Automotive Reviews

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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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Acura MDX, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Rather, while often compared with the Cadillac SRX and Lexus RX 300, the MDX offers what Acura owners have come to expect: superior and spacious design, superior handling and a wealth of standard and optional features. The vehicle is so well constructed and efficiently appointed, one industry car consumer guide describes it as a “highly desirable blend of competence and convenience.” I drove the 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter, 24-valve V6  MDX with a 5-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive for my weekly test. It was immediately apparent physical and visual comfort were priorities for the vehicle’s designers. The leather seats are positioned well and provide good leg and head room. Visibility is good, with no blind spots and all console controls are

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Mitsubish Endeavor, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Mitsubishi‘s sedan, the Galant, is the manufacturer’s best-selling model, so why shouldn’t the Endeavor rely on the same platform? Considering its trendy television commercials (hip-looking nightlife’s frolicking to newfangled rock music) the Endeavor fits in nicely into Mitsubishi’s hopeful infiltration into a younger market. It’s trendy and edgy and aligns itself with the manufacturer’s image-conscious motto: “Wake Up And Drive.” The test-driven Endeavor included V8215 hp engine, AWD, 17-inch alloy wheels, and nicely equipped Infinity sound system. It commanded several overt looks from passersby. The reason for the attention was likely two-fold: Despite its debut last February, the Endeavor is designated as a 2004 and it has just begun to infiltrate the market. The Endeavor’s appealing exterior color and its

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Suzuki Verona, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

And while it’s categorized in the economy sedan range, should a $20,000 vehicle with an full complement of standard features belong in that club? With its Italian design and a list of standard features substantially longer than offered by some its higher-priced competitors, the Verona has been stereotyped. Of course, first-year vehicles can have issues. Will the Verona and its complementary Forenza, for example, another first-year Suzuki offering, have fair resale value? Like the car has less-than-smooth automatic shifting, and foot brake must be engaged to shift. Regardless, my weekly test vehicle was the Verona EX TC, a 2.5 DOHC, 24-valve, 155-horsepower V6 sedan with a four-speed automatic transmission.  It’s the first time Suzuki has offered a V-6, and it’s

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Hyundai XG350, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Introduced in September 2000, the Hyundai XG350 is the first vehicle offered by the Korean manufacturer that approaches the $25,000 price range. In each of its four editions, new features have been added as the vehicle attempts to find a niche among its the high-selling competitors — the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. My test vehicle for the week showcased the four-door XG350 at its best. While its primary competition is more popular for good reason, the top-of-the-line Hyundai has a good list of attractive features. Unfortunately, it also has a list of needed improvements. With a new exterior design, including restyled bumpers, headlights, taillights, and grille, the four-door sedan has a finished, if basic, style. Car manufacturers seemingly like

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Acura TSX, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

As a new offering this year, the 2004 Acura TSX is defined as a near-luxury vehicle. By some definitions, that mean it costs less than $30,000 and does not feature the refined quietness of vehicles described as luxurious. Yet, however fine the line may be between near-luxurious and luxurious, the TSX does little to further define those boundaries. In fact, the reverse is true. It’s a luxury car for less than $30,000, and it offers a lot more than some of its higher-priced automotive cousins. My test drive for the week was TSX four-door with a six-speed manual transmission. (The five-speed automatic with a manual shift gate is the only other option.) With an easy-to-use navigation system, 17-inch alloy wheels,

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Suzuki Forenza, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Like Hyundai and Kia, the Korean manufacturer Suzuki has accepted the difficult task of trying to infiltrate the sub-compact market dominated by Honda, Toyota and Ford. Its new 2004 offering is the Forenza, a front-wheel drive sedan offered in three models, the S, LX and the top-of-the-line EX. All models have a 2.0-liter, 126-horsepower, 16-valve engine. The LX and EX models include 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry and alarm, power sunroof and fog lights as standard features. The EX model I drove for a week includes standard leather upholstery. Cruise control, air conditioning and AM/FM/CD and cassette system with eight speakers are also among the long list of standard equipment. Still, the Forenza faces an uphill challenge. While

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Mitsubishi Galant, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Like other manufacturers, Mitsubishi faces a formidable task in the midsize car class. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are among the country’s most popular vehicles, so how can others find a niche? Mitsubishi’s approach for 2004 was to increase the dimensions, offer new styling and add more horsepower to the Galant. The manufacturer’s simple hope is to provide a competitive alternative to the mainstream same-class offerings. Considering the strong resale value of Honda and Toyota and the less-than-stellar resale history of Mitsubishi, however, any buying-pattern shift would be a lofty goal. But the Galant does well, with three quirky disappointments. For a variety of reasons, I’ve had an increasing number of weekly test drives that included round-trip, 400-mile treks

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Honda Element, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Considering the conservative, best-selling Accord, Honda stretched its manufacturing boundaries with the Element. Since its debut in 2003, the vehicle has frequently been described with two succinct comments: “It’s ugly” and “It’s a box with four wheels.” There’s no disputing the Element has among the most conspicuous appearances on the road. But good looks (or lack of good looks) are subjective. More important, Honda doesn’t make a car without a plan. The Element was introduced as an urban utilitarian vehicle with hopes it would appeal to younger drivers seeking pickup truck cargo space in an enclosed area. The the vehicle has attracted a young crowd to some degree, but the average age of buyers to date is 43, according to

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Volkswagen Jetta, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Matched against the best-selling subcompact models offered by Ford, Honda and Toyota, the Jetta is Volkswagen‘s best-selling car. Combined with the nearly identical Golf, more than 40 models of the vehicle are offered, including several 20th anniversary special editions in 2004. I drove the 1.8-liter, 180-horsepower, turbocharged 4-cylinder GTI anniversary edition for my weekly test. It included nearly every standard feature and option imaginable and was true to form to its intended audience. Drivers seeking a zippy little machine get exactly that. From its bright “Tomato Red” exterior and black-and-gray interior, the Jetta is more sports car than subcompact and it couldn’t be more conspicuous scooting around town or on the open road. The vehicle featured 18-inch alloy wheels and

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Honda Odyssey, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Honda Odyssey and its minivan competitors – Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna – are often touted as family vehicles. The Odyssey is showcased with a mother or father transporting the neighborhood youth soccer team to practice or with a family packing up for a summer camping trip.But what if a large family isn’t part of the equation? Is a minivan still a prudent choice? With the 2004 Honda Odyssey, a strong case can be made in favor of a minivan for a two-person family or even an individual who needs a healthy amount of space for cargo or who enjoys traveling with friends. For my weekly drive, the Odyssey was the 240-horsepower, 24-value V6, EX

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