Autoblog

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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New York 2010: Volkswagen Mid-Size Sedan to launch with TDI in 2011

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen New Mid-Size Sedan - Click above for high-res image

During yesterday's North American debut of the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid at the New York Auto Show, VW's North American CEO, Stefan Jacoby, let slip that the yet-to-be-named Passat replacement - currently known as the "New Mid-Size Sedan" (NMS) - will be available with a diesel in both the U.S. and Canada when it goes on sale in 2011.

Production of the NMS is set to begin within the next year at the automaker's new Chattanooga, Tennessee facility, and it's all but assured that the mill will be the same 2.0-liter diesel four-pot currently outputting 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque in the Jetta TDI.

Details on the sedan are scant, but Jacoby reiterated that the NMS will be Volkswagen's most focused push into the mid-size segment, where it is set to do battle with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. With a launch this important, it's no wonder that the company is still debating names.

New York 2010: Volkswagen Mid-Size Sedan to launch with TDI in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

Chris Paukert — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai, South Korea

Latest 2011 Hyundai Sonata Spy Shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

What you're gawking at appear to be the first undisguised images of Hyundai's forthcoming Sonata sedan caught by the folks at Hyundai Blog during what appears to be a photo shoot (check out the interior cutaway above), likely in its home market of Korea (check out the badging on the decklid).

If only in looks and not in price, the 2011 Sonata appears to be making a concerted move for the premium end of the midsize swimming pool, what with its more rakish roofline and expressive design. We've heard for some time that the Sonata was to gain a four-door coupe profile and more assertive fascias front and rear, and these dark, grainy photos cinch those details for us, although the car's aesthetics don't appear to be so radical as to be off-putting or even terribly divisive. Without looking too hard, we can see little bits of various competitors in the model's design, but overall the Sonata still manages to look quite fresh.

We'll have to wait until we see the car in the metal for ourselves to pass judgment (or at least get a gander at a few higher-quality photographs - especially a dead-on profile), but thus far, we continued to be encouraged why what we see. Check out the not-so-high-res images in the small gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

[Source: Hyundai Blog]

Spy Shots: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus - Now with undisguised interior!

Chris Paukert — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Ford

Click either image for a high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Taurus spy shots

Late last week we clued you in to some spy shots of the 2010 Ford Taurus, and now that more mules are circulating frigid greater Detroit, we've got a whole set of even more revealing snaps. These KGP photos of a different prototype shed even more light on the Blue Oval's pivotal new sedan, including the first undisguised shot of the all-new interior.

Beyond the obvious jelly-bean camouflage, it should be noted that these up-close images reveal that Ford's anti-spyshot posse has done a commendable job of altering the shape of the light clusters with tape, particularly in the tail lamp area. We particularly like the nod to the new Nissan 370Z headlamp shape up front.

The big news, however, is inside where we see the Taurus taking a decidedly upscale tack thanks to premium-look materials and a twin cowl dashboard design. Notable highlights on this prototype include dual-zone HVAC controls, oversized chrome-ringed air vents (which should help cut down on fan noise), a Sony branded stereo system and a substantial looking gearshift selector. Be sure to click on the gallery below for the high-res experience of Ford's next Taurus.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus

Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus - Now with undisguised interior! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Mercedes E-Class coming this September

Dan Roth — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes is moving beyond the neo-retro theme it's cultivated for its E-Class middle child. The C-Class has established some new familial cues with its recent redesign, and Autocar is reporting that the E-Class will expand on those themes. Tauter, edgier, and crisper are the words used to describe the new look, and Autocar's rendering certainly backs up its statement. The attendant increase in bulk that seems to plague each new generation will hopefully be held in check by further use of weight-saving construction techniques and materials.

Powering the new E-Class will be the 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection (E35), as well as newly revised V8s. Based on the current 4.5- and 5.5-liter V8s (M273), the new versions will pick up direct injection, as well as efficiency and performance tweaks. More exciting, perhaps, will be a hybrid model by 2010, and BLUETEC diesels. With a mileage target of 47 mpg, the hybrid is not likely to follow the "V12 performance with V8 consumption" model of the Lexus LS, but will still do that Benz thing; get you there stylishly ,safe and comfortably cosseted.

[Source: Autocar, Rendering: DeLuisi]

New Mercedes E-Class coming this September originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So long, friend: Ford producing the last Taurus next week

John Neff — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:13:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Sedan, Ford

It's twisted and a bit pathetic, but I will be shedding a tear next week in honor of the Ford Taurus officially and finally going out of production. It had a 21-year run that in retrospect is the longest fall from grace in history. During that time Ford sold 7 million Tauruses and another 2 million Mercury Sables. Since January 1st of this year, however, Ford had halted sales of the Taurus to the public, accepting orders only from fleet and rental companies. Despite that, the Taurus remained Ford's best selling passenger car almost every month this year, selling more units than the Focus and even the red hot Mustang. The Taurus saved Ford when it was introduced in 1985 and immediately sold 263,000 units during that first year. That number would rise to 410,000 units in 1992 when the Taurus overtook the Honda Accord to become the best selling passenger car in the U.S., a title it held for five straight years.

We've been talking a lot around here lately about what mistakes Ford has made in the past that are responsible for its current dire straits. Perhaps the single biggest one is abandoning the Taurus. Ford knew the controversial redesign of the third generation Taurus wasn't going to recapture the passenger car sales crown from the Toyota Camry, and SUV sales at the time were beginning to gain momentum. Rather than reinvest in the car, Ford spent the next ten years pissing away the good name of the Taurus by abandoning development on the car or a competitive replacement, as well as not bothering to market the car responsible for saving the company in the mid-Eighties.

Workers at Ford's plant in Hapeville, GA are particularly upset over the Taurus being discontinued, not just because the plant will be closed and they'll be unemployed, but also because the team had become a world class workforce, even raising quality levels at the plant after Ford announced it would be closed. Mark Fields, Ford's current President of the Americas, admits even he doesn't understand how the company strayed so far from the Taurus. He also claims he's attempting to lead Ford's current turnaround with appealing new products, just like the Taurus led the turnaround back in 1985. We're sorry Mr. Fields, but the impact of the original Taurus is unlikely to be matched by anything in the Blue Oval pipeline right now.

[Source: Yahoo News]

So long, friend: Ford producing the last Taurus next week originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Auto Show: 2007 Hyundai Elantra

John Neff — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 00:57:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Hyundai

The new 2007 Hyundai Elantra is the seventh new product from Hyundai in the last two years. The all-new midsize (that's a new EPA classification thanks to 112.1 cubic feet of interior volume) gets Hyundai's now traditional battery of safety equipment including six airbags, ABS brakes and front-seat active head restraints. The new lines echo the company's recent design philosophy of restrained expression. While some might call that boring, others will see the new Elantra as more mature in appearance than its predecessors. The bigger dimensions allow for an interior that's larger than the inner sanctums of the Civic, Corolla and even the Acura TL. It's clear that Hyundai is aiming the Elantra directly at both Japanese small sedans and will likely undercut them in price by a large margin.

We'll have to wait until later in the day to bring you more specifics on the Elantra's hardware, so in the meantime you can feast on more pics and Hyundai's pre-show press release after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading New York Auto Show: 2007 Hyundai Elantra

New York Auto Show: 2007 Hyundai Elantra originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 00:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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