Automotive Reviews

Honda Pilot, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Introduced in late 2003, the Pilot replaced the Passport and it shares the same basic chassis and powertrain as the MDX, the complementary choice from Honda‘s upscale Acura division. My test drive for the week was the top of the line’s EX L 4-door wagon that includes both a navigation system and second seat DVD entertainment system. With those additions, the Pilot further enhances its position at the forefront of the midsize SUV ranks that include the Ford Explorer, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The three Pilot models all offer a V6, 255-horsepower engine paired only a 5-speed automatic transmission. The HP total represents an increase of six percent from the 2004 model, further adding to the vehicle’s status among

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Ford Escape (Hybrid), 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Combined, it offers 155 horsepower and it’s rated at 33 mpg gallon in city driving and 29 mpg in highway conditions. That’s the best SUV mileage available. For those still new to hybrids, the Escape is another prime example of the advancement of the combined gas-electric presentation . The electric motor helps save gas by powering the vehicle at lower speeds and complementing the gas engine during acceleration. The notion of recharging a hybrid battery is no longer relevant; the system recharges the motor’s batteries when the vehicle is decelerating or coasting. Beyond its combined engine, the 2005 Escape has a larger base engine (28 more horsepower than in ’04) and its interior and exterior styling has been “tweaked” to

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Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s comfortable and provides a confident drive. It offers vast cargo space, has an attractive two-tone interior, a well-designed console and boasts plenty of impressive option packages. But sometimes subtle qualities or subtle deficiencies are more impressive or problematic than a vehicle’s overt characteristics. So it is with the new Blazer. While recently showing the car to several friends, one sat in the second row of seats. Surprisingly, his head easily hit the roof. My friend is 6-foot-3, and while that’s tall, he’s not a giant by any stretch. “I’ve got a Scion and there’s plenty of rear seat headroom,” my friend quickly commented. The quick analysis made a good point. As the largest and most powerful Blazer available, shouldn’t

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Kia Sportage, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Introduced a decade ago, the Kia Sportage was the Korean manufacturer’s second style available in the American market. It had its supporters and critics, and it eventually became the company’s bestseller. Three years ago, however, when Kia was in the midst of severe financial difficulties, the Sportage was discontinued. But behold, the Sportage is back, having undergone a vast makeover. It has the same name, but perhaps that’s the only similarity to yesteryear’s model. The new Sportage has a completely new and refined interior and exterior design, and a good supply of standard and optional features. It also has a few nice, thoughtful, if small, considerations that could allow the small to well infiltrate the marketplace. My test vehicle for

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Honda S2000, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

On a warm, spring day and with a convertible top down, anyone who enjoys the combination of shifting gears, fresh air and the open road will thrive on the route. It’s a drivers’ nirvana tucked among forests of Redwood trees and rolling hills. And so it was recently when my wife and I spent a getaway weekend. We drove the segment twice en route and returning from the Mendocino/Ft. Bragg coastline to Sacramento in the Honda S2000, the 2005 edition. The two-seat convertible, unchanged from its 2004 debut, is Honda‘s only sports car, and it adds a pure-fun component to the popular manufacturer’s line of efficient, well-designed sedans, SUVs, vans and hybrid vehicles. For my weekly drive, I had the

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Acura RSX, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Among other improvements, some models have more horsepower, more heavily bolstered seats and an increase from 16 to 17-inch wheels. For my weekly drive, I scooted around town and on the freeway in the Type-S, the highest-performance of the RSX models. Like other Acuras, the RSX is a recommended purchase by Consumer Guide, the monthly national review magazine based in Illinois. But as much as I tried to like the RSX, several things about the vehicle just never seemed like it warranted best-buy status. There’s nothing particularly inferior about the car, but nor is any exterior or interior feature outstanding. The Acura RSX is grouped with the Mini-Cooper and the Scion tC in the sporty/performance category. As such, they shouldn’t

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Acura TL, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s potentially more problematic knowing the crowded, late-night return trip could include a stretch of interstate infamous for its thick, late-night fog. But visiting family outweighs the inconveniences of potential driving hassles. And if the journey is made in a vehicle with a commanding and secure road presence, such concerns are sufficiently eased. So it was during my weekly test drive of the 2005 Acura TL. The vehicle was successful for several years,  but Acura redesigned it and added more features in 2004 to offer BMW and Audi drivers another choice for a luxury sports sedan that combines performance with value. There’s little change in the TL from last year. The vehicle is based on the Honda Accord platform but

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Honda CR-V, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The bench is five-feet long, but with a little twist here and a turn there it fit lengthwise. It was tight, but at 60 inches long it was secure in the back compartment, and the tailgate and rear window closed securely. Sport Utility Vehicles are designed for versatility, but transporting the cumbersome outdoor piece provided a nice example of the new CR-V’s ever-expanding uses. The 200-mile round-trip, primarily freeway miles, also provided plenty of time to experience the vehicle’s all-wheel drive system. It’s called Real Time AWD, and it offers fine handling and traction. The roads were dry on our outbound trip and periodically wet on the return voyage.  It didn’t make any difference. The drive was smooth and comfortable,

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Volkswagen Touareg, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Certainly, my chosen route south on Interstate 5 has long stretches where anyone who enjoys the pleasures of driving can feel “free.” But 30 miles into my journey, a sensor warning appeared on the console panel: “Defective tire on board.” The same warning had also appeared sporadically during my first two days with the vehicle in short, around-town treks. A local Volkswagen dealer representative said many Touaregs have suffered through the same “growing pains.” In short, owners noticing the same warning have brought their new vehicles to dealers with concern. But they’ve largely discovered nothing is wrong with the exception of a overly sensitive computer system. In my instance, the warning quickly changed to a danger light: “Flat Tire.” I

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Honda Civic, 2004 (Hybrid): The Weekly Driver Car Review

The first time I came to a stoplight, the car was so quiet I thought the engine had stalled. I tried to restart the car, but the 2004 Honda Civic hybrid’s engine was already on, and I advanced when the light changed in my favor. But the same thing happened at the next spotlight and again at the third red light I reached. It wasn’t like I was driving a “high-tech” vehicle and didn’t know how properly operate it. Rather, it was “only” Honda Civic Hybrid — the first hybrid I’ve had as a weekly test drive. But finally I got it. The “little” Honda Civic hybrid is more technically advanced than I imagined. In fact, the engine “idle stops.”

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Cadillac SRX, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

So when Cadillac introduced its first car-based SUV this year, couldn’t it have  taken the lead from either the name traditionalists or the new breed of name-makers? The Cadillac Deville, Seville and Escalade are well-established vehicles, but who’s going to remember the SRX? Fortunately, an odd name is about the only thing not right with the new Cadillac. It may be the most comfortable, well-equipped and stylishly appointed SUV available. For my weekly drive, I tested the 4.6-liter, 320-horsepower, 5-speed, all-wheel drive, automatic transmission SRX. The vehicle’s light platinum exterior was well-matched with an ebony interior and the car nicely continues the manufacturer’s reputation. In short, the SRX, like other Cadillacs, has a commanding road presence. More impressive is the

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Pontiac Vibe, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

I accelerated, but the truck driver did the same and there wasn’t a choice to make. I slowed down, braked slightly and moved into position behind the truck as the end of the ramp and a restraining wall drew quite near. Within a few seconds, disaster awaited. But I remained calmed, and the Vibe handled the maneuver smoothly. The brief, unsettling moment provided one of several impressive experiences with the sporty wagon/mini SUV. My test vehicle was the standard Vibe with a 130-horse power 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The second-year offering from Pontiac is also available in GT and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models that include ABS brakes as standard equipment. While slightly shorter than a Honda

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Saturn Vue, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

My test drive was the 5-speed automatic AWD V6 Vue. Its straightforward exterior and interior and top-of-the-line options and design are impressive. But every time I drove the vehicle, I couldn’t help stare at the odometer and other instrument panel. The white background is accentuated with gold-colored numbers in a retro font — like the face of a vintage wristwatch. Likewise, the frontseat map pockets are not plastic or rubber, rather tightly woven net, another cool retro design feature. Of course, there’s a lot more important Saturn features to consider. The 3.5-liter, 250-HP engine packs plenty of power and the vehicle’s acceleration — among the quickest in the SUV market — is complemented by AWD, electronic power steering and 17-inch

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Acura SRX, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

“What kind of car is that?” one of seniors asked when I returned and noticed them standing in front of the vehicle. “Look at that styling. That’s a nice, little sports car.” The RSX, particularly the Type S and its four-cylinder, 16-valve, 200 horsepower engine, is exactly that. Like other sports coupes, it has limited rear-seat room and it’s noisy, particularly considering it’s an Acura. But with its tight-shifting gears, quick and responsive steering and zippy overall feel, the RSX is nothing but a fun drive, nicely appointed and economical offering by the well-respected manufacturer. The list of standard technical, safety, interior and exterior features is impressive. The interior, for example, includes perforated leather seats, automatic climate control, BOSE AM/FM

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Buick Rainier, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But the exterior is further complemented by a well-designed interior, a 5.3-liter engine and a host of standard features that sets it apart from the GMC Envoy, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercury Mountaineer, the comparable offerings in its category. As one example, the Rainier has a standard 6-cylinder engine, but there’s an optional V8, albeit a $1,500 option. As such, it’s the only mid-sized, five-seat SUV with a V8. The Rainier is only available with a four-speed automatic transmission, but options include rear-wheel drive with traction control or the all-wheel drive my vehicle included. It’s nice the Rainier is marketed as a five-passenger vehicle and doesn’t claim to be larger as is often the case with other manufacturers.

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Audi A8, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

If the latter is a priority, then my weekly test drive was as good as it gets. A redesign for 2004, the Audi A8 includes a 2.5-inch longer wheelbase, an inch more leg room and an increase of 20 horsepower to 330 horsepower. The engine remains the same, 4.2 liters with five valves per cylinder. A 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate replaces a 5-speed automatic. Other changes include optional 18 or 19 inch wheels instead of standard 17-inch wheels from the previous generation, and optional heated front and rear seats and steering wheel. Having not driven an Audi Quattro in its previous edition, I couldn’t make any comparisons. Nonetheless, it was hard not to be impressed with

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