Subaru Legacy, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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What that means is that handling and steering throughout the Subaru line is superior. Subarus confidentially entertain any driving situation, and that’s why the brand is particularly popular in mountain areas where obstacles can be presented without warning. Despite its reputation, however, the Legacy —the oldest name in the Subaru lineup — is far from the first choice for midsize sedan buyers. But with the 2007 models, the manufacturer has made a concerted effort to join the category’s top echelon. Of particularly note is the new GT turbocharged model. First available in a limited release in late 2006, it’s now

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Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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But the Forenza falls short in too many key areas, most notably craftsmanship and performance. As such, it isn’t a prudent choice in the economical wagon category. My weekly drive, like all Forenza and Reno (the hatchback) models included a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 127-horsepower engine. It also featured a four-speed automatic transmission (a five-speed manual transmission is also available). The automatic transmission is the vehicle’s key disappointment. Acceleration is adequate from a stopped start, but it’s nowhere near as efficient in mid-range speed acceleration or in freeway situations. Likewise, the automatic shifting takes a concerted effort whether maneuvering into a

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Ford Escape (Hybrid), 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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With its hybrid model, the Escape and its close hybrid sibling easily overcome the the SUV stigma — poor gas mileage. The Escape features a “full” hybrid electric system. It works in three different ways — as pure electric power, pure gasoline power or a combination of the two systems. While braking or decelerating, the Escape’s hybrid system relies on regenerative braking. The electric motor operates as a generator and coverts the vehicle’s momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. The system may sound complicated, but it all worked well in my weekly driver, one of four available

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Kia Sportage 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Among several changes then was the transition from a truck to car platform. The 2007 Sportage is available is seven configurations, and my weekly driver was the 4×4 (all-wheel drive). It has a 2.7-liter, 24-valve, V6 engine with 173 horsepower a four-speed automatic transmission. Considering its status as a  compact SUV, the Sportage has a lot to offer. Its interior is attractive, with the dark gray paneling and console matched against a silver medal instrumentation panel, shift knob and various handles and supports. The approach is simple and functional. There’s good leg and head room and a surprisingly large and

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Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The compact crew cab has new safety features, a new an optional V8 engine and a new independent rear suspension. Like the Ridgeline, the independent rear suspension was added to provide a more carlike ride than other trucks equipped with a solid rear axle. It works. My weekly test drive was the V8, 4-door crew cab, one of eight Explorer Sport Trac models. It’s a smooth-driving, four-door truck with nearly the comfort of a sedan, but with all the benefits of a workhorse truck. A 210-horsepower engine is standard, but the Limited Edition — the most expensive model — has

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Cadillac SRX, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Add it all up while also considering the various configurations of various manufacturers’ models and there are nearly 90 available SUVs in the United States. The 2007 Cadillac SRX 4-door wagon is listed in the premium midsize SUV category, and it offers an attractive combination of luxury, performance and styling. My weekly driver was the four-door V6 model (there’s also a V8). The V6 includes a 3.6-liter, 260-horsepower engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The SRX already had a strong performance reputation, but its interior design and material use were often criticized. This year, the higher-grade materials are featured in

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Audi A4, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But not everything is quite right with the A4 and its price point, particularly considering several option packages, provides more than one reason to consider other manufacturers’ offerings. My weekly test drive was the 2007 A4 sedan 2.0 T quattro AT6. It featured a 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower, DOHC turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The A4 is a handsomely designed sedan and its attractive body style and exterior color (ocean blue pearl) combined to attract a good share of attention. Add the platinum-colored interior to the mix, and the Audi is among the nicest-looking sedans on the road. Audi‘s

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Car Gadgets: All I Want Is My OnStar And XM Radio

I’ve been reviewing cars for about five years. And if I’ve learned anything after driving more than 200 vehicles, it’s that every manufacturer has a terminology “spin” for what it believes is its revolutionary automotive technology. Some of the parlance is clever and represents great innovation; Other descriptions are shameless, meaningless hype. Regardless, with the admission that I’m a minimalist, I think it’s fair to say some manufacturers’ equipment offerings have reached critical mass or perhaps exceeded it. In short, some cars have too much stuff, some of which just doesn’t work well. Hypersensitive electronic sensors, rear view navigation systems

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Mazda CX-7, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Beyond its omnipresent "Zoom-Zoom" television commercial jingle, Mazda has a new motto: "The SUV you never saw coming. It's a trademarked slogan, but it just didn't fit with my weekly driver, a 2007 Mazda CX-7.

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Lincoln MKZ, 2007: The Weekly Driver

In its place as a renamed, restyled and more powerful entry level luxury sedan is the MKZ. And, as the adage goes, what difference a year makes. The MKZ is everything the Zephyr wasn’t. It has more horsepower, more interior space (15.8 cubic feet in the trunk, for example), an attractive redesign (including a pronounced chrome front grill and other chrome trim) improved interior refinements and a better warranty. Similar to the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, the MKZ has the high-end standard features apropos the Lincoln tradition. The MKZ is equipped with a host of standard features: 17-inch alloy

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Saturn Sky, 2007: The Weekly Driver

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The Sky was introduced as the manufacturer’s first “high-performance” convertible sports car as a 2007 model although it was first available in the spring of 2006. The two-seater, which shares its basic design with the Pontiac Solstice, is available in two options, the 177-horsepower base model and the 260-horsepower, turbocharged Red Line. Both models, like the Solstice, are rear-wheel drive and have 5-speed manual transmissions as standard equipment. (A 5-speed automatic is also available in both models.) My weekly test drive was the base model, but it featured two option packages, including a premium leather trim package, automatic transmission and

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Saturn Aura, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

With 16 manufacturers offering midsize cars and another 10 manufacturers in the premium midsize market, newcomers in the exceedingly popular category often face rough sales roads. Saturn didn't fare well with its midsize L-Series, which was discontinued in 2004. But the General Motors division is trying again with the 2007 Aura.

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Acura RDX, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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“We don’t call them crossover; We call them car-based SUVs, because that’s what they are,”Gabriel Shenhar, senior auto testing engineer for Consumer Reports magazine, said in a recent article in bankrate.com. “These are vehicles that are usually derived from passenger cars, not trucks.” Crossover vehicles also often have fully independent suspensions and more adept for road travel and lighter cargo loads rather than off-road treks and heavy cargo hauls. However properly defined, Acura has entered the crossover mix with its 2007 RDX. It features all-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine, an impressive array of features and an automotive oxymoron. It’s a

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Mercury Mountaineer, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Luxury models to nearly subcompact SUVs, the versatility of the style continues to attract return buyers and newbies. But there’s a dichotomy. Manufacturers have diversified the SUV segment while simultaneously homogenizing it. Many SUVs simply appear interchangeable, which is exactly the case with 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Sport Trac. Although it was redesigned, the Mountaineer is a retrimmed Ford Explorer, and the Ford Explorer is not too dissimilar from a half-dozen other manufacturers’ SUVs. For 2006 (the vehicle’s 10th year) the Mountaineer is available in eight configurations, and with base prices ranging from $29,150 to $35,500. My weekly test drive was

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Volvo C70 T5, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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The success rate has greatly fluctuated, but that hasn’t stopped several high-end manufacturers — BMW and Lexus, for example — from returning to the niche model in recent years. And now Volvo has joined the fun with a newly designed, attention-grabbing sedan. As a 2006 mid-year addition, the Volvo C70 T5 is a four-door, four-passenger hardtop convertible that showcases the Swedish manufacturer’s innovation and reputation at its best. The car drives so nicely and offers such well-planned features, it’s hard not to like. My weekly test drive was the 2.5-liter, 218-horsepower turbocharged, 5-cylinder C70 with 5-speed automatic transmission with a

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Mazda 6, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Could there be a more generically named group of vehicles than those lumped together as “midsize cars”? The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima are all in the category, and all enjoy a loyal consumer following. The Mazda 6 is also in the group. And while not as refined as the Accord or Camry, the Mazda 6 — available in 16 configurations — is a sporty alternative. In fact, with a wagon, hatchback and turbocharged, 274-horsepower edition among the options, the Mazda 6 greatly expands the boundaries of the class. My weekly test drive was Grand Sport

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