2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Quick Drive
Earlier this year we brought you our preview of the upcoming 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, a new subcompact that's set to replace the Aveo duo this fall. Last week, we took our first quick spin in the Sonic, and even before we've spent seat time in a production-series car, we're sure Chevy's made a smart move sharing the Cruze's powertrains with its smaller, lighter sibling.
In case you're not adequately caffeinated enough to click one more link, the Sonic is a size class smaller than the Cruze, and a step up from the 2013 Spark minicar. The Spark completes the first lineup in Chevy history to cover every size segment, from mini to large sedans, and we'll bring you more on it once we score some seat time.
Size matters in the Sonic, because the subcompact class is dividing into two camps. There are cars sold as subcompacts that actually fit the EPA's definition of compact cars; the Nissan Versa, the Honda Fit and the new 2012 Hyundai Accent are the titans in this corner of Lilliput. At the other end of the scale, you'll find the Fiat 500 and Ford Fiesta, the upcoming Toyota Yaris, and the Sonic.
By the numbers, the Sonic is two inches narrower, six inches shorter and 500 pounds lighter than the Cruze, but carries the same choices of four-cylinder engines, either a 1.8-liter four with about 135 horsepower, or a turbocharged 1.4-liter four with 138 horsepower. The Sonic also has a choice of gearboxes in its tech portfolio, with five-speed manual and automatic transmissions paired with the less powerful four, and a six-speed manual on tap for turbo versions.
The turbocharged Sonic is the car Chevy made available to us, for a few loops around its Milford proving grounds--not on the track itself, but on the fractured, frost-heaved pavement that gives engineers a good idea of how the Sonic can handle the kind of road conditions that can kill the good road feel of any short-wheelbase small car. Without giving the final ribbons and trophies out just yet--everyone gets a ribbon or a trophy these days, right?--the Sonic materializes out of nowhere, and cuts short the cool-kid boasting the Fiesta and 500 have been doling out for most of this year.
The Fiesta's been a big target for the Sonic development team, says engineer John Buttermore, since the European versions have built such a reputation for pert handling. With a little smack-talking set aside, Buttermore says his team feels the Sonic's ride and handling beat the Fiesta, at least the Americanized version, for steering response and ride quality, all from a mechanically simple strut and torsion-beam setup.
Without a back-to-back comparison, it's still clear the Sonic has the Fiesta in its sights. Those stretches of public roads show the Sonic hasn't solved the great mystery of small-car handling over road splits as long, or longer, than the car's wheelbase itself. What overcomes the bump jumps is the Sonic's turbo thrust and the steering's deft response. Road feel filters in as well as any Chevy with electric power steering, and the suspension climbs back into the fight quickly, after each punch thrown at it by jags and dips in the pavement. On smooth stretches, it's composed, even with 17-inch wheels and tires--and the six-speed manual carves out sweet little pockets of boost in its lower ratios. If you're old enough to remember the last Suzuki Swift GT seen in North America, you'll be happy to hear that's the first car that comes to mind when figuring the Sonic's adroit feel.
The Sonic team is aiming for 40 mpg highway from the more efficient drivetrain, where the Fiesta hits 38 mpg in base trim. Both cars fight a war of attrition against their size: it's easier to get better fuel economy in longer cars because of their aerodynamics. Where the Sonic seems to have a hands-down victory is in wheelbase, about an inch and a half longer than the Fiesta--which translates into a bit more interior room, especially in the driver seat, where a deep, adjustable bucket seat on turbo models left me with about four inches of headroom to spare, and none of the center-console intrusion on leg space I've found in the Fiesta.
From the outside, we're calling it a draw, for now. The Fiesta has a spunky, smoother upkick to its sheetmetal. The Sonic's a bulldog, with chunky fenders squaring off against the road and a strong D-pillar on the hatchback aping the best of the hot Euro hatches. As short as it is, the Sonic looks a little bigger than the Fiesta, too--that's from the deep shoulder line that runs uninterrupted down the rear doors, minus any intruding door handles. They're hidden in the window trim, vertically, a clever styling touch. Inside, the textures and shapes on the dash are distinct even within the Chevy brand, and the motorcycle-ish gauge pack is a cool signature piece that could rescue digital gauges from our mental automotive scrap heap.
Our full drive of the Sonic won't come for a few more weeks, when we'll sample the base four-cylinder sedan and other versions. With the promise of ten airbags, USB and Bluetooth swag, even remote start and heated front seats, the Sonic has to be good to elevate its new name over the price leaders sticking it out in the subcompact class. It'll have to tackle the Fiesta at the knees, and convince Accent (and Veloster) and Fit shoppers that a little space is a fine sacrifice for lots more driving fun. And it has to overcome any lingering impressions buyers might have of the unloved Aveo, if any of them ever read about cars, study cars, or care about them before they buy one.Our quick spin makes us believe that's within reach.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Chrysler Lowering Prices On 2012 Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger & Journey
If you’re in the market for a 2012 Chrysler 200, a 2012 Dodge Avenger or a 2012 Dodge Journey, we have good news for you: all of these models will cost less than their 2011 equivalents, at least in base trim levels.
The 2012 Chrysler 200 and the 2012 Dodge Avenger will both start at $18,995, which is a difference of $250 compared to base 2011 models. That makes the Chrysler mid-size sedans cheaper than competitors such as the Suzuki Kizashi and the Kia Optima, and we couldn’t find any specific evidence of de-contenting on the 200 or Avenger. That’s not to say that Chrysler didn’t trim a few corners to save money, only that any changes are buried fairly deep on the build sheet.
The 2012 Dodge Journey gets a substantial price reduction on the base model, which now starts at $20,995, or $1,450 less than last year. Base model Journeys still come with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, and they still include five-passenger seating with a third-row as an available option. The price cut makes the entry-level Journey SE one of the lowest-priced mid-size crossovers on the market, beating out even the Kia Sorento, and we’re fairly sure that 2012 Journeys have a few less features than their 2011 counterparts (although Chrysler isn’t giving us specifics just yet).
This may seem like an odd time for Chrysler to lower prices, since used-car prices are up and most competitors are either raising new car prices or lowering sales incentives. We suspect it has a lot to do with moving inventory, since none of the discounted models have sold in sufficient quantities to make Chrysler happy.
The revamped-for-2011 Dodge Journey, for example, sold just 27,000 copies through the first six months of the year, which is only a five-percent increase over 2010’s dismal sales. On the plus side, the Journey is a hit in Europe, where’ it's sold as the Fiat Freemont.
Will lowering prices help Chrysler sell more units? Perhaps, but being perceived as the “least expensive” automaker isn’t always a good thing, either.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Reader Advice: What Car To Replace A 1997 Mazda Miata?
We get a lot of reader mail at High Gear Media, and we’re happy to report that very little of it involves threats of bodily harm. The most common question we get involves the purchase of a replacement vehicle, and reader Sondi Moore has reached out to us seeking advice on a replacement for a beloved 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Sondi’s car has racked up 200,000 miles on the odometer, and while it may not have any current problems, that’s about the time when multiple systems start to fail. One week it’s the clutch slave cylinder, followed by a pinhole leak in the radiator. Get those items fixed, and a wheel bearing is bound to fail. No matter how much affection you have towards a car, there’s always a time to cut your losses and move on to a newer model.
Sondi has a limited budget as well, and can’t spend more than $11,000 on reliable transportation. Still, that’s a decent amount to work with, and Sondi wants another compact car that’s fun to drive. With those primary factors in mind, below are the top five cars we’d recommend. Each is entertaining in its own way, each offers reasonable (or better than reasonable) handling and each can be found for less than $11,000 on the used market.
2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
If you love your 1997 Miata, Sondi, you’re really going to love the latest generation of Mazda’s classic roadster. The third-generation MX-5 has all the charm of your first-generation car, but with more horsepower, more interior room, more trunk space and, unfortunately, more weight. While the first generation cars were less-than-ideal as daily drivers, the latest generation manages to yield a better ride quality without sacrificing handling. Used examples are plentiful, and $11,000 is enough money to buy you a clean 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
2004 Acura RSX Type-S
We’ll go out on a limb and assume you know how to drive a manual transmission. If that’s the case, you’ll want to look at the latest model Acura RSX Type-S you can find within you budget, but we suspect it’ll be a 2004. The 2004 Acura RSX Type-S blended performance with a surprising amount of civility, but finding one that hasn’t been thoroughly abused may prove difficult. Look for cars that haven’t been “upgraded” to aftermarket exhausts, wheels or suspension kits by previous owners, since they’re generally signs that the car has been driven hard. If you can find a clean example, your money will buy you hatchback functionality, Acura reliability and the thrill of a 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine and six-speed gearbox that loves to be wound out. If you can’t drive a manual, or prefer the simplicity of an automatic for rush-hour commuting, opting for a Base RSX should allow you to get a newer car, maybe even a 2006. You’ll lose out on the horsepower of the RSX Type S, but even base model RSXs produced 160 horsepower.
2007 Scion tC
Few cars blend functionality, reliability and handling better than Scion’s tC series. In 2007, buyers could choose between the stripped-down Spec model, with its 16-inch wheels, glass roof and relatively plain interior; or the Base model, which came with 17-inch wheels, a sunroof and cruise control. Both models featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 160 horsepower and mated to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox. Used 2007 Scion tC Spec models should be well within your price range, and you may be able to find a 2007 Base models for under $11,000 if you look hard enough.
2006 Honda Civic Coupe
In keeping with the two-door theme, consider a 2006 Honda Civic. Your budget is a little light to afford a 2006 Honda Civic Si, but $11,000 should buy you a clean 2006 Honda Civic LX Coupe, and you may even find a more upscale EX Coupe in your budget. The Civic was redesigned for 2006 to a body style very similar to what Honda is selling today, so the car won’t look dated compared to others on out list (like the older Scion tC). Both the Civic LX and EX models are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 140 horsepower and available with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. The LX comes with 16-inch wheels, a CD player, cruise control and keyless entry, and the range-topping EX model adds more speakers, 17-inch wheels, a moonroof and a 60/40 split folding rear seat.
2007 Hyundai Tiburon
The Hyundai of 2007 wasn’t quite as industry-leading as the Hyundai of 2011, but the Korean automaker still turned out a solid product that delivered exceptional value for the money. In 2007, Hyundai’s didn’t get any sportier than the Tiburon Hatchback, and the Tiburon may just deliver more content for your dollar than any other car recommended above. Base GS models came powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 138 horsepower and mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Step up to the GT, GT Limited or SE models, and you’ll get a 2.7-liter V-6 engine good for 172 horsepower. The Tiburon is best viewed as a “sporty” car and not a sports car (like your current MX-5), but it returns a bit more civility and a lot more practicality than you’re used to. You may have a hard time finding an SE or GT Limited within your budget, but we’re pretty sure you can track down a GT model for under $11,000.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Former Auto Plant Worker Is New U.S. Poet Laureate
“Poetic” is certainly not the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe what it’s like to work in an automotive plant. And that makes the naming of Motor City native and former Ford factory worker Philip Levine as the new U.S. Poet Laureate all the more intriguing.
Levine was born in Detroit in 1928. In his youth, he worked at the Ford River Rouge plant making car parts. Which ones? In an interview with PBS, he says he never knew: “Usually, five people would take an enormous piece of hot steel, which four of us would hold with tongs, and put it into a huge press. What it was, I didn't know.”
After getting his undergraduate degree from Detroit’s Wayne University (now Wayne State University), he moved out of Detroit and away from the assembly lines, getting his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa and then heading out west to teach in California.
His first book of poetry, On the Edge, was published in 1963. More than three decades later, in 1995, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his book The Simple Truth.
On the announcement of his being named U.S. Poet Laureate, Librarian of Congress James Billington said, “Philip Levine is one of America's great narrative poets. His plainspoken lyricism has, for half a century, championed the art of telling The Simple Truth -- about working in a Detroit auto factory, as he has, and about the hard work we do to make sense of our lives."
[Detroit Free Press; image courtesy David Shankbone via Wikipedia]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2012 Hyundai Equus Trades iPad For Paper Manual
By almost anyone’s standards, the 2011 Hyundai Equus is an exceptional automobile at a near bargain-bin price. Depending upon the model you choose, you can even get a reclining and massaging rear passenger seat, as well as a rear beverage chiller and dedicated audio and climate controls. The same level of content would cost thousands more, or even tens of thousands more, if the Equus had a Lexus or Mercedes-Benz badge on the hood.
As content-rich and comfortable as the 2011 Hyundai Equus was, there’s no denying that one of its most innovative features was the included Apple iPad owner’s manual. Not only could you use it to show off the Equus’ features to your friends, but you could also use it to schedule service visits, make dinner reservations or even buy concert tickets (not while driving, of course). Try that with a paper owner’s manual.
Hyundai even chose to highlight the Equus’ unconventional owner’s manual in a TV spot, proving to customers that the brand once associated with disposable cars had matured into a forward-thinking automaker willing to challenge the status quo. The combination of content and value presented by the Equus proved to be a hit, and Hyundai grabbed a 5-percent share of the premium luxury sedan market in the Equus’ first year of sales.
Now comes word that the 2012 Hyundai Equus will be just a bit less innovative. Gone is the Apple iPad, replaced with a conventional paper-and-ink owner’s manual. From a financial perspective it’s not a big deal, since an Apple iPad can be bought for less than one percent of the cost of a new Hyundai Equus. From a value perspective, we say it’s noticeable: the iPad owner’s manual set the Equus apart, and showed that Hyundai was capable of thinking outside the box.
The 2012 Hyundai Equus will come with a larger and more powerful V-8, and, in Hyundai fashion, will likely include other updates to make it a better car than the 2011 version. Owners can still download an electronic owners manual, but now they’ll to supply their own iPad to do so. We can’t help but think that’s a step in the wrong direction.
[USA Today via MotorAuthority]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: Most Hated Car Of 2011?
There are a lot of great cars in showrooms these days -- and a lot of losers, too. Now, it seems that auto journos have unofficially dubbed one of those less-memorable rides to be the worst of all: the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet.
Even though the CrossCabriolet is fairly new to the marketplace, it's already received a mountain of bad press. Critics have attacked its poor performance ("a front-end shake that would mix a good daiquiri"), its steep price point (upwards of $46,000), and most of all, its distinctly weird appearance ("an artichoke on wheels").
A handful of folks have come to the CrossCab's rescue -- some of them women who seem to enjoy the high seating position and the vehicle's cushier creature comforts, like, well, a heated steering wheel. But nearly all of the CrossCab's saviors have been shouted down by reviewers who feel very strongly that the CrossCabriolet is a serious waste of consumer's money (not to mention the dough that Nissan spent developing it).
Our own Bengt Halvorson does his best to be kind to the poor thing, but he can't help calling it a "head-scratcher" with "some strange proportions, to put it kindly". He tries to cut the CrossCab some slack for being delayed by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, but it's impossible not to compare it to much better luxury rides.
In the CrossCabriolet's defense, we should point out that the model is so new that few folks have had the chance to see it up close -- much less drive it. Public opinion may even out down the road, just as it did for the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour. (Remember the hate being leveled that that one?) That said, the CrossCab seems far more ungainly than the Crosstour, so maybe it's beyond saving.
Of course, we're not even halfway through August, so there's still plenty of time for the Murano CrossCab to get booted from its bottom berth. (At least, that's what Nissan keeps telling itself.) Do you agree with journalists' assessments? Is the CrossCab the bottom of the barrel? Or do you see something far more hideous slouching toward your local showroom? Let us know in the comments below, or on The Car Connection's Facebook page.
[CNN]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Hungry For Sales, Mitsubishi Expands AWD Lancer Offerings
In 2011, buying an all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Lancer required you to purchase either the high-performance 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or its slightly detuned stable mate, the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Both are fine cars, but their high-strung turbocharged engines and stiff suspensions limit their appeal to those focused on performance, not grocery-getting or commuting. The price of admission for either all-wheel-drive Lancer was steep, too, since the less expensive Lancer Ralliart started at just under $28,500 before options were added.
That’s quite a stretch from the base Lancer’s starting price of around $16,000, and Mitsubishi knows that it's losing sales because of it. For 2012, the Japanese automaker is adding a new SE model to the Lancer product line, and the car will feature all-wheel drive at a sticker price of around $20,000. That money won’t buy a turbocharged engine or sport suspension, but it will give those looking for an all-wheel-drive compact sedan an alternative to Subaru and Suzuki.
Mitsubishi is scrambling to increase sales in the United States, and it hopes to hit unit sales of 73,000 vehicles in the current fiscal year. That’s a far cry from the company’s sales peak in 2007, when Mitsubishi sold nearly 129,000 vehicles in the United States. Sales haven’t been helped by Mitsubishi’s odd stance on their flagship Lancer Evolution, either; after hinting that the current model may be the end of the line, the automaker reversed course and said that the Lancer Evolution may be advanced in a “different direction” as “market needs and demands change.”
[Automotive News (subscription required)]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Ford Unveils Limited Edition 2012 Harley-Davidson F-150
Sturgis, S.D. is a holy land for Harley fans, so it made perfect sense that Ford chose that gritty city as the place to unveil its new, limited edition Harley-Davidson F-150 pickup.
Custom motorcycles are a common sight at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which is taking place through August 14, and Ford made sure its new truck fit in there with some very interesting elements. Standout features include wild snakeskin leather interior accents and an innovative new bodyside graphics package.
The new F-150 is also bold under the hood. The truck sports a 6.2-liter V-8 powerplant with best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque. That package gives it a max trailer towing capability of 7,500 pounds.
"This is a great pairing of two icons of the open road: Ford and Harley-Davidson. Both brands appeal to truck owners and motorcycle enthusiasts alike," said Marc Lapine, Ford F-150 marketing manager. "For 2012 we worked with Harley-Davidson to continue to push the styling envelope while still delivering the durability and power that F-150 is known for and that our collective customers expect. It perfectly captures both brands."
The two iconic brands have had a very successful relationship, selling more than 70,000 Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series trucks since hooking up in 1999.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
U.S. To Have Greater Voice In VW Product Development, New SUV Planned
It’s no secret auto giant Volkswagen is still a small fish in the all-important U.S. market, but the automaker is determined to alleviate the issue, going so far as to develop distinct models aimed squarely at American customers.Volkswagen’s sales tally for the U.S. in 2010 topped just 256,830 vehicles, whereas its global tally reached more than 6 million. Moreover, sales of its SUV models in the U.S. topped just 25,659 in 2010 when Americans bought up more than 3.3 million SUVs and crossovers during the year. Certainly, the automaker has a lot of ground to cover.
Now, with Volkswagen pushing its own aggressive strategy to triple its U.S. sales by 2018, the same year CEO Martin Winterkorn wants the automaker to be the world’s biggest, the pressure to gain sales in the U.S. is now more important than ever.
However, VW does have a few aces up its sleeve.
The first is a key strategy to start building vehicles American customers want. It started with the 2011 Jetta, which kept a distinct German flavor in its styling but was specced and priced lower than its predecessor.
This brought customers to dealerships who previously considered the brand too expensive--and it’s working. Volkswagen managed to move 17,105 Jettas in the U.S. in the month of June alone.
The second key strategy was to build a plant in the U.S. By building locally, the automaker not only benefits from lower currency fluctuations, but it also gives consumers the image that VW supports America, fully putting it in the heart of mainstream consumers.
This new plant in Tennessee will start churning out a new generation 2012 Passat, which like the Jetta, has been specced lower than the previous model and is now right in line with its Toyota Camry and Honda Accord rivals in terms of price.
It goes on sale this fall.
As revealed during a recent interview with Terry Johnsson, Volkswagen’s U.S. sales chief, the Passat will be followed by a new SUV, most likely larger than the Tiguan but still considered small to mid-size. It is expected to arrive sometime next year. If the strategy proves successful, this will be followed by a larger SUV, likely with third-row seating.
Importantly, both models will be priced below their respective comparable current offerings, the Tiguan and Touareg. However, product characteristics should ensure they remain true VW vehicles.
Further down the track, all future VWs sold in this country will be developed more so with the U.S. customer in mind, with everything from dimensions to drivetrains and interiors being put under the spotlight.
The U.S remains the most transparent market in the eyes of Volkswagen, and the one toughest to crack, but with customers responding well to the new Jetta, and the same expected for the upcoming Passat, it looks like Volkswagen is finally on a winning strategy.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2012 Toyota Yaris To Debut At…Lollapalooza
While the new Toyota Yaris has been revealed in other markets, the U.S. has had to wait. The waiting will end soon: Toyota announced on its Facebook fan page that the new 2012 Yaris will make its debut at Lollapalooza.
We've seen the spy shots, and heard the rumors of a hybrid model, but to this point nothing has been confirmed in the way of specifications or pricing for the new Yaris. It's expected to launch with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission standard, with an automatic optional.
The 2012 Yaris launched with a key emphasis on infotainment technology in Europe, and the U.S. version should be no different. Toyota's Touch & Go infotainment system features a 6.1-inch touchscreen which controls everything from mobile apps to the navigation system on Euro models, and it seems likely some infotainment system will bow on the American-market version, too.
Stay tuned for further details regarding the 2012 Toyota Yaris.
[Facebook]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
