Earth, Wind & Power Blogazine

New Car Review: 2010 Scion xB

By Bob Plunkett

What's a Scion xB?

It's the sub-line of Toyota, sort of a brand within a brand to showcase custom-cool cars pitched to that 20-something market called Generation Y. 

Driver and a companion sit on contoured buckets separated by a floor-mounted console and followed by a bench in back with room for three plus seatbacks which split and fold to expand the aft cargo bay. There are a number of stow spots -- like a convenience tray for the driver, a glove box, console box and front door bins. Then a tray concealed below the back bench houses out-of-sight items like a laptop or camera.

This Scion feels fun to drive, particularly in an urban environment on city streets. It zips with a quick run through the lower gears, while handling seems acute with responsive steering conducive to quick-cut maneuvers.

xB's zip stems from a thrifty but lively 2.4-liter four-in-line engine with dual cams and Toyota's valve wizardry under the label of VVTL-i for variable valve timing and lift with intelligent control.

Plus it qualifies for ULEV-II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) status and delivers fuel economy numbers up to 28 mpg.

The MSRP for a 2010 xB begins at $15,750 with a manual transmission. Add the automatic shifter and that figure rises to $16,700.

Click here for more new car reviews from Road & Travel Magazine.

New Car Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

By Bob Plunkett

Just west of Detroit on rolling terrain dented by glacial lakes, we're scooting along two-lane Michigan 36 from Stockbridge to Pinckney in the driver's bucket of the new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Stretching more than 15 feet long and six feet wide, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox wagon rides on a stretched platform with two doors on each flank of the elongated cabin and a hatchback lid at the tail.

Chrome-coated block letters mounted on the lip of the tailgate identify Chevy's new crossover utility vechicle as the E-Q-U-I-N-O-X, a word referring to that moment in spring and fall when day and night are equal and the world is in perfect balance.

This theme of equilibrium applies to Equinox the Chevy CUV because it strikes a balance as a car-based vehicle which resembles a sleek sport utility wagon but functions like a family-friendly minivan and drives like an easy-riding sedan.

It blends the best traits of a traditional SUV -- such as the tall stance and spacious cabin with flexible seating and generous cargo capacity -- with favored traits of a tightly constructed sedan, as it's easy to enter the low-rise cabin, easy to maneuver the vehicle around town in traffic and easy to park it on a crowded lot.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, completely redesigned with a choice of two new fuel-thrifty engines, also adds FWD or AWD options.

We steered both FWD and AWD versions of the 2010 Equinox on twisty two-lane roads skirting Michigan lakes and find sure-footed traction along with a comfortable ride quality.

Chevrolet establishes MSRP figures as low as $22,450 for Equinox LS FWD and $24,200 for Equinox LS AWD.

 

Click here for more information about Chevrolet vehicles.

 

Click here for more new car reviews

New Car Review: 2010 Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost

By Bob Plunkett

 

 
When you plant your foot hard on the go-pedal of the new 2010 Lincoln MKS this sleek machine races down long straights and seems like it's about to fly off the runway.

 

And the new optional twin-turbo V6 -- promising the fuel economy of a V6 but pumping the power and torque of a big V8 -- is labeled the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.

   

That's quite a kick for a plush luxury sedan stuffed with high-tech controls and fancy cabin appointments. MKS measures up as a four-door sedan with a generous passenger compartment that's large enough to carry five adult riders in luxurious comfort. The 2010 Lincoln MKS looks elegant and classy in a bold design for the body.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the V6 come in at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for MKS FWD and 16/23 mpg city/highway for MKS AWD.

The spec sheet for MKS 10 lists lots of active and passive safety equipment. Passive devices include smart dual-stage frontal air bags for front riders, plus seat-mounted side air bags up front and curtain-style side air bags front and rear.

The price points for the 2010 MKS begin at $40,870.

 

Click here for more information about Lincoln vehicles

Click here for more new car reviews at Road & Travel Magazine.

 

 

New Car Review: The 2010 Scion xB

By Bob Plunkett

This is wild:  It's Saturday evening on The Strip and traffic on the daylight-bright thoroughfare is jamming with way-cool cars pulsating from serious on-board audio kits.

 

Our vehicle, squeezing into the center of the pack is the souped-up and stretched 2010 iteration of xB, that urban utility wagon by Scion.

 

All Scions carry a long list of standard features including power steering, power controls for windows and door locks and exterior mirrors, a cruise control unit and remote keyless entry device, air conditioning, a steering wheel that tilts and houses audio controls, plus the four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brake system (ABS) and eight air bags surrounding riders on front and rear seats.

 

Inside, the four-seat compartment feels airy and spacious, despite overall dimensions which tie the xB to the itsy-bitsy class.  But the wheelbase length stretches to 102.4 inches and the overall length runs to 167.3 inches with the width measuring over 69 inches.  This sets up a large platform not only to enhance the vehicle's stability and ride quality but to forge surprisingly generous room for riders in the cabin.

 

There are a number of stow spots -- like a convenience tray for the driver, a glove box, console box and front door bins. Then a tray concealed below the back bench houses out-of-sight items like a laptop or camera.

 

This Scion feels fun to drive, particularly in an urban environment on city streets. It zips to speed with a quick run through the lower gears, while handling seems acute with responsive steering conducive to quick-cut maneuvers.  It qualifies for ULEV-II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) status and delivers fuel economy numbers up to 28 mpg.

 

High-tech electronic controls include electric power steering (EPS) and standard safety gear such as vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control (TRAC), and the ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and electronic brake assist (EBA).

 

There's more value for the 2010 xB due to a new standard Pioneer head unit for the audio system and no increase for xB's base price. Also new is the optional Alpine Premium audio unit that's wired and ready to accommodate a navigation system and back-up camera.

New gear aboard the 2010 version includes an organic electroluminescent (OEL) screen, USB connectivity, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) and a subwoofer RCA output. It also has USB and auxiliary (AUX) ports on the center console so you may link to a portable music collection through the xB's six Pioneer speakers.

 

The MSRP for a 2010 xB begins at $15,750 with a manual transmission. Add the automatic shifter and that figure rises to $16,700.

For more car reviews visit RTM's New Car Reviews section 

 

For information on this 2010 Scion xB visit scion.com

 

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New Car Review: The 2010 Kia Forte

By Bob Plunkett

Forte (say: FOUR-tay) is a word which denotes one's strong point, a strength or special talent.  Kia, the inventive automaker out of South Korea, uses this word as the label on a shapely new four-door sedan for the compact class stocking a respectable powerplant, noteworthy safety systems as standard equipment and value-packed price points honed to a competitive edge.  Tagged as a 2010 model, the Kia Forte in notchback sedan configuration calibrates to a generous scale in a stylish and sleek package with surprising space in the five-seat cabin and plenty of spark stemming from a sophisticated four-pack engine.

Each Forte model looks downright handsome with a prominent face, chiseled contours on the body and wheelwell flares that turn into sculpted shoulders.  The shapely design will no doubt provoke a second peek, should you find a Forte on the street.  It's marked by a thick and flat bumper in body-colored tint thrust ahead of the chrome-rimmed grille, which tucks horizontally between narrow headlamp clusters shimmering like jewels from multiple round lenses.

Two distinct creases at top edges of the headlamps attract the eye and lead it up the hood to define front fenders accentuated further by arching swells wrapping around frontal rims of the wheelwells.  The flared rims sweep rearward across flanks to form sloping shoulders set below a broad expanse of windows in side doors with center pillars fading to black to simulate the profile of a sporty coupe.  At the stubbed tail of Forte there's a subtle spoiler lip topside arching between vast clusters of corner lamps and a thick and smooth wrap-around bumper in the body color.

Decor for the cabin consists of subdued colors with fabric upholstery on seats and soft-touch plastics for hard-case surfaces such as the dashboard and console or map pockets on side doors.  Layout of the cabin appears conventional with two buckets up front and a bench for up to three riders in back.  However, the personal space for heads and shoulders and legs is definitely not conventional for a car in the compact mold -- the cabin seems tall and broad with generous room to stretch out.

Now check the list of standard equipment on Forte and you'll see that this car also exceeds convention for the caliber and quantity of on-board safety equipment.  Measures for passenger safety in the cabin extend from the sturdy safety-cage construction to front seatbelts with load-limiting and pretensioning apparatus, backseat restraints with anchors to mount a child's seat, smart multi-stage frontal air bags and side air bags for the front seats along with curtain-style air bags tucked in the ceiling for outboard seats on two rows.  Forte also stocks active safety systems designed to avoid accidents, including a rack and pinion steering system and an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with brake assist system (BAS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), plus a traction control system (TCS) and an anti-skid device via the electronic stability control (ESC) system.  There's even a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on tap.

Then the manufacturer supports this product with an impressive warranty program which extends well beyond protection for most other vehicles -- the powertrain is insured for ten years or 100,000 miles and there's a five-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper shield against defects plus unlimited mileage for a five-year roadside assistance program with emergency towing and even lockout service.

And Kia racks the MSRP chart quite low for Forte -- down to $13,695 for Forte LX with a manual shifter.

For more information see Road &Travel Magazine's Kia Buying Guide or visit kia.com

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New Car Review: The 2010 Toyota Camry

By Bob Plunkett

We find a clear lane down the Pacific Coast Highway while steering the latest edition of best-seller Camry, the Kentucky-built mid-size sedan of Toyota.  Our shapely Camry XLE, containing a new four-pack engine and more sophisticated equipment for safety, navigation and comfort than you can quickly enumerate, takes over the winding road, dominating the asphalt with rock-solid stability expressed through precisely carved turns and spurts of speed down the infrequent straightaway.

Not only does the car propel its riders in a confidence-inspiring manner, but it envelops them in an elegantly stylish package which contains a host of safety gear and luxurious cabin features to position the car close to the realm of Lexus, Toyota's elite upscale line.

The four-pack plant qualifies for Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) status and delivers fuel economy numbers as high as 33 mpg, a definite plus to this eco-friendly ride.

The exterior package of Camry seems sleek and shapely, yet it reflects subtle lines and subdued paint shades in the manner of an upscale vehicle.  And Toyota has tapped into the Lexus bag of NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) tricks to insulate and isolate the passenger compartment of Camry from external discord and mechanical chatter.

Elaborate safety systems, either passive or active, appear as standard equipment with this car.  Passive safety measures include a reinforced structure with crumple zones to absorb and diffuse energy from a sudden impact along predictable paths but also deflect the force away from the passenger compartment.  The cabin is surrounded by hidden air bags, up-front inflators for front seats plus seat-mounted side air bags and one more to shield the driver's knee, then curtain-style air bags tucked above side windows.  On tap to help stop the vehicle are four disc brakes tied to the anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).

Additional electronic vehicle controls include vehicle stability control (VSC), which corrects lateral skidding, plus traction control (TRAC) to check wheel spin and a brake assist (BA) system to add maximum braking pressure during an emergency stop.

Entry issue Camry stocks plenty of gear from power controls for windows and door locks and mirrors to cruise control, a tilting steering wheel with audio controls and 16-inch steel wheels with P215/60R16 tires.  Price points for the 2010 Camry look favorable, beginning at $19,395 for base Camry with the new six-speed manual transmission.

For more information see Road &Travel Magazine's Toyota Buying Guide or visit toyota.com

 

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New Car Review: The 2010 Hyundai Accent

By Bob Plunkett

 

Well past the morning rush, traffic flows at a brisk clip along the I-90 expressway as we head eastward out of Seattle on a course that runs through foothills of the Cascade Range.  The objective of this jaunt is to assess the poise and capability of updated and enhanced 2010 editions of Accent, the eensy-weensy economy car by Hyundai of South Korea.

 

Accent looks like a streamlined egg that conforms to a family-friendly four-door notchback sedan or cargo-hauling three-door hatchback coupe.  Out of the box with no frills attached, the new Accent Blue coupe rigged with a five-speed manual transmission lists for about $10,000.  The top model -- Accent GLS the sedan -- costs more, but still won't break $17,000.

 

Teeny-weeny compact cars in the price-conscious economy club can be a pain to drive due to physical and fiscal restraints.  But that's not the way it feels to drive the Accent.  Those riding up front do not feel so squeezed together in a tiny compartment like you might in some other economy compacts, due to a tall wrap of windows and larger seats.

 

Measures for passenger safety extend from the sturdy safety-cage construction to front seatbelts with pretensioning apparatus, backseat restraints with anchors to mount a child's seat, smart multi-stage frontal air bags and side air bags for the front seats along with curtain-style air bags tucked in the ceiling for outboard seats on two rows.

 

All 2010 Accent models carry lower friction engine components, aerodynamic improvements, low-rolling-resistance silica tires, a smart alternator management system and other enhancements aimed at trimming fuel consumption.  New economy edition Accent Blue goes further by revising the transmission gear ratios and lowering the ride height to score higher fuel economy numbers.  For Accent Blue the fuel figures reach as high as 36 mpg for highway driving using the manual five-speed transmission, or 28 mpg for city driving.  Other Accent models earn 34 mpg highway and 28 mpg city with a manual shifter.

 

Standard gear on Accent Blue ranges from variable intermittent windshield wipers to six-way adjustments for the driver's bucket and the fold-down rear seatback split 60/40, a tachometer and digital clock, two 12-volt power outlets, a defroster for the rear window and a spoiler on the tail.

 

For more information see Road &Travel Magazine's Hyundai Buying Guide or visit Hyundaiusa.com

 

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New Car Review: The 2010 Toyota Prius

By Thom Blackett
iPod. McDonald’s. Pampers. It’s hard to imagine this trio sharing any common ground. However, we’re betting that if you ask people to name an MP3 player, a fast food chain, and a brand of diapers, the majority of respondents will answer with these three names. Due to marketing and healthy sales, certain products inevitably represent their niche within the consumer marketplace. Serving that role for hybrid vehicles is the Toyota Prius, a funky yet functional fuel-sipper that has been redesigned for 2010.

 

Among the changes are styling tweaks, a more powerful Hybrid Synergy Drive propulsion system, and an updated cabin. That’s where you’ll find a spacious and expandable cargo area and generous accommodations for up to five passengers. We weren’t terribly impressed by mostly low-grade interior materials, visibility that was hampered by a spoiler spanning the Prius’s rear window, or buttons for the heated seats hidden below the center console. Conversely, we applaud features such as a touch-screen navigation system and a solar roof panel designed to keep the Prius cool on hot days. Front bucket seats are comfortable, and while there’s plenty of room for rear passengers, the bench is firm and the sloping roof limits head room. On the safety front, every 2010 Toyota Prius is equipped with antilock brakes, seven airbags, and stability control.

 

Out on the open road, Toyota’s redesigned hybrid is livelier than its predecessor, though low-rolling resistance tires make the ride a little stiff. Four operating modes are available to the driver, ranging from full-electric EV to Power, the former aimed at maximizing efficiency at very slow speeds and the latter making the Prius more responsive. Thankfully, the feeling of intermittent drag has been eliminated from the regenerative braking system.

 

All of that – and up to 51 mpg in the city -- comes with a base price of about $23,000, though a fully-loaded 2010 Prius will run you about $33,000. Personal choice will dictate whether or not pricey options are worth the added expense, but for us, that $10,000 would buy a helluva lot of Big Macs.  

 

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Prius IV

Base Price: $22,750

Price as Tested: $30,709

Engine: Hybrid Synergy Drive System consisting of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack

Transmission: Electronically-controlled continuously-variable

EPA Fuel Economy: 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway

Road & Travel’s Observed Fuel Economy: 44.3 mpg

NHTSA/IIHS Frontal Crash Ratings: TBA / TBA

NHTSA/IIHS Side Impact Ratings: TBA / TBA

Also Consider: Honda Insight, Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan

 

For more information visit toyota.com. To learn about other new models hitting the streets, check out all of our 2010 car reviews. 

 

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New Car Review: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan

By Thom Blackett

Conspicuous consumption is a term that’s tossed around plenty, typically in relation to designer clothing, extravagant jewelry, and countless personal accessories that might as well have been crafted from $100 bills. For many, the idea of a turbocharged German car fits right into the mix. Those people obviously don’t know about the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan, winner of the 2009 Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year Award.

 

TDI is VW lingo for the company’s turbocharged diesel engine technology, which helps deliver an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/41 mpg highway when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission (29 mpg/40 mpg for the optional automatic). Turbo lag causes a slight delay when you first press the accelerator and is more noticeable than in a gasoline-powered turbocharged Jetta, but that is soon remedied by the delivery of generous power. The clanging noise often associated with diesels is almost completely absent; thanks to an advanced emissions system and low-sulfur diesel fuel, sooty exhaust is a thing of the past.

 

Fitted to our test car was a six-speed automatic transmission that was smooth, though it was sometimes a bit reluctant to downshift; pop the gear knob into Sport mode and that becomes less of an issue. Out on the open road, the Jetta TDI delivers a compliant ride, but for more responsive handling you’ll want to check out the Jetta GLI. Inside are quality materials, comfortable and supportive seats, intuitive controls, and ample trunk space.

 

Pricing for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan starts at about $22,000, or almost $5,000 more than a base Jetta S. Like all VWs, the Jetta TDI Sedan features 3-years/36,000-miles of free maintenance. Other niceties include heated front seats, an auxiliary jack for your MP3 player, and an available touch-screen navigation system with directions to the nearest diesel station. Safety is covered by six standard airbags (rear-side airbags are optional), antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, and more.

 

At the end of the day, there are less expensive and more efficient vehicles to consider, but for frugal fun, few can match the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan.

 

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan

Base Price: $22,270

Price as Tested: $28,038

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

EPA Fuel Economy: 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway

Road & Travel’s Observed Fuel Economy: 29.5 mpg

NHTSA/IIHS Frontal Crash Ratings: 4 stars / Good

NHTSA/IIHS Side Impact Ratings: 5 stars / Good

Also Consider: Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius

 

For more information see Road & Travel’s Volkswagen Buyer’s Guide or visit vw.com.

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Test Drive: 2009 BMW 335d

By Thom Blackett

Shunned from most social situations due to loud behavior and a penchant for filling the room with foul second-hand smoke, not to mention an apparent disdain for cleanliness. No, we’re not talking about Cousin Eddie the Family Embarrassment, but rather diesel-powered vehicles. Sure, most everyone has heard about diesel’s superior fuel economy, yet that was prior to the introduction of hybrids like the Toyota Prius. Plus, getting a few extra miles to the gallon isn’t worth living with a noisy, pollutant-spewing diesel engine everyday. Well, it’s time to kiss that perspective good-bye, thanks to the arrival of new clean diesel models like the 2009 BMW 335d.

 

According to the EPA, the 335d should deliver 23 mpg city and 36 mpg highway; we averaged 29.7 mpg in mixed driving. To put that into perspective, similar figures are tied to the miserly Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, though with an as-tested price of $49,020, you could buy a Civic and a Corolla for less than the price of one BMW 335d. In exchange for that hefty sum of greenbacks, you’ll enjoy a slew of luxury features, top-notch materials, and generous head room. However, we were curious about the lack of a navigation system in this pricey sedan, and continue to lament the absence of proper cupholders and simple, clearly-labeled radio buttons.

 

Nevertheless, BMW has provided plenty to like about the 2009 335d, a nominee for Road & Travel’s 2009 Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year Award. Many eco-conscious car shoppers may like the fact that instead of awkward styling and badges that scream GREEN CAR from every conceivable angle, the only telltale sign of this BMW’s treehugging tendencies lies in the 335”d” designation. Drivers will undoubtedly appreciate the effortless acceleration that makes merging, passing, and scooting through traffic an absolute joy, especially when fuel is being burned at a snail’s pace. On the other hand, folks who hop behind the wheel with the simple goal of getting to Point B will want to skip the optional Sport Package and its decidedly harsh ride.   

 

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2009 BMW 335d

Base Price: $43,900

Price as Tested: $49,020

Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

EPA Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway

Road & Travel’s Observed Fuel Economy: 29.7 mpg

NHTSA/IIHS Frontal Crash Ratings: 4 stars / Good

NHTSA/IIHS Side Impact Ratings: 5 stars / Good

Also Consider: Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec, Volkswagen Jetta TDI

 

For more information see Road & Travel’s BMW Buyer’s Guide or visit bmwusa.com. See for yourself how BMW does diesel.