2011 Dodge Ram Pickup Rewiew

The 2011 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 is an aesthetically improved vehicle compared to its predecessor. The only difference between the 2010 and 2011 version is on its trim which generally improves the look of the later version. This decision to practically keep the same specs is no fluke. Its predecessor is already a powerful pickup and its price point will only shoot up if an upgrade is made. The 2011 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 is an improved vehicle in terms of its looks with the same price point.

The features that stand out for Ram 1500 are its V6 engines, high quality interior design and maneuverability. The inside is very spacious with leather seats that will make you think you’re in a luxury vehicle – only more powerful. The V6 engine on the base model is not the most powerful but good enough for daily hauling. It also makes up for its great steering control. The Ram 1500 is a big vehicle but you don’t have to break a sweat just to control this big beast.

The downside of the vehicle is on its mileage. Because of its size and power, it only features 16mpg on average. Another downside is that the base model only comes with automatic 5-speed which is very, very limited.

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Dacia Duster review

Recession has greatly affected car manufacturers as they were forced to scramble for cars which are budget friendly with the same reliability. Answering this challenge is Renault as they are releasing Dacia Duster in select countries in Europe in 2010 and UK in 2012.

Although regarded as the budget friendly vehicle from Renault, it’s also known as the
first SUV from Automobile Dacia which recently became part of the Renault family.
Because of the acquisition, Dacia Duster will be known as Renault Duster when released in UK.

The Dacia Duster is a surprisingly fun vehicle to use. Although it’s not Renault itself, it has actually kept up with the standards of a Renault vehicle: easy to drive, reliable in curves and ideal vehicle for city road conditions. The Dacia image on the other hand, is reflected on its design. It’s a no-qualms design which means it looks dull from the outside. But it comes with a spacious interior that it can hold 5 persons inside (driver included) without any problem. The only concern the Duster would have is the noise because of the 1.6 liter engine.

But even with the impressive driving experience, relatively powerful engine and
simplified design, the best feature is in its price. Base rate for Dacia Duster is estimated at £10,800. With this rate, would-be car owners will get an impressive SUV that can hold a family with the driving quality of a Renault vehicle.

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2010 Mazda 5 Review

In the current economic situation car owners are looking for something useful without having to spend much. This is the reason why minivans that could carry a family are very popular. Instead of spending too much on two vehicles, a single vehicle that could cater to everyone would be a good option. With this requirement in mind, one of the most popular vehicles being considered is the 2010 Mazda 5.

Under the hood, Mazda 5 is not necessarily a beast but should be enough for family transportation. The 2.3 litre, four cylinder engine actually shows weakness when the minivan is full but it can stabilise once it gains speed. Mazda did not really care a lot about speed – 10 seconds to reach 60mph is not impressive but a minivan is not for racing. While it can start slow, control with Mazda 5 is very impressive as it can easily slide through corners.

Because Mazda 5 is a mid-sized minivan, there are some drawbacks when it comes to interior layout. The third row is very small, probably designed for kids. But that’s the only major drawback. The car makes up for its small built by creating sliding doors not only in the side but also on the rear. This feature is very rare in many vehicles of this type and it provides an advantage for families with very active passengers as closing and open is simpler.

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2010 Dodge Nitro Review

At first glance, the 2010 Dodge Nitro is a muscle man’s ideal vehicle: it’s bulky and has a powerful loading capability. Anyone who wanted to have a strong image with a bit of help from the vehicle will never hesitate because of the car’s look and power. Unfortunately, these are the only qualities the latest Dodge Nitro line offers. Everything else is pretty tricky for any car enthusiast.

The main reason why the 2010 Dodge Nitro has an impressive loading capability is due to the available space at the back. Standard setting will give you 32 cubic feet but lower the back seat and you’ll get 65 cubic feet in space. If you lower the driver’s seat, you can add even more storage space. All variations in Dodge Nitro (Heat, Detonator and Shock) almost have the same storage capability.

When it comes to engine performance and speed, the 2010 Doge Nitro is lackluster. The lowest version of the Dodge Nitro (Heat) reaches 60mph after 9 seconds. While it’s expected that SUVs are not sports cars, the speed is very disappointing. Driving impressions of the vehicle is also mediocre as the body becomes a burden instead of helping the SUV steer better. The highest configuration is 4.0 liter with V6 engine (Shock) which can go faster than Heat but driving and control still a challenge.

Although the interior is good enough for a comfortable ride, there are other car manufacturers that have done a lot better than the 2010 Dodge Nitro.

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2011 Toyota Sienna Review

Minivans will always be vehicles favoured by families. This type of vehicle offers the necessary storage space capacity so that the whole family can go to the preferred destination. Minivans also sport an impressive engine as this is a requirement in handling not only the body of the vehicle but also an increased number of passengers.

Space and power are the two factors that were greatly emphasized on the 2011 Toyota Sienna. Like its predecessor, the 2011 Toyota Sienna has the capability to hold up to eight passengers and the back storage is very impressive. The second line seating is even designed for a relaxing experience. This setting offers good spacing and its design is almost the same compared to the 2010 version so it still keeps a sportslike look.

What’s really impressive with the 2011 Toyota Sienna is the AWD option. This will help the driver to have better control of the vehicle which is very important for any minivan. It’s a family vehicle and any improvement of control should be considered. Under the hood, it sports a V6 engine which is another feature that should push the customer into considering this type of vehicle. Fuel economy is at 22mpg with AWD and 24mpg without the AWD.

Base price for the 2011 Toyota Sienna is $24,260 and it is already a good deal considering the capacity and power. This vehicle is easily a contender among other popular minivans in the market.

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2011 Kia Sorento Review

The Kia Sorento’s evolution is a clear testament that the Korean car manufacturer learns from its customers and experiences. The 2011 iteration of the Sorento can become one of the favorite CUVs of the year as it has created something impressive with the price point perfect for today’s economy. Anyone looking for a brand new vehicle will most likely place the 2011 Kia Sorento on their list.

From the outside, the car is what everyone expects from a CUV and that’s actually an improvement on the part of Kia. The unibody form of the 2011 Kia Sorento looks great as it now rivals some well known CUVs such as the RAV4. What made the body even more special is the extended rear which allows for better storage. The only downside is that it looks a bit bulky and the standard gray color will not allow the car to stand out.

Under the hood, the base price will allow the car owners to have a 2.4-litre engine with four cylinders. This doesn’t provide a lot of power because it can only bring out 172HP but that should be good enough for city driving. Some may complain about the existence of a V6 engine only in EX (highest option) but for the city, the engine in base price of 2011 Kia Sorento should be more than enough.

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2010 Nissan Rogue Review

Nissan has come up with very interesting SUVs in the past. The CRV and RAV4 are some of the best SUVs the world has seen. While it's hard to emulate the performance and the value of these vehicles, Nissan is coming out with something that might be at par with these cars.

The 2010 Nissan Rogue is a five-passenger SUV that comes with 2.5, 4-cylinder engine with CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission). The CVT in Rogue is a good and bad thing since it provides additional power to the vehicle. However, CVT causes a continuous roaring sound when the car is in higher gear.

The exterior and interior of the Rogue is actually very unique - and in a very good way. Instead of pushing a very compact SUV, Rogue is coming out with 16-inch steel wheels and an extended front that contours in the end. Some consider it as an avant-garde design but it's just a carefully thought out design.

The interior is pretty standard but the soft skin made the seats very comfortable. The only downside of the design is that it has pushed for seating to sacrifice cargo.
Driving experience of the vehicle is not the best in the world but very comfortable. The extra noise caused by CVT is still tolerable especially for owners who would enjoy the ride.

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2010 Volkswagen GTI Review

The 2010 GTI of Volkswagen experienced subtle but very smart changes. These changes have made 2010 Volkswagen GTI one of the best cars in its category. From the outside, the 2010 Volkswagen GTI is less bulky and the tail lights are slightly adjusted to work with the car's new design. But this doesn't mean the new design was limited the space inside. On the contrary, the backseat of the vehicle has expanded a bit. The front seats are also perfectly placed for comfort. The front seat is not that roomy but just enough for the driver and front seat companion.

One thing that the 2010 Volkswagen GTI can't pull off when compared to other vehicles in its category is the engine. Although the car's fuel economy is rated at 31 mpg in optimum conditions, the power provided by 2.0, 4-cylinder supercharged engine grades below its competitors. It's limited in power which also reduces its ability to reach maximum speed faster.

Fortunately, the speed feature is not important to many car owners especially for this category. Courting families, the car comes with an efficient car control and maximum safety features found in most vehicles. Although breaks are rated average, they are only a bit tricky when the car is running fast.

Overall, the small improvement of the vehicle in terms of its outside looks as well as fuel efficiency work is good for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI. By keeping the good features of the previous year and adjusting the bad ones, they came out with a strong contender.

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2010 GMC Terrain Review

The 2010 GMC Terrain doesn't offer anything different when compared to the Equinox which is actually a good thing. Although Chevrolet can almost claim the new GMC SUV is a knock off, GMC has created something competitive.

The 2010 GMC Terrain has the beauty of the Equinox with something smart not found in Chevrolet's popular vehicle.
The most attractive feature of the 2010 GMC Terrain is its fuel economy. With 3.0 V6 engine, the vehicle can run up to 32 mpg in perfect road conditions. The FWD option for the vehicle lowers the capacity to 25mpg. The AWD option will yield 24mpg which is very impressive for a powerful vehicle.

Inside, the vehicle is simply stunning. Although some would complain about the car is still a 5-seater, it is actually providing a good legroom for everyone. The standard configuration in terms of entertainment is even impressive as it comes with OnStar and a six-speaker CD player. The satellite radio addition on all variations is also noteworthy. Still the interior could have done some small improvement in terms of storage capacity. This might have happened because of the improved legroom.

As already indicated, the beauty of the 2010 GMC Terrain is unmistakable. It's practical yet doesn't come off as dull. However, the 17-inch wheels can easily become overkill. An SUV is generally a vehicle for any terrain but a 17-inch wheel could easily provide problems especially for those who are still learning to drive. But this is a small issue as any owner of this vehicle would be able to harness the disadvantage after a few weeks with the car.

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2010 Kia Optima Review

The 2010 Kia Optima is one of the vehicles that will show the true character of the buyer. Buyers or those who consider this car are not looking for anything classy or trendy and they are pushing for something that works. Price is always a major factor for buyers of 2010 Kia Optima.

But this doesn't mean the vehicle has a bad design. This simply means the 2010 Kia Optima didn't make any changes in its physical appearance compared to the previous year's model. The car has a basic design that it can be dull. The hood is actually the culprit for this look because it is slightly higher instead of the more popular downward design. Under the hood, the car can perform in city road conditions. Your 2.4, 4-cylinder vehicle only has 175hp. Options for automatic transmission is available (5-speed). Fuel efficiency is average as it can reach 32mpg in ideal road conditions.

The car's interior doesn't provide much because it's very basic. The base model will give you the standard accessories such as CD/Mp3 player, satellite radio and keyless ignition. Safety has garnered good reviews from the government as well as Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The old adage "you get what you pay for" can be observed in this vehicle. With less than $18,000, maneuverability is average and doesn't have enough power for heavy transport. It's a vehicle perfect for standard cargo and passengers. But the performance should not discourage buyers because most cars in this category have the same performance when it comes to maneuverability.

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2009 Jeep Patriot Review

The 2009 Jeep Patriot is considered an upgrade of its predecessor released in 2008. With this upgrade, Jeep is keeping its image intact in providing a decent looking SUV while keeping the base price low. The price is actually something most users value on Jeep especially on this version because pushing for upgrades is almost a necessity. Without the upgrades, the 2009 Jeep Patriot may not meet the expectations of car owners for a decent vehicle.

Under the hood, the 2009 Jeep Patriot is not top of the class but can do the job. The basic configuration is the 2.4 liter, 4 Cylinder engine. This yields 172 horse power which is good enough for the family but might not work well for serious off-road travel. This is where an upgrade is a must as you opt for the 4WD upgrade called Freedom Drive II with CVT. Fuel economy in this configuration averages 21 mpg and the base configuration is at 22 mpg.
The safety features of the 2009 Jeep Patriot are very standard and had a high score in government tests. However, the independent tests from insurance companies (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety) were not as impressed. Again an upgrade for side airbags is a must to achieve better protection.

The car's interior has been upgraded to be more appealing for basic consumers. There is good news and bad news here. The good news is that paddings were added on the armrests and the bad news is that it took them many versions before they finally added something comfortable. Ultimately, the 2009 Jeep Patriot has maintained the quality of its price friendly vehicle with few upgrades. It's manufactured for a niche market which makes it difficult for others to consider the Jeep as a worthy competitor.

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Volkswagen 2010 Golf Review

Volkswagen officially terminated their "Rabbit" line of cars with the resurrection of "Golf" for their 2010 compact model. Although Rabbit had three iterations (2006 to 2009), the model didn't have any impact in the market compared to the "Golf" which was suspended by the European manufacturer in 2006.

The return of Golf to Volkswagen actually shows their willingness to adjust to be highly competitive. The hunchback compact is actually very impressive as it comes with 2.5 liter, 5-cylinder engine. Owners can choose between the traditional clutching and the "dual-clutch" option for increased control. The 2010 Golf can also be purchased in diesel engine.

The 2010 Golf's interior was significantly improved compared to their earlier iterations. Although the base lacks the additional entertainment options such as an iPod dock, basic entertainment is still there. Controls are quite straightforward because it doesn't require additional configuration. Leg space is even impressive even in their 4-door version.

Performance-wise, the 2010 Golf stands out among other hunchback vehicles. The car didn't lose the virtues of Rabbit as maneuverability is still there. Even fuel economy is very impressive. The manual and automatic transmission were registered at 23/30 mpg. The upgraded version of 2010 Golf could even push the vehicle up to 42 mpg in ideal conditions.

The only downside of the vehicle is actually on its price. The base of the 2010 Golf is at $17,490 and you'll most likely end up spending $20,000 because of the upgrades. But if you're looking for a well performing compact, the additional thousand dollars is worth it.

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