Honda sedan is a good Fit for some buyers

Sacramento, California – I’ve always ranked the Honda Fit near the top of a blizzard of compact sedans introduced in recent years, and the 2011 Fit gives me no reason to change that thinking.

The nicest surprise: They don’t call it the Fit for nothing. Despite its small-car look from the outside, the interior can be configured to hold a serious amount of cargo – nearly 15 percent more than a Nissan Versa, for example.

The hard numbers are 90.8 cubic feet for five passengers and nearly 21 cubic feet in the rear cargo area. Fold down the back seats, and cargo space jumps to nearly 60 cubic feet. That’s pretty impressive for a car this size, although three backseat passengers might feel a bit pinched on a long drive.

My Fit tester was the top-level Sport model with navigation system, starting at $19,240. Drop down four trim levels to the base model with a five-speed manual, and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price drops down to $15,000 and change.

Fuel mileage on the tested Fit was a feel-good 27 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, yet the 1.5-liter, in-line 4 engine with 117 horsepower handles most chores admirably. That would not include steep uphill climbs, however, where you really have to sink your foot into the accelerator to get the job done.

And when you’re doing those deep accelerator exercises, the engine sounds like it wants to come back through the firewall. That’s not entirely surprising for a bargain-priced, small-engine gas-sipper.

What I did like were super-long lists of safety and interior features, including some perks you don’t expect to see in this class. Sexy, 16-inch alloy wheels added some spice on the outside, and Honda seems to have gone to great lengths to offer Fit exterior color options bright enough to turn heads from a block away.

Color names are right out of the Vegas Strip Hotel Lobby Handbook: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Celestial Blue Metallic and Vortex Blue Pearl. Nothing boring there.

The interior comfort was mighty fine, and the Fit’s steering had a just-right firmness to it, making me feel totally control of the relatively small car even as I was dicing with the big boys in freeway traffic.

Looking for an affordable, first new car or a starter car for your young family?

This Honda might be the perfect Fit.

Check out the 'Heat' in latest Cruisin' News

Sacramento, California – My review of the 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat appears in the latest edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News, published out of Folsom, California, by John Sweeney and Evonne Sotelo.

The “Hot Laps” reviews, along with my "Oil Drips" observations on anything with wheels, appear monthly in the publication.

To subscribe to the Cruisin’ News, visit http://www.cruisinnews.com/, call (916) 933-0949 or send an e-mail request to cruisinnews@mac.com. Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin’ News, P.O. Box 1096, Folsom, CA 95763-1096.

Latest version of Ford crossover hasn't lost Edge

This review originally appeared in the April edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California -- When I reviewed the all-new-for-2007 Ford Edge, it was … edgy.

And by that, I mean it was a relatively spicy-looking crossover with sporty touches and enough styling sexiness to draw young buyers into the fold along with their baby boomer parents.

A lot has changed since then. When the Edge was rolled out, Ford was coming off a year when it lost $13 billion. Now, Ford is making money hand over fist, at the expense of its rivals.

A lot has changed on the Edge as well. Most of it is positive.

The 3.5-liter V-6 that delivered 265 horses four years ago now has a rating of 285. Yet the more-powerful engine gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the open road, up from 17/24 in 2007.

Alas, I’d say the 2011 Edge is less edgy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s styled nicely inside and out, but there are lots more edgy-looking SUVs and crossovers out there now. Ford’s own Flex SUV is more edgy-looking on the outside than the Edge. The three-bar horizontal chrome grille on the Edge is its edgiest feature now.

My tester was the 2011 Edge Limited with front-wheel drive. It’s smooth and agile enough, but be forewarned that you really have to mash the gas pedal to blend into 65-70 mph freeway traffic. Ditto, your right foot must be assertive on steep hill climbs.

The interior cabin is serenely quiet, even when your right foot is against the floorboard, and the interior controls are nicely placed and easy to work. Exterior vision is fair. You do need to stretch your neck to peer into the blind spot on the right side of the vehicle. There is a blind spot-monitoring system lined up with the exterior mirrors, but in bright sunlight, I had trouble picking it up on the tester’s right side.

There has been some reworking of the model’s exterior skin for 2011, but the basic look of the Edge still remains. I thought the starting price of $34,220 on the tested vehicle was a touch high, but perhaps dealers are willing to wiggle some with the Edge. Worth a try anyway.

Please note that the 2011 Edge can be had with a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 305 horsepower, but those Sport FWD/AWD models are going to push you pretty close to the $40,000 threshold.

One other thing: I’ve driven AWD versions of the 2011 Edge and, not surprisingly, I found those models to be much more agile on city streets and mountain roads. If you can go that way, I’d recommend it.

2011 Acura RL earns it luxury-level stripes

Sacramento, California – Acura has been taken to task for not having a flagship car, or a car that stands head and shoulders above the rest of its fleet.

Even though most people couldn’t afford the iconic Acura NSX rocket ship, at least people knew it was at the head of the class.

Acura might have solved this perception problem with the freshened 2011 Acura RL. It has been dismissed by some as merely a loaded version of Acura’s TL sedan, and there is some support for that argument.

But the current RL is significantly loaded above the TL, and it does stand out at the top of the Acura line. My week in the middle-level RL with a Technology Package certainly confirmed that in my mind.

This RL is true luxury. The opulent standard features, classy interior feel, super silky ride and library reading room-quiet interior justify a starting price just north of $50,000.

It’s a rich-looking transporter, with fine fit and finish and an aggressive-looking grille. Exterior lines remind me of Lincolns of old – and that’s not a bad thing.

On the fly, this RL feels like it’s riding on a cloud of smooth air. Very little sound makes its way into the cockpit, even when you ask the 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter VTEC V-6 for maximum effort. Accelerations are hard enough to press you into the seat, but there is little engine growl accompanying the movement. A velvet glove, to be sure.

When applied, the four-wheel, ventilated disc brakes put a quick end to the RL’s bite, and their impressive stopping power lends an air of security.

Safety features run the gamut, from wall-to-wall airbags to electronic gadgets designed to override the mistakes of a reckless or inattentive driver.

The well-laid-out interior drips with leather and other finely polished materials. An exhaustive list of standard features includes look-at-that goodies such as a power rear sunshade and 10-way power front seats.

What’s not to like? Can’t find much of anything.

All-around vision is good. Back seats are spacious and comfortable. Big trunk. Tech package list of wow devices includes an active front-lighting system, rear parking sensors, a navigation system with voice recognition and heated/ventilated front seats.

I’ve noticed that some reviewers, apparently straining for criticism, have dissed the RL’s six-speed automatic transmission, as opposed to seven- or eight-speed gearboxes found in other rides. Really?

If that’s the deal-breaker, maybe you should be reviewing something else … like the opera.

As for me, I’ve lumped the 2011 RL into my “must test drive” list for folks asking about luxury sedans.

Infiniti EX35's 2011 updates are substantial

Sacramento, California – I’ve made no secret of the fact that I like Infiniti’s lineup of vehicles … nicely styled, fun to drive, comfortable, cool features and arguably the best navigation system in the biz.

The recently tested 2011 Infiniti EX35 Journey crossover sport-utility vehicle with rear-wheel drive did nothing to change my mind. And for a vehicle that was supposedly only getting a “revision” or a “carryover” from 2010, a lot has been done.

The EX now has a seven-speed automatic transmission, giving you two more gears to play with. Eighteen-inch wheels have replaced the once-standard 17-inchers. Dual-zone, automatic climate control is now standard across the four trim levels.

New colors and fancy option packages have been introduced for 2011. And an enhanced blind spot warning system has been added to the likable Technology Package.

Wow, might as well have billed it as an all-new car!

The EX still flexes admirable muscle with its 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 churning out nearly 300 horsepower. That will get you and your cargo around, and the tester was outfitted with a “snow mode” feature to help one negotiate winter conditions. Brakes were grippy to the point where I had to concentrate on a light-footed application to keep my passengers comfortably seated.

Fuel mileage is, uh, a tepid 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway – numbers that won’t make you smile in these times of $4-plus gasoline.

Pricing on the tester, just slightly cheaper than the top-line AWD version of the EX35, started at $36,350, but opulent options pushed the bottom line to $42,505. That’s fairly serious luxury fare for an SUV that’s going to cost you some more serious coin at the gas pump.

At these price levels, I now view the EX35 as that luxury sport-ute you always wanted, but you’d never pay $50,000 for another automaker’s product. The EX35 comes off as a splurge, but a moderate splurge.

This EX35 will likely motor on forever with few problems, and the kids, relatives and friends will be substantially impressed with this high-end ride. And what the heck, tell them you paid $50,000 for it. Most people don’t know car prices.

One thing that stuck in my head is that, while smooth and sleek on the outside, the EX35 is sculpted low enough to resemble a five-door hatchback. And if you don’t see that and call it a straight-up crossover, alas, it looks like a lot of other crossovers currently on the roads.

Maybe this is a byproduct of driving too many crossovers of late, but exterior-wise, the EX35 came off to me as somewhat vanilla. The good news is that most everything else about the ride is hot fudge, whipped cream and cherry-on-top delicious.

2011 Kia Sportage gets an A-plus upgrade

Sacramento, California – Now here’s a gutsy move: Take a small, economy-priced sport-utility vehicle that has been the standard-bearer for the automaker in the United States and completely change it.

Say hello to the 2011 Kia Sportage, a crossover that has received a mountain-size upgrade.

Alas, improvement comes with a cost: The tested Sportage EX AWD wore a starting price of $24,795. And with leather-trim, a navigation system and rear sonar extras thrown into the mix, the bottom line came to $29,990.

That’s a hefty tag for a vehicle that used to be Kia’s poster child for cheap. Unfortunately, more than a few critics thought Sportages of years past looked and drove cheap, too.

You can’t say that now.

My bright-red tester looked very much like Lexus fare, with tight body fittings, sculpted with enough aerodynamic angles to get my mouth watering. The lowered body was a great change for the better.

Rear spoiler, check. Double panoramic sunroof, double check.

Looks great. How does it drive? Way better than before.

The new standard power plant is a 2.4-liter, dual overhead cam, 16-valve, four-cylinder piece of work with continuously variable valve timing. The 176-horsepower engine is a much more willing mover than its predecessor. A 2-liter turbo engine with 270 ponies is optional Sportage fare for the 2011 model year.

Fuel efficiency on the tester was a so-so 21 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Given the vehicle’s robust, agile performing characteristics – especially compared with underpowered Sportages of yesteryear – I had few problems with the fuel mileage numbers.

Even on hard accelerations, the Sportage cabin is quiet – also a new thing in this vehicle.

I was frankly stunned a the long list of standard items that can now be had on the Sportage, a vehicle once known for Spartan perks. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a cooling glove box and power-adjustable front seats stood out. Like I said, the Sportage has grown up and is now playing with the big boys in the crossover segment.

Throw in Kia’s exceedingly generous warranties and top-notch safety ratings, and you have a fairly impressive package.

I must add that for the second time in a relatively brief time period, the Sirius Satellite Radio subscription on my test vehicle cut out literally when the Sportage was in motion on the freeway. I’m now convinced that a vast international conspiracy is behind it.

No mystery, however, about the redesigned Sportage. It’s the best one Kia has produced.

Ford Edge model reviewed in Cruisin' News

Sacramento, California – My review of the 2011 Ford Edge Limited FWD appears in the latest edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News, published out of Folsom, California, by John Sweeney and Evonne Sotelo.

The “Hot Laps” reviews, along with my "Oil Drips" observations on anything with wheels, appear monthly in the publication.

To subscribe to the Cruisin’ News, visit http://www.cruisinnews.com/, call (916) 933-0949 or send an e-mail request to cruisinnews@mac.com. Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin’ News, P.O. Box 1096, Folsom, CA 95763-1096.