automotive mania

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

2010 Suzuki Kizashi Review

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is the latest offering from the Japanese based car-maker to the US that should compete well with other midsized vehicles. Unlike the previous Suzuki models, the designs were aggressively revamped which means it doesn't have those unique features of the past models that actually made the brand a bit undesirable.
Kizashi’s exterior is very simplistic but that's actually a good thing for Suzuki. Instead of making the driver stand-out in a bad way because of the design, the car became a standard mid-size. The extended front and well-designed, larger rear is also a plus point because of the large trunk.
The inside design of the vehicle doesn't provide any wows but it has a better legroom compared to other mid-sized cars and previous Suzuki versions. The plastic feel of the dashboard for media control is not that good but reacts fine if you really don't aggressively change channels.
Under the hood, the car will give you 2.4 liter with 4 cylinder engine. Not much power to be expected from the car but it can reach 60mph in less than 8 seconds. It comes with 6-speed transmission in any design (Manual, AWD and CVT).
What made the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi a good car is actually the driving experience. The car was tested in Germany and US so that it can work in various driving conditions. The shifters are a bit far especially on pushing but that disadvantage can be ignored if you regularly use the car.
Set to come out later in 2009, basic configuration for the Kizashi should be within the $21,000 to 22,000 price range.

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Tuesday, November 03, 2009

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is the latest offering from the Japanese car maker to the US that should compete well with other mid sized vehicles. Unlike the previous Suzuki models, the design was aggressively revamped which means it doesn't have those unique features of the past models that actually made the brand a bit undesirable.

Kizashi’s exterior is very simplistic but that's actually a good thing for Suzuki. Instead of letting the driver stand-out in a bad way because of the design, the car became a standard mid-size. The extended front and well-designed, larger rear is also a plus point because of the large trunk.
The inside design of the vehicle doesn't provide any wows but it has a better legroom compared to other mid-sized cars and previous Suzuki versions.

The plastic feel of the dashboard for media control is not that good but reacts fine if you really don't aggressively change channels. Under the hood, the car will give you 2.4 liter with 4 cylinder engine. Not much power to be expected from the car but it can reach 60mph in less than 8 seconds. It comes with 6-speed transmission in any design (Manual, AWD and CVT).

What made the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi a good car is actually the driving experience. The car was tested in Germany and US so that it can work in various driving conditions. The shifters are a bit far especially on pushing but that disadvantage can be ignored if you regularly use the car.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

2010 Nissan Altima Review

The Nissan Altima line of model vehicles was last revamped in 2007. More than 2 years later, a new design came out to attract the crowd and possibly push further for global dominance. Nissan, after all, pushes the most cars every year.
The 2010 Nissan Altima is undoubtedly sleeker. It's a bit lowered compared to the 2007 version. The sedan comes with 16" or 17" wheels while the coupe offers the 17" version only. The only misfire in the new model is the bulge in the rear. The new version could have lowered the rear a bit but for some reason, it's not.
Just like the previous Altima, engine power depends on user preferences. Would-be car owners can choose between the hybrid and the gasoline option. But in terms of performance to fuel efficiency ratio, the 2.5 liter version of the vehicle performs great in curves while fuel efficiency is rated at 30mpg.
While there are some misfires in the outside, the interior design is just stunning. Non-slippery leather seats, a load of multi-media options (including XM Satellite) and just enough positioning of the shifter make the driving experience relatively better.
The deal maker of the vehicle is the price. The base price is merely $20,000 but would-be car owners should out a bit and go for the upgraded version for $30,000. But the price can still vary for users who wanted technology instead of power as they can go for the most affordable version and upgrade to complete multi-media features in the 2010 Nissan Altima.

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Saturday, October 24, 2009

2009 Mazda MX-5 Review

The original Mazda MX-5 was released in 1989 and the car immediately gained the attention of many car enthusiasts due to its fun design. A very simple looking convertible, the car became many car owner’s dream machine because it provides enough power without being too expensive. The 2009 version is no different which means it's another winner for Mazda.
The new version of Mazda is a little bit bigger but still considerably light. The front end has been lowered down a little bit for improved aerodynamics. The size increase was due to the wheels as it protrudes out of the vehicle. This was probably done to add control to the machine because a car with shorter width can cause danger because of less maneuverability.
Before looking at the engine, let's take at look at its slight disadvantage: the front seats. It's not really uncomfortable as the seats seem squeezed into the car. But it's barely noticeable once you handle this vehicle after a few miles.
Inside, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 will not win you any drag race but it’s not a pushover either. Coming with 2.0 four cylinder MZR engine, the car can help you reach 60mps in less than 7 seconds. With this engine, you can work the car like a racing champion, as its small size can push the car to its limit fast.
The main attraction of the car is actually what you can't see. The full featured vehicle is just under $29,000 and the base price is only at $22,500. With that price, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 can easily become a highly coveted car.

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Monday, October 19, 2009

2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo Review


The 2010 Nissan 370z Nismo is not a car for everyone. It's a sports car that caters for specific enthusiasts of this type of vehicle. This means the opinion in the car community would certainly be divided. But apparently, Nissan doesn't care and it's a good thing because the 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo is simply a car that pushes the limits of the driver - just what a sports car should do.

From the moment you lay your eyes on the vehicle, you know this is something unique and special. The bumpy front, combed roof and spoiler combination makes you want to think you're in a computer game. Add that fact to the 19-inch aluminum wheels, and you've got yourself a very flashy sports car.

Inside, the car is simply for those who want speed. Covered with black and red leathers the car feels like - well, a sports car. The dashboard is dedicated for meters and an extra compartment for possible navigation system is included. Under the hood, the car is a souped up version of the 370z. The 3.70-liter VQ Engine bumps up the horsepower to 350 (18hp more) with torque at 276 lbs-feet (6lb-ft extra).

Last but not the least, the driving experience of 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo is simply amazing. When travelling at regular speeds, the roar you experience in the vehicle tells you that the engine is not comfortable at this pace and it yearns for a faster experience. The car comes with manual transmission, and you'll be pushed to give more to the car as it will seem to constantly demand that your foot should be on the pedal. In short, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo answers the call to what a sports car should be. Prices start at $39,130.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

2010 Ford Taurus SEL Review

Ford Taurus is an iconic vehicle that rose above other mid-sized vehicles during the 80s. It was a smart vehicle during that time and the car confirmed Ford's role in providing groundbreaking vehicles. But those days are long gone. Competition and the memory of the 2008 Taurus edition have dented the reputation of Taurus.
The US-based manufacturer will try the market again with the 2010 Ford Taurus SEL. On initial impressions, it does have something to offer car owners. The design was not exactly revamped but an improved front end has provided the "classy" view car owners hoped from Taurus.
Under the hood, Ford has made sure that the engine can handle the 4-ton sedan. The engine is 3.5 litre V6 which can churn out 263 horsepower. Surprisingly, the weight of the sedan doesn't increase its fuel consumption. The EPA Rating is at 18 mpg and 28 mpg for city and road use, respectively.
One thing that will really make car enthusiasts want to buy this car is the interior. The car is measured at 202.9 inch in size and has a massive trunk. At 20 cubic feet, you can practically place everything there for the weekend vacation.
The driving experience is also commendable. Although you might have to adjust a little bit because of its size, the six speed automatic transmission makes everything easy for the driver. You won't notice that the car is really heavy after getting the car on the road.
The 2010 Ford Taurus SEL is trying to erase the memories of car enthusiasts of its 2008 version. Aside from succeeding to convince enthusiasts with the 2010 version, the base price is also not bad: $30,980 for the basic configuration.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro Review

Audi has always attracted the attention of car owners and enthusiasts for the right reason. Its sleek design combined with quality engine and superb performance has made Audi among the most anticipated manufacturers every year. In 2009, Audi didn't let the car community down with the 2009 Audi Q5. 3.2 Quatro.
From the outside, the Q5 provides an example of what crossover owners should look for on a CUV. The car comes with a beautiful silver rims with slightly visible interior for a sneak peak of its power. The body has a well combed design but not too much by using bumps on the side.
The car's engine is probably the most impressive from the vehicle. Coming with 6-cylinder 3.2 liter engine, the power of the Q5 is unmistakably noticeable. It's also fuel efficient in its category as it has been rated 24mpg in optimum conditions.

Control and maneuverability of Q5 is very good. You'll feel the car's roar as you push the car to the limit but you'll still feel safe on the inside. The Q5 really takes it seriously when it dubs itself as a "family car" as it will try to appease everyone in almost every road condition.
While the Q5 is a very impressive vehicle, it does have some downsides. Among them is the complicated buttons on the dashboard. There are too many buttons to press before you could reach your preferred FM station or simply to play music. Last but not the least, the car costs more than $50,000 on basic configuration.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The 2010 Nissan 370z Nismo is not a car for everyone. It's a sports car that goes for specific enthusiasts of this type of vehicle which means the opinion in car community would certainly be divided. But apparently, Nissan doesn't care and it's a good thing because the 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo is simply a car that pushes the limits of their driver - just what a sports car should be.

The controversy starts from the moment you lay your eyes on the vehicle. The bumpy front, combed roof and spoiler combination makes you want to think you're in a computer game. Add that fact that the 19-inch aluminum wheels, you've got yourself a very flashy sports car.

Inside, the car is simply for those who wanted speed. Coming in with black and red leather the car feels like - well, a sports car. The dashboard is dedicated for meters and an extra compartment for possible navigation system is included. Under the hood, the car is a souped up version of the 370z. The 3.70-liter VQ Engine bumps up the horsepower to 350 (18hp more) with torque at 276 lbs-feet (6lb-ft extra).

Last but not the least, the driving experience of 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo is just simply amazing. The roar you experience in the vehicle simply tells their driver that the engine is not ok with regular speed. Coming with manual transmission, you'll be pushed to give more to the car as it will seem to constantly demand that your foot should be on the pedal. In short, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo answers the call to what a sports car should be. Price starts at $39,130.

Friday, September 25, 2009

2010 Acura TSX V6

Acura has made some startling changes on their line up for the past few years. Call it a "learning phase" for Honda's luxury line but they experienced a few missteps. The 2010 Acura TSX V6 is supposed to be the final product based on what they have learned in the past.

Even though with a revamp in some of its key functions, the latest version of TSX didn't have any significant change in the outside. There are only two changes that can be noticed in the new TSX compared to its 2009 sibling: the rear end was raised a little bit while the air intake in the front is now wider. The interior of the TSX V6 is a classic Honda dashboard which values simplicity.

You'll have the Honda seats which are impressive and standard dashboard for your multi-media.
As the name indicates, the latest iteration of TSX sports a V6, 3.5 liter engine. If this car was compared to its previous iterations, the torque was bumped up to nearly 50%. This fact presents good and bad news. The good news is that it will help you ride through the highway without any problem. The bad news is that steering with the new TSX could be a little bit challenging. The steering problem is even highlighted as it comes with automatic transmission and no 4-wheel drive option.
But the 2010 Acura TSX V6 is still competitive when it comes to price. Even with the technology upgrade, the 2010 TSX is expected to be priced no more than $39,000.

Monday, September 21, 2009

2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon

The 2010 CTS Sportwagon is the first wagon from Cadillac to be shipped in the US. It took many years for Cadillac to muster a Cadillac in the US since the general reception of this type of vehicle is often frowned upon by US customers. There's no use selling something that you know won't be a hit. But after years of holding it in and favourable company conditions, Cadillac is ready to push the wagon to their US customers.

Fortunately, the first wagon of Cadillac for the US offers something remarkable for the consumer. The beautiful body design featuring a combed roof and 19-inch wheels can easily entice anyone. The only downside of the design is the usability in the rear. Since it’s combed to the back, the wagon doesn't offer a lot of space especially if your baggage would require taller space.

Under the hood, the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon is not perfect but good enough. The wagon features 3.6 liter, V6 engine which can give the car the boost it needs. While the engine looks great, the engine requires extra boost in order to improve maneuverability. This means you have to increase the speed a little bit to experience easy movement.
Inside, the wagon is looks great. What's impressive is the wagon doesn't have a lot of buttons and wires that you have to consider when connecting your gadgets or the navigation system. On the downside, the legroom on the front is a little bit short as the area for your gadgets and entertainment takes up the room. But this is a very small inconvenience and for the price of $40,655, the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon is a steal.