New Car Review: 2013 Kia Soul

Kia's been surprising people for a few years now, but maybe the biggest surprise was how the Soul ended up a big-seller when other seemingly similar funky boxes (Scion xB, Nissan Cube) failed.

Sure, the Soul had the Hamstars (love them or hate them, you know who they are and what car they're selling), and marketing matters. But the Soul caught on because the Soul works.

New Car Review: 2013 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Turbo





The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Turbo.

There are only so many ways to package and design a modern small car. That accounts for there being a bit of a resemblance between the all-new, American-built Chevrolet Sonic and the car it replaced, the unloved Korean import Chevrolet Aveo. The second-gen Aveo was so vastly improved over the first-gen that I gave it a largely favorable review. Two and a half years later, it's become clear that was more of a reflection of how bad the early Aveo was than anything else.

The Chevy Sonic is a completely different story.

New Car Review: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth.

For a bit over a year now, Fiat 500s have been making us smile whenever we see one on the street (increasingly common near TireKicker World Headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, where they seem to be selling well). Regular TireKicker readers will recall that we liked the first 500 we drove...the 500C...last fall.

All well and good...but no preparation whatsoever for the ear-to-ear grin and maniacal laughter produced by the Fiat 500 Abarth.

What's an Abarth? Well, it's an Italian racing company founded by the late Karl Abarth in 1949, and which began building hot versions of Fiats in 1952. Fiat bought Abarth outright in 1971, but allowed the name to descend to trim level packages and not much else by the 90s.

But Abarth is back, and a great way to make a statement that Abarth means fast is to take a 2,533 pound Fiat 500 and swap the 101 horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder with a turbo version making 160 horsepower.

Or as Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson called the Abarth, "A small, cuddly pet mouse that can be used for killing burglars."

New Car Review: 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Cooper Coupe

The 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Cooper Coupe.

What do you do when you're a decade or so along selling a not terribly practical (as in daily use by a family of four) car?

Well, after making some more practical variants (Clubman, Countryman), you can always make one that's even less practical. Of course, it helps if it's also even more fun than the original. And any time you see the name "John Cooper Works" attached to a Mini, you know the fun quotient has been attended to.




Rear view of the 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Cooper Coupe.

The Cooper Coupe dispenses with the back seat, giving the Mini a trunk instead of a hatch, a seriously racy roofline, and an ability to start conversations in parking lots. Even though you can get a Cooper Coupe three different ways (base, S and John Cooper Works), they're still rare enough that most people think you've had your Mini customized.

New Car Review: 2012 Kia Rio Sedan and 5-Door

The 2012 Kia Rio Sedan.

If the rest of the world's automakers aren't taking Kia seriously yet, it may be too late.

With the 2012 Kia Rio, these guys have stepped into serious contender status, and if I were playing with my own money, they might just end up selling me a car.

The Rio has, in the shortest imaginable time, gone from being the worst thing that could happen to you at the rental counter to a car that absolutely nails its intended target in a way a car in this class hasn't done since the mid-1980s glory days of the Honda Civic.

New Car Review: 2012 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Sedan

The 2012 Nissan Versa.

Sometimes my fellow automotive journalists are just the biggest whiners in the world. Reading their reviews of the new for 2012 Nissan Versa, I was braced for a new miserable experience, one lending new meaning to the words "ugly", "uncomfortable" and "cheap".

Did all of them have Porsche 911s the week before or something?

Now, I know I have a somewhat higher tolerance for basic transportation than some folks in this profession...but that doesn't mean that the car doesn't deserve to be judged on its merits. And frankly, the 2012 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Sedan surprised me.

New Car Review: 2011 Kia Forte SX 5 Door




The 2011 Kia Forte SX 5-Door.

Hatchbacks never went out of favor in Europe, but somehow, in the early-mid 80s, Americans rejected them as too low-rent. Shortsighted, because hatches offer enormous versatility, combining the best attributes of sedans and wagons without having to permanently commit to either.

There have been signs recently that the US ice is breaking when it comes to hatches, and the Kia Forte 5-Door should go a long way toward the thaw. Every bit as good as the Forte sedan we loved so much two years ago, with the enhanced utility of that fifth door in back.

New Car Review: 2012 Toyota Yaris




The 2012 Toyota Yaris 5-Door front view.

As unloved as the last-generation Toyota Yaris was, this new one will surprise a lot of people. We were among the Yaris' few fans here at TireKicker...considering it a perfectly good sedan in its class...but with a lot of competition at its price-point. It wasn't helped, among automotive journalists or buyers, by the fact that it wasn't an especially attractive car.

Well, Toyota has fixed that, with a 5-door Yaris design for 2012 that pictures don't do justice to. It is an utterly contemporary small car, with clean, crisp lines. It just plain looks good as you walk up to it.

New Car Review: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle




The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

13 years ago, a local Volkswagen dealer tossed me the keys to one of the first New Beetles. It wasn't set to go on sale for about a month. To say I got attention would be an understatement. People raced up behind, beside and in front of me to get a look. People stopped me to talk about it. People leaned out of the windows of moving cars to snap pictures with their disposable film cameras and 1 megapixel digitals.

Every last one of them was female. From that moment on, the New Beetle and the pejorative "chick car" were inextricably linked.




The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle roof, spoiler and taillamp.

In re-doing the car, VW had to somehow make the car more appealing to male drivers. They were also fighting the fact that most people, including some fans, had gotten mighty bored. The New Beetle was....very, very old, with only the most superficial of freshenings in its 13-year run.




The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle side view.

They did it.

New Car Review: 2012 Fiat 500C




The 2012 Fiat 500C.

Regular TireKicker readers know I am hype-averse. The more something gets promoted, plugged, built-up, the more skeptical I am about it.

So, a dumb commercial featuring J. Lo and the Fiat 500C is a great way to turn me all the way off:

2011 Honda CR-Z Review



The 2011 Honda CR-Z .

Your father's CR-Z, the mid-1980s Honda CR-X.

The bottom picture is of the much-loved 1984-87 Honda CR-X. If you are between 45 and 65, you either had one back then or knew at least one (and probably more than one) person who did.

Will the new Honda CR-Z (top photo) have that same kind of impact a quarter-century later? Good question. A lot has changed in that time.

Surprisingly, the higher tech of the CR-Z doesn't mean higher mileage. The 1984 CR-X, with a 1.3 liter gasoline-powered four cylinder and a five-speed manual transmission, had an EPA estimate of 36 mpg city/45 highway. And as the owner of an '84 Civic Sedan at the time, I can tell you that's the closest to Gospel the EPA's come in a long time.

The CR-Z has a 1.5 liter four...combined with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist. Yep, it's a hybrid...and it is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission. Progress! Technology! As Thomas Dolby famously yelled when the CR-X was new, "Science!".

Except the EPA estimate for the CR-Z is 35 city/39 highway.

There are explanations for that. One is that regulations and consumer preferences have added so much weight to today's cars that it's not as easy to get great mileage as it was 27 years ago. The CR-X and the Civic it was based on were simple cars...manual everything, air and even a radio were dealer-installed options. And they were light...the CR-X weighed 1,819 pounds. The CR-Z EX with Navigation (the model we tested) tips the scales at 2,707 pounds. 

That's just short of NINE HUNDRED pounds more from 1984 to 2011. There's a Kirstie Alley analogy just begging to be drawn here, but neither her lawyers nor Honda's would probably find it amusing, so we'll just move on and consider the CR-Z on its own merits.

The 2011 Honda CR-Z. Leaving tuners and customizers little to work with.

First of all, Honda markets the CR-Z as a "Sport Hybrid". It certainly scores on looks. In fact, the aftermarket has its work cut out for it to make the CR-Z look any more wicked than it already does.

It's available with a six-speed manual transmission rather than the CVT...and our advice is take it. Shift it yourself. It is, in fact, the first manual-transmission hybrid on the market. The CR-Z also has three driving modes, Sport, Normal and Eco. In the interests of maxmimizing mileage, we ran for a couple of days in Eco mode (ours had the CVT). It was, to put it charitably, slow. Normal was decent, considering the limitations, but still a big letdown from the fun factor the exterior promised.  Sport....now there's the ticket...but again, it would be better with the six-speed manual.

2011 Honda CR-Z interior. These days, this passes for restraint at Honda.

The interior is the first Honda interior in a long time that didn't feel overwrought. I mean, there are gimmicks...it could be simpler...but it's more attractive than the current (or even the new 2012) Civic instrument panel.

Pricing's on target. The CR-Z with a six-speed is $19,345. With a CVT, it's $19,995...and you're adding weight. Move up to the EX with a six-speed and you'll pay $20,905 ($21,555 for the CVT), but the audio system goes from 160 watts to 360 (it's very good), you get fog lamps, HID headlamps, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and textured aluminum pedals.

And then there's the one we drove: The EX Navi. $22,705 with a six-speed, $23,355 for the CVT. The only addition is a voice-recognition navigation system. Say it with me..."My phone can do that".

Our pick: The EX six-speed. It gets you the better audio system, headlamps, foglamps and Bluetooth for $20,905. Flip the switch to "Sport" and have a blast. No, you won't get anything like the EPA estimates of 35 city/39 highway. So what? That's not what anyone is going to buy this car for anyway. It's a nice engineering and PR exercise, but if you're really about saving the planet, the underrated Civic Hybrid is a ton more practical and gets 44 in the city and on the highway.

Boiled down to the basics, the CR-Z isn't a sporty hybrid, it's a sporty car that happens to be a hybrid...the spiritual successor to the CR-X that, because of weight and complexity, can only get acceptable mileage while driven agressively through the use of a hybrid system. And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, if it hadn't been for the hybrid, Honda most likely wouldn't have built the car. Better living through technology.

2011 Mazda 2 Review

The 2011 Mazda 2 comes in a lot of colors. But this is the one you'll see most.

When was the last time you had your internal fun-meter pegged (we reserve the right to edit comments posted to TireKicker-Ed.)?  As in "12" on a scale of 10?

The Mazda 2 will do just that...it had us grinning about as big as the car itself does with the Mazda trademark smile up front.

If you haven't driven it, the temptation is to lump it in with the Ford Fiesta, another member of the mini-car freshman class of 2011...but while the Fiesta is a fine car, where the Mazda wins is in sheer fun at the wheel.

Rear view of the 2011 Mazda 2...promising fun and utility.

There's a difference between speed and power (which, with 100 horsepower and 88 pounds per foot of  torque, the 2 doesn't have tons of) and fun. This little puppy begs to be revved high and driven like you mean it. It's a slot car..find the right gear, a winding road and prepare to be entertained despite the low horsepower rating.

How'd they do that? Well, it's not new to Mazda. MX-5 Miatas aren't powerhouses either, but for more than 20 years, they've been one of the most entertaining cars to drive because of their eagerness to rev and their handling capabilities...essentially the same formula as the MGs and Triumphs of the 50s and 60s.

The businesslike instrument panel of the 2011 Mazda 2.

The price is pretty sweet, too. A base of $16,235, which includes a tilt leather steering wheel with cruise and audio controls on it, power door locks and windows, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, floor mats, an AM/FM/CD/mp3 audio system with auxilary input jack, a trip computer, ABS with brake assist, an anti-theft immobilizer, a tire pressure monitoring system, dynamic stability control and traction control, and front and side airbags and curtains.

And just to drive the point home that that's everything you need, that's exactly how Mazda sent the test vehicle...not a single option. Tack on delivery charges and the bottom line is $16,985. Leaves lots of money in your pocket for dues at your local autocross club (or to start your own), as does the EPA estimate of 27 city/33 highway.

Very low bucks...very high fun quotient. You can look responsible and socially concious by driving a small car and then go carve canyons on the weekend (or on unnaturally long runs to the store).

The 2....is a 10.

2011 Nissan Versa Hatchback Review

As the price tags of entry-level compacts go up, it's nice to see a car that remembers its basic mission...good, affordable, reliable, economical transportation.

The Nissan Versa isn't anybody's idea of a hot hatch. With only 122 horsepower and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), it's not going to win any stoplight drag races. But it has more than adequate power for freeway merging and passing, it's very smooth and quiet for its class.

The base price is $16,900 and for that, you get 15 inch alloy wheels, airbags, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control system, a security system, air conditioning, a 6-way adjustable driver's seat, a six-speaker 180 watt Audio system with auxilary jack and an iPod interface, intermittent wipers front and rear, cruise control, power door locks and windows and keyless entry.

Skip the satellite and nav, though, and you're in the 17s, with an Ultra Low Emissions rating and an EPA estimated 28 city/ 34 highway miles per gallon rating.

We like the Nissan Versa. We like it even more because it isn't pretending to be something it's not...it lets its core virtues shine and reminds us that simple things done right can be very easy to live with.

2011 Ford Fiesta Review

                   

When I wrote the first drive impressions of the 2011 Ford Fiesta and promised a full review soon, I had no idea that TireKicker would be taking an unexpected two week vacation...but we did and now we're back and item one has to be to fill in the blanks left by the early look at this very significant car for Ford.

The basic first impressions (a quantum leap forward for American small cars, a serious threat to future Focus sales until we get the Euro-spec model of the Fiesta's bigger brother) all hold true.

But I see I used the word "roomy". I was so eager to get behind the wheel that I neglected to sit in the back seat. After I posted the first drive, my 5 foot 11 son sat back there...or tried to. It wasn't pleasant. And it wasn't much better for my 5 foot 4 daughter. That large trunk that I mentioned came at the expense of rear seat legroom. And while none of the cars in this class (Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo) are limos, some of them...especially the Yaris and Versa...are better.

                        

Coincidentally, I had a Yaris sedan the same week, and was able to drive them back-to-back. While the Fiesta dazzled with its newness, edginess and content, the Yaris had more rear and front-seat comfort, a quieter cabin and a smoother ride.  And it was a few hundred dollars cheaper, too...staying under $19,000 ( The Yaris had the Sport package, a $3500 option that adds alloy wheels, spoilers, foglamps, leather trimming, power everything and an upgraded audio system) while the as-tested price of the Fiesta hit $19,600 (base for the SEL sedan is $16,320).

Gas mileage was a wash....the Yaris delivering 32 miles per gallon in an even split of urban street and freeway driving, the Fiesta 31.

                      

Honestly, both the Fiesta and the Yaris are way out of the target zone when their stickers get that close to $20K. You can get Corollas, Sentras and Civics (not to mention the 2011 VW Jetta) for that kind of money.The base Yaris sedan starts at $13,365...the base Fiesta at $13,320. That's where the battle in entry-level sedans is likely to be fought.

But will the sedans be the main focus? The Fiesta that makes the biggest splash visually is the five-door hatchback...and the base price for that is $15,120...a big step up, especially when you consider the Yaris 5-door hatch starts at $12,905 (lower than the Yaris sedan price).

The Fiesta leads the class in style...leaving the frumpy Yaris in the dust both in terms of exterior and interior. But these are entry-level vehicles. And while Europeans have a keen understanding of the term "premium compact", the Fiesta's going to have to make a value argument to drivers from the land of Wal-Mart. That could turn out to be a very tall order.

UPDATE:  We've now had a chance to drive the 5-door Fiesta...in Blue Flame metallic, like so:

It's the same strengths and shortcomings as with the sedan above, but this time, Ford sent an SE model. And that brings the value equation back into line. The base price for the 5-door SE is $1200 less than the SEL sedan, at $15,120, as mentioned above. And the options list was kept to a minimum: Rapid Spec 203A (SYNC, 80 watt premium audio system, a sport appearance package, crusie control, 15 inch painted aluminum wheels and front parking lamps with black bezels) for $1,245...Ambient lighting and Sirius Satellite radio packaged together for $370...and heated front seats for $195.

With destination charges, it addes up to $17,605, but there's a "Rapid Spec Discount" of $490...so the bottom line works out to $17,115.

EPA estimates say 37 highway/28 city. 

At this price, it's worthy of inclusion in your shopping.