2012 Audi S4 – The Ultimate Sedan

Good Impressive fuel economy; splendid supercharged V6 engine; nice-looking cabin; razor-sharp handling. Bad Old Multi Media Interface is standard feature; artificial steering feel; button-happy control layout. Introduction 2012 Audi S4 is a modified version of A4 offered in sedan body style and has subtly more aggressive styling, sport tuned suspension and increased engine power. It proves that performance and luxury can live together in one well balanced package. It remains basically unchanged for 2012, albeit few previously optional features are now available as standard features. The S4’s modern design is carried through with trademark S version, including S badging on steering column and aluminium doorsills. The rear and front splitters add improved aerodynamic flow under S4 providing  [...]

2011 Nissan Xterra – Plenty of Standard Features to Coddle and Cushion

Good Most livable truck in its segment; serious off-road prowess; pioneering cargo features; potent V6 engine. Bad Poor fuel economy as compared to similarly priced crossovers; unimpressive cabin materials and design. Introduction 2011 Nissan Xterra is the most rugged and adventure oriented sport utility vehicle, which will surely appeal to those seeking a vehicle with off-road capabilities at competitive price. It may lack the unique features and funky styling of its off-road rivals, but it's the easiest to live on with those days when you are not mud-splashing or rock-crawling. For 2011, the Off-Road variant of Xterra has been renamed Pro-4X, while SE variant has been dropped. The rack mounted roof off-road lamps are built into roof rack and help guide way on even darkest trails. With  [...]

2012 Audi Q5 – A Benchmark among Five-Passenger Crossovers

Good Athletic handling; high quality cabin craftsmanship; voluptuous rearseat; best-in class fuel economy; top crash scores. Bad Artificial steering feel; under-average cargo capacity; unintuitive control layout without navigation. Introduction 2012 Audi Q5 offers the versatility of a sport utility vehicle with driving dynamics of sport sedan with goal of being the sportiest in its segment. You can really have it all with 2012 Q5, from excellent convenience and comfort to exciting performance, this crossover has broad appeal. The Q5 was designed and engineered to break the mould. With broad, long body and sweeping, smooth lines; it purposely avoids a conventional boxy look of sport utility vehicle. With its muscular flared wheel arches and low lean forward stance, the Q5 has wealth of  [...]

2011 Audi S6-A Sleek Saloon Packing a Lambo V10

aGood Four-wheel drive; exhilarating V10 sound; elegant cabin; powerful brakes. Bad Heavy; firm ride; unimposing performance. Introduction 2011 Audi S6 is a sport refined version of prestigious A6 sedan, boasting exclusive design details, more power and level of technological sophistication few cars achieve. It sounds great at full throttle, but otherwise brings up the rear in super sedan class. The S6 continues a legacy of dynamic excellence, award winning style and exceptional comfort. It is packed with driving dynamics, technology and enhancing convenience without overwhelming. On track, it boasts precise steering, firm but comfortable ride, fluid transmission and engines and stout brakes. The specially designed sway bars stabilize body through corners, while the overall low stance  [...]

2012 Lexus RX 350 – A Carefree, Capable and Versatile SUV

Good Comprehensible multifunction controller; first-rate cabin materials and design; comfortable seating rear and front; luxurious ride; vigorous acceleration; serene handling. Bad Not that entertaining as compared to sportier models; lack of third-row seats; expensive options packages. Introduction 2012 Lexus RX 350 is one of the first saloon-based luxury utility vehicles, which is impressively smooth, responsive and comfortable in all driving conditions and flexible in terms of hauling cargo and people. It leads, when it comes to offering plush ride, everyday utility and prestigious interior. For most shoppers, those characteristics should be enough for overcoming its rather uninspiring driving dynamics. The RX 350 receives quite a few changes for 2012, including fuel recommendation  [...]

2012 Dodge Avenger – The Most Affordable Midsize Saloon

Good Composed handling and ride; muscular V6 engine; abundant features for the price. Bad Limited rear visibility; not that spacious as compared to rivals; some old-fashioned electronics; smallish trunk; SE's four-speed automatic. Introduction 2012 Dodge Avenger is an attractive midsize saloon with identical looks to Dodge Charger, offering plenty of sporty features and standard equipments found in high performance models. It is a fully competitive midsize family sedan, however the wealth of stronger rivals makes it hard to recommend. Some of the main reasons to buy the 2012 Avenger include most affordable midsize sedan, impressive fuel economy of up to 44 miles per gallon in highway driving, premium cabin with soft touch surfaces, 2011 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety  [...]

2011 Rolls Royce Ghost – A Historic Car

Good The exclusiveness only Rolls Royce can offer; rapid acceleration; extremely customizable; sumptuously and quiet comfortable interior. Bad Simply enough trunk space; unreasonable cost. Introduction 2011 Rolls Royce Ghost is an all new exotic saloon designed in England, and is more driver-oriented and slightly smaller as compared to flagship Phantom. Those who are in the market looking for a vehicle with luxury and presence of Rolls Royce Phantom but with acquisition cost and more manageable size should be pleased with the 2011 Ghost. Seductively simple, the all new Ghost provides the presence you would expect from the Rolls Royce strengthened by highly developed ideas and technology in luxury car design. It is the essence of the company in its purest, simplest form. The Ghost offers  [...]

2012 Mazda CX-9 – Works Well For People Needing Extra Seats and Cargo Room

Good Solid build quality; sporty performance; easy access to voluptuous third row; elegant interior. Bad 20 inch wheels offer stiff ride; long rear doors might be a problem in tight parking zones. Introduction 2012 Mazda CX-9 is a stylish alternative for those who need versatility of a minivan, but desire the looks of modern sport utility vehicle without rugged off-road capabilities. With attractive design and seven-passenger seating capacity, it certainly fits the bill. The CX-9 provides everything the usual family friendly crossover does, plus the dash of space in the form of driving excitement. It is a midsize crossover utility vehicle, which combines cargo capacity of sport utility vehicle with handling, fuel economy and ride quality of a car. It is a stylish and swift alternative  [...]

2011 Maserati Quattroporte – The Latest Jewel in the Maserati Range

Good Extensive customization options; unique styling; dazzling V8 soundtrack; engaging handling. Bad Lacks quite a few luxury-oriented and technical features; less powerful and more pricey as compared to rivals. Introduction 2011 Maserati Quattroporte is the flagship luxury performance sedan of the company, which is designed by Pininfarina design firm of Italy. Despite its 4400 pounds of hefty weight, it manages to feel like a car half its size with captivating eagerness, well weighted steering and limited body roll for changing direction. It is a worthy luxury sedan with Italian pedigree, but in plenty of ways, it is now old-fashioned than most recent rivals. For 2011 year, it gets quite a few cosmetic redesigns to S variant including convenient packages for easier ordering. The most-recent  [...]

2012 Hyundai Tucson – Combines the Rugged Styling of Sport Utility Vehicle

Good Strong value; classy design outside and in; sporty handling; simple controls; impressive fuel economy. Bad Pokey acceleration with base powertrain; under-average rearseat and cargo space; firm ride. Introduction 2012 Hyundai Tucson is a small crossover utility vehicle of the company, which enters 2012 with design that instantly sets it apart as one of the visually appealing and most unique vehicles in its segment. It might not be that big like it rivals, but it makes amends with handsome interior, low price, plethora of features and sporty handling. It is a top pick for a small crossover. For 2012 model year, it gets quite a few enhancements to help boost fuel efficiency, including new Active Eco system, which tailors transmission and engine response and low rolling resistance tires.  [...]

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan – An Affordable Compact SUV

Good Solid build quality; compose handling and ride; lively turbocharged engine; premium interior appointments. Bad Expensive as compared to rivals; shy on cargo space. Introduction 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact sport utility vehicle with European sophistication and design, offering different flavor in bland segment by trading some practicality for European driving manners and high quality interior. It is a sport utility vehicle with design parallels to bigger Touareg. All variants of Tiguan receive freshened exterior styling along with tweaks to automatic transmission, which boost 2mpg of fuel economy in highway driving. The high end models feature 19 inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lamps and adaptive HID headlamps. A sport utility vehicle, which is a versatile, ideal companion  [...]

2011 Aston Martin DB9 – The Quintessential Sporting Grand Tourer

Good Beautifully designed interior; seductive styling; surprisingly livable on road trips; V12 power and communicative responsive transmission. Bad Terrible navigation system; gives up performance to other exotics; wind buffeting in Volante cabriolet; useless rearseats. Introduction 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is an ultraluxury, performance focused convertible and coupe, often praised for its precise handling and sensuous styling. It is also known for having one of the most unique exhaust notes in any other exotic sportscar. It might be the ultimate driver’s car, but what it lacks in maximum thrills makes up for with loads of character and stunning good looks. For 2011, it receives very mild refresh to rear and front styling and active dampers found on DBS. Whether a Volante or Coupe, it is  [...]

2012 Volvo C30 – A Fun to Drive Four-Seat Sports Coupe

Good Strong-willed turbocharged engine; unique styling; comfortable yet supportive seats; compliant yet firm ride. Bad Outdated navigation system; rivals provide more performance. Introduction 2012 Volvo C30 is a premium luxury hatchback, providing comfortable seating capacity for four passengers, distinctive styling and well designed cabin. It can be optioned with variety of safety and technology features. It dishes out full plate of comfort and style; nevertheless doesn’t match quite of few of performance thrills that other rivals provide. The company has revised the variant strategy for 2012 model year, adding Platinum and Premier Plus options to both C30 T5-R and C30 T5 models. Other changes include stereo streaming for Bluetooth, replacement of halogen type daytime running lamps  [...]

2011 Rolls Royce Phantom – The Most Luxurious Car in the World

Good Almost never-ending customization options; royal passenger accommodations; drives astoundingly well for its size; profligate and iconic styling; splendid ride. Bad Might attract paparazzi; size makes it devil for manoeuvring in tight areas; quite a few perplexing secondary controls. Introduction 2011 Rolls Royce Phantom is an ultraluxury, flagship sedan of the company, offered with extended or standard wheelbases. Its classic styling cues including discrete windows, long hood and wide C-pillars, powerful upright stance and dynamic profile are unmistakably Rolls Royce. Together with the use of wood veneers and finest leather, the fusion of hand craftsmanship and high technology provides the cabin, a prestigious and distinctive feel, while the comfortable, serene ride offers unparalleled  [...]