Autoblog

Car and Driver "Masters of the Middle" comparo sizes up Passat, Fusion, Altima and Accord

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen

Last year, the Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE won a Car and Driver comparison test of mid-size sedans, beating the Honda Accord V6 and Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. A couple of months later, the same Passat model won a mid-size comparo from Motor Trend against the Hyundai Sonata GLS and Toyota Camry LE. Earlier this year, the VW won an even larger C/D comparison test, beating the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Accord EX-L, Sonata SE, Kia Optima EX and Camry SE.

That's a convincing string of victories, but they're all against the old hotness. So C/D put the Passat 2.5 SE against the freshest mid-sized competitors, the all-new-for-2013 versions of the Ford Fusion SE EcoBoost, Honda Accord EX and Nissan Altima 2.5 SV, and, well, you'll have to see if the German's enormous back seat and good chassis were enough to keep it on top. You can find out how they all ranked, and why, in the video below.

Continue reading Car and Driver "Masters of the Middle" comparo sizes up Passat, Fusion, Altima and Accord

Car and Driver "Masters of the Middle" comparo sizes up Passat, Fusion, Altima and Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Escape vs. 2013 Mazda CX-5

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Ford, Mazda, Comparisons

Brothers From Another Mother Face Off

Not a single part is shared between these two crossovers.

We couldn't do this comparison test a year ago. No, not because the CX-5 is a new nameplate and all-new vehicle for the Mazda brand (okay, that's technically a valid reason), but because until now, Mazda's only small crossover offering was the Tribute - a rebadged version of the trusty last-gen Ford Escape. In fact, it's always been sort of tricky to put Ford and Mazda vehicles in the same comparison test, only because nearly every product in Mazda's stable could be traced back to some sort of Ford platform.

But with the two automakers having officially parted ways, Mazda was forced to create an all-new platform for a small crossover that would play in the same segment as the Escape. And under the lights of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show last November, both the 2013 CX-5 and 2013 Escape debuted, with representatives from Ford and Mazda alike reassuring us that not a single part is shared between the two crossovers, noting that the two companies were in no way involved in the development of each other's vehicle.

That in mind, we thought it best to pit the Escape and CX-5 against one another to see how the family lines have matured after the divorce.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Escape vs. 2013 Mazda CX-5

2013 Ford Escape vs. 2013 Mazda CX-5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alternative Aspirations: 2011 Honda CR-Z vs. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Street Cup Edition

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Honda, Volkswagen, New Car Reviews, Diesel, Long-Term Garage, Comparisons

Two Ways To Go Green And Enjoy It

2011 Honda CR-Z vs. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Street Cup Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

What do the Ferrari 599 HY-KERS, Lotus Evora 414E and Porsche 918 Spyder have in common? They're all fuel efficient sports cars with technology that's finally fitted to something worth driving. Also, we can't buy them... yet. What's worse, when they do go on sale, mere mortals who don't log on to an off-shore account to check their net worth won't be able to partake.

So how can a gearhead tread a little lighter and still get their kicks? Read our full story to find out.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z vs. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Street Cup Edition

Continue reading Alternative Aspirations: 2011 Honda CR-Z vs. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Street Cup Edition

Alternative Aspirations: 2011 Honda CR-Z vs. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Street Cup Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle of the Sixes: Ford Mustang V6 takes on Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 and Nissan 370Z

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, New Car Reviews, Comparisons

V6 Sports Car Comparison - Click above for high-res image gallery

This comparison test couldn't have happened just a few short months ago. Sure, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been around since 2009. And not counting a seven-year walkabout, the Datsun/Nissan Z has been with us in one form or another since the first moon landing. Want to talk old? The Ford Mustang dates back to the invention of the wheel. At least it seems that way.

So why no comparison until now? Because until quite recently, Ford's entry level V6-powered Mustang was never really a sports car. The heavy, near impotent Cologne iron-block V6 was a joke, fit for little more than rental car duty, and it wasn't even terribly adept at that. But the non-V8 pony car has undergone some significant changes for 2011 - the biggest being its all-aluminum V6 producing 305 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque - allowing it to finally hang with these two V6-powered competitors from across the Pacific.

At least on paper.

Read on to find out which V6-powered sports car reigns supreme. If you can't wait, skip right to the results.

Gallery: V6 Sports Car Comparison: Mustang vs Genesis Coupe vs 370Z

Continue reading Battle of the Sixes: Ford Mustang V6 takes on Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 and Nissan 370Z

Battle of the Sixes: Ford Mustang V6 takes on Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 and Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cars.com hosts eight-car family sedan shootout with surprising results

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota

Midsize sedans don't have it easy anymore. In addition to packing tons of features (technology, safety, comfort) into a relatively affordable package, these vehicles have to be relatively good to drive, functional and not too bad on the eyes. We've seen all sorts of family sedan comparisons, and now Cars.com dishes up its own eight-car test, featuring the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Suzuki Kizashi, Mazda6 and new Hyundai Sonata.

The eight sedans were not only tested by members of the Cars.com team, but by an actual family of four in an attempt to see what real-world drivers look for the most. The "real family" is comprised of Ben and Jill Tiernan of Los Angeles, as well as their two children, an infant and a toddler. The family drove the cars on highways and city roads, and took their time poking and prodding through the cabins of each tester. Ben and Jill's notes were also compiled and included in the end result data, with father Ben liking the Kizashi the best, while wife Jill raised her hand for the Camry.

What's more, the overall question of fuel economy was put into greater focus. Efficiency is one of the strongest selling points in this segment, and it's no secret that automakers tout the highway mileage numbers of these cars in an effort to attract buyers. Cars.com went a step above - not only noting the EPA estimated fuel economy, but recording what the cars' trip computers displayed, as well as calculating the actual at-the-pump fuel economy. The Hyundai Sonata's 35 mpg might be the highest number on monroney labels, but in the actual calculations, the Ford Fusion's 32.1 observed mpg trumps the recorded 27.8 mpg in the Sonata.

What's most interesting, though, are the end results. We won't spoil the final findings, but it's important to note that the Ford Fusion - a car which has garnered a ton of praise (Motor Trend Car of the Year, etc.) - came in dead last amongst the group, with the Chevrolet Malibu not falling very far behind. On top of that, Toyota's Camry is usually the top pick in these tests (Motor Trend would agree), but it doesn't take first place honors here. How does the well-received Honda Accord fare in all of this? What about newcomers Sonata and Kizashi? Read the full results for yourself at Cars.com.

[Source: Cars.com]

Cars.com hosts eight-car family sedan shootout with surprising results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mustang 5.0 wins first comparo against Camaro SS, Challenger SRT8

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, this certainly didn't take long. Only a few weeks after Ford let the 2011 Mustang GT loose on the road, the boys at Motor Trend have done what we've all been waiting for, putting the new 5.0-liter V8 model up against the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Dodge Challenger SRT8 in a head-to-head muscle car throwdown. In our first drive, we were very impressed with the new GT's antics, and apparently, we aren't the only ones. Sorry, Camaro and Challenger - the Mustang takes top honors in this comparison.

Motor Trend points out that, at the end of the day, the Mustang 5.0 is the closest representation of what a modern day muscle car should be. It stands true to the original concept of a lightweight coupe with a nimble body and chassis that's stocked to the brim with rumbling V8 power, and they say that there's no doubt that it's dynamically better than the Chevy and Dodge. What's more, the interior offers better tech and refinement - something that's key in the year 2010. Be sure to click over to MT's comparison test for the full details.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mustang 5.0 wins first comparo against Camaro SS, Challenger SRT8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds praises Volvo XC60, pans Cadillac SRX in new entry-lux CUV comparo

Michael Harley — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Audi, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, New Car Reviews

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo's new XC60 sits at the top of the pack when it battles head-to-head against the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK350, and Cadillac SRX, says Edmunds in its latest four-way comparison. The entrants, each new members of the expanding Compact Luxury Crossover segment, were all selected for the battle based on size and their less-than-$40,000 starting prices. Veterans such as the Acura RDX, BMW X3, and Infiniti EX35 were left home as they aren't rookies to the field.

With a resolutely last place finish, the Cadillac SRX was clobbered over its outward visibility, weight, lack of overall space (despite being the largest of the bunch), and cramped second-row seating. The fact that the Edmund's test car was a base FWD model didn't help either.

Tied for second place were the GLK350 and Q5, both praised for their power, ride, and handling. The Mercedes came up short in overall utility, while the Audi took some hits for its electric power steering.

According to the testers, the XC60 "won by a hair" thanks to its generous cargo capacity, second-row comfort, and "safety features galore." While the Swede offered plenty of power, it suffered from poor fuel economy and less-than-satisfying handling. So, how did a not-fun-to-drive Volvo CUV climb to the top of the comparison (one that Edmunds says, "none of our editors would personally choose")? You'll have to read their story to find out.

Gallery: 2010 Volvo XC60

[Source: Edmunds]

Edmunds praises Volvo XC60, pans Cadillac SRX in new entry-lux CUV comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Diesels paying financial dividends back more quickly than hybrids

Michael Harley — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Technology, Earnings/Financials, Electric, Diesel

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the ongoing battle between hybrids and diesels for "payback time" supremacy, the latest round goes to the oil burning posse. That's the report from Edmunds, which did a recent numbers crunch comparing the two fuel-saving drivetrains and found the scales have tipped in favor of diesel powerplants.

According to the study, the average new vehicle price premium for a hybrid-electric is a whopping $4,981 (the Lexus LS 600h L takes the outlier cherry with a $15,969 premium over its gasoline counterpart). On the other hand, the average diesel premium is only about $2,360 (both figures were calculated after incentives and credits). Last year's high fuel prices have also come down considerably to the point where gasoline and diesel fuel are about the same price. This hurts the hybrid-electric powertrain, which takes advantage of high fuel costs by squeezing more miles out of each dollar's worth of gas for quicker payback.

Edmunds also did a payback comparison between the 2010 Toyota Prius and the all-new 2010 Honda Insight. While the Prius is undeniably clobbering Insight in the sales battle, the website says it will take a sobering 26.2 years of driving to recover the Toyota's $4,030 cost premium.

[Source: Auto Observer]

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

REPORT: Diesels paying financial dividends back more quickly than hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retro Comparo: Fourtitude puts S5 against Ur-Quattro

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Audi

Fourtitude has conjured up an original, red 1985 Audi Quattro and yoked it next to a 2009 S5 to see how the two pull their loads. Of course, with 160 hp, a curb weight of 3,115 pounds (U.S. spec) and 58/42 weight distribution, the original Quattro and its Road & Track-timed run of 8.3 seconds from 0-60 can't compare straight-up with the S5. But historically, the Quattro was the beast that has made the S5 - and perhaps even the RS4 and R8 - a natural progression over Audi's last 27 years.

The handmade Quattro cost $5,000 more than a Porsche when it was new, and the few who own them would tell you it was worth it. Yet while the $56,840 S5 has the Quattro beat on numbers, it will be another two decades before we find out if it still has anywhere near the cachet of its ancestor. Click the link for the rest of the story.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Retro Comparo: Fourtitude puts S5 against Ur-Quattro originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Comparo: Moving Mountains - Toyota Landcruiser vs. Hummer H2

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Hummer, Toyota, Off-Road

Click the image above for high-res gallery of the Autoblog Comparo: H2 vs. Landcruiser

The world's maddest battles usually earn a brief sobriquet: Red vs. Blue, Holyfield-Tyson, Lingerie Bowl. Although the battle we'll describe today isn't finished, the clash of HUMMER vs. Any Decent Off-roader - especially HUMMER vs. Jeep - has made so much noise on Autoblog alone that we decided it was time to investigate. Not having a Jeep at our disposal, we pitted an H2 against the Toyota Landcruiser on three trails in the California desert to find out if either of them had any quit - or if they'd keep going but complain about it. Follow the jump for the answer we came up with, and check out the gallery of off-road shenanigans below.

Gallery: Autoblog Comparo: H2 vs Landcruiser

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Continue reading Autoblog Comparo: Moving Mountains - Toyota Landcruiser vs. Hummer H2

Autoblog Comparo: Moving Mountains - Toyota Landcruiser vs. Hummer H2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let there be victory: Hyundai Genesis trumps Lexus GS 350 in comparo

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai, Lifestyle

InsideLine, no strangers to luxury, recently put the Hyundai Genesis up against the kind of competition the Korean automaker wants to be associated with: the Lexus GS 350. The GS 300 first came out in 1993 and had the luxury re-defining LS and ES for siblings; at the time, Hyundai was still making do with Excel, Sonata, and Scoupe, and parking any of them next to a Lexus would have laid bare the gulf. Now the marques are going head-to-head. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call progress.

Still, issues of cost -- and perception -- skew the comparison slightly. The V8 Hyundai goes up against a V6 Lexus, because adding two more cylinders to the Lexus would have meant a $12,000 difference. As it is, there's still almost $8,000 between them. And there's the fact that the Lexus and the Hyundai don't exactly compete with each other (we'd have thought an ES comparo would make more sense) in brief, either.

Nevertheless, it's not a bad bout, and it turns out to be one of the closest fights InsideLine has ever judged. The Lexus gets a win-by-a-nose for things like fit and finish and speed, while the Hyundai returns the favor in the highway performance and space issues. The flying H takes home the silverware by a mere two points, aided in part by the price advantage -- which, as far as Hyundai's concerned, is the point. Follow the link for the full story. Thanks for the tip, Charles!

[Source: Inside Line]

Let there be victory: Hyundai Genesis trumps Lexus GS 350 in comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM backs off in-store Malibu vs. Camry comparos

Alex Nunez — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Honda, Toyota

When news came back in May that GM would encourage Chevy dealers to have a Camry on hand for customers to compare directly to the forthcoming Malibu, we lauded the company for walking the walk. Similarly confident in the Saturn Aura, the General ran a program earlier this summer in which Aura shoppers were offered comparison drives in both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. According to GM, the Saturn program was a success, and Aura sales rose during the promotion. Despite that, the Malibu vs. Camry deathmatch is now officially DOA.

No specific reason has been given for the change of heart. A GM spokesperson says only that "it's been off the table for quite some time" and that "it wasn't the best approach" for the Malibu. The (undoubtedly significant) costs associated placing comparison vehicles in the 4,000+ Chevy dealers was said to not be a factor in the decision.

[Source: CNNMoney]

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Malibu

Continue reading GM backs off in-store Malibu vs. Camry comparos

GM backs off in-store Malibu vs. Camry comparos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports responds to pickup comparo controversy

John Neff — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:05:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Chevrolet, Toyota

Earlier this week we told you about a pickup truck comparison in the most recent issue of Consumer Reports that seemed a bit fishy. The comparison pitted the new 2007 Toyota Tundra against the 2007 Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram. It was clearly a fight between the Tundra and Silverado from the get-go, since both were the only two completely new trucks in the test. The Tundra, however, seemed to have an advantage in that it was ordered up with the larger of its two engines, the 5.7L V8 producing 381 hp. The Silverado, while available with a more evenly matched 6.0L Vortec MAX V8, was ordered with a less powerful 5.3L V8 producing 315 hp. Not only that, but the Tundra benefited from a 4.30 rear axle ratio that provides better towing and acceleration than the 3.73 ratio in the Silverado, which sacrifices those qualities for better fuel economy. The Silverado, however, could've been ordered with a more comparable 4.10 rear axle ratio at no extra charge.

Well, the gentlefolks at CR recently posted an answer to everyone's questions about this particular half-ton pickup comparo on their blog, which you should go read by clicking here before going on. They explain that choosing equipment for vehicles involved in a comparison is a tricky thing that involves balancing the objective of several goals.

"In general, we want to test a representative vehicle that is comparable to other vehicles in the test group (and previously tested peer vehicles). We also typically test the version--powertrain and trim level--that most regular consumers will buy. "

Read on after the jump to hear our take on CR's explanation.

Continue reading Consumer Reports responds to pickup comparo controversy

Consumer Reports responds to pickup comparo controversy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pickuptruck.com hosts Heavy Duty Truck Shootout to end all shootouts

John Neff — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC

Mike Levine from PickupTruck.com is our go-to guy for truck news. His brain is like the bed of a Ford F-450 filled with the esoteric details of heavy duty diesel pickups and 3/4-ton gassers. Plus, he's from the old school of automotive journalism and has made a successful transition to the web, which means his reporting is always knowledgeable and balanced despite it being delivered digitally. When Levine told us he was planning on doing a comprehensive comparo of today's heavy duty pickups, however, we were unprepared for the depth of the final product.

The 2007 PickupTruck.com Heavy Duty Shootout pits six HD pickups from Chevy/GMC, Ford and Dodge against each other on a totally level and unbiased playing field. Levine went so far as to hire a third-party company to perform all of the instrumented testing to remove any trace of subjectivity in the results. The players are three gas-powered 3/4-ton pickups including the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4, 2008 Ford F-250 FX4 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 and 2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE Crew Cab 4x4, and three diesel-powered one-ton pickups including the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 LT Crew Cab 4x4, 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 and 2008 Ford F-350 King Ranch Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4. Ford also threw in a 2008 Ford F-450 Lariat Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 so that Levine and his team could attempt to prove how powerful this big rig really is.

We've just finished reading Part 1 and 2 of the three-part series, which includes an extremely knowledgeable and fact-filled introduction as well as the first battery of tests, including a "squat" test and 1/4-mile performance runs. Each part may appear like a lot to read, but we flew threw it faster than an unloaded GMC Sierra 2500 through the quarter mile.

Check out Part 1 here and click here for Part 2. The final installment should be out sometime this week, and we'll be eager to find out definitively which of these pickups outperformed its competitors in PickupTruck.com's battle royale of heavy duty trucks.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Pickuptruck.com hosts Heavy Duty Truck Shootout to end all shootouts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturn dealers to offer Camry, Accord drives to Aura shoppers

Alex Nunez — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Saturn

The reinvigorated Saturn is one of the best things GM's got going right now. May 2007 sales were up 68% over the previous year (what a difference appealing product makes), and overall, it's up 30% YTD versus 2006.

Now comes word from Bloomberg News that starting tomorrow, June 11, all but 5 of the 430 Saturn dealers in the US will offer prospective Aura shoppers comparison test drives in the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. According to Saturn's Lisa Hutchinson, its participating dealers are buying the imports that'll be used for the program, which runs through July 31. GM's showing a lot of confidence in its new products -- remember, Chevy dealers will have Camrys on the floor to compare to the new Malibu when it arrives, too. This is all good, and it could probably be even better. Follow the jump for a bit of editorializing.

[Source: Bloomberg News]

Gallery: 2007 Saturn Aura XR - In the Autoblog Garage

Gallery: 2007 Saturn Aura Geen Line

Continue reading Saturn dealers to offer Camry, Accord drives to Aura shoppers

Saturn dealers to offer Camry, Accord drives to Aura shoppers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Winding Road invents "Speed per Dollar" index

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

click image above to enlarge

The good boffins at Winding Road have come up with a metric called Speed per Dollar (SpD). Its aim is to put straight-line vehicle performance into an easy-to-understand financial perspective. In light of the monetary component, the best and worst SpD ratings among the sample cars tested aren't entirely surprising: Ariel Atom at the top, Bugatti Veyron at the bottom. Supercars -- and their super prices -- would of course fare poorly. However the Mazdaspeed 3, with "just" 263 hp, climbs up the charts to score second place. As Winding Road admits, the chart doesn't take handling (or luxury or Making the Jones' Jealous) into account. But Autobloggers (and Winding Roaders, we're sure) are hugely interested in price-for-performance, and this is a novel new way to compare speedsters. Let the calculations, comparisons, and commentary begin.

[Source: Winding Road]

Winding Road invents "Speed per Dollar" index originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Tundra beats Chevy Silverado in Edmunds comparo

John Neff — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota

This is what we're truly all waiting for - someone to get their hands on the best-of-the-best pickups for 2007 and stage a knock down, drag out comparison test with the new 2007 Toyota Tundra. Well, Edmunds has come closest by being the first to compare the new Tundra with a 2007 Chevy Silverado and an '07 Nissan Titan. While we really want to see a Tundra vs. Silverado vs. F-150 vs. Ram match, we'll take what we can get.
Much to our surprise after seeing the Tundra in person at the Detroit Auto Show, Edmunds chose it as the winner of its half-ton comparison test by a slim margin over the Silverado. The Edmunds editors seemed to like the Tundra's styling and love its 381-hp 5.7L V8, but like us were not impressed with the interior. The Silverado, meanwhile, was impressive in all areas except for drivetrain. It's 6.0L V8 was less powerful than the Tundra's motor, and a trip to the dyno revealed a quirky fuel management trick that hampers the Silverado's power delivery for four seconds when the throttle is mashed. Only after four-seconds of full-throttle has elapsed does the Silverado produce its advertised power numbers. As it turns out, the fact that the Tundra's big motor and slick six-speed could haul it to 60 mph in only 6.3 seconds was the ultimate deciding factor. Toyota's big T just brought more power to the table.

The three year-old Titan never stood a chance and brought up the rear.

Do we agree with Edmunds? Having never driven the Tundra, it's hard to say. We're convinced at this point that the Tundra's mechanicals aren't as beefy as the domestics', but its engine is a force to be reckoned with. However, we were so disappointed with the interior design and fit and finish of the Tundra we saw in Detroit, that we'd still probably pick the Silverado in this instance.

Click the read link to review the comparo and also see a video of it produced by Edmunds.

[Source: Edmunds]

Toyota Tundra beats Chevy Silverado in Edmunds comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Concept to Production: '05 Lincoln Aviator to '07 Lincoln MKX

Alex Nunez — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Lincoln

Click image for high-res comparison gallery

Attending a show always gets us thinking about concept cars and how they'll wind up translating into real in-the-showroom and on-the-road vehicles. This week, all the talk was about cars like Ford's Interceptor, Lincoln's MKR, Chevy's Volt, Mazda's Ryuga and Nissan's Bevel, for example. The extent to which any or all of those will influence future production vehicles remains to be seen.

It's when new models are on the stands that we can look back and compare. This year, Lincoln's MKX is in showrooms, and we're now able to look back at the concept car that clearly showed the world what was coming. That would be the 2005 Lincoln Aviator (which shared its name with the Explorer-based production vehicle), and aside from some detail changes, it's pretty much the MKX we all see today.

The concept's leaner-looking -- something that didn't carry over as well to the production car. The MKX's more sedate interior trim is much more appealing than the blinged-out chrome look the cabin of the Aviator concept sported. Our feeling is that the Aviator's big wheels and hood-ornament look better than the smaller rollers and integrated grille badge on the production car. We also prefer the thicker c-pillar and rear-end treatment of the concept, but we know as well as anyone that you're going to lose something when you go to production, and that rear looked like it didn't have much of a chance.

Given the trade-offs that were made, the transformation from Aviator Concept to MKX worked out okay. Yes, we're aware that it's an alternately-styled Ford Edge, but the style it has works well. Check out the comparison gallery we put together and let us know what you think. We just wish they'd have kept the old name.

[Photos: Ford]

Concept to Production: '05 Lincoln Aviator to '07 Lincoln MKX originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jan 2007 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MINI Cooper takes on a Porsche GT3 and a Champ Car

Noah Joseph — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:49:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mini, Porsche

Now we've seen some interesting races before, but this is something new: the Team Australia Speed Comparison, to be held in conjunction with the Lexmark Indy 300 later this month in Australia, will pit a MINI against a Porsche and a Champ Car.

The John Cooper Works MINI Cooper S packs a supercharged 1.6-liter four with 210 hp and runs 0-60 in 6.6 seconds; the 400-hp Porsche 911 GT3 reaches 60 in 3.2 seconds; and the Champ Car, packing a 750-hp Cosworth V8, will hit it in a cant 2.2 seconds. Sounds like a fight about as fair as David and Goliath, with The Rock thrown in for good measure.

Of course it's not a straight-up race, or anybody could predict the outcome - it's a single-lap handicap race: the MINI will head out first, followed by the Porsche and then the Champ Car. The starts are timed according to the car's capabilities so that, technically, all three cars should cross the finish line at the same time.

Gentlemen, start your engines!

[Source: Auto Racing Daily]

MINI Cooper takes on a Porsche GT3 and a Champ Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Six tested 2006 convertibles so you don't have to

Joel Arellano — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Honda, Jaguar, Mini, Pontiac, Saab, Volvo

Poor Matt Nauman. The Mercury News reporter tested six 2006 convertibles in recent months while the weather, he writes, was "perfect". His impressions of the convertibles include:

2006 Volvo C70 convertible
Nauman found it quite roomy for four while the turbo-charged engine made Sunday driving energetic. A low whir sound, which may have come from the hardtop, prove to be annoying.

2006 Pontiac G6 GTP convertible (pictured)
Nauman felt Pontiac's newest vehicle to be as solid as the C70, which he found surprising. Annoyances he found included the plasticky interior and the 2.2-cubic-feet of truck space when the hardtop was down.

2007 Jaguar XK8 convertible
He found the six-speed and 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 engine to be "decent". The soft-top folded in 18 seconds.

2006 Mini Cooper S convertible
Nauman drove the limited full-tilt S model with John Cooper tuning kit. His enthusiasm over the Mini's style, design, and driving character marked him a fan.

2006 Honda S2000 roadster
Nauman admits he could never find a comfortable position in the S2000 despite being able to fit in the MX-5, Z4, and Solstice. He still found the convertible amazing to drive especially when hitting the corners.

2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T convertible
He found the Saab's design "dignified", while the turbo-charged engine made driving moderately fun.

We're particularly interested in trying out the Pontiac G6 GTP convertible for ourselves, as it appears the car's svelty styling and trick hardtop can't shake its cheap interior and low utility.

[Source: Mercury News]

Six tested 2006 convertibles so you don't have to originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Jul 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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