Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged do-all
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
Jun 21st
The all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour has arrived, and it’s not like anything else on the market. Well, not exactly. Like other recent “category-busters,” the Crosstour defies easy identification. Is it a tall sedan, or a crossover utility vehicle? An SUV, or a station wagon? The thing is, it’s hard to figure out exactly why the Crosstour exists, exactly. Yes, it’s a big, useful SUV-alternative that drives like a car, but apart from giving the Toyota Venza (another nice vehicle that answers a question I’m not sure anybody asked) a run for its money, why is it here? I’m used to Hondas lacking personality, but on some fundamental level, the Crosstour seems to lack a sense of purpose.
And then, a funny thing happened. I took the Crosstour into downtown Detroit to run some errands, and this big multi-tasker suddenly made a lot of sense. Combining Honda’s comfortable driving dynamics with a raised suspension and curb-ready tires made the Crosstour the perfect vehicle for tackling Detroit’s decidedly post-industrial streets. More >
2010 Chevrolet Equinox
May 10th
The crossover market has run into a conundrum that faces every segment of the automotive industry sooner or later. It’s a difficult question: do you want practical, or do you want sexy?
New crossovers like the Honda Accord Crosstour and Toyota Venza are aiming for high-style, with sleek, dramatic curves and standout styling. Unfortunately, when it comes to suburban do-alls, the fashionable sheet metal comes at the cost of usefulness. (The question of whether the Venza and Crosstour actually succeed at looking sexy can be saved for another day.) The all-new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox presents a solid argument for the other side of the equation. More >
2010 Hyundai Tucson
Mar 5th
All-new for 2010, Hyundai’s Tucson compact SUV has gotten an entirely new outlook on life. This formerly somewhat dowdy do-all’s latest makeover adds confident, dramatic lines with a silhouette that speaks of urban freeways rather than country backroads. Under the hood, a new engine offers a significant boost in fuel economy as well. It seems like a familiar tactic, though not one that’s been commonly seen at this price point. Then again, if the luxury vehicles like BMW’s X3 and Audi’s Q5 are going sporty and carlike, why not the affordable ones as well?
Aimed primarily at “soft-roaders” like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue, the new Tucson features extroverted styling that enables it to stand out in the crowded compact crossover/SUV class. Improved economy and comfort are the biggest news. The Tucson is also the lightest vehicle in its segment, which provides a number of performance and efficiency benefits. More >