2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Passat Earn Five-Star NHTSA Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released another batch of 2012 model-year crash-test ratings today. Under the stricter guidelines, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic compact and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan earned five-star composite scores.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

Year-End Deal Reality Check: Chevrolet

As the year comes to an end, Chevrolet is offering some unique deals on select models, including no-money-down leases or financing that defers the first monthly payment for a few months.

Special deals are available to shoppers of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, Traverse and Impala (LS trim only). All three have attractive 0% financing with the option of having no monthly payments until the spring, according to Chevy.

Well-qualified shoppers can get 0% to 3.9% financing for 60 months, depending on the model. The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and popular Cruze have 2.9% financing deals for 60 months. The soon-to-be-defunct Impala has $3,000 cash on the hood; so does the 2012 Chevy Avalanche. You can take off $2,000 on a new 2012 Traverse, while the hot-selling 2012 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban have only $1,500 on the hood.

The deals are even more attractive for those looking to lease a new Chevy. Under the Sign & Drive program, you can lease a new 2012 Cruze ($199 a month), Malibu ($229 a month), Traverse ($299 a month) or Silverado ($381 a month for All Star Edition trims) for no money down with 39-month and 39,000-mile terms.

All current Chevy deals end Jan. 3. For more information, go here.

Naughty or Nice: Steering Wheels

The steering wheel is an important piece of a car’s success or failure. It is, after all, what drivers interact with the most, whether commuting to work or sawing away on a racetrack. A great steering wheel combines a natural-feeling grip with a stylish layout and technology functions to complete the overall experience. It's not as easy to design one as you might think.
 
More Naughty or Nice Picks

2012 Toyota Camry Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — have earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency. In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible: Up Close

As affordable convertibles go, the Camaro does pretty well. The ZL1 convertible, however, is 1) no longer cheap and 2) based on the daddy of all Camaros. So execution will matter a lot more than with, say, the V-6 car. I suspect GM is up to the challenge.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The ZL1 convertible has all the expression of its hardtop sibling: vertical fog light channels, a front air splitter, a vented hood.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 priced at $54,095

Chevrolet’s supercharged 580-horsepower Camaro coupe will start at $54,095 when it goes on sale in the spring, not including a $900 destination fee. The ZL1’s highly anticipated performance numbers have also been announced, with zero to 60 mph in a scant in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph.

Scant also describes the amount of time the ZL1’s specs edged its 2012 Shelby GT500 competition. Ford just raised the bar for muscle-cars-playing-supercars, with the 2013 Shelby GT500 making 650 hp (up from 550 hp) and reaching 200 mph. The muscle car wars are far from being settled.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro First to Earn Perfect Five-Star Rating From NHTSA

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is the first model to earn five stars in all six categories of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program, according to the Examier.com.

NHTSA revamped its five-star rating system late last year to be tougher on new cars. Prior to the change, many were easily earning good safety ratings from the agency. Changes include new side barrier tests, which have been an area of weakness for some of the models already tested. The new side pole test simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Video

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro gets some practical revisions for the model year, including an easier-to-use steering wheel and a more legible gauge cluster, which are much needed improvements, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. Less practical updates includes the brash red, white and blue decal treatments found on the Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition. As Kelsey explains, the trim is “as American as a car that’s made in Canada.” 

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible: Car Seat Check

This Car Seat Check was first published in May 2011 on MotherProof.com.

Chevy is ready for summer with its 2011 Camaro convertible, which hit dealerships this spring. The Camaro convertible features a power soft-top that lowers in 20 seconds. In the second row, the Camaro has just two seats with aggressive seat bolsters.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro

Less than three years in and GM already has committed its reincarnated Chevrolet Camaro to some rather significant upgrades, including a revised suspension, a more powerful V-6 and improved cabin materials. Even so, those fixes can’t overcome the Camaro’s weight and visibility problems, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Review