While today's minivans offer levels of comfort and performance on par with sedans, the Chevrolet Astro was a minivan from a different era. Compared to front-wheel-drive, car-based minivans, the Chevy Astro was a true workhorse with considerable towing and hauling capabilities.
Chevrolet did offer the Astro van with an all-wheel-drive system, which made it one of the handful of vans, mini or otherwise, capable of tracking confidently through snow and ice.
Most Recent Chevrolet Astro A 4.3-liter V6 was standard on all Chevrolet Astro passenger vans. Early vans were exclusively rear-wheel drive; Chevrolet added the option of all-wheel drive in 1990. From 1995 onward, Chevrolet sold only the extended-length Astro. Options included rear air-conditioning, leather upholstery, second-row bucket seats (reducing seating capacity to seven), upgraded stereos, towing preparation and a locking rear differential.
Four-wheel antilock brakes were made standard on Astro passenger vans in 1990. A 1995 face-lift gave the Astro a fresher exterior look. Speed-sensitive power steering was added to ease parking in 1997, and in 1999, Chevrolet adopted a new all-wheel-drive system that sent power to the front wheels only when the rear wheels began to slip -- thus improving fuel economy.
The extensively redone 2010 Mercury Milan boasts improved fuel economy on four-cylinder models, a standard six-speed automatic transmission, more power, refreshed exterior and interior styling, and additional features content.
Well, the 2010 mercury milan offers a competitive 175-horsepower four-cylinder base engine and a juiced-up 240-hp version of the familiar 3.0-liter V6. If you want a sportier version of the Milan, the Fusion Sport has a larger engine and a sport-tuned suspension. The 2010 Mercury Milan is a midsize sedan available in base or Premier trim. The Premier adds 17-inch alloys, automatic headlights, foglamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, power heated front seats, leather upholstery, unique interior trim and the Sync entertainment and communications interface.
Options on the base Milan include many of the Premier's standard features plus a sunroof and reverse parking sensors. Additional options on the Premier include a 12-speaker Sony sound system, a blind-spot warning system, a back-up camera, a rear deck spoiler, a 12-speaker Sony sound system with a six-CD changer, and a voice-activated hard-drive-based navigation system and Sirius Travel Link (includes real-time traffic and weather information). The 2010 Mercury Milan is powered by either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter flex-fuel V6. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive can be specified on the V6-powered Premier.
Fuel economy ratings for the four-cylinder Milan with the automatic transmission are an impressive 23 mpg city/34 mpg highway.
Interior Design and Special Features The 2010 Mercury Milan's cabin will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in the previous Milan, but that's not a bad thing. There's plenty of room for passengers in the Milan.
Driving Impressions The 2010 Mercury Milan is one of the most engaging family sedans from the driver seat.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro rocks. Impressively, the new Chevy Camaro is an excellent performance-car value whether it's equipped with the base direct-injected V6 or the optional V8. The Camaro handles smartly, too, with even the base car surpassing the rarefied 68 mph mark on our slalom course.
The base direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 is the same sophisticated engine that's an extra-cost option on the Cadillac CTS luxury sedan, while the 6.2-liter V8 in the manual-transmission Camaro SS is essentially borrowed from the base Corvette (automatic SS models get a slightly less powerful V8 variant). In the final analysis, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is a car that's no-excuses good. The wait is over; the Camaro is here.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro performance coupe is available in five trim levels: base LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS and 2SS. The 2LT adds 19-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, auto-dimming functionality for the driver-side and interior mirrors, additional auxiliary gauges, remote engine start (automatic transmission only), leather upholstery, heated power front seats and a Boston Acoustics sound system with steering-wheel-mounted controls, a USB audio interface and Bluetooth.
Upgrades include SS-specific exterior and interior styling cues, 20-inch aluminum wheels and Brembo brakes. The 2SS unites the 1SS's sporty styling touches and performance hardware with the 2LT's full list of standard equipment.
Powertrains and Performance The rear-wheel-drive 2010 Chevy Camaro is powered by either a 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 (LS, 1LT, 2LT) or a 6.2-liter V8 (1SS, 2SS). Camaro V8s with the automatic have slightly less power (400 hp, 410 lb-ft) but come with a cylinder-deactivation feature for enhanced fuel economy.
Safety Muscle cars have traditionally had bland interiors (a trend that continues with the Camaro's Ford and Dodge competition), but the Camaro laudably mixes retro touches like square gauge hoods and the available four-pack of auxiliary gauges with common-sense modern ergonomics.
Other upgrades include an SRT-tuned adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, forged 20-inch wheels, steering wheel paddle shifters and special bodywork.
The 2012 Grand Cherokee, which goes on sale next month, will reportedly benefit from a $3,220 price decrease versus the 2011 model. For example, the 2011Grand Cherokee Laredo came standard with an eight-way power seat, whereas the 2012 model does not. Elsewhere in the Chrysler lineup, the 2012 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 receive price decreases of $250, and the 2012 Dodge Journey costs a substantial $1,450 less than the 2011 model.
The 5.7-liter V8 model now comes with a six-speed automatic transmission that replaces the old five-speed. The model equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will now come with electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering.
The updated model can now report both efficiency and power increases, while the base price for the Wrangler remains $22,045.
We’re not big fans of MyFord Touch, Ford’s touch-screen interface for the climate, stereo, phone and navigation systems, but Ford’s nav system is more modern and useful.
Fuel economy favors the Explorer. The four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee’s ratings are 16/22 mpg with the standard V-6 and 13/19 mpg with the optional V-8.
There have been two generations of the Toyota Sequoia.
Current Toyota Sequoia The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV available in three trim levels: SR5, Limited or Platinum. Even base SR5 models are well equipped, with alloy wheels, a 40/20/40 second-row bench seat, triple-zone automatic climate control, a CD stereo with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth and full power accessories. The Limited adds leather upholstery, power front seats and an upgraded JBL sound system.
All Sequoia trims are available in either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Thanks to an independent rear suspension (unlike its Tundra pickup platform-mate), the third-row seat folds flat into the floor, a welcome departure from the previous-generation Sequoia. In our reviews of the current Toyota Sequoia, we've been impressed with its massive power (in versions powered by the 5.7-liter V8), surprising maneuverability and overall refinement. For a truck-based, full-size SUV, the Sequoia is an excellent choice.
Used Toyota Sequoia Models The current Toyota Sequoia represents the second generation, which debuted for 2008 with a base 4.7-liter V8 and five-speed automatic that were essentially carried over from the previous-generation Sequoia. The first-generation Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV debuted for the 2001 model year. Initially, its standard 4.7-liter V8 produced 240 hp and was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Limited models were decked out with luxury items, but even base SR5 models had a decent collection of standard equipment.
Roadsters tend to be narrowly focused on performance, sacrificing practicality in the name of merriment. CR stands for "club racer," denoting this model's track-specific tweaks for reduced weight and sharper handling. Second, while its 2.2-liter VTEC four does a credible impression of a racecar engine above 6,000 rpm, there's little power to speak of at lower engine speeds.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2009 Honda S2000 is a compact two-seat roadster that is available in two versions -- base and CR. The base S2000 includes a power convertible soft top with a glass rear window, 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, leather upholstery, full power accessories, air-conditioning and a CD player.
The CR model is a racetrack-focused variant aimed at die-hard enthusiasts. The CR also receives some unsightly but effective aerodynamic spoilers, dark gray wheels with wider rear tires, even sportier suspension tuning, a quicker steering ratio, a sport-tuned muffler and fabric seats with suede inserts. Add it all up and the topless CR is 99 pounds lighter than the standard Honda S2000 (51 pounds lighter with the hardtop installed). Some of the base model's options are also available on the CR.
Powertrains and PerformanceA six-speed manual transmission relays this power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy checks in at an EPA-rated 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 21 mpg in combined driving.Driving ImpressionsPerformance differences between the standard Honda S2000 and CR model are nearly indistinguishable on public roads.
Changes are minimal on the 2007 Ford Focus. Optional on SE and SES trim levels is a new interior upgrade package with two-tone leather seats and satin metallic interior trim. We still like the original Focus: It's fun to drive, comfortable for commuting and available as a sedan (ZX4), two-door hatchback (ZX3), four-door hatchback (ZX5) or wagon (ZXW). Additionally, the fit and finish problems that plagued early Focus models persist on later models.
Ford says "smart design and spirited driving" were the guiding forces behind the development of the Focus. Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2007 Ford Focus compact car comes in four body styles: a two-door ZX3 hatchback, a four-door ZX5 hatchback, a ZX4 sedan and a ZXW wagon. Additionally, there's a sport-oriented Focus ST sedan.
Aside from a standard MP3-compatible CD player, base S models are pretty spartan, offering only 15-inch steel wheels, black exterior trim and a height-adjustable driver seat. The uplevel Focus SES includes 16-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, body-color exterior trim, cruise control, tachometer and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Options for the 2007 Ford Focus include a sunroof, an in-dash CD changer and leather upholstery.
Safety Front disc/rear drum brakes are standard on all but the Focus ST sedan, which has 4-wheel discs.
Interior Design and Special Features The 2007 Ford Focus is roomy for its class, offering generous accommodations for its front and rear passengers, even in the ZX3 hatchback. In terms of cargo capacity, the Focus sedan offers 14.8 cubic feet; the hatchbacks offer 18.0 cubes and the wagon offers 35.6 cubes. Regardless of trim, the Focus offers a smooth ride and above-average handling.
Ntroduced last year, the affordable 2008 Toyota Yaris adds a sporty three-door "S" hatchback to its lineup, which shares features like 15-inch wheels, front and rear spoilers, CD/MP3 player and other upgrades with its S sedan counterpart.
As in, cheap price, cheap design, cheap materials and cheap construction. The Yaris is available as a spunky three-door hatchback coupe (liftback in Toyota-speak) or a much longer and roomier four-door sedan with more conservative styling.
This model features larger 15-inch wheels, body-color front and rear spoilers, reworked rocker panels, amber-illuminated Optitron instrumentation, upgraded seats with sport fabric, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a CD player with MP3 capability and other extras.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2008 Toyota Yaris subcompact is offered as a three-door hatchback coupe (dubbed liftback) or four-door sedan in two trim levels. Standard models are pretty basic, with 14-inch steel wheels, intermittent windshield wipers, air-conditioning, four-way adjustable front seats and a tilt steering wheel. Many model-specific package upgrades are available and include items like 15-inch alloy wheels, powered accessories, cruise control (sedan only), 60/40-split-folding rear seat (sedan), a sliding and reclining rear seat (liftback), a rear window defroster and upgraded interior trim. A full range of Toyota accessories are available to further personalize the Yaris.
EPA-estimated fuel economy with the manual transmission checks in at 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway (35 mpg highway with the automatic).
Safety As you might expect given its entry-level price tag, popular safety features like antilock brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags are optional on the Yaris. In government crash testing, the 2008 Toyota Yaris sedan earned four stars out of five for front occupant protection during frontal impacts. The 2008 Toyota Yaris travels down the road with a reasonably solid feel.
While today's minivans offer levels of comfort and performance on par with sedans, the Chevrolet Astro was a minivan from a different era. Compared to front-wheel-drive, car-based minivans, the Chevy Astro was a true workhorse with considerable towing and hauling capabilities.
