Autoblog

Consumer Reports finds small hatchbacks most reliable, upscale cars least

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Wagon, Hatchback

Following up on its report on which carmakers it found to be the most and least reliable, Consumer Reports has released its predicted reliability ratings based on vehicle type. Those at the top are a varied crew but mostly adhere to one theme: they're small, or small for their segment. Hatchbacks with good fuel economy (like Toyota's Prius C, the most reliable single model this time out), "compact" sports sedans and pickups and "small" SUVs take the day. The one exception to the size qualifier among the most reliable cars is wagons, which also make the cut. The nine hatches and ten wagons included in the survey are further distinguished by the fact that every one of them achieved average or above average reliability.

At the other end - the service-bay end - are luxury SUVs, minivans and "upscale" cars. Upscale is a different category than "luxury" - in a 2009 test of upscale sedans prices ranged from $33,660 to $40,880 and included wares like the Pontiac G8, Lexus ES, Hyundai Genesis and Jaguar XF (none of which is referred to in this predicted reliability report), while luxury cars are "usually more opulent and costly."

Small cars were the last vehicle type above the line before upscale compact SUVs dipped into the negative numbers. Out of ten upscale cars in the survey only half were reliable, and CR said minivans took a hit by dint of the paucity of options.

Consumer Reports finds small hatchbacks most reliable, upscale cars least originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Hatchback, Lifestyle

The annals of U.S. automobile history may be littered with the occasional hatchback success story, but for every Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Prius, there are dozens of failed three- and five-door hatches that, for whatever reason, fizzled out shortly after hitting the American market. In fact, this particular Top 10 list could easily have been fleshed out into a Top 20 if we had the patience, but cars like the Toyota FX, Plymouth Laser, and Nissan NX failed to meet our tough standards for relative obscurity, and thus they will have to be reserved for future lists.

That said, follow along with us as we take a guided tour of some of the most obscure hatchbacks from the last three decades. Don't sweat it if you don't recall a few of the forgotten machines on our list - most of us - with at least one glaring exception *cough, Paukert, cough* - had to delve deep into our rapidly fading memory banks just to remember the names of these unloved glassbacks.

Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Technology, Hatchback, Kia

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Kia cee'd

Stop/start technology is like a trial membership for hybrids: it lets drivers in on the fuel savings and lower carbon emissions without forcing them to become a card-carrying member of the hybrid brigade. Kia is will be offering buyers just such an opportunity by introducing ISG, or Idle, Stop, and Go (also called Intelligent Stop & Go) on the new cee'd.

The ISG will be available on the 1.4- and 1.6-liter gasoline-engined c'eeds, and unlike other stop/start technology, this ISG shuts the engine down not only when the car is stopped, but when it's moving less than four mph. To engage the ISG while the car is moving, the driver puts the car in neutral and depresses the clutch, the engine is shut down, and he or she will be rewarded with 15% better fuel economy in the urban cycle.

The frugal-ized cee'd also benefits from a lighter five-speed gearbox and low-rolling-resistance tires as standard fitment. Later in 2009, the 1.6-liter diesel c'eed will be offered with ISG technology.

Gallery: Kia c'eed

[Source: Kia World]

2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus RS starting abroad at �24,995

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Focus RS

The 2009 Focus Rallye Sport has a price: £24,995 when it goes on sale in the UK in March. That will put you about £4,000 over a Focus ST3, but for that extra money you get a car that could be much closer to Ford's WRC competitor than it is to its ST3 sibling. The 300 horses and 325 ft-lbs is channeled through a six-speed manual to the front wheels, and a wider track joins beefier driveshafts, thicker anti-roll bars, tuned springs and uprated dampers.

The car comes with a bodykit that only an RS could wear, as well as things like heated door mirrors and windshield, xenon headlights, Recaros, and Ford's Easy Fill fueling system. Only a few options are available, the ritziest one being the Luxury Pack that will give you things like automatic climate control and rear parking sensors. Thankfully, based on how popular these cars are among the five-finger set, an alarm is also standard. You can check out the full release after the jump and the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (blue)

Continue reading Ford Focus RS starting abroad at �24,995

Ford Focus RS starting abroad at �24,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Nissan unleashes the slightly less cube-y Cube [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Nissan

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan Cube

The Cube is ready for America, and it's coming in three flavors just to make sure it has all... sides... covered. Each of them gets the 1.8-liter engine good for 122 hp and 127 lb-ft., with trim levels being just 1.8, 1.8 S, and 1.8 SL. The little box with the slightly droopy rear end is packed with goodies including ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, VDC, TCS, TMPS, and six airbags, and you can get it with Nissan's CVT or a six-speed manual. Opt for the CVT, and it will return something beyond 30 mpg. When it comes to accessorizing, there are 20 colors on offer, illuminated kick plates, a rear cargo organizer, and, um, pet blankets. Follow the jump to watch the video and read all about it, and check out the high-res photos of the "bulldog in sunglasses" below.

Gallery: LA 2008: 2009 Nissan Cube

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Cube (US Model)

Continue reading LA 2008: Nissan unleashes the slightly less cube-y Cube [w/VIDEO]

LA 2008: Nissan unleashes the slightly less cube-y Cube [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Mugen kits the Honda Fit Sport

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Budget, Hatchback, Honda

Click above for high-res gallery of the Honda Fit Sport by Mugen

The 2009 Honda Fit Sport will soon be able to shop at the Mugen outlet store thanks to a host of Mugen accessories that were announced today at SEMA. They include a front grille and spoiler, side skirts and rear spoiler, new wheels, and inside you can have Mugen-branded mats and rearview mirrors. We'll take that Mugen shifter and install it in any car, thank you very much. If you want to buy the whole car you see above, just ask for the "Exciting Fit". Really. And while you wait for delivery, go ahead and get excited by the high-res images in the gallery below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Mugen Honda Fit

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Mugen kits the Honda Fit Sport

SEMA 2008: Mugen kits the Honda Fit Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Soul

The Scion xB may have written the book on small-and-boxy, but it appears that Kia may add another volume to the work with the Soul. We have no idea how the new Soul will go on the road, or how it will hold up - either materially or financially - but taking a seat in the giant shoe on wheels was a revelation. For a car that isn't expected to cost too much, the details alone would almost have to be worth the price: the chunky moldings around the grille and bumper, the contrasting surrounds for the headlights and contrasting panels for the doors, the gearshift knob housing a ball within a plexiglass ball, the court jester seats. And when we put the driver's seat all the way back, we could sit in the back seat without our legs touching anything else. And we're not short. If the Soul can mind its manners on the road, there's no reason it shouldn't go straight to sales heaven. Get the scoop on the Soul after the jump, and the check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Kia Soul

Continue reading Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul

Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart

Even for utilitarian transport, the Colt is a fine looking vehicle - Mitsu's new grille is a one-size-fits-all beautifier, and there are some nice details around the car. The dip in the headlights isn't original, but it's executed with a flavor of its own. Inside it's plastic city and several bolts of cloth, but again, while there's nothing exactly special about it, there's nothing that would make you go "Ugh." The Colt Ralliart edition (above), however, is a treat. The details outside don't change much save for a wheel finish and a larger tailpipe, but the massively bolstered leather seats completely remake the interior. Check out the press release on the new Colts after the jump, and the galleries below: one of live shots, the other a massive folder of press shots that even includes some vintage Colt rally action.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart LIVE

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Colt

Continue reading Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door

Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat creates special edition Fiat 500 Lupin III

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Fiat, Specialty

If the song is true that "to everything, turn turn turn, there is a season, turn turn turn," then we're going to need a lot more seasons for the Fiat 500. In addition to versions by StudioTorino, Diesel and Abarth, not to mention a convertible and an F1-themed run of 12, Fiat is making a special edition 500 to celebrate the car's appearance in the movie Lupin III: Green vs Red.

The Japanese anime film itself celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Lupin III series of movies, which began in 1979 when gentleman thief Lupin III used a yellow Fiat 500. While the film is out now on DVD, the special edition Fiat 500 in yellow livery and graced with Lupin's image won't come around until the latter half of 2009, and probably only in Japan. If Fiat keeps this up, it might just challenge the Ford Mustang for the title of Most Gratuitous Special Editions Differentiated by Inconsequential Details. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

[Source: Fiat 500 News]

Fiat creates special edition Fiat 500 Lupin III originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: New Citroen C4 actually a dancing robot

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Citroën

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 New Look Citroen C4 and robot

We often wonder why French wine, fashion and architecture make total sense to us, yet French commercials often make us go "Um, ok, all right...." Citroen's C4 dancing robot first appeared back in 2004 -- well before Optimus Prime and crew teamed up with film director Michael Bay -- and since then he's done four more commercials to showcase the car that is "alive with technology."

With this latest clip, make that "staying alive with technology." Roaming the streets of New York, he's kitted out in chrome teeth and a glitter beret, jiving out to the Bee Gees while he performs style checks in any mirrored surface and poses for pictures. We have to admit his dance moves are hot, but Ironhide would probably shoot him if given the chance.

As for his alter ego, the New Look Citroen C4, it gets a grille, curvier hood and headlight treatment to match the C5. In back, transparent crystal taillamps replace the previous units. Inside, Citroen's latest NaviDrive has a 7-inch translucent screen pre-programmed for all of Europe. Two new engines, developed with BMW, will provide the car with 120 hp or 150 hp. Most intriguing, the car comes with an integrated, scented air freshener -- because all that dancing can make a robot sweat. Watch the new commercial for yourself after the jump.

Gallery: New Look Citroen C4 and Robot

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: New Citroen C4 actually a dancing robot

VIDEO: New Citroen C4 actually a dancing robot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Soul gets its emo on, visits Vans Warped Tour

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

Looking startlingly like a Vans shoe, preproduction versions of Kia's Soul will be doing their roadie routine with the Vans Warped Tour in the U.S. this summer. The front and rear of the car will be hidden under camo tape done up like Vans trademark checkerboard pattern, and dark windows will keep prying eyes out, but kids will still get a good look at what's on offer.

Taking what appears to be more than a few pages from the Scion playbook, the Warped Tour sponsorship will also include things like interactive Soul Lounges with live DJs, airbrush tattoo artists, and plenty of contests. There's even going to be a solar powered stage. Kids with custom Kia wristbands will get into Kia VIP sections near the main stages, and everyone can keep up with the action at Kia's concert blog site .

If what you want to do is actually see the car, Kia won't bare its Soul completely until the Paris Motor Show later this year.

[Source: Kia]

Kia Soul gets its emo on, visits Vans Warped Tour originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan 360: the Note

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Nissan

The Nissan Note was the smallest of the "big" cars we sampled at Nissan 360. Sold in -- yet again -- Europe and Japan only, the English-built Note hatchback has been on the market for just a year. The car is aimed at "parents who need a practical five-seater," and the inside of the car feels like it's custom made to handle bouncing, throwing, stomping little ones. The front seatbacks even have little tray tables with cupholders in them. It's like coach class, but actually enjoyable.

The Note is basic, but nothing about it feels cheap. The only real issue we had was the tire noise that drowned out the four-cylinder, 110-HP mill. Due to that alone, the peppy little Note was the loudest car we drove all day. And while the super comfy fabric seats looked great, their coverings are perforated. The first time a McDonald's shake gets spilled -- or, heaven forbid, something that spoils -- we wouldn't want to be the ones who have to get the mess out of each little pore.

You can check out the Nissan 360 event site for more details on all the vehicles in Nissan's lineup. In the mean time, be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res photos below.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the Note

Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

Nissan 360: the Note originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Peugeot 308SW says big and funky in French

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Peugeot

Click the image above for hi-res shots of the Peugeot 308SW

The Peugeot 308SW (for SportWagon), on the show floor, does not look like a big car. It certainly doesn't look big enough to swallow seven full-sized people. On the rotating podium, however, the car looked almost monstrous. Get inside, and the car appears to be even larger. If you sit in the driver's seat in Geneva, the rear hatch lies somewhere around Lichtenstein. It's that capacious. As with so many French things, the pics don't do it justice, but have a look at the gallery of hi-res photos to see if you can see what we see.

Gallery: Geneva 2008: Peugeot 308 SW

Geneva 2008: Peugeot 308SW says big and funky in French originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've heard this before: USA Today reports hatches are coming back

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback

Being the auto-obsessive types that you are, we're sure you can recount endless conversations with potential car buyers about the variety of body styles on the market, and how several of the CUVs and wagons currently available are, at times, far superior to their overblown SUV counterparts. The reasons behind the current boom in hatchbacks and crossovers are obvious: better fuel economy, more car-like handling and ride, all with many of the same attributes of an SUV.

USA Today ran a piece that details some of the offerings that are either making a splash in the marketplace already, or that are pegged to be winners as the movement away from big 'utes continues. Much of the discussion centers on some of the new high-end crossovers that are currently in the works, specifically the BMW X6 and Infiniti EX35, which offer a bit more luxury over outright utilitarianism.

The real crux of the article is that American consumers have put to rest the moribund offerings of the 70s, like the Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega, and are finally warming up to the sloping rooflines of modern five-door designs.

[Source: USA Today via Winding Road]

Gallery: 2008 Infiniti EX35

We've heard this before: USA Today reports hatches are coming back originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturn's version of Opel Astra to hit next year; Ion gets stay of execution

Eric Bryant — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Saturn

Saturn's new small car, a version of the well-regarded Opel Astra, should be hitting the shores of North American sometime a bit beyond the middle of 2007. This will replace the not-so-well-regarded Ion, which is now scheduled to be produced through March of 2007 - three months longer than originally announced.

The name for Saturn's new compact has not yet been decided, but it may carry over the Ion name, or it may simply use the Astra nameplate. Either way, customers can expect to get the full-on European experience, as the vehicle is expected to arrive from Europe largely unmolested by the same sort of American twiddling that has doomed similar efforts in the past.

In 2008, production is expected to move to a stateside facility - most likely GM's Lordstown plant, where the Cobalt and G5 are produced. This may provide an opportunity for some of the Astra's DNA to improve the existing Delta platform compacts, and we'd be quite pleased if a few of those supercharged Ecotecs were to find their way under the Astra's hood as part of Saturn's Red Line high-performance lineup.

[Source: Detroit Free Press; Nashville Business Journal]

Saturn's version of Opel Astra to hit next year; Ion gets stay of execution originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Aug 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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