Automotive Reviews
Archived
Back-catalog of reviews written before 2008.
2005 Ford Mustang GT
Dec 31st
The Mustang turned 40 in 2004, and for its birthday Ford has given it the ultimate present: a complete makeover. This long-overdue update of Ford’s pony car remains, if anything, truer than ever to the Mustang’s roots. The ancient chassis has been updated at long last; it’s still a rear-wheel drive car with a solid axle at the rear, but it’s been refined. And check out that face! With equal doses of modern and retro, the 2005 Ford Mustang is making a huge impression on buyers young and old.
The round lights, forward-thrust grille, blocky fender flares and three-element taillights are instantly recognizable. Ford’s designers took plenty of inspiration from the Mustang’s muscle-car heyday, and the new car has hints of just about every generation of Mustangs past. Even though the silhouette is a blast from the past, though, the Mustang’s smooth, powerful flanks are unmistakably a product of the modern era. It’s retro without being contrived. The Mustang wears its sheet metal with a chiseled flair (and bulging fender flares, too) that’s got one foot in the present and one firmly rooted in the Mustang’s illustrious past. This car drips attitude. Out back, the three-element taillights even flank a round chrome badge that’s reminiscent of the gas cap from a ’67 Mustang. Fastback coupe and convertible body styles are available; we like the looks of the coupe best, but ragtop aficionados will be glad to hear that the convertible is just as rigid as the hardtop. More >
2006 Jeep Commander
Dec 31st
When designing its new large SUV, Jeep knew it had to back up the vehicle with some obvious heritage. After all, the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Range Rover would likely be among its competitors, size-wise and ability-wise. Taking inspiration from the Grand Wagoneer was the obvious choice; that V8-powered off-roader is almost as much of an icon as the Wrangler. Unfortunately, wood paneling just isn’t fashionable these days. With a modern-day Wagoneer out, Jeep moved on to its next most-recognizable product, and that’s why the 2006 Commander bears more than a passing resemblance to the Cherokee of the 1980s.
Slotting into the lineup above the Grand Cherokee but not much bigger physically, the Commander is large and luxurious without sacrificing Jeep’s “Trail Rated” off-roading capabilities. Three-row seating offers seven-passenger capacity, and while it’s still a truck at heart, the Commander offers a decent amount of luxury as well. More >
2006 Pontiac Torrent
Dec 31st
I hope you’re happy. All of the carping and ridicule heaped upon Pontiac’s Aztek since its introduction has made the company bashful, and the introduction of a much more capable do-all has been made so quietly as to practically go unnoticed.
Maybe it’s just the hype surrounding the Solstice and G6 retractable hardtop, but it seems like the all-new Pontiac Torrent hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention as one would expect. It’s a sort-of SUV that fills the gap in the lineup left by the Aztek’s departure. It’s not the same size as the Aztek, but its multi-purposeful body and available all-wheel drive mean that it will appeal to similar buyers. It’s based (perhaps a bit too closely) on the Chevrolet Equinox, and Pontiac calls it an SUV but it’s more of a do-all than an off-roader. More >