Season Recap: Car We Want in Our Driveway

Now that we’ve tackled the best economy cars, hybrids, SUVs and concept cars, it’s time to decide which car we want in our own driveways. This post is kind of like asking us what we’d do if we won the lottery, but considering we’re a fickle bunch when it comes to cars, there’s a bit more to consider than pure fantasy.

Kelsey Mays: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Energy independence notwithstanding, I’d gladly shell out $4 a gallon for a CTS-V. The regular CTS is one of Lutz & Co.’s finest achievements yet, and the thought of 550 hp underfoot is stupefying enough to make me crave one. Reality bites, but this Caddy bites back: It still has a full backseat, commute-friendly amenities and a trunk that can fit a weekend’s baggage. Naturally, if I had one, most of my weekends would be spent at the track.

Season Recap: Concept We'd Like To See in Production

We’ve already recapped our favorite economy cars, hybrids and SUVs. Now it’s time for the concept cars to take center stage. This auto-show season carmakers were remarkably frugal in debuting new concepts. A stagnant economy and rocky financial situations for many of the major players might have had something to do wtih that, but we don’t like excuses. Those that brought the goods get our praise. Here are the concepts we’d most like to see go into production. 

David Thomas: Land Rover LRX
While I’d really like to see more interesting hybrids on the market, like the Toyota A-BAT, Honda CR-Z and GMC Denali XT, the only concept that floored me with how cool it and had a possible segment to conquer was the diminutive Land Rover. If Land Rover could come out with a miniature all-wheel-drive hatchback before Mini, I think it could bring in a lot of folks looking to downsize while retaining functionality and capability in their car.

Season Recap: The Best SUVs

We’ve already recapped our favorite efficient cars and hybrids, but what about the SUVs? Even with sky-high gas prices, new SUVs of all sizes are coming to market. This year brought some of the best interiors and fuel efficiency yet in this segment, but what glorified station wagon took our staff’s hearts?

Joe Wiesenfelder: 2009 Volvo XC60
Put simply, there were some impressive redesigns this year, but I have to go with an all-new entry — especially when it's a smaller alternative to an existing SUV: The XC60 is a handsome vehicle with a high-quality interior and all the safety features you could possibly want. It isn't too small in practical terms compared to the XC90, but it is smaller. These days, smaller is better.

Season Recap: Efficient Cars

As the last major show of the season wraps up in New York City this weekend, it’s time to choose the best of the best. After trips to Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and New York, the Cars.com staff reflects on which vehicles we think will make the biggest impact this year and beyond. We’ll start the review with each of our picks for the Best Fuel-Efficient Car from the four shows.

Best Fuel-Efficient Car

David Thomas: 2009 Ford Fiesta
This wasn’t so tough: It came down to the new Honda Fit or the Ford Fiesta. I picked the Fiesta — in spite of the fact that it didn’t show up at any of the stateside shows as a finished production car — because I think it will be a game-changer for Ford. It’s good-looking, has a wild interior and will hopefully bring an affordable entry-level car to a domestic automaker that needs it.

L.A. Auto Show Ultimate Production Winner: 2009 Nissan Murano

Yesterday, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder rated all the production and concept cars on display at the L.A. auto show, which runs through Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center (and yes, it’s open on Thanksgiving). We named a lot of winners and losers, but in the end there was just one vehicle that really wowed us in every way: the Nissan Murano. 

2007 L.A. Auto Show Ultimate Concept Winner: Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro

When Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder sifted through the new concept cars at the L.A. auto show, there wasn’t a lot to rate. Out of the four we tackled, only one won unanimous praise from all three. That may make this sound like it’s not a very prized award, but the Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept — come on Audi, shorter names, please — was a stunner.

Nissan Can't Stop GT-R Markups

How long after the exotic 2009 Nissan GT-R arrives in showrooms next June will the first speculator put one up for sale on eBay in order to make a quick profit?

The guesstimate is seconds, or about the same time it will take some dealers to tack a premium on the car and sell it significantly above the sticker price in order to make a hefty profit.

Nissan says it can't stop either from happening with the GT-R, a $70,000-plus sports car powered by a 473-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 teamed with a six-speed automatic.

2007 L.A. Auto Show Winners and Losers: Production Cars

While there weren’t a lot of new concept cars for us to check out in L.A., there were plenty of production cars making their North American debuts. Cars.com’s David Thomas, Joe Wiesenfelder and Mike Hanley scoured the floor to sort out which of them earned a green nod and which got a red head shake.

2008 BMW 1 Series

DT: Winner
The 1 Series gets my nod because the proportions and design, especially the back end, are the best I’ve seen out of BMW’s new school of design. I can’t wait to test one. However, I’m hung up on the near-$30,000 starting price among such affordable sports-car and entry-level-luxury competition. I don’t know if I’d ever buy one.

JW: Winner
To my eye, the 1 takes a half-step back in time, design-wise, but I don’t think that’s a drawback at all. It looks like a small 3 Series. The 135i is — foremost — the 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six we loved in the 335i in a smaller and lighter car. How is that not a good thing? I sat in it and found it plenty roomy. It isn’t cheap, but I suspect it will be more fun than the 3 Series for the same reason the 3 is more fun than the 5 Series: smaller, lighter, more nimble.

MH: Loser
For the enthusiast driver in me, the performance potential of the new 1 Series is incredibly appealing — especially with the available twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder that makes the 335i so engaging. That said, I'm not sold on the car's ungainly looks; its upright grille and angular C-pillars lack the smooth styling of the 3 Series. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, as BMW says the 1 Series was inspired by the blocky BMW 2002. Many designs find a way to grow on you with time, but I've been looking at this car for months and it has yet to look attractive to me.

2007 L.A. Auto Show Winners and Losers: Concepts

There weren’t a lot of new concept cars at this year’s L.A. auto show, but Cars.com’s David Thomas, Joe Wiesenfelder and Mike Hanley take some time to dissect the four that were rolled out on the L.A. floor. The show ends Sunday, so hurry down to check these cars out, along with the many more new production cars.

Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro

DT: Winner
I personally wouldn’t want a convertible riding at SUV height, but maybe Audi's on to something here. Research shows that female drivers like the height of SUVs; maybe this is the convertible for them. Whatever the demographic, the Audi was a stunner in person, especially the golden color scheme and great overall proportions.

JW: Winner
I’ve been a fan of the deep grilles Audi has begun to use, but even I think this one is over the top. I’m not wild about the slablike rear end, either. But it’s becoming hard to stand out in this market, and Audi has done it with this high-riding, large-wheeled convertible. Also, to Dave’s point, the height should be a benefit in collisions, in which topless cars are usually at a significant disadvantage.

MH: Winner
Even though Audi says this concept is supposed to hint at an upcoming small crossover SUV, when you take it for what it is — a convertible — the Cross Cabriolet Quattro is a compact droptop in the vein of VW's now-discontinued Cabrio, though obviously more upscale. With assertive looks and that pumpkin paintjob, it gets the nod.

Video: 2009 Nissan GT-R

If you only see one car at the L.A. auto show, it better be the Nissan GT-R. We have to wait an agonizing seven more months before it comes to the states, but right now you can at least check out this video, featuring senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder giving it a thorough overview from the show floor. We can’t wait to spend 3.5 seconds in that thing on the road.

2007 L.A. Auto Show: Checking Out the Wheels

Hop into any new car these days, and you'll likely have more switches and thumbwheels right in front of your face than some cars had across the entire dashboard a few decades ago. At last week’s auto show, we stole a few moments between press conferences to check out some new-car interiors. Our questions: How many buttons can you cram onto one steering wheel? Is there a point of critical mass? And just what the hell do all those buttons do?

Through Ian's Lens: 2007 L.A. Auto Show

The big winners at the Los Angeles Auto Show are usually the greenest, most-efficient hydrogen- or sea-water-powered cars. But the prettiest vehicles are found in the exotics wing. Although I appreciate many cars in my price range and slightly above, these astronomically priced cars are always the eye-catchers. Here are a few photos of what was happening below the radar and above six figures.

Video: 2009 Toyota Corolla

The Corolla has withered on the vine as far as technological updates go over the past few years, but it sure hasn’t slowed down in the sales department. Managing editor Patrick Olsen gets a closer look at the redesigned 2009 model, which will go on sale early next year.

Video: 2009 Lincoln MKS Tech Features

Kelsey Mays already gave us a terrific overview of the all-new Lincoln MKS sedan. Now he shows us all the new technology crammed into the car, including a new take on the old-school door-mounted keypad, as well as the ability to find the cheapest gas prices nearby.

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix

One important model that consumers will get their first look at during the L.A. auto show is the all-new Toyota Matrix. Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen gives us a quick run-through of what’s changed for 2009.

Video: 2009 Lincoln MKS

Kelsey Mays got to spend a lot of time with the new Lincoln MKS sedan at the 2007 L.A. auto show. Check out the latest video from the floor, as Kelsey walks you through key elements of Lincoln’s important new release.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show: 2009 Lincoln MKS

2007 L.A. Auto Show Day 2 Recap

The second and final day of the L.A. auto show's media preview is winding down, and we’ve seen a lot more newness from the automakers. Check out our reports and photo galleries from the floor on the Cars.com Auto Show pages, and tell us what your favorite debut was here at KickingTires.

Production Cars
2008 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid
2008 Dodge Durango Hybrid
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2008 Subaru WRX STI

Concept Cars
Kia KND-4 Concept

Related
Day 1 Recap

Porsche Cayenne, Panamera Hybrids Coming, Eventually

Porsche rolled out its hybrid version of the Cayenne SUV at the L.A. Auto Show even though they couldn’t tell us if it was a production or a concept. Because the Cayenne Hybrid is expected for production by 2009 — definitely before the end of the decade officials told us — it doesn’t really fit the concept mode.

Other news came that the still unrevealed Porsche Panamera four-door sport sedan will get the same hybrid technology as the Cayenne. There are no official numbers for the system besides that it should reduce fuel consumption by 30% and should be able to cruise on electric power at 75 mph. We’ll keep waiting on more word of these luxury green machines.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Porsche News
More Hybrid News

Up Close with the 2008 Mini Clubman

• Like an overbearing parent, BMW has stuck its nose in Mini's business via the navigation system offered in the Clubman. The system features an iDrive-esque control setup featuring a small joystick in the center console that functions like an iDrive controller knob. The integration of the system's screen into the center speedometer is pretty slick, but if you're averse to iDrive, you're not going to like the Clubman's system. The practicality of the Cooper's rear seats has always been questionable, but the extended-length Clubman has rear seats that you could actually use on a double date without fear of putting your friends in a crabby mood. — Mike Hanley

2007 L.A. Auto Show: Kia KND-4 Concept

• Looks like: A futuristic SUV
• Defining characteristics: Square, 90-degree upright back end
• Ridiculous features: Full computer keyboard for the front passenger
• Chance of being mass-produced: Slim; this is just a glimpse into the future

Car shows used to be just as much about futuristic concept cars as about cars coming to showrooms. That’s changed as of late, but we still like to see cars the Jetsons would drive (if they weren’t flying). In L.A., Kia has delivered a pure concept that it calls a look at the future of its SUV lineup. The KND-4 has some aspects we’d like to see in SUVs today and some others that are a bit spacey.

The proposed engine would be a turbo-diesel, which might be more accepted in the U.S. by the time a production version of a car like this materializes. There’s also a full computer keyboard that slides out of the front dash so passengers can check their email, we guess, though in a world of QWERTY keyboards slapped onto cell phones we wonder why anyone would need a full-size version.

What could be incorporated into any of today’s SUVs is a nifty under-floor storage system in the rear cargo area that has one section that lifts out like a hard-sided suitcase. We can take or leave the looks, but bring more innovative storage pronto.

Related
More on the LA Auto Show
More Kia News

Lancer Gets More Power; Outlander Gets Less

Mitsubishi made a small announcement today: Both the regular Lancer sedan and the Outlander SUV will get Mitsubishi's latest 2.4-liter engine. Mitsubishi calls the engine its next-generation four-cylinder; power is up to 168 hp, nominally more than last year's 2.4-liter.

In the Lancer, the engine will go in the GTS trim, while other versions retain a smaller, 152-hp engine. A manual or CVT automatic is available. The Outlander gets the 2.4-liter engine with a CVT in ES and SE trims, while LS and GTS trims have a V-6.

The extra power should help the Lancer, which is engaging to drive but could use a little more oomph. The Outlander, meanwhile, gets 3 mpg better in the city (20/25 mpg city/highway with either FWD or AWD) with the four-cylinder versus the V-6, but highway mileage stays about the same.

The figures stack up about even with the four-cylinder Saturn Vue (19/26 with FWD) but fall slightly short of the Honda CR-V (20/27 and 20/26 with FWD and AWD, respectively) and four-cylinder Toyota RAV4 (21/27 or 20/25).

A Mitsubishi product manager told us the four-cylinder Outlander is a 2008 model and will go on sale early next year, while the upgraded Lancer GTS is a 2009 model and will go on sale in the spring.

Related
More on the LA Auto Show
More Mitsubishi News

2007 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Subaru WRX STI

• Competes with: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Volkswagen R32
• Looks like: Demonic hatchbacks have a new hero
• Drivetrain: 305-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual
• Hits dealerships: Early 2008

It’s rare when two classically opposed models debut at the same time. The Subaru WRX STI hits the show floor at the same time as its archrival, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. That’s like debuting the new Camaro alongside the new Mustang. The differences between the two, however, have never been more clear: The Subaru is a hatchback, while the Mitsubishi is a sedan.

Obviously there’s a lot more to distinguish the two, but like the Evo the STI is a turbocharged-four-cylinder all-wheel-drive sports car. It puts out more horsepower — 305 versus the Evo’s 291 — but has less torque, with 290 pounds-feet versus 300 pounds-feet in the Evo. Still, the STI should be an impressive ride.

Up Close With the Nissan GT-R

• The first thing you notice when you sit in the GT-R is that the sport bucket front seats are rather narrow. The large bolsters grip your back mightily, which doesn't normally happen to me when I'm in a performance car; there's always a little space between the side of my back and the bolsters. The dash of the GT-R is a mishmash of design themes. The round air vents are in contrast with the angular center portion of the dash, which is dominated by a large infotainment screen. I didn't find the outside of the car very cohesive, either; there's just too many elements in play, like circular taillights matched with angular headlights and a slab-sided body. That said, I'm inclined to think some time in the driver's seat might change my tune. — Mike Hanley

2009 Jaguar XF Starts at $49,200

Jaguar's latest sedan, the XF, will start at $49,200 for the base, Luxury trim. Stepping up to Premium Luxury costs $55,200, while the 420-hp XF Supercharged runs $62,200. All prices exclude a $775 destination charge.

Standard features include power seats and a power-adjusting steering wheel, a moonroof, leather upholstery and a 320-watt stereo. The Premium Luxury adds a navigation system, heated seats and more, while the Supercharged caps the lineup with 20-inch wheels, higher-grade leather and a Bowers & Wilkins stereo. Naturally, most of the higher-end features are optional in lower trims.

Fifty large might seem like a hefty price for a midsize luxury car, especially when competitors like the BMW 5 Series and Infiniti M start at thousands less. But the XF comes standard with a V-8 engine; others have V-6s. Are the Jag cachet and engine worth the cost? Sound off below.

Related
More on the Jaguar XF
More on the LA Auto Show

Up Close With the 2008 Toyota Sequoia

• The operation of the new Sequoia's second- and third-row seats is particularly interesting and well-executed. Lift a lever and the second row slides forward and out of your way for easy access to the third row.
  
  As for the third row itself, it wins points for its power-reclining feature, which makes the seat more comfortable than the third row in the Ford Expedition, which has been one of the leaders in this regard. Getting out of the third row is simplified by a foot kick on the back of the middle row that lets it slide forward and out of your way. — Mike Hanley

L.A. Auto Show Day 1 Recap

The first day of an auto show is a hectic time, with a full slate of new cars being revealed every half hour or so. We scoured the floor and brought back reports and lots of photos from each new car, SUV and truck. Check out the full stories on the Cars.com Auto Show pages, complete with original photo galleries.

Production Cars
2008 BMW 1 Series
2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
2009 Chevy Aveo5
2008 Chevy Silverado Hybrid
2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt
Honda FCX Clarity
2009 Lincoln MKS
2009 Nissan GT-R
2009 Nissan Murano
2009 Pontiac Vibe
2009 Toyota Corolla
2009 Toyota Matrix
2008 Toyota Sequoia

Concept Cars
Audi Cross Cabriolet
Hyundai Genesis Concept
Volkswagen Space Up! Blue

Up Close With the 2009 Nissan Murano

Do the wild looks of the Murano hold up in person?

• I'm glad to see Nissan recant the original Murano's quasi-experimental dashboard for something more old-school. Quality is everywhere: Soft-touch panels overlap each other with nary a gap in between, and the center controls look like the ones in the Infiniti G35. Very impressive. The leather upholstery feels like an Infiniti's, too, which will probably irk your neighbor who spent thousands more on his EX35.
  
  If the Murano has flaws, they have to do with the way things work, not how they look or feel. The massive glove compartment opens on the passenger's shins, like the glove box in the smaller Nissan Rogue. The power-raising rear seats are a nice touch, but there's no one-touch functionality so you have to hold down the switch while they ... slowly ... motor upward. And on a quirkier note, the wipers are three different lengths — the left-front is longer than the right-front, which is longer than the rear-window wiper. No doubt when the blades wear out you'll need to buy specialized (read: expensive) replacements at a Nissan dealership. — Kelsey Mays, 4:50 p.m. 

BMW 1 Series Priced Less Than $30,000

BMW's new 1 Series coupe will have a base price including destination of $29,375 for the 128i and $35,675 for the 135i. The 128i is powered by a 230-hp inline-six that can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 6.1 seconds with the manual transmission, while the 135i does the run a whole second quicker. Under the 135i's hood sits the BMW's 300-hp twin-turbo six-cylinder.

The coupe hits dealerships in spring 2008, and a convertible version of the 1 Series will be shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

Related
More on the LA Auto Show
More on the BMW 1 Series

2007 L.A. Auto Show: Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept

• Looks like: Hyundai still hasn't found its styling call
• Defining characteristics: Not a lot; the lines are aggressive but don't go anywhere new
• Ridiculous features: Staggered carbon-fiber hood, enormous air intakes
• Chance of being mass-produced: Confirmed; expect a production version at next year's New York auto show

Though the Genesis coupe shares styling elements with the upcoming Genesis sedan, the shared name puzzles us. Hyundai bills the sedan as a full-blown luxury car, but when the production coupe arrives at next spring's New York auto show, it will compete with cars like the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Nissan 350Z.

One Hyundai product planner told us the company benchmarked the Infiniti G37's performance, but he added that the rear-wheel-drive coupe won't replace the front-wheel-drive Tiburon, which will likely get its own replacement down the road.

As concept cars go, the Genesis coupe's over-the-top quotient is low. There are no gull-wing doors or computerized dashboards. In fact, there's no dashboard at all; the car on display had windows tinted so dark we couldn't make out anything within, and Hyundai wasn't letting anyone open the doors.

Full mechanical details aren't available yet, but Hyundai says the production coupe will have a standard turbo four-cylinder and an optional 300-plus-hp V-6.

Hyundai says the production coupe should hit 60 mph in less than 6 seconds with the V-6, and it will be the "most affordable" 300-hp sports car on the market. The current title goes to the $25,840 Ford Mustang GT — which does zero to 60 in well under 6 seconds, mind you— so expect the V-6 Genesis coupe to start around there, with the turbo four-cylinder costing a few grand less.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Hyundai News

Up Close With the 2009 Dodge Journey

• I know from photos that the Dodge Journey looks pretty good, but for any new car — especially a Chrysler (including Dodge and Jeep) product — the interior quality is an important consideration. This is a new model and another chance for Dodge to step it up, and my first impression is blah. Overall, the materials don't knock me out.
  
  Oddly enough, the dash top is soft to the touch, but it doesn't look great. More often we see surfaces that look pretty good but don't pass the touch test. Most puzzling is the LCD screen, which appears at the bottom of the center control panel. This one appeared to be audio only and not a navigation system, but I'm not sure it matters. This is awfully low for a driver who's supposed to be watching the road. — Joe Wiesenfelder, 4:02 p.m.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
2009 Dodge Journey

2007 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Toyota Sequoia

• Competes with: Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, Chevy Suburban
• Looks like: A Tundra SUV
• Drivetrain: 276-hp, 4.7-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic or 381-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Early 2008

The designer of the new Sequoia went so far as to live with an American family to find out what their large-SUV needs were to help on this redesign. We don’t know if all that effort was needed to basically build the SUV version of the new Tundra pickup, but that’s pretty much what we get with the new Sequoia.

Thankfully, it features the 5.7-liter V-8 engine we loved in the new Tundra. The standard V-8 is the same as the outgoing Sequoia’s, however. Surprisingly, the larger engine gets better fuel economy, at 14/19 mpg city/highway with the 5.7-liter and 14/17 mpg city/highway with the 4.7-liter. Those numbers drop to 13/18 and 13/16 mpg for the four-wheel drive models of each, respectively.

Even inside, the Tundra’s Neapolitan color scheme is carried over. We’re guessing it’ll be a terrific-riding large SUV, and the fact that it can tow 10,000 pounds may make it a favorite of the hauling crowd.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Toyota News

Volkswagen Tiguan Starts at $22,490

Volkswagen announced today that when the Tiguan arrives stateside next summer, it will start at $22,490. That puts the compact SUV smack dab in Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 territory. VW wouldn't elaborate on the price range or what specific options cost, but it appears from the Tiguan's introduction at the L.A. auto show that it will come standard with VW's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission. That combination seems sure to make it a blast to drive — though we'll have to get some seat time before we declare it the "GTI of the crossover utility segment," as one VW executive suggested.

We'll admit we love to shift our own gears, especially with VW's excellent turbo four-cylinder. But will regular SUV drivers want to pay extra for an automatic? Both the $20,700 CR-V and $21,100 RAV4 come standard with autos. If the Tiguan's automatic costs as much as it does in other Volkswagens — it's a steep $1,075 in the Jetta — expect the effective starting price for most SUV buyers to be somewhere around $23,500.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Tiguan News

Up Close With the 2009 Toyota Corolla

• The latest Corolla improves in some areas but disappoints in others. The dashboard has lots of hard, cheap plastic — like the last Corolla did — but it manages to look respectable and well-fitted.
  
  Kudos to Toyota for including a two-tier glove compartment. It offers plenty of space and, in combination with the decent-sized center console, makes the Corolla one of the more storage-friendly compact cars out there. The A/C controls, in contrast, are a step down. I thought the previous Corolla had high-quality knobs and dials for a compact car, but Toyota seems to have ditched them for the cheaper controls from the Yaris.
  
  The cloth seats and faux wood trim in a XLE model on the show floor were inviting enough, but the leather seats in a nearby XRS model seemed to be too big for the Corolla's britches — it's an economy car, and the cheapish leather won't fool anyone into thinking it's something pricier. With managing editor Patrick Olsen (6-foot-1) up front, I (6-foot) had limited rear-seat legroom but enough headroom to sit up straight without scraping my noggin above. — Kelsey Mays, 1:05 p.m.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
2009 Toyota Corolla

Up Close With the 2009 Lincoln MKS

• The MKS looks and feels swank, especially the leather seats. I wasn't wowed by the controls in the center console, but Sirius' new system, which offers real-time traffic, weather, gas prices and even movie times, was pretty impressive. What I particularly liked was being able to select from several theaters, then being able to look at all the available movie times there. Since my family members often have very different tastes in movies, being able to go through multiple times at multiple locations would be a blessing.
  
  You can search gas prices by location (is there one close enough so I won't run out of gas?) or by price (I'll go another four blocks if it'll save me 10 cents a gallon). What's really interesting, though, is that the Sirius system doesn't (yet?) work with Ford and Microsoft's Sync system, of which we at Cars.com are big fans. — Patrick Olsen, 2:10 p.m.

Audi Concept Foretells New Q5 SUV

Automakers like to use concepts as a test bed for future styling designs, and Audi has done just that with the new Cross Cabriolet Quattro. Even though it's a convertible, the car has a number of styling elements that should show up in Audi's new small crossover SUV, the Q5.

According to Stefan Sielaff, head of Audi design, styling elements on the Cabriolet that are likely to appear in the Q5 are the headlights and the updated version of Audi's single-frame grille, as well as the creased sheet metal styling on the front fenders.

Though the cabin's all-white design is unlikely to see production, the general shape of the dashboard and center console will most likely get traditional Audi controls, like the Multi Media Interface system.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Audi News

2007 L.A. Auto Show: 2009 Nissan Murano

• Competes with: Ford Edge, Mazda CX-7, Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Looks like: Nissan designers were watching a bit too much "Battlestar Galactica"
• Drivetrain:  265-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with CVT
• Hits dealerships: January 2008

Nissan really surprised people with the original Murano back in 2003. It handled much more like a car than the other midsize SUVs of the day. Now, the company is surprising us again with a radically updated look centered around a futuristic front end. The rest of the exterior design may be more middle-of-the-road, but no one will miss this coming down the street.

The 2009 model looks to be a significant redesign built on a new platform shared with the Altima sedan, with an all-new interior and the solid 3.5-liter V-6 used in many Nissans and Infinitis. The Murano comes in S, SL and LE trim levels and front- and all-wheel drive.

Standard on all trims is keyless ignition, keyless start, stability control, active head restraints, a tire pressure monitoring system, and both side-impact and side curtain airbags. Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but we expect them to be similar to the current starting price of $27,830.

Related
More from the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Nissan News

Up Close With the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt

• One of the neat touches Ford has added to the Mustang Bullitt is a swirl metallic finish on the dashboard. It's surprisingly convincing and gives the interior a classy distinctiveness. As for the exterior, there's a Bullitt badge on the tailgate, but what I really dig is the black mesh grille that's devoid of any badges; it gives the car a seriousness that's fitting for this Mustang. — Mike Hanley, 1:15 p.m.

Related
More from the 2007 LA Auto Show
2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt

Up Close With the 2009 Toyota Matrix

The new Toyota Corolla and Matrix are making their consumer auto show debut here in L.A., and that means this is the first chance we've had to take a closer look at them.

• As a small hatchback, the Matrix's interior was fairly roomy, and the one-hand-droppable second row was a nice touch. Legroom in the backseat was reasonable, and the trunk/hatch space was decent. I sat in the XRS "prototype," and I liked its aggressive feel inside and out.
  
  As the dad of a soon-to-be teen driver, I might feel more comfortable letting my son drive the revamped Corolla (or, more likely, a 2003 Corolla); I'd be a little worried with him behind the wheel of the Matrix XRS' five-speed manual with the 158-hp engine. Yeah, it's a Toyota, but I can already smell the burnt rubber. — Patrick Olsen, 12:05 p.m.

Related
More from the 2007 LA Auto Show
2009 Toyota Matrix

2007 L.A. Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity

• Competes with: Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell
• Looks like: Honda’s take on the Prius
• Drivetrain: Fuel cell
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008, limited to 100 leases in Southern California

Automakers are so excited about hydrogen-powered cars that they’re building real working production models to put into consumers hands. That’s Honda’s plan with the FCX Clarity. Yes, it’s powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which powers electric motors to propel the car. The FCX will be crash-tested and meet all federal regulations before it hits the streets. It will also get a window sticker that shows EPA adjusted mileage figures, which Honda says will be 68 mpg.

The 100 folks who are lucky enough to get on a waiting list and receive an FCX will have to pay a $600 a month lease fee for three years and live near a hybrid fueling station, like the ones in Santa Monica, Torrance and Irvine, Calif. We’re still years away from the FCX hitting showrooms nationwide, as the technology costs are well beyond even most B-list celebrity pay grades. Oh, and there’s not a hydrogen distribution infrastructure. But besides those two things…

Related
More from the LA Auto Show
More Honda News
More Hybrid/Alternative Fuel News