Automotive Reviews
Five Doors
2011 Ford Edge
0449 days
Somewhere at the intersection of family sedans, SUVs and the good old woody wagon, there’s the Ford Edge. Ford’s crossover utility vehicle didn’t completely change the game when it arrived in 2006, but it went a long way toward defining the segment. The Edge is the result of a generation of family cars asked to perform a wide and often unpredictable variety of tasks. It’s almost impossible to take this vehicle by surprise; the Edge is ready for anything the suburbs can throw at it and more.
For 2011 Ford’s crossover receives a freshening, gaining a less anonymous face, new high-tech engines and an exciting new information system that’s borrowed directly from Ford’s concept cars. The crossover market has gotten more crowded in the past twelve months, but the updated Edge still stands out. (more…)
2011 Lexus CT200h
0457 days
I first met the CT200h at the New York Auto Show last April; it was part of a lavish display that said much about it being the “dark side of green” and its sporty nature, but very little about its underpinnings, or about why it existed. Sure, the “h” means hybrid in Lexus slang, but were Lexus buyers really clamoring for a sporty five-door? The IS300 SportCross vanished without a trace, remember.
Take away that distracting hybrid-ness, and the CT200h makes somewhat more sense. The premium compact market is still a limited one, but with cars like the Volvo C30, Audi A3 and now the BMW 1-Series running about, there’s definitely a place for a smaller and more efficient luxury vehicle in the hearts of a few American buyers. Lexus has just chosen to sweeten the pot on its new entry-level car by making it an extremely efficient hybrid. (more…)
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
0485 days
Although it lacks the iconic status of the Wrangler, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee remains a vital part of the lineup. It’s the Jeep most people are more likely to have met, after all. It’s got the same off-road capable design as anything else with a seven-slot grille, but the comfortable, domesticated Grand Cherokee is most likely to be found prowling the suburbs instead of the backwoods. Its civilized appointments and excellent poor-weather handling have made it a favorite among mid-size SUVs.
In 2004 the Grand Cherokee got a redesign, with an all-new, boxier face, better-handling suspension and the powerful HEMI V8 under the hood. For 2005 this familiar SUV remains the same, with the addition of stability enhancements and slightly improved fuel efficiency. (more…)