Car Reviews and Ratings

2009 Dodge Challenger SXT (V6) Review

By Matthew Neundorf
October 6, 2008 - 3,418 views

Many film buffs consider Richard Sarafian’s Vanishing Point an existentialist masterpiece. Kowalski had no real reason for going balls-out to San Francisco-- other than the drive itself. Pistonheads argue that Kowalski’s ride, an arctic white 1970 Dodge Challenger, was reason enough. Yes, well, Mopar’s E-body entry to the late sixties ponycar parade was short-lived. Dodge only moved 165k units before 'The End" flashed-up on the factory floor. With today's Pentastar losing market share faster than a celebutante shedding clothes at a pool party, the recreated Challenger is carrying a lot more weight these days. So, is there any there there?

2009 Dodge Challenger SXT (V6) Review continued »

2009 Dodge Challenger SXT (V6) rating summary and performance review

Posted in Car Reviews | Dodge | 33 comments

2009 Chevy Traverse vs. 2009 Ford Flex

By Michael Karesh
October 3, 2008 - 5,834 views

With the full-size SUV market all but dead, General Motors and Ford are counting on large crossovers (and a few pennies from Washington) to keep them afloat. Sure, small cars are all the rage, but some people need space for six-plus people and their luggage— and will not buy anything with uncool sliding doors. Also, while large crossovers aren’t as profitable as large SUVs were in the 1990s, they are far more profitable than a Cobalt or Focus. The Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Flex recently arrived at dealers. Which is more likely to save its maker’s bacon?

2009 Chevy Traverse vs. 2009 Ford Flex continued »

Posted in Car Reviews | Chevrolet | Ford | 64 comments

2009 Volkswagen Routan Review

By Michael Martineck
October 1, 2008 - 6,084 views

A large percentage of TTAC readers arrive here via a Google search of a specific vehicle. They know nothing of-- nor care much about-- our "take no prisoners" editorials or Inside Baseball auto industry analysis. So, in their honor, let's start with THE key fact: the VW Routan is a rebadged Chrysler minivan. Rebadged as in mildly reworked. So why buy a VW Routan instead of a Chrysler product? For the same reason you'd buy a Chrysler minivan over a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna: no reason at all, really. But there's more to it than that. At least in theory...

2009 Volkswagen Routan Review continued »

2009 Volkswagen Routan rating summary and performance review

Posted in Car Reviews | Volkswagen | 81 comments

2009 Mazda RX-8 (R3 Sport Package)

By Jonny Lieberman
September 29, 2008 - 11,277 views

It never fails. Whenever my girlfriend introduces me to guys at parties, I hear the same nine words: "Dude, you have the best job in the world." And it's true. I've driven some of this planet's finest, fastest and most deeply addictive automobiles. But for every Audi RS4 there's a Suzuki XL7. And a MINI Cooper Clubman S (trust me, it's wretched). True, sometimes I’m surprised by how much I like a car; the Pontiac G8 GT springs to mind. And sometimes my socks are completely blown off my feet, like they were last week by a special edition Mazda RX-8, the R3.

2009 Mazda RX-8 (R3 Sport Package) continued »

2009 Mazda RX-8 (R3 Sport Package)

Posted in Car Reviews | Mazda | 107 comments

2009 VW Jetta SportWagen SE Review

By Frank Williams
September 26, 2008 - 5,765 views

The previous gen Jetta was one of the few small station wagons available in the U.S. It garnered a dedicated following amongst those who needed extra space but didn’t have to prove anything to anyone by driving an SUV. When the bulbous fifth generation Jetta debuted, the wagon was missing-- but promised. Three years later, it’s finally here. Was it worth the wait?

2009 VW Jetta SportWagen SE Review continued »

2009 VW Jetta SportWagen SE rating summary and performance review

Posted in Car Reviews | Volkswagen | 54 comments

2009 Kia Borrego Review

By Michael Karesh
September 24, 2008 - 4,156 views

Let's get one thing out of the way right from the start: the Kia Borrego might list for a couple grand less than a 2008 Explorer, but the larger rebate on the Ford eliminates this advantage. The story is similar with other established SUVs. Since the Kia won't cost significantly less than its highly evolved competitors— at least until Kia tosses some similarly serious cash on the hood—the late-to-the-party truck better have another major selling point. So…

2009 Kia Borrego Review continued »

2009 Kia Borrego rating summary and performance review

Posted in Car Reviews | Kia | 32 comments

2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Review

By Megan Benoit
September 22, 2008 - 12,871 views

Over the last few years, the last generation Audi A4 was growing increasingly stale. Updated offerings from BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, everyone but Volvo have overtaken Ingolstadt's brot und butter model. To keep the faith-- or at least the faithful-- Audi’s engineers initiated a massive redesign of the A4. Obviously, it’s a better car. Vorsprung and all that. But can the new A4 leapfrog the luxury brat pack? Or is it more of the same? Yes.

2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Review continued »

2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro rating summary and performance review

Posted in Audi | Car Reviews | 79 comments

2008 Cadillac STS V6 Review

By Sajeev Mehta
September 19, 2008 - 8,250 views

History records an era when a Cadillac was a no-compromise choice for well-heeled individuals seeking perfection. I remember the original import-fighting Seville’s refreshing blend of global proportions with acres of unabashed Cadillac style. What followed—neglect and shameless down market downplays-- left Cadillac oblivious to its former “Standard of the World” designation. So it’s no surprise that the latest STS, nee Seville, doesn’t deserve to wear the crested wreath.

2008 Cadillac STS V6 Review continued »

2008 Cadillac STS V6 rating summary and performance review

Posted in Cadillac | Car Reviews | Marketing | 98 comments

2008 Kia Rondo EX vs. 2009 Mazda Mazda5 Grand Touring

By Frank Williams
September 17, 2008 - 6,452 views

Almost a quarter-century ago, Chrysler rocked the automotive scene by putting a two-box body on the K-car platform, calling it a minivan and inventing the soccer mom. Unfortunately, the intervening years haven’t been kind to the concept; the mini minivan is no more. In fact, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is almost two feet longer than the full-sized 1984 Dodge Ram van. If you’re looking for a three-row people mover that won’t max out your garage, you can always go the CUV route-- if you’re into poseurmobiles. Or you can consider the Mazda5 or Kia Rondo. But do these reborn minivans carry the torch, or has the genre's flame fizzled-out?

2008 Kia Rondo EX vs. 2009 Mazda Mazda5 Grand Touring continued »

Posted in Car Reviews | Kia | Mazda | 105 comments

Bentley Continental GT Speed Review

By Justin Berkowitz
September 15, 2008 - 7,667 views

Nobody in their right mind pays $200k for a car. Yes, I’ve seen the Producers (when you got it flaunt it baby!) And I know some people have enough “it” to drop a couple of hundred grand on a car without asking for their change in GTIs. But even if copious lottery winnings could overcome my ethnic aversion to pissing away large amounts of money, I would still think twice about spending that kind of money on the Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Bentley Continental GT Speed Review continued »

Bentley Continental GT Speed rating summary and performance review

Posted in Bentley | Car Reviews | 65 comments