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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

2009 Infiniti G37X Sport Review

Infiniti is one of those car manufacturers that often receive praise not necessarily on its design but on its price point. Although this is not a bad reputation in itself, any car manufacturer will always seek dominance by its ability to provide high quality cars.

Infiniti does have some impressive vehicles in the past like the G35 and they hope the beauty of this well known vehicle of Infiniti would rub on the 2009 Infiniti G37X Sport. The body and interior of the vehicle is never lacking. The body of the new iteration has little difference compared to the G35 except on the airdam which is barely noticeable. The continuous edge is still noticeable although you might think that it's a lot more Civic than Infiniti. The interior of the vehicle is complemented by the 7-inch guiding system which will surely be the focus during the ride. The colors are a little bit bleak as the manufacturer simply refers to the interior colors as "wheat".

The real beauty of the vehicle is under the hood. The VQ V6 engine from Nissan now powers this particular vehicle. With 328 HP, the car can easily become a beast in the road. Transmission-wise, the vehicle will certainly entertain beginners as well as the experienced. Automatic transmission will now reach seven-speed while manual transmission still works with the traditional six.
Overall, the 2009 Infiniti G37X Sport pushes its appeal to car enthusiasts. And with the price of $43,000 for a completed interior and upgrades, the car is certainly is a looker.

Read More

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Review

The Jetta line of cars from Volkswagen is always associated with class in the midst of compact-economy vehicles. Coming out with various versions that can easily confuse a beginner, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta line is simply aiming for everyone looking for a brand new vehicle.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta comes in two body types: the traditional sedan and "SportWagen". This is where the variety starts. The sedan comes with 5 versions depending on interior and exteriors: S, SE, SEL, TDI and Wolfsburg while the SportWagen comes in S, SE and TDI.
Even though they come in a variety of designs, the common feature of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is its interior. The good thing about the interior is that it offers enough entertainment for everyone: stereo speaker-radio, CD player and audio jack. However, the legroom in the back of the vehicle can be a bit cramped.

As a car geared towards general driving experience, safety has been one of its best features. Various independent rating systems were conducted and the car proved efficient in front and side protection. However, the braking system of the vehicle is not as efficient compared to other compact cars. Owners have to practice on the vehicle a little bit to get a grip on how to properly stop the vehicle.
Maneuverability is not the best in the industry but it's not geared for precision driving either. With that said, the car can handle bumps in the road to ensure a smooth driving experience. It's a driver friendly vehicle that can be easily appreciated because of its looks.

Read More

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Review

The SRT8 was first introduced to the market in 2008 as a tribute to retro muscle cars of the 70s. Unfortunately, the 2008 version is not "manly enough" because it did come with automatic transmission. It's like a car that looks strong but needs extra push from behind. Dodge has slightly learned its lesson by releasing a six-speed manual transmission version in 2009. Compared to the 2008 and 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 automatic, the manual transmission is a beast.


The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 manual transmission looks exactly like a muscle car. This version does not have any extra wings or designs. Its standard color red (or according to Dodge TorRed), and the shape is truly a nostalgic vision of the retro muscle vehicles. The interior of the vehicle still emulates the image outside. The dark gray finish and levers instead of digits will tell the driver how strong the car is on real time. The only real digital system in the car is the audio system.


Dodge didn't hesitate to provide a strong engine to make the car truly a muscle car. Featuring V8, 6.1-Liter engine, the 2009 SRT8 manual transmission can go from 0-60 in just five seconds. It's a power vehicle that comes in small package. Maneuverability of the vehicle is not stellar but will never place you in danger. The "Hill Start Assist" or HSA is a pretty neat addition since it will provide a 3-second automatic break if the vehicle is moving uphill.


Ultimately the 2009 Dodge Challenger manual transmission can have its shortcomings in speed and maneuverability, but it's a dream car come true for many muscle car enthusiasts.

Read More