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This data can be interpreted, spun, and twisted in an infinite number of ways to make auto brands and vehicles look good or bad. I do wonder how Consumer Reports expects the public to take them seriously when they have been giving new Toyota products reliability/recommended ratings based solely on past performances. You can't be a trusted source of information when you give one corporation a blind, biased advantage over the competition. I truly hope Consumer Reports sees the error of their ways and sticks to rating all brands and vehicles based on actual performance, not reputations or perceived quality/reliability. If I were Ford, I would publicize and market the heck out of its performance with Consumer Reports. Their recent gains and placings in reliability surveys combined with their value pricing might be enough to help them start moving some metal off dealer lots. I don't find the Taurus/Sable more appealing than a Lucerne or Avalon in the styling department, but you can't beat what it does offer for the price. The Fusion/Milan twin's performances in reliability reports have been stunning; combine this with value pricing and they should set the sales charts ablaze. Hopefully Ford's marketing department will spin all this into a lucrative marketing blitz for Ford Corporation. While they do this to salvage their current situation, Ford needs to be diligently working on ensuring that the next generation of their vehicles are class leading products. I would like to see Ford sell a vehicle because it's best in class, not because it's the value alternative. As far as Toyota, I think they are suffering from severe growing pains. I think it is a situation of too much growth, too fast. I do hope that they haven't completely yielded to the guidance and (arguable) wisdom of bean counters who might sacrifice good execution and reliability to add a few more dollars to the bottom line. Reputation and prestige in the market are valuable commodities that should never be sacrificed at any cost. Once these assets are lost, a downward slide begins that is nearly impossible to overcome (just ask GM, Ford, Chrysler, or VW). It's not impossible, but it does take a lot of money, time, and resources to accomplish; money and resources that would be better spent maintaining the position and reputation in the market in the first place.

If I went on exterior styling alone, I would choose the Altima. I do agree that the grille and headlight design should have been more distinct from its sedan counterpart, but I think the rest of the sheetmetal has a sportier appearance than the Accord coupe. If I factor in refinement and wanted something more upscale, I would choose the Accord. I think sportiness would probably win out if I was shopping for a coupe (the refinement and upscale aspects would factor in a little heavier if I was purchasing a sedan). I would probably lean towards the Altima. P.S. If you really want to get something really odd in the midsize coupe segment, then head over to your Toyota dealership before the Solara coupe goes out of production. After all these years on the market, I still haven't become accustomed to this awkward vehicle.

Great pictures and story. This is cool looking for an alternative drive train vehicle. It has a futuristic appearance without looking like an awkward space pod. It makes the EV1, Insight, and Prius look increasingly pitiful.

It's great to see Buick (and GM) with a bonafide hit in the market. It shows that GM has the talent and resources to make desirable products. The Enclave is gorgeous and worthy of all the success it is experiencing. I hope this is the beginning of a trend for Buick's Renaissance. Let's hope the upcoming Epsilon II midsize sedan has the goods to make a similar splash in the market. Now if only Ford and Chrysler could do this, the future of the American auto business would look much brighter.

I still think the grille does fine in bringing the LaCrosse into line with the rest of Buick's lineup. It will do fine until the new midsize car (hopefully not called LaCrosse) arrives in model year 2010. I do think customers should have their choice of black or chrome finishes (I would make the black standard since the chrome finish seems to freak people out). I don't think any additional funds should be invested in this car to design another new grille with a new model just two model years away; GM doesn't have the additional money to waste on further changes for this car. It could also save money by reversing the decision to change the Lucerne's grille, the current one looks fine and fits in with Buick's new look as is.

Crossovers are hot at the moment, so I don't blame Mini for wanting in on the game. It does sort of make the "Mini" moniker look foolish as it will be attached to a larger vehicle. If it is done correctly, it should serve Mini well though.

Sharp! I am glad to see Alfa returning to the states. They have one of the most incredible looking lineups in the auto industry.

Why in the world would GM offer the outdated 3.5 liter V6 in the upcoming Zeta cars? Do they really enjoy getting their behinds kicked by the Japanese? Why can't they offer the new 3.6 V6 as a base engine, the direct injection 3.6 V6 as an upgrade, and then V8's as range topper engines. I want to see GM trump their competition with class leading technology instead of constantly playing catchup! They have the talent and resources to do this!

From most angles, it looks o.k. The rear is a little awkward though. I guess it's due to the line that goes across the side and droops down below the tailights into the rear bumper. It just looks kind of odd. I also think that there is too much front and rear overhang for this to pull off a four door coupe look. The body should be taut and stretched over the mechanicals more. The design could be great if some of the oddities were cleaned up. The next Maxima really needs to be a drop dead gorgeous car to reconnect with the public.

This would be a nice addition to the Pontiac family as a complement vehicle for the G8 sedan. I could see GM importing this model from Australia before bringing over the Ute due to the wagon's greater utility. Hopefully, GM starts building Zeta variants on our continent soon so we don't have to worry about American/Australian exchange rates affecting vehicle availability.

So the City Jetta is essentially the previous generation Jetta with the previous generation Passat front end and updated circular taillights that fit in with VW's current design language? So Volkswagen still thinks it will actually take over Toyota in eight years doing this? I don't get it!

Wow! So many sour grapes over this vehicle because it is the product of a joint venture between GM and Toyota! It looks great and serves its purpose well of keeping Pontiac going until GM kicks it into gear with the proposed all rear wheel drive lineup that seems to be in a perpetual talking stage but never becoming reality. If Toyota will allow GM to install some great options and engine/transmission combos into the new generation Vibe, then this will be a great small car for Ponitac. The only other compact alternative is the G5, which is such a blatantly lame attempt at transforming a Chevy Cobalt Coupe into a Pontiac that it makes me sick to look at it. To me, the Matrix and Vibe don't resemble each other as closely as the Cobalt and G5 (which is just a Cobalt Coupe with Cobalt Sedan taillamps and a forced-on Pontiac nostril grille. How pitiful is that?). If Pontiac keeps its promise of producing an all rear wheel drive lineup, then this vehicle should go away or be assigned to another division (if contract conditions dictate that it must continue to be produced). Until this proposed future lineup appears, I am happy to see the Vibe is here to help keep Pontiac's doors open.

It sort of looks like what a Toyota Corolla wagon would look like if Toyota still offered a Corolla wagon. Bland, Bland, Bland. This is where the problem with the Jetta exists; it looks like a Corolla wannabe without the reliability. Instead of aping the Corolla's looks and ignoring the Corolla's reliability, VW should make the Jetta look distinctively German and include some of the Corolla's reliablility into the mix. It would then maybe have a class leading, desirable product.

I think GM is financially in better shape than either Chrysler or Ford. Is it really financially tangible for Chrysler (or Ford) to offer the same deal as GM to the UAW? I do agree with some other forum members: this is one way for Chrysler to reduce their inventory without having the fire department on standby status.

I don't consider a vehicle for sale in the U.S. in this century that only offers one cupholder as a world class vehicle. As much as I appreciate GM's attempts (and successes) to reverse its sliding market share, I am often perplexed at the oversights in their interior designs and appointments. I'm sure the Astra is far superior to the Ion, but this is one aspect that I think keeps it from being completely world class (Americans love their cupholders). The Honda Civic, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, and even the lowly Suzuki Forenza and Reno offer rear seat center armrests. If Saturn is supposed to compete with foreign makes, shouldn't it offer the same amenities as the foreign competition? I think this vehicle is great as far as it allows Saturn to dump the Ion, but I wouldn't consider it completely world class until it takes American consumers' expectations into consideration and offers amenities based on those expectations. This would make it a stopgap model until the next completely world class generation (which will be designed and engineered with the U.S. in mind as well as other markets) appears with all interior amenities in place. :AH-HA_wink:

BEAUTIFUL CAR! What a great way to begin the next phase in Cadillac's Renaissance! Totally agree with everyone about the fog lights. All Cadillacs, regardless of trim level, should have fog lights! GREAT PICTURES! I already thought the car was awesome looking, but these pictures just took that view to the next level. Way to go! I can't wait to see one at the dealership!

I think the review was fair and seemed unbiased for the most part. I find it interesting that they praise the Malibu's exterior design and recognize the oddness of both the Camry and Accord (although they were a little PC about it and only mentioned the company's names instead of the actual models). I totally agree with the review. The Malibu's exterior design is definitely attractive and is hands down the car's most outstanding selling point. The big deal is that Chevrolet has finally produced a modern midsize sedan that has an attractive exterior design (unlike the rental fleet queen looks of the previous generation Malibu). I do wish that they would have made the taillight design four simple round units instead of the awkward shaped blob that appears on the production car, but the bad taillight shape isn't enough to make me turn my back on the car (especially since the rest of the exterior looks so good). They didn't totally degrade the interior although GM did bring the car to market with obvious interior oversights. After reading this review, I would still take a look at this car if I was in the market for a midsize sedan. I think the review was restrained and balanced enough to allow the reader to take a look at it and make up his own mind. As far as the 4 cylinder/6 speed auto combo, it will not be available until next spring. I still can't wait to see this car in person at the dealership. My enthusiasm has waned a little because of the execution of the interior, but I am waiting until I can personally inspect one before I pass my final judgement.

While I have to admit that these photos are way more revealing than any released by GM (big surprise there), I am going to wait to pass final judgement until I see an LTZ model (the only trim level I would consider buying) at a dealership. I must say that some of the photos show some definite oversights on GM's part. I would like to see a rear center armrest, overhead grab handles, a rear center head rest, and body colored sideview mirror housings (yes, even on the base model) on this car. I was also alarmed to see so much hard plastic in the interior, but I want to see the product in the flesh (or metal/plastic) before I pass final judgement about interior materials. I still find the exterior design to be way more attractive than either the Accord or Camry. I am also happy to see the proper type of trunk hinges used on this car instead of the traditional intrusive type still utilized by some of the foreign makes. Whether these positives make up for the interior oversights will have to wait until I see a production version at the dealership.

Still a little too much camouflage to make a decision, but the proportions look much better than the "Taurus wannabe" styling of the current LaCrosse. Buick needs for this thing to be a looker to make an impact on the near luxury market. I hope this thing blows the doors off the ES350. I have high hopes for this car. Please (for the millionth time) DON'T call this car LaCrosse! REGAL will do fine, thank you!

I think it looks sharp! It's a nice evolution of the current car. I think the current version still looks pretty good (except for the grille update; the original grille looked more distinctive), so I can see why Pontiac didn't go for a completely different appearance. I don't know if casual viewers will notice that this is a redesign, but I can see it and I like what I see. I especially like the new front end and detailing on the sides. I can't wait to see it at the dealership. As far as engines and transmissions, I don't see why they can't put the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder and 5 speed automatic transmission from the base Camry in this thing as an upgrade. Mazda puts the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder/5 speed automatic from the base Mazda6 in the upscale versions of the Mazda3 and it performs quite well. Toyota puts this engine (although it's partnered with a 4 speed auto transmission) in the Scion xB which is based on the Corolla platform (as is the Vibe and Matrix). Why can't they do something similar with this. If they still want to offer a turbocharged engine as the top choice above the 2.4, then that's great (Mazda does this with the Mazda3 also). If Toyota would let Pontiac offer the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder, the 5 speed automatic transmission, and 4 wheel antilock disc brakes (also offered on the Scion xB), then Pontiac would have a fairly competitive compact vehicle on the market. I would like for it to have an independent rear suspension (like the Mazda3 and Honda Civic), but I don't think it's going to happen. I think this serves well as a stopgap measure for Pontiac to keep sells going until the all rear wheel drive lineup appears (which needs to be soon). If there is a next generation, it needs to be reassigned to another division (Saturn or Chevy). I would like to see Pontiac offer a full rear wheel drive compact family on the Alpha platform. I see a sedan, coupe, convertible, and a five door hatchback in rear wheel drive with all wheel drive as an upgrade. I think appearance wise, the new Vibe will compliment the new G8 sedan (and wagon, if GM will bring it over) very well. Now Pontiac needs to do something about the front drive G6 if they are going to keep it around as a stopgap measure for another 4 or 5 years.

It's o.k. It still has a somewhat odd appearance; I don't know why. Something about the overall shape seems disproportionate. If I had to choose between this car and the Buick Lucerne based on the exterior appearance, I would choose the Lucerne (until they stick the odd "Super" grille on it). The Avalon appears to have a nicer interior than the Lucerne, though. The Avalon also has a modern DOHC V6 engine mated to a six speed transmission; there is no reason why the Lucerne shouldn't offer the same engine/transmission combo. If you combined the Lucerne's exterior with the Avalon's interior and engine/trans combo, you would have one nice, elegant looking, front wheel drive large car.

The car is disguised too well to really make any judgements. I can't wait to see the production version without the camouflage. If they can give it some of the Enclave's design DNA, then it should be a looker. I hope it really is a product that can help Buick make a big impact on the near luxury market. I also hope that the LaCrosse name will be history when the new model arrives.

If you view the Saturn Astra as a stop gap measure to enable Saturn to dump the hopeless Ion from the lineup, then this is a wise decision. I don't quite understand offering a car in the U.S. with only one cupholder, no center armrest, and no temperature gauge (especially in what Saturn seems to want to market as an upscale "sportier" compact), but I'm sure these shortcomings are far better than continuing to offer the Ion. The Ion is truly out of step with the rest of Saturn's lineup and does nothing to convey Saturn's new brand image. I would love to see the next generation Astra be offered in sedan, wagon, and coupe-cabrio configurations, in addition to the three and five door hatchbacks. This would give Saturn a chance to acquire more market share (hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons) and offer something with a more upscale aura (coupe-cabrio). Let's hope that the current stop gap Astra's shortcomings (cupholder, armrest, temp gauge) are addressed when the next generation hits the U.S. market.

I totally agree. You would think that Cerberus would have their hands full with fixing Chrysler LLC. Why in the world would they want to take on anything else when the core business needs so much attention right now? I also agree with you about the brand repositioning: * Dodge needs to become a mainstream player with an enlarged portfolio much like Toyota or Chevrolet. I think they could still mix in sporty styling so that they offer something a little more unique from some of their competitors' more mundane offerings. I would definitely like to see them offer more derivatives on their compact front drive platform (sedan, hatchback, coupe, convertible) to counter Scion and other competitors. * Jeep needs to return to their roots as a niche off road brand. The front drive vehicles need to go and the rest of the lineup needs to be refocused. * Chrysler could be a serious near luxury competitor if they fix their problems and were properly repositioned. I don't know if they would ever be able to seriously compete in the luxury market, but they need to move their image beyond rebadged Dodge alternatives. I would also change the dealer configurations. Dodge could be a stand alone dealership if needed since it would be a full scale mainstream brand. Chrysler and Jeep could be made into a combo deal since they would both offer upscale niche vehicles. I could also see combined Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler dealerships in smaller markets.

I also looked at them this weekend. The exterior does look better in person than it does in pictures. I still like the exterior design of the 2008 Malibu and 2009 Mazda6 better (as well as the 2007 Nissan Altima). The exterior pretty much left me with the same impression that the 2007 Camry did; it's o.k. for what it is and nothing more. I think it does look better and more upscale in darker colors and with the upper trim level decor add-ons. The interior looks nice and well made. As far as sales; we all know this thing will be as successful (or likely even more successful) than the last generation. To me Hondas have never really been lookers, but no one can deny that they sure are sellers.