2007 Chrysler Sebring: My Take

Last month I got some brief seat time in the same Chrysler Sebring test vehicle Mike Hanley just reviewed over on the main Cars.com site. It’s amazing how much I agree with him on almost every aspect of the new midsize sedan. Unfortunately for Chrysler, this vehicle just can’t compete with what’s already on the market. Even the Ford Fusion tops it in style points, let alone the superior competition in every department from the Camry and Accord. 

What did I like? Honestly? Only the exterior surprised me. The black paint looked lighter, almost a dark gray — it sparkled brightly in the sunlight. Its name is Brilliant Black Pearl, but I wouldn’t say it’s a pure black at all. The dark color also hid some of the unsightly lines the car’s designers decided to add to the side, hood and trunk. Perhaps in this hue the design could grow on me, but I doubt it.

2007 Toyota RAV4: My Take

The Toyota RAV4, which David Thomas recently reviewed, was redesigned for the 2006 model year and is so far selling strongly. I also had an opportunity to drive this no-longer-little SUV.

The RAV4 looks stylish to my eyes, though like Dave I'm not a big fan of the spare tire on the back of the cargo door. Buyers do get a full-size spare with this setup, though, and that's definitely a nice-to-have feature. 

The 3.5-liter V-6 feels very strong and not at all burdened by the SUV's weight, though there's some mild torque steer under hard acceleration. The V-6 isn't daunted by a full load of passengers, either, and its gas mileage estimates are impressive: 22/29 mpg (city/highway) for FWD versions and 21/28 for 4WD models. During a 100-mile stretch of flat highway driving at speeds between 75 and 80 mph, I averaged 26 mpg in a 4WD Sport.

My Take: 2007 Lexus ES 350

While Mike Hanley was slaving away at his Lexus ES 350 review, I got to spend a good week in the car myself. We agree about the quality and the various improvements that have come with the 2007 update, but our opinions differ in some areas.

I made a Chicago-Detroit round trip and emerged little worse for wear, unlike Mike, who had problems with the car's seat cushion. (My own "seat" has more cushion than it did when I was Mike's age, which might explain the difference in experiences.) Like Mike, I logged average gas mileage just under 30 mpg on Interstate 94. Considering that most of the Grand Slab between Cars.com HQ and Detroit has a speed limit of 70 mph, actual speeds around 80 mph and enough construction slowdowns to turn a pacifist to murder, 30 mpg is truly excellent performance. It may equal the EPA's exact highway figure, but those estimates are based on 55 mph speeds and are frequently ... delusional.

My Take: 2007 Chevy Aveo

In his review of the updated Chevrolet Aveo subcompact, Kelsey Mays hits all the major issues on the head. I took the 2007 sedan out for a spin, and my overall impression is that Chevy missed an opportunity to go a step beyond the competitors.

To be fair, the Honda Fit is proving to be an anomaly in this smallfry class — head and possibly shoulders above the rest. But when Chevy updated this model, it at least should have taken the opportunity to leapfrog the other guys, not simply match them. Chevy made the same error with the Cobalt, which came out of the box just barely competitive with average compact models, all of which are now poised to leave it in the dust when they next are redesigned.

2007 Acura MDX: My Take

Yesterday I spent the day with two of Acura’s new SUVs, the all-new RDX and the redesigned 2007 MDX flagship. The MDX has always been a solid seller, appealing to the perfect demographic of capable and affluent families. Now it has received some flashy grille work and a much cushier — and sportier? — ride. Cars.com’s senior writer Joe Wiesenfelder has already weighed in on the luxury ute in his full review, and I agree with him on almost every level — except when it comes to Acura’s new Active Damper System.

While I do go along with Joe’s assertion that in other applications the ability to alter these systems between different modes is usually not done well, the MDX was definitely the best I’ve tested. After sitting through a technical presentation that was all schematics and talk, I highly doubted a press of a button would radically change the real world feel of such a large SUV. But change it, it did.

2007 Honda CR-V: My Take

When David Thomas and I drove the redesigned Honda CR-V, my overall impression was that it's a richer vehicle than the model it replaces. The interior is, as David says in his review, more along the lines of the Civic, and the decrease in noise does more for one's perception of quality than most people realize. This hasn't always been Honda's strongest suit, because soundproofing generally adds weight, be it a metal coating or thicker windows. Given a choice between higher mileage and a quieter cabin, Honda almost always errs on the side of efficiency.

The materials in the CR-V are good overall but not consistent. I think the metal-look trim is effective, but the inside door handles are the all-too-familiar plastic trying to imitate aluminum — and failing miserably.

2007 Volvo C70: My Take

In his recent review, my Cars.com co-worker Joe Wiesenfelder raves about Volvo’s new retractable hardtop convertible, the C70. I had the same silver tester for a week and found myself enjoying it, but not nearly as much as Joe. 

It seems the C70 has become Joe’s favorite Volvo. For me, the XC90 SUV is still Volvo's best product for what it aims to do, but the C70 is a close second. My main gripes with the C70 only had to do with its lackluster driving feel and a bum stereo, not its innovative convertible hardtop.

The steering is not what I’d call responsive. Navigating through twisty roads is about as thrilling as cleaning out your email inbox. Pushing the accelerator isn’t much better. It offers little rush as the foot meets the pedal, and after that initial delay speed comes in a slow, steady climb to acceptable levels. There’s nothing sporty about it, and that bugs me in such a sporty, sexy-looking car. Did I just say that about a Volvo?

Toyota FJ Cruiser: My Take

Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder seemed to enjoy reviewing Toyota’s new offroad sensation, the FJ Cruiser. When I got my hands on it there was little that impressed me. But that’s me. I have no desire to go off-road — ever — or look like I do when I’m on city streets.

I wasn’t impressed by the ride. The big tires probably do a great job on mud, but I don’t want it to feel like I’m driving through muck when I’m actually on the highway — and that’s just how the FJ handles. I will say, though, that it was surprisingly quiet inside the cabin.

Don’t get me wrong, the FJ is a terrific package for offroad enthusiasts, and I think the combination of the suicide rear doors, plastic-lined cargo area and edgy styling is commendable for any potential shopper.

I just don’t see myself ever driving an FJ. I’m one of those people who want their SUVs to work well in the paved world. And most SUVs that do can handle the amount of snow and gravel I travel well enough that I would never need to sacrifice comfort for canyon-crossing ability. But again, that’s just me. Plus, the thing’s ugly as sin.

BMW Z4 M Roadster: My Take

"While BMW is better than most at employing technology in the service of performance, there's something to be said for getting back to basics, to a car without electric steering, adaptive suspension, active stabilizer bars or that maddening BMW iDrive control system." — Joe Wiesenfelder

There’s nothing like seeing a BMW with a little “M” badge on it pull up. That's when you know it’s more than just a luxury car; it has guts, too. Joe Wiesenfelder recently posted his thoughts on the new Z4 M roadster after a week with a little silver number in his full review on Cars.com. I tackled a red Z4 M on a track a few months back, along with dozens of other new models from various manufacturers.

No car took to the track like the M roadster; it was the only car that wrapped around you naturally. I felt born to drive that car around that track on that day. And drive it I did. Even on the sharpest turns the rear end never came loose. (Well, it’s supposed to swing around at certain points, and it did, but it wasn’t outside my control to straighten back out.) I even took it out on the circuit with the top down. The Z4 M hitting high speeds sans roof is an exhilarating rush and definitely adds to the driving experience.

I have spent plenty of time with the standard Z4, but unlike Joe I felt it was a sporty enough ride, and those shark-like lines made the small car almost menacing-looking. I didn’t really mind the power then, either. With the M’s beefier bodywork and bulging hood you can just tell there’s an added punch before you even hit the gas pedal. After I was done I didn’t think I could ever go back to an un-M Z4.

These are the kinds of cars we writers love to test. They’re fun and precise, and this BMW is also well-crafted. For potential shoppers out there, the $51,300 price tag isn’t completely astronomical. Even though the M is made for going fast, it wouldn’t be bad to live with on a day-to-day basis either. Now I just have to figure out why a car that gets 16/24 mpg city/highway has a gas-guzzler tax, as Joe mentioned. That mileage doesn’t seem so bad for such extreme performance.

Mazda5: My Take

In our quest to offer as many viewpoints about new models as possible, I respectfully offer my thoughts on the Mazda5 mini-minivan Mike Hanley recently reviewed over on the main Cars.com page.

While I agree with Mike that the Mazda5 is a nifty little people-mover, I just don’t understand who would want one. It seems too small for today’s real-life family and too pedestrian for a commute vehicle. Perhaps it would work best as a higher-mileage suburban shuttle for soccer moms, but it would have to stay home on lengthy commutes.