regfootball

As I see more and more XTS on the roads, I have to say, the XTS is moving up and probably has tied the ATS in my book. The short hood and deck / futuristic look of the XTS looks quite dashing out on the roads.

malibu and fusion get by with it fine. Passat is light enough that a 2.0 with the same power output as the Malibu would be as fast as the v6 likely. They could stand to make a new 2.0 Maybe VW should put two of these 1.8 blocks together into a 3.6 litre turbo v8.....

i now use 4g lte with my itunes match for tunes in the car so for streaming media like music, internet in car would be nice.

i just read the article in C/D today where they raked the MB CLA over the coals. MB and BMW's quest for volume and banking it on its fashion value may come back to bite them in the ass very hard. I don't think we'll see it in full force till the 3 cylinder front drive BMW's hit the market though! I think Cadillac has a good thing going. Settle on fewer body styles. MB, Audi, BMW, really are desperate to court the status conscious millenial types and otherwise fashion seekers.....get em into the fold, maybe on their first new car and try to generate even more brand loyalty.

My guess is if Caddy rolls with a 3.2 turbo, that it also might become a replacement for the 3.6 in some cars. For example, as the step up motor in the CTS and XTS. CTS motor lost them the C/D comparo in the recent issue. A 3.2 turbo 6 would upgrade over the 3.6 and then they could spread it around the lineup and to the ATS. It could even end up in say the Impala or LaCrosse.

Tested: 2014 Volkswagen Passat SE 1.8 turbo automatic HIGHS -still stately exterior -yes, large car -simple interior design -simply laid out and functional interior, easy to use -huge inside, by all metrics...leg, head, shoulders, it's all good. -big trunk (except for height) -nice feeling controls for the price class -standard bluetooth with standard bluetooth streaming -cruises very well, and decent ride -good brakes -a certain level of quiet inside, not tomb quiet....but as quiet or quieter than most of the competitors -improved steering, and quick ratio means a very nice rack! Excellent in weight, feel and quickness, especially for this class. Love the response! -improved fuel economy. -the new 1.8 turbo transforms the car. It is not overall fast, but the gains in refinement, drivability, and power delivery put this car in the fun to drive category and put it at the top of the class. transmission (non DCT) plays nice all around. power delivery is smooth, it's revvable, no buzzing, it's the real deal. -I'm no so bent out of sorts over the handbrake this time around, because with the 1.8 and stick it would probably be the bomb. -seats felt better this time around. they actually felt nice and shapely and grippy. -overall, the car feels light, agile, and nimble, particularly for it's overall size and interior volume. car feels smaller when you drive it than it is. Before, it felt the size it was. With this combination and the 18" wheel package, it feels smaller than it is. LOWS -Bumps I felt still moved the car around too much and there is still a residual tire and suspension thumping noise. But to be fair, the road was bad and for a light car I can see how it would move around in that case. -Car again did not feel 'bank vault solid'. It did not feel flexy really, it just does not have a feeling of heft that a Malibu, Fusion, and even the Mazda6 possess. Some folks may want to feel that heft. -1.8t builds power slowly, it's not turbo lag. It's a bit of a lack of lower end torque, like the Mazda, it just does not have an overt thrust to it. I think the Passat and Mazda6 must have darn near close to identical acceleration times. The Passat feels like it has 'just enough' power but you really would like about 10-15 more torque and hp and really would like that turbo thrust that is promised to be a little more prevalent. (Just to be sure to note, it's not the tranny, it's the engine....the tranny reacts very quickly) -Mirrors are pathetically small. This should be fixed. A bigger aggravation than last time. -the steering wheel is a joke in this car. small, feels flimsy. It looks like it belongs more on the Up! than a full size car like the Passat. Plus the whole bit about it being annoyingly off center. It always sort of annoys you the off center bit. -the dash design overall is far too spartan and slender looking for this class and size of car. VW needs to really bling it up and give the whole dash design some overall mass more in line with the rest of the car and get some more interesting looking center stack ideas going on. (not to mention it constantly reminds me of the dash on my old Ford Five Hundred). -not much else to bitch about! SUMMARY Simply put, the 1.8t and new steering put this car atop the class with the Fusion and Mazda6. Each of the three are different in the way they claim a spot at the top. Where the Mazda is too loud inside, and too sporty and cramped for the meat of the market, the Passat is quieter, virtually matches the sportiness, and exceeds it in function (albeit with less flashy style). Where the Fusion is perhaps too laid back for the driver that wants to play, the Passat still retains a crusing persona of the Fusion with better steering and agility. I would say the steering, ride and handling are spot on and perfect for a car in this class, especially if you want fun on a bread and butter car budget. This thing blows away the Accord, Camry, and Altima. The previous 5 cylinder boat anchor motor was the major reason why you should not have bought this car. VW has removed this impediment to purchase. Unless you still are leery about VW's somewhat sketchy reliability history, there is no reason to not recommend this car. It has a refined powertrain, with excellent handling and steering, has plenty of space and comfort, has decent style, and now has good fuel economy as well. VW no longer has to build the credibility of this model on it's lesser selling, pricier models. The popular powertrain in this car can now carry the load for the whole model. I typically respect VW as an automaker but almost never end up liking their cars in test drives. This has changed now as this car just feels right. I would recommend this car to anyone. I'll give it an A with the steering wheel, dashboard / stack and small mirrors being the only things from giving it an A+. I might just change my tune and end up in this VW myself. There are practically no weak spots to this car. I would even go so far as to say that at combined 28mpg EPA, and the smoothness and response of the 1.8, to me makes me wonder why at higher price and fuel cost why anyone would even consider the TDI. VW should replace the v6 with a 2.0t for the uplevel car.

review coming. here is the review I did back in 2012 http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/76589-2012-vw-passat-tdi-sel-and-gas-se/?hl=passat

one thing i read was that the 2.3 may become the standard Mustang mill and the v6 may either be an option or go by the wayside.

generic lux suv but done well enough and to be honest plugs a huge gap in lincoln's lineup. Much like the SRX sells the most caddies, the MKC should end up being Lincoln's sales leader. what i find interesting is the 2.3 ecoboost. That engine is needed to be in the Edge, Taurus, and Explorer, instead of the 2.0. A 2.3 Ecoboost Taurus would be awesome. Be a great mustang motor too.

it was either MT or C/D that noted 35.8 mpg on a new stingray for a 25 mile stretch at highway speeds recently.

good observation. this CUV does nothing for me.

supposedly this is actually different than the Holden Colorado, which is good, because inside and out, that is fricking ugly

The OS has been continually updated since the first year. What was different this time around, the CVT was more responsive than before. The radio is new. Paddle shifters no longer come on the ES trim. The steering and handling are a little sharper plus the 18 inch wheels. New steering wheel and SWAC are very good. Front row is still large and comfy for the class of vehicle. Still can be a bit noisy inside. The 2.0 in the lighter OS is as quick or maybe even quicker than the heavier Outlander with the 2.4. The car is better with a stick, but the stick is only available on the FWD. The dealer is selling new 2014 OS w. manual for a touch over 16k. That is a great buy. The ES FWD CVT I drove was selling at a little over 17k from a sticker I believe of about 22. Doors still sound cheap, opening and closing. Interior quality is ok, not lavish though, really lacks bling. B+. The OS is a lot more market ready than the regular Outlander. I would like to see what this rig would do with a 1.8t and 8 speed automatic, and sharper handling and ride, and some pizazz inside. I would love to get one as a commuter. At 16k with a stick, that is a good buy compared to some similar sized compact sedans.

congrats, the Cruze is a great ride!

DRIVEN 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander ES AWD MSRP 27235 (actual price 22235) HIGHS -Price and Value + Warranty -Feels solid, substantial and stable and well built -Spacious first and second row for the class -Bonus (small) third row for the times it is handy -Second row adjust fore and aft as well as fold -Simple and legible dash and controls, good driving position -Plastic and interior materials that looks cheap in photos is actually not too bad -Good fit and finish all around -Nice steering wheel and SWAC -Nice trucky personality -Rides like a bigger vehicle -Nice alternative to the junky feeling CRV -Is a nice way for someone stepping down from a larger, more expensive v6 crossover to get some of the same feel in a smaller price and package -decent pickup and decent CVT (you either love em or hate em) -4 cylinder gives decent FE -satisfies function and utility just fine without fuss -nothing egregious about it that would ruin its impression on most drivers LOWS -Steering's a bit dead and mushy -Visibility and blind spots until you sort of acclimate yourself -Engine noise a bit raspy when pushed, still some CVT drone -they still could put an improved powertrain in there -A little more cabin noise abatement might be good -Just plain and bland, inside and out, no high design or delight whatsoever -third row is only for small kids. -Nothing that compels you to seek it out, want it, or otherwise even notice it, although if you got stuck with one you would probably be just fine with it. This one is tough to sum up. I am one of those few people that looks at Mits vehicles, and yes I have owned some in the past. The last Outlander in particular was a nice package and like all things Mitsubishi usually, it is left on the vine too long, becomes dated, and otherwise falls out of grace with the buying public. And then there is the whole part about some folks continually thinking Mitsubishi either is, or will be going away. This is probably due to the people who didn't hear that the market is not all Evo's and Eclipses these days. Well, quietly over the last few years, Mitsubishi has redirected its effort in the US to focus on inexpensive crossovers (HELLO, where the buyers actually are). And the focus seems to be working. The Outlander Sport (which I like a lot and have tested before, see 2014 update below) continues to increase sales and carries the lineup. People like the small, inexpensive, efficient, AWD package. Now, along with the new Mirage, Mits finally updates its meat model, the Outlander, for 2014. It's fair to say they sort of punted on the style for this thing. You probably won't find anyone who will be drawn to the style of this vehicle. But at the same time it is not egregious......in any way really for that matter. All around, in fact, interior, the drive, function, the vehicle is just kind of there. And in the competitive market today, maybe that alone is the big flaw. There is no bling, no pizazz, no draw, no calling card. It is just a basic appliance that does it job well enough, not excelling in anything, never transcending into the arena of delight. In return, it will go about its business, and treat you ok. It's solid and reliable. There is just no difference maker here. A few weeks back, as part of the Ford Ecoboost ride and drive, I drove a Honda CRv. Plainly put, I thought it was crap. I don't know why that POS sells. The Outlander is a better vehicle. So at least I can recommend it over that. I would have no trouble recommending the Outlander to a lot of people from a basic virtue perspective, they just wouldn't be getting a lot of excitement to go with. I would probably give this a B+ except I just can't do that with such tepid style, and they really are missing a huge opportunity here by not having a better 4 cylinder powertrain in this thing. I will back it down to a B. 2014 Outlander Sport review update. (later)

for sure they are like white bread.

I know a lot of people with Impalas and they like them. I hear the 12+ with the 3.6/6 speed they get great mpg and have some nuts. They are good buys in the used market.

13 Regal has huge cash on hood and big lease incentives. End of year clearance on the 13's. Drops the Regal low enough to finally upsell vs. a Verano, once you have them in captive at the dealership.

I don't think it's too bad to keep the Impala tag, that way it's easy to identify the car, for everyone to know what it is, and particularly in the future selling used. Impala tag will hold up better for resale than 'CCV'. I can see where the confusion would be an issue. I wonder if the actual name of the car is 'Impala Limited' and ;Limited is not just a trim level.

like it? SHAWD-do. I don't really. Kind of ridiculous to me. The long name inclusive of that. I don't see the sport or hybrid crowds showing interest in the RDX typically.

like GMC a lot.

be interested to hear the future of chicken $h! into electrical power. A recent project was the building for said process and it really only existed as a project because of renewable energy mandates and a ton of govt money. So the company in question was able to harvest all that dough and pay the execs a bunch. By accounts, the plant just opened. All the countryside dislikes it, didn't wan't it. It apparently from what I hear will not pan out to stay open long. Certainly not beyond ten years is what I have heard as the whole process just cannot make enough electricity for the cost and hassle. I like the idea of renewable energy sure who doesn't but there should be cost monitors and constraits to vet any power solution and plant that gets built so it isn't just an exercise in saying they can. There has to be a balance between what you can continue to mine cheaply and other means to make it as not everyone who buys the power is made of money. Especially since you never have a choice to buy power or pick how much you want to pay.

there are a lot of customers that honestly do not either have time, patience or skill to master the in car electronics now. It is not really their fault. It's a great customer service opportunity. GM could get a jump on the curve and lead in this. It would pay off in surveys. Surveys in the auto world are top importance. If the constant panning of cars as non quality in surveys dues to electronics keeps on, it could damage the brand real fast. Not because the car is not sound mechanically. I spent one half of a saturday away from selling once to get XM set up in someone's car (who did not have an easy to set up radio system). I was so pissed, i can only imagine the people who have to try to use myfordtouch without help. i couldnt freaking figure out MFT in the focus i had a drive in that one time. It seemed like it would take forever to get smooth with that. Maybe GM could partner with a verizon or something for tech support on site or something.

translation, no more ugly ass front end designs? Sergio can breathe easy, I saw an actual person driving a Fiat 500L the other day. His new babies may see love yet here the Cherokee and such.

sure you can. redesign the platform with proper wheelbase, and an engine bay to contain 4 cylinder engines only. in that case. this is why the malibu has gotten ripped in the press.