Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged subcompact
2010 Kia Forte Koup
May 31st
You don’t see many entry-level compact coupes these days. They were popular for about fifteen minutes a few years ago, and then the market got all sensible with crossover vehicles and hatchbacks again. High-end two-doors are common enough, and the new muscle car war has plenty of big-engined coupes leaping into the fray. But if you’re looking for a trunk-backed coupe at the sub-$20,000 end of the market, what do you have? There’s the Scion tC, of course, and the Honda Civic coupe. Ford’s Focus will be available as a two-door coupe for the rest of 2010 at least, but it’s gone once the next-generation Focus arrives in early 2011. The Chevrolet Cobalt coupe is going the same way; its replacement, the Cruze, won’t have a two-door model. More >
2011 Ford Fiesta
May 13th
For the most part, the Ford Fiesta is remembered fondly, at least among car people. The European subcompact made a brief appearance in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980, and at the time was seen as a “compromise” car, the sort of vehicle that you bought because you were on a tight budget and couldn’t swing the MSRP or fuel cost of a larger vehicle. It wasn’t until long after the Fiesta was gone that folks began to appreciate its good qualities, like decent handling and robust build quality. More >
2004 Suzuki Forenza
Apr 27th
After retreating from the car market and concentrating on SUVs for a few years after the demise of the forgettable Esteem subcompact, Suzuki’s lineup is growing to include cars again. This Japanese manufacturer has introduced three all-new cars in the two years, part of a plan to expand its sales presence in the United States over the next few years. With distinctive Italian styling and aggressive pricing, Suzuki’s new cars should garner a great deal more attention than its last effort did. More >