Monday, June 30, 2008

Volvo S80 Gets Turbo 3.0-Liter


OVERVIEW


Last year's Volvo S80 - the Swedish auto manufacturer's flagship - received a substantial redesign. Included in this redesign was a vastly more sleek and sporty exterior and an all-new V8 was added. Not surprisingly, a list of new safety technology longer than 50 Cent's rap sheet was also added. Each of these changes were very positive, and, considering this Volvo's stiff competition, none more so than the V-8. A third trim package has been added to the mix for 2008, an AWD turbo-charged inline six cylinder. Other than this, the 2008 remains unchanged.

PERFORMANCE


Last year, my tester came equipped with the 4.4-liter V8. I am never one to complain about a V8, but frankly its 311 horsepower seemed pretty anemic compared to much of the S80’s competition. This year, I got the new turbo 3.0-liter inline six. I must admit, I’m perplexed at this offering from Volvo. There is exactly 30 more horsepower in the V8, which is really not that big a difference in terms of what the average driver is going to feel in the seat of the pants. So, the smaller displacement turbo must get better gas mileage, right? No, it’s exactly the same as the V8.

HANDLING


The S80 is capable of slicing through corners with relative ease. I’m guessing it did it with ease. I'm not certain, though, as there is something of a disconnect between driver, car, and road. When pushed too hard, the heavy S80 tends to lose front grip first. Although, its all-wheel-drive system makes for a relatively neutral ride. The Volvo’s real strength is its supple ride quality. Among the competitors I’ve driven, the S80 is the champ on rough city streets, hands down. If you are the type that views a few fleeting moments on a curvy country by-way as your opportunity to play Juan Fangio, the S80 is not going to be nearly as rewarding as the BMWs, Mercedes-Benz’, Lexus’ competing in this class. However, if comfort is more your cup of tea, the S80 won’t disappoint.

Styling/ Other


On one hand, the redesigned S80 is far more attractive than its predecessor. However, while it is vastly improved, the styling department seems to be an area where Volvo and I don’t see eye to eye. Believe me, I understand that Volvo doesn’t market to the same buyers that BMW targets. I get that. And this is an area where that difference is most noticeable. Not only will the S80 tell you if there is somebody in your blind spot with its Blind Spot Indicator System (BLIS), it will also tell you if there is a serial killer lurking in or around your car by way of its available Safe Approach and Home Safe Perimeter Lighting System. I don’t make this stuff up. Still wonder where Volvo’s priorities lie?

Judgment


The S80, while more mainstream now than ever before, is more about it catering to its niche than conquering the mainstream luxury sedan market.

Base Fusion Begs New Take


OVERVIEW


Now in its third year of production, the 2008 Ford Fusion continues along its difficult road to dethrone the current kings of the midsize sedan kingdom. This is, of course, an arduous task. While my impression of my tester last year was pretty good, I couldn't help but feel that there is still more work ahead if the Ford folks really plan to lead the market in the way they did during the Taurus years. Last year's tester was the loaded V6 featuring AWD. This time, it was a different story. My tester came with leather seats, premium aluminum wheels, and heated seats and … the standard four-cylinder engine.

PERFORMANCE


For all you gearheads, who undoubtedly breathed a collective moan of disgust, I'm afraid I don't have exciting news about a new nitrous kit for the four cylinder models. That's just not how it works. The 160 horsepower that this little 2.3-liter powerplant can muster is just about as exciting as you might expect. It's not going to wow you in a stoplight brawl. But, hey, considering our ever-escalating-gas prices, 29 mpg on the highway could be enough to convince you to give this thing a chance.

HANDLING


Okay, here's the part where I rave about the Fusion. I was not sure if it was because last year's V6-powered tester didn't have low profile tires, or what, but it wasn't a standout in this department. But, this year's four-banger Fusion came with big wheels and low profile performance tires, which not only looked very cool, but also aided getting around the twisties. The Fusion features a nice sporty suspension and firm ride, but it's not too firm. My pregnant wife actually had to remind me several times during our week with the Fusion that we were carrying precious cargo more than once when cornering opportunities presented themselves.

STYLING


I guess I've always been stubborn, but the exterior look of the Fusion has finally won me over. It probably didn't hurt that my tester was black. I'm such a sucker for a black car. Its' 18' wheels were also really attractive pieces that not only looked sporty, but their gun-metal gray hue looked superb against the black paint. Inside, my Fusion came with black leather seats with fire-engine red inserts that are new for 2008. I'm pretty sure a car has to have at least 300 horsepower to get away with that. Otherwise, this Fusion had a surprisingly upscale feel for a car under twenty-five grand.

JUDGEMENT


To my surprise, it was easy to find things to like about this Fusion despite the powerplant under the hood. Further, with $4.00 per gallon gas on the horizon, this Fusion's better gas mileage could be its most attractive selling point.

OVERVIEW


For all of you who haven't seen the movie "The Fast and The Furious", or any of its sequels, let me sum it up for you. These movies are hormone-soaked Hollywood depictions of the underground world of import street racing and the culture associated with it. Surely, at this point you are asking yourself why I'm sharing this with you. Well, out of this Tinsletown drivel sprang a top-of-mind awareness about a whole car culture of which many of us were not aware. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is among the cars depicted in this movie, as well as one of the top dogs in the import tuner world. While it has been in production overseas for quite some time, this rally inspired Japanese hotrod was first introduced this side of the pond in 2003. This year's model is the first Evo offered since the Lancer was redesigned last year.

PERFORMANCE


Nobody has ever accused the Evo of being slow, perhaps harsh, boy racer-ish, and unrefined, but never slow. This year’s model sticks to the tried-and-true formula of a small displacement four-cylinder engine mated to a Costco-sized turbocharger. This combo will propel the little sedan to 60 mph in just under five seconds. That’s right Mustang and Camaro fans, if you aren’t careful, you could get an eyeful of import taillights at the drag strip. However, the 2008 Evo feels a hair slower than the last generation; courtesy of a few extra lbs. it’s carrying.

HANDLING


Let me share a formula with you. Combine one part AWD with one part Brembo brakes and one part kamikaze suspension and you get one heckuva fast corner-carver. While the Evolution will flat boogie anywhere you ask it to go, what’s far more impressive about the new generation is that it maintains its impressive track credentials but has learned to be far more tolerable on city streets. My last tester nearly rattled my fillings loose.

STYLING


Call me old and out of touch, but the biggest improvement in this year’s new Evo is that its interior is far more livable than the outgoing generation. While the side-bolstering in the Recaro seats is the same and the steering is just as precise, it looks like it came from an auto manufacturer instead of tuner company assembly. I’m sure many 16-year-olds would call me a fuddy duddy. But you know what?! I’m of the opinion that a $36,000 car shouldn’t look like a hodgepodge out of a catalog. Good job Mitsubishi!

JUDGEMENT


Boy racer is all grown up!

OVERVIEW


Lexus’ IS sedan is the Japanese luxury automaker’s entry-level luxury sport-sedan. It received a total redesign in 2006 that included changing the sedan to include two distinct models, the IS 250 and the IS 350. Similar to many other luxury brands, the moniker indicates displacement. For example, the IS 250 is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and the IS 350 has a 3.5-liter V6. In addition to minor upgrades to the IS 250 and IS 350, the IS is also now available as a V8 powered hotrod called the IS F, which I recently reviewed as well.

PERFORMANCE


Of the three available models, my tester was the IS 350. Since the 2006 redesign, the 350 has been powered by a far sportier V6 than the last generation. This beefy 3.5-liter makes 306 horsepower, which is more potent than the Cadillac CTS, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes- Benz C-Class, and many others. While certainly not nearly as quick as the uber fast IS F, the 350 is no slouch either. Its V6 is able to catapult the sedan to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds

HANDLING


It seems that Lexus' philosophy about handling characteristics is certainly a reasonable one, but not terribly exciting. Since the average driver isn't ever likely to drive most luxury sedans to their full potential, their philosophy is that the driver doesn't get as much communication from the car, nor does he or she have the total control that other cars, namely the 3-series BMW provides. So, while the IS 350 is an enjoyable drive with a sophisticated ride, it is less responsive and communicative than the BMW.

STYLING


Since the switch to a sportier look in 2006, I’ve been big fan of the IS. Taking a stroll around the IS, you should immediately notice an aggressive stance, and sporty 18” wheels. Its lines are clean, and it looks like it’s going 100 mph standing still. Some say that the IS interior feels cramped. While it doesn’t feel as spacious as some of its competitors, I wouldn’t call it cramped. In fact, the IS offers more legroom than most. However, it offers less head and shoulder room than several of its competitors. Other than that, the interior is absolutely up to Lexus’ high standards of fit and finish and available luxury items.

JUDGEMENT


This segment offers so much these days, that there is a car for nearly every taste. The IS isn’t the corner-carver that the 3-Series BMW is. It doesn’t get the fuel economy of the Audi A4. It’s also more expensive than more than a few of its competitors. But, generally speaking, it is better than most within the segment.

Scion xD is Surprisingly Sporty


OVERVIEW


I’m a firm believer in the idea that appreciating the little things in life makes all the difference. You know, like when you find a twenty-dollar bill in a jacket you haven’t worn in months. Or, how about that first sip of coffee in the morning? These are the pleasant little surprises that make slaying the dragon each day a little easier. This week, while I wasn’t fortunate enough to find any missing twenty-dollar bills, I did experience great surprise in my Scion xD tester. Frankly, I expected to be driving a slow, ill-handling, awkward-looking, egg on wheels. Rather, what I found was quite the opposite. This little five-door, which is built on the same platform as the Toyota Yaris, features sporty handling, alloy wheels, and decent horsepower.

PERFORMANCE


I know what you’re thinking. What’s decent horsepower for a car that goes for under fifteen-grand? That is a perfectly legitimate question. In this case, decent is a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder that offers up 128 horsepower. Before you scoff, consider two things. First, this little scrapper only weighs in around 2600 lbs. So, its power to weight ratio isn’t bad. Second, and maybe more important, its 128 horsepower is better than the Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, and Honda Fit. However, those familiar with this review may recall my excitement about the AWD Suzuki SX4 crossover, which makes 143 horsepower. Still, the xD is powerful relative to the majority of its competition. Also, my tester came with TRD exhaust that gave it a throaty sound that, while louder than most, stopped short of obnoxious.

HANDLING


Taking the xD around corners is where it really won me over. This short wheelbased wonder just loved being tossed around the twisties. Like last week, I have to rate it on the pregnant wife scale. For example, my level of enjoyment is directly correlated to the number of times my pregnant wife screamed for me to slow down or let her out of the car. Let’s just say she has no idea how dangerously close she came to getting a little more exercise, if you know what I mean.

STYLING


While I like the look of the xD, something about the front fascia struck me as a little awkward. However, awkwardness aside, it’s a reasonably attractive five-door. Plus, it came with 16” alloy wheels, which are a big bonus in this class. Its interior had a decidedly aftermarket-style feel to it. What I mean, is that one of Scion’s big selling points is that it can be highly customized from the factory. This tester featured piano black plastic trim, and a stereo that had a lot of moving animation on its main screen. It was a little too Fast and the Furious for me, but at least it doesn’t look cheap.

JUDGEMENT


The xD has some good attributes, and some great attributes. I would rank it a very close second to the AWD Suzuki SX4.

Hyundai Adds Luxury Features to Veracruz


OVERVIEW

Hyundai debuted its then all-new premium mid-size crossover utility vehicle, the Veracruz last year. In the past, I haven't been terribly impressed with Korean attempts to penetrate the luxury market. Some may recall my rather unflattering review of the Kia Amanti. So, my expectations weren't exactly stratospheric about the Veracruz. For 2008, the Veracruz gets a number of new luxury features, including navigation, memory for the driver's seat and mirrors, rain sensing wipers, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and several others. This is all aimed at enticing buyers who would otherwise be considering upscale crossovers like the Acura MDX, Subaru Tribeca, Mazda CX9, and Nissan Murano, to name a few.

PERFORMANCE

The Veracruz is powered by a supple and smooth 3.8-liter V6. I can’t say enough about how impressed I am with the engine/ tranny combination. Without question, this is an area that separates the men from the boys. This might also be the area where the Veracruz shines most brightly. Not only does its 260 horsepower come on swiftly, but up-shifts occur so smoothly as to almost go unnoticed.

HANDLING

While I would never compare the Veracruz to a BMW or a Lexus in terms of cornering agility and responsiveness, the Hyundai is still pretty darn good. Frankly, I doubt if many would ever drive a mid-size crossover to its cornering limits anyway. Those driving under normal conditions should be especially pleased with ride quality. Additionally, AWD is available in all three trim levels. So, budget shouldn’t interfere with inclement weather motoring.

STYLING

Walking around the Veracruz, I found that its exterior does a pretty good impression of a luxury crossover. In fact, it bears some resemblance to a Lexus RX 350, especially the rear three-quarter view. However, the front fascia cannot be mistaken for anything but a Hyundai. It features a prominent “flying H” logo centered under a wide grill. Its oversized wraparound headlamps also draw attention to the front end. With the addition of the new luxury features for 2008, the Veracruz offers everything you would expect to see in any luxury crossover. One interesting twist which is sure to draw both raves and disgust is optional two- toned brown over black interior, as was the case with my tester. While I think it looks quite sharp, it is sure to be a love/ hate look for many.

JUDGEMENT

I think that the new Veracruz should be on your short list of premium midsize crossovers. Take away the Hyundai badging, and you would think that this was a far more expensive vehicle.