2012 Chevrolet Sonic,Reviews

Guess what? The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has standard aluminum wheels. The Sonic, on sale this fall, seeks to recruit buyers with quality, features, and—to borrow a phrase overused by German car companies—driving pleasure.

A brief disclaimer: Our driving exposure was limited to preproduction prototypes in one configuration (1.4-liter turbo, manual transmission, five-door) on an improvised circuit at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Sonic has slightly different gearing and weighs about 400 fewer pounds than the Cruze, so we expect better acceleration and fuel economy across the board. The Sonic’s turbo pulls well above 3000 rpm; there is noticeable lag at lower engine speeds, despite a low torque peak of 1850 rpm. Chevrolet had a Honda Fit and a Ford Fiesta on hand for comparison, and the Sonic held up well. The Honda, which is geared shorter, feels better at low engine speeds. The Sonic is an economy car, which means sacrifices in creature comforts. Both Sonic sedan and hatchback share the same 99.4-inch wheelbase. The hatch also has slightly better rear-seat headroom. Chevrolet won’t divulge Sonic pricing until the fall on-sale date gets closer, only hinting that it will be competitive in the segment. Also like the Fiesta, we’re guessing the Sonic hatch will command a premium for its more attractive looks, although we have to say that the Sonic sedan manages to look something less than dumpy—a huge achievement in this segment. Even in base LS trim, the Sonic comes with the aforementioned wheels, plus air conditioning, power locks, keyless entry, stability control, and an impressive 10 air bags.

As part of GM’s restructuring, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic will be assembled in Lake Orion, Michigan. The good news for Chevy, however, is that the Sonic appeals on its merits as a car and not as a piece of flag-waving patriotism.

2011 ford fusion and reviews

After last year's extensive refresh,2011 ford fusion sees only detail changes involving standard features for 2011. For power, there's a fully competitive 175-horsepower four-cylinder base engine, a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6 or a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6 in the Fusion Sport.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ford Fusion is a midsize sedan available in S, SE, Sport and SEL trim levels. The SE adds 17-inch steel wheels (alloy-look covers), foglamps, automatic headlights, dual exhaust tips, a fold-flat passenger seat, an eight-way power driver seat with manual recline and lumbar, steering-wheel radio controls and a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio.

The Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension and steering setup, 18-inch alloy wheels, exclusive styling cues inside and out, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 10-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat, unique leather-trimmed seats and the Sync entertainment and communications interface. The Fusion SEL adds heated exterior mirrors, puddle lights, a numerical keyless entry pad, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and leather upholstery.

The 2011 Ford Fusion features three different engines. The base power plant -- standard on S, SE and SEL models -- is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is optional on the Sport and V6-powered SEL.

Fuel economy ratings for the four-cylinder Fusion with the automatic check in at 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

Safety

Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Fusions. In the side-impact test, the Fusion earned five stars for front passengers and four stars for those in the rear. The 2011 Ford Fusion's cabin features soft-touch materials and a somewhat austere but attractive design. There's plenty of room for passengers in the Fusion.

Driving Impressions

The Sport model feels particularly buttoned-down thanks to its sport-tuned suspension.

The 2011 Ford Fusion ranks 1 out of 19 Affordable Midsize Cars. Reviewers were impressed with the 2010 Ford Fusion’s upscale interior, more powerful engine options and available all-wheel drive. The 2011 Ford Fusion maintains these traits, but gains a few more improvements.

The Ford Fusion had an excellent 2010. Perhaps one of the coolest additions to the 2011 Ford Fusion is the MyKey system. Most car reviewers agree that the 2011 Ford Fusion is ideal for small families. In addition to great fuel economy, buyers receive the same sprightly performance and high-quality interior finishing and amenities the 2011 Ford Fusion gasoline models offer.

Also, the Ford Fusion is one of the few Affordable Midsize Cars available with All-Wheel-Drive, making it a popular family car in the snowbelt.  AWD shoppers would do well to test drive at least one of these alternatives before buying a Ford Fusion

2011 Ford Focus,Reviews

sThe 2011 Ford Focus coupe has been discontinued for 2011, leaving only the sedan.Let's cut to the chase: Wait a few months to buy a 2011 Ford Focus. If you can wait, we'd highly recommend hanging on for the next-generation Ford Focus.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ford Focus is a compact sedan available in S, SE, SEL and SES trim levels. The optional Ford Sync Equipment Group adds voice-activated controls, real-time traffic, directions assistance, Bluetooth, iPod control, an auto-dimming mirror, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.

The Focus SEL adds 16-inch wheels, foglamps, a sport-tuned suspension, heated mirrors, heated leather front seats and the Ford Sync Equipment Group. The 2011 Ford Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. EPA-estimated fuel economy with the automatic is 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2011 Ford Focus comes standard with stability control, antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. The Focus also comes standard with Ford's programmable MyKey system, which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume for their teenage drivers.

In government crash tests, the Focus received four out of five stars in a frontal collision.

Driving Impressions

Behind the wheel of the 2011 Ford Focus, you'll likely be pleased with the relatively quiet and smooth ride quality.

Can the new 2011 Ford Focus Mk3 move the goalposts again? Read CAR Online's first drive review here - and make sure you read the new February 2011 issue of CAR Magazine, out on 19 January, for our twin test with class benchmark the VW Golf.

The new 2011 Ford Focus: the headlines please

Ecoboost?

No, you’re thinking of Ford’s miserly Econetic models. Ecoboost refers to Ford’s new super-frugal turbocharged 1.6 petrol engines that cover ground that would have been naturally aspirated 2.0 turf a few years ago. Read the new February issue of CAR Magazine for our key test of the new Focus diesel and see how it compares with the VW Golf.

The 113bhp 1.6 and 138bhp 2.0 turbodiesels are more appealing, while speed junkies can now opt for the 161bhp 2.0 diesel from the Mondeo, which you can read about in our Focus-Golf twin test in the February 2011 issue of Car.

The 2.0 diesels are the only models available with Ford’s new dual-clutch gearbox, but as Ford has bizarrely chosen to fit a gearstick mounted rocker switch instead of steering wheel paddles, you might not want it anyway.

Like the cabin of the original Focus, but unlike the departing car’s, the new Focus cockpit is fresh, vibrant and just a little bit busy with buttons everywhere. Options include a self-steering lane guidance system and adaptive cruise control.

What’s the new 2011 Focus like to drive?

Well if you loved the mischievous throttle adjustability of the old cars, particularly the Mk1, whose humblest versions danced on their tyres like hot hatches, then the new car’s undeniably planted feel might disappoint. Driving Focus 3, it’s mostly about the front end, the super-quick turn-in from the impressively realistic electric-power steering system that cuts fuel consumption, allows Ford to offer a VW-style automatic parking option and even compensates for cambers.