2009 Nissan Altima Review

source:carreviews.com
The 2009 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5S, delivers to a youthful audience seeking to express themselves through a sporty-looking car, without the high-dollar sporty-car price. With the car’s sleek design, shorter wheel-base, and smaller size — all of the above contribute to its more aggressive performance than the Altima Sedan. It’s loaded with cool features including power sliding moonroof, 6-speaker audio system, AM/FM/CD, 16 inch aluminum alloy rims, Xtronic CVT™, Nissan Intelligent Key™, and a 175 hp, 2.5L engine to name a few.

Driving Impressions

The Altima is a fresh design in the coupe market with its sleek lines and more robust body design — this car is eye-catching. It has a more compressed build when compared to its sedan counterpart; its shorter wheel-base made it handle better on the curvy roads. But it was equally comfortable driving on surface streets and freeways.

With $4/gallon gas prices still fresh in our minds, optimum fuel efficiency is always a serious consideration among new car buyers and the Altima Coupe delivers good fuel efficiency with both engine options. Those who like to “power up” can choose the 270 hp 3.5L V6 and still achieve up to 18 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway according to EPA estimates. More conservative drivers who are comfortable with the 175 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder engine can get a miserly 23 mpg in the city and a whopping 32 mpg on the highway. Both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions. Although, if you want stability control, you have to order the V6 option.

Build

The Nissan Altima is a very sturdy car which is apparent from the solid “thunk” every time the doors are closed, to the smooth purr of the 2.5 liter engine. The exterior design of the Coupe has some lines reminiscent of the 350Z and its overall body design make this car stand out amongst the sea of Camrys and Accords. The headlamp, parking light, and front turn signal are all combined into one neat package which provides effective visibility during both day-time and night-time driving.

Impressive are the Altima Coupe’s excellent safety reviews: 4-stars for Frontal Crash, 5-stars for Side Crash, and 5-stars for Rollovers. This car means business when it comes to passenger and driver safety. Driver, passenger, front side, and head side-curtain airbags are standard. If necessary, this car can take some serious hits and protect its occupants.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics

Upon sitting in the Coupe, the interior is well designed with everything within arms reach – stereo system, venting system, internal lights, headlights, wipers, etc. All were clearly laid out and right where you’d expect them to be located. The cloth seat upholstery is simple, yet comfortable. The driver’s seat is capable of 8-way seat adjustment for optimal driving position. There is ample head room even with the power sliding moonroof. Which means that pretty much anyone can be comfortable while driving this car. From the little granny’s to the massive jocks, the Altima’s spacious interior was never too obtrusive. While the internal cabin lighting was rather bright during the night-time drives, it meant that if anything was dropped into the obscure reaches of the vehicle, it would be easy to locate.

Like the front cabin space, the rear of the car was also very spacious for passengers or child car seats. Again, Nissan design engineers did their homework and made sure that weary travelers would be comfortable in the back with ample amounts of leg and seat room. Another nice feature was the LATCH system which anchors and tethers child car seats to the rear-seats; they were very robust and strong. The only down-side was the passenger 60/40 seating was difficult to put down – one seat was on a button latch (easy to find), while the other had a release strap found in the trunk (hard to find). Not super intuitive, but once found, it was easy to operate. Overall, the Coupe is a pleasantly, comfortable vehicle to drive for both city driving and long adventures out on the open road.

This Coupe was hooked up with the 6-speaker base stereo system. It has good sound clarity even when blasting the bass – a definite plus. As to be expected, also offered for 2009 is a long list of user-friendly technology features – including standard Nissan Intelligent Key, available Bluetooth^® Hands-free Phone System, an advanced touch-screen navigation system with XM NavTraffic^® with real-time traffic information (XM^® subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.

Performance

Probably the most disappointing part about test driving the Altima was its lack of power. Something seriously amiss in such a flashy coupe. Nissan fell short on the “eye-opening exhilarating power” it promised in its press release. For a car with a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, the Altima lacked the serious pick-up required when asked to accelerate. For a sporty car, the freeway on-ramp accelerations were something to be desired. Once up to speed though, the Coupe drove very well. It was smooth and quiet. At times, I found myself passing over 80 mph without even flinching. The Altima seemed most comfortable when driving along at a steady speed with gentle accelerations. It never felt like it was packing much power and the overall driving experience is what you’d expect from a normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine – practical.

The Altima Coupe features a cool technology option — Nissan’s Xtronic CVT™ (Continuous Variable Transmission). In a nut-shell, it’s a gearless transmission that shifts ultra-smoothly with no “shift-shock”.No gears means the transmission can choose a gear ratio optimum for fuel efficiency within the engine’s power range.When driving conditions dictate a more “hands on” approach, it is very simple to switch from automatic to manual-mode. It’s a nice feature since there is no clutch involved and it allows the driver to shift based on the driving environment and the driver’s perceived intentions. So if you’re a fuel conscious individual, you can pop it into automatic and CVT cruises at low RPMs. In manual mode, The driver must move the stick upwards to shift into the higher gears since it won’t up-shift automatically. If the driver forgets to shift, the engine will red-line until the next upshift. To be clear, this is not a stick; it’s something between automatic and manual transmission and the driver can choose whether to use it or not. It gives the driver the option to be lazy and drive automatic or be playful with a pseudo-manual transmission.

Fuel Economy

Advertised: 23 in the city, and 31 freeway (or 26 combined).
Actual Observed: 25.4 mpg (pretty close to the advertised values). I was purposefully trying to get poor fuel economy by driving with a heavy foot, kicking the accelerator and stopping at all traffic signals. Even with my anti-hypermiling driving technique, the fuel economy was close to the expected value of 26 mpg. And I’m sure if I was more fuel conscious, I could have gotten even better mileage. It’s nice when the advertised values reflect the real-life values.

Handling

The Coupe performed surprisingly well by making up for the engine’s lack of power with superb handling. While out on the curvy mountainous roads in the California Bay Area, the Altima handled all the hard cornering I could throw at it and accelerated well enough to keep it exciting. With the 4-wheel ABS Brakes, the Altima seemed to be in its element on the tighter roads and hugged the asphalt well for a mid-size car. It never felt like it was going to tip or slide-off the road. And while the handling dynamics of the Altima Coupe helped driving at speed, it meant the car could stop at any instant. When put to the test, these were reassuring features. The power-steering was light and responsive, but never twitchy. Whichever direction you pointed the Coupe, it handled with ease.

Styling

At first glance, the Altima Coupe is an eye-catching, sexy sports car. The Azure Blue color added a little extra sophistication to this sporty wannabe. It had nice lines and was well put together. The car designers created an aesthetically, well designed vehicle. The Nissan Intelligent Key for key-less entry and push button ignition was pretty awesome for a first-time user. I was impressed by its easy-to-use nature, and it was very self-explanatory. The power sliding moonroof is always a lovely feature; there’s something to be said about a nice breeze blowing through the hair. Again, even without the bigger V6 engine, this car looked the part and was begging to be driven.

Value

Being that the Altima Coupe is in the same class as the Ford Focus,Honda civic Coupe, and the like, we think the Altima is a good deal with its base retail price starting at $21,750 for comfort, fun and good looks. And with its superb safety rating and above-average fuel economy, the Altima Coupe is a serious contender in its class. Ultimately, the Nissan Altima Coupe doesn’t knock its competitors out of the water with its performance, but we feel its stylish and fresh look partnered with good safety features makes it a winner by unanimous decision.

Conclusion

This car is perfect for those wanting a hot looking car without breaking the bank account. With its excellent safety rating, good MPG, nice internal and external features, it’s easy to understand why new car owners would consider this vehicle. Basically, the Altima Coupe is an affordable mid-sized passenger car that is nowhere near mundane. While quiet and fuel efficient, the 2.5L engine in our test vehicle did lack the punch for those necessary accelerations. A new buyer might consider testing the V6 model as well before making the final decision. For the active person who requires a generous of cargo capacity, we found the lack of trunk space to be disappointing. But for its few flaws, the Altima Coupe was a solid car to drive. If you’re a buyer interested in a nice smooth ride, are fuel conscious and like lots of cabin space, the Coupe should be taken into consideration.

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2010 Ford Taurus Vehicle Overview

source:edmunds.com

Introduction

It has taken a long and winding road to reach the 2010 Ford Taurus. This complete redesign is the latest chapter in an automotive story packed with ups and downs.

The name Taurus was first attached to a revolutionary car that changed the way automakers and auto buyers thought of family sedans. It was America's No.1 car and its overall design was the benchmark for future competitors -- particularly those from Japan. The high-performance SHO model was a cult favorite among car nuts who also had to schlep the kids to school. Then in the 1990s, the Taurus radically changed into a celebration of ovals, including its general body shape and odd elliptical center stack. It was weird, and even when Ford toned that quirkiness down, its influence as an industry leader fell as Honda and Toyota perfected the midsize formula the Taurus had established.

The most recent Taurus was a rebadged version of the full-size Ford Five Hundred, giving up its midsize credentials to the smaller Fusion. The 2010 Taurus remains in this large-car category, but its thorough overhaul promises a more refined automobile than its predecessor and a much more engaging driving experience. Its sleek styling is hardly the revolutionary concept that the original Taurus was, but it's nevertheless attractive and more interesting than the blocky old model. Most noticeable is Ford's departure from its signature three-bar chrome grille -- rather than resembling a Gillette razor, it now looks like a Braun electric shaver. Now that's progress.

Inside, the Taurus gets the same stereo and climate control treatment as every recently redesigned Ford product. Although button-heavy and slightly cluttered looking, it's a logically laid out design. While the controls are cookie-cutter, the surrounding design is fresh and stylish. In upper trim guises, the cabin is arguably more posh than Lincoln's MKS.

The biggest news, however, is the reintroduction of the Taurus SHO model. The last time we experienced this cult-favorite nameplate it was attached to the 1990s Oval-era Taurus iteration and was packing a 235-horsepower V8 engine. The new Taurus SHO employs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. Dubbed "EcoBoost," this engine feeds 365 hp to all four wheels while apparently returning the fuel economy of a less powerful car. Meanwhile, the regular Taurus uses the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that produced perfectly ample acceleration in the outgoing car.

The 2010 Ford Taurus should prove to be an interesting entry in a segment of full-size vehicles that bridges the gap between family sedans and luxury cars. Lower-priced trim levels will be compared to the Honda Accord, Hyundai Azera and Toyota Avalon. The Limited will compete with entry-level luxury sedans like the Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln's MKS and MKZ, and the Nissan Maxima. The SHO is clearly aimed at Chrysler's 300C and Pontiac's G8. We have yet to drive this new flagship sedan from Ford, so only time will tell how this latest chapter in the Taurus story plays out.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that seats five people. It is available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO trim levels. Standard equipment on the SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry and SecuriCode entry pad, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-way power driver seat, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, steering wheel audio controls and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary audio jack. The SEL adds 18-inch wheels, automatic transmission paddle shifters, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery and satellite radio. Options on the SEL include 19-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a power passenger seat, ambient lighting, leather upholstery and the Sync electronics interface system (which includes Bluetooth and an iPod interface). These items are standard on the Taurus Limited, plus 10-way power front seats, driver memory functions and an upgraded stereo with six-CD/MP3 player. The Taurus SHO adds a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlamps, an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror (optional on Limited), a rear spoiler, keyless ignition/entry (optional on SEL and Limited), upgraded leather trim and faux-suede upholstery inserts.

Options available on the SEL, Limited and SHO include a sunroof, remote ignition, power-adjustable pedals, heated front seats, multicontour massaging seats and a 12-speaker Sony-branded premium audio system. Options available on the Limited and SHO include adaptive cruise control with a collision warning system, a blind-spot warning system, automatic high beams, an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror, rain-sensing wipers, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a rear window power sunshade and a navigation system with in-dash single-CD/DVD player, hard drive with 10GB of digital music storage, and Sirius Travel Link (real-time traffic, weather and other information). The Taurus SHO can be further equipped with 20-inch wheels, a rearview camera and an SHO Performance package that includes performance brake pads, recalibrated steering, a different final-drive ratio, stability control defeat, summer tires and 20-inch wheels.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Taurus is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. On all trims except the SE, the transmission features manual shift control and downshift rev-matching capability. Front-wheel drive is standard on every Taurus trim level and all-wheel drive is available on SEL and Limited trim levels.

The Taurus SHO features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic with shift paddles is standard. Every SHO is all-wheel drive. Fuel economy estimates for either Taurus engine are not yet available.

Safety

Every 2010 Ford Taurus comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety features include a blind-spot warning system, pre-collision warning system, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Interior Design and Special Features

A stylish Ford Taurus cabin seems almost oxymoronic, but with its twin-cowl dash, waterfall center stack and high-end materials, that's exactly what it is. Although the climate and audio controls are very button-heavy, they are logically laid out and easy to interpret. The Sync electronics interface available on all but the base car is a voice-activated technology that allows you to control your cell phone or iPod using voice commands or the car's physical controls. On other Ford products, we've found Sync to be effective and desirable.

The previous Taurus offered one of the largest backseats in the class; however, the new car's has shrunk by 3 inches. Trunk space has been reduced by 1 cubic foot, but at 20.2 cubes, it is one of the most cavernous cargo areas attached to a traditional sedan (only the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis are fractionally bigger).

Driving Impressions

We have not yet driven the 2010 Ford Taurus. However, it promises to be a more refined and involving drive than the sedate comfort cruiser it replaces. That's not to say we expect the Taurus to be a sport sedan, but rather a large, entry-level luxury sedan similar to a Lincoln MKS. Given that it carries over the previous Taurus' V6 engine, we expect acceleration to be perfectly acceptable for this sizable sedan. For a dose of excitement, the Taurus SHO should provide impressive acceleration from its twin-turbo V6 engine. All-wheel drive should lay the power down and prevent any front-drive torque-steer histrionics, but like the Chrysler 300C, the Taurus SHO will be more a straight-line performer than one intended for curvy back roads.

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2009 Kia Borrego Review - Kia goes B-I-G

Introduction
Kia, a subsidiary of the aggressively growing Hyundai, has been making in-roads on the North America market with their very affordable cars and SUVs. The bulk of their sales have come from the lower end of the market, where customers have selected Kia cars for the value they offer, balancing decent quality with a low price. With the Borrego, Kia is pushing their price tag up and delivering a much larger SUV. With the economy tanking and a renewed interest in improved gas mileage and green autos, Kia’s push will be interesting to watch. Will it make in-roads against the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot? Or the Ford Explorer and Buick Enclave? Or is it the wrong SUV size at the wrong time?

Driving Impressions
I drove a Spicy Red Borrego EX V6 that featured both the premium package and the luxury package, which combined with the navigation system, pushed the price up to a lofty $36,000. All those extra features did elevate the Kia experience a bit, but did not fully cover the impression that this SUV was designed more for a six-pack crowd than the chardonnay set. While the leather seats and dual climate zones were nice, the overall design, fit-and-finish, and driving experience felt as though Kia targeted a more economical buyer and then put some lipstick on it. The Borrego bounced over speed bumps, swayed through turns, and felt every bit of its 4,460 lbs. It does deliver surprising acceleration, powering the Borrego up to speed so fast that I wished I was towing a boat to slow me down. It certainly has the horses to make the most of the uphill passing lanes on the way to Tahoe. But other than its notable power, the Borrego overall seems somewhat less than the sum of its parts.

Build
Even though I had a model with the luxury package, when I slipped behind the wheel, the Borrego struck me as an truck designed in Detroit. The materials used and design of the dashboard reminded more of a regular Ford than a snooty Acura or Lexus. While the workmanship left no complaints - no missing stitches, no gaps in the paneling, no ill-fitting parts - the component design and selection of material fell below my expectations for a luxury SUV. Had the Borrego been simply a mid-market SUV with a great sound system, its performance would have been more matched to my hopes. As a luxury SUV, it falls short. It is a solidly build SUV that gave every impression of being a good workhorse and is backed by one of the better warranties on the market.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
The Borrego does big, both outside and inside. With plenty of room, the cavernous interior provides elbow room for everyone. What I found strange, and eventually annoying, in such an already spacious cabin was the automatic telescoping steering wheel. When departing the vehicle, the steering wheel moves towards the dashboard and your seat scoots a bit back. The process is reversed when you get in. Given that you are climbing into a generously portioned cockpit, what’s the point? Perhaps this is needed for petite drivers that need seat-assisted elevation, but after just a few days I needed to find the switch to turn it off. I understand why such systems are in small and cramped cabins, but the Borrego is anything but.

Soft, heated seats provide for comfortable, long distance driving, and the instrument panel is laid out without surprises. A rear-view camera should have been standard on a family-focused truck of this size, though and while this is an option from Kia, its absence on this review vehicle was noticeable. good integration of stereo controls into the steering wheel made controlling the crisp radio system easy and straightforward. The premium package speakers delivered crystal-clear acoustics, especially when paired to a strong satellite signal.

I frequently fault designers for insufficient cargo space, but the Borrego has enough space to double as your storage locker. With deep cargo bays and spacious door bins, the Borrego makes every possible nook and cranny a potential repository for Cheerios, wet wipes, a change of clothes and a few diapers - all at the same time. Entry into the third row is something of a challenge. I expected to be able to move the second row seat somewhat out of the way, but was not able to decipher the complex protocol needed. Either the controls are not intuitive or it is just poorly designed. As a result, my third row passengers clambered over a folded second row to reach their seats.

Performance
When I first walked up to the Borrego, I was surprised at the sheer bulk of this Kia. It was much larger than the many Sorentos and Sportages I was used to seeing. However, when I first pulled away from the curb, I was pushed deep into my seat as the Borrego jumped into the street. Over the few days that I drove the SUV, I gradually learned to carefully apply pressure to the gas pedal and prevent passenger whiplash, but the massive power available was impressive. In many ways, the Borrego does feel like a large, heavy SUV, but not when accelerating in a straight line. Stopping was also done well, although bringing more than two tons of speeding metal to a halt does take some space. The powerful disc brakes can bring the Borrego to an uncomfortably abrupt halt.

Handling
Unfortunately, driving an SUV requires more than traveling in a straight line over smooth roads, which is where the Borrego needs some improvement. It felt heavy while steering, leaned significantly in turns, and communicated all bumps to the passengers with jarring regularity. More than one of my rear seat passengers commented on the surprisingly rough ride. While the ESC and TCS kept the vehicle in safe operation with no spins outs, slippage or loss of control, the driving experience was closer to a U-Haul rental than an Acura MDX.

Styling
Kia shaped the Borrego into a solidly formidable SUV. While my first reaction was utter surprise at the size of the Clydesdale I’d be driving. When I calmed down, I realized that the designers had cleverly put together a well-proportioned vehicle that effectively camouflaged its bulk. The large tires and brawny wheel covers appropriately scale to the full-size Borrego so that when viewed from a distance, it could be a mid-size SUV. Only when you walk up to the truck do you realize its complete dimension. To be fair, the Borrego, the Buick Enclave, the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander are all within inches of each others dimensions, so Borrego is no enormous monstrosity. It’s just damn big for a Kia. The Borrego does nail the “I’m a big, solid SUV” message, with muscular but conservative curves. It would look completely at home in an average American driveway.
Value

The Borrego would be a fair competitor against Ford or Buick, with 4×4 capabilities and good standard features. However, the similarly sized, featured, and priced Toyota Highlander will be a tough nut for Kia to crack. Depending on the deal you can get, the Borrego can certainly be a great value for a mid-market SUV. It seems to be built with good quality, is backed by a lengthy 100,000 mile power train warranty, has lots of acceleration and plenty of room. If you are looking for a truck-like driving experience, the Borrego can be an excellent choice.Conclusion
The Borrego is a good initial effort by Kia to launch into the American market for full sized SUVs. They put a powerful engine into a spacious and well-proportioned truck and sprinkled some nice luxury features on the top. There are certainly some short-comings on the handing and performance of some of those fancy features, and this Borrego suffers for it. I’m sure Kia will correct that in future models. For this year, however, I expect dealers will be discounting off the current asking price to sufficiently sweeten the deal for many buyers.SOURCE:CARREVIEW.COM

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