Large trunk; upscale cabin design; top safety scores; efficient yet lively turbocharged engine; secure handling; Eco model’s high fuel economy.

Bad

Low rearseat cushion; automatic six-speed’s sleepy responses; narrow front seats.

Introduction

2012 Chevrolet Cruze is a newest entrant in the highly contested small sedan category and is based on global platform, which has been refined for America with emphasis on fuel efficiency. It replaced the Cobalt small car, when it was launched for 2011 model year. The Cruze offers bigger cabin as compared to its predecessor and other rivals in its price range. It marks the first small car to reflect higher quality approach General Motors has taken with most models’ cabins. The all new Cruze is everything a small vehicle should be. It is designed and engineered to fit seamlessly into your ever evolving life. The Cruze provides ample cargo space, more mpg in Cruze Eco and more safety with class leading 10 standard airbags. The exterior design gives you presence of more expensive vehicle with taut curves, bevelled hood and sharp angles. You will also find refined touches such as details like available leather trimmed seats, rich colors and bold dials, which provide the Cruze a premium feel.

The Chevrolet Cruze is basically a GM (General Motors) automobile spanning two unrelated models. The subcompact crossover sport utility vehicle was developed and designed in Japan by Suzuki between 2001 and 2008 under joint venture with General Motors. Since 2008, the Cruze nameplate has referred to globally manufactured, designed and engineered four-door small sedan that was complemented by a five-door hatchback body trim level in 2011. The first generation model was launched as a concept car in the year 1999 at Tokyo Auto Show as Chevrolet YGM1. The production sites of Cruze include Gunsan, Jeonbuk, South Korea; Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil from 2011; Saint Petersburg, Russia; Rayong, Thailand after December 2010; Shenyang, China; Halol, India; Vietnam since April 2010 and Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. The all new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is designed and developed to keep outside noise outside with acoustic laminated, triple sealed glass windshield.

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze was introduced in the year 2010 as an all-new vehicle and has gone to be on both critical success and sales. On the whole, it is simply a quality vehicle with sharp looks inside and out. The feature content is up to date with options, including keyless ignition and entry and hard drive based navigation system. It provides the customers with quiet interior and capable handling. It also offers two engine choices; one is the 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 136 horsepower, and the other is 138 horsepower engine. The Cruze features an infotainment system with sophisticated entertainment features such as touchscreen navigation system with Turn by Turn Navigation System. Nevertheless, you will find plenty of models that are similarly impressive and hold advantages in technology and handling features – stylish Hyundai Elantra, which is arguably a better value and well rounded, Mazda 3 and Honda Civic, but the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is a top choice in its class.

Variants, Body Styles and Options

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is a compact luxury sedan, which is available in LS, LTZ, Eco and LT trim levels. The base LS comes equipped with standard equipments and features, which include six-speaker surround sound stereo system with satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack and CD/MP3 player, 16 inch steel wheels, full power accessories, OnStar, trip computer, telescoping and tilt steering column, 60/40-split rear seat, air conditioning and manually adjustable six-way driver seat. The Connectivity package gets USB port, steering wheel mounted stereo controls and Bluetooth.

Stepping up to the Eco variant of 2012 Chevrolet Cruze gets all the features of LS, however is designed to maximum fuel economy with few minor feature deletions to reduce the weight, aerodynamic enhancements, smaller fuel tank, lightweight alloy wheels and low rolling resistance tires. The LT actually consists of 2LT and 1LT sub-trims; the 1LT adds all the features of Connectivity package, turbocharged engine, leather wrapped steering column, cruise control and power outside color keyed mirrors.

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT comes with power driver six-way seat, 16 inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, remote vehicle start, leather upholstery, cruise control, disc brakes on all four wheels and sport tuned suspension. The top of the line LTZ trim levels comes packed with 18 inch alloy wheels, premium cabin trim, rear parking assist, rearview auto dimming mirror, keyless entry and ignition and automatically controlled climate system.

Most of the standard features found on higher trim levels of 2012 Chevrolet Cruze are found on lower variants as options. The RS appearance package (rear spoiler, distinctive rear and front fascia and foglamps), hard drive based navigation system, sunroof and nine-speaker Pioneer premium surround sound audio system are available on higher trim levels.

Performance and Powertrains

Powering the LS trim level of 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is an inline four-cylinder 1.8 liter engine with maximum output of 123 pound feet of torque and 136 horsepower. The LTZ, Eco and LT are propelled by an inline four-cylinder 1.4 liter turbocharged engine, which is good for pumping out 148 pound feet of torque and 138 horsepower. The engine is paired with six-speed manual transmission with front wheel drive. In performance testing, the Cruze accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 9.3 seconds, which is on an average as compared to other models in its segment. The estimated fuel economy for Cruze is 36 mpg highway, 25 mpg city and 29 mpg in combined driving, while the Eco offers 42 mpg highway, 28 mpg city and 33 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

Standard safety features on 2012 Chevrolet Cruze include stability control, front knee airbags, antilock brakes, rear and front side impact airbags and side curtain full length airbags. In government testing, the Cruze got five-star rating in both side impact and frontal impact categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Cruze the top star rating for both side impact and frontal offset tests. In brake testing, it came to a stop in 122 feet from 60 miles per hour, which is quite impressive for a sedan in its class.

Special Features and Interior Design

The cabin inside 2012 Chevrolet Cruze offers dual tone color schemes and twin cockpit interior design that provide an upscale ambience. The cavernous interior offers more passenger space as compared to Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus and beats them out with cargo space too. There is even refined touches, including rich colors, leather trimmed seats and bold details, which provide the Cruze a premium feel. The large trunk of Cruze offers impressive 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which is considerably above average.

Driving Impressions

The most surprising characteristic of 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is the combination of controlled, comfortable ride quality and genuinely, athletic handling. The 1.4 liter engine is tuned for maximum fuel economy without compromising performance. Its StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System features Traction Control and on slippery surfaces, it helps you stay the course by detecting vehicle is actually travelling. The suspension is designed to soak all the bumps and lumps on the road, further providing a comfortable and relaxed ride. Programmed for fuel efficiency, the Cruze is reluctant to downshift for rapid acceleration.

Now, though this report hasn’t been confirmed by Chevrolet, but according to a source familiar with the C7 project told that the forthcoming Chevrolet Corvette will be having 7 speed manual transmissions. This announcement from Chevrolet comes immediate after Porsche proclaimed that the 2012 Porsche 911 will be having a 7 speed manual transmission in addition to its dual-clutch 7 speed PDK automatized manual gearbox.

The next-generation Chevrolet Corvette is supposed to be a revised variant of the company’s 16 valve pushrod V8 engine structural design. The major changes for the car include the likes of a variable valve lift and a direct injection system. All those changes in the car are said to further elevate the already frightening performance of the car, while enhancing the efficiency of the car.

The inclusion of a 7 speed manual transmission very well could be seen as a fuel efficiency game. But we suspect that Chevrolet will carry on using the two overdrive gears such as the present 6 speed manual transmission. This will also give freedom to the engineers to tight up the spaciousness of the lower gears for a lot better low-speed performance.

Another major advantage of having a 7 speed manual gearbox is the product validation, Chevrolet could use the same ratios for all their versions of the car. At present, the ZR1 runs a Tremec TR6060 having close-ratio, whilst the lesser Corvettes utilizes a dissimilar gear set.

The twin-cam, 2.5 ltr direct-injection engine succeeds the present Ecotec 2.4 engine, and will be paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission in the new 2012 Chevrolet Malibu.

Earlier this year GM launched the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu at the same time at 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The 2011 New York Auto Show also marked the debut of 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, which is a light hybrid from GM and comes loaded with an e-Assist system. The Malibu Eco will return an expected 38 mpg on highways, says Chevrolet and the car is expected to hit the market in early 2013.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will be having the brand new Ecotec 2.5 as its standard engine, and will be delivering maximum power of 190 bhp and 180 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The present Ecotec 2.4 engine powering the 2012 Malibu generates 169 bhp of maximum power and 160 lbs-ft of maximum torque and at the same time will also have an EPA highway efficiency of 33 mpg having 6-speed automatic.

GM says that the new Ecotec 2.5 engine will be having a completely redesigned ignition system having a higher-flowing intake and higher compression ratio and tire out ports in its cylinder head.

The all new Malibu will enter productions in Korea this fall, followed by production in China. The U.S. production start is expected by early next year. Finally, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will enter around 100 countries on 6 continents, said GM.

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is the second generation of the Chevy Equinox, which moved to the also-existed status of small SUVs. The new Equinox offers an exclusive look and a certain level of refinement which makes it a feasible option to the long-popular segment leaders from Toyota and Honda.

One of the biggest strengths of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is its rear legroom, which we could easily attribute to its rear seat, which slides back and creates a space just like the a prom-night limousine. But in addition to the rear legroom, the Equinox also offers impressive ride quality, with the car delivering a stable, well-established ride indicatory of a full-size SUV. Even in terms of equipments the Equinox is ready to compete in the big league with its wide assortment of standard features and some really impressive upgrades such as a hard-drive-based navigation system. It’s sad that you no longer gets the optional back seat entertainment system.

As for the power choices, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox offers you two engine choices including an inline-4 engine generating 182-horsepower or a V6 engine churning 264-hp. Both the engines powering the Equinox deliver adequate power and acceleration and the 4-cylinder engine for the car is noticeable for its above-average fuel economy.

But, just as its GMC Terrain twin, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox also suffers from some small weaknesses. The most noticeable weakness is a comparative absence of cargo capacity next to the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Also even in terms of agility and maneuverability, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox falls a tad shorter in comparison to its sporty compact crossovers such as the Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage. But if you neither of the aforementioned issues seems to affect you then the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, surely is a superb small crossover SUV.

What’s New for 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox boasts brand new lane-departure warning systems and forward collision alert. Also the Equinox 1LT models now gets rearview camera as their standard equipment this year. Though, the rear seat video entertainment system has been dropped from the car.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ.

The LS trim of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox gets 17 in alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, air-conditioning, a reclining and sliding rear seat, a partial power driver seat (height adjustment only), complete power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel having audio controls, a 6-speaker sound system having satellite radio, a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack and OnStar.

The LT trim of the Equinox has been divided into two models, the 1LT, which has the roof rack side rails, tinted rear windows, a rearview camera, heated outside mirrors, a leather-covered steering wheel, premium cloth upholstery and an advanced sound system having an iPod/USB audio interface and a 7 in touchscreen. The second version beind the 2LT, which will get you fog lamps, automatic climate control, remote start, an 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, an 8-speaker Pioneer sound system and an auto-dimming mirror.

Go for the top-of-the-line LTZ and you could get a power liftgate, automatic headlights, perforated leather upholstery, rear parking sensors and driver memory settings.

A lot of standard features that are found on the upper trim levels could also be added to the rather less luxurious models using optional packages. Some other options for the vehicle includes 18 in and 19 in chrome-clad alloy wheels, a navigation system, a new forward lane departure/collision warning system and a sunroof.

Under The Hood:

The standard power house for all the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is a 2.4 ltr 4-cylinder engine, churning maximum output power of 182 bhp and 172 lbs-ft of maximum torque. Regardless of the engine choice, all the Equinox models have a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard transmission and front-wheel drive; there is an option of all-wheel drive.

There also is a choice of a 3.0 ltr V6 engine on every model except for the LS. The V6 engine here generates maximum power of 264 hp and 222 lb-ft of maximum torque.

Safety:

The standard safety equipments for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox includes antilock disc brakes (having brake assist), stability and traction control, side curtain airbags, front seat side airbags and OnStar. Also standard on all the trims except for LS is a rearview camera, while on the LTZ trim you will also get rear parking sensors. Only for LTZ trim there also is an option of the all new lane departure/forward collision warning system.

Verdict:

Finally we would say that the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is a comfy and stylish entry is the immensely tough competitive small-crossover segment. If you are thinking about getting CR-V and RAV4 then you should also consider this model.

Officially, the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro might be tagged as a muscle car, but if you spend some time with the car and have a closer view and each and every aspect of the car, you will find that the car is more of a striking sports car, although at a very un-striking price. The car has the looks of an exotic sports car, with everything just in perfect proportion. Even in terms of performance and ride, the car comes loaded with plethora of equipments that will provide it strong acceleration and an intrinsic happy-go-lucky attitude which will definitely make your fellow motorists jealous.

That said, the Camaro comes loaded with all the common compromises and features that you generally associate with the company. The car comes with a tad prickly rear seat, idiosyncratic ergonomics and a not-so-useful trunk. For itself, the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro needs its driver to sacrifice a lot in return of its tire-burning power and looks. In comparison to its Dodge and Ford rivals, the Chevrolet Camaro is just a harder to have as a daily vehicle.

What’s New for 2011 Chevrolet Camaro?

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro gets a significant boost in its horsepower for the model year 2011, and now the V6 engine of the car generates 312, instead of 304 of maximum power. The OnStar is standard safety equipment, while a head-up display is now offered with the 2SS and 2LT. There will be a convertible model launched by the end of this model year.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro comes in a 4 seat coupe or convertible body styles. Both the body styles are available in V6 engine powered LS (coupe only), 2LT and 1LT trim levels, and V8 engine powered 2SS and 1SS trims.

The V6 powered LS coupe for the car gets 18 in steel wheels, cruise control, automatic headlights, air-conditioning, keyless entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 4-way manual front seats having power recline, a 6-speaker stereo having CD player, OnStar satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack, as its standard equipments.

Go for the 1LT trims and you can get 18 in alloy wheels, 8-way power seats and fog lamps. The 1LT trim is also offered with Connectivity and Convenience packages, which will get you equipments such as 1LT rear park assist, Bluetooth, remote ignition (automatic only), a leather-wrapped steering wheel having audio controls and an iPod interface.

Go for the 2LT trim and you could get all the aforementioned equipments and in addition you can get a head-up display, 19 in alloy wheels, extra gauges, an auto-dimming rearview mirror heated mirrors (driver-side auto-dimming), leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 9-speaker Boston Acoustics stereo. The 9-speaker Boston Acoustics stereo are also available on the 1LT trim separately.

The 1SS trim comes loaded with all the equipments of 1LT but here it gets a V8 engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch wheels, a leather-swathed steering wheel and a rear lip spoiler. The 2SS essentially features the 1SS’s performance bits along with the 2LT’s luxury and convenience features.

Go for the RS package, which is available on all the trims except for the LS and you could get features such as 20 in wheels, an exclusive taillight design and xenon headlights. Optional equipment on the entire coupe includes a sunroof, except for LS, while a wide range of exterior trim items and stripes are available across the board.

Along with a soft top that takes 20 sec to power down, all the convertible models gets rear park assist as its standard equipment.

Under The Hood:

The power for the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LT and LS trim comes from a 3.6 ltr V6 engine which is capable of generating maximum power of 312 hp and 278 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The standard transmission here is 6-speed manual, but there is an option of 6-speed automatic.

The Camaro SS trims have a 6.2 ltr V8 engine under its hood, generating maximum power of 426 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of maximum torque, and mated with 6-speed manual transmission and 400 hp of maximum power and 410 pounds-feet having 6-speed automatic transmission, gene. The SS equipped with manual transmission sprints from 0 to 60 in 5 secs, and has estimated fuel-economy of 19 mpg combined, while the automatic transmission mated SS, despite having less power and cylinder-deactivation technology, only betters the fuel economy by 1 mpg.

Safety Equipments:

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro ensures the safety of the occupants with antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, stability control, OnStar and full-length side curtain airbags. The car performed respectably in our performance testing.

Verdict:

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro clearly is one of the finest head turning muscle car, which surely will get noticed on the roads and will get you noticed. But all hat said, the car comes with significant trade-offs which makes this car a poor choice for a daily drive.

Chevrolet not has been a clean dominant in the big league of small cars. Though there were some exceptions in the form of the average Cobalt (except for SS version) and the generally awful Cavalier, which outperformed their rivals in key areas. But unlike all those disappointments, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is fully loaded and is ready to hit the turf.

Deviating from the conventional Chevrolet tradition of offering more than average engine in a small car, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze comes with a couple of fuel-efficient yet spirited small engines. Whether you go for a 1.8 ltr non-turbocharged inline 4 engine or the 1.4 ltr turbo engines, you’ll get nothing short than class leading performance in addition with the promise of higher fuel economy.

What’s New for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a completely new small sedan which enters the market as a replacement of aged Chevrolet Cobalt.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze comes in a single body style of a small sedan and is offered in four different trim levels: Eco, LS, LTZ and LT.

The standard equipment list for Cruze’s LS trim features 16 in steel wheels, an 8 way (manual) adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, OnStar, a 60/40-split rear seat, air-conditioning, complete power accessories and a 6 speaker stereo having a satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and CD/MP3 player.

The Eco trim gets all the equipments of the LS trim, but it has been optimized to deliver better fuel economy and hence comes with aerodynamic enhancements, low-rolling-resistance tires, lightweight alloy wheels, a comparatively smaller fuel tank and a few minor feature deletions for further reducing weight.

The LT trim is further divided in two subsets, namely 1LT and 2LT.  The equipments for 1LT include a turbocharged engine, floor mats, chrome wheel covers, a one-touch-up driver’s window and color-keyed power side view mirrors. The 2LT on the other hand comes with remote vehicle start, alloy wheels, leather upholstery, cruise control, a 6 way power driver seat, heated front seats, and an iPod/USB port for the audio system, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth.

The range topping Cruze LTZ comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic climate control, rear park assist, illuminated vanity mirrors, four-wheel disc brakes and a sport-tuned suspension.

Plethora of upper level trims can also be had with lower trims through options and packages. So if you are not satisfied with the feature list of your 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, then you can easily get the Equipments of your choice.

Under The Hood:

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LS has a 1.8 ltr inline-4 engine generating maximum power of 136 hp and 123 lbs-ft of maximum torque. While the Eco, LTZ and LT trim runs on a 1.4 ltr turbocharged inline-4 engine generating maximum power of 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of maximum torque. The standard engine on the LS and Eco includes a 6 speed manual transmission while the other trims have a 6 speed automatic, which is optional on LS and Eco trim.

The Cruze LTZ sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds, in our testing. This is pretty average time for the vehicles of this class. The estimated fuel economy for the LS is 22 mpg for city and 35 mpg for highway, which comes to 27 mpg combined; the turbocharged LTZ trims gets almost the same fuel efficiencies starting from 24 mpg for city to 36 mpg for highways  and finally coming to 28 mpg.

Safety Equipments:

The standard safety equipments for all the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze models includes antilock brakes, stability control, front knee airbags, rear and front side impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. All the trims except for the LTZ come with a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup, while the LTZ gets four-wheel disc brakes.

Verdict:

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze marks the entrance of Chevrolet in the small sedan segment; and is also the most improved sedan entry from Chevrolet.

Pros:

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze comes with fashionable interior design; Eco model delivers superb fuel economy; zippy yet efficient turbocharged engine; superb safety scores; secure handling and a huge trunk.

Cons:

The only problem that we have with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze was the fact that the car had a really low rear seat cushion.

The 2011 Chevy Equinox is a completely redesigned crossover SUV, and gets over all the shortcomings that its previous models had. The new Chevy Equinox boasts superb refinement and character, which initially were missing from the previous-generation models and in fact many of the other small crossover models in the market. Even in terms of equipments the 2011 Chevy Equinox is completely loaded vehicle, with plethora of standard features and some decent upgrades such as a hard-drive-based navigation system.

The power under the hood of 2011 Chevy Equinox comes from a 2.4 ltr 4-cylinder engine generating maximum power of 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of maximum torque. For the power loving folks there also is a brawny optional engine in the form of a 3.0 ltr V6 engine capable of churning maximum power of 264 hp and 222 pounds-feet of maximum torque. The standard drive for all the models is front wheel drive, and standard transmission on all the models is a 6 speed automatic transmission; though you have the option of getting all-wheel-drive. The 4 cylinder engine of the Equinox, takes it from 0 to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds, which is just average for this segment.

The 2011 Chevy Equinox is a feature rich vehicle and the standard equipment list for the vehicle includes 17 inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cruise control, power front seat height adjustment, complete power accessories, a reclining and sliding backseat, OnStar and a 6 speaker sound system having CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. Going for the 1LT trim of the vehicle gets you roof rails, tinted rear windows, an iPod/USB audio interface and Bluetooth, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2011 Chevy Equinox according to us is a comfortable and stylish entrant in the immensely competitive small-crossover segment. And definitely will please you with its features, performance and refinement.

The most recent version of the car is turned into black having orange accent, though it still is a concept study, but is being considered for production. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec that features orange-painted eighteen inch BBS wheels calced with Michelin performance tires, tan leather Recaro buckets having orange stitching and orange Brembo four-piston calipers.

We haven’t heard any information on the engine of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec, but it’s expected to be an updated edition of 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged 4 cylinder engines generating maximum power of 138 hp. The engine here will be mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox. So considering the specification of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec we can say that it definitely looks like a car worth considering.

In first look, the one thing that comes in mind after looking at is a sure “head turner”, and we have no hesitation in saying that there aren’t many cars in the $20,000-$30,000 range which are quite as head turner as the Pontiac Soltice. The model year 2009 was the last and fourth model year for the Soltice, and even in its fourth year this curvilinear roadster still has got that magic going on for it that grabs the attention of passers-by and fellow drivers. The immense sexy styling and superb power terrain of the car was the attributes of its sales success. For model year 2009 the Pontiac Soltice has got even more varieties in its menu.

What’s New for Pontiac Soltice?

The biggest news for the model year 2009 for the Pontiac Soltice is the introduction of a completely new hardtop model having a completely new removable roof. The Soltice is available in the same two trim levels of base and GXP trim as its soft top equivalent. Also available here is the soft top Solstice Street Edition that comes loaded with plethora of upgraded standard features and a sport suspension. The rest of the changes for the last year of the car are primarily feature related. The base Soltice now gets the previously optional equipments as its standard equipments such as the traction and stability control, ABS and a narrow-slip back differential. One another new feature here is the Bluetooth connectivity; it also is available on all the models.

Body Styling and Features

In its last model year the Pontiac Soltice was offered as either a coupe or a soft-top roadster. The coupe style was a late entry and was offered with a with a removable roof panel. As far as the trim levels are considered, both the body styles were offered with GXP or base trim levels. The standard equipment list on both the base models includes limited-slip rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, OnStar, a tilting steering wheel, an audio system having satellite radio, a trip computer, an auxiliary audio jack and a CD/MP3 player. The roadster comes with a manual soft top having acoustic headliners and a rear glass window having defogger. On the other hand the GXP trim gets a turbocharged engine, dual exhaust outlets, performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, foglamps, cruise control, Bluetooth, complete power accessories, a leather-swathed steering wheel and keyless entry.

A lot of convenience features of the GXP trim are also available on the base Soltice. The optional equipments on both the trim levels include leather seating, air-conditioning, an upgraded audio system having a six-CD changer, the Club Sport Package and sport pedals. The Club Sport feature of the vehicle features firmer suspension calibrations for both the trim levels of the vehicle as well as special wheels for its GXP. On the other hand the Premium Package of the vehicle adds leather seats, steering-wheel-mounted controls and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For the 2009 Soltice there is a Street Edition, which comes loaded with sport pedals, GXP’s sport suspension, air-conditioning, an upgraded 7 speaker audio system and the Premium Package.

Under The Hood

The power for base Pontiac comes form a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder engine generating maximum power of 177 horsepower and maximum torque of 166 pound-feet. On the other hand the turbocharged engine of the GXP gets its power from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four engine which generates maximum power of 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of maximum torque. The standard transmission for the car is a five-speed manual transmission, while a five speed automatic transmission is standard on the vehicle.the performance even from the base engine is pretty satisfactory and the Soltice sprints from 0 to 60 mph in close to 7.7 seconds for manually equipped cars. The GXP trim is a tad quiker and thrilling as the car sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 5.8 seconds.

The estimated fuel economy for the car is closer to 19 mpg in city to 28 mpg on highways, which comes to an average 22 mpg combined.

Safety Equipments

The Pontiac Soltice ensures the safety of the passengers with its 4 wheel antilock disc brakes, in addition to traction and stability control. The car doesn’t come with airbags but despite this the car scored impressive scores in our road test.

Verdict

If you want a car with head turning styling and decent performance at catchy prices then the Pontiac Soltice surely is a nice option. But as far as the refinement is concerned the Soltice gets bested by aesthetically less stunning rivals.

The Pontiac Sunfire was offered as a sedan, convertible or coupe and all the three body styles of the car was offered with SE trim level. There also was an upscale GT trim available with the convertible and coupe body styles. The GT trim of Pontiac Sunfire came with standard 16” alloy wheels, a new aggressive looking front façade and had a 2.4 liter LD9 engine pumping under its hood. Though, after the model year 2002 the GT trim for the Sunfire was dropped.

Initially, the convertible was available only in SE trim level till the model year 1999, but after ’99 the car was only available in the GT trim. Even the convertible trim was ceased after model year 2000.

During its run in market, the Pontiac Sunfire got two facelifts, one was in the model year 2000 and while the second one came in model year 2003. The Coupe Sunfire was the only model available in US from the model year 2003 to 2005, while the Sedan Sunfire was sold in Mexico and Canada by the end of complete production run in the model year 2005.  But even after this some of the cars were sold in 2006.

The Pontiac Sunfire was manufactured in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and Lordstown, Ohio (until model year 2004, before revising to form the Pontiac Pursuit/G5 models and Chevrolet Cobalt). The Convertible Sunfire was manufactured in Lansing, Michigan. Pontiac Sunfire was ceased on June 22, 2005 completely, but even after that some of the “2006 models” were sold that very year. More than 36,000 Sunfire models were sold in America and about 33,724 units were available in Canada through 2004. Each of the Sunfire model was priced at about US $11,500. General Motors introduced G5 in the model year as a replacement for 2007.

So this is the Pontiac Sunfire for you, a respectable GM car, which despite its shortcomings was respectably popular in market.