The Chevrolet Traverse represents the current Chevrolet design language, with using established underpinnings with a refreshed front end, tail and main body design. The grille and pronounced head lights are clearly in line with the car section, and the dynamic lines used throughout also reflect the same. The dynamic kick-up of the catwalk toward the rear gives the overall design more direction compared to the conventional SUVs.
The design language of Cadillac has become much better defined off late, and this Cadillac SRX is an excellent example of it. The razor sharp edges remain and are cleverly combined with references to the historic Cadillac winged-fenders of the late 50’s. If you look at the surfacing in close-up detail, it is amazing to see the subtleties used throughout. Combine that with an excellent stance of the body over the wheels, the well sculpted shape of the wheel arches and the excellent fit and finish, and you have plenty of reason to go out and buy this car.
We were really looking forward to finally driving the new Chevrolet Camaro. With its whirlwind marketing campaign, its bold stance against both the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger, and the reputation GM has built up over the decades with the Camaro, we were anxious to find how it would fulfill its promisse.
The exterior design of the Camaro is clearly in the same semi retro style as the Mustang and Challenger, though there seems to be a modern interpretation given to the Camaro design. The belt line is relatively high and the roof line is kept low, making for a aw inspiring side view which is only enhanced by the low slung windows. In reality the rear overhang of the Camaro is shorter than it appears to be, due to the taper off of the center line, which gives it a more compact stance in rear three-quarter view.
The Dodge Journey is a very capable workhorse, a fresh looking small SUV that will function very well in executing the daily chores of bringing the kids to school en doing the shopping. The build quality is contemporary Chrysler/Dodge, which means that it works well, but it definitely does not break new grounds. That is also true for the overall impression of this Dodge Journey; It is “nice” in every sense, but to say it stands out in any sense would be a vast exaggeration.
We recently had the chance to experience the Nissan 370Z Roadster, and, as usual with our recent convertible tests, California weather was playing bad for most of the time. I have no clue what it is these days with the weather here in SoCal, but it does not seem to want to play along very much.
The Nissan however did its very best to make me forget about that part. It is a very nimble little car, with a smooth gearbox sliding effortlessly through the gears, even at speed. The car never gives you the impression to be out of control. Though clearly more sportely catered than the recent Infiniti and Lexus convertibles we tested, it never become uncomfortable in it’s ride harshness.
Hyundai has been in a real uplift over the recent period, starting with the introduction of the Genesis sedan very impressively competing with established European high end brands. With that same confidence Hyundai set out to re-design their Tucson SUV, and the result leaves very little to be desired.
Since we last evaluated the Lexus IS350 (see the video below), the car has received some updates. In driving the recent Lexuses, especially noting the excellent road holding characteristics of the IS350 Convertible, we were interested in seeing how a current IS250 would behave so we requested one and received the IS250 AWD.
Taking it over my favorite Highway 74 here in Southern California allows me to try the car out on all fronts, quality of the ride, road handling, ease of control, acceleration and braking, and I must admit, it passed with flying colors. The IS250 is vastly different from the much newer HS250 h we tested recently, in that this is clearly aimed at performance driving, even in the 250 version. At no point did I ever feel that the car could not handle what was put in front of it. Of course, some people push the boundaries of reason, but on the 74 in both directions, uphill and downhill, slow twisty parts as well as longer curved sections, it was all perfect.
Nissan likes to point out that their Pathfinder has independent front suspension, and since Nissan is so adamant in wanting to point that out, who are we to withhold this information from you?
After gawking at this video for a few times.., or more…, I am sure you are dying to know how we experienced this independent suspension ourselves, and if it is as good as Nissan is suggesting in its ad. Well.., our answer to this is very simple: We have no clue. We have searched the vehicle inside out, but have not come across the type of suspension featured in the ad anywhere on, on or under the car. We did find some pretty straightforward looking suspension arms, uprights, springs and the like, but the ad suggested we would find some sort of air or hydraulic like suspension units, on both sides, and we just could not detect these.. sadly..
The 2011 Toyota Sienna is a big car. It seems to use all available width but does so in less of a box design as recent new minivan designs. This is enhanced by the current Toyota surfacing design language, which places sculpture throughout the vehicle, making the appearance of the car look much less bulky than it really is.
The minivan category has long since been negatively associated with soccer moms, and Toyota is doing its best to try and redirect this by introducing the Swagger Wagon theme for this 2011 Sienna:
