Car Reviews

Link: http://www.carreviewsonline.net/smart_fortwo.shtml

What’s amazing about the tiny, sprightly Smart ForTwo subcompact car isn’t just that it sips gas (around 35-40 mpg), or makes parallel parking a breeze (being just under 100 inches long), it’s that it doesn’t feel small.

Sitting in the driver seat you all but forget that the bumper is just two feet behind you. And not to mention its incredible safety ratings, but the cute, little thing will protect you as good (if not better) as much larger vehicles.

Drawbacks? The trip from 0-60 mph takes an estimated 12.8 seconds. That, folks, is slow. However, the Smart ForTwo is designed for metropolitan areas where parking is sparse and maneuvering through thick traffic is a must. Also, the automatic transmission takes more than enough moving from gear to gear making a quick getaway pretty much impossible.

The Smart car ForTwo isn’t for everyone, but it can appeal to a good number of drivers. And maybe in future models they’ll get that gearbox fixed to appeal to more of us.

Have you driven a Smart ForTwo? Do you own one? Share your opinions here.

The cars in the first round of Honda’s limited production of the FCX Clarity, an advanced hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, have been spoken for. In fact, only qualified customers in Irvine, Santa Monica and Torrance had the remote opportunity to take one home.

Producing this alternative fuel vehicle is a significant effort in mainstreaming hydrogen fuel-cell cars. The technology is a few steps beyond current hybrids, and the body style isn’t unattractive. Those who were lucky enough to grab one are paying no less than $600 per month lease.

While the modest introductory release may not seem quite “fair” to the rest of the country, the availability to refuel the FCX Clarity is even more limited!

With its sticker price at $19,035, the new 2009 Ford Fusion is the best yet—sporting some cool features including tight handling, cell phone interface and MP3 sync, and stability control. However, old-school stereo controls and a low-power engine hold the Ford Fusion from being the top player in the midsize sedan category.

Also for 2009, the Ford Fusion is going Hybrid (unveiled at the LA Auto Show on Nov. 18), obviously pointing competition at the Toyota Camry Hybrid, boasting of 40 mph and running up to 47 mph on electric power alone.