pow

I don't think surface curves will make it more soft, just more believable and less sterile. As dated as the GMT-800s were, I've always admired that machined look to the sheetmetal. There's something about this concept that's a bit too caricaturey and cold, and I think it's the shaping of the surfaces that makes it look plasticky. Just my opinion, of course...

This time around, they've got preproduction mules driving around and an actual platform to use. As far as concept to production changes, it seems safe to say they'll lose the third-row console and change the seat design for a flat load floor.

OK, after seeing it for a day and a half, I still like it. It gets my approval. I only wish for a few more surface curves to offset all the straight edges, which are almost last-gen Mustangisque. A bit more machine, please.

It looks like Gen-II of the infamous CTS and SRX Compaq Presario center stack. EDIT: With that said, the exterior does look better now that we have regular wheelbase pics.

OK, then. Yes, it should have real materials, not those that look convincing.

This thing is all engineering and no design, I guess for pragmatic, noveau riche Americans who have no desire for elegance, taste, or heritage. As far as styling goes, Jag has class, Mercedes has muscle, BMW has art, Audi has emotion, and Lexus has... L-Finesse...

OMG, a GM car with an elegant and original interior!!! Exterior proportions are a bit goofy, but the big wheels and flashy sheetmetal help. The back is a bit Tribeca, Murano, and Touareg, but it's nice..

Wow, it looks larger than I thought. Grand sports tourer, anyone?

Sounds excellent... like the first true "luxury" Buick for a long time.

Probably 'cause GM doesn't make many expensive vehicles. What GM car costs over $50K? Umm, STS, XLR, and, uh, oh yeah, DTS.

I only inspected the silver one with the dreary grey interior... the one that had a red sheet on the rear window proclaiming "Look! I'm 44% larger!" IDK... for something that can cost $30K and essentially replaces the Highlander, I found the quality lacking. It may have grown from "compact" to "midsize" in size, performance, and engineering, but definitely not quality. When you go again next week, notice the flimsy sliding upper glovebox cover and the coarse, hollow sounding lower plastics, convincingly-grained they may be... but shouldn't a $20K+ car, particularly a Toyota, get the real stuff?

Are those portholes on the side of the hood?

The interior looks better than the new RAV4's, which, in person, feels horribly cheap and disgusting.

Nobody celebrates the second person to run a 4-minute mile, even if he's cheaper.

Thing is... there's this particular minivan that gets even better mileage, fits just as many people more comfortably, accelerates just as quickly, probably handles better, and is a lot cheaper. Now I realize the Tahoe is a lot cooler, can tow more, and maybe go off-road, but IDK. The hybrid system will be more logical in a Silverado or crossover, or even a Tahoe without the body modifications. The changes seem to detract from its appeal of being strong, elegant, and so on.

Maybe I'll like it more in a different color with different wheels. More pics would help... I haven't made up my mind yet. It's definitely futuristic and professional, though. Hm. I think I'll like it. Based on that new Mazda, eh? Edit: With those new pics, um, the wheels are definitely too small. The interior is decent. I don't like it as much as the Fusion trio. I give it 7.5/10. Hopefully the Aviator will be better.

Technology seems solid... have to read more into it... I'm not sure about the looks or the concept, now that the chin is so low. I have a feeling the upcoming Acadia can achieve the Tahoe's utility and get similar MPG just by weighing less.

Any more specifications? AWD availability? A VUE FWD 2.2 costs $19,345, add $2000 and that should be $21,345. Maybe it comes with more equipment. Still, $2000 is quite a lot of money for a 5 MPG improvement, and the VUE FWD V6 costs $21,990, produces 250 horsepower, and gets 20/28 MPG, which isn't bad either.

Ahhh... enough with the pics. I'm afraid it'll start looking dated and unspectacular again.

The IS's interior is pretty shitty as well. I inspected one yesterday at LAIAS, and I wasn't impressed by its floppy sunroof cover, crude lower-dash materials, 1980's seat heater switches, bland wood, uninspired colors, pieced-together and unharmonious design, generic Walmart stereo system center stack, randomly scattered parts-bin switches, Brother Labelmaker fonts, loosely-fit rear seat bottom leather, afterthought tweeters, afterthought front armrest, cancerous HVAC vents, foot-operated parking brake, and inhospitable rear seat. I couldn't forget the tinny sheetmetal either... the 3-series and A4 destroy it in build quality.

Good info! For comparison purposes, the Escape Hybrid FWD gets 36/31 MPG, the HHR gets 23/30, the VUE 2.2 FWD automatic gets 22/27, and the Escape 2.4 FWD automatic gets 22/26.

I like, uh, refined feedback. There.

Wow, that's beautiful. I like it a lot, I really do, though it might look dated by 2009. Still, it's much more athletic and elegant looking than the Challenger or Mustang.

I thought it was about the lives of a few tigers... or was that Three Brothers?

I thoroughly inspected it in person, and to be honest, it wasn't anything spectacular. Hidden carpet fasteners should be a given in a $40K SUV, and it really could have benefitted from the Escalade's upgraded materials. With that said, it is nice looking and competitive, but don't expect to be amazed.