January 2010 Archives

Motor Trend have published a review of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson SUV. 'Comparing the the all-new 2010 Hyundai Tucson to the previous rendition is quite a shock to the system. First, there's the exterior. Its European-designed sheetmetal boasts flowing natural lines from Hyundai's recent "fluidic sculpture" mantra, meaning there's more than a bit of flair infused in this functional Korean crossover. Secondly, it's more fuel efficient than its demode predecessor, offering more bang for the buck. And lastly, after we spent a few days behind the wheel, it proved itself to be a thoroughly evolved player that's primed and ready to shake up the fierce crossover class populated by the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, and Toyota RAV4.'

Inside Line have published their "First drive"review of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R. 'This VW Golf R with the 2.0 TSI is exactly what we need to stop the criticism leveled at small cars with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. There's so much premium-ness built into this car that it is not to be believed, and we mean that in the amazingly good way. A long list of upgrades in both manufacturing and anti-NVH development has made every member of the Golf MkVI family feel as substantial as an Audi A6. And then there is the long list of features. Like the latest quick-acting all-wheel drive making snowy roads feel like dry roads, plus making serious acceleration numbers on dry roads and communicating in the corners through the flat-bottom R-type steering wheel. Like the sheer quality of the interior design that no longer seems as if it's compensating for shortcomings in another department.'

The Truth About Cars have published their review of the Alfa Romeo MiTo. 'Enter the Alfa Romeo MiTo, which along with the Alfa 159 sedan is supposed to give the Germans a good run for their money, and is positioned directly against BMW's Mini Cooper. Ah, but the Mini already competes with the Fiat 500, you say. But the 500 is a mini-car, significantly undercutting the Cooper in size and price. The MiTo is bigger than the Mini, but it still stickers under the matching Cooper all across Europe. Will it ever land in the US? Time will tell, as Alfa Romeo could return to North America in 2011... provided it survives its "strategic review."

SearchChicago have published a review of the 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD sedan. 'The 2010 Acura TL is a midsize luxury sedan that evokes many emotions, most very positive - and that's why the TL has been so successful, even following a 2009 redesign that brought lots of attention to some rather unique exterior design cues. Most notably the brash treatment of TL's nose. Looking back at famous noses, I see Jimmy Durante, Karl Malden, Geddy Lee and Ringo Starr as perfect examples of less-than-perfect proportion. All were/are well-respected entertainers whose abilities minimized a perceived exterior fault. They later made their noses into calling cards of sorts, exemplifying that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.'

Popular Mechanics have published their review of the 2011 BMW 5 Series Sport sedan. 'While 6 feet across is hardly huge by American standards, the new 5 Series feels like a big car, and it doesn't shrink around you as you speed up. You can't see the corners of the bodywork and that makes it hard to place when you first drive it. When equipped with the standard suspension, there's a ponderous feeling to the car, and a slight reluctance to change direction. It's rides terrifically, however, and grip levels are more than adequate, but for the first time we can remember, we have a BMW sedan that feels somewhat divorced from the road.'

A review of the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart has been posted over at CNET. 'The Lancer Sportback benefits from its all-wheel-drive in the corners, which is not as sophisticated as that found in the Lancer Evo, but is still very advanced. We appreciated the grip afforded on rain-slick roads, as the car began to slide a little in a turn, but got right back in line with a little pressure on the gas pedal. The all-wheel-drive system uses differentials on both axles and in the center of the car, allowing a wide range of torque distribution to get power to the wheels that need it most. And in its rally-bred style, all-wheel-drive can be set for asphalt, gravel, or snow, limiting the amount of wheel slip allowed as you get onto more difficult surfaces.'

Car Advice have published a review of the 2009 Lexus GS 450h petrol-hybrid sedan. 'It's not a beautiful looking car, but the overall shape and lines are smooth and un-cluttered although, the tailgate area is more a squaretail and seems a tad too busy for my liking. The rear track appears almost narrow, but that's just a perception. Two large adults will enjoy a comfortable ride slumped in the rear seats, with plenty leg and headroom. While there's room for a third passenger, that person wouldn't want to be any taller than 175cm and short legs would be mandatory on any trips longer than 10 minutes. There's also plenty of elbow space between the driver and front passenger, making for comfortable family drives, as no one ever feels hemmed in.'

PaulTan.org have published their review of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212. 'The new E-Class is a big car, and appears obviously larger than its predecessor. Its length, width and height of 4868mm/1854mm/1471mm eclipses that of the E60 5-Series, itself not petite. The BMW's wheelbase, at 2888mm, is slightly longer than the Merc's 2874mm though, but that doesn't mean its cabin is a better lounge, more the other way around. Open the W212's doors, and you'll find a cabin that's warm and inviting, perhaps the best feature of this E. Compared to the technical feel of the A6, the Camry feel of the GS and the sombre, business-like ambience of the E60, the Mercedes cabin feels like home, and a major reason are the colour schemes.'

A review of the Nissan Cube Krom Edition has been posted over at LeftLaneNews.com. 'The Cube is an asymmetrically designed utility vehicle that features a refrigerator-like rear door, waterdrop roof liner, roundish windows throughout and an expressive front end. It tends to throw the hammer at convention the same way the woman tossed hers at the TV screen in the original Apple Computer commercial back in 1984. But most Cube drivers weren't even born back then - at least Nissan's product development folks hope.'

The Car Connection have published a review of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. 'The base engine in the 2010 Jetta is a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline gasoline five-cylinder with 177 pound-feet of torque. (The turbocharged 2.0-liter four offered in former years has been discontinued, along with the sporty GLI model.) The aging five is neither particularly fast nor fuel-efficient paired with either a notchy five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the S and SE models; the SEL comes with a five-speed automatic, which is optional on the other two. The EPA rates gas mileage at 22 mpg city, 30 highway for the five-cylinder with the manual, and 23/30 for the automatic.'

The EuroTuner have published their review of the 2011 BMW 335is coupe. 'The 335is wears special bodywork in addition to the styling update just introduced for all 2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles. The front bumper has not only been reshaped for greater airflow, but also wears black kidney grilles. Shadowline window trim is part of the package, and the exterior mirrors are painted black for a more aggressive look. The standard 18" wheels are finished in dark silver BMW calls Ferric grey. They are fitted with staggered-fit 225/40 and 235/35 summer performance tires.

A review of the Kia Venga has been posted over at The independent. 'The Venga's wedged stance, with rear wheels pushed well back, gives the impression of a car which sits well on the road and might be fun to drive. So it proves, up to a point, but there is a slight disconnect between the various flavours of European thinking. The way the Venga rides over bumps (noisily but with commendable suppleness) and the way it handles corners (capably but with the artificial, glutinous steering typical of an electrically power-assisted system) has been deemed unsuitable for the UK, and our cars will have different suspension settings. They should feel sharper and ride more quietly, but given the industry-wide agreement that if a car works on the UK's crumbling roads it will work anywhere, it's strange the two specifications co-exist.'

The Garage Blog have published their review of the Volkswagen Passat CC. 'The CC doesn't overwhelm you with its appearance, and after a week with the car I cannot point to any one detail that especially impresses me, but taken as a whole, the CC is just stunning. The car reeks of class that belies its base price of under $29,000USD. For all the cars I have reviewed for The Garage, only the Chevy Camaro beats out the CC for people approaching me wanting to know more about the car. In an era where so much value is placed on utility, pulling up in a Passat CC announces loud and clear that it's OK to trade in a little practicality for some style. There is a sense of occasion in the CC that is missing in the Passat, and the fact that VW can pull this off at this price point is reason to smile.'

The Truth About Cars have published their "Comparison Review" of the Toyota Venza and Honda Crosstour. 'The most complementary thing that can be said about the Crosstour is that it is an Accord Coupe stretched to accommodate a second pair of doors. Bumper to bumper, it embodies a sportiness that is entirely lacking in the entirely too practical Venza. That's not to say that the Crosstour is a hardened 'bahn burner. Or that it isn't a practical mobile for the modern family. Let's just say that the car has a little of that magic that made earlier generations of the Accord sedan a good deal more satisfying to drive than your average family car.'

CNET have published a review of the 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i sedan. 'Fitting into the midsize sedan class, the Legacy 2.5i competes with the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, and the Mazda6, to which it bears a close resemblance. Both the Mazda6 and the Legacy 2.5i have long noses with prominent front fenders, although the Mazda's roofline is swept back. But Subaru differentiates itself from those other cars with standard all-wheel drive, making it a popular brand for people who venture out into the wilderness. And this strategy seems to work, as Subaru enjoyed one of its best sales years in 2009, when most other automakers were contemplating upper storey open windows.'

Inside Line have published their "First drive" review of the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 SEMA Showcar. 'This 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 SEMA car drives like a well-sorted piece. It handles, stops and accelerates impressively. It neither rattles your kidneys with its stiff-legged ride nor crashes your head against the ceiling with the soggy ride. And that's because Mazdaspeed didn't simply farm the showcar project out to someone and write a check. Instead, in-house engineers and designers carefully combined parts from the Mazda parts bin with those from trusted aftermarket partners.

A review of the 2010 Ford Fusion Sport has been posted over at SearchChicago.com. 'The 2010 Ford Fusion Sport provides an added level of excitement with a unique lower grille, sporty side rocker moldings (I still call 'em ground effects), a deck-lid spoiler, bright-tip dual exhaust outlets and snazzy five-spoke 18-inch painted aluminum wheels. And that's not all. Sitting in the Fusion Sport's engine bay is a powerful 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine that is a delight whether it's treated mildly or wildly. The Sport's V-6 quickly put a smile on my face.'

Auto Express have published their "First drive" review of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. 'On the move, it's eerily quiet, with wind noise, tyre roar and suspension clunks the only sounds you can hear. Chevrolet claims the first US cars, due for delivery in November, will be even more refined. The driving experience has clearly been tuned for comfort rather than speed. Whereas the Astra - with which the Ampera and Volt share parts - feels composed in bends, the Volt suffers from body roll. However, it's more comfortable at all other times.

The Car Connection have published their review of the 2010 BMW X3 . 'The 2010 BMW X3 is a compact crossover vehicle with luxury features, the most important of which may be the BMW badge on its nose. A four-door with tight backseat space, the tall-bodied X3 has some traditional BMW handling zest infused into its all-wheel-drive body. Priced from about $40,000, the 2010 X3 takes on the likes of the Cadillac SRX, Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, Land Rover LR2, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and Volvo XC60.'

A review of the 2009 Renault Clio RS F1 Team R27 hatchback has been posted over at Car Advice. 'High performance front-wheel drive cars often suffer from torque steer, but not the Clio, the chassis is too well balanced for any of that to interfere with the fun that can be had behind the wheel of this hatch. For those of you obsessed about fuel economy in a light hatch (its always going to be frugal when compared with larger cars and SUVs) I ended up with a combined average of 11.9 litres/100km but that was driving with complete disregard for economic rationality.'

Car And Driver have published their "test driven"review of the 2011 Ford Fiesta. 'When the Fiesta gets here in spring, the four-door sedan will carry a base price of $13,995, while the five-door hatch will start at $15,795. A car like our well-equipped, Euro-spec test subject will go for about $20,000. Readers steeped in T lore may recall Model T base prices south of $300. But that was toward the end of their production run, when Ford had wrung every possible advantage from the economies of scale that flowed from the introduction of the moving assembly line in the giant Highland Park plant, just north of downtown Detroit. However, the moving assembly line didn't start moving until 1913. In 1909, a Model T touring car cost $850. Based on comparative consumer price indexes, that would work out to nearly $21K today. And keep in mind that the $850 MSRP didn't include indulgences to weather like a top or side curtains.'

A review of the 2010 Cadillac SRX Premium FWD has been posted over at LeftLaneNews.com 'Our highly-optioned 3.0-liter tester featured a sunbelt and wallet-friendly front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 are also available. The SRX actually starts at a reasonable $33,330 for a base front-wheel-drive model, but that model doesn't include leather, wood trim, navigation, Bluetooth or a whole host of other luxury goodies. The lineup extends from that stripper to Luxury, Performance and Premium trim levels, each bringing more to the party. It's worth noting that the SRX may or may not have another luxury corporate cousin. As of this writing, GM's Saab unit still has a small glimmer of hope, meaning the term "stillborn" might not yet apply to the 9-4x.'

The USA Today have published a review of the 2010 Jeep Patriot. 'The 2010 tester arrived just in time for a 20-inch snow. Good news: Its AWD handled anything that fit beneath the Patriot's ground clearance. It's a front-drive system that shifts power to the rear wheels when the fronts slip. A quick-flick lever holds the system in AWD mode, keeping it from reverting to FWD. It still allows some front/rear shifting, rather than locking into a 50/50 split the way hardcore 4x4s do. It's all you'll need unless you bang about off the road.'

The Independent have published a review of the Bentley Continental Supersports. 'What it stands for is this. It is the fastest road-going Bentley ever, and the fastest Bentley full stop apart from the victorious Le Mans racing cars of 2003 (which, arguably, were more Audi than Bentley). This Continental Supersports weighs less than the regular GT Coupé or the slightly quicker Speed version, so now it's two and a quarter tonnes instead of two and a half, and has yet more power from its 6.0-litre, W12, twin-turbo engine. This engine is effectively two narrow-angle V6s next to each other, sharing possibly the most intricately machined crankshaft I have seen.'

A review of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has been posted over at BusinessWeek.com. 'Mercedes's last supercar was developed with the U.K.'s McLaren Automotive. This time they turned to their own in-house tuning arm, AMG. Based in Affalterbach, AMG modifies existing models to be lighter, faster, more powerful. This is the first time the division has designed a car from the ground up. The coupe will be released this spring. Price, estimated to be under $200,000 before add-ons, is surprising. Cheap is an odd word to use here, but that sticker is commensurate with Mercedes's own SL65 AMG convertible and vastly less expensive than the SLR McLaren's $500,000 sticker.

A review of the 2010 Mazda3 compact has been posted over at SearchChicago.com. 'The original Mazda3 was definitely a well-kept secret. Enthusiasts would gush about the tight underpinnings and sporty ride characteristics, while the general public was less enthusiastic about the conservative exterior styling and cabin. The 2010 Mazda3 has upped the ante and it is impressive. The exterior's chiseled fender flares are pushed far forward and rear and the great-looking 16-inch alloy rims look much larger set in this smallish frame. Of course, it wouldn't really be a Mazda if the zoom-zoom were not there to match the look. I have driven the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder and it is hardly disappointing.

Inside Line have published a review of the 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon. 'The Power Wagon is endowed with a purposeful stance by way of a 2-inch lift in ride height, 32-inch off-road tires, skid plates, a winch and requisite stickers. At the same time, it's the stuff you can't see that gives this big truck true off-road grit: Bilstein dampers; electronically locking front and rear differentials with a shorter 4.56:1 final-drive ratio; a front stabilizer bar that can be deactivated at the touch of a button; plus a high-current alternator and a trailer hitch.'

The Motor Report have published a review of the 2010 BMW 520d sedan. 'As the base model of the range, the 520d's body is unencumbered by things like spoilers, body kits and other addenda. A pair of foglights are housed in the lower corners of the front bumper and linked by a single chrome bar, while chrome window trimmings and a chrome oval exhaust outlet comprise the rest of the car's brightwork. Metallic paint is a cost option on the 520d (and 523i), and the standard wheel design is a simple five-spoke 16-inch alloy. An M Sport package can be optioned, and adds a sportier bodykit, lower suspension, 18-inch alloys and black chrome window trim.'

The Truth About Cars have published their review of the BMW 750i sedan. 'The 750i Sport is the most driver-involving sedan in its class: there's nothing like a beefy V8, especially one with torque-rich turbochargers keeping the power down low, never letting go until 407 horses reach redline in any of six gears. Aside from zee Germans (seemingly) mandatory throttle delay at tip in, the 750i Sport is a rewarding powertrain that's both sublime and brutal. If this is a harbinger for the forthcoming M5's motor, the best is yet to come.'

A review of the Commuter Cars Tango electric car has been posted over at Jalopnik. 'Without question the Tango Electric is one of the most impressive vehicles on paper on the entire Detroit Auto Show floor. It's equipped with two electric motors driving the rear wheels with a total output of 805HP and 1,000lb-ft of torque, there are 2,000 lbs of batteries under the floor and the carbon fiber body weighs all of 25 lbs. With a roll cage protecting two passengers sitting in racing seats in tandem, there's a surprising amount of shoulder room for such a ridiculously proportioned vehicle. Their reps claim it'll pull 1.5 g's on the skid pad and out-maneuver a Porsche 911 in the slalom, this on a car with a double A-arm front suspension and a trailing arm rear. It might be able to, but you'll have to be the hulk to get there.'

The Automo Blog have published a review of the 2010 Lotus Evora. 'Push the long clutch pedal in and twist the key. The 3.5-liter V6 from Toyota fires up in a quiet, steady hum. Engage first gear, feed the gas, and pull away in a gentle, smooth motion. Clutch uptake is very good for the nature of the car and throttle tip-in is linear, not jerky or abrupt. Not expected, but greatly appreciated. Hammer the throttle, though, and things change. The Evora changes into a snarling beast. The Toyota engine isn't as rev-happy as the 1.8-liter, but it never runs out of steam. The clutch doesn't bind up when rushed and the six-speed manual transmission, while not as snick-snick as I had expected, felt better when pushing it hard, finding the gear you want without getting hung up on its detents. And I didn't even put the car in the optional Sport mode!.

Car Advice have published a review of the 2009 Holden Commodore SS Ute. 'Inside the spacious and surprisingly quiet cockpit the vivid blue cloth upholstery neatly compliments the Voodoo metallic paintwork of the exterior, and in doing so, provides a pleasant contrast to the otherwise drab and somewhat 'base-model' looking surrounds. The symmetrical centre console, and its much-maligned flush-fit park brake, still allows enough room for two cup holders and a spacious console bin, while behind the seats there's more than enough room for the grocery shopping or a couple of backpacks - perfect if you don't so happen to want your groceries distributed like a dog's dinner all over the tray.

A review of the 2010 Lexus LS 460 Sport sedan has been posted over at LeftLaneNews.com. 'The 2010 LS 460 Sport is a dressed up version of the short wheelbase LS 460 thanks to a unique blacked-out mesh-style grille to differentiate between the chrome found on the regular model. A special ground effects package with front and rear spoilers, side rocker panels, and a new rear diffuser impart the look of speed and performance as best they can on this big luxo-sedan. The sportiness carries over to the interior as well. The addition of black and saddle interior leather trim with matte brown ash veneer trim around the dash and center console give a much more aggressive appearance than what is seen in the lighter-colored LS leathers.

The Garage have published their second (Turn Two) review of the Mazda6i. 'Inside, the 6 offers a quiet, comfortable cabin. It only takes a moment to acquaint yourself with the controls and go. The seats are comfortable and offer adequate support. One feature I particularly liked was the trunk release button, conveniently placed within easy reach on the dashboard. No fumbling around on the dirty floor below. Makes you wonder why no one else thought of this. The gauges were handsome, and the aluminum-colored accents lent a cool contemporary look, but the piano-black trim with wavy, silver lines that surrounds the center console and flanks the lowers dash was just plain weird. I'm sure the point was to convey a Japanese theme inside, but it just doesn't translate well.'

The USA Today have published a review of the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan. 'It's the only minivan with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), making it a credible alternative to a crossover SUV for the open-minded. While just 10% of buyers are likely to bite, Toyota even invested in a new AWD system aimed at better real-world gas mileage, though federal ratings are about the same. A bonus: The AWD is among Sienna models fitted with run-flat tires. Stiffer than conventional tires, their firmer feel could attract some fans of the taut Honda Odyssey. Of course, the price will be steeper when it's time to replace those run-flats.'

CNET have published their review of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan. 'The steering feels nice and tight, but successive curves produced plenty of understeer. Getting onto damper roads, the front end showed a tendency to wash around as the traction control tried to give it some grip while fighting the turns. The rear wheels were no particular help, although the Kizashi can be had in all-wheel-drive. After a while, we realized that the Kizashi is more bluster than bite, and started to drive it as transportation. The ride was comfortable and the cabin roomy enough for a car in this class, and that Rockford Fosgate audio system let us terrorize urban streets by setting off car alarms up and down the street.'

The National Post have published a review of the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited. 'Under the hood, the Santa Fe sees two new powertrain options. The more important of the two, at least if seeking better fuel economy, is the availability of a four-cylinder engine - the 175-horsepower 2.4-litre Theta II. The second is an upgrade from the 242-hp, 3.3L V6 to a 3.5L Lambda II unit producing 276 hp. In addition, the Santa Fe now comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission (for the base 2.4L GL) or a six-speed automatic (available on 2.4L GL and standard on all 3.5L models). If there is a disappointment with the choices, it's only that the rumoured hybrid version has yet to make an appearance.

Car And Driver have published their "Short Take Road Test" of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi AWD. 'Aside from the name, the Kizashi has "anonymous" written all over it: the styling is handsome but inoffensive, the spec sheet is solid but unremarkable, and Suzuki isn't much of a household name unless you dig motorcycles. In spite of that, it's a car that sticks in our brain as much as the catchy name. A lot of that has to do with the Kizashi's size. As we've mentioned in a previous road test of a front-wheel-drive model, the 183-inch-long Kizashi comes in 11 inches shorter than the Honda Accord. Size-wise, the Suzuki is closer to the BMW 3-series, Acura TSX, and Volkswagen Jetta.'

A review of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder has been posted over at InsideLine.com. 'While "spyder" might conjure images of tube-frame, aluminum-skinned racecars of the 1950s, this Boxster Spyder is a modern Porsche and comes with all of the bells and whistles. Once you sign up for the optional seat upholstery you also get a swath of red leather throughout the interior. This car also has a Sport Chrono Plus package ($960), bi-xenon adaptive headlights ($1,560) and, like any good racecar, a $3,110 navigation/tech package that includes satellite navigation, an iPod interface and a handy performance display that ties into the Sport Chrono Plus to deliver lap times and assorted driving metrics.'

Search Chicago have published their review of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS sedan. 'The LaCrosse's dash design is a pleasing mix of plunging angles and bold shapes with driver-focused switch gear. At night the interior has ambient lighting in the dash and center console; doors radiate an arctic blue hue. One interior misstep is the faux wood trim, which looked inexpensive and was too shiny. The cockpit is luxurious with leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats with eightway power adjustment, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power features and a heated steering wheel with audio controls.'

CNET have published their review of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 sedan. 'The Mercedes-Benz C-class, the lowest-end Mercedes-Benz sold in the U.S., underwent an upgrade in 2008 that modernized the car considerably, making it an excellent value in a semi-sporty small luxury sedan. We earlier reviewed, and praised, the C300 Sport and the C63 AMG. This is the first time we've seen the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350. But the C350 sent to us turned out to be an example of how not to option up a C-class. First of all, the need for the car's 3.5-liter V-6 seemed questionable, as the 3-liter V-6 in the C300 does a perfectly good job. Second, our car lacked the navigation system option, saddling it with what is probably the worst iPod integration we've seen. The car was equipped with an 18-inch AMG wheel package, money which could have been much better spent making the cabin electronics useful.'

The Truth About Cars have published their "Comparison review"of the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube. 'The Soul's handling advantage vis-à-vis direct competitors comes at the evident expense of ride quality. On subpar pavement the busy ride borders on punishing, for the ears even more than the seat of the pants. While the base Soul has 15-inch steelies, and the + has 16-inch alloys, both the ! and the sport are shod with 18s. The Soul's bold fender flares certainly pair best with the large wheels, but the attendant low-profile tires thump loudly across every bump and divot. This sort of ride might be worth paying for sports car handling. But many sports cars these days ride much better, and the Soul certainly doesn't handle like a sports car.

Search Chicago have published their review of the 2011 Kia Sorento LX SUV. 'There isn't a 2010 model Sorento. The 2011 Sorento is available in base, LX and EX trim levels. The base four-cylinder model, with manual transmission, starts at just less than $20,000 and the top-line allwheel-drive EX begins at $28,895. Standard LX equipment includes body-color heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators, air conditioning, steering wheel controls, trip computer, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with AUX/USB inputs and power windows/locks/mirrors.

Car And Driver have published their "short take road test" of the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover HSE. 'On a vehicle costing $79,275--with a number of high-dollar options, ours reached $92,655--the concept of quirky British electrical systems ceases being quaint. We find it discomforting, then, that the Range Rover has gone to a fully digital IP. There is no physical tach, speedo, temp gauge, or fuel gauge; instead, there are just pictures of those readouts displayed on a screen. Before the vehicle is started, a brooding image of a dusky sky lives here. Perhaps this is to indicate an inbound storm of electronic headaches.

Auto Express have published their review of the Ford Focus GGR RS370FR supercar. 'This very special Focus RS is on a power trip! One thing the standard 300bhp RS has never lacked is performance, but that hasn't stopped fast-Ford specialists, Graham Goode Racing, from turning up the heat on the blue oval's flagship Focus hatch. We drove the lightly-warmed GGR RS340 back in September, but now it's time to tackle it's bigger brother, the white-hot 175mph GGR RS370FR.'

A review of the 2009 Hyundai iLoad H1 Crew Van has been posted over at Car Advice. 'The inoffensive looks of the iLoad Crew Van house a pleasant and comfortable interior with enough space for five adults - or six at a pinch. An easy to drive, easy to manage vehicle Crew Van excels in providing not only a spacious interior, but one offering a satisfying level of standard equipment that includes an MP3 compatible single CD tuner with auxiliary connection, adjustable steering column, air-conditioning, plus a plethora of commodious storage compartments for all those odd-and-ends.''

GTSpirit.com have published a review of the Audi TT-RS. 'First of all it's the mightiest TT ever built by the manufacturer from Ingolstadt. Secondly it is the latest model to receive an RS badge and thirdly it is available in both coupé or roadster. What else do you want? Perhaps a test drive... no problem! For one day we shifted our focus to the 'über'-TT loaded with all the necessary equipment and dressed in Daytona grey with pearl effect. Inspired by a legendary 1980s road-going rally car, the Quattro, the TT-RS benefits from a five-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood. The 2.5 liter TFSI engine produces a whooping 335bhp between 5400 and 6500rpm and 332lb-ft of torque between 1600 and 5300rpm.'

LeftLane have published a review of the 2010 Infiniti G37S Convertible. 'A six-speed gear lever occupies prime real estate in the center console, as do the seat warmers and the roof control module. Speaking of roof, we love the concept of topless motoring. But with the clamshell style of roofs now en vogue, certain arrangements need to be made. You must be prepared in one of two ways: First is to travel extremely lightly so you can stash your baggage in the back seat while the roof is open, or second, try to carry all your accoutrements in the trunk and once you arrive at your destination, unload your belongings and then put down the roof. The folded roof takes up quite a bit of luggage space - just as it does in BMW's 3-Series and Lexus's IS C.'

The Garage have published their review of the 2010 Mazdaspeed3. 'Push the START button and the MS3 barks to life. Enthusiasts will love the deep, edgy idle that sounds even better from outside the car. Slip the car into first, put both hands (firmly) on the wheel and you are rewarded with quite a push back into the driver's seat, accompanied by an authoritative, rising crescendo from the engine room. This is the anti-Honda engine. A big four with plenty of torque, and 6 grand on the tach is about all you'll want before grabbing another gear.'