
News & reviews from the global car industry
"Environmentally friendly cars will soon cease to be an option ... they will become a necessity."- Fujio Cho
"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves." - Albert Einstein

At first glance the 2011 Nissan Juke is something out of an animation studio: compact with a unique looking rear and curves that will make you think it has some secret compartment somewhere. Some say it is an ugly Crossover/SUV, but a closer look reveals it’s nothing more than a quirky vehicle looking to make some mark in a highly competitive automobile industry. The 2011 Nissan Juke comes with a 1.6 L engine with 188 horsepower. It’s perfectly built for city driving, with a mileage of up to 32mpg in highway setting. Unfortunately, customers looking for power will not get much from the Juke.
But the surprising feature of the Nissan Juke is its adaptability. City driving or heavy traffic driving in this vehicle is a breeze thanks to its maneuverability. An impressive steering wheel and suspension greatly improves the driving experience. The AWD feature of the Nissan Juke doesn’t even limit its maneuverability as the AWD mode of the vehicle improves the vehicle’s traction.
Although the 2011 Nissan Juke has a very impressive exterior design, the inside structure is greatly flawed. The seats are comfortable but the backseat doesn’t give enough space for the passengers. You really have to lean forward so that your head will not bump on the vehicle roof. This is actually the biggest flaw of the vehicle – you’ll love the design but once you get inside with your friends, passengers in the back will complain of the seating space.
The 2011 Nissan Juke features an impressive design. But the lack of space at the back and power for off-road driving limits the appeal of the vehicle.

Honda Odyssey is a unique vehicle in the highly competitive world of mini-vans. Its uniqueness sets the tone for the model which could easily leave other mini-vans makers thinking again about what their vehicle offers its customers as the 2011 Honda Odyssey is good step up from its predecessor and the competition.
The interior of Honda Odyssey is built with one thing in mind: flexibility. The second row comes with full customisation so that passengers can easily adjust their seating before traveling. The third row is foldable which provides extra room for small families for longer travels. Some complain about the Odyssey’s dashboard because of the buttons but it’s another addition to improve passengers’ customization.
The interior is not the only impressive feature for the 2011 Honda Odyssey. Superior handling due to its sleek box design complements the powerful V6 engine. Normally, a V6 engine in a mini-van would run louder than normal but the Odyssey offers something different because it runs with very minimal noise. It even features 27/18 mpg in city and highly setting. Additional traction and stability control increases maneuverability of the vehicle.
Amazing interiors, quiet engine and additional control functions come at a price. The base rate of the 2011 Honda Odyssey is $27,800 which is one of the most expensive in its category. Additional options could easily bump up the rate of the vehicle. But to those who have the financial capability, the vehicle is top in its class and should provide the needed service and comfort for the driver and multiple passengers.

The Ford Transit is one of the few vehicles from the European market that has eventually found its way to North America because of its practicality. Some say that the design is a little bit quirky because of its bulky design but the Ford Transit is not about looks. The 2011 Ford Transit is focused on functionality and in that area it could easily impress any businesses looking for a vehicle with great hauling power and impressive fuel efficiency.
Practical Body for Hauling and Power
The 2011 Ford Transit is like a pickup with a very tall hatchback. The tall hatchback is the main attraction of the vehicle because it can provide significant space for many different types of cargo. For example, a mobile office or even a small laboratory can be setup without any problem. The dashboard is also extendable for various purposes depending on owner preferences.
The vehicle is configurable to add more passengers. But the vehicle’s 2.0-liter cylinder that yields 136HP might not fare well when dealing with too many additional passengers. The vehicle performs well when hauling objects but it might have some problem when more than three passengers use the vehicle.
Affordability and Mileage
The main reason why many owners of small businesses will have chosen the 2011 Ford Transit will be for its price and mileage. The base price of $21,200 comes with basic features but also includes an MP3 player. Complementing the base price of the vehicle is its mileage, as the vehicle was rated by the EPA with 21/26mpg which is very impressive for a vehicle with hauling power.
Jeep continues to improve their design and the latest iteration the “compass” is no exception. Last year’s model wasn’t great with a lackluster interior design and what felt like plastic seating. The current version now features softer interior that has significantly improved the comfort for passengers. Even the cars shell design shows signs of improvement with the model no longer appearing like a box-type vehicle. Under the Hood
The 2011 Jeep Compass is available in a variety of different options but we wouldn’t suggest the base model due to its many limitations we suggest going with a mid range version of the vehicle with many of the optional features. The base is only front wheel drive with 2.0 Liter cylinder while the rest comes with 4WD and 2.4 Liter engines. As an off-road vehicle, the base model might not perform on rougher terrains. The only advantage of the base model is the fuel economy which is 23/29 mpg while the 4WD model has 21/26 mpg. A few kilometers could spell the difference for city drivers but for light off road transportation, power is a lot more important.
Maneuverability and Storage
With stability and traction control, the 2011 Jeep Compass performs well. Unfortunately, this is the only advantage for future owners once they are inside the vehicle. Almost everything is optional which means it requires many additional fees. Even the side and curtain airbags will require additional payment. Storage is also lackluster for an SUV.
Overall, the 2011 Jeep Compass is an impressive upgrade from last year. But it still has a long way to go when it comes to design. Fortunately, it can still draw interest for its fuel economy and pricing.

The Nissan Cube is undoubtedly the most unique people carrier for a family. The quirky and unique look of the Nissan Cube should be more than enough to attract would be car owners who are looking for something highly personal. It’s not something that you will see often on the street but the 2011 Nissan Cube is definitely something that will be noticed.
Like a Big Kitchen
The exterior design of the 2011 Nissan Cube is not like your regular car. It’s a box-type vehicle only a little bit larger than cars like the ford focus and VW Golf. Although it looks constrictive from the outside, the car is surprisingly spacious not only for passengers but even for additional baggage. The extra space in the back should be more than enough for a large family.
The only concern with the 2011 Nissan Cube is the dull interior. For such a quirky car, you would expect something unique or at least creative in the inside of the vehicle but it’s just a basic vehicle with a traditional dashboard and basic road information.
City-Specific Engine Power
The 2011 Nissan Cube is not built for heavy hauling but its engine is good enough for demanding city conditions and long distance driving. The wagon features a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine under the hood with manual transmission. Maneuverability is never a problem with the 2011 Nissan Cube because it also comes with stability and traction control which makes it easier to weave through busy streets.
Aside from its quirky exterior, the 2011 Nissan Cube is an impressive vehicle. It’s also has a very competitive price starting at only $14,700.

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo is an impressive sedan in almost every category. It has good mileage (27/35) and maneuverability is never a problem. The 2011 Aveo even comes with a relatively powerful 1.6L 4-cylinder engine. Although the base price includes manual transmission, the price $11,600 price tag is still attractive.
The upgrades made to the 2011 Aveo are very minimal. The new version comes with cabin air filter which is now standard in every vehicle and the sedan also comes with six months subscription with select OnStar services. Everything else is the same compared to the previous iteration of the Aveo.
The 2011 Aveo’s interior is not necessarily groundbreaking but it’s not disappointing either. The dashboard features a CD/MP3 player with AM/FM transistor and an additional jack for optional inputs. The leather seats should be good enough for casual driving and the back seats can easily fit two to three adults.
The only challenge for the Aveo is its exterior design. Although the design for the Sedan is relatively simple, Aveo has the stouter look which feels bulky from the outside. Of course, this doesn’t have any affect in its performance but many drivers tend to look for stylized design with performance. Unfortunately, Aveo fails to score in styling.
Another challenge for the 2011 Aveo is the competition. Although the vehicle is priced below the $12,000 mark, there are other vehicles that feature the same price point with better performance and design. The 2011 Aveo is only geared for those avid fans of Chevrolet who wanted the latest from the well known car manufacturer.