Drew Dowdell

Auto Show Quick View: 2010 Toyota Venza First in this series of auto show quick views; the 2010 Toyota Venza. I decided to do a writeup for the Venza because... well... it was there and it looked lonely. Seriously, most of the Toyota exhibit was abandoned since Toyota wasn't unveiling anything at the show. I picked the Venza because it's a relatively new vehicle that most people are unfamiliar with, at least close up. Exterior: One of the first things that strikes me about the Venza is it's attractive stance from the rear. From the rear you notice the Volvo tail lamps that Toyota successfully melded into their own car. It has a lot more style and character than anything else I can think of in the Toyota brand. Unfortunately, the good looks don't circle around to the front there a huge bull dog grill awaits, grinning at you menacingly. <a href='http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=418'><img src='http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1269887413/gallery_51_31_606511.png' alt='2010 Toyota Venza Front' /></a> Interior: The interior is a mixed bag of premium and not so premium feeling stuff. Working forward from the cargo area, you'll find a large standard trunk area with a sturdy load floor. The load floor however didn't appear to have any sort of latch or velcro to hold it down and could easily come loose on very rough pavement. The rear seats fold down using levers just inside the hatch. The load floor is even but at a slightly upward angle rear to front. Overall cargo room is good, however it is compromised by large strut towers and a rear roof lip that intrude into the space. Moving to the rear seat, there is plenty of head and leg room. The rear seats recline but not far enough to be much use.... still the option is nice. The front is where things really get inconsistent. The gauges are large and easy to read. HVAC and stereo simple enough to work once you hunt down the button you're looking for. Driving position is good with decent visibility. Styling isn't very inspiring, but it's inoffensive. The sliding center console with MP3 player holder is innovative in concept but clunky in operation. There are dash punchouts that one would think would get filled with buttons if you move to a loaded model, however out of 3 available punchouts, only one gets a button on upper models. The base model fabric feels awful. The leather of course is better feeling and has an interesting grain, but somehow manages to feel more like vinyl than leather. The mini-glove box on the driver's left is positioned just right to hit your knee when it falls open with a thud.... and it's only a matter of time before that happens due to the extremely cheap latch mechanism. Of course, I didn't get to drive the Venza so I can't give a review of that. The Venza seems to be aimed at the more car like CUVs like Ford's new Edge and Chevrolet Equinox. I haven't driven an Edge yet, but I know from my earlier review of a 2010 Equinox that it's interior isn't the mixed bag the Toyota Venza's is. Photo gallery: 2010 Toyota Venza

The SRX is as much a Vue as the new 9-5 is a 2004 Malibu....

Last call before I leave. I have pics and notes on: Cruze RS Cruse ECO Saab 9-5 Nissan Juke Nissan Leaf Hyundai Sonata Limited and Hybrid MKX Scion iQ Scion TC Toyota Venza Toyota Avalon Plus pics and/or videos of: CTS-VW Lincoln MKT rear seat operations MB E-350 Estate MB Gullwing Infiniti QX GMC Granite

There is a reason Nissan warranties the CVT for that long....

SAAB Post Show Event Only about half of any major auto show actually takes place on the convention center floor. To get a closer look at the action journalists are usually invited to after show events. I attended one such even hosted by Saab to show off more of the new 2011 Saab 9-5. The Car: Before I get to any event details, let me talk about the car. The new 9-5 is simply stunning in person. It has a silhouette and roofline unlike anything else on the road today, yet it is instantly recognizable as a Saab. The interior feels at once retro 60's chic and ultra modern at the same time. While you can pick out the GM Epsilon II parts if you look closely, anyone unfamiliar with the platform won't notice any resemblance. Being that it does ride on GM's Epsilon II, it shares some of those strengths and weaknesses. The rear seat area is just as roomy as a Buick Lacrosse and slightly more comfortable with firm seats. The low roof edge and too large A-Pillar complaints remain. However, in the 9-5, the A-pillar actually curves towards you. It's a bit unnerving at first, but I'm sure with time behind the wheel it'll grow on you. I didn't get a chance to drive it, but you can be sure that as soon as it makes it into the press fleet, we'll have our name on the list. The Speeches: The event took place at Cooper's Classic Cars in New York. Below are my notes from the speeches. First Speaker Mike Colleran: Dealers in the U.S. are getting resupplied again. 9-5 is two weeks into production and a little ahead of schedule. Looking to be a little be more unique, a little bit more adventurous, a little bit more Saab. Next new car is the 9-4x, very important car for Saab, then the 9-5 Combi, and then the 2012 all new 9-3. Says there are pros and cons of being in a big organization like GM. Saab had access to leading edge technology, but had a 13 year old 9-5 and 8 year old 9-3. Adrian Hallmark - Sales Director: Thirty years ago, Saab and Audi were in the same position. Looking at where Audi is today is where the potential of Saab lies. We will close the gap between Audi and Saab. Third Speaker: Victor Muller - Chairman: Calls himself a car guy. Why would anyone else want to buy Saab when no one else would want it? "I was infected with Saabs when I was a kid. I lived over the Saab importer in Amsterdam. Fast forward to today. There was a perfect storm when GM was forced to reduce it's brands at the same time when no other companies were in a position to buy Saab." We bought Saab for the price of a wind tunnel. Other manufacturers are much more willing share technology these days, this is how Saab will remain independent. Saab is in a great position to become quickly profitable. Goal for cash profitability is 120k cars by 2012. Financially, Saab assumes that sales will level off, however, that doesn't take into account entry into new markets like Russia, China, Middle East, and Brazil. Spyker is used to producing cars with a premium feel. Saab will get much more premium feeling. In just two and a half years, today's 9-5 will be the oldest model in the lineup. The 9-3 will be more "explicit". Saab really needs a 9-2. Will be a tear drop shape with all the quirkiness that makes it a Saab.

Notes from the show: There are 17 buttons on an Acura ZDX steering wheel. Nine away from having a full alphabet. For those who have shown concern recently, I personally verified that the following luxury manufacturers have plastic grills: Mercedes Benz, BMW, Jaguar (yes, all models, even the XFR), Land Rover, Infiniti, Lexus, Saab, Cadillac, Lincoln If you are a Sweedish manufacturer, it is required that you have white flooring with white polka dots. I missed the memo regarding wearing a belt buckle the size of a dinner plate. Counted over 10. I will have write ups and photos of the following vehicles later tonight, please chime in if you want me to photograph anything specific tomorrow, even if it isn't a new model. Toyota Venza Toyota Avalon Saab 9-5 Cruze Eco and Cruze RS LTZ

Cheers and Gears at Get your questions in here. Hybrid Lincoln MKZ Debut 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon 2011 Saab 9-5 Post Show Event

Cheers and Gears goes to the 2010 New York Auto Show I'll be arriving at the New York Auto Show in about an hour. If you want pics of anything specific or any questions asked of GM, Ford, or Chrysler reps, post them here.

I'm doing great!

The Meditation Podcast episodes 2 and 6 really helped to get me through my bad patch

Here in NYC during the week, then flying down to Miami. Albert is flying down and meeting me at the airport. Then we're going to spend a long weekend at my parents place and tell them we're getting married. Nothing really to do with religion, though we'll probably have an easterish dinner on sunday.

Autobird Podcast #21: "Luxury Like" Our own JamesBond (Justin Loyear) joined Colin Bird of AutoBirdBlog and Joel Feder of Accelerate MPLS for this weeks AutoBird Podcast #21.

Incorrect. Much closer is Oldsmobile. [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/1997-1999_Oldsmobile_Cutlass.jpg[/img]

The 80-85 Seville.

Has there been a change since the 2.5 I just had in the 2010 Fusion Hybrid? Cause that one got rough at higher RPMS... the 2.4DI Terrain was much smoother all over the RPM band when the transmission wasn't lugging the engine <i.e. not in ECO mode>

If you prefer the size and heft of your W-bodies, you'll prefer the Malibu.

In just terms of engines, the GM Ecotech is a lot more refined than the Ford 4-cylinders.

I don't get it....

I think that you're right.... and I think that it's happening a lot faster at Toyota than it did at GM.

G80 FTW!