When Honda released the new body-style Accord sedan last year, it looked remarkably similar to its upscale cousin, the 3rd generation Acura TL.  This begged the question, “Why pay nearly 40 grand when I can get a nearly identical car for under 30?”  Acura answers this question with the newly redesigned 2009 TL, which hit the showrooms this week.   The new styling, which sports a guillotine-like chrome wedge in the center of the grille, has received mixed review.  However, you have to give Acura kudos for engineering.  In fact Acura describes the 4th generation TL as being “by far the most technologically advanced sedan in Acura’s history.”
 
Certainly, Acura has pulled out all the stops in redesigning what has been America’s best selling luxury sedan since 2005.  Despite a significant increase in size (it’s a full 6 inches longer and 2 inches wider - nearly the size of the 2008 RL flagship), the TL has only gained about 85 lb in total body weight, thanks to the use of new, high-strength steels and an aluminum hood.  This increase in size affords more legroom to rear-seat passengers and plenty of trunk space for golf clubs, luggage or even a full size cooler for tailgating!

The 2009 Acura TL is also more powerful than its predecessor.  The base front wheel drive model has a 280-hp (254 lb-ft torque), 3.5-liter V6 engine that Acura claims will see 26 mpg on the highway.  The performance-oriented, “super-handling” all-wheel-drive (SH-AWD) version is powered by the 305-hp (273 lb-ft torque), 3.7-liter V6 engine currently used in the RX and MDX sport utility vehicles.  Both TL’s currently feature a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, but a 6-speed manual transmission will be available on the SH-AWD model in 2010.

Another new piece of technology is Acura’s Electric Power Steering, which improves fuel economy, but feels a bit loose in medium-speed corners.   The suspension provides a nice balance between comfort and handling, making the car equally suited to a daily commute or a weekend trip up a twisty mountain road.  The 2009 TL comes with standard front and side airbags, and it earned a top rating of five stars from the NHTSA and IIHS in all crash tests.  Who says fun can’t be safe?

Equal attention has been given to the vehicle’s interior with an ergonomic central control stack, hands-free Bluetooth wireless telephone interface and comfortable, bolstered seats.  An optional Technology Package gives you a 440-watt sound system with 10 speakers and DVD-Audio, push-button start system, a voice-command navigation system with rearview camera, real-time traffic routing and real-time weather reporting.

The front-drive TL hit showrooms on September 24 with a starting price just north of $35,000.  The SH-AWD will follow in early November and start around $39,000.  These price tags are slightly higher that those of the TL’s competitors from BWM (328i) and Lexus (IS), but they are still quite reasonable considering the wealth of standard features as well as the car’s increased refinement, power and size.  And, it’s really fun to take through a corner.
 

One of the least expensive cars to insure is the Honda Pilot, which comes fully redesigned for 2009.  Honda maintained the tradition Pilot traits of a comfortable ride, smooth powertrain and optional 4WD, but added significantly more third row legroom.  Honda also gave the new Pilot a much tougher look, both inside and out, much like its brawny cousin, the Ridgeline. 

The new Pilot sports a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 250 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque, but it has been criticized being a bit more sluggish than anticipated.  The fuel economy has improved slightly due to Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system, which shuts down half of the V6’s cylinders when they’re not needed. The 2WD models should achieve 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway (and only 1mpg less for the AWD models), according to EPA estimates.  The 2009 Pilot also received 5 stars in both front and side impact crash tests from the NHTSA.

The 2009 Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV (now called a “crossover”) that comes in four trim levels, each offered in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The base LX starts at $28,265 and comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, trailer hitch, power mirrors, keyless entry, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories, cruise control, 60/40-split second- and third-row seats and a seven-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary input jack. The mid-level EX starts at $31,065 and adds foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power driver seat, six-CD changer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, tri-zone automatic climate control and satellite radio. The upgraded EX-L starts at $34,265 and includes to leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof and a back-up camera. The top end Touring model (new for 2009) starts at $37,465 and features a 10-speaker audio system, a voice recognition navigation system with integrated back-up camera, Bluetooth, a power liftgate and a USB audio interface.

Many accessories are available for the new Pilot, including ski, snowboard, kayak and surfboard attachments.  Less adventurous types may prefer the cargo organizers, running boards or the remote engine starter.  A DVD rear entertainment system is optional on the both EX-L and Touring models.   This represents a significant improvement over the previous Pilot design, which did not allow for both a navigation system and a rear entertainment system at the same time.  The navigation system is satellite based (not DVD based) and is one of the best in the business.  Now, you can keep the kids happy AND figure out where you are going.

Is it a wagon?  Is it an SUV?  Is it a hearse?  Actually, it’s the 2009 Ford Flex, the newest crossover from the Blue Oval.  Although Ford classifies it as a crossover SUV, the Flex actually replaces the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, which were discontinued in 2006 due to weak sales and low profit margins.  The unique design of the Flex offers a clever blend between the people-moving capacity of a minivan and the light cargo and trailer hauling capacity of an SUV (up to 4000 lbs).  Unlike a minivan, the Flex features conventional rear doors whose panels were inspired by vintage vacuum cleaners.  (Seriously.)

The Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 262 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.  A 340-hp “EcoBoost” engine will be offered later this year.   The Flex is available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, both married to a six-speed automatic transmission.  Despite its name, the Flex is not a flexible-fuel vehicle.  However, it does have a “capless” fueling system that reduces evaporative emissions and prevents you from forgetting to put the gas cap back on after filling up.  Standard safety features on the Flex include antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

Unlike many seven-passenger vehicles, the 2009 Ford Flex features comfortably seats seven adults in its spacious, well appointed cabin.  Second row passengers enjoy adjustable / removable footrests and an optional mini fridge in the middle console.  The 60/40 split second row bench and 50/50 split third row seats that fold flat into the floor, providing adequate cargo space (but still less than a true minivan). 

Ford offers the 2009 Flex in three trim levels. The base SE starts at $28,995 and is available with front-wheel drive only and comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, rear climate controls, a power driver seat and a six-speaker CD stereo system with an auxiliary audio jack. The SEL trim is available with either front- or all-wheel drive and offers dual-zone automatic climate control, power heated front seats, leather upholstery (vinyl in the third row for the kids) and a 10-speaker stereo with satellite radio. The top level Limited, which starts at $37,255, is also available with either front- or all-wheel drive, wearing 19-inch wheels.  It includes xenon headlights, a power liftgate, power-adjustable pedals, a memory driver’s seat, perforated leather upholstery and the Microsoft Sync multimedia interface system. 

Additional options include second row captain’s chairs, a four-panel Vista sunroof, towing package, keyless ignition/entry and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Touchscreen navigation with voice recognition, backup camera and Sirius Travel Link are available on the Limited model, shooting the price tag to over $45,000.  The interior is even lit with programmable “mood lighting”, available in seven colors.  Lava lamp sold separately.

The 2008 Tesla Roadster is a fully electric sports car developed by Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Martin Eberhard and electric motor inventor Nikola Tesla under the company name Tesla Motors. The car is assembled for Tesla Motors by Lotus at their plant in Hethel, England along side the Lotus Elise. The cars are then shipped back to Tesla’s plant in California for installation of the powertrain and other final components.

Despite being 100% electric, the Tesla Roadster is no wind-up toy! The little two-seater can travel 225 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery back and requires only 3.5 hours to re-charge, very much like a cell phone. The car ships with a home charging station and costs only 2 cents per mile to drive. The 6,831 cell lithium-ion battery pack weighs about 1,000 pounds, more than a third of the weight of the 2,700 pound car, and gives off zero emissions. The battery is warranted for 100,000 miles or five years.

Although the Roadster’s body is made of light weight carbon fiber materials, the car has passed all of the required U.S. safety tests. The all-torque electric motor makes 248 hp and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds, topping out at 125 mph. The rear mounted engine redlines at 13,500 rpm with practically no noise at all. When did going green become so sexy!?!

The two-speed, rear wheel drive Roadster starts at $109,000 and comes in practically every color in the metallic rainbow. Air conditioning, heated leather seats, power windows and locks, cruise control, a single CD stereo with iPod interface, Homelink universal transmitter, and even a retractable cup holder are all standard. Safety features include four wheel anti-lock breaks, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and dual front airbags. The Tesla sits on a set of high performance Yokohama tires mounted on 16” alloy wheels in the front and wider 17’s in the rear. A double insulated soft top is standard, but a removable, carbon fiber hard top is also available.   Other upgrades include a premium sound system, Bluetooth, satellite radio and touch screen navigation with voice guidance. You can even squeeze a set of golf clubs in the small, rear trunk.

If you’re thinking, “sign me up!” – get in line. All of the 600 cars that Tesla plans to produce for 2008 are spoken for, and they are now taking orders for the 1500 cars they plan to build for 2009. A mere $60,000 deposit is required to place an order. Tesla’s first dealership opened in the trendy L.A. neighborhood of Westwood, where Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Brentwood meet. Not surprisingly, Hollywood’s elite, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney and Jay Leno, were among the first to place their orders. The first Telsa Roadsters were delivered to their excited owners in late March. Lucky dogs!

Learn more about the Tesla Roadster at Jay Leno’s Garage!

Despite the fact that Lexus dropped the night vision system option for 2008, their flagship sedan, the LS460 is still one of the most geeked-out vehicles on the market. The LS460, a redesign of the LS430 sedan, debuted in 2007 and is essentially unchanged for 2008.

The flagship of the Lexus fleet, the LS460 offers a delicate balance of performance, luxury, space and value. The 4.6-liter V8 engine makes a respectable 380 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque, accomplishing a swift 5.8 second 0-60 time while remaining remarkable quiet. Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, traction / stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and knee-protection airbags for front passengers. Side-impact airbags for rear passengers are optional. The LS also boasts higher reliability and safety ratings and lower maintenance costs than its European rivals.

Between the luxury appointments and technical features, sliding behind the wheel of the LS460 feels like boarding a Lear jet. Rich wood trim perfectly compliments the plush leather seating and elegant electroluminescent gauges. Starting at a relatively reasonable $62,000, the LS460 features standard 18” alloy wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, power and heated front seats, keyless ignition, Bluetooth, and a premium audio system with six-CD changer and an auxiliary audio jack. Optional packages offer features such as a hard drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic and a backup camera, cooled front seats, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, satellite radio, park assist, the Advanced Parking Guidance System (that cool “car parks itself system”) and adaptive cruise control.
The LS also comes in a long wheel base model, aptly called the 460L, which offers an adaptive air suspension system, variable-ratio steering, 19-inch wheels and upgraded brakes. If you really want to go First Class, you can opt for the “Executive Class Seating Package”. For just under $13,000, this special-order-only package reduces the rear seating capacity from three to two, but adds a middle console with a “cool box” (i.e. beer fridge). Rear seat passengers are further pampered with reclining power seats (with heating, cooling and massage options), a DVD entertainment system, and dual-zone climate control. The total price for this wingless, private jet – around $100,000. If that’s not enough for you, then go for a loaded LS 600h L hybrid for a mere $130,000. After all, it’s only money.

Many people have been asking me about the new Smart cars, so I decided to swing by the new Smart dealership here in Charlotte to get you the scoop. The name SMART is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes ART. If you are thinking that Swatch sounds like those trendy watches from the 80s, you are right! The idea for this micromobile was actually conceived by the Swiss watch company, which teamed up with Daimler-Benz to create a vehicle that could be easily parked on the crowded streets of Europe. The SMART debuted in Germany in 1998 and, after a decade, has finally made it to the United States.

But is America, the land of “bigger is better”, ready for this minicar? The Smart “Fourtwo” (does that stand for four wheels, two doors?) hit the U.S. market in January 2008, and there is already a 14 month wait list. Not too long ago, such a car would have been unthinkable in the U.S., but obscene gas prices and global warming have made environmentally friendly cars trendy. The Fourtwo gets over 40 mpg on the highway and nearly 35 mpg in the city, but that’s not what makes it so “green”. Smart uses only water-soluble paints for its three basic colors (black, white and yellow), and the body panels, dashboard, and wheel housing covers are fully recyclable. Protecting the environment and preservation of natural resources are truly hallmarks of smart brand. They even offer all-natural floor mats made from hemp.

The next question is “can such a tiny car really be safe?” The laws of physics dictate that any small car is at an inherent disadvantage when hit by a larger, heavier vehicle. However, Smart has gone to great lengths to make the Fourtwo as safe as possible. The core is a reinforced steel safety cell, which surrounds the driver and passenger and acts as a protective shell, much like a roll cage in a race car. Standard front- and side-impact airbags, as well as antilock breaks and an electronic stability system provide additional safety. The Fourtwo passed every American and European crash test, but a star rating has not yet been issued.

The two-seater Smart Fourtwo sports a 1.0 liter, 3 cylinder, rear-mounted engine that puts out a mere 70 horsepower and 68 pound feet of torque. Yet, weighing only 1800 lbs, the little car can still make 0-60 mph in under 13 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited at 90 mph.

The Fourtwo comes in two trim levels. The base “Pure” model starts just under $12,000 and comes standard with a 5-speed automated manual transmission, central remote locking system, 2-spoke leather steering wheel, and 15 inch steel wheels. The upgraded “Passion” starts at $13,590 and adds a panorama roof, alloy wheels, air conditioning with climate control, 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles, power windows, electric and heated side mirrors, and AM/FM radio with CD player. Options for the Passion include leather seats, heated seats, a premium sound system, power steering, an alarm system, rain and light sensors, and metallic paint. The “Passion” is also offered in a cabriolet (starting at $16,590), which has a fully automated, retracting soft top and removable side roof bars. Fun accessories are expected for enthusiasts who want to pimp their ride.

I had the pleasure of test driving the Smart car, and it was delightful. The ride is quite smooth, and it has sufficient “umph” to maneuver confidently through traffic. The turning radius is phenomenal, although the complete lack of front-end takes some getting used to. The cockpit is comfortable, ergonomic and, surprisingly, non-cramped. Cargo space is limited, but the passenger seat does fold flat, in case you need to go to Wal-Mart. Wow. Something smaller than my Mini.

It has been nearly six decades since Cadillac and General Motors won the very first Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 1949. Over those decades, the Cadillac brand has been the pinnacle of luxury and status among American cars. Hollywood used them in movies. Mary Kay paints them pink and gives them to their top sales directors as an award for their achievements. Elvis had a whole fleet of them. Yet, in recent years, American made luxury has been overshadowed by the European status symbols like BMW and Mercedes. Well, watch out! Americans don’t like to lose, and Cadillac is making a strong come back. The new 2008 CTS sedan beat out 17 other worthy contenders, including the Audi A5 and Honda Accord, to earn the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year award.

The midsize CTS certainly has what it takes to compete with the leading luxury sport sedans from Europe and Japan. This newly redesigned model has edgier styling, higher quality materials, a roomier interior, capable handling and more zip than ever before. The 2008 Cadillac CTS is available with one of two V6 engines. The base 3.6-liter V6 generates 258 hp and 252 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded 3.6-liter direct injection (DI) V6 puts out a more competitive 304 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Performance tests conducted by Motor Trend showed a 0-60-mph time of 6.5 seconds, which is comparable to the BMW 330i.

Every CTS comes standard with 17-inch wheels, leatherette seating, an eight-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and a CD/MP3 player with an iPod interface and satellite radio. The basic Seating Package adds leather trim and heated front seats, while the Luxury packages add a six-CD changer, rain-sensing wipers, heated/ventilated seats, rear park assist and keyless ignition. The Premium package offers a 40GB hard drive-based navigation system with a slick, pop-up display and real-time traffic, a premium Bose surround-sound audio system, sunroof, wood trim and LED interior lighting. For driving enthusiasts, the CTS offers two tempting performance packages that include 18-inch wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, performance cooling, adaptive xenon headlights, a high-performance suspension, tires and bigger brakes.

The CTS sports all of the latest and greatest safety equipment, including antilock brakes, traction & stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and GM’s famous OnStar emergency communications system.

This definitely isn’t your granddaddy’s Cadillac. GM’s efforts to eradicate the “old man” image extend beyond the car’s design and into a marketing campaign that appeals to both men and women. One of my favorite Cadillac commercials touches on a topic that I discussed previously – that girls like to have fun, too. The commercial features a beautiful, professionally-dressed, 40 year old woman (played by actress Kate Walsh of Grey’s Anatomy) driving a Crystal Red CTS. She is clearly a confident, successful business woman who is spending her hard-earned cash on herself, enjoying life, and making no apologies for it. She says that when deciding what luxury car to buy, the question is not whether it has swanky features and innovative technologies. She says, “the question is… when you turn your car on, does it return the favor”. Then, she floors it.

A girl after my own heart.

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has been fully redesigned. A new 4.0-liter V6 is available, married to a six-speed automatic transmission that features a manual mode for those who prefer to shift gears themselves, even in a minivan. Even with the optional larger engine, expect a quieter ride, thanks to thicker glass, deeper carpet padding, additional seals and isolated front suspension components.

Dodge’s “Swivel ‘n Go” seats and an optional square table means the family van can now double as a living room on wheels. The third row also offers power fold-flat seats! No other minivan on the market has these flexible seating features. The 2008 model is also roomier inside than its predecessor, and there’s more storage space behind the third row of seats.

But what makes this new minivan “cool” is Dodge’s new entertainment technology. An optional three-zone video system allows the front, middle and rear-seat passengers to watch or listen to totally separate entertainment sources. Your toddler and your teenager can watch separate DVDs, while you enjoy your favorite music for a change! The new Caravan also offers Sirius Backseat TV, which features the Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and the Disney Channel. The Dodge Grand Caravan (and its twin, the Chrysler Town & Country) are the only vehicles, minivan or otherwise, to currently offer this feature.

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan starts at $22,520 and is available in two trim levels. The base SE comes with power windows and locks, A/C, keyless entry, a CD/MP3 player, and a flip-down kiddie mirror to check on the troops. The SXT adds a more powerful engine, a power driver seat and adjustable pedals, power sliding doors and rear A/C. The SXT also offers an optional hard-drive-based audio system, rear DVD entertainment (one or two systems), a 115-volt household-style outlet, satellite radio, navigation, and a backup camera. Also available are surround-sound, leather seating, retractable sunshades, remote start, three-zone climate control and hands-free phone. These exciting options do add up, however, and can easily hike the price of this family-mobile over $40,000!

In the past, the Dodge Grand Caravan has been ranked near the bottom of its class by Consumer Reports for quality and reliability. Not anymore! Consumer Reports applauded Dodge for its vastly improved new design, and ranked the 2008 Grand Caravan third in predicted reliability, just behind the esteemed (and more expensive) Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Dodge has also improved its safety equipment. Traction control, stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist as well as three rows of head curtain airbags are all standard on both trim levels.

A long list of unique equipment and technology, plus vastly improved safety and reliability ratings, mean the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan (or the Chrysler Town & County) should definitely be on your short list when shopping for a family-friendly vehicle. You can even get an orange one.

No vehicle has captured the hearts and imagination of parents and children at this time of year more than Santa’s sleigh. Yet little is known about this iconic ride that makes the rounds every December.  After a secret interview with Mrs. Claus, I am proud to bring you the exclusive scoop on Santa’s sleigh.   Unfortunately, no photos were available for security reasons.

Due to the high number of miles that he puts on his sleigh, Santa purchases a new vehicle every couple of years.  (He is clearly not a lease candidate!)  This year, Santa purchased a new 2007 Scania Julvagen, made by a leading European manufacturer of heavy trucks, buses, and diesel engines.   Santa selected the upgraded LS model with Hollyberry Pearl metallic paint, a charcoal leather interior and 24 inch alloy runners. 
Santa’s Scandinavian luxury vehicle is a six-seater convertible with a retractable hard top, which folds neatly into a spacious cargo area.  Interior amenities include a GPS navigation system, 6-CD changer, iPod dock, hands-free Bluetooth, heated seats, and a Naughty-or-Nice sensor.

The naturally aspirated 16-nostril power plant produces an impressive 8cp (caribou power) and 8 hf-lbs (hoof pounds) of torque, enabling it to go from zero to mach-10 in under 3 seconds while easily towing the Christmas Eve load.  The all-hoof drive and dynamic stability control system deliver exceptional traction on or off-roofs and even over icy surfaces.  While the EPA does not publish estimated MPG for reindeer powered vehicles, the Scania Julvagen has proven very fuel efficient in previous model years.
The only option available on the Julvagen is the Premium Rudolph Package, which adds a front fog light, backup-assist camera, and additional caribou power.
Due to the unfortunate methane emissions produced by the reindeer, Santa is considering a hybrid vehicle for 2008, which can be powered either by the reindeer engine or modern hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The 2007 Charlotte Auto Show report ran this past Thursday through Sunday at the Charlotte Convention Center. The Car Chick, of course, was there. I spent 10 hours over two days crawling through every single 2008 model vehicle they had! And, my favorites were not at all what I expected.

The newly redesigned Honda Accord was exceptional, but this I expected. It’s essentially an Acura in terms of interior luxury and style. The Toyota Highlander was also very impressive with A+ comfort and usability. However, it was the Kia Amanti and the Ford Taurus X that left the biggest impressions. The Kia Amanti is truly a luxury sedan, with an interior that could easily be confused with a Lexus. The Taurus X fits a unique niche in the world of many-sized SUVs and crossovers. It has the ride height of a crossover (just higher than a sedan), but unlike other crossovers, it has 3rd row seating and good storage space. If you need a 7 passenger vehicle but don’t want a tank or a minivan, this is the one to buy!