Time Magazine lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree?
Time Magazine's 10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010 - Click above to begin
Before we begin, let us say that when it comes to cars, Time Magazine can get it right. Like the time they hired Dan Neil to write The 50 Worst Cars of All Time. That was really good. However, now Time has the "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010," and boy is it really awful. In fact, it's so awful that we're dying to hear what Dan Neil thinks of it. Time's list isn't just regular bad, it's take all your credibility on a given subject and light it on fire bad. Akin to letting Glenn Beck run the civil rights desk. OK, but in car terms how bad? The Volkswagen Golf is one of Time's most exciting vehicles of 2010 – and that's not even the really terrible part. We're making you follow the jump for the really bad stuff.
But first, a little bit of what Time did get right. The Nissan 370Z, Caddy CTS Wagon, Ford SHO and Hyundai Genesis Coupe can all be construed as "exciting." Even the Kia Soul, which kicks off their list, is a pretty nifty vehicle – though how can they include the rectilinear Soul and not the Cube? Probably because they already had a Nissan on the list. Then of course there's the issue of the Soul being pretty much OK, but one of the very most exciting? Kinda maybe sorta, but ultimately we'll just say no.
Then we get to the huh? section. Mercedes E-Class, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Suzuki Kizashi. Isn't the dictionary definition of unexciting the E-Class? No offense to Mercedes-Benz, but come on Time – the E-Class is designed from the ground up for 60-year-old empty nesters. Grand Cherokee, uh... not really that exciting and the Kizashi? A Sonata competitor? It might be a fab car, but four-door, FWD, traverse-mounted motor family cars are inherently unexciting. Now we arrive at the "Why did you make your interns write this" part. Again, the VW
[Source: Time Magazine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
jim 9:21AM (9/07/2009)
This is a joke, right? Someone hacked Time's website and put up faux article. Must be.
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AMcA 11:03AM (9/07/2009)
No, Time has become a faux magazine. That's the problem.
nzotti 11:35AM (9/07/2009)
Even though I'm a car enthusiast, it doesn't mean everyone else is. TIME is not a car magazine and therefore the article was not written for enthusiasts like us. It was written for the typical American family. Take it with a grain of salt, guys!
Vizel 6:52PM (9/07/2009)
IMO, I think they get score of 4/10 (I would include Kia Soul, and leave out Caddy CTS *Wagon* I mean... CTS itself kicks ass, but no wagon is _ever_ exciting) but it's alright, it's about average score they get and deserve for all of their articles anyways...
Paul 11:27AM (9/08/2009)
Wow. What happened to Time?
This is up there with last month's "Exercise Won't Make You Thin" article. They actually said that since exercise makes you hungry, you'll never lose weight by working out. Seriously.
And now the Venza as top "exciting" cars? Please...
RebRbrtsn 2:41PM (9/08/2009)
I think the article was written for people who might actually buy a car this year. How many average folks can afford a Lamborghini or a Corvette or an Aston Martin? It's "exciting" for those of us on a shoestring budget.
kr_metal 9:21AM (9/07/2009)
I think it includes the price. Sure, you'll enjoy driving a lamborghini reventon, but you sure won't be excited of the price. And I have to say, the venza is pretty nice, has v6, awd options navigation, etc. I don't see why not. As always though, it's a large matter of opinion.
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David Z. 9:47AM (9/07/2009)
Even if they called it "The 10 Most Exciting Affordable Vehicles of 2010" it would still be a pathetic list.
How about:
Chevy Camaro
Ford Mustang GT
Nissan 370Z
Ford SHO
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
F-150 SVT Raptor
Kia Soul
Saab 9-5?
Okay, top 8.
Autophreak 11:15AM (9/07/2009)
David. I approve of this list. You should work for Time.
Jakesnake1294 11:37AM (9/07/2009)
@davez;
The Mustang? Really? A fine car, but it is a total redesign that was noticed only by Mustang fans and car buffs. Maybe when they put the new engines in them they would meet the qualifications for being somewhat interesting. But until then it takes the award for least significant redesign, ever.
And the 9-5. Saab is finally back to its roots of creating quirky looking cars that appeal only to junior college professors and that weird meerschaum pipe smoking guy that your aunt dated in 1978. For the rest of the world, who cares. I would rather walk to the store barefoot on a sidewalk covered with broken glass than drive a Venza, but it is more exciting than a new Saab.
AndrewNoNumbers 12:35PM (9/07/2009)
I think the most important bit is that Time never said "most exciting to drive". It could be "exciting" as in changing the market.
@Jakesnake
Saabs are the best.
Rev 11:37PM (9/07/2009)
I'd consider a 2009 WRX more exciting than the rest of the cars listed combined, David. For the money, there isn't anything grippier, quicker and more fun to drive. And they're practical!
And you couldn't pay me to be seen in a new Camaro. Sorry...
And you're joking about the Slaab, right?
the4thheat 1:34AM (9/08/2009)
The only reason I think the Venza shouldn't be on there is because it's already out as a 2009 model so I don't really see why anybody would be excited for the 2010 version.
But frankly a lot more people are excited about the Venza than that Saab 9-5 you have your list, no matter how dull you may think a crossover is Time magazine is writing for the masses and the masses don't buy Saabs.
robert 3:12PM (9/08/2009)
well, first off, the entire line of toyota cars is anything but exciting. if you're looking for something "fun" and a dinky v6, with lots of great options, go for an altima that is much cheaper. want a sportier look? go maxima. want more power? go for the v6 camaro, which is the beefiest base v6 u can get for that kind of money, not including aftermarket.
it was the 10 most EXCITING on the list, not the 10 most affordable, thats why u should just go out and buy a consumer report's buying guide for 2010 cars. but this is the most exciting here. not the most exciting cars with enough space to have the kids and the dog all in the same car for an outing to the cheesecake factory. i mean cmon, this list is total BS. to top it off all are japanese cars focused around mpg rather than performance (excluding the 370).
Oh boy look how much gas i can save on this trip, how EXCITING!
How sad...
Luis 9:25AM (9/07/2009)
Venza is not exciting, but it's sure the best in it's class. Has style, refinement and most of the usefulness that people really need. Yup, a wagon on stilts.
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garland823 11:22AM (9/07/2009)
Sure it may be, but that would make it the best of a boring class. Make a case for it being exciting. It doesn't even have to be from the enthusiast's standpoint...does it do anything new or different? It's an attractive enough car, but is it stunning? Does it revolutionize manufacturing? The E-Class is even worse- it is at the leading edge of requiring as little driver attention as possible. It's basically an expensive bus ticket or taxi cab.
gerrrg 12:43PM (9/07/2009)
The Venza was already more popular than any Lexus model in August sales. I think the Venza is going to become a huge hit for Toyota.
BoneHeadOtto 8:56AM (9/08/2009)
The most revolutionary thing the Venza does is nudge the american public back into accepting wagons. I have heard more non-car buffs refer to this is Toyotas wagon and state that they like it. ANYTHING we can do to remove the wagon stigma is positive. Aside from that the Venza is a great car. Boring when compared to todays sports cars, but so are all cars this size that cost under $100k.
Mirko 9:28AM (9/07/2009)
No offense to Mercedes-Benz, but come on Time – the E-Class is designed from the ground up for 60-year-old empty nesters.
Total BS, Johnny. The E-Class is designed specifically for taxi drivers. With enormous mustaches.
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Selleck Wannabe 10:24AM (9/07/2009)
Unfortunately this theory doesn't work in reverse. I bought an E-Class and my mustache didn't even notice...not a single new hair. :-(