Automotive Reviews
Four Doors
2011 Hyundai Equus
0404 days
All those old adages about it being good to exceed your perceived limits are true. Going above and beyond what you’ve done before adds a zest to life that can’t be found in less ambitious pursuits.
Just ask Hyundai. The Korean manufacturer, once known for selling the cheapest cars in North America, has just thrown down a challenge to Mercedes and Lexus…and the truly amazing thing is that it’s not a hollow threat. The Hyundai Equus is here, and it’s a bona fide competitor to the ultra-luxurious executive transporters by the German and Japanese marques that have controlled the market since they pushed Cadillac and Lincoln out of the nest a few decades back. (more…)
2011 Ford Fusion
0424 days
I always respect family cars that have every right to be dull transportation appliances, but go the extra mile to be interesting instead. It’s not such a special thing to build a reliable, functional and affordable vehicle these days; making it interesting is the hard part. The Ford Fusion makes it look easy.
Fusion Sport pictured.
With conservative-yet-dynamic styling, a very capable suspension and appealing pricing, the Fusion has gone a long way toward making the Ford oval a badge worthy of respect when it comes to compact sedans. Fresh off a 2010 update, the Fusion picks up a few new options for 2011, including available HD Radio. (more…)
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
0452 days
Chevrolet, always the darling of the blue-collar set, has always struggled to produce a compact car that matches up to the competition. Oh, don’t get me wrong–Chevy’s compacts have sold in big numbers, but as products they’ve tended to be sub-standard vehicles. To be honest, the all-new Cruze’s two predecessors–the Cobalt and the Cavalier before that–were both on the extremely short list of cars that were so hopelessly mediocre that I couldn’t find a good word to say about them. That I’m even writing about the Cruze should be considered proof that Chevrolet has succeeded with this car.
The Cruze is a brand-new take on a familiar theme. Chevrolet’s compact sedans and coupes have always been affordable, no-nonsense vehicles at heart, and this one doesn’t stray far from that template. What’s new–and what make it stand out–is the sense of style and purpose. The Cruze is an entry-level car for buyers who demand more than just the minimum necessary. In other words, the Cruze is directed at the buyers who’ve been flocking to Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics for years. This isn’t just a rehash of the same tired program that gave us the Cobalt and Cavalier–the Cruze really is a significant step forward. (more…)