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.

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

It's not so much that the Nissan Murano returned to the market in 2009 completely redesigned, it's that it's so much improved, it's bound to rise in class in style and consumer preference rankings.

The redesign retained its attractive qualities while making some key improvements to keep this sporty crossover more than competitive with the top-selling crossovers like the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Toyota Highlander. The Murano is sporty in its handling, but with its highly responsive powertrain, it's a smooth ride.

While the cargo space behind the second row is smaller that some rivals and some rear visibility is compromised, the improvements more than make up for its drawbacks. An upgraded, luxury-feel cabin and key mechanical refinements further its appeal.

You can take a 2009 Nissan Murano home for between $28,500 and $32,800.

Link: http://carreviewsonline.net/scion_xb_car_review.shtml

Analysts give the Scion xB mixed reviews, but owners sure love this car. Toyota (Scion's parent car company) released this vehicle in 2004, shocking audiences with its drastically boxy style and won over the younger segment with it's distinctive playfulness. But being hip isn't what it's all about. The Scion xB is quite practical.

It's spacious enough for four adults and a whole lot of cargo, and is and affordable option to its competitor, the Honda Element, beginning at $15,750. However, with the aerodynamics of a toaster, fuel efficiency isn't one of its high points (24 mpg average). Its 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower four-cylider engine enables the Scion xB to pick up quickly from full stops.

With all the funky interior design, special features and abundant add-on options, Scion's youthful target demographic should be pleased with the xB. It's not a bad little wagon.

The buzz with alternative fuel vehicles is all about performance. Sure, a zero-emissions vehicle is great, but if it takes me 10 minutes to get to 60 mph, what’s it worth? The Tesla Roadster has proven that well-designed eco-vehicles will sell—at any price. The Honda FC Sport concept took the hydrogen fuel cell technology already developed for the Honda FCX Clarity and pushed it to sport performance level.

The downside? It’s a concept. We hope Honda doesn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one when it comes to production. The world needs alternative fuel vehicles that don’t look like grandma’s boring, errand-running, stubby sedan.

BYD Auto nosed out ahead of General Motors (GM), Toyota and Nissan on Dec. 15 by debuting China’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid, the F3DM. Though it’s not much to look at and has a rather forgettable name, it’s an impressive step forward for hybrids, the auto industry and China.

The F3DM gets juiced from a normal electricity outlet and pushes up to 60 mph in a respectable 10 seconds, also runs up to 60 miles on electricity before gas power kicks in. It’s not a sports car, to say the least; the F3DM feels much more like the conservative Toyota Camry inside and out, and starts at $22,000. Also its near-silent engine adds to the impressive driving experience, heightening awareness of the wind and humming tires sounds.

Warren Buffet (MidAmerican Energy, controlled by Berkshire Hathaway) invested $231 million in BYD a short time ago to charge the electric car into the American market by 2010, clueing in analysts in China’s potential in developing environmentally-friendly cars.

However, what BYD faces in implementing the F3DM hybrid car is the weak infrastructure in China. Most people live in large apartment buildings where recharging plug-in stations are extremely scarce.