There are no significant changes for the 2010 Ferrari California.
California is a different sort of state and it's a different sort of Ferrari, too. The California is the first Ferrari to get a dual-clutch automated manual transmission. It's surprisingly agile and an easy car to drive hard -- perfect for the first-timers Ferrari anticipates the California will attract.
In the 2010 Ferrari California's price range is the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, while Aston's V8 Vantage Roadster, Audi's R8 Spyder and Maserati's GranTurismo are notably cheaper.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Ferrari California retractable-hardtop convertible comes standard with 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, the "manettino" steering wheel knob for adjustable vehicle settings, full leather interior, fold-down rear seatback, a trip computer, hard-drive navigation system and a CD player sound system with touchscreen interface.
The rear-wheel-drive Ferrari California is powered by a 4.3-liter V8 that cranks out 460 hp and 357 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual is the only available transmission. According to Ferrari, the California is capable of sprinting from zero to 60 mph in fewer than 4 seconds. Antilock disc brakes, front side airbags, an automatically deploying rollbar, and stability and traction control are standard on the 2010 Ferrari California.
Like every current Ferrari, the new California has an interior befitting its lofty price.
Driving Impressions Weighing about 3,800 pounds, the 2010 Ferrari California is hardly an elemental sports car.
Lusting after the 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano? Oh, and it's not only a Ferrari; it's the most expensive Ferrari.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a two-seat coupe available in one trim level. Standard equipment includes 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels shod in performance tires, xenon headlights, an adaptive suspension system with magnetic dampers, carbon-ceramic brakes, rear parking sensors, automatic dual-zone climate control, power seats, leather upholstery and interior trim, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a navigation system and an eight-speaker Becker sound system with a CD player.
HGTE also adds unique exterior and interior styling cues. Other options include different wheel designs, a space-saver spare tire, run-flat tires, front parking sensors, tinted rear windows, a carbon-fiber racing wheel with integrated LED shift lights, fully powered Recaro sport seats, an iPod interface, a six-CD changer and a Bose Hi Fi premium audio system.
Powertrains and Performance Ferrari offers a traditional six-speed manual transmission as standard or a six-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission with paddle shifters as an option. Antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control are standard.
Interior Design and Special Features Unlike supercars of old, the 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano offers much more than a cramped cockpit with minimal accoutrements. The standard navigation system offers a tiny, antiquated screen and there's no HD or satellite radio available.
The Ferrari 458 Italia is an all-new model for 2010.
Though constructed mostly of aluminum, the Italia is nevertheless a tad heavier than the car it replaces. The Italia's direct-injected 4.5-liter V8 screams to a 9,000-rpm redline and produces 562 horsepower. There are significant ergonomic foibles in the new car to be sure (the turn signals are triggered by buttons on the steering wheel, for instance). The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia is a two-seat exotic sports car available in one coupe body style and a single trim.
Standard are 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable driving and vehicle settings, automatic xenon headlights, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery and trim, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel (with buttons for the turn signals, wipers, lights, ignition, suspension and other vehicle settings), Bluetooth and a sound system with an auxiliary audio jack.
Optional features include forged aluminum alloy wheels, 19-inch run-flat tires, adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, cruise control, power seats, four different seat design choices, four-point race belts, faux suede upholstery and/or carpet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a navigation system, an iPod interface, satellite radio and a premium sound system.
The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 that sends 562 hp and 398 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission. A traditional manual transmission isn't offered. Ferrari estimates that the 458 Italia will go from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia comes with antilock carbon-ceramic brakes, traction and stability control, and side airbags. To free up space for the enlarged transmission paddle shifters, Ferrari did away with traditional steering wheel column stalks.
The ACR package gains a short-throw shifter and revised rear wing. The 2010 model year marks the end of the line for the second-generation Dodge Viper, and quite possibly the end of the Viper altogether. Since the original concept car debuted in 1989, the Viper has embodied the brash American spirit of excess. We'll mourn the loss, mostly because of the Viper's unapologetic nature.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 is offered as either a two-seat coupe or a soft-top roadster. Inside, the Viper comes with race-inspired seats, power-adjustable pedals, a tilting steering wheel, air-conditioning, full power accessories, six-point harness pre-fabrication, leather and Alcantara upholstery, keyless entry and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player.
Satellite radio and a navigation system are packaged together as options. No, this package doesn't impart a "Jersey Shore" spray-on tan to your skin, it adds tan napa seats, a tan roadster convertible top and matching interior trim. The big performance-enhancing option for the Viper is the American Club Racer (ACR) package, which is only available for the coupe variant.
Powering the 2010 Dodge Viper is a completely bonkers 8.4-liter V10 engine that thunders out 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. The best safety equipment for the 2010 Dodge Viper isn't included with the car. Conspicuously absent are side airbags, traction control and stability control -- making the skills of the aforementioned driver even more critical.
Driving Impressions The 2010 Dodge Viper is rough, raw, loud and unrefined when compared to other sports cars, and therein lies much of its appeal. Novices can appreciate the Viper's straight-line power and fury, but only advanced drivers should explore its cornering limits.
The 2010 Dodge Dakota gains revised suspension tuning for an improved ride and better handling. Dodge hopes to remedy some of that with the 2010 Dakota. Also receiving high marks are the pickup's innovative rear under-seat storage bins and comfortable seating. As a workhorse, though, the 2010 Dodge Dakota still stands tall.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The TRX4 and Laramie models are only available as crew cabs. Standard features for the ST include 16-inch steel wheels, a dual-position tailgate, foglights, air-conditioning, front bucket seats, a front center console, two rear folding seats (extended cab only), a rear under-seat storage system (crew cab only), cloth upholstery, a tilt steering wheel and a CD player stereo.
The Big Horn adds 17-inch alloy wheels, body-colored bumpers and front fascia, full power accessories and cruise control. The Big Horn and Laramie extended cabs can be equipped with a front bench seat in place of the standard buckets. A 3.7-liter V6 is standard on every 2010 Dodge Dakota, producing 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all Dakotas, with four-wheel drive being optional (standard on the TRX4).
Fuel economy registers an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined for rear-drive models, while four-wheel-drive mileage drops slightly to 14/15/18 mpg. A five-speed automatic is standard. In performance testing, a 4WD Dakota Laramie crew cab with the V8 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. When properly equipped, a V8 Dakota can tow 7,200 pounds.
Safety In side-impact tests, the 2010 Dodge Dakota crew cab without side curtain airbags earned five stars for the protection of both front and rear passengers. On the upside, the Dakota's interior design is mostly straightforward.
The 2010 Dodge Nitro gains a deceleration fuel cut-off feature when equipped with the 3.7-liter V6. Nitro was one heck of an American Gladiator. Sadly, the 2010 Dodge Nitro doesn't live up to its namesake as an American-made SUV gladiator.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Dodge Nitro is a five-passenger SUV available in Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels. Standard equipment includes 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, foglamps, roof rails, tinted windows, keyless entry, full power accessories, heated mirrors, air-conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, a 60/40-split-folding and reclining rear seat and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The Nitro Shock trim adds different 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated seats.
The Dodge Nitro Heat comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, with the latter being a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. This engine returns an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 16/20/17 with four-wheel drive. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16/21/18 with rear-drive and 15/21/17 with four-wheel. In performance testing, a rear-drive Nitro with the 4.0-liter engine went from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
Safety The stability control includes a trailer sway control feature. Rear parking sensors are standard on the Detonator and Shock. In government crash tests, the 2010 Dodge Nitro achieved a top five-star rating in all frontal and side crash categories. There are 32 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.
Driving Impressions With its aggressive styling and macho name, you'd think that the 2010 Dodge Nitro offered vigorous power and acceleration.
The 2010 Dodge Journey receives driver and front-passenger active head restraints, a larger 9-inch screen for the rear-seat entertainment system and standard keyless entry.
Other neat options include MyGIG, Chrysler's hard-drive-based navigation and entertainment system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a 9-inch screen. Speaking of pricing, that's another of the Journey's strengths, as the base SE model costs about the same as a bare-bones five-seat family sedan.
The Journey's cabin materials are no nicer than those of the dismal Dodge Caliber economy car, on which the Journey is based. Overall, the 2010 Dodge Journey has a split personality. Among competing crossovers, Toyota's RAV4 offers a third-row seat along with better performance, and the surprisingly enjoyable Kia Rondo is another model to consider. We do not recommend the Journey.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options A midsize crossover SUV, the 2010 Dodge Journey comes in SE, SXT and R/T trim levels. All models come standard with two-row seating for five; with the optional 50/50-split-folding third-row bench (SXT and R/T only), capacity increases to seven. The top-drawer R/T features 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls.
The base-model Journey SE comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The EPA gives the four-cylinder Journey ratings of 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Every 2010 Journey includes antilock disc brakes, traction control, rollover-sensing stability control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows.
Interior Design and Special Features Inside, the 2010 Dodge Journey is a spacious, versatile family hauler.
The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan gains active front-seat headrests across the lineup and standard tri-zone manual climate control on SE models.
The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan has history on its side, if nothing else. A dual-screen rear entertainment system, Sirius Satellite TV and hard-drive audio storage are also available.
Unfortunately, these attributes are overshadowed by the Grand Caravan's quality issues and other faults like low-quality interior materials and a feeble base engine. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan is available in three trim levels: C/V, SE and SXT. The SXT adds a larger engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, an eight-way power driver seat with manual lumbar adjustment, power-adjustable pedals, power and remote-operated sliding side doors (optional on SE), second-row power windows and third-row power vent-style windows (also optional on SE), an overhead console with storage bins and ambient lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and satellite radio. With the SXT, the rear DVD entertainment system includes a swiveling second-row flip-down screen.
The front-wheel-drive 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is equipped with one of three V6 engines. The SXT comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 197 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque and gets 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. The Grand Caravan comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, active front headrests and full-length side curtain airbags.
Optional on both the SE and SXT trims are second-row integrated child booster seats (requires Swivel 'n Go). In government crash tests, the 2010 Grand Caravan scored a perfect five stars in all frontal- and side-impact categories. The Grand Caravan's interior design theme is plain but functional, with high-mounted audio controls for easy visibility and operation. Aft of the comfortable front seats, there are various seating choices.
The 2010 Grand Caravan's handling will be adequate for most owners, particularly in sport-tuned SXT trim. As for Grand Caravans with the ancient 3.3-liter engine, we'd say don't bother -- they're sluggish and marginally less efficient than the muscular 4.0-liter SXT.
There are no significant changes for the 2010 Ferrari California.
