Midsize Cars Improve in Side Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently concluded crash tests on seven midsize sedans and discovered that while they had improved in side crash tests, they still lacked enough head protection to earn top marks in rear crash tests.

Tested were the 2008 model year Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Infiniti G35, Kia Optima, Mitsubishi Galant (which was updated for the 2009 model year on sale now), Nissan Altima and Saturn Aura.

Only the Kia Optima did not earn the top score of “good” for side impact crash tests – it received the second highest nod, “acceptable.” However, the Optima was the only car in the test to receive a “good” score in rear crash tests.

The difficulty in scoring the top rank in rear tests involves head and neck protection for those rear-end collisions that produce whiplash. The IIHS claims that those types of accidents and injuries lead to losses of $8.5 billion annually. Most vehicles need to equip active head restraints to pass this test.

The Audi A3, A4, Honda Accord, Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy – with optional stability control – earned good ratings in all tests previously and earned the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick designation for midsize cars. 

A full chart of how the cars scored is below.

Video: Kia Koup Concept

Isn’t everyone a little tired of companies spelling words with a “K” when they should really have a “C”? Come on, when was the last time it ever led to anything good? Krispy Kreme? Kia, however, hopes the misspelling of its Koup is a good thing, and after checking it out in person at the New York auto show I’d have to agree it might be. Some of the folks over on YouTube took me to task for saying that it was both styled like an Acura from the 1990s and futuristic. They contended that would make it out of date, which is true; what I meant was that while it borrows the style, it’s still a modern interpretation. Plus, car nuts I know love Acuras from that time. You decide. Check out the video and let us know what you think in the comments.

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Suburban Dad: 2009 Kia Borrego

I couldn't get too close to the new Borrego in Detroit, and I couldn't find it in Chicago, but I was finally able to spend time with Kia's new full-size SUV in New York and was fairly impressed by it. The Borrego has a very truck-like feeling to it, very much in line with the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Explorer, both of which, Kia says, are smaller than the Borrego. I drove a 4Runner last week on a business trip, and in terms of inside space the two feel very close in size. I liked the amount of space in the second row of the Borrego; with the driver's seat set to where I normally have it, my knees weren't smushed back there. Headroom in the driver's seat was tight, but the model on the show floor had a sunroof, which usually steals a few inches of headroom. I doubt I'd buy one with a sunroof.

2008 New York Auto Show: Kia Koup

• Looks like: A flashy Honda Civic coupe
• Defining characteristics: Wedge styling, 290-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder
• Ridiculous features: Silicone seat implants, neoprene floor, six-speed automatic transmission
• Chance of being mass-produced: It sure looks ready to go, and we think Kia would be smart to give it the green light

The Kia Koup is a sporty-looking two-door concept that features its share of show-car elements, like a neoprene floor, but it wouldn't take much in terms of styling tweaks to turn the Koup into a production car.

The Koup's front end has a bit of a scowl to it. It has thin, angled headlights, a large lower grille and bumper intakes. Under the domed hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that features direct injection and makes 290 hp and 289 pounds-feet of torque, all to the front wheels. Potential production versions would likely offer normally aspirated engines, but it's nice to see Kia going big by putting a turbo engine in the concept. Rather than a traditional manual transmission, Kia has saddled the concept with a six-speed automatic that features shift paddles ahead of the steering wheel.

The cabin has four bucket seats, with white accents for the front seats and rear seats that are completely black. The backrests have silicone padding to enhance occupant comfort, according to Kia. For more photos, check out the gallery below.

2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Kia Optima

• Competes with: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry
• Looks like: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry
• Drivetrain: 175-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or five-speed automatic, or 190-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 with five-speed automatic; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Late 2008

Not two months after sister company Hyundai debuted a freshened Sonata, Kia followed suit with the midsize Optima. Though the cars shared architecture in previous years, they’ve been on divergent paths for some time now, Kia says. Where the upgraded Sonata’s new face found general acceptance, our reaction to the Optima is lukewarm. The car’s sheet metal went from Plane Jane to Frank Caliendo, meaning you can find a good impression of a lot of cars here: the grille and taillights look like those on the new and two-generations-old Accord, respectively; the headlights are all Camry; and the trunk and rear bumper remind us of the Malibu.

Both engines have been upgraded, but the cabin remains mostly the same, save for some cooler electroluminescent gauges in the sporty SX trim level. (“Sporty” is a relative term here, as in, whoa, check out that sporty Camry SE!) Other SX features include 17-inch rims, a sport-tuned suspension and mirrors with integrated turn signals. The LX and EX trims remain, and new standard features include a USB port, which takes iPod compatibility beyond what simpler auxiliary jacks allow. Six airbags and active head restraints are also standard, but we wish ABS and stability control were, too. They’re optional, but product strategy manager Ralph Tjoa said that may change before the car arrives at dealerships.

Click below for more pictures.

Best Cash-Back Finds: 2.15.08

President’s Day is Monday and you’ve probably seen a lot of commercials about big car sales. Automakers had a pretty dismal January for car sales across the board and they’re looking to pick things up in February. Besides our full list of incentives you can find here, many are offering short-term incentives for just the weekend. Here are some of the best we’ve found in terms of quality, safety and value. Yes, there are three minivans.

2008 Kia Sedona

MSRP: $20,695
Cash back: $1,500
Percent off MSRP: 7.2%   
Expires: 3/3/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

Kia’s minivan has been an underachiever for some time, but still is one of only three minivans to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award. The interior isn’t the best in the class but the base price and long warranty are mighty alluring. Add up to $1,500 cash back depending on where you live and the Sedona seems mighty sensible.

2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Kia Borrego

• Competes with: Chevy TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer and other such endangered species
• Looks like: Unfrozen Dr. Evil came up with the product plan
• Drivetrain: 262-hp V-6 with five-speed automatic or 300-plus-hp 4.6-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic; 3.0-liter clean-diesel V-6 to come
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008

I went to the Kia display at the Detroit auto show to see what had to be an outstanding all-new midsize truck-based SUV. It would have to be outstanding, I thought, because there could be no other explanation as to why an automaker would introduce a truck-based SUV in 2008. All I had to do was enter Detroit Hall, pass the Jaguar and Land Rover exhibits and travel back in time more than 10 years.

There I heard Kia Motors America president Len Hunt talk about catering to buyers with "active lifestyles" and celebrating the company's first-ever V-8 engine and navigation system. The model in question was not, it turned out, a 1999. It was the 2009 Borrego, which on closer inspection turned out to be a perfectly serviceable seven-seat SUV — but possibly the worst product decision I've seen in years. Kia has made one smart move after another in the 21st century, even introducing a low-cost-alternative minivan that went toe-to-toe with the class leaders in most areas. Bringing a truck like this to market while the rest of the industry is scrambling to get out of it just doesn't strike me as a good move.

Best Cash-Back Finds: 12.27.07

Many year-end incentives end on January 2 so we thought it would be a good time to sift through the deals and see what models are actually worth your hard-earned cash-back dollars. For a list of all incentives, click here.

2008 Saturn Vue

• MSRP: $21,250
• Cash back: $2,000
• Percent off MSRP: 9.4%
• Expires: 1/2/08
• 5-Year Ownership Costs
• Cars.com Best New Car for Small Families

The redesigned Saturn Vue is a favorite at the Cars.com offices. It recently won our small SUV faceoff against the Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 and has a relatively upscale interior. It also scored nearly perfect on IIHS crash tests — an airbag redesign will have future Vue’s in fact perfect. The one main fault with the Vue is the seemingly high MSRP on certain trim levels. With $2,000 off that — including the sporty Red Line trim — this is a great deal.

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.

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

Kia Bringing New Borrego SUV to Detroit Auto Show

This is it, folks. From now until the New York auto show ends next April, we’re in auto show season. The next six months will bring an onslaught of new production and concept cars, and news about said production and concept cars. Today we learn that Kia will name its new midsize SUV the Borrego. No, we don’t know what that means either.

Like the Hyundai Veracruz, the Borrego will be built in Korea, but we won’t be sure how similar the two are especially since the Borrego will be a body-on-frame, traditional SUV like a Ford Explorer. We'll learn more as the Detroit auto show approaches in early January. We do know the Borrego will be offered with Kia’s first V-8 engine.   

Update: Borrego is Portuguese for Lamb. There is also a town called Borrego Springs in California.

Kia Wakes Up, Kills Off Cassette Player

I was just looking at the fact sheet on the 2008 Kia Rondo (introduced earlier this year as a 2007 model) and discovered that Kia has dumped the Rondo’s cassette player in favor of an MP3 jack. Progress! You may remember (or not) my thoughts on the 2007 Kia Sportage, when I told Kia to join the 21st century and get rid of the tape player, seeing as almost no one has used one in the past decade. Or you may remember the Suburban Dad Manifesto, in which I implored all automakers to make MP3 jacks standard in the face of more than 130 million MP3 players wandering the roads of America (the vast majority of which are iPods). Well, it seems the South Korean automaker, in its wisdom, has seen fit to embrace both concepts for the Rondo and the 2008 Optima. We haven’t heard yet about the Sportage.

Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for automatic windows everywhere. Take your time; we can wait.

Friday Fleet Notes: 7.20.07

A lot of folks got behind the wheel of a new Volvo S80 with the base engine. The varying opinions are an interesting read. We also get some seat impressions on Ford’s Fusion sedan, one of the company’s most important offerings. Our resident answerman, Joe Bruzek, also offers his take on the grandpa-like Kia Amanti.

2007 Volvo S80 3.2

I thought the S80 we tested in March, a well-equipped model powered by a V-8, was nice — not a knockout, but nice. This week’s model, modestly equipped and powered by a 3.2-liter inline-six, leaves me a bit flat. My main problem with it is the acceleration, which isn’t lacking so much as lagging. Nowadays people are quick to call practically any vehicle underpowered. I don’t buy it. This one’s 235 hp and six-speed automatic are a decent match, I just experienced too much hesitation when I hit the pedal, especially from a standstill or low speed. In my opinion, the danger of modest power in traffic is overstated, as is the danger of inconsistent, unpredictable hesitation.

Cars.com Reviews the 2007 Kia Amanti

Kia’s take on the Jaguar S-Type brings a lot to the wannabe-luxury segment, and according to Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays it takes on heavyweights like the Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300, at least based on value. Kelsey also asks the question we’re all thinking: would you spend $30,000 on a Kia? Check out his full review to find out all you get for your money.   

2007 Kia Amanti Expert Review

Reader Review of the Week: 2007 Kia Spectra

Sometimes we see a reader review that is so spot on we wonder if we wrote it ourselves. After having the 2007 Kia Spectra in the Cars.com fleet recently, we pretty much agree with everything Idaho Guy from Boise, Idaho — shocker — is saying. Of course, we didn’t have as much real-world driving time and mileage figures. Nor do we usually name our test vehicles. Here’s to Phil, the winner of our no-prize attached Reader Review of the Week:

Friday Fleet Notes: 05.18.07

This week we get some feedback from the staff on the recently reviewed 2007 Kia Rondo, as well as a summertime treat in the Pontiac Solstice GXP. Two of our staffers turned out to have radically different impressions of the little roadster.

2007 Kia Rondo

One of the Rondo's most impressive features is how open and airy the cabin feels; visibility is exceptional in all directions. The flipside, though, is that after driving the Rondo for a while you begin to feel like you're piloting a giant fish bowl because pedestrians have an equally good view inside the car. Subaru's Forester provides a similar experience, but it's one we're seeing on relatively few new cars these days.

• Mike Hanley, Cars.com reviewer

Cars.com Reviews the 2007 Kia Rondo

The all-new Kia Rondo perplexed just about everyone here at Cars.com HQ. Was it a minivan? A crossover? A mini-minivan? After one week and hundreds of miles, most of us still weren’t sure exactly who would desire such an odd duck. Check out the full review and get all of our thoughts.

2007 Kia Rondo Expert Review

Suburban Dad: Road Rally

Suburban Dad went along with some of the Cars.com editorial staff to a road and track rally up in Elkhart Lake, Wis., last week. I was able to drive a handful of cars and SUVs, and here are my verdicts:

Audi Q7
I’m tempted to get one of these, park it in my driveway and just watch TV from the front seat. The Q7 had one of the plushest, most comfortable leather seats I’ve ever sat in. The Q7, which has an aggressive, expressive face, also has a spunky engine and a smooth ride. It has a spacious cabin, huge storage space behind the second row (which included some heavy-duty tie-downs, a nice feature), and a great-looking black-on-black interior. The Q7 had a power liftgate, but Audi might want to think about those moms who are too short to reach the auto-close button, located on the bottom of the liftgate. When the liftgate is up, you’d have to be 5 foot 6 or better to reach it; my wife, at 4 foot 11, would definitely have some issues.

Suburban Dad: 2007 Kia Rondo

The Rondo tries to break some new ground in the crossover game — which is pretty new itself — by being a small fish among big fish. If my kids were little, say, all in elementary school, the Rondo would be a handy choice: Room enough for them in the second row and groceries in the back with the optional third row down. For carpooling, the Rondo would be handy with that third row built for the younger set. Factor in its features and a starting price right around $16,500, before destination, and a base Rondo could be a good deal for a small family.

Given the size of my kids now, and some of the Rondo’s limitations, though, I’d have to pass.

Its dimensions are smaller than most of its crossover competitors, but it still tries to seat seven. It’s size does give it some advantages: It's certainly less intimidating than many larger SUVs and, as my wife said when she first saw it, "It's cute!" It’s like a giant, motorized jelly bean.

2007 Chicago Auto Show: Kia Rondo SX Concept

Kia is trying to shed the boring image many people have of the company by making a sporty version of its brand new Rondo crossover. The small hauler is a nifty and innovative vehicle but someone out there may want all that utility, small dimensions matched to a sportier driving feel. Kia answers that call — we’re not sure if there is a call placed but they answer it anyway — with the Rondo SX.

Most noticeably different from the base Rondo are larger front and rear body panels and a metal mesh grille. The headlights are darkened a bit, there are dual exhaust outlets, the roof rails have been removed and the whole thing rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. Slight engine modifications add 10 horsepower bringing the total to 192 hp. The vehicle has also been lowered three inches and larger discs improve braking. You also will find the radically trimmed interior with sport seats hard to miss.

We’re not sure if this concept will become its own trim in the Rondo lineup but the term SX is in line with the current — and more pedestrian — LX and EX models. More photos below. 

2007 Chicago Auto Show Update: New Nissans, Rondo Concept, VW R32

The Chicago Auto Show kicks off next week, but we’ve got some information that just came through the door — well, actually the email inbox — and figured we’d share.

• Nissan will preview its three debuts for the Chicago Auto Show online tomorrow. You’ll find all three 2008 models — Pathfinder, Titan and Armada — on KickingTires at the stroke of midnight EST tonight.
• Kia will debut a concept version of the new Rondo called the Rondo SX, shown here. It’s a sport-tuned version of the small people-hauler. We’re not sure why there’s a need for such a thing, but we were impressed with our glimpse of the Rondo in Detroit. It’s a nifty little utility wagon/van.
• Rumor on the interwebs is that Volkswagen will debut a high-powered version of the Golf/Rabbit, called the R32, stateside. We’re unsure if this will be the current R32 being sold now in Europe or a new version based on the already peppy GTI.

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Kia Kue Concept

The Kia Kue may look like just another two-door hatchback concept, but it actually packs a muscular 400-hp, 4.6-liter supercharged V-8 engine underneath the hood. This concept is mostly a design study to highlight the company’s new head of design. That doesn’t mean much on its face, but officials said we can expect to see the Kue’s looks pop up in future Kia products. 

Kia to Produce Soul Concept in 2008

During the press conference for the new Kue concept — which we’ll have up in minutes — Kia announced it will bring a concept it showed at last year’s Detroit auto show to life in 2008 as a 2009 model. The Soul is a small SUV with a four-cylinder engine that is a bit oddly shaped, but could benefit from a love-it-or-hate-it design. Check out our report on the Soul from last year’s show for more photos and information.

New Crop of Subcompacts Crash-Tested: Nissan Versa Wins, Most Others Lose

Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its first study of the new crop of “mini cars” like the Chevy Aveo and Toyota Yaris. Its findings are quite damning for many of the models and the organization prefaces the entire study with the fact that overall crashes involving mini cars are twice as likely to result in death compared to midsize and large cars. This surely falls in line with the laws of physics, but it’s still jarring to read.

The IIHS tested six new mini cars and the Nissan Versa — somewhat larger but often considered in shopping comparisons, including Cars.com’s. Only the larger Versa received the IIHS’s highest ratings in all three crash tests. Two other cars — the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit with optional and standard side airbags respectively —  received the top grade of good in front and side crash tests, with the Yaris rating a marginal score and the Fit a poor score in the rear crash test ratings. The Yaris without optional side airbags — a $650 option — received the worst side impact rating of poor.

Kia Rondo On Sale Now; Prices Announced

It seems like just last week we saw the public debut of Kia’s new compact people-hauling mini-minivan the Rondo, and today we have a full list of prices for you. Wait a second, the L.A. Auto Show was last week, and the Rondo is already making its way to dealers. 

The Rondo lineup starts with a base model called — appropriately enough — Base, for $16,995, and runs up to $20,795 for the top-of-the-line EX with a V-6 engine. The Base’s standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, side curtain airbags and electronic stability control, but air conditioning is a $900 option. Obviously, you won’t find many base Rondos without A/C on the lot, so think of the starting price as $17,895. None of the prices include the $600 destination charge. Keep reading for the rest of the lineup’s prices. 

Related: 2007 Kia Rondo at the L.A. Auto Show

2006 L.A. Auto Show: 2007 Kia Rondo

In a press conference that spouted oddball terms dubbed “Rondoisms,” the North American public was introduced to Kia’s new SUV/minivan/wagon/we-don’t-know-what called the Rondo. The big deal with this thing is that there‘s room for seven people with a third row of seats wedged into the back. That’s about all the Rondo can do.

In a rare auto show move, the company announced the starting price along with the model itself. The four-cylinder Rondo LX will start at $17,985 and get 21/29 mpg city/highway. A V-6 Rondo will also be available with a minimal gain in horsepower, from 162 hp in the four-cylinder to 182 hp in the V-6. Keep reading for more photos of this auto oddity.

Cars.comparison Pits Camry vs. Fusion vs. Optima

Joe Wiesenfelder and Mike Hanley just finished a three-way shootout between some of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. The two compared four-cylinder versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Kia Optima in a number of categories, including ride, handling and safety. For savvy readers, the winner won’t be much of a surprise, but seeing which vehicle fared best in each category makes for some intriguing reading.

Cars.comparison: Midsize Sedans

Kia Sorento No. 1 on our Top 10 Cash-Back List

Kia still has 2005 models on lots, and that means the amount of cash they'll give you back for buying one is going to be high. The 2005 Kia Sorento SUV and Sedona minivan are leading our current Top 10 cash-back list. To see the rest of the list, click the link below. Truck buyers especially should check it out.

Top 10 Cash-Back Offers

Cars.com Minivan Comparison

Are you in the market for a new minivan? Then do we have the web comparison for you. Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder took on three of the top players in the segment — the Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna — and broke down all the best features of each. These days we sometimes hear people don’t want to be seen in minivans, but, for the value and utility, they’re hard to beat for big families with lots of junk cargo.

The guys back up their ratings with video clips and a side-by-side-by-side rundown of features. Yes, the image is of Mike Hanley failing in an attempt to destroy the Grand Caravan’s breakaway cupholder. If you want to watch that in full video glory, and of course find out who won, just go right here.

Dodge Ram No. 1 on our Top 10 Cash-Back List

The latest incentives numbers have been crunched deep within the halls of Cars.com headquarters, and the new king is the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 4x2 Quad Cab. Buyers will find a $3,500 rebate on the hood. Add in the Chrysler employee pricing discount that's available to everyone right now and that’s 27.8% off MSRP. According to Dodge’s website, the MSRP of $26,120 (including destination charge) is reduced to an employee price of $22,612. Count the $3,500 cash back and you get a final figure of $19,112. Now that’s a deal, folks.

It’s not all American cars on the list either. Kia’s Sorento and Sedona rank No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, with $5,000 cash back offered on both. And yes, the Lincoln LS still has $9,000 hanging off its rearview mirror. For the rest of the Top 10 list, go here.

Latest Crash Tests: New Toyota Camry, RAV4 and More

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released their most recent crash test study. It included the Dodge Caliber, Toyota Camry, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Optima, Kia Sportage and Lincoln Zephyr.

The IIHS uses a ratings system of Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good as their range from negative to positive results. Only two of the vehicles tested received a Poor rating in any of the three crash tests; front impact, side impact and rear impact. The Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson compact SUVs’ rear impact tests resulted in a Poor rating and Acceptable in front and side impacts.

Toyota saw Good ratings for front and side impacts in both its newly redesigned Camry sedan and all-new RAV4 compact SUV. Both received Marginal scores on rear tests. The Kia Optima wasn’t tested for side impact but received a Good score for front crash safety; it was the only vehicle tested that received a score of Good on the rear impact test.

The results weren’t as rosy for the Dodge Caliber and Lincoln Zephyr. The Caliber, a hatchback that replaces the Dodge Neon, received a Good rating in front crash testing but Marginal results in side and rear tests. The Lincoln Zephyr didn’t see one test score in the Good range, racking up Acceptables in front and side tests and a Marginal in rear testing.

While Acceptable is just that, it will be hard to sell any poor rating to shoppers interested in safety. Ford says it is addressing the Zephyr’s average ratings for the next model year.

2006 Kia Sedona: My Take

My family has a 2004 Kia Sedona, and we’ve been really happy with it, so I was excited earlier this week to catch a ride in the 2006 Sedona. It was impressive.

The center console was much better designed, with the controls more intuitive. I liked the more upscale look of them as well, with a nice faux-wood look that didn’t look like it would fade horribly within a couple of years. My kids would have killed to get the second row windows that roll down that the '06 sports; too often, they are desperately asking us to roll our windows down to get some airflow through the back. It does make me wonder about how safe those windows are with *very* young kids — I’m told that it comes with a parent lock — but with older kids it shouldn’t be an issue.