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PhotosNew car, SUV, crossover and truck models reviewed by the Chicago Tribune's Jim Mateja. Auto review archive
2010 Chevy Equinox LTZ
Chevy calls the Equinox a compact, though it's bigger than its rivals. Prices & availability | Photos & reader reviews | Chevrolet special offers
2010 Toyota Prius
The 2010 Prius is offered in five different versions with base prices from $21.000 to $25,800.
Prices & availability |
Photos & reader reviews | Toyota special offers
2010 Hyundai Sonata
The midsize Hyundai Sonata stays in the top 10 but slipped 16.1 percent from May, with 17,771 sales.
Prices & availability
Photos & reader reviews | Hyundai special offers
2009 Nissan 370Z coupe
Nissan has shortened the 370Z's wheelbase by 4 inches to improve its balance, while adding a bigger engine that also gets better mileage. Prices & availability | Photos & reader reviews | Nissan special offers
2010 Ford Transit Connect
The 2009 Chicago Auto Show featured a Transit Connect outfitted with kayaks and camping gear. Small-business owners tricked out other models to haul guide dogs, cleaning crews, first-aid training gear and home child-proofing supplies.
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
The replacement for the CLK has a drag coefficient of 0.24 to be the most aerodynamically efficient series-vehicle.
Prices & availability |
Photos & reader reviews | Mercedes-Benz special offers
2010 Nissan Cube
In the battle of the boxes, Cube challenges the Scion xB. The Cube's power comes from a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual. More than 40 accessories, including shag carpet for the dash top, allow customization.
Prices & availability |
Photos & reader reviews | Nissan special offers
2009 BMW 335d
2009 BMW 335d
Engine: 3-liter, 265-h.p., twin-turbo inline 6; 6-speed automatic
M.P.G.: 23 city/36 highway
Base price: $43,900
The newest member of the performing family takes only 6 seconds to reach 60 m.p.h. The "d," for diesel, also makes the 335d the most fuel-efficient car in BMW's lineup. It's also quick and nimble with no diesel clatter or stench. An $1,800 federal tax credit helps too.
Prices & availability | Photos & reader reviews | BMW special offers
2010 Chevy Camaro
The sweet and swift Chevy Camaro coupe, available as a V-6 or V-8, is now in showrooms. Read Jim Mateja's review.
January 5, 2011
Ford Fusion
| Rank | 2010 Sales |
12-month
Change
|
December 2010 |
12-month
Change
|
| 8 | Ford Fusion | +21.3% | 22,629 | +20.0% |
| 219,219 |
2009 Jeep Wrangler
Jim Mateja tested the 2009 Wrangler Unlimited with four-wheel-drive and removable hardtop in Sahara trim. Read the review.
2009 Suzuki Equator
The obvious question is why Suzuki added a midsize pickup for 2009 when trucks are losing favor. Read the review.
2009 Hummer H3T
We tested the H3T Alpha with the V-8 that has no trouble moving the 5,000-pound vehicle. Read the review.
2009 Mazda6 S Grand Touring
The 2009 Mazda6 sedan is built for folks who have just floored it, and smiled. Zoom zoom, indeed. Read Jim Mateja's review
2009 Acura TL
Bigger and better with real-time traffic and weather reports that put the regular and "super-handling all-wheel-drive" versions to better use.
2009 BMW Z4
Z4 adds modern technology – a fully retractable hardtop that drops within 20 seconds, for one – to the flowing lines and classic proportions of a roadster.
2009 Nissan Murano
Nissan Murano's continuously variable automatic V6 glides into traffic smoothly yet energetically. Prices & availability | Photos & reader reviews
2009 Toyota Corolla
2009 Toyota Corolla
Engine: 1.8-liter, 132-h.p. 4-cylinder
M.P.G.: 27 city/35 highway
Base price: $15,350
This old fogey has survived more than 40 years since its 1968 U.S. debut in an industry not known for longevity. Corolla is still an econocar, but one that has grown from subcompact to compact dimension. For 2009 it swells by 2.4 inches in width, a reaction to larger hips, not bigger briefcases. Four-wheel ABS is standard in all models.
Prices & availability |
Photos & reader reviews | Toyota special offers
Acura TL SH-AWD
2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
Engine: 3.7-liter, 305-h.p. V-6; 5-speed automatic
M.P.G.: 17 city/25 highway
Base price: $38,505
Honda's luxury division added the midsize TL SH-AWD sedan -- SH for "super handling," hint, hint. Whether negotiating twisties or snow- or rain-soaked roads, the car goes and stays where pointed without nose traveling one way, tail another. If only heated and cooled seats were available.
Prices & availability |
Photos & reader reviews | Acura special offers
2009 Chevrolet Silverado
Financing deals and rebates of as much as $7,000 make newly built Chevy Silverado trucks attractive. Meanwhile, moderate gas prices have given the used truck market a pickup.
2009 Ford Flex
2009 Ford Flex
Engine: 3.5-liter, 24-valve, 260-h.p. V-6; 6-speed automatic
M.P.G.: 17 city/24 highway (FWD), 16/22 (AWD)
Base price: $28,895 (AWD adds about $1,800)
The crossover Flex, with three rows of seats and FWD or AWD, is long and low, so parking is no
chore ane neither is garaging. The stance means you don't wobble in corners like some SUVs with a high center of gravity.
An optional fridge between second-row seats will cool seven 12-ounce cans.
Prices & availability | Photos & reader reviews | Ford special offers
2009 Honda Fit
2009 Honda Fit
Engine: 1.5-liter, 117-h.p. 4-cylinder
M.P.G.: 28 city/35 highway
Base price: $14,750
Redesigned Fit now has a sportier look, with its wheelbase stretched by 2 inches and overall length by 4 inches for more people and cargo space. Second-row leg and head room especially ample, cargo space behind the rear seat good, and rear seatbacks fold flat to hold more cargo.
Prices & availability |
Photos & reader reviews | Honda special offers
2009 Hyundai Genesis
2009 Hyundai Genesis
Engine: 3.8-liter, 290-h.p. V-6; 4.6-liter, 375 h.p. V-8
M.P.G.: 18 city/27 highway; 17/25
Base price: $33,000; $38,000
Genesis gives Hyundai a grown-up sedan, to be joined by a coupe for 2010. RWD with stability and traction control. V-6 and V-8 are smooth and quiet, but the V-8 takes off like Road Runner, with "beep-beep" zero-to-60 m.p.h. acceleration in 5.7 seconds versus 6.2 with the V-6. Ride is luxury smooth. Holds tight in corners. Steering response is speed sensitive to sharpen handling.
Prices & availability
Photos & reader reviews | Hyundai special offers
