2010 Mazdaspeed3

The idea of Mazda in getting customers to buy their cars is simple: listen to what they want and deliver them to the best of their ability. In recent years, they have revealed their ability to adapt to the demands by releasing pocket and driver friendly cars such as the iconic Mazda MX-5 and the CX-7.
It's no wonder then that the latest iteration of the Japanese car maker is always about the customers. The 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is the improved version of Mazda3 as it has upgraded some of its components inside and out.

Of course, no car is perfect and the Mazdaspeed3 is no exception. Even though the car will ultimately make you want to buy one, the design of the car is less than stellar. The Mazda3 looks gorgeous compared to its later sibling. The extended wing may have helped in its maneuverability and the front air pocket has a role in keeping the engine at its optimum level but it just doesn't look good in the new Mazda.
But under the hood, the car reveals its power. The 2.3 litre engine can help you squeeze 263-horsepower. They were also smart in adding torque control to avoid that problem caused by too much torque during turns.
The most impressive part of the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is its price and adaptability on the road. Testing the car on the speedway is actually quite a drag (because of the torque) but drive the car on real road and you'll realize why this car at $24,000 can be considered a great deal.

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2010 BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

It's not yet in the US but the model has been confirmed to reach the country anytime soon after the car’s unveiling in the Frankfurt Motor Show (September 2009). The 2010 BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition is actually a little bit mouthful to say but it's a small tradeoff on what it can do to your driving experience. Among them is the claim that it can go for 57.4mpg - a very impressive feat from a premium car manufacturer.
The secret: diesel engine. The 2010 BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition will stray from gasoline and use the less expensive diesel. With impressive fuel efficiency, you can be assured that you'll get the best from this car on the road. Thanks to its 2-liter, four cylinder engine, the new compact from BMW will never have to require as much fuel as its predecessors.

Of course, don't expect that this car will outrun other BMW models. However, the fuel efficient compact only requires 8.2 seconds to reach 100kph. The top speed is also limited to 225kph but when you're on the road, you really don't need too much power and the top speed is more than enough to outrun others in regular road conditions.
Of course, there is always the inherent downside of diesel engines. The US is not very familiar with this type of engine which means help could be difficult to find. But with the name BMW on the engine, you'll get the assurance that the engine has been optimized to last long before it will seek maintenance.

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Audi 2010 S4

Audi S4 is the latest sedan offered by the European manufacturer to its American customers. It's not a highly anticipated sedan like its A4 predecessor but Audi has upgraded some of its specs to make it a highly competitive vehicle in its category.
The 2010 S4 emphasizes power. With 3.0 Liter V6 engine, the car can reach 60mph in just 4.9 seconds. The engine is actually a lot less than the S4 (which was a V-8) but the current version is supercharged to produce up to 333 horsepower which pushes your car to top speed before you know it.

The amazing part of the new S4 is its fuel efficiency. With 18mpg in a city road, it easy beats other popular cars in its category. Other popular cars in its category can't even keep up. For example, the BMW 335i and Mercedes-Benz C350 have 17mpg in the same road conditions. These cars are even not as powerful as the 2010 S4 because it doesn't have the same horsepower.

The only factor that might hold back customers to consider this form of sedan is its price. Basic set-up for the sedan is $45,900 minus delivery which means you might have to cough up an additional $900 or more. The price will also give you six-speed manual transmission and an upgrade to dual transmission will cost you an additional $1,400.
The Audi 2010 S4 is a little bit on the expensive side. However, its fuel efficiency can make this car a better choice in the long run.

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2010 Kia Soul

Designing a box type sport vehicles is usually challenging for car manufacturers. Case in point: Scion xB and Honda Element. The concept of the car is not that bad but the design should make you think twice if you're looking for something that can impress and perform.
Apparently, the 2010 Kia Soul Sport has learned a lot from its competitors. The Korean manufacturer was able to come up with a relatively better designed box sports car. Instead of a strict box idea that did not work for Scion xB and Honda Element, Kia Soul Sport has some curves on the side.
As expected, the interior of the Kia Soul is very impressive. There is enough legroom for the passenger and the driver. The control panel even comes with impressive features such as Bluetooth and USB Docks. Sirius Satellite Radio coupled with 6-speaker system will make everyone inside have an audio experience rarely found in this type of vehicle. The only problem with the interior is the limited cargo space which was sacrificed for the legroom.
The downside of the 2010 Kia Soul Sport is its engine and controls. What you'll get is 2.0Liter 4-cylinder engine. This type of engine only gives you 142 horsepower which means you might have some trouble when you’re dealing with heavy loads. It's only limited to 5-speed (manual) and the higher gears are relatively slower to react. But it's not a car that you wanted to race so you’ll never experience the trouble of losing control while on the road.
In terms of safety, the car comes with the highest rating. For sturdiness, Kia offers 5 year or 60,000-mile warranty. And the price is only $18,000 complete with gadgets mentioned.

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2010 Volvo XC60 Review

Volvo is placing their bets on their latest crossover. The 2010 Volvo XC60 is one of the manufacturer's "saviors" considering it's currently having a hard time earning and even finding a buyer. It's a tough year for the European manufacturer which is why they're coming out with something that can help them get out of the sales slump.
The XC60 is a good looking and well priced vehicle. The complete package will cost you no more than $50,000 and that already includes all the entertainment system and monitoring options in your vehicle. Staying true to its brand, Volvo is still one of the best manufacturers when it comes to safety.

Under the hood, the XC60 can compete with the currently popular crossovers. It comes with 3.0-engine which can give up 281 horsepower under certain conditions. It's relatively heavier (4,174 lbs) but the engine power should be able to handle the challenge of pushing a heavy vehicle.

The notable feature of the XC60 is the handling. The six speed auto transmission is very responsive that you should be able to experience gear changes even in demanding conditions. The complete package also comes with manual transmission conversion which increases control on the crossover.

Now for some bad news: the default navigation system of XC60 is one of the worst in the industry. It's not a touch screen system and you have to use a joystick far from the system which makes handling on the navigation system very difficult. But with its price and options, you can change the navigation system for less than $300 and have a great crossover vehicle.

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2009 Mercedes-Benz G550 Review

At first glance, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G550 is box-type SUV that will never gain any glances on the road. The G550 has a plain box look even though it has a sleek front. You can even say it's a little bit boring and will offer nothing for its potential customers. Still the manufacturer is listing the G500 at $100,000 a piece so it should worth something.

G550 uses two factors that will make it appealing to potential customers: its name and the insides. Mercedes-Benz is one of the leaders in military-type vehicles and the G550 is a testimony of what they can do. It's a relatively simple military-type machine but powerful enough to convince anyone with the right finances to purchase the vehicle.

How powerful? The G550 spots a 5.5-liter engine with V8 power. This power is needed since the G550 weights more than 5,500 lbs and more with passengers. But even with the weight, the G550 can reach 60mph in only six seconds. The G550 comes with seven speed configuration to give you that extra gear if you really want to outrun anyone. The only downside is that its suspension is not really for the off-road. But the G550 is not specifically built as an off-road vehicle.

The interior of the vehicle is in a word: enjoyable. You can complain all day that the G550 doesn't come with options but it comes with everything you need. The adjustable seats and electronic controls on almost anything from the driver's seat is very impressive and the 5.1 sound channel can get you that crisp sound that you need while on the road.

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Nissan 2003 Interstar Review

Most vans in the market merely focus on cargo or driver’s convenience. A van could have great cargo capacity but will limit movement of driver and a passenger while other vans offer convenience to drivers but sacrifices storage capacity.

The Nissan 2003 Interstar tries to diminish the limitation by manufacturing a van that offers the best of both worlds. This particular van can have a maximum wheelbase of 3578mm with 1990mm in width. The height varies per specific model but the minimal configuration can give owners a very impressive cargo capacity.

The storage capacity of Nissan 2003 Interstar is paired with relatively powerful engine. But the van is not a gas guzzler as it uses turbo diesel engine – powerful enough to handle large cargo without the expensive fuel. The minimum engine configuration of the Nissan 2003 Interstar has 1800rpm and the maximum configuration could have 2,000rpm.

The van’s design is specifically geared towards storage. Two doors at the back are supported by a sliding door in the passenger’s side. Although there could be an additional sliding door in the driver’s end, the present configuration is good enough for large haul. For driver’s entertainment, the Nissan 2003 Interstar could be fitted with CD player. Rear parking sensor, electric windows and adjustable window heat is also part of the basic van configuration. Under seat storage and large mirrors are also provided for better rear movement.

The Nissan 2003 Interstar offers an impressive storage capacity without the gas guzzling engine. Although it has fewer doors compared to other vans, the van is still good enough for hauling.

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2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost

Ford is currently looking for its own "it" car. The one mighty manufacturer has been lagging behind in sales as more consumers are opting to look the other way. Quite a bad news for Ford but this situation actually pushed them to be innovative and be smarter with their cars in order to turn some heads.
Enter the 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost. A 3.5 liter engine configured to have the power of a V8. But before you dismiss the vehicle as another gas-guzzler, the car is actually configured to consume like a V6. Not as impressive as hybrids but better gas consumption because of the toned down fuel demand. The car is rated to last 22mpg on highway.
The body of Ford Flex EcoBoost is the definite sign that car manufacturer is trying to start something new. The car has the look of a wagon but can be mistaken as an SUV. But it's wide and imposing body can make anyone think that it resembles a mini-truck. The option for 20-inch tires can transform the car into a massive machine on the road.

Inside it is a classic Ford - everything is spacious and comes in bulk. The seats offer great legroom which is an impressive feature considering it's designed to hold seven passengers (driver included). The dashboard is relatively simple as it features analog meters with GPS and entertainment control in the middle.
Ford maybe facing one of its biggest financial challenges but that doesn't mean they can't be innovative. The 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost is one car that might help the ailing company survive the economic challenges.

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2009 Audi TTS

TT or Tourist Trophy is always a part of many car manufacturers. Tagging a car "TT" is not just because the car manufacturer wanted the car to stand out in the crowd. The tag is meant to provide speed, ease of control and beautiful design inside and out.
But it's hard not to compare one TT car to another. The 2009 TTS Audi is unfortunately ranked in the middle among the pool of TT car designs. It's not as aggressive compared to Roadster but still better to Porsche Cayman.

The 2009 Audi TTS features 3.2 liter engine coupled with V6 prowess. The car is toned down by 15hp which makes it relatively weaker compared to the other TTS cars to be released by Audi in the near future. Unfortunately, the better models are yet to be announced for release in US.
But it's not all bad news for 2009 Audi TTS. As already indicated; the 2009 TTS Audi is a lot better compared to Cayman in terms of speed and pricing. $50,000 will give you the basics of The Cayman but the same price will give you more options when you opt to go for the 2009 TTS Audi. From the outside, Audi has perfected the look of a small car with big features. Although not as ergonomic as other Audi in the past, it's still a beauty.
The 2009 Audi TTS may not be the best Audi out there because of other impressive TTS models. But the car’s price, looks and power should be more than enough to convince some consumers.

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