel economy on the highway. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic on the base LX; both the EX and SX come exclusively with the six-speed automatic.

An Eco option becomes available at the end of this year, which will stretch gas mileage even further by automatically turning the engine off at idle. The engine automatically restarts when the driver lifts his foot off the brake pedal. The idle stop-and-go feature adds another mile-per-gallon to the Rio’s fuel economy in city driving.

Designers focused on sustainable technologies, constructing 85 percent of the vehicle out of recyclable materials. They also added a high level of standard safety features, since safety is one of the five biggest consideration factors among buyers in this segment. Antilock brakes, electronic stability and traction control are standard on all grades. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Infiniti M35h

Hybrid sedan for driving enthusiasts

By Nina Russin

2012 Infiniti M35h

Although hybrid vehicles are by no means a new idea, engineers continue to develop new performance matrices using the combined attributes of gas engines and electric motors. Unlike the first generation of hybrid sedans, fuel economy improvements in newer models sometimes take a back seat to power. This isn’t to say that the hybrid cars don’t outperform their gasoline-powered counterparts in terms of gas mileage; rather that they may well out-accelerate those cars as well.

Infiniti’s new M35h sedan is a case in point. Because electric motors develop maximum torque at extremely low speeds, the gasoline-electric M produces neck-snapping acceleration off the line, worthy of a top fuel car. The fact that it also averages 32 miles-per-gallon on the highway as compared to the gasoline-powered M’s 26 is an added bonus.

The closest hybrid technology to the M35h is probably Porsche’s, as seen in the Cayenne Hybrid. In both cases, the vehicle can operate at extremely high speeds on pure electric power. In the case of the M35h, top speed in electric mode is 62 miles-per-hour, with a range of 1.2 miles before the gas engine cuts in.

Base price on the M35h is $53,700, not including an $895 destination charge. The test car comes with a premium package which adds semi aniline leather seats, a Bose 5.1 surround-sound audio system, wood accents, a suede headliner and power rear sunshade ($3800). A technology package includes Infiniti’s hard drive navigation system with XM real time traffic and weather updates, climate controlled front seats and a heated steering wheel ($3350). A trunk mat and first aid kit cost $200, while an 18-inch wheel package adds $650. Illuminated kick plates priced at $360 bring the total cost as tested to $62,955. 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 »

2012 Acura TL Advance

New model gets a refreshed exterior and fuel economy enhancements

By Nina Russin

2012 Acura TL

The TL is one of three sedans Acura builds, positioned between the high luxury RL and smaller TSX sport sedan. The 2012 TL, revealed at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show is the third iteration of the model, which originally debuted in 2004. Designers refreshed the exterior with a new grille, front fascia and headlamps, a new rear bumper and revised tail lamps.

 A new six-speed automatic transmission provides better fuel economy but adds some appealing performance characteristics as well. A double click downshift feature can drop up to two gears during aggressive driving. The feature formerly available only on the all-wheel drive model is now standard on the front-wheel drive TL as well.

This year, Acura offers two platforms: a 280-horsepower front-wheel drive sedan and the 305-horsepower all-wheel drive model. The test car is the front-wheel drive advance grade. The advance option package upgrades the standard 17-inch wheels to 18-inch rims, adds blind spot monitoring and ventilated front seats. A technology option includes hard-drive navigation with voice activated controls and a premium audio system. Navigation includes real time weather and traffic updates and rerouting.

MSRP is $41,535. An $885 delivery charge brings the price as tested to $42,420. Read the rest of this entry »