First drives of Consumer Reports’ latest vehicle purchases

At Consumer Reports we buy, anonymously, all the cars we test, about 80 per year, and put thousands of miles on each of them. So, we are constantly at dealerships buying new vehicles to put through our exhaustive test program consisting of more than 50 tests. As vehicles start the evaluation process, we share our initial, raw impressions through the "Logbook" posts on this blog. When vehicles start the test process, we provide initial First Drive reports on popular models before their road tests are completed.

The most recent First Drives include the Dodge Challenger, Ford Fusion and Fusion hybrid, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Nissan Cube, Nissan 370Z, and Volvo XC60. The full tests of all these vehicles will be published in the coming months.

Dodge Challenger: The classic muscle car is reborn into a powerful cruiser, but faces stiff competition from the revived Chevrolet Camaro and freshened Ford Mustang. Read the complete First drive.

Ford Fusion/Fusion hybrid: The Fusion is well-rounded and enjoyable to drive and is now fully competitive with the best family sedans. Read the complete First Drive.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe: This new coupe is eye-catching and generously equipped with an affordable sticker price, but the manual transmission is not up to par. Read the complete First Drive.

Nissan Cube: This boxy wagon has abundant interior room and great fuel economy for a low price. Read the complete First Drive.

Nissan 370Z: The Z is a true sports car with precise handling and fun-to-drive appeal, but the ride is stiff and road noise loud. Read the complete First Drive.

Volvo XC60: The XC60 luxury SUV is a pleasant vehicle, which showcases the latest safety advances, but it’s not as exciting to drive as it’s competitors. Read the complete First Drive.

We add new First Drives to ConsumerReports.org on a regular basis. These can be found on our First Drives hub linked on the main Cars page and secondary New Cars page. First looks can also be found in the model overview pages (available to online subscribers) until they are replaced with a final road test.

--Liza Barth

Car brands: Who owns what?

The auto industry is very complicated these days, with constant change across all corners of the globe. The worldwide economic slowdown dictates widespread cost reductions, inspiring partnerships and changes in ownership. Further confusing the scene are past commitments between companies: For example, the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is based on a Mercedes-Benz platform–even though Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer joined at the hip.

To help clear up some of the confusion, here is a road map to navigate who owns what brands among the major companies that sell in the U.S. car market.

BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce

Fiat owns: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati; Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep–20-percent stake

Ford Motor Company owns: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo (for now), and still owns 13.4 percent of Mazda

General Motors owns: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Also owns a controlling interest in Daewoo, as well as Opel and Vauxhall in Europe and Holden in Australia. (Pontiac to be discontinued)

Honda owns: Honda, Acura

Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia

Tata Motors (India) owns: Jaguar and Land Rover

Mazda (partially owned by Ford)

Mitsubishi

Daimler AG owns: Mercedes-Benz and Smart

Nissan owns: Nissan and Infiniti (Nissan is owned by Renault--France)

Porsche owns: Porsche and a majority share in Volkswagen

Subaru (A controlling interest of Subaru is owned by Toyota)

Suzuki

Toyota Motor Company owns: Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Daihatsu and Hino Motors, with a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru’s parent company) and Isuzu

Volkswagen owns: Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and overseas SEAT and Skoda.

In formal negotiations to be sold:
Hummer: Tengzhong (China)
Saturn: Penske Automotive Group
Saab: Koenigsegg (Sweden)

--Liza Barth

From the logbook: 2010 Volvo XC60

It is arguable that the Volvo XC60 navigates in murky waters: It’s a premium-priced SUV that isn’t premium-sized. It fits into the same league as vehicles like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Mercedes-Benz GLK350, and Volkswagen Tiguan—all priced between $36,000 and $43,000. Although so far many of us like the XC60 better than some competitors, the fact remains that buyers in this segment may be more focused on nameplate than substance and there are many other choices that give you more for less.

Loaded with a bunch of options, our XC60 rang in at $42,245. Speaking of options, we were eager to test out all of the XC’s newest technology and highly-advertised safety equipment, such as Adaptive Cruise Control; Lane Departure Warning; Collision Warning with Auto Brake Distance Alert; and Driver Alert Control. All of these are included in the Technology Package.

How do all these safety gizmos (and the rest of the car) work? Read on for candid exerpts from the testers' logbook:
 
“Smooth engine with decent power (but you do need to rev it to get it).”
 
“Rides decently.”
 
“Very quiet on the highway.”
 
“Lane-departure warning is not nearly as sensitive as in the Infiniti FX.” [But many thought it was annoying on country roads.]
 
“Parking aid kicks in too soon and leaves you far from the curb.”
 
“Ignition switch is awful.”
 
“Seats are very comfy, and the headrest doesn’t push my head forward like most Volvos.”
 
“Interior fit and finish is good but lacks warmth and feels antiseptic.”
 
“Good cargo space and rear seat.”
 
“Power-operating tailgate is agonizingly slow opening/closing.”
 
“Active cruise is the best system I’ve used – smooth braking and acceleration to blend with traffic.”
 
“Why isn’t BLIS [Blind Spot Information System] included in the Technology Package? Seems like we got every other electronic safety doo-dad…”
 
“For all the safety gizmos loaded on this thing, I’m surprised that $42K doesn’t get you a backup camera.”
 
“Very easy car to live with, but not exciting.”
 
“Easily my favorite Volvo of recent memory.”

All-in-all, the XC60 packages a fair amount of interior and cargo space, but a relatively underwhelming driving experience. If you’re a big fan of the latest in safety technology or Volvos in general, you might want to give this a try. But be sure you don’t mind all the bells, lights, and whistles going off. We’ll have more on the XC60 soon, with a first drive coming in the days ahead, and further down the road, a full test.

—Mike Quincy

Auto news highlights – June 18, 2009

Chinese automaker to buy Volvo
Ford has been right-sizing its corporate portfolio since long before it was fashionable. Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover have all found new international owners. Now, there are reports that Chinese automaker Geely has signed a deal to purchase Volvo. No formal announcement has been made. [Autocar, The Car Connection]

New auto company to use old GM plant
Backed by investor T. Boone Pickens, V-Vehicle Co. will assemble cars at a former General Motors plant in Louisiana. The project is expected to create over 1,400 direct jobs at an average annual salary of nearly $40,000, plus benefits. VVC will receive a state incentive package worth approximately $67 million. Pickens has been a vocal advocate of wind power and natural gas, suggesting these may be alternative-fueled cars. [Automotive News, Louisiana Economic Development]

Pontiac Vibe production ends in August
The Vibe had been expected to live on as the sole survivor after GM cuts off the Pontiac division, but the company today announced production would cease this August. GM is in talks with Toyota for other uses for the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated in Fremont, California. The Vibe is the only Pontiac vehicle that is Consumer Reports recommended. [GM]

Chrysler to resume car production
Chrysler had idled its plants as it entered bankruptcy proceedings, immediately reducing costs and vehicle inventory. Now, the new, leaner Chrysler is firing up the factories. First to start was the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant that builds the Dodge Viper, beginning on June 15. The week of June 29th, seven production factories will begin churning out higher-volume Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models. (Read: "What the post-bankruptcy Chrysler means to you") [CNN, Chrysler]

Cash for clunkers moves closer to law
The “cash for clunkers” program narrowly escaped Senate today, remaining as part of the approved $106 billion war-funding bill. The House approved the bill earlier in the week, and it is now awaiting President Obama’s signature. [AP, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post]

Turn signals: amber vs. red
A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] has found that amber rear turn signals are 5.3 percent more effective than red signals in reducing crashes. The real-world study looked at rear-end crashes where the front vehicle was in the act of turning, merging, changing lanes, or pulling in or out of a parking lot.  [NHTSA]

2009 New York Auto Show: Driving the Volvo XC60 with City Safety

At the New York International Auto Show, I tried out Volvo’s low-speed collision avoidance system, dubbed City Safety. The demo was great fun, and the system might even be helpful to those of us who, in a moment’s inattention, are perfectly capable of crashing into the car ahead while inching through stop-and-go traffic—especially when dealing with NYC rush-hour traffic.

Volvo safety engineers had set up a short roadway of Jersey barriers in the parking lot outside the Javits Center, where the New York auto show takes place. At the near end was a 2010 Volvo XC60, and at the far end, a couple of hundred feet farther along, was a sponge-rubber object vaguely similar to a small car. The City Safety braking feature is a radar-activated low-speed collision avoidance technology. It is active only at speeds of 18 mph or less, and it fully stops your car only when traveling at about 9 mph or less. Between 10 and 18 mph, the system provides “mitigation” rather than complete avoidance. In other words, you may still hit the car ahead, but less forcefully.

With a Volvo rep riding shotgun, I was told to drive straight toward the target “car” at up to 10 mph and see what happens. Approaching the Red Grooms-like soft sculpture, the XC60 jammed on its brakes, preventing collision—as promised. With my foot on the gas pedal, the antilock brakes intervened with a satisfying crunch, and the SUV halted prior to impact with no more drama than found in the typical Big Apple cab ride.

Volvo says the system can prevent whiplash injuries in the car ahead, and perhaps whiplash to yourself that may arise from the rebound effect where your head snaps forward and then back. And even if no one is hurt, it goes without saying that any crash you avoid will save you a heap of trouble and expense. If you don’t want this safety nanny sharing the brakes with you, you can easily switch her off. And the system deactivates itself if you hit the brakes or take any sort of evasive maneuver, so it’s not second-guessing you constantly.

Dynamic collision avoidance is not new. A number of luxury cars employ some kind of autonomous braking, usually as part of their adaptive cruise control systems. But City Safe provides brake intervention in the urban environment, adding an extra measure of safety without requiring the driver to be using cruise control. City Safe is standard equipment on the XC60 and it will be standard on the S60 starting with its 2010 model year.

Volvo statistics show that 75 percent of all crashes occur at less than 18 mph and that such a system could prevent half of them. As it happens, Consumer Reports has just bought its own Volvo XC60, and we’ll soon have some real-life driving experiences to pass along. (See our first impression from the 2008 NYIAS unveiling in the embedded video above.) As the survivor of a Manhattan mishap or two, I like the City Safety concept. It helps reduce stress in a nerve-wracking drive, just like many of us had on the way home from the show.

—Gordon Hard

See Consumer Reports' coverage of the 2009 New York auto show.

Brand Survival - The fates of Saturn, Saab, and Volvo

There was a hint of anticipation in some enthusiast circles last week when the Detroit 3 submitted their plans in Washington, D.C. Long the subject of Internet debate, these plans shed a light on which brands might be heading for the chopping block. Two GM brands seem most in jeopardy—Saab and Saturn—and Ford is reportedly considering selling Volvo. Looking back through old Consumer Reports road tests, you can see the shortcomings in these brands’ line-ups that led to their weaknesses.

Let’s start with Saab. We tested our first Saab 9-5 back in October, 1998. We called it "well thought-out and innovative." The problem now, however is that the 9-5 that you can buy brand new today is basically the same car with only some upgrades. Eleven model years is an eternity, especially in a competitive luxury sedan market. For most models, that would be more than two full generations.

Likewise, Saab built variations of the same 900/9-3 from 1994 until 2002; most competitors saw at least one full redesign in that time. Many of the complaints we had with the 900SE we tested in August, 1994, were the same as with the 9-3 we tested in the February, 1999 issue.

Even the current 9-3, Saab’s volume model, has been on sale since 2003 (we tested an Aero model in July of that year) with only minor tweaks along the way. Again, almost every direct competitor has been introduced or fully redesigned since then. With a dated line-up essentially consisting of only two sedans/wagons, it’s no surprise that Saab sales have lagged.(See our Saab 9-3 and 9-3 convertible road test videos.)

And adding a lightly modified Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUV to the lineup didn’t exactly help. Our brief experience with the relatively rare 9-7X is that it’s probably the best version of this platform, but that really isn’t saying much.

Next up: Saturn, the company that was intended to beat back Japanese small car imports. The first Saturns, which we tested in 1990, were a solid effort at the time. They even proved to be quite reliable. But then nothing much happened. Our March 1996 review of the restyled SL1 noted that the Saturn "used to be competitive, but it’s fallen behind the times."  Amazingly, the SL we tested in September 2000 was basically the same car; that review said simply "outdated and outclassed."

When Saturn finally replaced the 12-year-old S-Series with a new small car, the Ion, it turned out the wait wasn’t really worth it. Our March, 2003 test found that "the Ion is very disappointing for a new car." Now, Saturn’s current smallest car, the imported-from-Belgium Astra is a vast improvement over the Ion. But it suffers from shortcomings as a result of importing an aging Eurocentric design. Brought to America late in its design cycle, the choices of drivetrain were limited, and it would be hard to justify investing in major changes for a short model run.

It’s tough to build a brand with only one car line. But Saturn was slow to add larger models as GM held off on investing into the brand. (Starting from the ground-up, including a new factory, cost billions.) When Saturn did get around in 2000 to adding a larger model, the L-Series, it was a lackluster effort based on an older Opel design. The January 2003 review of the face lifted L200 noted "The Saturn L-Series added nothing extraordinary to the class when it made its debut three years ago; it now feels a generation behind." Not good.

Saturn’s Vue small SUV also suffered. Launched in 2002, we said that "Saturn’s first SUV has potential but feels half baked." Despite adding a Honda V6 in later years, seat comfort and fit and finish remained subpar, and the Vue didn’t get stability control until its redesign for the 2008 model year. That redesign improved interior quality and handling, but a hefty curb weight added up to only 17 mpg in our tests--low for a small SUV.

While Saturn’s 2007 Aura won the much-hyped title of North American Car of the Year, we found it to be thirsty with the either V6 engine. It took almost two years after its launch to offer a more efficient four-cylinder – keep in mind that most buyers of family sedans opt for smaller engines. Rear seat room remains tight for a family sedan, especially compared to its platform-mate, the Chevrolet Malibu. (See our Saturn Aura road test video.) It wasn’t until the 2007 Outlook SUV that Saturn had a truly-competitive product – and then sales of that model were out shadowed by those of the essentially identical GMC Acadia and similar Buick Enclave.

So that presents a problem. Keeping Saab and Saturn relevant demands new product. Some of that product is in the pipeline, with a small 9-4X SUV for Saab and a version of the well-received Opel Insignia for Saturn. But both of these vehicles are likely delayed or in limbo, since it’s hard allocating precious resources to struggling brands.

Volvo’s also been short on resources. Like Saab, their products remained unchanged for a very long time. We first tested Volvo’s S60 back in 2001; the current S60 scores so low that it’s not recommended. Simply put, there are a lot of better ways to spend your money.

Volvo’s small S40 was introduced in 2000 after being on sale in Europe for four years. A 2005 redesign was "much better than the model it replaced," but "overall the S40 trails the competition." Volvo’s large sedan, the S80, hung around from 1998 until 2006. The redesigned 2007 S80 didn’t "measure up well to its competitors" in our November, 2007, report. At least Volvo’s XC70 wagon and XC90 SUVs were reasonably competitive and sold well.

It has also taken years for Volvo to shake reliability problems. The S60, V70, and S40, and XC90 all suffered from problems when they were introduced, and the problems continued for several years after. On the plus side, one benefit of building the same car for so long is that many of the bugs get worked out – most of these models now have average or better reliability. (See our Volvo C30, C70 convertible, S80, and XC70 road test videos.)

Who knows what the future will bring for these brands. A new buyer might make investments in new product. Or some of the brands may simply disappear. No doubt each of these brands still maintains some loyal fans. But brand survival has to boil down to competitive product.

—Tom Mutchler

Discuss Saab, Saturn, and Volvo in the forums. See how brands compare in Reliability and Owner Satisfaction.

Videos: Sporty cars

For our October-issue road tests, we rounded up a group of nine small, sporty cars that are big on fun. In these videos, Consumer Reports auto experts walk (and drive!) you through the highs and lows of their tests of these sporty cars.

Here’s a brief snapshot of each:

BMW 135i: It is small inside and not cheap, but Consumer Reports found the 135i simply a joy to drive.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS: Chevy transformed its mediocre Cobalt into a sporty coupe, with a powerful turbocharged engine and very capable handling and braking.

Dodge Caliber SRT4: The SRT version adds lots of power and sporty cues to the unrefined Caliber, but that doesn’t make it much fun to drive.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: The Evolution is brilliant on our test track and a blast to drive on the street, but it’s not comfortable for a daily commute.

Nissan Sentra SE-R: The SE-R is an economy car with great fuel economy and sporty personality, but it falls short of being a true fun-to-drive sports sedan.

Subaru Impreza WRX: Redesigned for 2008, the WRX is still quick and now is roomier and more refined—but sadly some of the fun is gone.

Subaru Impreza WRX STi: The STi is very fast, has lots of grip, and the hatchback adds utility. Unfortunately the handling doesn’t live up to the car’s potential.

Volkswagen R32: The highest performance version of VW’s GTI, the all-wheel-drive R32 is luxurious and fast.

Volvo C30: The C30 is pleasant to drive with distinctive styling, but it is expensive compared to some other more entertaining hatchbacks.

A wide range of prices and driving characteristics are represented here. Between the videos and road tests, you may find a sporty car that matches your personality and budget. Read the full story on sporty cars. And for more insights, see the staff’s Personal Picks from this group in parts 1 and 2.

First Drives of the latest vehicles to enter our test program

At Consumer Reports, we are constantly buying new vehicles to put through our exhaustive test program consisting of more than 50 tests. As vehicles start the evaluation process, we share our initial, raw impressions through the "Logbook" posts to the Cars blog. When vehicles are deeper into their test regimen, we provide First Drive reports on popular models on their way to a complete road test.

The most recent First Drives include the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, Smart ForTwo, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Volvo C30. The full tests of all these vehicles will be published in the months to come.

Down the road, the Acura TSX and Ford Flex are likely candidates for First Drives.

The latest First Drives:

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid: The Tahoe Hybrid improves on gas mileage over the traditional Tahoe, but the increase in cost may not add up in the fuel savings. Read the complete First Drive.

2009 Honda Pilot: The redesigned Honda Pilot stays close to the original version, but toughens its appearance with an aggressive grille and slab sides. Read the complete First Drive.

2009 Nissan Murano: The redesigned Murano midsized SUV brings improvements such as an upgraded interior and more competitive price. It receives decent fuel economy, but it requires premium fuel. Read the complete First Drive.

2009 Smart ForTwo: The ForTwo minicar combines flashy styling and clever packaging, but it disappoints with dynamics and overall value. Gas mileage is good, but premium fuel eats up the savings. Read the complete First Drive.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan: Volkswagen’s first small SUV is well crafted with a roomy interior, comfortable ride, and smooth powertrain, but buyers may be in for sticker shock. Read the complete First Drive.

2009 Volvo C30: This sporty small hatchback is very stylish and aims to compete with the Mini Cooper and Volkswagen GTI. However, its competitors are more entertaining and give you more for the money. Read the complete First Drive.

Every month, we add new First Drives to ConsumerReports.org. These can be found on our First Drives hub linked on the main Cars page and secondary New Cars page. First looks can also be found in the model overview pages (available to online subscribers) until they are replaced with a final road test.

We’re interested in knowing what new models you would most like to see covered in a future First Drive. Post your suggestions in the Comments below.

—Liza Barth

Ignorance is BLIS

I don't know about you, but I find red lights distracting, even if I only see them out of the corner of my eye. That's not a bad thing, nor is it a complaint. The reaction needs to be immediate, even instinctive, and this succeeds because we're trained from a very young age to associate red with danger.

That's why I find our Volvo XC70's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) so annoying. For those of you who haven't used it, BLIS senses when a vehicle in the next lane is approaching or in the area you can't see in your side mirrors. It works on either side of the car, and a red warning light comes on near the mirror on the appropriate side to let you know you've got company.

All well and good, but the way I look at it, the fact that there's a car in the lane next to me does not necessarily constitute danger. In fact, where I live and commute, there's almost always a car in my blind spot, and most don't stay there long. Many of my fellow commuters prefer to travel at either double or half my speed, and some seem to like to alternate between the two. The result is my own little commuting light show, with lights blinking on and off on either side of the car all the way home. Now that's distraction.

Fortunately, there is a button to turn BLIS off. But when you do, a warning message lights up on the dash to tell you that it's off. Thanks, Volvo. I knew that. You see, I turned it off.

Thankfully, you can turn the warning off by simply pressing yet another button on the end of the directional signal stalk. No big deal. Just be prepared to repeat this ritual every time you start the car if you prefer to be BLIS-less.

I can put up with BLIS, and I suppose I can even see some value in it. After all, blind spots are getting worse and studies show that blind spot detection and lane departure warnings show promise. I'm sure my fellow commuters, busy with their cell phones, newspapers, and eyeliner can see value in it, too. After all, who has time to pay attention to driving?  But seriously, that raises another concern. If today's distracted driver is meant to rely on a system like BLIS, it'd damn well better work. All the time. The other night while driving home in the rain, the Volvo gave me another warning message saying its function might be diminished, something Volvo says can happen in bad weather. Never mind that a pile of leaves along the side of the road can set off the light show.

All righty, then. I'm back to turning it off. Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather use the mirrors and/or a quick glance over the shoulder to know when it's safe to change lanes. The rest of the time, I can motor along without the light show, diminished function or no.

Now that's commuting bliss.

—Jim Travers

Learn about automotive safety.

Video review - 2008 Volvo XC70

We recently completed the full road test of the 2008 Volvo XC70, the latest in a well established lineage of Volvo wagons. This model was tested outside a traditional magazine group, allowing us to provide our expert insights on the XC70 now without waiting to circle the luxury wagons.

The XC70 is now based on the new S80, which results in a longer car and brings the very latest in Volvo's arsenal of safety gear. We bought a typically equipped XC70 for $42,560. While the all-wheel-drive XC70 has a raised ride height and some SUV styling details, it is essentially the same car as the V70 wagon. We found the size and versatility of this wagon appealing and refreshing in a sea of SUVs. A quieter, better finished interior, a ride that's less stiff and more responsive handling than the previous model are welcome. The driving experience, engine performance and fuel economy aren't all that exciting, especially considering the price.

Watch the video to the right, hosted by Senior Automotive Engineer Tom Mutchler.

For the full road test, performance data, and pricing on the Volvo XC70 and any other model we have tested, visit the model overview pages from the pull-down search tools or Ratings charts in the Cars section of ConsumerReports.org. To see other car review videos, visit our video hub.