2011 Chevrolet Impala: Product Review

Pros: Optional seating for six, Long powertrain warranty, Base engine's fuel economy, Acceleration

Cons: Cheap interior materials, Less rear legroom than competitors, Depreciates quickly, Lower safety scores than rivals, Intrusive wind noise

In spite of a spacious cabin and comfortable ride, the 2011 Chevrolet Impala is outdone by most competitors. In times of financial uncertainty, it's natural that people will turn to the tested and performed ones. In other words, extravagant aspirations tend to give way to that which is more grounded and traditional. With respect to the automotive world, the perennial Chevrolet Impala is one familiar multigenerational nameplate that's continued to do well in recessionary times. And it's managed to do so while relying on a design template that hasn't kept up with the latest and the greatest.

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe: Product Review

Pros: Good estimated fuel economy, Feature-laden for a low price, Reliable, Long warranty

Cons: Unlike a sporty model, No more third-row option, Mixed reviews for ride quality, Dawdling four-cylinder saves little fuel

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS is pretty sensible as SUVs go and offers a good value for its price tag. However, drivers who think a big SUV should have big power will want to look upmarket at the V-6 models. It gets two new engines and six-speed transmissions that deliver both better performance and improved fuel economy. There are minor exterior styling revisions, including new taillights and grille. Inside, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a USB audio input jack are now standard on all models. The side curtain airbags now incorporate a rollover sensor. Finally, the third-row seat option has been dropped. While this affordable midsize crossover has struggled to achieve household-name status, a growing number of savvy buyers in recent years have found that the Santa Fe has some distinct advantages over its higher-profile competitors. Now, a few key improvements promise to make the 2010 model just that much more attractive.

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2010 Honda CR-V

Pros: Refreshed exterior styling, Interior and seating are first-rate, Good ride and handling, Optional voice command system works well, Three-way split rear backrest More powerful engine for 2010

Cons: Higher-than-average road noise, No third-row seat available, Second row folds and tumbles instead of folding flat

The 2010 Honda CR-V’s engine is enhanced with 14 more horsepower and 1 more mpg, with the interiors minor touch ups, and exterior have been given minor detail changes, and Bluetooth and a USB audio port are added to the options list. The 2010 Honda CR-V remains one of our favorite compact crossover SUVs. More power this year should help with its traditionally sluggish performance; however, the absence of an optional engine upgrade continues to be an Achilles heel. "It needs more power." This label has stuck to the Honda CR-V like industrial Velcro for as long as this compact crossover has been sold. Though its four-cylinder engines have been upgraded throughout its three-generation lifespan, never has a loaded-down CR-V been able to scale long grades without breaking a serious sweat. The 2010 Honda CR-V's four-cylinder gets a welcome infusion of power, but a V6 option like so many of its competitors offer remains an unfulfilled desire.

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2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Pros:  Cargo space when seats are folded with excellent fuel economy and performance, the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a very appealing alternative to conventional crossovers, Ride comfort, quite interior.

Cons:  Steep price compared to standard Highlander, Mediocre handling, kids will only fit in that third row, Small cargo third row.
 

Blending seven-passenger seating with excellent fuel economy and performance, the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a very appealing alternative to conventional crossovers. Its impressive mileage rating represents a 2-mpg improvement compared to last year's Highlander Hybrid and is about 50 percent better than the 17-19 combined mpg that you'd get in a typical, gas-only midsizer.

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2011 Honda Civic

2011 Honda Civic: Product Review
Pros: Wide variety of engines and transmissions; comfortable and well-built interior; available coupe body style, good fuel economy.

Cons: Elevated road noise, some common convenience and safety features are only available on fancier models; hybrid's high price and slow acceleration.

The 2011 Honda Civic is not much a different model from what Honda pushed out last year, but with just a minor change of its trim such as for the absence of manual transmission. It is one of those cars who earned its name and popularity at quite a good speed. Witness the 2011 Honda Civic. Ever since Ronny Reagan ran the country, the Civic has been the go-to small car choice for consumers, not only due to its legendary quality and reliability but also because of its fun-loving driving dynamics. The fact that it is offered in a range of flavors that would just match to the people of every segment.

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2012 Nissan GT-R: Product Review

Pros: The 2012 Nissan GT-R delivers truly blistering acceleration from a twin-turbo V-6 while its all-wheel drive and suspension systems cling to the road under the most adverse conditions. A unique performance computer displays all the car information you could want.

Cons: Even with the suspension in Comfort mode, the ride can be bruising.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is a dedicated sports car, a high-tech weapon for the track, and entirely suitable for winding public roads. But it is not the most practical for day-to-day driving. A good car on a winding road puts you in a state of near nirvana, but the 2012 Nissan GT-R opens up a new level of enlightenment. Out on a particularly good road in the San Francisco Bay Area, one that winds through a valley and up a mountain topped by an observatory, a new level with the GT-R is found.

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2011 Nissan Versa: Product Review

2011 Nissan Versa Review:
Pros: Low base price, Impressive interior room, Comfortable rear seating, Trunk capacity (sedan), Easy cabin access

Cons: Base model has few features, Unexciting to drive, Average reliability, Mediocre fuel economy, Not good-looking

The 2011 Nissan Versa is one of the cheapest cars available, but reviewers still find a lot to like considering its low price, making it the best-reviewed bargain-priced economy car. Cars at a certain bargain-basement price point used to be called penalty boxes. They were certainly cheap and came with a warranty, but owning one was worse than getting a double-minor in the third period of game seven in the Stanley Cup. The 2011 Nissan Versa certainly has that bargain-basement price thing down (it is one of the cheapest cars on sale in the United States), yet a penalty box it most certainly is not. If all you're looking for is simple, safe, spacious, comfortable and, yes, cheap transportation, then the Versa might be all you need. Changes are light for the 2011 Nissan Versa: antilock brakes are now included with the upgraded 1.6 sedan trim, while the 1.8 S sedan gains a six-disc CD changer.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Product Review

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review:

Pros: The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid uses lithium polymer batteries for its electric propulsion system. Its cabin tech suite features the most responsive interface we've seen, with very solid navigation, phone, and audio systems.

Cons: The navigation system only shows 2D maps, and the various hybrid screens don't show much actual fuel economy data.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid makes for a high-tech cruiser. It's a comfortable car with impressive body styling and useful cabin electronics. 

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid may not be twins, but they share much of the same DNA. The sheet metal looks different, but under the skin they are virtually the same. Built on the same platforms, both the Sonata and Optima Hybrids use a 2.4-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine, complemented by an electric drive system using a 34-kilowatt lithium polymer battery pack. Both offer similar cabin electronics, a flash-memory-based navigation system with traffic and weather, solid MP3 playback, and a Bluetooth phone system. They even use the same Infinity audio systems.

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2011 Hyundai Elantra: Product Review

2011 Hyundai Elantra Review:

Pros: Excellent fuel economy, Stylish, inside and out, Low base price, Generous warranty coverage, Responsive handling

Cons: Engine noise, Some find rear headroom is too tight

The completely redesigned 2011 Hyundai Elantra represents such a big improvement over its predecessor that it has become the best-reviewed economy sedan available. Reviewers are unequivocal in their adoration of the Elantra's distinctive styling, good ride, upscale options, high-quality interior and exceptional fuel efficiency. It is the combination of these qualities, paired with very competitive pricing, which makes it a reviewer favorite. Pleasingly, this all-new Elantra is more than just a pretty face. Beneath that dolled-up exterior, the new Elantra sports a new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Unlike the Chevrolet Cruze Eco or Volkswagen Jetta TDI that require you to pay extra for their special high fuel economy, this new power train helps every single Elantra return impressive EPA estimates of 40 mpg on the highway.

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2011 Toyota Corolla: Product Review

2011 Toyota Corolla Review
Pros: Comfortable ride, Simple controls, Good fuel economy, Quiet cabin

Cons: Disconnected driving experience, Unimpressive cabin quality, Common luxury features are unavailable

The Toyota Corolla is the world's best-selling car of all time. More than 33 million have been sold in the last 35 years, which makes it mathematically assured that you know someone who either owns one or used to own one. This car owes much of its success to Toyota's reputation of dependability and it's hard to argue with such a buying rationale. The Toyota Corolla gets a slight exterior freshening for 2011 along with a few interior tweaks as well. The number of trim levels has been reduced from five to three; most notably, the sport-tuned XRS trim, with its bigger 2.4-liter four-cylinder, has gotten the axe.

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