Personal Picks: Luxury SUVs

Luxury SUVS…are there more politically-incorrect vehicles on the road today? The December test group of $58,000-$71,000 machines might seem like a head-scratcher now. But, surprisingly, our subscribers tell us in our Annual Questionnaire that they own these things: we have significant data on Toyota Land Cruisers, Porsche Cayennes, and Land Rover Range Rover Sports. However, we do not have enough data on the Hummer H2. It’s probably not a stretch to say that Consumer Reports subscribers and H2 owners usually don’t go together. So, why do we test them? To cover the full spectrum of mainstream models to empower our readers to make informed decisions.

What would we buy if we won the lottery? Here’s a look:

Tom Mutchler: If I’m in the market for a $60,000 SUV (trust me – I’m not), I don’t want to wind up annoyed every time I drive it. I don’t want the nagging feeling that a cheaper model was bigger and more capable. And when I drive it, I really don’t want people waving at me with less than five fingers.

That limits my choices here. The Porsche Cayenne annoys me: it has a stiff ride, tight seats, illegible optional $1,200 (!) brown-faced gauges, and inscrutable radio controls. A sweet exhaust note and good grip just aren’t enough to win me over. As nice as the Toyota Land Cruiser is, the Sequoia has a lot more space and tows more. (I can live without the LC’s cool “crawl” off-road mode for $10,000 less.) Unless I had to climb a rock hill everyday to get to work, a Hummer H2 isn’t in the cards. Passersby aren’t exactly afraid to share their opinions – pro and con – about the H2, either.

Even though I feel a bit guilty about it, I really like our Land Rover Range Rover Sport. It’s fetching in Lucerne green and pale leather; it’s no surprise that an identical truck was part of the prolific product placement on the aiming-at-the-upscale Bravo TV show “Top Design.” You sit up high and there are big windows. Power isn’t generous without the optional supercharger, but the HSE’s V8 sounds really good. Finally, the Sport handles a lot better than our 2005 LR3, which shares this truck’s platform.

I’m a logical guy. Land Rover is at the bottom of CR’s reliability ratings. An Acura MDX is a far more practical purchase. And the RR’s profligate with fuel. But I’m happy to put a (non-alcoholic) beverage into the Sport’s console refrigerator, go for a drive, and be happy that nothing’s broke on it yet.

Gabe Shenhar: If you’re going to be politically-incorrect and socially irresponsible, and still get your bonus this year, you might as well go all the way and treat yourself. Right? Truthfully, nobody actually “needs” any one of these four indulgent SUVs; there are other vehicles that do the same for less.

That said, I found myself enjoying two of these luxury SUVs for entirety different reasons. The Land Cruiser, with its comfortable ride, quiet cabin and utterly amazing off-road ability impresses the heck out of me. But as a suburban family three-row SUV, its tall stance, clumsy handling and compromised packaging detract. And, for that lofty price, I could get a Mercedes-Benz GL320 diesel that drives beautifully and gets decent gas mileage.

I also like driving the Cayenne. It’s one of the few SUVs you can truly hustle in corners, and it has the great steering and brake feel of a Porsche. The catapult and sound of the V8 is addicting. You put up with the stiff ride and some unintuitive controls, but what else do you expect for $70,000? Rationally speaking, however, there isn’t a whole lot the Cayenne does that the BMW X5 doesn’t do, other than being more exclusive.

Rick Small: I’m not a big fan of this group. The Cayenne is relatively sporty but heavy and large – seems like a rolling oxymoron. It really can’t do “sporty” very well and it’s too expensive. The Land Cruiser does a good job as a large luxury SUV. But for me it’s too big and clumsy to drive every day. If you need this size vehicle and want some luxury, the Cruiser is a good choice. The Range Rover is expensive and great off-road but not as comfortable or reliable as the Land Cruiser. I don’t think too many people do serious off-roading with a vehicle this expensive, anyway. The Hummer tows well but is not very roomy. It’s also expensive (do you see a pattern here?), thirsty and very awkward to drive. For my money, I would choose a three-row Mazda CX-9 or Honda Pilot. These are much less expensive, reliable, use less fuel and are better every day drivers than these luxurious beasts. The CX-9 favors the sporty side while the Pilot leans more toward comfort.

Mike Quincy: The Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and (especially) the Hummer are train wrecks: people can’t help but stare and be oddly fascinated by what they see. If I had to pick my 9-year-old son up from school or at a friend’s house, he loved it when I showed up in the H2. If my wife and I were going out, she was always a bit more jazzed to see the Cayenne. And I agree with Tom’s assessment of the Range Rover Sport: it’s surprisingly nice to drive. But to keep these brutes running means paying hefty bills – either for gas, maintenance or both. At least the Land Cruiser has a history of good reliability, but its 14 mpg overall makes me cringe.

The truth is that if I’m spending crazy money, I’d rather have a good pickup truck than any of the models we’ve covered here. But I’ll stick with the “luxury” theme and treat myself to a top-of-the-line GMC Sierra Denali crew-cab pickup. Though still a gasoline pig, it has style, luxury, one of the best sounding and smoothest V8s around, and I can actually haul stuff without worrying about it getting dirty. I’ll also save enough to buy a new road bike (hint, hint…Christmas is coming, honey). In reality, I can’t afford the truck, though, but maybe the bike.

2008 SEMA – Personal Picks

As we wind down our coverage of the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show car and component extravaganza in Las Vegas, CR’s attendees have been reflecting on the vehicles that made the greatest impression. It truly takes something special to stand out among the hundreds upon hundreds of vehicles on display. After all, these show vehicles have been specially prepared for this mega event, often built exclusively for showcasing the latest parts, trends, and building techniques. But, it isn’t always the fanciest car that fuels fantasies, nostalgia, or water-cooler discussions.

Between writing more than 20 blog posts about this year’s show, a few team members shared their personal picks. A couple others, overwhelmed by the selection, simply couldn’t decide.

John Galeotafiore: The 2009 Dodge Challenger was my clear favorite. In my early driving days, I was the proud owner of a beat-up 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T. It had a powerful 383 cubic-inch motor with a four-barrel carburetor and four-speed manual transmission.  It had the most unbridled power of any car I've driven to this day. 

The new Challenger pays homage to my old 1971 with all the technological advances that have come in the last 38 years.  While the old car had power, its handling, ride, and comfort all left much to be desired.  I'm sure Challenger purists would disagree, but I could see myself cruising to work every day in the '09 version, something that I wouldn't have wanted to do in my '71.

Gene Petersen: Domestic car makers draw on the past. You have to look back 40 years ago to what made Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors great and formidable car companies. All three automakers were not bashful at all in showing 1960s vintage Dodge Chargers, Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and Pontiac GTOs. These were and still are the cars that I dream of, and they were the cars that drew show goers like moths to a bright light.
 
Yet, when looking at the late-model offerings, the car that appealed to me the most was the Ford Flex fitted with oversized wheels and tires. There were numerous Flex concepts on display, and they all looked as cool as the first-generation Scion xB in custom gear.   

Mike DiLauro: Over the past seven or so SEMA shows that I’ve attended, my favorite vehicle has most often been an SUV. This standout vehicle is usually outfitted for some kind of adventure, whether off-road or for the urban jungle. This year, like the rest of America, I've been more interested in downsized vehicles. So although I'm going to go small this year, it still has to be tricked out to inspire me, since SEMA is all about tuning an OE vehicle and making it into something completely new.

I found the best expression of this from Scion. It is fitting that Scion would go to great lengths to live up to that intent. Within the line, the xB hits the sweet spot for tuning—it’s truly the tabula rasa of the auto industry. From the inexpensive entry point to the broad side panels, these cars become something otherworldly in the hands of a tuner. All this, while at the core, a practical, reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle...what more can you ask for?

See our picks from last year's  SEMA show. Read about more cars, gear, news, and views from SEMA.   

Personal Picks: Sporty cars, part 2

Continuing our staff's personal insights into the October-issue sporty car test group. (Read: “Personal Picks: Sporty cars, part 1.”)

Rick Small: I was a bit disappointed in the new Subaru WRX/STi. The cars have more power but lost some of the sporty feel in acceleration and handling, thus losing some appeal. The Evo is much sportier with better low-end power and crisper handling. It is an enthusiast’s car with a stiff ride, limited driving position, and plenty of noise that may be too much for everyday use for some people. Definitely a “try before you buy.” And the Volkswagen R32 is nice. Still, I like the 135i best. It fits my tall body better than most competing models, and it’s quick, refined and sporty (but expensive). For a lot less money, the Cobalt SS is also quick, sporty and more fun to drive than you’d think.

Mike Quincy: I had the pleasure of buying the BMW 135i for the test program. When I drove it off the lot, I immediately knew this car was special. Didn’t take more than a few miles to realize that maybe (just maybe) this is the car that will help get BMW back on track. The 135i is a thrill to drive – it’s light, quick, has sensitive steering and fits me perfectly. But what turns the corner for this car is that its controls are WAY easier than any BMW we’ve tested for the last four or five years. There’s no iDrive, no confusing navigation system (although this stuff is optional…I wouldn’t bother). I wrote in the car’s logbook that the 135i is “magical.” I’ll also add that the 135i is a car that I’d drive for the rest of my life. Yes, it’s that good.

Gabe Shenhar: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo really gets my adrenaline going and puts a big grin on my face every time I drive it. This road rocket is a true driving machine with terrific handling; it’s essentially a go-kart with four doors. But you’ve got to be the most die-hard type to endure this car with its stiff ride and frenetic highway behavior.

That’s why my pick is the BMW 135i. It’s agile and fun yet smooth in every move, whether it’s the clutch action, shifter, steering, or the punchy, linear power delivery of the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. It rides compliantly and lets you hear only the noises you want to hear. The seat, driving position, and interior quality are first class, as in every BMW. The car is perceived as small and expensive. But since it provides such a spectacular driving experience, close to, say, a Porsche Boxster, it’s a relative bargain in my opinion.

Tom Mutchler: For me, this group of sports sedans brought a bunch of surprises:

·    It’s amazing how enjoyable the BMW 135i is to drive, even beyond the high standards set by the various automatic-equipped 3 Series models we’ve tested. As I wrote before in “From the logbook,” it’s not perfect, but it’s a whole lot of fun.

·    What isn’t a whole lot of fun is driving the Subaru WRX and STi. Going beyond the turbocharged powertrain, I enjoyed driving our base Legacy 2.5i sedan more; it had better steering and body control. Tellingly, Subaru is making major revisions to the WRX just one year after introduction. Too bad they didn’t get it right the first time.

·    The Cobalt SS is the prime automotive example of making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. I liked the supercharged version we tested in 2005, but this turbocharged model is even more fun and refined. It’s truly a welcome surprise.

·    One of the few automotive regrets I have is not buying a first-generation (1991-1994) Nissan Sentra SE-R. The new car, while likely empirically better in every way, just isn’t fun to drive.

Since we combined two price classes here, I have two picks this month. (Let’s assume I need a back seat, so a Miata is out of the running.) For $24K, I’d buy a VW GTI four-door – it’s practical, fun, and well-equipped. At $37K, I would find it very hard to resist an Infiniti G37 coupe. This gentleman’s coupe looks awesome (without all of the boy-racer flippery of the Evo or STi), has a great powertrain, and is roomier than the tight 135i.

One last surprise might be on the horizon: Could the Hyundai Genesis coupe be a contender? The specs and tentative pricing look very promising, but Hyundai isn’t known for building sports cars. We’ll see…

Most fun cars to drive

"Fun to drive" is a subjective measure—an elusive quality that can mean different things to different people. From our experience, a car can have a very powerful engine and accelerate quickly, but without handling agility, it’s not much fun. For us, fun is a combination of factors such as handling response, sound, and the nature of the power delivery that lead to grin-inducing satisfaction. Here are the top fun-to-drive models that we’ve recently tested in order of ranking:

• Porsche 911 Carrera S
• Porsche Boxster
• Honda S2000
• Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06
• Mercedes-Benz SLK350
• Infiniti G35
• Mazda RX-8
• Volkswagen GTI
• BMW 328i
• MazdaSpeed3
• Subaru Legacy GT
• Mini Cooper S

See our complete list of Best & Worst cars in many categories.

From the logbook: Porsche 911

One of the first responses my colleagues and I had when we heard we would be testing one of the most legendary sports cars of all time was, "Holy smokes...we're going to get a 911!!" Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day when a set of Carrera S keys would be hanging on Auto Test's "key" board.

In the full road test (October 2006 issue, and available to online subscribers), the 911 shined among its capable peers. In fact, the article begins: "The distinctive Porsche 911 Carrera S is the epitome of agility and refinement in sports cars, yet it is relatively practical."

Looking beyond the formal test, let's take a peek at the actual logbook notes, where among the praise we picked at a few nits:

"Clutch engages at the very top of a longish action, which takes a little getting used to."

"Engine is smooth but doesn't feel that powerful."

"The steering wheel looks like it came out of a plastic Little Tikes car--very cheap looking."

"Ride is good for a sports car."

"The most comfortable, best riding super sports car in our group. It's easy to drive without the sacrifices of the other cars."

"Rear seats are a joke... my wife was not amused sitting back there."

"Steering and brake feel are as good as it gets."

"Ridiculously fun to drive."

"Boomy engine on the highway; needs a taller 6th gear."

"Controls are a mess, with tiny buttons everywhere. Markings are counterintuitive on cruise control stalk."

"Exhaust and engine noise is really amazing, but leaves me wanting more."

"Seats are too narrow [for tall people], and my right leg continuously rubs on the hard center console."

"Visibility is quite good, but could use a rear wiper."

"Key on the left side...can't get used to it."

"Suede headliner is pimp!"

"No lumbar support adjustment, auto headlights, or auto dimming mirrors is ridiculous at this price-point."

"This is the car people are talking about when referring to Porsche--NOT the Boxster."

With its laudable characteristics, and even its notable faults, this is one car none of us will soon forget. Thankfully, it will stick around for a few more months.

--Mike Quincy

Personal picks: Ultra-performance cars 2

Gabe Shenhar: I know we're talking about dream cars here, but let me pretend for a moment that I can actually afford one. If that's the case, the choices become crystal clear for me. Since I have two children, I'm not in a position to have any two-seater cars, which eliminates several right off the bat. My choices are the Porsche and the Jaguar, from the luxury sport cars group. Overall, for pure driving fun, I'd take the Porsche 911. I can drive this car all day and have a big smile on my face. The handling is just phenomenal with telepathic steering, instant responses and constant feedback from the chassis. The engine is so tractable (every little throttle input results in forward thrust) and sounds wonderful. Unlike other sports cars, I can see out well, it's easy to get in and out, I have a reasonable trunk in the front, and my two kids can fit in the rear seat.

Jeff Bartlett: As a lifelong Corvette enthusiast, and former Corvette owner, the "Z06" designation is among a litany of endearing Chevrolet codes. And as much as the fifth-generation Z06 elevated Corvette performance, the latest rendition pushes this two-door patriotic symbol to true super car status. The modifications to the C6 are legion, with all-aluminum hydroformed frame rails, carbon-fiber bodywork, wide rear fenders, 14-inch cross-drilled brakes (front), and massive wheel/tire fitment. Among the lengthy upgrade list is one true key ingredient: a 7.0-liter V8 that peaks at 505 horsepower. Yes, that is a 427-cubic-inch, pushrod engine that produces more horses than the overly complicated, F1-inspired, BMW V10 that graces the M5 and M6.

On paper, the Z06 reads like it should be a feral beast bred for a hard-charging life of track duty. Instead, the Z06 strikes me as surprisingly domesticated, requiring only nominal sacrifice over a base C6 in regular driving. The ride, steering, handling, acceleration--really, the entire package--is amazingly livable, yet with ferocity always remaining just a tilt of an ankle away. Unleashed, the Z06 is a first-class thrill ride.

Gabe and Jim can fight over the 911 keys... The personality, performance, price, and heritage all conspire to make the latest Z06 my high-performance lust machine.

Jim Travers: The Carrera S parked outside our offices bears a stronger family resemblance to its decades-old predecessors than virtually any other vehicle on the road today can claim. If nothing else, this proves that if you stick with a bad idea long enough, you may just get it right.

Hanging the engine out behind the rear drive wheels is not the best way to achieve balanced and predictable handling, as any owner of an early 911 can tell you... especially if they've ever backed off the road at a high rate of speed and lived to tell about it. But thanks to the efforts of a half century of stubborn engineers aided by things like improved tires and electronics, the inherently unbalanced 911 has evolved into a car that handles incredibly well and is more fun to drive than anything I've been behind the wheel of lately.

It is also obscenely expensive, although the $87,500 example purchased by Consumer Reports is relatively modest as 911s go. And for that, you get a manually adjusted driver's seat. Still, I find myself making excuses for this car, justifying the price tag just because it's so much fun to drive. And it's equally civilized and behaved whether you're putting to the grocery store or blasting down your favorite two-lane stretch. Give Porsche another 50 years, and they may just achieve automotive nirvana.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking about taking another mortgage on the house, putting my Matchbox collection on eBay, getting a paper route, whatever it takes. Anybody need their lawn mowed?

Personal picks: Ultra-performance cars

In case you didn't already know, the CR folks who deal with the automotive side of things are car junkies. We live it, breathe it, and love it most everyday of the week. With that in mind, we will put together lists of cars that we particularly like -- or would choose as our own -- within the magazine's test month category. To kick off this new tradition, it's only appropriate to start with the most outrageous test group of them all, dubbed fantasy sports. As in the November CR magazine, we'll split the group into ultra-performance and luxury sports cars. In the days ahead, our Cars team will share their personal perspective of this elite group.

Rick Small: The super sports cars top pick for me is easy: the Corvette Z06. It has a much larger interior than the others, which easily and comfortably fits my tall body -- I physically don't fit in the Viper or 911. But it's not only the accommodations as to why I like the 'Vette the best. The Z06 has awesome acceleration and excellent cornering grip. It has plenty of trunk space and can hold two sets of golf clubs. Plus, it costs thousands less than the others here. Even the overall gas mileage of 19 mpg is very good for the super-car performance you get. Also resale values are also likely to remain very high.

Tom Mutchler: It's not easy picking a favorite from this group. The 911 and Z06 are a blast, but owning them would lead me to lose my license. Quickly. Driving the Viper in the summer is more like a barbeque pit than a snake pit. There are 'plain-Jane' Cadillac and Lexus sedans that are much more satisfying than their pricey roadsters. The SL costs more than some houses. So, that leaves the beautiful Jaguar XK. Wonderful to look at, great to drive - but the last time I drove an XK, I wanted to tear out the infuriating touch screen control system.

Cliff Weathers: After a few hours with the Viper down on two-lane roads in upstate New York, I emerge with that involuntary smile you see on people who just disembarked a rollercoaster. The endorphins are teeming, my head is swimming, and I swear I've got a bruise or two. Was it fun? Yeah! Did it scare me? Heck, yeah! Would I like to go for another ride? Sure, just as soon as my heart stops playing the drum solo from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida!"

This is the way you're supposed to feel after driving a sports car. You're not supposed to feel like you've spent a day at the spa. You're not supposed to feel mellow. You're supposed to feel like you surfed the Banzai Pipeline or scaled Castle Crags. Massaging seats, touch-screen displays, and push-button door releases? Not on your life!

Not only is the Viper a brutally honest sports car without a hint of fluff, it's also the car to be seen in. Tooling around town in it is like morphing into Batman. All heads turn, kids scream, parking valets flag you down, and cops forget their danishes.

Trust me, you do not get have this much fun or attract this kind of attention in a Porsche 911 or Chevy Corvette.

Porsche performance

What does a wailing flat-six sound like? After a few break-in miles, we’ll let you know...

What did the cash register sound like? Ka-CHING…$87,520

--Mike Quincy