Car Blog

From Middle of the Pack to Front of the Line

NADAguides announced that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has received the NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” award for March. The all-new Sonata is the most innovative and fun-to-drive sedan Hyundai has ever built. In its sixth generation, the Sonata delivers style, fuel economy, technology and safety at an affordable price and tops most of the other vehicles in this competitive segment.

“Just when you think the industry is out of good ideas, a car like the 2011 Sonata comes along and knocks you off your feet. From the beautiful design cues to the class-leading MPG and powertrain, the Sonata delivers. Other midsize sedans and entry-level luxury vehicles better watch out because this 2011 Sonata is truly the complete package when it comes to affordable luxury,” said Michael Caudill, NADAguides.com Auto Expert.

Designed right here in the U.S. at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, the Sonata is nearly as American as Ford, GM or Chrysler. Built at the assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama, the entry level Sonata comes in three trim options – the GLS, SE and the Limited. The Fluidic Sculpture design gives the Sonata a Teutonic and pronounced look. Bluetooth is standard on all models and touch screen navigation is an option on the SE and Limited. Steering wheel-mounted controls are standard and the SE and Limited both come with proximity key/push start and fun-to-use paddle shifters. Heated seats can also be enjoyed in the Limited model.

The performance features of the Sonata also make the car a standout. With an efficient 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 4-cylinder engine, the Sonata produces a class-leading 198 horsepower. With a Dual Over Head Cam (DOHC) 16-valve with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) motor, the combined MPG increases to 23 in the city and 35 MPG on the freeway (class-leading).

The safety features of the Sonata include Electronic Stability Control and six standard airbags. Hyundai expects the Sonata to receive a 5-Star Crash Rating by NHTSA as the materials used to protect the occupants of the Sonata consist of high-tensile materials and a steel hood inner frame to absorb collisions.

To compete in the ultra competitive segment, the starting price of the GLS is $19,195. The fully loaded Limited with Navigation starts at $27,395. If you enjoy a slightly more aggressive package, the Sonata SE starts at $22,595.

The NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” program is unique from any other review program in the automobile industry and provides consumers with expert commentary and practical information on the cars, trucks and SUVs they are shopping for.

The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Journey have been awarded Bark Buckle UP’s 2010 Pet Safe Choice Awards at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The Pet Safe Choice Award is given to vehicles that best accommodate a variety of pet needs, including ventilation for pets and adaptability of third-party pet-travel gear.

“The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to be the best vehicle to transport people, belongings and their pets with minivan-first second- and third-row fold-in-floor Stow ‘n Go seating, large in-floor covered storage bins, low step-in load floor, power-sliding doors and power liftgate,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

Bark Buckle UP evaluated vehicles on a variety of criteria, including accommodation of animals and various kennel sizes, ease of pet access within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, pet-friendly interior surfaces and their ease of clean up.

“Pets are an extension of every family, and the Dodge Journey’s best-in-class seating and storage solutions meet the needs of all family members from kids to pets. With features like the available integrated booster seat that accommodates children comfortably, to in-floor storage that keeps all the pet-essentials organized and easy-to-reach, the Dodge Journey makes every trip better for the entire family,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

2010 Chrysler Town & Country

With more than 26 years of unsurpassed leadership in minivan engineering and design, Chrysler Town & Country celebrates its 20th year as the segment’s foremost luxury minivan. The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to hit the mark in minivan innovation and value with more than 65 minivan-first features, a contemporary appearance, two distinct seating and storage systems, Stow ‘n Go® and Swivel ‘n Go®, segment-exclusive SIRIUS Backseat TV and more than 40 available safety features.

Commemorating two decades of minivan luxury and innovation, the special-edition 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series features an even more luxurious interior with unique two-tone seating with French-seamed stitching, Macassar Range wood trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, Media Center 430 radio with touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, heated first- and second-row seating and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring. Unique seven-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with platinum-chromed finish, chromed belt, fascia accents and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series” front door badging enhance this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country’s exterior appearance.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country received the U.S. Government’s Five Star crash test rating in both front and side impact tests. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country LX is $25,995 (including $820 destination).

Dodge Journey

The 2010 Dodge Journey redefines the expanding mid-size crossover segment, offering seven-passenger seating, safety and security, cargo flexibility and great all-weather driving capability. Add in its youthful, sporty look, fun-to-drive dynamics, innovative features and 25-mpg highway fuel-efficiency, and Dodge Journey gives customers the complete value package.

With the simple turn of a lever, Dodge Journey’s available 5+2-passenger-seating system quickly folds the Tilt ‘n Slide(TM) second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers easy in-and-out access. Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats. Spacious storage bins, including the Flip ‘n Stow(TM) front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, Chill Zone(TM) glove box beverage cooler and second-row dual in-floor storage bins with liners are easy to reach.

In-vehicle technologies include Media Center(TM) 730N with navigation, 30-gigabyte hard drive with voice commands, iPod® Control, Uconnect Phone and real-time traffic monitoring. Rear-seat passengers will enjoy the available rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen, two wireless headphones and available SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM).

Source: Chrysler Group LLC

Authentic Super High Output Sedan Mixes Luxury With Attitude

NADAguides.com announced that the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO has received the highly regarded NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” award for February. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO powered by a 3.5-liter Super High Output (SHO) EcoBoost(TM) twin turbocharged V-6 engine returns as the sporty version of Ford’s new flagship, delivering V-8 levels of power without compromising on V-6 fuel economy. The NADAguides.com team selected the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO after testing several other contenders in this competitive class. The Ford Taurus SHO won hands down based on its authentic “sleeper” sports sedan performance, universal appeal, and premium luxury accompaniments.

“Without question, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO marks the return of the authoritative sports sedan that quickly rose to power in the late 80’s but fell on hard times in recent years. Ford certainly got it right again by staying true to its Taurus SHO sport sedan heritage, while delivering several new amenities and technologies that provide a dynamic ride and impressive power, coupled with fuel economy numbers that consumers desire,” said Michael Caudill, auto expert, NADAguides.com. “It’s not only the turbocharged eco-conscious V-6 that makes the Taurus SHO a standout; it’s the attention to detail in the interior. Ford’s design team did an excellent job in engineering a classy interior that has the right amount of sportiness, combined with the creature comforts you’d expect to see in a luxury sedan.”

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is loaded with notable technology attributes such as: radar cruise control with heads-up collision warning, radar sensors that detect cars in blind spots and to the left and right when reversing out of a parking space, keyless entry keypad, SIRIUS radio with traffic info, SYNC® 3.0 with navigation and 911-assist, massaging leather seats, a 12-speaker, 390-watt Sony stereo, rear view camera, push button start, rain-sensing wipers and MyKey, which allows owners to activate a restricted driving mode, Belt-Minder® safety system, audio system volume limits, an earlier low-fuel warning, and consistently-engaged AdvanceTrac® stability control. The top vehicle speed can be limited to 80 mph, and speed chimes can be programmed to engage at 45, 55, or 65 mph further protecting the owner’s investment.

The most impressive aspect of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine. This advanced power plant generates an estimated 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm, resulting in significantly improved power, torque and fuel economy as compared to its larger V-8 brethren. This also is Ford’s most powerful EcoBoost engine and it is coupled with a driveline that combines a high-capacity six-speed 6F55 SelectShift transmission with a sophisticated torque-sensing All-Wheel Drive System. These components work in unison to deliver substantial traction and control when putting Ford’s EcoBoost power to the road. The six-speed transmission allows spirited acceleration, yet comfortable high-speed cruising. You should expect to pay $45,000 for a fully equipped SHO.

For the complete video review and image gallery, visit NADAguides.com.