pow

Agreed. Don't automatics all have parasitic drivetrain losses from the torque converter or whatever? DSGs don't have that, and since gear changes are immediate, additional gears won't be felt. VW is making a 7-speed DSG, because the current 6-speed still isn't enough for diesels, which run out of revs at 4K rpm.

I thought all the people who participate in CR surveys are "bias" [sic] and won't admit to having problems, if they own a Japanese-branded car...

And the "preview" site is also updated... you can now compare photos. There's an LTZ with the cashmere/cocoa interior. Much nicer than the cheesy brick red, though maybe it's the result of excessive camera flash. The cocoa looks more like black. And the comparatron is very misleading. It says, "[base price MSRP on the Malibu LT1 is $7,815 less than on the Camry XLE V6., Base price MSRP on the Malibu LT1 is $7,095 less than on the Accord EX-L V-6 5-Spd AT.]" Well duh, you're comparing a bare-bones four-banger to a leather-lined V6 model.

Yep. It's updated even more. Now there is a gallery in addition to the one in the "preview" site. Loads much faster. New pics, too.

The scientific definition of "genetic" (particularly in behavioral biology) merely means that it's not a learned trait, but one with genetic basis instead. Often it has little to do with "hereditarianism" or phenotypic traits (hair color, earlobes, etc), even though that's how we usually use the word in popular culture.

The lack of a map interface makes it difficult to find alternate routes when there is traffic or detours.

The US is lucky to have the MKVs at those MK4 "City" prices. Stuff like power windows, A/C, and curtain airbags are standard here, too.

Isn't the next Cobalt, the Delta 2 one, a Daewoo? I think we've seen spy shots of it already.

Lots of cool ideas... http://www.laautoshow.com/2007/DC/start.htm GM won the past two years, with the Hummer O2 (I think) and some GMC trailer.

If VW wants success here, they have to design cars with the American market in mind. The problem with the latest Jetta is that Jettas have traditionally been Golfs with trunks, and while that worked fine in the previous gen, it doesn't with the latest Golf. VW made the new Golf taller to be more practical, and that doesn't translate well into a sedan. If they can be bothered to make a Passat CLS, Veyron, Flying Spur, Gallardo, and other cars that don't make money, I'm sure they can afford to design a Jetta sports sedan specifically for the US market. Come to think of it, a good mass-produced people's car is every bit as great an engineering achievement as a 252 MPH supercar, especially in today's climate.

The interior looks great. Even though it's a "work truck" dash, it still looks very stylish and modern, especially with those gauges. I'm lovin' the black/light grey interiors from GM these days... the CTS and Acadia also have them. Black carpeting adds contrast and makes a lot of practical sense too.

A lot of these new small crossovers are overengineered. The original CR-V and RAV4 were merely AWD Civic and Corolla wagons on stilts, which offered more space than a compact sedan, but at price lower than a midsizer.

CR-V?

The VUE's competition from Ford is the Escape. The Edge is longer, wider, roomier, and more expensive, though not heavier. But yeah, even if you compare the VUE with the Escape, the VUE is smaller.

Any word on whether the electronic parking brake will offer a hill-hold feature? It's incredibly useful for parking on a hill, especially with manual transmission cars.

I'd rather see a non-heritage version of the HHR. Imagine a small, modern SUV influenced by both the Volt and Tahoe.

Enterprise always offers better cars than Budget, Thrifty, Dollar and the like, who "proudly feature" the rental crap norm. I've seen a MINI Cooper S convertible and Toyota Prius with "My other car is an Enterprise-rent-a-car" plate frames, and the Enterprise at our local dealer has given us an X3, S40, and Maxima.

Won't this be confused with V-series?

Good for him. High profile people are far more effective and influential than some small interest group.

In addition to structure, they factor in dummy injury measures. The Explorer's torso airbag helped soften the blow of the impact.

The Rogue is really a jacked-up hatchback, which is what the Tiguan will be incidentally. I think an HHR allroad/XC/Outback, or an HHR dressed up to look like a Tahoe-Volt, will help Chevy in the compact SUV game. The HHR is cheaper and more fuel efficient than a lot of other small SUVs.

Your bets all suck... 2008 CR-V EX: $23,585 2008 VUE GL w/ moonroof: $25,595 Prices include destination. Both are similarly equipped with privacy glass, manual seats, 17" alloys, power windows, stability control, moonroof, and automatic transmission. The VUE GL has standard auto A/C (not available on the CR-V EX), while the CR-V EX has standard six-disc CD (not available on VUE GL). 2008 CR-V EX-L: $26,135 2008 VUE GL w/ moonroof, comfort & convenience, premium trim: $27,595 Both are similarly equipped with leather, power driver seat, heated mirrors, and heated seats. The VUE GL with these options has rain-sensing wipers and Homelink (not available on CR-V EX-L), while the CR-V EX-L has standard six-disc CD 270W and dual-zone auto A/C (not available on VUE GL). As far as acceleration, from recent Edmunds comparos... CR-V 4WD: 9.5 sec AURA GL: 11.0 sec The VUE GL weighs 400 lbs more than the AURA GL. What you should have said is that the VUE GL offers better fuel economy, interior quality, styling, and tax credits than the CR-V, at the expense of a higher MSRP, less cargo/interior space, and poorer performance. If the tax credit is $1500-2000, it's a very compelling alternative.

Super super high final drive ratio? A curb weight reduction of 500 lbs? Something other than a four-speed auto? It's definitely impressive for BAS if 25/32 is with the '08 procedures.

Some visuals...