2010 Archives - Page 2 of 5 - The Weekly Driver

Nissan Cube (KROM), 2010: The Weekly Driver car review

Few cars have received such polarizing reviews. The Los Angeles Times called The Cube an “air-hating box ugly.” The New York Times critic wrote: “The Cube is undiluted Tokyo chic, from its asymmetrical rear window to its shag-carpet dashboard pad to the bungee cords on the doors.” Regardless of opinion, the current edition Cube is arguably the most uniquely designed new vehicle on the road. It won the 2010 Automobile Design of the Year Award. Nissan engineers say the circular-dominated interior is inspired by the enveloping curves of a Jacuzzi. There’s a ripple motif in the ceiling, seat covers and cup holders. There are appliqués for air vents and window switches, utility hooks and elastic bands and variable color LED

Pickup Trucks

Subaru Outback, 2010: The Weekly Driver car review

It’s hard to imagine any other vehicle as versatile as the Subaru Outback. It’s the all-purpose car. It’s ideal as a family wagon. It’s a workhorse for a small businessperson. It’s as safe as any car on the road in inclement weather. Introduced in 1995, the Outback has gone through several editions, including a redesign and a new lineup of models with more than 40 trim configurations for 2010. The Outback has a new 6-cylinder engine and it’s about 3 inches wider and longer in wheelbase than the 2009 Outback. Two engines and six models are offered, all with horizontally opposed engines. Subaru is also now well into its second decade of offering only all-wheel drive as a standard feature

Auto Shows-Museums

Concours on the Avenue in Carmel canceled for 2010

Concours on the Avenue, the free, hip and arguably most enjoyable component of Monterey Auto Week, has been canceled this year due to what owners call an “insurmountable financial gap.” “It’s suspended for 2010, but we have every hope that the momentum that we lose can somehow be regained,” said Doug Friedman who ran the show with his wife. “We’re eternally optimistic, even at this tough moment. We have to look to the future. I’ve never given up on anything, so we won’t give up on Concours on the Avenue and Carmel deserving its own signature moment.” Held for the past three years in downtown Carmel, the Concours on the Avenue featured a variety of collectible cars and motorcycles on

Luxury cars

Acura ZDX, 2010: Roman Mica Reports (Text and Video)

Roman Mica, contributing editor to TheWeeklyDriver.com, compares the new offering to a BMW. But he also questions the vehicle’s practicality while simultaneously appreciating its performance. Here’s Mica’s text and video review: Perhaps the closest competitor to the ZDX is BMW‘s X6. BMW took the DNA of a SUV/Crossover and spliced it together with a 4-door coupe to create the X6 and a new kind of car. Acura has done basically the same thing, but the approach is much subtle. While the BMW engineers took a sledge hammer approach to performance, Acura takes a scalpel with its super handling all-wheel-drive. And while the X6 screams “Get the hell out of of my way” on a twisty stretch of road the ZDX

Automotive Reviews, Sedans

Infiniti G37 Sedan Journey, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

For 2010, the G Sedan, Infiniti‘s top-selling model, features revised exterior styling, an enhanced interior treatment, upgraded technology features and remains a top player as a near-luxury sports sedan. Most of the enhancements, except for the exterior refinements, are also available on the 2010 G37 Coupe and G37 Convertible. Infiniti buyers have four choices — G37 Sedan, G37 Sedan Journey, G37S Sedan Sport 6MT and G37x Sedan AWD. All 2010 G sedans are equipped with a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) V6. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models except the G37 Sport 6MT, comes with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The G37x Sedan AWD is equipped with an advanced Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system

Electric and Hybrid

Ford Flex, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Acceleration (6) Yes, it’s a crossover and it doesn’t look particularly swift. But step on the accelerator, on a freeway ramp, for example, and the 3.5-liter, 262 horsepower V6 holds it owns. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) It’s hard to fault all-wheel drive systems, and having the feature in a van/SUV makes perfect sense. The AWD works smoothly. The Flex was always in control, particularly on the constant roller-coaster back roads of Missouri. A few times while approaching stoplights or stop signs at medium speeds, the brakes seemed soft and I had to apply harder pressure than anticipated to stop. Cargo Room (8) The second and third rows of seats lay flat when not in

Sport Utility Vehicles

Honda Element, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The small sport utility vehicle with its unique box-like style was an immediate hit. Its initial marketing gimmick was two-fold. With its “suicide” doors and second seat configuration, cycling enthusiasts could transport a bike or two width-wise in the cabin. Likewise, when bikes and other cargo were removed from the Element, the base model’s interior could easily be cleaned — with a garden hose. All of the indoor was plastic or rubber and thus easily washed. The base model is still “washable.” But most of the Element’s seven trims now have upgraded cloth seats and other standard features are not the best for garden-hose applications. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance,

Sports Cars

Chevrolet Camaro, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

More than 40 years after it debuted as a muscle car competitor to the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro re-emerged in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model after a several-year hiatus from the manufacturer’s lineup. The Camaro is available with V6 or V8 engines and in five trims, all of which attract immediate attention. The rejuvenated, fifth-generation Camaro resembles the Mustang in design. But it simultaneously brings the long-standing coupe a new, modern identity and retains the good and bad traits from its now middle-aged history and reputation. The Weekly Driver Test Drive East Coast folks laugh at us when we say “winter weather’s arrived.” In Sacramento, that usually means mid-30s, rain and sometimes fog. But there was

Electric and Hybrid

Toyota Prius, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The standard and optional changes are substantial — the redesigned exterior, better gas mileage (the first legitimate 50 mpg EPA estimate) and Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA). The Prius is now among the top-20 best-selling cars in the country. Yet, it’s still a work in progress. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) For 2010, Toyota has added 24 additional horsepower, increasing the total to 134. That gives the Prius some confidence in freeway passing situations it previously couldn’t quite handle. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) The V series, one of five available, includes 17-inch wheels. That helps with sharper turns and better road firmness. Braking is satisfactory, but a few times, I had to abruptly hit the brakes hard and it felt like stepping

Automotive News, Electric and Hybrid

BMW, 335d, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The 2009 version I drove six months ago attracted a lot of attention. Some onlookers didn’t know a BMW diesel was available in the United States. Other car enthusiasts wondered what the odd exterior promotional decals were all about. Little has changed with the 2010 model, the second year of car in this country. Officially, there’s only one change. The 2010 model has HD radio. But the promotional decals are long gone, replaced by a BMW strong point, exterior paint colors and a well-coordinated interior. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Most of the major car publications have selected the vehicle on best-of-the-year lists, and what’s to argue? Is

Sedans

Suzuki Kizashi, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

The most important part of the car is the door handle. Why? It’s the first part of the car you touch. In my case, it was love at first touch with the all new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS. What Suzuki has managed to build is a $20,000 car that looks and feels like a $30,000 car. For me, the mark of a good car, make that a great car, is its ability to make you feel special when you drive it. And I felt like a C list movie star in the Kizashi. The Kizashi GTS isn’t a great car but it’s a very good car. Let’s start with what keeps it from being a great car. The 2.4L engine

Sport Utility Vehicles

Hyundai Tucson, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

But just like many of the most fashionable shoes in the world, you have to sacrifice comfort to look so good. Don’t get me wrong. My tester had all of the latest toy and technology you’d expect from a small, modern crossover including: All-wheel drive, Navigation (6.5 inch screen0, Enormous/Panoramic duel sunroofs, Satellite radio, Premium Audio (with external amp and Sub-woofer) . . . and the list goes on. In fact, my tester’s grand total of goodies came to a segment-topping sticker price of $29,590.00. That’s a lot of money and a lot goodies for a small CUV. But that wasn’t why I struggled with the Tucson. The biggest issue: I could not get comfortable in the car. I’m 6’2

Vans/Mini-Vans

Ford Transit Connect, 2010: The Weekly Driver Review

Named “North American Truck of the Year 2010” at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the 2010 Ford Transit Connect can seat five, but can also be configured to seat two. Ford‘s official web site features several examples of small businesses customizing the Transit Connect with various signage and with several interior modifications. The examples all provide ideal reasons why 600,000 Transits have sold in 58 countries and on four continents since the “leisure activity vehicle” debuted in 2003. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It didn’t take more than a few minutes on my first drive in the Transit Connect to generate comments. One relative (my wife) and one acquaintance (the woman in the local drive-thru coffee kiosk) suggested

Convertibles

Audi A5, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But other than a much-needed catchy acronym (how about A5?), nothing else should be forgotten about the new Audi. It’s proven so popular, it’s now available in 14 configurations, with a vast range of prices. My test drive for the week, for example, had a base price of more than $15,000 less than the out-the-door price. The major culprit was the $8,300 “Prestige Model” that adds 13 features to the car — a Bang & Olufsen sound system to keyless start and Xenon headlights and a navigation system with a rear detection camera. Six other options catapulted the price into the $60,000 plateau. That’s luxury car status in a sports car. Likes: Convertible top’s ease of use. Push a button,

Economy cars

Volkswagen Golf, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Thirty-seven years later, the sixth edition in 2010 continues the car’s legacy without missing an RPM. Through 2007, more than 25 million of the cars had been built. According to the manufacturer, it’s the best-selling Volkswagen in history and the third best-selling vehicle of all-time. The sixth generation Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit model features a more spacious interior and slight changes to the grille, headlights and air intake. It’s also now called the Golf again after four years as the Rabbit. Golf is the more global name for the car. Beyond the name switch and design changes, the Golf remains an easy-to-like, sturdy and handsome hatchback — inside and out. Equipped with a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower, inline 5-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission,

Sport Utility Vehicles

Subaru Forester, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Additionally, the Forester, like all Subaru models, features an all-wheel drive drivetrain. It’s the standard in the industry that nicely complements another keen Forester features. The Forester’s low center of gravity allows the vehicle to meet the U.S. federal standards for passenger vehicles, and thus it does not require a risk of rollover warning label. The name Forester was used to convey the vehicle is “of the forest.” The name has always worked. The Forester’s characters are shared with siblings Legacy and Outback and the manufacturer’s versatility was a primary reason why it was chosen by the U.S. ski team years ago as one of the first “official vehicles” involved in sponsorship. The 2010 Forester has only slight updates following

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