Car Reviews
by car review editor on February 4, 2012
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe Review
Full Review by Andy: What Shall We Call It?
Sometimes, dictionary-appropriate descriptions cannot do justice to a car. For instance, when describing the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro coupe, the following words are unsuitable.
• Cool: overused slang from the ‘70s
• Bodacious: more nerdy than Jimmy Neutron
• Nifty: sounds like “Arts & Crafts” day in 5th grade
• Fantastic: marketing lingo
Our command of the proper English language is failing us. Sometimes, the only term that can be used to portray a car is in-your-face, slightly vulgar, bossy and edgy, much like the Camaro itself. Unfortunately, gratuitous language is not internet-appropriate either. Therefore, we are forced to call the Camaro, “Bad rear end.” [Read More]
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by car review editor on February 3, 2012
The 2012 Dodge Charger SE Review
Summary Review by Tess: Living Up to the Legend
The Dodge Charger has been one of the enduring legends of the American road since its initial release in 1966, and the 2012 Dodge Charger SE is a proud descendant of that legacy with the aggressive good looks and powerful performance that muscle car enthusiasts want most. Best of all, this legendary vehicle is available for an extremely reasonable price, making it the sports car of choice for many budget-minded buyers. The 2012 Dodge Charger SE even offers better than average gas mileage, making it an all-around good deal for most buyers.
Under the hood
The Dodge Charger SE is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 flex-fuel capable engine that produces 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, delivering that power to the rear-wheels via the standard five-speed automatic or optional eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel [Read More]
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by car review editor on February 2, 2012
The 2012 Suzuki SX4 Sedan Review
Summary Review by Tess: A Weighty Contender
The Suzuki SX4 sedan gets a minor upgrade for 2012 with the addition of rear disc brakes and a stability control system as standard features on all models. Available in four trim levels, the 2012 Suzuki SX4 sedan lacks some of the advanced technical gadgets and amenities of other competitors in the compact sedan marketplace. However, the low sticker price of the base model SX4 may compensate for these shortcomings and may appeal to budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable entry-level vehicle. Fuel economy is just average for this automotive class due to the higher curb weight of the SX4 compared to its competition.
Under the hood
All models of the Suzuki SX4 sedan are powered by the same 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The SX4 sedan features a standard front-wheel drive and the buyer’s choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is [Read More]
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by car review editor on February 1, 2012
The 2012 Subaru Outback 3.6R Review
Summary Review by Tess: Standing Out from the Crowd
The 2012 Subaru Outback 3.6R wagon is one of the standouts in the overcrowded crossover SUV marketplace, primarily because it is not a crossover SUV. Instead, this wagon provides plenty of room for passengers and cargo along with its sleek, European-influenced good looks and long list of standard features. All-wheel drive ensures maximum traction even in snowy, icy weather, while the Outback’s 3,000 pounds worth of towing power is likely to prove useful for buyers as well.
Under the hood
The 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine of the Outback 3.6R wagon produces 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to go from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 7.3 seconds, a notably fast time for this automotive class. The engine is paired with an all-wheel drive five-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Fuel economy is about average at [Read More]
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by car review editor on January 31, 2012
The 2012 Toyota Prius v Review
Full Review by Andy: A Classic Car Gets Bigger
The all-new Prius v wagon, pronounced PREE-UHS VEE, is Toyota’s latest rendition of its iconic green car. The v, which stands for versatility, marks the entry of a new era of family-friendly efficiency. The Prius v was a finalist for Green Car Journal’s 2012 Green Car of the Year award, and it should be a finalist on your short list as well.
Exterior
The original Prius was a poster-child for wacky green design, but the stretched Prius v, if anything, is the better-looking of the two. Its sloped wedge-shape and tapered rear end add an air of windswept attractiveness, if not elegance, to the hatchback.
Interior
In contrast to a Honda Civic, where the controls are so [Read More]
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Toyota has revised the estimated fuel economy numbers for the new 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid, now saying it will achieve an equivalent of 95 mpg in electric mode and 50 mpg in traditional hybrid mode. This is higher than Toyota’s original estimate of 87 mpge on battery power and 49 mpge when the battery pack is depleted.
Fiat announced that it will unveil the new 500L, a larger version of its 500 minicar, at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6. The Italian automaker also said it will delay production of a Jeep compact SUV originally promised for next year.
Mazda Motor Corp. reported a large third quarter loss of almost $1 billion and predicted a 100 billion yen loss for the full year to March. This will be the automaker’s biggest full-year decline in 11 years.