Archive for the ‘Car Reviews’ Category

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Honda Odyssey

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

2011 Honda Odyssey

The current Honda Odyssey is one of the oldest entries in the minivan segment. The model was in need of an update, and for 2011, a redesigned, modernized Odyssey is hitting the streets. This new hauler solves one of the inconveniences large families face: It has an expandable second row that can fit three large child-safety seats. Almost everything is better than the previous model, according to senior editor David Thomas, and the 2011 shows off Honda’s high level of interior quality.

Our family-oriented blog, MotherProof.com, has its own take on the new Odyssey. Senior editor Kristin Varela was wowed by the 2011 Odyssey’s well-planned interior that has a cool box for cans or bottles, a rear entertainment system with a widescreen video display and 15 – yes, 15! – cupholders.

Cars.com’s 2011 Honda Odyssey Review

MotherProof.com’s 2011 Honda Odyssey Preview

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Going on for almost three months now, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee remains the week’s most popular review on Cars.com. As the Chevrolet Cruze approaches its official on-sale date, we see that review crawling back up the charts, now at No. 5. We have no new introductions to the top 10 this week, but two vehicles return: the 2011 Honda CR-Z and 2010 Honda CR-V, which bumped off the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and 2011 Porsche Cayenne for now.

1.   2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 

2.   2010 Subaru Forester 

3.   2010 Subaru Outback 

4.   2011 Hyundai Sonata 

5.   2011 Chevrolet Cruze 

6.   2011 Kia Sorento 

7.   2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 

8.   2011 Scion tC 

9.   2011 Honda CR-Z 

10. 2010 Honda CR-V

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Lincoln MKT

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

2011 Lincoln MKT

Now in its second model year, the 2011 Lincoln MKT is still pretty much as good as it gets in the eyes of Cars.com senior editor David Thomas. Despite a somewhat compromised driving position for taller drivers, a third-row seat that’s usable only for children and an interior that doesn’t quite match its Acura or Buick competitors, David still sees how some, including himself, could love the MKT’s eccentricities. Continue reading to see if the MKT’s unconventional nature will work for you.

2011 Lincoln MKT Review

2011|Lincoln|MKT

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

2010 Buick LaCrosse

For the 10th week in a row, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee lands the top spot as the most-read review on Cars.com. We have two new introductions to the top 10: the 2011 Scion tC at No. 3 and the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at No. 10. MotherProof.com’s recent review of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse brings that vehicle back on the list at No. 9. The 2011 Ford Mustang and 2010 Nissan Murano have fallen off the list for now.

1.   2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2.   2010 Subaru Forester

3.   2011 Scion tC

4.   2010 Subaru Outback

5.   2011 Kia Sorento

6.   2011 Hyundai Sonata

7.   2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

8.   2011 Chevrolet Cruze

9.   2010 Buick LaCrosse

10. 2011 Porsche Cayenne

2010 Acura TSX: Love/Hate

Friday, August 27th, 2010
2010AcuraTSX

I've had the opportunity to drive a few luxury sedans over the past

month, making it easier than usual to see how the Acura TSX stacks up

against its competitors. After spending some time in the more expensive

Infiniti G37x recently, I wasn't expecting to be wowed by the TSX. The

V-6 engine in our test car, however, won me over.



Love: V-6 Performance

The TSX looked nice enough at first glance. The exterior is sleek, and

the interior is well-appointed without being fussy. Before I realized

this car had a V-6, I figured the driving experience would be similarly

understated. What I discovered is that this car can move. Acceleration

to highway speeds was incredibly smooth and made merging onto the

interstate fun. What I initially thought of as a straightforward luxury

sedan began to look a whole lot more sporty to me. The V-6 engine

increases the price significantly, though, so shoppers may want to keep

that in mind when comparing cars in this segment.

2010acuratsxscreen



Hate: Digital Display

The center LCD screen in the TSX can be used to display satellite radio,

CD and iPod information, assuming the driver isn't using the navigation

screen. If the navigation screen is in use, you're stuck with a narrow

digital display bar below the screen that is crammed with the time,

cabin temperature and satellite radio station number, among other

information. Unless you've memorized the station guide, it may take a

minute to ascertain exactly what station or song you're listening to.

Sure, it's a minor inconvenience (or major nuisance if Miley Cyrus'

music makes you see spots), but other systems have a nice split-screen

that shows both map and stereo information.



2010 Acura TSX Review

2010 Acura TSX: Love/Hate

Friday, August 27th, 2010
2010AcuraTSX
I've had the opportunity to drive a few luxury sedans over the past
month, making it easier than usual to see how the Acura TSX stacks up
against its competitors. After spending some time in the more expensive
Infiniti G37x recently, I wasn't expecting to be wowed by the TSX. The
V-6 engine in our test car, however, won me over.

Love: V-6 Performance
The TSX looked nice enough at first glance. The exterior is sleek, and
the interior is well-appointed without being fussy. Before I realized
this car had a V-6, I figured the driving experience would be similarly
understated. What I discovered is that this car can move. Acceleration
to highway speeds was incredibly smooth and made merging onto the
interstate fun. What I initially thought of as a straightforward luxury
sedan began to look a whole lot more sporty to me. The V-6 engine
increases the price significantly, though, so shoppers may want to keep
that in mind when comparing cars in this segment.
2010acuratsxscreen

Hate: Digital Display
The center LCD screen in the TSX can be used to display satellite radio,
CD and iPod information, assuming the driver isn't using the navigation
screen. If the navigation screen is in use, you're stuck with a narrow
digital display bar below the screen that is crammed with the time,
cabin temperature and satellite radio station number, among other
information. Unless you've memorized the station guide, it may take a
minute to ascertain exactly what station or song you're listening to.
Sure, it's a minor inconvenience (or major nuisance if Miley Cyrus'
music makes you see spots), but other systems have a nice split-screen
that shows both map and stereo information.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Friday, August 27th, 2010

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most recognizable luxury cars on the road. This current incarnation came to fruition more than four years ago, making it a proverbial fossil in the luxury class, yet the S-Class remains one of the most competitive and popular players in the segment, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. Kelsey does fault an inconsistent accelerator pedal, but overall you get the level of sophistication and comfort you’d expect from a $90,000 price tag. Continuing reading to find out how the evaluated all-wheel-drive S550 fares against competition from the Jaguar XJ, BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. 

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review

2010|Mercedes-Benz|S-Class

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

2010 Nissan Murano

For the ninth week, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee lands as the most-read review on Cars.com. The 2011 Chevy Cruze fell four spots, from third to seventh. The perennial mainstays on the top 10, the 2010 Subaru Forester and Outback, notched up to second place and sixth place, respectively. New this week is the 2010 Nissan Murano, which was recently reviewed by our friends at MotherProof.com, bumping the 2010 Honda CR-V out of the top 10 for now. 

1.   2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 

2.   2010 Subaru Forester 

3.   2011 Ford Fiesta 

4.   2011 Kia Sorento 

5.   2011 Hyundai Sonata 

6.   2010 Subaru Outback 

7.   2011 Chevrolet Cruze 

8.   2010 Nissan Murano 

9.   2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 

10  2011 Ford Mustang

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Scion tC

Friday, August 20th, 2010

2011 Scion tC
For 2011, Scion finally got around to redesigning its most popular model, the Scion tC. The new model is quicker, more fuel efficient and has more cargo and passenger space compared with the outgoing 2010 model. Still, the new tC has its faults, like a stiff ride and so-so interior, which is unfortunate because the previous model was toward the top of its class in both respects, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. Is the new tC still a better choice compared to the Kia Forte Koup, Honda Civic coupe or Volkswagen Golf? Continue reading to find out. 

2011 Scion tC Review

2011|Scion|tC

Cars.com Video: 2010 Dodge Caliber

Thursday, August 19th, 2010
For 2010, the Dodge Caliber received an all-new interior that is more refined and cohesive than the outgoing model’s. According to Cars.com editor Bill Jackson, you still won’t mistake the inside of a Caliber with a Mercedes, at least in the Uptown trim level he tested, but overall the interior is finally up to snuff with the rest of the class. The Caliber is the smallest and most affordable Dodge in the lineup, so how does it stack up against other fun-to-drive hatchbacks? What the video to find out more.

2010|Dodge|Caliber