December 2009 Archives

PaulTan.org have published their review of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6. 'The Mk6 doesn't change the template, but just by improving on the things that the Golf does well - superb refinement, that unshakable feeling of solidity and stability, segment leading quality, understated class - plus the most high tech drivetrain in its class, and it becomes a superbly satisfying car to drive and own. The hot GTI version here faces the exact same questions - it's not seen as a major step from the old model. That's fully understandable if viewed from the outside, as the Mk6 retains the familiar profile and size of the Mk5 which contributes the floorpan and platform to the car you see here - wheelbase is identical at 2578 mm.'

A review of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG has been posted over at InsideLine.com. 'Among the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG's many intelligently refocused components is the transmission, which is perfectly suited to the multifaceted role it must play in a car as fast yet comfortable as this one. There are four shift modes (C, S, S+ and Manual), which can be selected by a knob at the front of the center console. Each provides progressively quicker shifts and more aggressive throttle response. (Actually, S+ and Manual mode offer the same performance, but in Manual mode the driver must undertake the shifting duties via the shift paddles on the steering wheel.).'

LeftLane have published a review of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO sedan. 'Looking like a large five-seater family sedan with a positive, or forward lean, the Taurus epitomizes the phrase "sleeper." So subtle, in fact, the only way you could tell it was the SHO model, is by the two-toned grille, and the SHO badge on the right rear. Otherwise, expect that the spoiler and split-spoke wheels might begin showing up as dealer-installed options on a regular Taurus before long. The Taurus is a big sedan, but it wears its proportions reasonably well. At its core, it's a three-box design with some glitz added around to jazz things up around the greenhouse. Unlike the Fusion, Taurus wears Ford's new kinetic design language - expect to see more of this in the future.'

Popular Mechanics have published their review of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV. 'The Tucson's middle-of-the-road nature is engineered into every element of its being. Like virtually all the other vehicles in this class, it's built around a rugged and stiff steel unibody. The front suspension is, naturally, a pair of MacPherson struts and the rear suspension is a multi-link system on coil springs. There's a disc brake at every corner and, as is increasingly common, the rack-and-pinion steering system's power assist comes from an electric motor. The base Tucson GLS rides on 17-inch wheels in either standard steel or optional alloy while the loftier Tucson Limited rides on 18-inch alloys. Whatever size the wheels, the radial tires around them are 225-millimeters wide. And, as is expected, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and a traction control system are part of every Tucson.'

A review of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI has been posted over at MotorTrend.com. 'For the second generation, which made its debut for 2008, Subaru took the STI's maturation to the next level, ditching the sedan body style in favor of a hatchback form and losing the humongous hood scoop and rear wing. Sure, the new four-door hatch still featured a scoop and a wing, just modestly sized. And despite functional side vents, bulging fenders, and larger 18-inch alloys, the hatch came across as understated in light of its predecessor.'

Car Advice have published a review of the 2009 FPV F6 E. 'From the exterior, it's hard to differentiate the F6 E from any other Falcon. A subtle boot lip spoiler, alloy wheels and single colour FPV body kit are the only visual enhancements. As with all turbocharged Falcons, the front-mount intercooler bares itself through a mesh grille at the lower portion of the front lip. It's inside the cabin where the F6 E shines. Lashings of woodgrain feature throughout the cabin, along with leather padding on the doors and centre console. The chunky sports steering wheel sits comfortably in the hand, but doesn't tilt high enough for taller drivers.'

A review of the Perodua Alza 1.5L MPV has been posted over at PaulTan.org. 'The Alza we sampled is an SXi, which means it's the Premium spec manual transmission variant priced at RM60,990 (OTR including insurance). Extra equipment over the Standard models include ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, dual airbags, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, leather wrapped steering with audio controls, driver seat height adjuster, fog lamps, rear spoiler, higher grade seat fabric and silver/chrome trim in the cabin. That's quite a lot of added kit for an extra RM5,000 - well worth it in our opinion.'

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the new Dodge Attitude. 'In the Attitude's cabin, everything's in its right place. Switchgear is intuitive and the buttonage moves smoother than the wet dream of a Chrysler Sebring. There's enough room for four Americans, and the doors and folding rear seats close with a reassuring solidity I never expected from a car this cheap. The trunk is large enough for several carry-on bags, perfect for my traveling companions and our 24-hour sightseeing excursion.'

Inside Line have publsihed their "Test driven" review of the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport. 'The Tesla Roadster's single-speed Borg Warner transaxle (drive ratio: 8.27:1) now has a push-button interface that thinks almost as fast as our fingers can press the gumdrop-colored P, R, N and D buttons. While this one ratio might not deliver the explosive acceleration from a standstill of the now-abandoned two-speed transaxle of the prototype Roadster, this is a choice that's both more durable and more civilized. Once you get rolling to about 10 mph there's plenty of explosive acceleration thereafter. Tesla claims the Roadster Sport accelerates to 60 mph from a standstill in only 3.7 seconds, though it feels like 3.5 seconds to the seat of our collective pants. Top speed remains limited to 125 mph, since battery juice leaks away like a flood from a broken dam once you indulge in illegal speeds anyway.'

CAR And DRIVER have published their "Short Take Road Test" of the 2010 Acura ZDX. 'The ZDX isn't lazy, hitting 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, rather fleet considering the 4421-pound curb weight (about 175 pounds lighter than an MDX). The 3.7-liter V-6 makes 300 horsepower, as it does in the MDX, and the new six-speed automatic and cylinder-cutoff system are mileage stretchers. We saw 20 mpg. Nor does the ZDX fear a curve. It's a confident, stable handler, thanks to some steering-feel improvements Acura made after our initial write-up. Also credit the system named with our favorite Japanese hyperbole, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. When understeer attacks, the system overdrives the outside rear wheel to help turn this big bronco. It works.'

A review of the Ferrari 458 Italia supercar has been posted over at The Independent. 'It looks fabulous, with a functional, unadorned purity that comes from the way aerodynamics dictate the shape. Those intriguing winglets in each front air-intake are anchored at their inner ends only, so they can deflect at speed to divert excess air away from the radiators and under the car to increase downforce. At maximum speed (202mph) there's around a third of a tonne of this. Some speed, that. Of minimal use to most of us, but somehow uplifting as an idea. More readily experienced is the extraordinary acceleration, a thrust of the sort that gives you no time to get your bearings and reconfigure your internal organs. The claim is under 3.4 seconds to 62mph, 10.4 seconds to twice that speed.'

CNET have published their review of the 2010 Cadillac SRX SUV. 'Our review car came with all-wheel-drive and the 3-liter V-6. It also had a six-speed-automatic transmission, the same as the one used in the CTS. We've been impressed with this transmission's Sport mode in other reviews. When racing toward a corner and then hitting the brakes, the transmission will aggressively downshift and hold a low gear as you hit the gas on the way out to the next straightaway. The transmission exhibits similar behavior in the SRX, only the 3-liter engine can't really realize the transmissions potential. It's like putting an F-22 pilot into a 747; he might have incredible reflexes, but they will be largely wasted. Putting the transmission into Sport mode enables manual shifting, with sequential gear changes. For a torque converter, these shifts are pretty sharp, and it is best when used to drop a few gears to gain passing power or for engine braking down a long grade.'

Auto Express have published a review of the Toyota Prius Plug-In. 'This plug-in version is the latest development of the petrol-electric pioneer. Toyota admits the appeal of the regular Prius is restricted by its limited range on battery power alone. Its thinking is that, by fitting a larger cell, the plug-in car can go further on electric only, and the petrol engine need never start. The system can then be recharged at night on cheaper and greener mains electricity. Initially, the firm will release limited numbers of lease-only vehicles so that it can monitor any problems, but we drove an early model to give our verdict.'

The Garage have published a review of the Suzuki Kizashi. 'The look of the Kizashi is well-balanced, and the size is just right. Sticking with the VW comparison, the Kizashi is larger than a Jetta, and smaller than a Passat. While the Camry, Accord and current Mazda 6 have all grown into "big" cars, the Kizashi feels just right. The Kizashi gets even better once you step inside. Fit and finish is excellent, and on par with the best in the business. Everything your hand touches has a soft, premium feel to it. The dash top was hard plastic, but still had a quality look to it. The dash and center stack had a clean, elegant design.

A review of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV has been posted over at the USA TODAY. 'Abetted by Hyundai's self-designed, excellent-shifting, six-speed automatic, the Tucson's 2.4-liter, 176-horsepower four felt lively, smooth and capable in a day rolling up miles on rural canyon roads, freeways and the Pacific Coast Highway in heavy traffic. More pleasant to drive than rivals' four-bangers. All have similar power, but Tucson models generally weigh less. And despite being 3 inches longer and an inch wider, the 2010 Tucson base model weighs 61 pounds less than the 2009.'

Search Chicago have published a review of the 2009 Infiniti G37 sedan. 'The G37 sedan is available in four trim levels: base G37, Journey, Sport and the all-wheel-drive G37x. While the standard configuration for the G37 is rear-wheel drive, I had the chance to test the G37x and its AWD system, which performed admirably in some terrible Chicago area weather conditions. The star of the show, which sort of hides in the background, is this AWD system that takes the RWD platform and makes it an all-season sedan. That is nothing to dismiss if you come out of work to find 8 inches of snow on the ground.'

CNET have published their review of the 2010 BMW X6 M. 'The X6 M seems designed with the sadist in mind, a person who would welcome people into the back seat, grin, then proceed to drive like a madman until the rear-seat passengers were suffering neck pains that would keep a team of chiropractors in business for 50 years. And on arriving at a destination, said sadistic driver would look in the cargo area and say, sorry, couldn't fit your suitcases in, guess you'll have to live in those clothes for the next few days. This purported sadistic driver will be able to do plenty of damage to the rear-seat occupants, as the X6 M can maintain grip at amazing speeds in the corners. Driving it over wet mountain roads, the car craved speed, begging for more power on every turn.'

A review of the 2009 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ VCDi has been posted over at MotorBeam.com. 'The Chevrolet Cruze is a mean muscular machine. The huge bowtie batch on the front seems to be there to remind us that General Motors is back. The front is probably the most appealing part of the Cruze and the car appears to be wider than the Optra with the headlights blending into the sides quite nicely. The front grille is pretty large and that makes the Cruze look much bigger and meaner. The fog lights are bigger than most cars and are pretty useful at night.'

Car Advice have published their review of the suzu D-Max Ute. 'Jump inside and the interior of the LS model is nothing to write home about, Isuzu has gone for the workhorse approach when it comes to the LS range. It ain't the best looking ute (inside or outside) but that's not the point of it. Like its GM brother it will comfortably fit four normal sized adults even for long distance drives. The review car was even fitted with rear parking sensors which worked a treat (although they may not yet be available for dealer fitting). For a little extra you can even get a bluetooth phone system put in that will save you from having to talk on the phone illegally. The sound system wasn't exactly top notch but was more than you'd need for a workhorse.'

The Motor Report have published their review of the 2010 BMW 135i coupe. 'Equipped with the same twin-turbo powerplant as the bigger 335i and flashier Z4, the 135i is pitched as a more focused, less compromised vehicle. Luxury and space take a back seat to power and pace, and the 135i promises to thrill those looking for a purer driving experience. For 2010 BMW has added some extra fuel-saving technology to the 135i's spec sheet, but with a starting price in excess of $72,000 is the pint-sized Bavarian simply a very expensive small car, or a bona-fide performance bargain?

Inside Line have published their "test driven" review of the 2010 9ff Speed 9 Porsche 911 supercar. 'We plant the throttle and the 2010 9ff Speed 9 just goes, though with a gentle shimmy from the 295/30ZR19 Continental SportContact 3 rear tires as they search for traction. From this point on, you feel like you're being yanked forward by some giant piece of contracting elastic, especially with the wind roaring through the cabin. It's not easy to handle this much power, so Porsche's new ZF-built automated manual transmission is in place, but the wimpy shift buttons on the spokes of the steering wheel have been replaced by shift paddles mounted on the steering column.'

The Truth About Cars have published their review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox SUV. 'The Equinox's cabin isn't broad but, as in many current GM vehicles, the instrument panel runs high and deep between massive A-pillars. "Bigger is better" thinking persists within General Motors, and especially once underway the Equinox feels larger than it is, and it already is a half-size larger than most competitors. This probably attracts more people than it turns off, even if fewer people are seeking to "live large" these days. The usual price of this large feel: anyone hoping for agile handling won't find it. The Equinox's handling is accurate and secure, with nicely weighted steering, good body control, and modest body lean. But agile or sporty it is not.'

CAR And Driver have published their "test driven"review of the 2010 Kia Forte EX. 'The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder--the only engine available in LX and EX trim--is pretty much all a Forte driver needs. It's powerful, particularly at higher rpm, and the exhaust note doesn't turn sloppy as it gets allegro, music-ese for "fast." The 2.0-liter's performance essentially paces that of the uplevel SX trim's 173-hp, 2.4-liter four, as well. Zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in 16.6 at 85 mph trail the nearly 100-pounds-heavier SX by only 0.2 second to 60 and match it in the latter measurement.

The indenedent have published a review of the Volkswagen Up! Lite concept car. 'We'll start at the front. The air intake automatically shuts unless extra airflow is needed. The bonnet is fixed shut to avoid turbulence. Instead there's a sliding panel in front of the windscreen to access various reservoirs. The wheels are a combination of thin aluminium rims and slender, concealed carbonfibre spokes with an outside cover. Inside it is stark but it looks anything but cheap. The rear seats contain a stroke of genius - the ability to fold down simply by pulling a headrest up and forward.'

A review of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 LUV has been posted over at LeftLaneNews.com. 'New for 2010, the GX 460 is the second generation of what Lexus calls a "Luxury Utility Vehicle" that sees as its competition the Land Rover LR4, Acura MDX, BMW X5 and Audi Q7. Within its own family, the GX slots between the brutish LX 570 and the futuristically shaped RX 350. The new GX carries forth with Lexus' L-Finesse design language, this time evoking the feel of a "machined steel bar" concept to impart a feeling of strength and toughness, according to designers. Sharing platforms with its corporate North American-specification Toyota 4Runner cousin, the GX 460 features softer edges and more generous proportions than its taut relative. Few owners are likely to realize that the GX 460 is nearly identical to the rest-of-the-world Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a smaller companion to the Land Cruiser sold in North America.

The USA TODAY have published their review of the 2010 Lincoln MKT crossover SUV. 'MKT steering, brakes and shifting are all responsive and not soggy the way Lincolns' of yore often were. Interior appointments -- elegant u2010 Lincoln MKT Test Drivepholstery, authentic wood trim, harmonized dashboard lighting, general ambience -- went together, finally, to craft a distinct personality, something that suggests it could be worthwhile to pay extra for the Lincoln. "Best interior we've ever done at Lincoln," asserts Frank Davis, executive director of product development for Ford Motor. Gripe: The third-row seat has a lot less headroom than the Flex does, because of the tucked and tightened rear styling, vs. Flex's box shape.'

A review of the 2010 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 has been posted over at the Garage Blog. 'Our test car was the top of the line EX with leather and navigation, so we had all the bells and whistles. The Accord's screen for navigation and other info is placed high on the dash, and is easy to glance at, but is not a touch screen. As a result, there are quite a few buttons on the center stack. The controls for the ventilation are split in two by the audio/nav controls in the center. I'm sure this was done for symmetry, but having the controls for the A/C, fan speed and airflow direction a full arm's length away from the driver struck me as unusual for Honda. The new Accord is the first Honda I've driven where a five second glance was not enough to know where every control was, and what it did.'

Search Chicago have published their review of the 2010 MAZDA 6i SV sedan. 'The new Mazda6 offers two all-new power trains: a 2.5-liter I-4 delivering 170 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque (Mazda6i) and a 3.7-liter V-6 (Mazda6S) with 272 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Mated to several different gearboxes, the 6 offers a five-speed automatic for the I-4 with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic for the V-6. If you are hung up on one or the other, the six-speed auto uses the RX-8's outstanding active adaptive shift that selects the best possible gear ratios.'

The Car Connection have published their review of the 2010 Chevrolet Suburban. 'The long, tall, and wide Chevy Suburban is styled about as you'd expect. After all, as Kelley Blue Book puts it, it's "clearly a truck-though fancier in appearance than many cargo haulers." According to Car and Driver, in 2007 the Suburban "underwent a major redesign...and emerged as a more modern, refined, handsome, and user-friendly truck." For a big box, it's tastefully rendered, with a nice balance between glass and sheetmetal, some subtle fender flares, and curves around the corners of its windows. Kelley Blue Book mentions "tighter body-gap tolerances," crediting those and "a more sleekly-angled windshield" for the Suburban's "improved aerodynamics...while a bulging power-dome hood adds to visceral appeal."

CNET have published their review of the 2010 Lincoln MKT SUV. 'This next generation Lincoln certainly makes its mark in style. The wing-shaped grilles, first seen on the MKS sedan, take on ridiculous proportions on the front of the MKT. These large grills thoroughly ventilate the engine while sucking in sparrows and other small birds. But the rear of the MKT is even more striking, a big slab of back-end cut across by the tail light jewelry, with a minimal rear window evocative of 1940s touring cars. The rear visibility is limited, although a rearview camera prevents it from being unsafe. We just wish the style of the rear went with the rest of the vehicle.'

A review of the 2009 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro has been posted over at MotorTrend.com. 'The R8 5.2 carves almost without effort, yet you can feel the road and cornering forces through your fingertips as if the tires wore your palms instead of treads. The suspension, with two-position shocks, is the same architecture as the V-8's (and both cars sport the same standard 19-inch Pirelli PZeroes), but for V-10 duty the settings are tightened up. Ride quality is still simply outstanding -- in both forms the R8 glides over pavement like a hovercraft -- but maximum grip edges up fractionally, from 0.99 g to the magic 1.0g mark. The added stick of the 5.2 (and its power advantage) helped it trim the run in our figure-eight course from 24.6 seconds (at 0.79 g) to 24.4 seconds (at 0.81). Brakes are the same on both cars, and indeed the 5.2 posted the same spectacular stop from 60 mph: just 96 feet.

Paul Tan have published a review of the Hyundai i30. 'Materials and ergonomics are well sorted - all controls fall easily into place and are simple to use, except for the aftermarket Pioneer stereo, which looks flashy but is frustrating to operate. Interestingly, Hyundai took the effort to link the non-factory player to the standard steering wheel controls; the wireless connection worked fine in this car, but less so in another unit I tried previously.

Car Advice have published a review of the 2009 Suzuki Jimny Sierra. 'From the outside Jimny Sierra offers an inoffensive, amiable appearance that, as dated as it may appear, is nonetheless practical when you stop to consider just where the car feels most at home, and how far off the beaten track it's prepared to push. You see this isn't a soft-roader in the true sense of the word, and what I mean by that is that the Jimny Sierra isn't a front-wheel drive toy made to look as if it can go off-road. No, this little number actually can go off-road, and has the right suspension, low-range gearbox, plus suitable approach and departure angles to do so.

The Motor Report have published a review of the 2009 Peugeot 308 CCS. 'Roof up, the 308 CC can look a little abrupt - truncated - in profile. The flowing line the rises from the bonnet, into the A-pillars and then into the roof, ends a little sharply at the midway point. The end result is not entirely resolved. Drop the top however and the proportions change entirely. Roof down, the CC's gently sloped boot lid not only hides the folding hard top beneath it but also adds balance to the rear.'

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the Citroen C1 ev'ie. 'Open the hood and you see batteries and various electronic gizmos mostly bedecked by plastic casing. It looks clean and assembly-line standard, and not at all improvised. A second set of Lithium batteries is where the gas tank used to be. The trunk, in contrast to the sodium-batteried E-Twingo, is undiminished. So the ev'ie is what the stock C1 is what the Aygo is what the Peugeot 107 is: a lightweight, almost Smart-short car that can transport four and a tiny bit of luggage. (Don't get me wrong: this is no limo, but it certainly beats an original VW Beetle for space. And the room in front is perfectly adequate in all dimensions unless you're a widebody).

A review of the 2010 Mazda Mazda6 sedan has been posted over at CNET. 'Although a little short on Zoom, the 2010 Mazda6 delivers decent fuel economy and the kind of comfortable, practical interior space one would expect from a midsize sedan. The exterior styling stands out a little, with pronounced front fenders. But as for tech, the Mazda6 is largely average to mediocre. The lack of a navigation option in all but the V-6 trims is particularly troubling. And while Bluetooth streaming is useful, it doesn't beat full iPod integration, which generally offers a usable interface through the stereo. Blind-spot detection is the most useful tech feature in the Mazda6, but nothing else is notable. Tech-wise, the engine and transmission don't stand out, either, delivering the kind of power and economy we would expect from the spec sheet.'

Inside Line have published their "test driven" review of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder. 'The Spyder's 3.4-liter flat-6 engine pumps out 10 horsepower more than a Boxster S thanks to the same engine calibration tweaks already seen in the Cayman S. Output is 320 hp at 7,200 rpm and 273 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. One clue to the Spyder's purposefulness is that it comes standard with a mechanical limited-slip differential, a relatively rare device in a Porsche. A six-speed manual transmission is standard for the Boxster Spyder, while the impressive dual-clutch seven-speed PDK transmission is optional (and 55 pounds heavier). We drove only cars with the manual transmission, but Porsche tells us it has eliminated the PDK's Tiptronic-style shift buttons on the spokes of the steering wheel in favor of shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

Auto Express have published their review of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic supercar. 'With the Sport Chrono Pack Plus as standard, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes), a shortened throw manual gearshift and a 20mm lower ride height and limited slip differential, everything about the Sport Classic suggests a harder, more focused driving experience. It's quicker from 0-62mph, with a time of 4.6 seconds, while the top speed is 187mph. However, the Sport Classic reveals a softer, more compliant set-up than the Carrera S on which it's based. This, combined with the beautifully weighted steering wheel, results in a more composed 911 that makes the most of its additional performance.'

The USA TODAY have published their review of the 2010 Subaru Legacy sedan. 'To appreciate a Subaru, to understand it's not just another car on a shopping list with Accord, Camry and Fusion, you have to delight in Subaru's commitment to all-wheel drive (standard on all models and tailored to each engine-transmission combo). You also should be aware of the respect from third-party evaluators. All Subies, for instance, get the "top safety pick" designation, the highest rating, from crash-meisters at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And Consumer Reports magazine said in November: "With its redesign, the Legacy goes from a decent but small family sedan to one in the top of its class."

A review of the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited has been posted over at SearchChicago.com. 'Ford has totally redesigned its Taurus sedan for 2010 and there are many reasons to be excited about this Chicago-built offering. The first characteristic that draws you in is Taurus' more upscale and athletic physique. The sheet metal is more sculpted, the roofline is lower, the hood is subtly pronounced and the front end is sleeker, which helps Taurus carry off a pleasing powerful stanceTaurus' sleek new look prompted fellow motorists to stop and talk to me when refueling and when I stopped for groceries on a Saturday morning. Everyone I chatted with liked what they saw and they wanted to know more.

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Jaguar XKR Coupe. 'The XKR definitely looks the part. It's all sleek, smooth lines that hark back to the iconic E-Type and make the car look like it's moving, even when it's not. Many who saw the XKR parked up remarked that it looked like an Aston Martin - now I'm not sure if Jaguar would see that as a compliment, but I can't help but feel that it's an indication of success as far as design goes. Things are no less impressive inside the XKR, and I have to say that Jaguar is up there with the best when it comes to cabin design. The XF had a beautiful cabin, but the XKR takes things up a notch with a liberal sprinkling of aluminium and glossy black panelling. You also get the same moody blue cabin lighting as seen in the XF, as well as the solid metal dial for gear selection - it really is a lovely place to sit.'

CNET have published a review of the 2010 GMC Terrain SUV. 'Unlike truck-based SUVs of the recent past, the Terrain uses a fully independent suspension, leading to a more car-like ride and handling. Our vehicle was a front-wheel-drive model, although all-wheel drive is available. Further putting our tester in the on-road category were the optional chrome 19-inch wheels. Those, coupled with the heavy bass from the 8-inch Pioneer subwoofer, suggested GM expects the Terrain to fit into the urban environment more than rugged back country.