Fuel Infection
Automotive Reviews
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Jul 29th
Remember when Honda was the sole four-cylinder holdout in the mid-size sedan market? The company insisted that there was no need for the extra thirst of a V6 in the Accord, despite the demands of a horsepower-hungry US market. These days, there’s an Accord V6, but for 2011 the Hyundai Sonata is doing without a six-cylinder version.
The move simplifies the lineup, but it’s not the only motivation. Recent advances in engine technology have made a four-cylinder a viable alternative to a V6, and considering the growing role that fuel efficiency is playing in purchase decisions, Hyundai is gambling that more mid-size sedan buyers won’t mind that the Sonata is missing a couple of cylinders. More >
2010 GMC Terrain
Jul 20th
The GMC Terrain rolled into my driveway looking like a three-fourths scale armored car, but looks are somewhat deceiving when it comes to this new crossover. Sure, the quality and toughness that keeps GMC’s customers loyal are built into it, but the Terrain is unlikely to be spending much time on jobsites.
This carlike do-all represents a new direction for General Motor’s tough-truck brand. The Terrain is the second vehicle in the GMC stable to emphasize passenger comfort and fuel economy over towing capacity and payload. With the success of the full-size Acadia crossover, GMC has proven that it can do suburb-friendly trucks just as well as it can do working vehicles. The all-new Terrain offers similar dynamics in a smaller package. More >
2010 Ford SVT F-150 Raptor
Jul 4th
You can practically hear the hard-edged, distorted guitar chords the moment you turn the key. Just looking at the Ford SVT F-150 Raptor, it’s clear that this truck is made of the same stuff as Mountain Dew commercials and extreme sports. Heck with a massively widened track, beefy suspension components exposed for the world to see and tires that were made for jumping over stuff, the Raptor IS an extreme sport.
The Raptor springs from the id of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. Traditionally known for pavement-rippling sports cars, SVT has gone for overland speed with this truck, which is inspired by high-riding desert racers. The Raptor isn’t just a styling exercise, either–this truck is designed to pound through merciless off-road terrain–and to do it at high speed. Ladies and gentlemen, don’t try this at home. More >