Friday, September 25, 2009

KIA RIO



The 2009 Kia Rio and Rio5 add a few new features. Rio comes as a 4-door sedan in base, LX, and SX trims. Also available is a 4-door hatchback called Rio5; it comes in LX and SX trims. All have a 110-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. A 4-speed automatic is available on LX and SX. Available safety features include ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. A digital audio player input jack is newly standard, as is satellite radio. Rio shares its powertrains and basic design with the Accent from Kia's parent company, Hyundai.

The 2009 Kia Rio receives a new AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capability and three months of complimentary service, standard on all trim levels. The LX and SX trims also get a USB port alongside the auxiliary audio input jack in the center console.

COMPETITION: Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The subcompact class is made up of the smallest hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons on the market. These are generally considered economy cars. Our Best Buys include the Honda Fit and Suzuki SX4. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Scion xD. New or significantly redesigned models include the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit, and Pontiac G3. The Toyota Yaris adds a 4-door hatchback to its model lineup for 2009.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

JEEP COMMANDER



The Commander is Jeep’s full-size SUV and the first Jeep with 7-passenger seating. Wrapped in an exterior package that looks remarkably like the original Jeep Cherokee, the Commander is two inches longer than the Grand Cherokee but shares the same wheelbase. Characterized by an upright windshield, vertical back glass and straight sides, the Commander’s shape is very square and is capped off with the signature Jeep seven-slot grille. Inside, the Commander offers stadium seating, a stepped roof for adequate headroom and Command-View skylights for additional interior lighting. Also a two-tone instrument panel with four round gauges is unique to the Commander. For 2007 Jeep changed the base Commander name to Commander Sport and added the Overland version to the lineup. Jeep Commander

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

JAGUAR S-TYPE



The S-TYPE is Jaguar’s sport sedan that traces its roots back to the original 1963 S-TYPE and shares many styling cues including a small elliptical grille and quad headlights. The current S-TYPE debuted as a 2000 model. The supercharged 390-horsepower S-TYPE R was added for 2003. The S-TYPE is in its final model year for 2008 before the expected arrival of the all-new 2009 XF in March 2008.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

INFINITI EX



The Infiniti EX is a new crossover that Infiniti describes as offering a seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technology systems. Combining the look and feel of a luxury coupe with the versatility of an SUV, the EX debuted two new available systems: Around View Monitor and Lane Departure Prevention. Utilizing four small cameras, AVM gives the driver a top-down view of the outside of the vehicle to reduce blind spots when parking. LDP uses the Vehicle Dynamic Control system to assist the driver if the vehicle drifts out of the lane. Infiniti EX

HYUNDAI ACENT



The Accent is Hyundai's entry-level passenger car that was introduced in 1995 replacing the Excel, which was the first Hyundai imported to the U.S. in 1996. The second-generation Accent debuted for 2000 and received exterior updates for 2003. The third-generation Accent debuted as a 4-door sedan for the 2006 model year. The three-door GS and SE joined the lineup for 2007.
Hyundai Acent

HUMMER H3T



The 2009 HUMMER H3T is Hummer’s new midsize truck based on the H3 SUV architecture with a 4-door 5-passenger crew cab and an open 5-foot bed. Sharing components with the H3 SUV from the B-pillar forward, the rear section of the cab and the separate bed are unique to the H3T. The bed design is similar to GM’s redesigned full-size trucks with an easily removable tailgate and a standard cargo management system. The interior is essentially the same as the H3 SUV with seating for five adults and a 60/40-split rear bench seat that folds flat for increased cargo-carrying options. The H3T delivers the off-road capability expected from HUMMER with standard 4-wheel drive, 32-inch tires and functional skid shields as well as available 33-inch tires and locking differentials.
Hummer H3t

HUMMER H3



The H3 is HUMMER's midsize SUV and the third model in the vehicle lineup. Based on the Chevrolet Colorado pickup platform, the H3 is designed to deliver authentic HUMMER style and off-road capability in a smaller, more fuel-efficient package. For 2008 the H3 Alpha was added to the lineup featuring a unique look and a more powerful engine.
Hummer H3

HONDA FIT



The Fit is Honda’s 5-door subcompact hatchback, which was redesigned for 2009. The Fit has struck a chord with buyers because it is not only economical, but also sporty and fun to drive. While compact on the outside, the Fit offers innovative packaging to provide exceptional space for passengers and cargo. Honda describes the new look as “super-forward aero-form design,” with a two-inch-longer wheelbase, a wider track and the windshield moved forward five inches for improved visibility and a greater sense of space. Updates for 2009 include better interior functionality, including one-motion folding rear seats; improved suspension, steering and body rigidity for sportier driving; higher levels of safety, including Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure; and an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System. The rear Magic Seat now offers one-motion fold-down functionality so the seat can fold flat even when the front seats are adjusted all the way back, and without removing the rear head restraints. The Fit first entered the U.S. market in 2006 as a 2007 model but was already a popular model in Japan and Europe, where it is sold as the Honda Jazz.
Honda Fit

GMC ACADIA



The Acadia is GMC’s first crossover SUV, which combines car-like handling with the capability of a sport-utility vehicle and offers three rows of seating for up to eight passengers. The Acadia’s profile is sleek and aerodynamic and its design is showcased by polished aluminum roof rails; large, prominent headlights that use projector-beam technology; distinctive LED taillights; and a rear spoiler. With interior space of larger SUVs, the Acadia also has a host of safety features, including six standard airbags and a standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology. The Acadia is equipped with OnStar.
GMC Acadia

Monday, September 7, 2009

FORD EDGE



The Edge is Ford's crossover SUV, which debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. Featuring a bold three-bar grille, a raked windshield and a fast-sloping back window, the Edge is also equipped with a high-mounted rear spoiler and wheels that are pushed to the far corners to deliver an aggressive stance. The interior features seating for five and cargo space can be maximized to carry objects up to 8 feet long when the rear seats and the front passenger seat are folded.
Ford Edge

Thursday, September 3, 2009

FERRARI 430 SCUDERIA




While Ferrari builds high-performance cars for the street, these cars are heavily influenced by the Italian car company’s racing endeavors. Occasionally these two worlds come together – which is where the 430 Scuderia comes in. Unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor show by Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, this limited-edition sports car is based on the F430 coupe and was designed with Ferrari’s most passionate clients in mind for use on the street or the track. With an extremely low weight and considerable Formula 1 technology, the 430 Scuderia is able to go around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track as fast as the legendary Enzo.


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

DODGE AVENGER



The Avenger is Dodge’s new midsize sedan that debuted in 2007 as a 2008 model. First introduced in the 1995 model year, Avenger at that time was the Dodge player in the sport coupe market that offered a blend of style and performance. The Avenger coupe was discontinued after the 2000 model year but the Avenger name returned as the 2008 Dodge Avenger midsize sedan that builds on the bold, aggressive styling and performance of the Dodge Charger. The exterior is highlighted by Dodge’s signature crosshair grille, large modern quad headlights, muscular rear shoulders, body-color spoiler and chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets. About 1.2 inches wider and 4 inches taller than its predecessor, the 2008 Avenger has more passenger volume than the previous model. Offered in SE, SXT, R/T and R/T AWD trim levels, the Avenger R/T AWD is also the first midsize car from Dodge to offer AWD combined with a sport-tuned suspension, performance steering and Electric Stability Program (ESP) with Traction Control.