The HUMMER H3 SUV is a mid-sized, five-passenger sport utility vehicle that carries the military-inspired design cues and off-road capabilities of the HUMMER H1 and H2, but puts them in a smaller, more affordable package.
The base H3 is powered by a 242-hp 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine and a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The H3 Alpha features a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8 power for increased towing capacity and quicker acceleration. Standard safety features include: anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, frontal and curtain side-impact airbags, OnStar and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Heated leather power seats, navigation system, Monsoon sound system, chrome exterior trim, power sunroof, rearview camera and an Off-Road Package are available options.
For 2010, the H3X trim has been dropped, and the available V8 engine is now flexible fuel.
The M3 was first launched in 1986 by M GmbH who took what they learned on the race track to develop a high-performance street car that lives up to its motorsports heritage.
The M3 is powered by a high-revving 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 414 horsepower. All that power is driven through the rear wheels via two different transmissions, a six-speed manual or a seven-speed double-clutch, and a variable differential lock. High-performance anti-lock brakes with cross-drilled discs work with electronic stability control and M sport suspension to keep things under control. Available options include electronic damping control, 19-inch forged alloy wheels, navigation system, heated seats, various dash trim choices such as aluminum, wood or leather, BMW Assist, satellite radio, USB audio adapter and park distance control.
For 2010, HD Radio has been added as standard equipment.
The Volvo C70 is a four-seater convertible with brilliant styling and elegant lines, and the retractable hardtop is an engineering masterpiece.
The C70 only comes in one model, the hardtop convertible. It is powered by a 227-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine matched with a six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic is optional. Safety features include electronic stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution. In addition to the required front airbags, there are side airbags in front, and air curtains which activate upwards from the doors, even with the windows rolled down. The Rollover Protection System, a pop-up rollbar, is activated by a "pyrotechnic charge", which will smash the rollbars through the glass if the roof is up.
For a long time, worrying about Jaguar was the only sensible thing to do. While it was never exactly clear if the marque had (ever) achieved profitability, we enthusiasts were only too happy to give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, the English automaker serially gifted us with watershed designs. Sublime mechanical creatures like the E- and D-Type sports cars, as well as the curvacious Mark II and original XJ. How could we not be totally and utterly smitten? Yet somehow, the once proud automaker eventually found itself adrift in mediocrity, turning out maligned and slow-selling products with an unpleasant odor of unreliability as the money began to run dry. When the then Ford-owned brand launched headlong into its "democratization of luxury" strategy that resulted in the lamentable 2001 X-Type and serious talk of an SUV, well, we couldn't help but grow gravely concerned.
After all, how could a company like Jaguar – a firm that prided itself not only on voluptuous design and sporty handling but also sybaritic appointments and a refined, aristocratic manor speak with a straight face about "the democratization of luxury?"
The very concept was oxymoronic to the point of absurdity: when a given commodity is within easy reach of the masses, it ceases to be a luxury good. Simple as that. Predictably, it didn't take long for consumers to cotton on to this revelation, and the savior X-Type was broadly lambasted and narrowly purchased.
Thankfully, the lanky Leaping Cat is at last in proud form once again, and under the new leadership of India's Tata Motors, they are building on the success of the massively impressive Jaguar XF of 2008. By our reckoning, that car was the first clear indication from chief designer Ian Callum and Company that not only did Jaguar understand that it had a past – it might have the blueprint for a bright future as well. As it reasserts its claim to the flagship slot in Coventry's lineup, the new XJ finds itself with big shoes to fill.
Mulally promised the 2010 Taurus would be "the one we should have made originally." At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the automaker finally took the wraps off the new model.
Ford has repositioned the Taurus as more of a personal luxury sedan, the likes of which have not been seen wearing a Ford badge in many, many years. Ford has decided to combine elements of its "Bold American" and European "Kinetic" design language for the 2010 model.
The new Taurus is powered by the automaker's 3.5-liter V6 Duratec engine, mated to one of two available six-speed automatic transmissions, including SelectShift with shift paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. As was the case with the previous model, all-wheel-drive is optional.
The V6 motor delivers an estimated 263 horsepower and 249 foot-pounds of torque. It earns a ULEV-II emissions certification and comes paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions. The regular car is offered in SE and SEL trim levels. Ford also launched performance-oriented SHO EcoBoost model.
Critically, the new 2010 Taurus starts at $25,995 -- the same price as the prior model. The uplevel SEL starts at $27,995 and the top-end Limited sets buyers back $31,995.
"Lightning can strike twice," said Peter Horbury, Ford's North American design director. "Like the 1986 original, the new 2010 Taurus differentiates by combining style with substance."
Taurus features a long list of high-tech features, including: Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, MyKey parental programmability, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Rain-Sensing Wipers, EasyFuel capless refueling, Ford SYNC and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link.
The 2010 Honda Civic ranks 2 out of 29 Affordable-Small-Cars/">Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 76 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Civic, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Reviewers agree that the 2010 Honda Civic is a winning combination of substance and style that has deservedly staked its claim as a class leader. It is one of the most reliable, fuel efficient and solid-performing vehicles in the affordable small car class.
Although several compacts have more comfort or utility, few cars have captured the media attention for all-around excellence like the 2010 Honda Civic. Unchanged for 2010, it continues to offer the same winning combination of form and function that led Consumer Guide to name the 2009 model a "Best Buy."
The Civic isn't flawless. Despite its great performance, excellent fuel economy and impressive list of features, it lags behind certain class competitors when it comes to interior comfort and cargo capacity. For example, the Honda Fit (which costs about $500 less than the base Civic) is well worth a look for those in need of more cargo space. With a versatile rear "magic seat," the Fit affords more cargo options than the Civic's 60/40 split rear seats. Those who want a more comfortable interior should also check out the Volkswagen Rabbit, which costs about $1,000 more and doesn't have the reliability scores of the Civic but, which is well-liked for its cushy interior, smooth ride and impressive power.
Choosing to buy a Civic is the easy part. The hard part is deciding which trim is right for you. The basic Civic comes in both sedan and coupe models and comes in several trims (DX, DX-VP, LX, LX-S, EX and EX-L) which range in price from approximately $15,500 to around $22,000. The Civic SI is performance-oriented trim, which offers 57 more horsepower than the base model, a few more performance options and a starting price of around $6,500 more. The Civic Hybrid has a separate review. The GX is an eco-friendly alternative to the Hybrid and runs on Compressed Natural Gas, but it's only sold in California (and other states that have excepted California's Zero-Emission Vehicle regulations) and it starts at about $10,000 more than a base Civic.
The Honda Civic is essentially unchanged for 2010, so savvy car buyers may want to consider purchasing a 2009 model. Dealers are under pressure to make room on their lots for the new 2010 models so you may be able to snag a deal on a 2009. Be sure to check for current Honda deals that may be available on a Civic.
Nissan Sunny is a compact car designed for durability. Nissan Sunny 2009 offer fuel economy, impressive safety features and a stylish design. Nissan Sunny is available in Sunny EX, Sunny SS, and Sunny LE trims. Not all Nissan Sunny trims will be available in all markets. Nissan Sunny has been replaced by Nissan Tiida in some markets.
Nissan Sunny 2009 offers a 16-valve 1.6 litre DOHC CVVT engine capable of supplying 81w of power at 6000rpm. Nissan Sunny SS offers 5-speed manual transmission, while Sunny 1.6 EX and 1.6 LE come with 4-speed automatic transmission. Nissan Sunny also offer 1.3 litre engine models, but we cannot confirm whether they are available in the 2009 Sunny models.
2009 Nissan Sunny is equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and brake assist. Nissan Sunny come with airbags, three point seatbelts with seatbelt sensors, as well as an impact adsorbing body.
Nissan Sunny is equipped with air conditioner, with Sunny SS offering automatic air conditioning. Nissan Sunny has an Audio system with FM/AM radio and six speakers. As increasingly available in most recent cars, 2009 Sunny may also offer a USB interface compatible with iPods. Also available in Nissan Sunny are power windows, power steering, power mirror and power door locks.
Nissan Sunny SS and LE come with 15-inches alloy wheels while Nissan Sunny EX trims offer 15-inch steel wheels.
The Toyota Yaris manages to combine a well-tailored, roomy interior with agile performance and a fuel efficient engine in an entry-level car.
The front-wheel drive Yaris is available as a hatchback (three-door or five-door) or a four-door sedan; all are offered in either Base or S trim. The Yaris is powered by a 106 horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The five-door hatchback comes equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. The three-door hatchback and sedan come standard with a five-speed manual transmission; the four-speed automatic is optional. The hatchback and sedan were designed separately and have subtle interior and exterior differences but have similar standard content. The base trim comes standard with P175/65R14 tires on steel wheels, cloth bucket seats, and manual tilting steering wheel. The S trim adds P185/60R15 tires and an AM/FM stereo radio with a single CD player.
For 2009, the five-door hatchback is introduced. Also, anti-lock brakes and side curtain airbags are standard equipment and some exterior features have been updated.
Fiat launched it's second version of the Punto in 1999, and continued with the design until 2003 when the MK3 was introduced. The car was made with a variety of petrol and diesel engines ranging from 1.2 litre petrol units to 1.9 litre diesel engines.
This little front wheel drive hatchback was made in both two door and four door bodies.
At launch in 1999 the Punto range included a choice of 1.2 litre petrol powered cars including a 16v version, a 1.8 litre petrol engined car (the 1.8HGT) and a couple of 1.9 diesel powered cars.
The Punto has had a fair amount of flak over reliability issues including early onset of suspension problems requiring replacement parts amongst other things. The bottom of the range 59bhp, 8 valve 1.2 Punto has a modest level of performance. Acceleration to 60 for this model is a pedestrian 14.3 seconds and the top speed is about 95mph. The 79bhp 16 valve 1.2 shows a good improvement with a 0-60 time of 11.4 seconds and a maximum speed of around 106mph. Moving on to the larger engines in the range, the 1.8 Punto which develops around 130bhp will see 60mph in about 8.6 seconds and keep on moving to a top speed of over 125mph. The 1.9 diesel is unsurprisingly lacking in the accelertion stakes with a 0-60 time of 15 seconds and maximum speed of about 95mph.
