April 2008
Highs & lows from the last year of testing
HIGHS
GM got it right with its new trio of three-row SUVs: the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook (right). They're agile, comfortable, and roomy. Another success: the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu sedan.
The much-improved Cadillac CTS gave its German rivals, the BMW 328i and Mercedes-Benz C300, a wake-up call, outscoring both in our recent sport-sedan test.
The new clean-diesel Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec scored among the best luxury cars we've tested while delivering an excellent 29 mpg overall. That's 8 mpg better than its gas sibling, the E350.
Good, inexpensive rear backup cameras are showing up on more models, including the Ford F-150, Honda Odyssey, Mazda CX-9, and Toyota Highlander, Prius, and Sequoia. With these, there's no need to buy an expensive navigation system to get an effective safety aid.
Stability control, a proven lifesaver, isn't mandated for all cars until 2012. Still, some inexpensive models already offer it: the Hyundai Elantra SE (right) and Sonata, Kia Rondo, Mazda3, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4, and Volkswagen Jetta and Rabbit, among others. But it can be hard to get on some family sedans. To get ESC on the nonhybrid Nissan Altima, for example, you need to buy a V6 model with options that bring the price to more than $30,000. The Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ don't offer ESC at all.
LOWS
Several new models from Chrysler have underwhelmed us. Jeep's new Patriot (right) and redesigned Liberty SUVs are saddled with cheap-looking and uncomfortable interiors, and are too noisy and slow to be competitive with most small SUVs. And where do we begin with the disappointing Dodge Avenger sedan? With a stiff ride, uncomfortable seats, poor fit and finish, and limited visibililty, it ranks near the bottom of the family-sedan class.
The freshened Ford Escape XLT V6 we tested now comes with better fuel economy and standard stability control, which aids its emergency handling. But its braking distances are among the longest of any vehicle we've recently tested, especially on wet pavement. (Ford has promised revisions for 2009.)
In an effort to be visually distinctive, more models are being designed with small windows and wide roof pillars. But that often creates huge blind zones that limit a driver's outward view. We've recently seen this in the Buick Enclave, Dodge Avenger (right) and Nitro, and Scion xB.
Intended as a powerful sport/luxury sedan, the $60,000 GS450h doesn't live up to its "sport" or "luxury" billing. And its 340-hp hybrid powertrain is designed to optimize performance rather than fuel economy; its 23 overall mpg is only 1 mpg better than the equally quick BMW 535i.
