Automotive Reviews

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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Honda S2000, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Winding country roads provide great driving delight. They give sports car owners ample proof why they often sacrificed luxury and comfort for speed and excitement. In Northern California, the wine country roads through the Napa Valley and Mendocino Coast are prime examples — at least for drivers. There are plenty of stretches where passengers susceptible to car sickness may be in trouble. But for a driver, the deep turns and switchbacks require plenty of shifting, maneuvering and accelerating skills. So with a 2004 Honda S2000 as my weekly test drive, could there have been a better location for a getaway weekend? The two-door, rear-wheel drive sports car is a sleek, quick-moving 2.2. liter, 16-valve, 240 horsepower convertible with a six-speed

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Honda Accord, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The trunk was open when one friend walked past and the hood was popped open when two other friends meandered by my 2004 Honda Accord. “If I took off my front wheel, OK maybe both wheels, I could my bike in the trunk, no problem,” one friend said. “That’s a spacious trunk for a mid-sized car.”My two other friends were more impressed with the powerful and efficiently designed engine. “Look where everything is; It’s good access, for sure,” he said. “Even if you know nothing about cars, you can find everything. It would be hard to put the oil where the transmission fluid goes. And it’s like what we used to call a ‘Muscle Car’ engine when we were growing

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Hyundai Accent, 2003: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A four-wheel drive sports utility vehicle, with plenty of cargo space and easy access would have been the logical choice. Instead, the three of us, all at least 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, made the drive in a 2003 3-door Hyundai Accent GL. Long-time running friends, we arrived at Pollock Pines, Calif., elevation 4,000 feet, after an hour’s trek on a cool summer morning along Interstate 50 from Sacramento. When we arrived from the flatlands, it was just after sunrise and the dirt parking lot for the recreational retreat was full of SUV’s. Nevertheless, the entry level offering from the South Korean manufacturer renowned for its 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, had surprised us. As the driver, my front-seat was secure for the

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Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, 2003: The Weekly Driver Car Review

What do you do when you’re considering a sports utility vehicle, you need a family car and really want a sports sedan? One answer, albeit a compromise of all three vehicle styles, is the Volkswagen Jetta wagon. With its various options, it has the style, sleekness and performance of some of the offerings from Audi and BMW for a substantially lower price. Yet, it’s still a station wagon. It has room for a small family and their dog, and more than adequate room for groceries and/or other cargo. For my weekly drive, I tested the 1.8-liter turbocharged, 180-horsepower, 4-cylinder GLS model. It had a five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. And while it may have been a station wagon, the

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Honda Accord, 2003: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Nearly three decades after its debut, the Honda Accord has maintained its mass appeal. Among the country’s best-selling cars, it combines good value, dependability and efficient economy of design. Driving appeal, of course, is paramount for any vehicle’s success, and the 2003 Accord continues to deliver. With the Accord, the comfort is not unlike the driving equivalent of wearing a favorite pair of jeans. It’s comfortable and welcomed in most circumstances — just like soft denim. The test-driven, 4-door Accord EX, the model’s seventh generation in 28 years, included a 5-speed automatic transmission and a 160-hp, 16-valve, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine. The blue/gray exterior (its official color is “eternal blue pearl”) was nicely complemented by gray leather seats. The look and

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