Car reviews
Entry level
- Chevrolet Aveo5 (2009) - a retuned suspension makes this little car a whole ball o’ fun
- Chevrolet Cobalt (2006) - small car with big-car feel and zippy acceleration
- Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (2009) - pleasant little small car at a good price
- Kia Spectra5 (2005) - nimble, fun little hatchback that shames the Honda Civic with best-in-class interior space, a plush ride, and a quick engine
- Mazda3 (2008) - the most performance you can get for the surprisingly-low price
- Saturn Astra (2008) - go-kart with weird controls, at an economy-car price
- Scion xA (2005) - surprisingly fun and economical miniature hatchback
- Scion xB (2005) - surprisingly fun and economical miniature hatchback...or is it a minivan? or an SUV?
- Suzuki Aerio - fun, fast, scrappy little wagon
- Suzuki SX4 (2008) - surprisingly sporty and loveable, despite entry-level price
- Suzuki Forenza (2005) - surprisingly nice and comfortable
- Toyota Yaris (2007) - surprisingly fun and quick-feeling little car with great mileage
Coupes and Specialty-Sports
- Acura RSX - glued to the ground, high-winding coupe
- Cadillac CTS (2004) - sporty four-door luxury sedan clips the wings of German rivals
- Chevrolet Cobalt (2006) - small car with big-car feel and zippy acceleration
- Chevrolet SSR (2005) - Corvette-powered sport pickup convertible, boatloads of fun
- Chrysler Crossfire (2005): the Mercedes SLK gets a makeover and comes out with better grip and looks
- Dodge Caliber SRT-4 (2008) - fire-breathing cute-ute
- Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2009)- brawn and beauty and less gas-guzzling than you’d think
- Dodge Charger SRT8 (2008) - spacious sedan with a heart of muscle
- Dodge Magnum SRT8 (2007) - over 400 horsepower in a station wagon
- Hyundai Tiburon - sporty Celica-killer
- Jaguar XK convertible
- Lexus IS350 (2007) - fun sports car with power, excitement, refinement
- Mazda MX5 hardtop convertible (2008) - fun little open-roofed car
- Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - velvet-coated thrust (see Sedans for GT)
- Scion tC (2005) - nice torquey engine, good rear-seat space for a two-door
- Volkswagen GTI - corners like a go-kart, zooms nicely; it’s “the next GTI.”
- Volkswagen New Beetle - mix of old and new
- Volkswagen GTI vs Volvo C30 comparison car reviews (2008)
Wagons and "car-based SUVs"
- Chrysler PT Cruiser - retro yet attractive, with surprising handling and comfort; GT Turbo has rocket power as well (just updated)
- Dodge Caliber R/T and SXT and SRT-4 - good alternative SUV, but not a Neon replacement
- Dodge Magnum R/T (2005 and 2007) : solid, Hemi-powered, and quite capable
- Dodge Magnum SRT8 (2007) - over 400 horsepower in a station wagon
- Kia Spectra5 (2005) - nimble, fun little hatchback that shames the Honda Civic with best-in-class interior space, a plush ride, and a quick engine
- Mitsubishi Outlander - SUV style with car convenience
- Pontiac Vibe - pocket rocket wagon, or carlike SUV...your choice
- Saab 9-5 - quirky, fast, and smooth
- Saturn LW - the wagon version of the LS
- Subaru Impreza (and WRX) - rally car you can buy
- Subaru Legacy - refined all wheel drive sedan and wagon
- Subaru Outback - raise a Legacy, make it look like an SUV, watch sales fly until every other automaker from Audi to Volkswagen does the same
- Suzuki Aerio - fun, fast, scrappy little wagon
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2006) - quick luxury wagon with surprisingly good mileage
- Toyota Matrix - pocket rocket wagon, or carlike SUV - XRS and XR reviewed
- Volvo V70 Cross Country - faster than you'd think, with good handling and many safety features
- Volvo V70 - blazing-fast sports wagon with traditional Volvo safety and generous space
Convertibles
- Chrysler Sebring Convertible (2007) - Smooth, quiet convertible with a hard folding top
- Saturn Sky (2007) - modern British roadster with more convenience and none of that Lucas stuff
- Volkswagen New Beetle - mix of old and new
Other Sedans
- Buick LaCrosse (2005) - plush highway cruiser
- Buick Park Avenue Ultra - stylish and interesting mix of new and old
- Cadillac CTS - handles like a demon, feels like a Caddy (2003-04)
- Cadillac DeVille and DTS - if they could get Mercedes buyers to drive these...
- Chevrolet Impala SS (2007) - cushy, comfy, and V8 powered
- Chevrolet Malibu hybrid (2008) - V6 torque with small-four mileage and a good price
- Chevy Malibu LTZ (2008) - fun and refined, but big and safe
- Chrysler 300C (2008) - incredibly strong cornering and good speed in a full-size sedan (AWD version)
- Chrysler Sebring (2007) - surprisingly refined midsize sedan
- Daewoo Leganza - inexpensive but upscale sedan related to the Sonata
- Dodge Avenger R/T (2007) - refined and quick compact sedan with aggressive looks
- Dodge Charger (2006) - big but very quick, yet comfortable
- Quick look: Honda Civic EX-L Navi (2008) - loses the feel Civics are known for, gains a navigation system
- Hyundai Azera (2006) - Lexus feel in a Camry-priced sedan
- Hyundai Elantra (2007) - luxury car ride with great sound insulation and odd steering at a good price
- Hyundai Tiburon - alternative sports car
- Kia Amanti (2006) - refined, quiet, large, and pleasant, Jaguar looks and a thirst for fuel
- Kia Optima (2006) - cushy and quiet, but engine lag hurts
- Lexus ES350 (2007) - just smooth enough, just fun enough, and priced well, we can’t see anyone not liking it
- Lexus GS300 (2006) - quick, luxurious sport-sedan
- Lexus GS430 (2007) - luxury with terrific performance
- Lexus GS450h (2007) - stunning speed with good mileage in a hybrid-electric sedan
- Lexus LS460 (2007) - totally smooth, no-holds-barred luxury car with automatic parking
- Lexus IS350 (2007) - fun sports car with power, excitement, refinement
- Mazda3 (2008) - the most performance you can get for the surprisingly-low price
- Mitsubishi Lancer (2008) - sporty and inexpensive
- Quick look: Nissan Altima (2008) - entertaining FWD sedan
- Oldsmobile Aurora
- Pontiac Bonneville - quick and comfortable
- Pontiac G6 sedan (2007) - surprisingly enjoyable sedan with a cheap-looking but quiet interior
- Saab 9-3 (2006) - safe, smooth, sophisticated, fun sports sedan
- Saab 9-5 - quirky, fast, and smooth
- Saturn Astra (2008) - go-kart with weird controls, at an economy-car price
- Suzuki Aerio - fun, fast, scrappy little wagon
- Suzuki Forenza (2005) - surprisingly nice entry-level sedan
- Suzuki Verona - taking aim at the Camry
- Toyota Camry (2007) - luxury feel in an attainable sedan, and did we mention 268 hp?
- Toyota Corolla XLE (2009) - quiet, spacious small car with good mileage
- Toyota Prius (2005) - insanely good gas mileage in a family sized car with lots of features (see the first generation)
- Volkswagen Passat - sporty family sedan
- Volvo S60 (2005) - Edgy but pleasant sports sedan
- Volvo S80 (2008) - Zoomy, safe sports sedan
- Volkswagen Phaeton (2005) - understated exterior hides massive power, large size, and great handling
Gone but not forgotten
- Chevrolet Corvette (2004) - the most power for the money, amazingly under your control
- Chevrolet Camaro SS: discontinued king of the street - 2001 automatic | 2002 six-speed
- Chevrolet Impala (2002-2005) - surprisingly sporty and spacious
- Chevrolet Malibu (2004) - worthy of the name and real competition for the Camry
- Chrysler 300 (2005-07) - surprisingly agile big rear-wheel-drive American sedan with optional Hemi power
- Chrysler 300M (2003) - luxury-sport sedan at a reasonable price
- Chrysler Sebring GTC (2001-2006)
- Dodge Neon SXT - well equipped yet cheap, with killer air and handling; mid-sized space in a compact price range (2003)
- Dodge Neon R/T - fast yet spacious and affordable - but not quite an SRT
- Dodge Stratus Sedan (2001-05) - great all-around sporty, sophisticated sedan also sold as the Chrysler Sebring
- Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe - comfortable, capable coupe made in the US by Mitsubishi
- Dodge Neon SRT-4 (2003) - ultimate under-$20,000 performance, with a good-sized interior and trunk
- Hyundai Accent (2000) - nice entry-level
- Hyundai Elantra (2000) - sensible family sedan
- Hyundai Tiburon (2001) - more fun than it should be!
- Hyundai XG350 (2003-2004) - looks and feels luxurious, doesn't cost much, great warranty
- Infiniti G20 - low end of the luxury brand
- Kia Optima (2002-2005) - luxury look and feel, low-end price, killer warranty
- Kia Rio (2001-2003) - sporty little car whose handling far outstrips acceleration
- Mitsubishi Diamonte (2003) - handling, power, ride, and space nicely balanced
- Mitsubishi Lancer (2002-2007) - too comfortable and large to feel like a low-end sedan
- Pontiac Grand Am - quite nice
- Pontiac Grand Prix GT - quick and techy (2004)
- Pontiac Sunfire - more refined than you'd think
- Saturn Ion - technological tour de force with hidden rear doors and a big trunk
- Toyota Camry (2004) - luxury ride coupled with thrift and reliability keeps it America's #1 car
- Toyota Corolla (2003-2008) - surprisingly civilized and economical, now with usable rear seats
- Toyota MR2 (2005) - extra-fun British roadster with Toyota reliability
- Volkswagen Golf and Jetta (2002-2005) - think of them as small BMWs with front wheel drive
- Volkswagen Golf GLI (2005) - quick front-drive sports car
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