Battle Royale: GM vs. Chrysler
Oct 27, 2008
- Chevy Cobalt vs. Dodge Caliber
- Let's be honest - neither of these small cars are a threat to segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The Cobalt is more of a traditional small car offered in sedan and coupe variants, while the Caliber is a bit quirky with a five-door hatchback layout. Both also offer souped-up versions in the form of the Cobalt SS Turbo and Caliber SRT-4. Which would survive if GM and Chrysler merged? Likely the Cobalt, because Chevy will be replacing it with the more competitive 2011 Cruze, while Chrysler has no known plans for even redesigning the Caliber, let alone replacing it altogether with something better.
WINNER: Chevy Cobalt
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- Chevy Cobalt vs. Dodge Caliber
- Let's be honest - neither of these small cars are a threat to segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The Cobalt is more of a traditional small car offered in sedan and coupe variants, while the Caliber is a bit quirky with a five-door hatchback layout. Both also offer souped-up versions in the form of the Cobalt SS Turbo and Caliber SRT-4. Which would survive if GM and Chrysler merged? Likely the Cobalt, because Chevy will be replacing it with the more competitive 2011 Cruze, while Chrysler has no known plans for even redesigning the Caliber, let alone replacing it altogether with something better.
WINNER: Chevy Cobalt
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- Pontiac G6 vs. Dodge Avenger
- The Dodge Avenger is an ugly duckling, but unfortunately the car's fit-and-finish, driving dynamics and fuel efficiency don't pick up the slack for its sorry face. The Avenger loses out to every car in this segment, so the Pontiac G6 just has to show up to win. It does more than that, though, and offers buyers an assortment of variants including a sedan, coupe and hard- or soft-top convertible, as well as a high-performance GXP variant. The Avenger just needs to go away, and if a GM-Chrysler merger accomplishes that, we're all for it.
WINNER: Pontiac G6
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- Chevy HHR vs. Chrysler PT Cruiser
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- Saturn VUE vs. Jeep Patriot
- Both the Saturn VUE and Jeep Patriot are average CUVs struggling for sales in an overcrowded segment. The recently redesigned VUE is a marked improvement over its predecessor and offers a high-performance Red Line version and two hybrids - the VUE Green Line and upcoming VUE 2 Mode Hybrid. While the Patriot lacks choice compared to the VUE, it offers what many buyers have always wanted - an efficient, comfortable Jeep. It's the spiritual successor to the classic Cherokee, and with a brand new interior for 2009, it narrowly wins out over the new VUE.
WINNER: Jeep Patriot
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- Chevy Tahoe vs. Dodge Durango
- The Chevy Tahoe and Dodge Durango are not direct competitors, but Chrysler doesn't make a true full-size SUV. The Durango, however, has grown in size over the years and now offers three rows of seating like the Tahoe. That said, the Tahoe practically invented the modern day full-size SUV. Both now offer hybrid models, which in fact use the same drivetrain developed jointly by GM, Chrysler and BMW. The Tahoe, however, can be had with a new slick-shifting and efficient six-speed automatic. It's also larger and, frankly, just looks better than the Durango. If you still need a large SUV to haul your family and tow heavy toys, the Tahoe is your clear choice here.
WINNER: Chevy Tahoe
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- Chevy Colorado vs. Dodge Dakota
- Not many segments in the auto industry have shrunk faster than mid-size pickups. At this point, buyers can upgrade to a larger half-ton pickup with heavy incentives for the same price. Both the Chevy Colorado and Dodge Dakota are also now aged designs with old powertrains that are in need of replacement. We'd nix both of them, but if forced to choose would keep the Dakota. It was the original mid-size pickup when other brands were selling pint-sized mini trucks like the Chevy S-10. Dodge stuck to its guns and kept evolving the Dakota into a competent mid-size truck for the person who can't stand a big rig like the Ram.
WINNER: Dodge Dakota
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- Chevy Camaro vs. Dodge Challenger
- There will be a large number of you who disagree with our choice here regardless, so let's just get it out there in the open. The Camaro should stay and the Challenger should go. While Dodge nailed the Challenger's retro styling better than both Ford and Chevy, the fact remains that it's over-priced and has a family sedan interior that doesn't match its muscle car body. The Camaro is the only pony car with a chance against the Mustang in the marketplace, and it brings sexy styling, a true retro interior, great engines across all models and the proven rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform to the table. The Challenger just can't compete with that.
WINNER: Chevy Camaro
