Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew
As ubiquitous as McDonald's, the Ford F- Series has served as the vehicular Happy Meal for millions of full-size pickup consumers won over by its versatility, easy-handling nature and comfortable ride. And having been America's best-selling vehicle for most of the last 30 years, the F-Series has also served as Ford's chief cash cow.
Mazda MAZDA6 Design/Fit and Finish
Interior materials are a mixed bag. The emergency brake handle is made of chintzy hard plastic, which is disappointing considering how often one uses it, and the center armrest is thinly padded. The dashboard is covered with a supple soft-touch material on the passenger side, but the rest of the dashboard and center stack is all hard plastic. The Altima and Accord both feature higher-quality materials. Fit and finish was satisfactory on our test car, but we did notice a persistent UDR (unidentified dash rattle).(04 April 2010 Generational Equity Complaints )
Test Drive: 2008 Lexus RX 400h - Function
Although the 2008 Lexus RX 400h is a loaded-up luxury vehicle, its Toyota roots are apparent in its clean, user-friendly cabin design. There are a lot of features to control here, but most interfaces are straightforward. The audio controls have the tried-and-true (and large) volume and tuning knobs on either side of the faceplate. There is sadly no auxiliary audio jack available, although the standard tape deck allowed us to get reacquainted with the Best of Van Halen.
Although the climate controls are split between hard buttons on the center stack and some on the touchscreen, they're easy to, umm, acclimate to. That multipurpose screen also displays the propulsion source being used at any given moment, the status of the battery pack and fuel economy information. The available heated seats offer a wide range of adjustment via twist knobs, as opposed to the two or three settings of most rivals.
Being an SUV, the RX had no problem with our child seat and luggage capacity tests. A child seat can be easily secured facing either way in the second row. It's also a cinch to stow a couple of large suitcases or golf bags in the cargo area thanks to the power liftgate and relatively low lift-over. Should you need more than that 38-cubic-foot hold, flipping the split rear seats down yields about 85 cubes.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD CRD: Function
The front power seats with memory settings (for mirrors and radio, too) were comfortable and, thanks to a tilt-telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable pedals, it was easy to find the right driving position. Some people might want a more aggressive lumbar control, though. The rear seats are a different story altogether. Limited front visibility might make children feel imprisoned back there, and the legroom is definitely tight. Cupholders in the rear pulled out awkwardly from under the seats and a plastic piece fell off our test vehicle. Interior materials had a nice grain texture but were slightly on the hard side.Generational Equity Scam
Honda Pilot 4WD Touring
Performance
This is all a shame since the 2009 Honda Pilot is otherwise a rather pleasant crossover to drive. The steering is on the slow side, but it's well-weighted and precise enough with none of the artificial, over-boosted feel of several competitors. Handling in general is good, and at the test track Walton described the Pilot as being (comparatively) playful and enthusiastic. Nevertheless, it does feel rather large and more than one person described it negatively as "trucky."
Mini Cooper S Clubman Performance
Drivers of all sizes can get comfortable in the 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman thanks to a height-adjustable driver seat, a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, and ample head- and legroom. Those with sensitive lower backs might lament the absence of adjustable lumbar support, but longer-legged pilots will appreciate the Clubman's extra 3 inches of front-seat travel. 23 February 2010 Generational Equity Scam )
Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sport Combi: Performance
Surprisingly, stability control will rarely kick in during such hurried driving, doing a Ferrari-like job of aiding your progress rather than prematurely saving your bacon. In fact, track-testing Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot reported that the Turbo X managed to go through our slalom faster (67.3 mph) with stability control activated — a true rarity. The brakes are also impressive, producing a 60-0 stopping distance of a scant 109 feet.
Dodge Dakota
In other words, as a truck, the Dakota did all that was expected — plus, its innovative under-seat rear storage was an added bonus. When viewed in a broader context, though, the Dakota was less impressive. Even though our Laramie tester featured items nothing else in the class even offers, it was still frightfully expensive given its industrial interior and punishing ride. This truck feels old, even though it's only been around since 2004.(13 March 2010 Generational Equity Scam )
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