All Entries in the "Car Reviews" Category

2012 BMW 1-Series Sport Line Review

Visual design: a statement of individual style Powerful shape, unique proportions, stylish elongated lines.  Excellent use of cabin space and premium ambience. Greater scope for personalization with BMW Lines. The drivetrain arrangement with an inline longitudinally mounted powerplant at rear and front wheel drive is distinctive in the small class. This enhances its handling and is also reflected in its styling, thanks to unique BMW proportions: setback passenger cell, long hood and wide wheelbase. The all-new 2012 BMW 1-Series Sport Line is an incarnation of groundbreaking stylishness and responsiveness in a small vehicle with top notch features and lively, youthful design adding to the excitement. Unlike the previous model, it’s a vehicle, which has done some growing up and  [...]

2012 Smart Fortwo Review

Likes Attention-grabbing style; fits in spaces others can’t; surprisingly accommodating interior; zippy around-town handling. Dislikes Ill-suited for highway travel; rough shifting gearbox; awkward floor-pivot brake pedal; pricey as compared to bigger subcompacts. Introduction 2012 Smart Fortwo with its small nature offers excellent maneuverability in the city and on road, its outstanding fuel economy makes it a great commuter vehicle. With its unpleasant highway ride, lack of refinement and rough transmission, the Fortwo is one of the least desirable vehicles in the market. There are quite a lot of other models in the market we would suggest as a small city car. Open your eyes to something new: the all-new Smart Fortwo with an array of new colors such as the first ever matt finish,  [...]

2012 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Convertible – A Remarkable Car

Sportiness, elegance and luxury: these are key ingredients, which come to mind while designing any luxury sportscar. Sportiness is self explanatory, a spirit of fun, which makes every drive an occasion; elegance makes you feel proud to own such as beautiful luxury and luxury, which encompasses wide range of convenience and comfort items, which make such a vehicle enjoyable as well as useful. The all-new 2012 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Convertible founded a new standard for the automaker when it was launched last year. AMG (Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach) is presenting a new dream vehicle that thrills with a perfect fusion of sophisticated lightweight construction, open top driving pleasure and exceptional driving dynamics. The 2012 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Convertible’s technical highlights include  [...]

2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe – An Entry Level Fun Machine

Good Superb front seats; M3-matching performance and handling; surprisingly comfortable and easy to drive; M3 undercutting price. Bad A few cheap interior bits; limited production numbers; not the prettiest sport coupe. Introduction Inspired by the original 1988 M3, the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe offers racecar performance wrapped in a practical 1 Series sized vehicle, which is capable of daily use. It earns its M badge thanks to surprising livability and astonishing performance. The M Coupe is an intriguing alternative to more common sports cars and performance coupes. Unique appearance: you can detect the racing genes of the 1 Series M Coupe with your eyes alone, is fully dedicated to high performance on the ideal line, offers powerful exterior design and with an interior to bring you  [...]

2012 Mercedes Benz C350 Coupe Road Test

Likes Sporty shape; precise handling; superb interior finish and fit; direct injected powerful V6 engine; smooth 7-speed automatic transmission. Dislikes Compromised back seat legroom and headroom unlike C350 Saloon; lacks manual transmission. Mercedes Benz Gets Youthful With the All-New C350 Coupe Mercedes Benz would instead forget the loathed hatchback Sport Coupe from a decade ago, an unsuccessful attempt to get on terms with the breed of small Japanese designed hatchbacks, which were making everyone look twice. Rather, the German automobile manufacturer of luxury vehicles would like to look twice at the all-new 2012 Mercedes Benz C350 Coupe, the first model based on C-Class Saloon. Beyond and above its sleek silhouette, there is a reason to look two times at its surprisingly precise  [...]

2012 Aston Martin Rapide Review

Advantages Beautifully designed; seductive styling; V12 power; agile handling. Disadvantages Pricier; slower unlike rivals; tight rearseat. Introduction 2012 Aston Martin Rapide is a high performance ultraluxury four-door sports sedan that offers space for up to four passengers. The idea of a sleek four-door sportscar is nearly as attractive as the 2012 Rapide is itself. Designing and engineering the Rapide is moving from Austria to England. As for the vehicle, it gains an easier to operate, new navigation system for 2012. It is considered to be one of the most stylish 4-door sportscar of the world, which exists in a segment of its own – a striking evolution of the company’s unmistakable design language, accommodating four passengers in luxury, yet offering the supreme refinement and  [...]

2012 BMW M3 Review

Advantages Sleek retractable hardtop of convertible; sublime high revving V8 engine; relaxed highway ride; otherworldly handling. Disadvantages Relatively cramped back seat; limited interior storage. Introduction 2012 BMW M3 may be the best all-around car for the driving enthusiast; to the track, the office or day care, it handles it all with style and purpose. For 2012, the M3 Convertible and Coupe gain a USB/iPod interface, an antitheft alarm, Bluetooth and BMW Assist as standard features. The fully redesigned M3 Coupe looks fast, because it is; however sculpted good looks are scratching the surface. Dig deeper and find Formula One inspiration propelled by the first-ever production V8 which harnesses 414 horsepower, and redlines at a segment-leading 8400 rpm. Powerful, aesthetic design,  [...]

2011 Volvo S40 – Premium Compact With First-Rate Safety Engineering

Advantages Lively turbocharged engine; comfortable front seats; emphasis on style; ample safety features. Disadvantages Awkward navigation system interface; not quite a luxury sedan despite premium pricing; handling feels short of that found in true sport saloons. Introduction 2011 Volvo S40 continues to enhance the company’s reputation as a manufacturer of great sport sedans. It has comfort and style on its side, but lacks the refinement and athleticism of other European luxury sport sedans. For 2011, it gains all wheel drive T5 R-Design. The Volvo S40 looks and feels like a sports sedan, and the nearly identical Volvo V50 runs like a sport wagon. Improving their sporting credentials is an availability of a 5-speed manual transmission for base trims, and a 6-speed manual for turbocharged  [...]

2012 Scion TC Review

Advantages Excellent crash scores; comfortable ride; easy purchase experience; snappy performance; well equipped; spacious, reclining back seat; smart iPod interface. Disadvantages Not that sporty as it looks; droning exhaust and engine note with automatic transmission; mediocre fuel economy; cheap interior materials. Introduction 2012 Scion TC is an affordable yet well equipped coupe, which benefits from the company’s attention to reliability, quality and durability. It is sold towards the young first-time shopper seeking a sporty and hip urban vehicle. For 2012, it gains an upgraded base stereo system that features HD radio capability and Bluetooth audio streaming. The limited edition Release Series 7.0 also debuts, sporting a body kit, keyless ignition and entry and flashy yellow  [...]

2012 Nissan Sentra Review

Advantages Intuitive control layout; spacious front seating. Disadvantages Ho-hum handling in all except SE-R; aging design; lacks telescoping steering wheel; droning acceleration with continuously variable transmission; harsh ride over rough surfaces. Introduction 2012 Nissan Sentra is an economical, practical and roomy front wheel drive four-door sedan with various trim levels available to suit a person’s needs. It is a respectable small saloon; however newer rivals outclass it in terms of charisma, power, athleticism and fuel economy. Hit the road and let the fun begin. The 2012 Sentra is stylish, smart and ready for anything. Drive more than 400 miles between fill-ups with up to 34 highway miles per gallon. A sophisticated suspension and powerful engine keep you ahead of the curves,  [...]

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

Advantages Affordable price; quiet and smooth ride; standard voice activated electronics interface. Disadvantages Limited cargo capacity; indifferent engine power; far from sporty handling. Introduction 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a crossover with underpinnings based on the bigger Mitsubishi Outlander and features seating for five passengers, contemporary Mitsubishi styling, ample storage and economical transmission and engine. Though it is an agreeable urban runabout, the Sport is outclassed by other small crossovers, which are more fun to drive and more practical. For 2012, it sees a handful of minor enhancements. Highlights include additional sound insulation for models with a continuously variable transmission, a recalibration of said CVT for enhancing acceleration and response  [...]

2012 Mazda 3 Review

Advantages Additional utility of 4-door hatchback; precise handling; impressive list of luxury options; high fuel economy with optional 2.0 liter powerplant; well equipped, stylish interior. Disadvantages Trunk and cabin not that large as compared to rivals; ride may be too firm for some. Introduction 2012 Mazda 3 is a premium compact vehicle, exciting to drive and look at and equipped with unexpected technology and luxury features not usually found in its segment. The new high efficiency powertrain re-establishes the 2012 3 as a class favorite. For 2012, it gains a newly optional 2.0 liter powerplant that offers both higher fuel economy and more horsepower unlike its predecessor’s 2.0 liter engine. This year also brings expanded availability of the hatchback body style, several new  [...]

2012 Subaru Tribeca – Solid midsize SUV

Advantages Stylish cockpit design; standard four-wheel drive system. Disadvantages Pricey; cramped 3rd row seat; unimpressive fuel economy; limited cargo capacity; steering wheel doesn’t telescope. Introduction 2012 Subaru Tribeca is a well equipped, seven passenger sport utility vehicle, which continues to provide drivers a safe comfortable ride in any kind of road condition or weather. It has a few things going for it, but in the end most other midsize crossover sport utility vehicles will be better choices. You will always remember the little things. The perfect restaurant you found in that tiny town; ice cream victory celebrations with the kids; Sundays at the park with the dog. Fortunately your Tribeca is built to help them all happen with a comfortable and refined interior for  [...]

2011 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Review

Advantages Attracts attention; imposing dimensions and looks; extensive customization options; a cabin fit for royalty; handles well for a comfort-first luxury convertible. Disadvantages Attracts unwanted attention; size is an issue in tight spaces; few awkwardly placed controls. Introduction 2011 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe with an exterior inspired by racing yachts of 1930s and an interior design, which highlights the airy openness of top-down motoring, retains Rolls Royce’s conventional luxurious comfort and feel through the use of wood veneers and finest leather. The Phantom Drophead Coupe provides owners an unparalleled convertible experience fusing compelling drivability with exceptional engineering technology and design. If you can afford the 2011 Phantom Drophead Coupe,  [...]