2009 Nissan Cube Krom: Cute, but ...

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 18 March 2010 13:32

The Nissan Cube is one of those cars that seem destined for magnetized signs on the front doors, or even an exotic top-to-bottom paint job advertising a business. Its boxy lines and diminutive size suggest the owner of said business pinches his pennies, no doubt to the benefit of his customers. And the Cube gives the impression the side-hinged rear door opens to an unexpectedly large cargo compartment.

Sadly, it doesn’t quite live up to its billing. In fact, it’s the precise opposite of the less-is-more Honda Fit.

2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium: Smaller and sleeker

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 11 March 2010 17:15

They’re back.

Cadillac undertook to downsize its compact sport-utility vehicle, the SRX, for 2010. Gone are the V-8 power and the tall, upright lines. Gone, also, is third-row seating. The new model is smaller and sleeker, but just as stylish and well-equipped as the original.

And it has fins.

2010 Acura MDX Advance: This midsize SUV exemplifies luxury

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 18 February 2010 14:23

With gasoline prices rising and children leaving the nest, many Americans were ready to trade in their minivans and full-sized SUVs for smaller vehicles. But many had grown attached to the idea of all-wheel drive and high seating position. Thus was born the midsize luxury SUV, exemplified by the Acura MDX.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS: Best muscle car ever?

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:22

If we had been asked whether General Motors could pull off a muscle-car revival, endowing a thoroughly modern, well-equipped automobile with the personality of an early GTO or Mustang, we would have bet the negative. And we would have lost.

2010 GMC Terrain SLT-2: Roomy, smooth and quiet

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 28 January 2010 15:48

General Motors was late to the game in right-sizing its sport-utility vehicles, forcing loyalists to choose between minivans and big, thirsty SUVs. Finally, along came the Chevrolet Equinox in 2004, but it really wasn’t competitive with the class-leading Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4. For 2010, it’s much improved and has a fine stablemate, the GMC Terrain.

The Terrain has a few styling eccentricities, including a massive grille that seemed out of proportion with the rest of the car. Depending on the viewing angle, the Terrain resembles a Hummer H3 or a Dodge Nitro.

2010 LaCrosse CXS: A sure-footed big Buick

Written by Steven Macoy
Friday, 22 January 2010 17:11

Buicks for many years have been comfort cars for the senior set. Their soft ride, reliability, simplicity and sturdy bulk made General Motors’ near-luxury line a favorite among the elderly.

One supposes older folks looking to trade in their 10-year-old LeSabres and Park Avenues will drift back to the Buick dealer in search of a newer version of the same car. They won’t find it. The LaCrosse, a midsize four-door sedan redesigned for 2010, seeks a wider audience.

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 14 January 2010 12:46

Hyundai keeps rolling out new models and each one seems to overachieve more than the last one did. So it is with the Genesis Coupe, a sporty car that approaches the best in its class in every respect except styling — and beats them soundly, with one or two exceptions, where price is concerned.

The Genesis name applies to a four-door luxury sedan, introduced in 2009, and as a sporty coupe, new this model year. We drove a gray 2010 Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring, sticker-priced at $29,875. The least expensive Genesis Coupe, with a 210-horsepower, four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, starts at $22,000.

The cars of 2009: A year of industry turmoil

Written by Sally Sanders
Thursday, 07 January 2010 12:37

2009 was a year of churn in the automotive industry. General Motors and Chrysler accepted huge bailouts from the government; Fiat, having failed to dent the U.S. market during the 1970s and ’80s, finally bought its way in by purchasing Chrysler; and GM announced it would close or sell its Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn divisions.

Yet, for all the weakness of the economy and the near-failure of iconic automaking companies, life and innovation go on. Many of the cars we test-drove during 2009 left a favorable impression, though only one — the mildly retro Chevrolet Camaro — truly wowed us with its combination of style, performance, quality and value.

2010 Mazdaspeed3 Sport is for drivers who want it all

Written by Steven Macoy
Wednesday, 30 December 2009 12:17

The 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is tailored for the driver who wants it all — functionality, reliability, economical performance, and loads of fun. This redesigned model serves up all four in copious quantities.

2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: Best ‘Z’ ever

Written by Steven Macoy
Wednesday, 23 December 2009 12:04

Our pearl white 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring brought us lots of compliments, most often from young men whose entry-level paychecks couldn’t come close to covering the payments on this $38,715 two-seater. Just four decades ago, the 370Z’s fabled predecessor, the exciting yet affordable 240Z, was known to elicit a sort of reverse sticker shock at Datsun dealerships.