First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS has been around since 2002, serving as the brand's mid-size luxury car. The CTS is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive car. All-wheel drive is available as an option. The CTS comes with either a six-speed manual, a five-speed automatic (first generation only), or a six-speed automatic transmission. The first generation, which was produced from 2002 to 2007, was only available as a four-door sedan. The second generation CTS, which went into production in 2007, is in its final year. The second generation CTS is available as a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, or a five-dour wagon. There is also a tuned version of the CTS, the CTS-V, which is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. On March 26, 2013, General Motors announced the all new third generation Cadillac CTS which will be available starting with the 2014 model year. With the new CTS comes an all new CTS-V. I have seen various versions  of the Cadillac CTS at the various car events in the greater Houston area. I got behind the wheel of the CTS at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. The vesion I drove was a CTS Sedan with the six-speed automatic transmission.

On the outside, the CTS has a nice sporty luxurious exterior. It has some sleek sporty lines on it. The CTS has a luxurious interior. You know a car is luxurious when it has an analog clock on the dashboard. The CTS also features a pop-up screen. Behind the wheel, I had a decent amount of headroom and a good amount of leg room, but the seat is very firm.

The CTS is powered by a 3.6L V6 that produces 318 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 mph. This car feels quick. It is not super quick, but it is till quick enough for highway passing and highway entry. The ride is rough. The suspension is stiff, meaning that you will feel every bump in the road. But due to the stiff suspension, the CTS is very responsive. The CTS also has good throttle response. This would make a good track car if it had a V8 engine. Prices for the CTS with the 3.6L V6 and an automatic transmission start at $43,340. The base CTS with a 3.0L V6 engine starts at $39,095. For a luxury mid-size sports sedan, that is not too expensive compared to its European rivals.

Overall, the CTS is a good car. It has good performace, a nice sporty styling, a luxurious interior, good leg room, decent leg room, and is not too expensive for what you get. The car is very responsive due to its stiff suspension. But the responsiveness comes at a price. The CTS has a rough ride. The seat is very firm to the point that it is uncomfortable. The CTS is a sports sedan and it has a sporty feel. If you do not mind a stiff ride, then I can recommend giving the CTS a test drive. But for those who want to be comfortable behind the wheel and do not like a stiff ride, look elsewhere. When the 2014 CTS hits showroom floors, expect a price drop in the 2013 CTS. Now, I also test drove three CTS-Vs and there is significant difference between the CTS and CTS-V.

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First Drive: 2013 Nissan Versa Sedan

The Nissan Versa has been sold in the United States since 2007. The Versa has been on sale in Japan since 2004. In Japan, the Versa is known as the Tida. At the 2011 New York Auto Show, the second-generation Versa was revealed and went on sale in late 2011. The hatchback version of the Versa will be based on the Nissan Note while the sedan version of the Versa will be based on the Nissan Sunny. The Versa is a front-engine, front-wheel drive compact car and it serves as the entry level car for Nissan in the American market. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I was able to take the Nissan Versa Sedan for a test drive. The Nissan Versa is the least expensive new car available in the United States.

The Versa Sedan has a boring exterior styling. I prefer cars with sporty aggressive or luxurious exteriors. The Versa Sedan does not have luxurious styling or a sporty aggressive styling. The headlights are big and not streamlined. There are no sleek lines or curves going along the sides of the Versa Sedan. The interior feels cheap. A 5" touchscreen, bluetooth connectivity, an interface system for the iPod, radio data system, and 60/40 split fold-down rear seats are all options for higher-end Versa Sedans. But the standard Versa interior is boring. There is nothing luxurious about it. The radio looks cheap. The S and S plus trim levels do not come with power windows and power door locks. I drove the SV trim level that had power windows and power locks. The seats come with cloth upholstery. The driver seat is uncomfortable. I had decent leg room, but my head nearly touched the roof of the car.

The second generation Nissan Versa Sedan has been featured on Motorweek and Vrum.

The Versa Sedan is powered by a 1.6L I4 engine, paired with a CVT automatic transmission, that produces 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission also available for the Versa Sedan. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 107 mph. The Versa did not feel quick. The Versa Sedan has a rough ride. It was also noisy inside the Versa, which makes it hard to hear the Nissan product specialist explain the car. The Versa Sedan has a cheap drive quality to it. Prices for the Versa Sedan start at $11,990. Prices for the Versa Sedan SV starts at $15,240.

Overall, the Nissan Versa Sedan feels cheap, The exterior is bland and cheap. The interior is cheap. The drive quality is cheap. The Versa Sedan has the lowest base price of any new vehicle. The engine feels underpowered. The car does not feel fast. The Versa Sedan has subpar performance. This is a horrendous car. But the base prices of $11,990 can attract first time car buyers. But you get what you paid for. I have had fun behind the wheel of cars with base prices of under $17,000. I enjoyed driving the Chevrolet Sparkand that has a base price of $12,995. The Versa Sedan is just too cheap of a car for me to recommend to experienced drivers. But it is a good car for teenagers who just got their driver's license because the Versa Sedan has the lowest base price. They do not need a fancy car starting out. But for everyone else looking for a new vehicle, look elsewhere.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Cadillac has been producing the CTS since 2002. In 2004, Cadillac started making a high performance version of the CTS, the CTS-V, in 2004. Production of the first generation CTS-V occurred between 2004 and 2007. The first generation CTS-V was a front engine, rear-wheel drive sedan. Cadillac did not produce the CTS-V in 2008 since the second generation CTS came out that year. The second generation CTS is available as a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe and a five-door sports wagon. In 2009, Cadillac started producing the second generation CTS-V, which is also available as a sedan, coupe and wagon. The most popular car brand for test drives at the 2013 Houston Auto Show was Cadillac. There were several occasions when all eight Cadillacs were on the road and not parked at the Cadillac test drive area. I test drove all eight Cadillacs that were available for test drives, including three Cadillac CTS-Vs. The rule with Cadillac is that you have to drive either the ATS, XTS, SRX, CTS, or Escalade before you can get behind the wheel of a CTS-V. Once you test drove one CTS-V, you can get back in line and test drive the other CTS-Vs. After test driving the Cadillac CTS, I got behind the wheel of the CTS-V Coupe. This version of the CTS-V is a front engine, rear-wheel drive two-door coupe. The version I drove features a six-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the CTS-V.

The CTS-V Coupe features a sporty, sleek styling. I love the side profile of the car. I also like the double grill, which adds some aggressiveness to the CTS-V. There is a "V" badge on each door. The interior is of the CTS-V Coupe is luxurious with a sporty flare. There is leather everywhere and it does not feel cheap. The CTS-V Coupe features an infotainment system that includes a screen that rises up from the dashboard. The CTS-V Coupe also features an analog clock, which is a staple for luxury vehicles. The CTS-V Coupe features Recaro seats that adjusts fourteen different ways. I have never been in a car seat where the upper back support moves in and out. I had good amount of head room and leg room behind the wheel. But the low roofline of the coupe minimizes headroom for rear passengers.

The CTS-V Coupe is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top seed of 179 mph. The CTS-V Coupe feels fast. The CTS-V Coupe has a big engine, yet it is very quiet inside the car. Also, for a sporty car, the CTS-V Coupe has a smooth ride. This is caused by the magnetic ride control. Ferrari borrowed this technology and used it in the Ferrari 458 Italia. When a legendary supercar manufacturer uses your technology for one of its cars, you are doing something correct. The CTS-V Coupe is the best two-door car I have ever driven. Prices for the CTS-V Coupe start at $64,515. A fully-loaded CTS-V Coupe can fetch over $74,000. The CTS-V Coupe is one of the most expensive cars I have driven, but you get a great car for the price.

The CTS-V Coupe has been featured in Alex Cross, The Defenders, Chuck, Auto Esporte, Top Gear USA, A Gifted Man, Running Wilde, Charlie's Angel, Jack and Jill, Criminal Minds, Switched at Birth, and the Office. The CTS-V Coupe is playable in Forza Motorsport 3, Car Town, Forza Motorsport 4, Forza Horizon, Asphalt 7: Heat, and Car Town EX.

Overall, the CTS-V Coupe is one amazing car. I have driven the entire CTS-V line up, and all three cars are amazing. These cars are an experience. As far as the CTS-V Coupe compared to the other two, it is my least favorite. There is not enough head room for rear passengers. But the CTS-V Coupe is still the best two-door car I have ever driven. I have driven a Ford Mustang 5.0, Chevrolet Corvette Camaro SS, and the Scion FR-S, and none of those cars can compete with the CTS-V Coupe. The CTS-V Coupe has a comfortable ride, power, performance, handling, and yet it is quiet inside the car. The CTS-V is not a cheap car, but if you can afford to spend over $65,000 for a car plus gas and insurance, definitely give the CTS-V Coupe a test drive. I highly recommend this car, even with the limited head room for rear passengers. This car borderlines supercar performance.

Next time, I cover the CTS-V Wagon.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

At the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Cadillac presented a sports wagon version of the CTS. The CTS Sports Wagon first went on sale in late 2009. At the 2010 New York International Auto Show, Cadillac introduced the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. Production of the CTS-V Wagon started in late 2010. I have seen several Cadillac CTS-V wagons at the various car events in the greater Houston area. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I test drove one. The rule with Cadillac is that you have to test drive a Cadillac that is not a CTS-V before you can get behind the wheel of one of the three CTS-Vs. I got in the CTS-V wagon after I took the CTS-V Coupe for a test drive. The CTS-V Wagon is front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-door sports wagon. The version I drove had a six-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual transmission comes standard on the CTS-V Wagon.

The CTS-V Wagon has a very sporty styling to it. It has a double grill, which adds some aggressiveness to its styling. The CTS-V Wagon has sleek lines going along the sides of the car. The rear hatch is integrated nicely as well. The CTS-V Wagon shares the same interior features as the CTS-V Coupe and CTS-V Sedan. The CTS-V Wagon has more headroom for rear passengers than both the CTS-V Coupe and the CTS-V Sedan. Behind the wheel, I had plenty of legroom and headroom. The Recaro seats adjust in fourteen directions. The Recaro seats are also available in the CTS-V Coupe and CTS-V Sedan.

The CTS-V Wagon is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 185 mph. This is one quick wagon. The CTS-V Wagon has a great ride quality. For having a powerful engine, it is very quiet inside the car. The CTS-V drives smoothly and handles bumps quite well. I love the magnetic ride suspension system. This gives the CTS-V a very sporty feel, yet it is very comfortable to drive. The car responds quite well when I turn the wheel, press the accelerator pedal, or step on the brake The Brembo brakes package improves CTS-V Wagon braking performance. Prices for the CTS-V Wagon start at $64,515 and a fully loaded CTS-V Wagon can go for $75,345. Just like the other CTS-Vs, the CTS-V is not cheap. But you do get a lot of car for that price.

The CTS-V Wagon has been featured on Top Gear USA and on Hit and Run.

Overall, the CTS-V Wagon is an amazing car. I have never driven any wagon like the CTS-V Wagon. This is the true definition of a sports wagon. The CTS-V Wagon has styling, performance, power, and is just fun to drive. What I like about this car is that you can use the CTS-V Wagon for grocery shopping on the weekdays, and then use it for track days on the weekends. This wagon is quick. It has the most headroom out of all the CTS-Vs, which is a plus. If you can afford this car, the gas bill, and the insurance, then I highly recommend the CTS-V Wagon. This is one amazing vehicle.

Next time, I review the last of the three CTS-Vs, the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

The Cadillac CTS has been around since 2002, serving as the brand's mid-size luxury car. In 2004, Cadillac released a high-performance version of the CTS, called the CTS-V. Cadillac started production of the second generation CTS in 2007. In 2009, Cadillac released the second generation CTS-V. I have seen several versions of the Cadillac CTS-V on streets of Houston and at various Houston car events. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I got test drive the three versions of the Cadillac CTS-V, including the CTS-V Sedan. I also test drove the CTS Sedan. While both cars share the same body design, the CTS-V Sedan is a completely different car than the CTS Sedan. The version of the CTS-V Sedan I drove came with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. The CTS-V Sedan comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Cadillac CTS-V Sedan is a front-engine, rear

On the outside, the CTS-V Sedan shares the same body as the CTS Sedan. The CTS-V has a different front bumper than the CTS. The CTS-V features a mesh grill instead of the checker grill found on the CTS. The CTS-V also has a mesh grill on the bumper and larger openings on the bumper for fog lights. The CTS-V Sedan also has a slightly different interior than the CTS Sedan. The CTS-V features Recaro seats that adjust fourteen different ways. These seats are very comfortable to sit in and still gives the CTS-V a sporty feel. The seats in the CTS Sedan are firm.

The CTS-V Sedan is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 179 mph. This car is fast. All three versions of the CTS-V are fast. The CTS-V Sedan has a quiet ride, even with a big, powerful engine in the front. The CTS-V Sedan also has a sporty, yet soft ride to it. This is the result of the magnetic ride control system, suspension technology that Ferrari borrowed from Cadillac and used it in the Ferrari 458 Italia. The CTS-V Sedan responds quite well when I turn the steering wheel, press the accelerator pedal, and when I press the brake pedal. The CTS-V Sedan also features Brembo disc brakes, which help the CTS-V stop on a dime. Prices for the CTS-V Sedan start at $64,515, and a fully-loaded CTS-V Sedan can go for over $75,000. You do get a lot of car for that price.

The CTS-V Sedan has been featured on Top Gear Korea, Motorweek, Top Gear USA, Necessary Roughness, Tactical Force, and Golden Boy. The CTS-V Sedan is playalbe in StreetRally, Auto Club Revolution, Superstars V8 Racing, Superstars V8 Next Challenge, Race On, Forza Motorsport 3, vDream Racing, Forza Motorsport 4, Need For Speed: World, Everyday Cha Cha Cha, and Driver: San Francisco.

Overall, the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan is a great car. Actually, the entire CTS-V line is great. These cars are quick, fast, comfortable to drive in, and respond well when I turn the steering wheel. All three cars have quiet interiors. I also like the magnetic ride control system. I have driven all three versions and I prefer the CTS-V Sedan over the CTS-V Coupe since the Sedan has more in the back for adult passengers. But my favorite version of the CTS-V is the CTS-V Wagon. It has more room than the CTS-V Sedan, plus it has more space in the trunk to carry more items than the CTS-V Sedan. I highly recommend the CTS-V line to anyone who can afford one. Even if you cannot afford one, at least take one out for a test drive if you can. These cars are just amazing.

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First Drive: 2013 Mini Cooper Hardtop

Mini was originally a brand of small cars owned by the British Leyland Motor Corporation. The Mini brand was created  in 1969 and was owned by British Leyland from 1969 until 1986, when British Leyland was broken up. Mini was a part of Rover Group from 1986 until 1988, when Rover Group, including the Mini brand, was acquired by British Aerospace. In 1994, BWM acquired Rover Group, including the Mini brand. In 2000, BMW broke up Rover Group, but BMW retained the Mini brand. While the Mini brand was around since 1969, the original two-door Mini car was created in 1959 and was in production until 2000. In 2001, an new Mini was created. This Mini was a three-door hatchback with a front engine, front-wheel drive layout. This new Mini is known as the Mini Cooper Hatchback, or Mini Cooper Hardtop in the United States. The second generation Mini Hardtop went into production in 2006. During one Saturday in February 2013, I went by a Mini dealership and test drove a Mini Cooper Hardtop. I also test drove the Mini Cooper Countryman. The Hardtop I drove came with a six-speed automatic transmission  The Hardtop is also available with a six-speed manual transmission. There is also a version of the Hardtop that comes with a turbocharged engine called the Mini Cooper S Hardtop.

The Hardtop has a modern small sports hatchback styling, but it still pays homage to the classic Mini. The Hardtop has a small, yet sporty grill and front bumper. The grill on the Hardtop is shorter than the grill on the classic Mini. The Hardtop also has a sporty interior, but there are a few touches taken from the classic Mini. There is a speedometer located on the dashboard, between the driver and front passenger seats. This is a feature taken from the classic Mini. Current Mini Coopers have a turn indicator lever with two positions. If you just push the lever and release it, the turn indicator will blink for three seconds. This is helpful when turning lanes. The seat has a sporty feel to it. It is not soft, but it is not firm enough to be uncomfortable. I had decent headroom and leg room. This is a small car and there is not much room in the rear for adult passengers.

The Mini Cooper Hardtop is powered by a 1.6L I4 engine that produces 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of 126 mph. The Hardtop has a sporty feel to it. The suspension is firm. The Hardtop has some zip to it. It is very responsive when I turn the wheel. It also has good throttle response. Prices for the Mini Cooper Hardtop start at $20,400. That is not bad for a small, sporty hatchback.

Overall, the Mini Cooper Hardtop is a great small car. As far as non-turbocharged city cars go, this is the best performing car in the class. Most city cars go from 0 to 60 mph in over 9 seconds. For a city car, the Mini Cooper Hardtop is quick and sporty. I like the styling of the Hardtop. It has a modern small hatch styling with some touches that pay homage to the classic Mini car. Most of all, the Mini Cooper Hardtop is a fun car to drive. It also has a reasonable starting price of just $20,400. If you are looking for a small sporty hatchback with solid performance and is fun to drive, give the Mini Cooper Hardtop a test drive. If you want a more performance from a small car, there is the Mini Cooper S Hardtop that is powered by a turbocharged I4 engine. The Mini Cooper Hardtop is one of the best city cars you can buy.

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First Drive: 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman

The original Austin Mini Countryman was a two-door estate car with double "barn"-style rear doors. Luxury models came with decorative, non-structural wood inserts on the rear exterior of the car. From 1961 to 1969, approximately 108,000 Austin Mini Countrymen were built. In 1994, BMW gained ownership of the Mini marque. In 2010, Mini announced that the brand would be making a compact crossover SUV. At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, revealed the production version of the compact crossover SUV, the Countryman. The Countryman is the first Mini crossover SUV and the brand's first five-door model. The Countryman is front-engine compact crossover SUV that is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In America, the Countryman is either available with a 1.6L I4 engine in the Cooper trim level or a turbocharged 1.6L I4 engine in the Cooper S trim level. The four-wheel drivetrain is only available on the Cooper S All 4. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Countryman, and a six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. I first saw the Countryman at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. On February 2, 2013, I decided to go to a local Mini dealership and test drive a Countryman along with a Mini Cooper Hardtop. The Countryman I drove was the Mini Cooper Countryman that came with the six-speed automatic transmission.

The Countyman is a bigger version of the Mini Cooper Hardtop. The Countryman has rear doors as well as being higher of the ground than the Mini Cooper Hardtop. It shares some styling from the Mini Cooper Hardtop. The Countryman has good head room and leg room for the front passengers. When I sat the back of one, I had little leg room. Just like the Hardtop, the Countryman has a speedometer in the center of the dashboard. I still find this feature strange. Not many brands, if any, has this feature on its vehicles. The seats have decent comfort. These are not the softest seats I have been in, but they are not stiff and uncomfortable.  

The Mini Cooper Countryman is powered by a 1.6L I4 engine that produces 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The Countryman goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 116 mph. The Countryman uses the same 1.6L I4 engine that is used in the Mini Cooper Hardtop. Yet the Countryman is 300 pounds heavier than the Mini Cooper Hardtop. This hurts the Countryman in the performance category. The Countryman felt slow. When a company makes a bigger car and uses the engine from the smaller car, it just does not work. The Countryman needs a bigger and more powerful engine. 121 hp is just not enough for  a compact crossover SUV. As far as the ride goes, it has a slight sporty feel to it. It also feels a little bit heavy as well. The Countryman handles nicely. It responds well when I turn the wheel. It is also quiet inside the Countryman when I was on the roads and highways. 

Overall, the Countryman is not a good car. When I think SUVs, I think space and comfort. I drive a 2007 Toyota RAV4, and that is also a compact crossover SUV. My RAV4 has plenty of leg room for rear passengers plus I have a large trunk to carry my belongings when I was travelling between Houston and San Antonio during my college years. The Countryman does not have the cargo space that my RAV4 has. My main issue with the Mini Cooper Countryman is the performance. 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque is not enough power for the Countryman. If a company is going to make a new model that is 300 pounds heavier than a current model, then the new model should gets its own line of engines that are suitable for the new model.  When Mini and BMW came out with the Countryman, they should have given the Countryman its own set of engines. The Mini Cooper Countryman should have gotten at least a 2.0L I4 engine in addition to an optional V6 engine. If you want a compact crossover SUV will plenty of interior and storage space, pass on the Countryman. However, if you want a Mini with four doors, then go with the Mini Cooper S Countryman. That version gets 181 hp for a turbocharged 1.6 I4 engine. The Mini Cooper Countryman is just unimpressive.

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First Drive: 2013 Volvo C30

At the 2001 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo unveiled a concept car called the Safety Concept Car. The concept car was a three-door hatchback that featured new safety technology from Volvo, including blind spot monitoring, lane straying alert, forward collision warning, and communication with the car via a mobile phone.  This concept car was the basis for the Volvo C30. The C30 is a front-engine, front-wheel drive, three-door hatchback with a 2+2 seating arrangement. The C30 was released in 2006. During one Friday in April of 2013, I decided to stop by four local dealerships, including a Volvo dealership. At the Volvo dealership, I only test drove the C30. The C30 is available with a six-speed manual transmission, but the version I drove came with a five-speed automatic transmission.

In the past, Volvos tend to be bland in the styling department. That is not the case with the C30. The C30 has a very sporty styling. This is one of the best looking Volvos I have seen. It has sleek profile. It is not bland. The C30 has a 2+2 seating arrangement. While I had plenty of leg room and head room behind the wheel, there was not much room in the back for adult passengers. The C30 has a simple interior. The C30 has a small screen for the radio. On the top of the dashboard, there is a pop-up screen for the navigation system. The C30 I drove had two-tone cloth seats. The C30 is available with leather seats. The seat was comfortable to be in.

The C30 is powered by a turbocharged 2.5L I5 engine that produces 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149 mph. The C30 has good acceleration. The C30 has a quiet smooth ride quality to it. The cars responds well when I turn the wheel or press the accelerator pedal. I was very comfortable during the test drive. The C30 is very fun to drive. Prices for the C30 start at $26,395. There are compact hatchbacks that cost less than the C30, but they do not perform like the C30.

The Volvo C30 has been featured on Fifth Gear, Irene Huss: Tatuerad torso, Irene Huss: Den krossade tanghasten, Glasdjavulen, Nattrond, Eldsdansen, Twilight, Twilight: New Moon, Clarkson: Supercar Showdown, and Vampires Suck. The Volvo C30 is playable in Freeway Fury 2, Car Town, BETandRACE, Volvo: The Game, City Racer, Race Driver: Grid, Forza Motorsport 3, Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport 4, and Racing 2.

Overall, the Volvo C30 is a good car. It has good performance while continuing the Volvo tradition of being a safe vehicle. While there are compact cars that cost less than the C30, most of those car do not provide the driving experience that one would get while behind the wheel of a C30. This car is very fun to drive. On the same day I test drove the C30, I test drove four other cars. None of those cars were as fun to drive as the C30. If you want a C30 with more performance, there is the C30 R Design version and the C30 Polestar version. Volvo has stopped producing the C30 since Volvo will be exclusively making cars on the Volvo Y20 platform. Volvo has stopped using the Volvo P1 platform, which is used for the C30. Volvo has launched V40, which could serve as a replacement for the C30. However, Volvo has not announced any plans to bring the V40 over for the American market. That is a shame since it will feel like there will be a void in the Volvo lineup in the United States with the discontinuation of the Volvo C30. If the V40 drives anything like the C30, then I hope Volvo sells the V40 in the United States

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First Drive: 2013 Smart ForTwo Coupe

The Smart ForTwo has been around since 1998 and is currently on its second generation, which has been in production since 2007. The Smart ForTwo started being sold in the United States in 2006. The Smart ForTwo is the smallest car currently sold in the United States. It is 106.1 inches long, 61 inches wide, and 61 inches high. It has a wheel base of 73.5 inches. The ForTwo has a curb weight of 1,650 pounds, making it the lightest car sold in the United States. The Smart ForTwo is a two-door, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive city car. I have seen many Smart ForTwos on the Houston roads. During one Friday and April of 2013, I took one out for a test drive. I drove the Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe.

The Smart ForTwo has a very small appearance. The car has a unique appearance as there is nothing on the road that looks like the Smart car. I like cars that have sporty and/or aggressive styling and the Smart ForTwo styling is neither aggressive nor sporty. To be honest, I find this car to be ugly. I just do not like its styling. On the inside, I had good amount of head room. As far as leg room goes, I felt cramped. My left leg was constantly touching the door panel. The seat has decent comfort. But I have been in other city cars that had more comfortable seats like the Fiat 500C and Chevrolet Spark. The dashboard has one analog gauge, a speedometer, and digital gauges under the speedometer. There is a storage space behind the two seats. The storage space is located above the engine compartment. But do not worry, the storage space is well insulated and your items will not be heated by the engine. Other than that, there is not much special about the interior of the Smart For Two.

The Smart ForTwo is powered by a 1.0L I3 engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode, that produces 70 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 15.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 90 mph. The Smart ForTwo features the smallest engine currently sold in the United States. The Smart ForTwo is the slowest accelerating car as well as the least powerful car sold in the United States. One thing I noticed was a delay with the transmission when it is shifting. I have never noticed this in any other car. I felt unsafe in the car. I was driving on the highway and the wind easily knocked the car around. Never have I driven a car that could be easily pushed around by the wind. The Smart ForTwo Coupe I drove featured thin wheels, which added to the instability of the ride. Despite being pushed around by the wind, the Smart ForTwo has a quiet ride to it. Since the car has a short wheelbase, it has a rough ride. Prices for the Smart ForTwo Pure Coupe starts at $13,240. Prices for the Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe starts at $15,640. The Smart ForTwo is one of the cheapest cars you can buy in the United States and it felt cheap.

Overall, the Smart ForTwo is a bad car. It is too small, underpowered, and too slow for everyday driving. There is also a delay with the transmission when it is changing gears. It is not fun to drive and provides a horrible driving experience. This car is suitable for short distances only. If you have to rely on highway driving, look elsewhere. I can easily recommend the Fiat 500, Chevrolet Spark, and Mini Cooper Hardtop over the Smart ForTwo. The Smart ForTwo is very bad, but it serves a purpose. Automotive companies have to meet a certain fuel economy rating across all brands and models. Mercedes-Benz owns Smart. Since Smart ForTwo has a fuel economy rating at 34 mpg city/38 mpg highway, it allows Mercedes-Benz and AMG to make performance cars like the C 63 AMG Black and the SLS AMG.

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First Drive: 2013 Smart ForTwo Cabrio

The Smart ForTwo has been around since 1998. It is available as either a three-door hatchback or a two-door convertible. The Smart ForTwo Cabrio is a convertible with a cloth drop-top. The drop-top acts like a cloth sunroof, but it retracts all the way to the rear hatch door. The upper section of the roof line above the doors are removable. During one Friday in April, I decided to stop by a local Smart dealership and take the the Smart ForTwo Cabrio for a test drive. I drove five cars that day, included the Smart ForTwo Coupe. The version of the Smart Cabrio I drove featured wider wheels not featured on the Smart ForTwo Coupe I drove. But you can get wider wheels on the Coupe as well as on the Cabrio. The Smart ForTwo is a rear engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door convertible. It is available with a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. It is classified as a supermini/city car.

The Smart ForTwo Cabrio has the same styling as the Smart ForTwo Coupe, except a retractable cloth roof of the Cabrio replaces the hardtop of the Coupe. The Smart ForTwo Cabrio feels more open with the top down. One feature about the retractable roof is that it can open and close while the car is in motion. As far as the interior goes, it is the same interior found in the Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe. I felt less cramped with the roof down, but I did not have much legroom behind the wheel.

The Smart ForTwo Cabrio is powered by a 1.0L I3 engine that produces 70 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 12.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 90 mph. The Smart ForTwo Cabrio has the same performance as the Smart ForTwo Cabrio. Whether the Smart ForTwo comes with a retractable roof or not, it is still underpowered and very slow. The car felt slow on the roads and highways. Just like with the Coupe version, I felt a delay with the transmission in the Cabrio version. The wider wheels help the car with stability on the highway. The wind does not affect the Smart ForTwo with the wider wheels. But, I still could feel the wind push the car from side to side. The Cabrio is a convertible, and you will get wind noise with the roof down in almost any convertible. Prices for the Smart ForTwo Cabrio start at $18,640, which is $3000 more than the Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe.

Overall, I do not like the Smart ForTwo, whether it is the Coupe version or the Convertible version. There are just too many issues I have with the car. I noticed a delay with the transmission. The car is underpowered and very slow. The Smart ForTwo is so light that it gets pushed around by the wind. I did not have much legroom behind the wheel. And the car just feels cheap. If you want a supermini car, go with a Fiat 500, a Chevrolet Spark, or a Mini Cooper. If you want a supermini that has a retractable roof, go with the Fiat 500C. The Smart ForTwo is just bad. The main purpose for the Smart ForTwo line is that it raises the overall MPG rating for Mercedes-Benz, the parent company for Smart. This allows Mercedes-Benz to make high performance like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and the Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG. Other than that, I do not see a reason for the Smart ForTwo to exist.

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First Drive: 2013 Fiat 500C

The original Fiat 500 Topolino was produced from 1936 until 1955. There was even a convertible version of this micro car/supermini/city car. From 1957 until 1975, Fiat produced the Fiat 500, a rear engine, rear wheel drive micro car. Unlike the Topolino, the Fiat 500 was not available as a convertible. In 2007, Fiat brought back the 500 name for its new city car. In December of 2010, production for the American version of the Fiat 500 began. In Spring 2011, the Fiat 500 went on sale in the United States and Canada. This was the first car to be sold under the Fiat brand in Canada and the United States since 1984. While the Fiat brand just recently returned to these two markets, Fiat's other brands, Ferrari and Maserati, were still sold in these two markets while during those 27 years. Another one of Fiat's brands, Alfa Romeo, made a short return these markets with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider in 2008. The last Alfa Romeo to be sold in the United States occurred in 1995. After starting production of the Fiat 500 in 2007, Fiat started production on the convertible version in 2009. Fiat called this retractable soft top version the Fiat 500C. The Fiat 500C was available for the United States in 2011. The Fiat 500C is front engine, front-wheel drive, four passenger, two door convertible. The 500C comes with a five-speed manual transmission. I first saw the Fiat 500C at the September 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I took a Fiat 500C for a test drive. The version I drove came with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode.

On the exterior, the Fiat 500C looks just like the Fiat 500. The 500C is one of the better looking city cars available for the American market. It has sleek body lines, something missing from the Scion iQ and the Smart ForTwo. The 500C shares some styling characteristics from the classic Fiat 500, including the round head lights, the hood, and a sloping rear end. It even has a similar body line going along the side of the car, just under the wind. This was a feature on the classic  Fiat 500. The Fiat 500C has a stylish interior. It is classy, but functional. Behind the wheel, I had good leg room and head room. The car feels more open with the roof down. Since this is a city car with only two doors, there is not much room in the rear for adult passengers. The rear seats are better suited for smaller passengers.

The Fiat 500C is powered by a 1.4L I4 engine that produces 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 110 mph. While the performance of the 500 is not great, it is still better than the performance of the Smart ForTwo Cabrio. For a small car, the Fiat 500C has a smooth ride. The car responds well when I turn the steering feel and has an agile feel to it. Unlike the Smart ForTwo Cabrio, the wind had little effect on the car. It was quiet inside the 500C. I could hear the product specialist explain the features of the Fiat 500C, even with the roof down. And most of all, this is a fun car to drive. Prices for the Fiat 500C Pop starts at $20,000. Prices for the Fiat 500C Lounge start at $24,000. While the Smart ForTwo Cabrio is cheaper, with a base prices around $18,500, the Fiat 500C is a better car.

The Fiat 500C has been featured in Gek Op Wielen, St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, Letters to Juliet, Camping 2, Monte Carlo, Der Letzte Bulle, Switch, Ein Sommer Im Elsass, Dolfje, Jo, Borgen, Frankie, Motorweek,, Wainy days, The Office, Pod Prikritie, and Top Gear Korea.

Overall, this is a good city car/super mini/micro car. For a micro car convertible, it has decent performance, especially when compared to its rival, the Smart ForTwo Cabrio. While having a 0 to 60 mph time of just under 10.0 second is slow, it has some zip to it when driving on city streets. With a top speed of 110 mph, it is one of the faster city cars out there. And the Fiat 500C is fun to drive, whether the top is up or down. There is a high performance version of the Fiat 500C, the Fiat 500C Abarth, which has a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. It is only available with a five-speed manual transmission. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 129 mph. It costs $26,700. Still, if you want a city car with a little performance, go with either the Mini Cooper Hardtop and Coupe lines or the Fiat 500 line. For a city car, the Fiat 500C is a good choice.

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First Drive: 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited

The Subaru Legacy has been in production since 1989 and is currently on its fifth generation. When it first came out, the Legacy was a front-engine, front-wheel drive, four door compact sedan or five door wagon. Starting in 1994, the Legacy wagon became the Subaru Outback. Starting in 1995, the Legacy was sold as a mid-size sedan with all-wheel drive available as an option. In 1996, the Subaru Legacy was only available with all-wheel drive in North America. Starting in 1998 with the third generation model, all Subaru Legacy were all-wheel drive. I have seen the Legacy on the Houston roads. I have seen some at various Houston car events. I had a chance to take a 2012 Legacy for a test drive at the 2012 Houston Auto Show, but I passed up the opportunity in order to test drive the Subaru Impreza. Subaru did not have a ride and drive booth at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. During one Friday in April of 2013, I decided to test drive five cars that day. The final car I test drove was the Subaru Legacy. The version I drove came with a H6 engine and the interior was the Limited trim level. The Legacy Limited H6 came with a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The Legacy is available with a 2.5L H4 engine that can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a lineartronic CVT transmission.

The Legacy has a slightly sporty styling. The Legacy has a long hood with a short rear end. It also has wheel arches that slightly extend out. Subaru has greatly improved the styling of the Legacy over the years, considering how bland the styling of the first generation Legacy was.  The version I drove came with the limited trim level, which includes leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, wood trim, a navigation system, and a moonroof. Safety features include a pre-collision system, Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance system, lane departure warning system, and adaptive cruise control. I was comfortable behind the wheel of the Legacy. I had a good amount of leg room and head room. The seat was very comfortable.

The Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited is powered by a 3.6L H6 engine that produces 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 135 mph. The Legacy gets good power out of the H6 engine. The Legacy has good acceleration for a mid-size sedan. The Legacy has good grip. It felt very stable on the high due to the all-wheel drive system. The Legacy has a smooth ride to it. It was quiet behind the wheel of the Legacy. The Legacy is one of the most fun Japanese mid-size sedans I have driven. Prices for the base Legacy 2.5i start at $20,295. Prices for the Legacy 3.6R Limited start at $28,895. The price for the Legacy I test drove is $33,867. That is slightly less money compared to the prices of its fellow six-cylinder Japanese mid-size sedans. Both the V6 Honda Accord and the V6 Toyota Camry both start around $30,000.

Overall, the Subaru Legacy is one of the better mid-size sedans I have driven. It has good balance, stability, power, and performance. It is very comfortable inside the car. Not to mention that this is a fun car to drive as far as mid-size Japanese sedans go. I prefer the Subaru Legacy over most mid-size sedans. There are various trim levels, transmissions, and engines to chose from with the Legacy. If you want a turbocharged H4 engine, you can get one with that engine. If you want a basic mid-size sedan with an H4 engine, you can get one for under $21,000. With its great drive quality, performance, and options, anyone who is looking to get a mid-size sedan should take a Subaru Legacy out for a test drive. This is a good car.

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First Drive: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Edition

At the 2008 New York International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled a new sports car. To show off what this car can do, Hyundai demonstrated its abilities by doing powerslides and burnouts in this new car. This new car, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, would go on sale in Spring 2009 as a 2010 model. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is unique to the Hyundai brand as it is the brand's only front engine, rear-wheel drive sports car. I have seen several Genesis Coupes at various Houston auto events. At the 2013, Houston Auto Show, I was able to take one out for a test drive. The version I drove was the 2013 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Track Edition. The version I drove came with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The Genesis Coupe Track Edition is also available with a six-speed manual transmission. Other trim levels for the Genesis Coupe include the 2.0T, 2.0T R-Spec, 2.0T Premium, 3.8 R-Spec, and 3.8 GT. The 2.0T versions come with a turbocharged 2.0L I4 that puts out 271 hp and the 3.8 versions come with a 3.8L V6 that put out 348 hp. All versions of the Genesis Coupe come with either the six-speed manual transmission or the eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe has a very aggressive styling. It has stylish lines going along the sides of the car. What ruins the styling is the front of the car. That wide open black grill just does not work in terms of styling. The only interior option for the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Edition is black with leather seats. This is a sports coupe with 2+2 seating, so there is not much leg room and head room for rear passengers. Behind the wheel, I had good amount of head room and leg room. The seats are firm. This is a sports car and the ride is designed for track days.

The Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Edition is powered by a 3.8L V6 that produces 348 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149 mph. This is a quick car. It also has a firm ride to it. You will feel the smallest of bumps in the road when you are behind the wheel of this car. But, this car was built for the track and the steering response is very good. It is also quiet inside the cabin when this car is in motion. Prices for the entry level Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T starts at $25,125. Prices for the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Edition goes for $33,895,  which includes a $895 destination charge. A Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track with the automatic transmission begins at $35,145, including the $895 destination charge. A manual Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Edition cost around the same as a base Nissan 370Z Coupe. Both cars have similar driving/ ride qualities, I feel that I have room behind the wheel of the Genesis Coupe. And The Genesis Coupe is not as low to the ground as the 370Z. For the price, you are getting good value with the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been featured in Burn Notice, Top Gear Korea, Motorweek, 24, Auto Esporte, Best Motoring, Siti hyunteo, Leverage, and Top Gear USA. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is playable in Veloster HD, Ridge Racer, Drift City, Arctic Drift, RayCity, Astana Racer, Forza Motorsport 3, Forza Motorsport 4, Forza Horizon, Nitto 1320 Legends, Asphalt 7: Heat, Car Town, GT Racing: Motor Academy, and Grid 2.

Overall, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Edition is a good sports car. It has good power coming from the 3.8L V6. It has great acceleration. It responds well to steering wheel inputs. This car is fun to drive and was the most popular car for people to test drive at the Hyundai Ride and Drive booth. It also has a very firm ride to it. You will feel every bump in the road when you are in this car. If you prefer a softer ride, look elsewhere. But if you can handle the firm ride and want a good sports car at a reasonable price, then give this car a test drive. Unfortunately, Hyundai took a different approach with its compact sports car, the Hyundai Veloster.

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First Drive: 2013 Hyundai Veloster

At the 2007 Seoul Auto Show, Kia revealed a concept car codenamed HND-3. The final production version was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show on January 11, 2011 and became the Hyundai Veloster. The Veloster went into production in 2011 and sales started in Korea on  The Veloster is a four-door hatchback/sports coupe with a front engine, front-wheel drive layout. The Veloster was released to the Korean market on March 10, 2011. Sales of the Veloster in the United States started in fall of 2011. I have seen the Veloster at various Houston car events and on the Houston Roads. I drove the Veloster Turbo at the 2013 Houston Auto Show, but that is not what I will be focusing on. During one Friday in May 2013, I decided to stop by the local Hyundai dealership and took a Veloster out for a test drive. The version I drove came with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which is a $1,250 option. The Veloster comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The version I drove came with the standard package, but for an additional $2,000 dollars, you can get the style package. For another $2,000, you can get the tech package, which requires the purchase of the style package.

The Veloster is quite stylish. It has a sporty styling to it. What is unique about the Veloster is that it has a rear door on the passenger side. It has a coupe profile with a sloping rear that leads to the rear hatch. The Veloster comes with dual chrome tip exhaust outlets as standard. With the style package, you get a sunroof and fog lights at the bottom of the front bumper. But the version I drove came with the standard package and lacked the features. The Veloster comes with 17 inch wheels with optional wheel locks ($55). The interior was nothing special since I got the basic package. But the metallic interior accents do add a nice touch to the interior. The seat was slightly comfortable. It was not firm at all. I had good head room and leg room behind the wheel.

The Veloster is powered by a 1.6L I4 engine that produces 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 118 mph. I felt that the Veloster suffered in the drive quality department. It felt like the Veloster took a while to get to 60 mph. The ride quality was decent. It was a little on the smooth side. But the Veloster is not that responsive. I had to really turn the wheel just for the Veloster to corner. With most cars I drive, the car will turn instantly in the direction I turn the steering wheel. With the Veloster, it felt like a delay from the time I turn the wheel to the time the car turned. At least it was quiet inside the Veloster during the test drive. Prices for the Veloster start at $18,395. With the included options of the six speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, wheel locks, carpeted floor mats, and the cargo tray, the price of the Veloster as tested is $$19,905. For a sports coupe, the price is reasonable.

The Hyundai Veloster is featured in Siti Hyunteo (City Hunter), Auto Esporte, Motorweek, and Robot & Frank. The Hyundai Veloster is playable in Veloster HD, Drift City, Car Town, and Car Town EX.

Overall, the Veloster is all style and no substance. Hyundai should have put more power into the base engine. 160 hp to 170 hp would be more ideal, especially in a sports coupe. The standard Veloster has 4 more hp than a Toyota Prius, and the Prius is designed to get very high gas mileage, not to be a sports coupe.Not to mention that the steering of the Veloster is not that responsive. At least with the Veloster, there is a turbocharged version that provides a much better driving experience. Now if you want a Veloster, go with the Veloster Turbo. That has style and substance. Pass on the standard Veloster. The standard Veloster fails to give a proper driving experience, something that is a must for all sports coupes.

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First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI

In 1974, Volkswagen released the Golf, a subcompact hatchback. In  June1976, a high performance version of the Golf came out, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Golf GTI Mk1 popularized a category of vehicles known as hot hatches. Hot hatches are hatchbacks that are small, practical cars that had a sporty feel and solid performance. The Volkswagen Golf is currently on its seventh generation, the Golf Mk6, which has been production from 2008 and was available starting with the 2010 model year. Proudction of a seventh generation Golf has started for the European market. For every generation of the Volkswagen Golf, there has been a Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Golf GTI is available as either a three-door or five-door hatchback. The Golf GTI has a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. I have seen several versions of the Golf GTI spanning all generations at various Houston auto events. During one Friday in April 2013, I stopped by a local Volkswagen dealership and took a Golf GTI out for a test drive. The version I drove was the five-door hatchback variant can came with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters (an $1,100 option). The Golf GTI comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

The Volkswagen Golf was never really that good of a styling. The sixth generation is no exception. It looks bland when compared to its competition. Then again, Volkswagen is not known for its exterior styling. The GTI has a a few minor exterior changes compared to the standard Golf. The Golf GTI has 18" wheels, red trim around the grill, a wider grill on the front bumper, and lights on the front bumper. The GTI also features a GTI badge on the front grill and on the rear hatch. The interior is nothing special. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Upper trim levels include a touchscreen and a sunroof. I drove the base Golf GTI. The seat was firm, but not too firm that it is uncomfortable. The GTI is sports tune, so a firm seat is expected. I had decent amount of legroom and headroom behind the wheel.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine that produces 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149 mph. The Golf GTI has solid performance. Anything with a 0 to 60 mph in under 7.0 seconds has good acceleration. It was quiet inside the car plus it has a smooth ride to it. But there is not much excitement with the driving experience. Prices for a three-door Golf GTI starts at $24,995, including a $795 destination charge. The five-door Golf GTI I drove with the automatic transmission costs $26,690. This is a bit of money for what get with the Golf GTI. There are hot hatches out there that cost less than the Golf GTI.

The Golf GTI Mk6 has been featured on Top Gear, Top Gear Korea, Natale in Sud Africa, Fifth Gear, RTL Autowereld, Broom, Turkisch fur Anfanger, Um Himmels willen, Motorweek, and Tatort-Es ist bose. The Golf GTI Mk6 is playable in StreetRally, Rumble Town Racing 2, The GTI Project, GT Racing: Motor Academy, GTI Edition 35, Forza Motorsport 3, Car Town, Nitto 1320 Legends, Real Racing 2, Forza Motorsports 4, Real Racing GTI, and Test Drive Unlimited 2.

Overall, This is an above solid car. It has good performance, especially for a subcompact. The Golf GTI has a great top speed for a hot hatch, maxing out at 149 mph. It has a higher top speed than some six-cylinder sports car. It can outrun a Ford Mustang V6 (top speed 114 mph). This is not a bad car, but it is overpriced. $25,000 is a bit much for a subcompact car, even if it is a hot hatch. For the price of a Golf GTI, you can get a Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z or a Subaru Impreza WRX. The Ford Fiesta ST, another hot hatch, starts at $22,195, but it only comes with a six-speed manual transmission. The Mazda Speed3 starts at $24,995 and it is a compact hot hatch, although it only comes with a six-speed manual transmission. The Golf GTI has a good drive quality. It is pricey for what you get. But it is also one of the very few hot hatches you can get in the United States that comes with an automatic transmission. I drove four other cars on the same day I drove the Golf GTI. One of those cars is the Volvo C30. It is another hot hatch. It is very fun to drive and also comes with an automatic transmission. It only comes as a three-door hatchback. I would easily recommend the C30 over a thee-door Golf GTI. But if you want a five-door hatchback, then you will have to pass on the C30. So, if you want five-door hatchback with a minimum of 200 hp with an automatic transmission, you best option is the Golf GTI. It would be a great buy if it cost $5,000 less. In summary, it is a good car, just overpriced.

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First Drive: 2013 Dodge Dart GT

The Dodge Dart made its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. The new Dart is based on a slightly enlarged Fiat Compact platform. The Fiat Compact platform is used in the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but is enlarged by 1.5 inches in width and with a 3.7 inch longer wheelbase. The Dodge Dart is a front-engine, front-wheel drive four door compact sedan. The last Dodge compact sedan was the Dodge Neon and Dodge Neon SRT-4, which were discontinued in 2005. I have driven the Dodge Dart back in 2012, one with a 2.0L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The Dart is also available with a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Dart GT comes with a 2.4L I4 engine.  I recently went down to Helfman Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM (professional new car sales team and great service) and took a 2013 Dodge Dart GT for a test drive. The Dodge Dart GT comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The version I drove came with a six-speed automatic transmission with Chrysler's Autostick that allows for clutchless manual shifting.

As far as the compact sedans go, the Dodge Dart has the most aggressive styling to it. The dart has sleek body lines and a beautifully shaped hood. The Dart GT has LED racetrack tailamps, black headlamp bezels, day light opening moldings, body color door handles, hyper black crosshair with black surround on the grill, and 18 inch aluminum wheels. These additions help enhance the Dart's exterior. The Dart is well equipped on the interior. The Dart GT includes a reverse camera, a 7 inch thin film transfer instrument cluster display, Chrysler's 8.4 inch Uconnect touch media center that includes AM/FM/Sirius XM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, and customized settings. The Dart GT also 10 airbags and the version I drove has blind spot and rear cross path detection. The version I drove also had Nappa leather seats with heated front seats and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Dart is spacious on the inside. The Dart boasts best-in-class shoulder and hip room plus more rear seat legroom and overall interior room than some mid-size cars. The Dart has a great interior and a roomy interior.

The Dart GT is powered by a 2.4L I4 engine that produces 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 mph. With the 2.4L engine, the Dart feels faster and has better throttle response than the 2.0L version. It has better performance than most compact sedans. On the roads and highways, the Dart GT has a quiet, smooth ride. The Dart GT responds well when I turn the steering wheel. Prices for the Dart GT starts at $20,995, not including the $995 destination charge. The version I test drove cost $25,520, which includes a $995 destination charge. 

Overall, the Dodge Dart GT is a great value. It has good power and performance, especially for a compact sedan. The Dart GT also has a roomy interior with a great infotainment system. The Uconnect system is AOL Autos' 2012 Technology of the Year. The Dart GT benefits greatly from the Uconnect 8.4 system. Compared to other cars in its class, the Dart GT has one of the most power engines in its class and has best-in-class shoulder and hip room. Also, the Dart GT benefits from an aggressive styling. The leather seats and leather steering wheel give the Dart GT a luxurious feel. All this for starting at just under $22,000. The Dart GT is a great car at a great value. 

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First Drive: 2014 Fiat 500L

When the Fiat 500 went on sail in mid-2011 in the United States and Canada, it marked the return of the Fiat brand to these markets. A Fiat has not been sold in these markets since 1984. In addition to the Fiat 500, the US and Canada markets would also get the 500C, 500 Abarth, 500C Abarth, and 500 Turbo. Starting in 2012, a Fiat subcompact/MPV started its production run. This new Fiat became the Fiat 500L. The Fiat 500L would be available internationally during late 2012. The UK and US markets started selling the 500L in Spring 2013. The Fiat 500L is a front engine, five-door hatchback. I got my first look at the Fiat 500L at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. During one Friday in June 2013, I took one out for a test drive. I drove one with the easy trim level and came with a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters (a $1,350 option). The Fiat 500L is also available in pop (the basic trim level), trekking, and the top of the line lounge trim levels. The 500L comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

On the outside, the Fiat 500L has a good exterior for a subcompact/MPV. The 500L shares some front facial features with the standard Fiat 500 grill and headlights on the bumper. The front bumper for the Fiat 500L extends out, past the grill. The 500L also features some nice lines going along the side of the car. It is not sporty, but the 500L is not a sports car. The 500L has a nice interior to it. I drove one with the easy package. That includes navigation, an excess speed alert, back-up camera, bluetooth functions, and media hub that includes a USB port. It is also very open and roomy. I was sitting in the back of one on a showroom floor and I had plenty of headroom and legroom in the rear. I was very comfortable behind the seat. The driver seat was comfortable. I had very good headroom and good legroom behind the wheel. What I like about the 500L is the visibility inside the car. It just feels open and not much is blocking your view when you are seeing nearby cars on the road.

The Fiat 500L is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 120 mph. The Fiat 500L has adequate acceleration and good top speed, especially for a subcompact car. The 500L has a smooth ride quality. It drove nicely on the Houston roads and freeways. It was also very quiet inside the car. But most of all, this is a fun car to drive. Prices for the Fiat 500L starts at $19,990, which also includes a $800 destination charge. The price of the 500L I test drove was $22,345, including a $800 destination charge.

Overall, this is a good car. It gets adequate power from the turbocharged 1.4L engine that came fromt he Fiat 500 Abarth. It has adequate acceleration. It also has a good top speed, especially for a subcompact/MPV. It has a smooth, quiet ride. The car is very roomy. It has great visibility. For the price, you get comfort, a good interior, good styling for a subcompact/MPV, a good ride, and adequate performance. Most of all, this car is fun to drive. At first I was skeptical about this car. When I first saw it, I was not impressed. I feared that Fiat would use the 101 hp engine found in the standard Fiat 500. But that fear was gone when I found that this has the Fiat 500 Abarth engine. I am glad that Fiat went with the Abarth engine. It is a perfect match for the 500L. Fiat did not make the same mistake Mini/BMW made with the Countryman. The Mini Cooper Countryman used the same engine found in the standard Mini Cooper Hardtop, which really hurt the Mini Cooper. When you make a larger version of a car and keep the same engine, the performance of the larger vehicle suffers. Good job for Fiat for not making that mistake with the 500L. After driving both the Fiat 500C and Fiat 500L, I hope to see more Fiat models make it to the United States.

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First Drive: 2013 Scion xD

In 2002, Toyota created the Scion brand. The Scion brand consists of vehicles targeted towards young buyers in the United States. In 2004, two Scions made their debuts, the Scion xA, a rebadged Toyota ist, and the Scion xB, a rebadged Toyota bB. Both the xA and the xB are five-door hatchbacks.In 2007, the production runs of the xA and the first generation xB ended. In 2007, the second generation Scion xB went into production. The xA was replaced by the xD. The Scion xD is a rebadged second generation Toyota ist. The Scion xD is a subcompact front engine, front-wheel drive, five door hatchback. I have seen several xDs on the road. They have made appearances at the Houston Auto Show. While Scion did have a Ride and Drive booth at the 2013 Houston Auto Show, the xD was not available for test drives. During one Saturday in August, I took a Scion xD out for a test drive when my car was having its state inspection and oil change at the local Toyota/Scion dealership. The version I drove came with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Scion xD comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard.

The Scion xD has a above average styling for a subcompact hatchbac The styling is bold and aggressive when compared to other subcompact hatchbacks.The front facial extends beyond the hood. This gives it an bold look. The rear hatch has a slight curve to it. The version I drove came with a rear spoiler. What hurts the appearance is the five-spoke wheel cover. I do not like wheel covers. They look cheap. I prefer actual wheels, which give cars a more appealing look. The xD is available with 16" five-spoke wheels as a $795 option. For a brand that focuses on younger drivers, the interior is nothing special. The standard pioneer radio system is nothing special. The driver seat was comfortable. I had good head room, but the legroom was barely adequate.

The Scion xD is powered by a 1.8L I4 engine that produces 128 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 118 mph. The xD felt slower than the 0-60 mph time suggests. The ride quality of the subpar. The xD blocks out all noises except for the engine. The engine is quite loud. Also the xD is rough when traveling along bumpy roads. The xD is boring to drive. Not much excitement behind the wheel. Steering is responsive if a little bit numb. Prices for the Scion xD start at $16,550, including an $805 destination fee. The version I drove with the automatic transmission starts at $17,350, including an $805 destination fee. For that price, you do not get a lot of car. Scions come with lttle standard, but Scion buyers are encouraged to customize their vehicles with aftermarket parts.

Overall, I was not impressed with the Scion xD. I found the car to be lacking. I know Scion encourages customization, but the xD should come with more toys as standard. The standard interior for the xD is just bland. The four-speed automatic transmission feels outdated. The xD comes with a five-speed manual transmission and is the preferred transmission. The 0-60 mph times are under 8.0 seconds for the manual. The automatic version I drove felt sluggish in the acceleration department. The xD also has a boring driving experience and an unnecessarily noisy engine. It is hard for me to recommend this car. There are better subcompact hatchbacks available. As far as the Scion brand goes, only the Scion FR-S has impressed me.

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First Drive: 2013 Buick Enclave

At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, General Motors debuted a concept SUV that utilized GM Lambda platform. This car became the Buick Enclave. The Lambda platform is utilized by the Saturn Outlook, GMC Arcadia, and the Chevrolet Traaverse. The Buick Enclave went on sale in 2007 as a 2008 model. The Enclave replaces the Buick Rendezvous (a mid-size crossover SUV), the Buick Rainier (mid-size SUV), and the Buick Terraza (minivan). The Buick Enclave is a front engine full-size luxury crossover SUV that comes with either front-wheel drive (standard option) or four-wheel drive (a $2,000 option). The Enclave comes with three rows of seats. The Enclave can come with either seven seats or eight seats. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I took a Buick Enclave for a test drive. A six-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission available for the Enclave.

The Buick Enclave has below average styling for a crossover SUV. It has some characteristic lines that start from the grill to the back of the vehicle. I am not a big fan of the Buick grill. It is just parts that go vertical, nothing special. This is suppose to be a luxury crossover, it is suppose to be easy on the eyes, but the Enclave is not a pretty car to look at. It shares the same body style as the Chevrolet Traverse. The GMC Arcadia has some characteristics to its styling and GM should have added some uniqueness to the Enclave's styling. While I do not like the exterior, the interior is a different story. While the base cloth seats, it does come with a rear power liftgate and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. But for $4,015 extra, you can go with the Enclave leather group. This package includes leather and wood trim, which gives the Enclave a luxurious feel. The driver and front passenger seats are heated. The driver seat has power recline with memory presets for two drivers. The seats are comfortable. I have good legroom and headroom behind the wheel. If you want more features, there is a premium group trim level. The version I drove came with the premium trim and it had a luxurious feel to it.

The Buick Enclave is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 112 mph. The Enclave is a big vehicle and has that big vehicle feel. Yet it feels quick for a full-size crossover SUV. During my test drive, I outran and Ford Mustang 5.0 GT. The Enclave has a good drive quality. It is quiet inside the vehicle. The Enclave has a smooth ride and it responds nicely when I turn the steering wheel. This gives a good driving experience for a full-size crossover SUV, even if it is not the most exciting vehicle to drive. Prices for the Buick Enclave start at $39,665, that includes a $925 destination fee. The version I drove, a FWD Enclave with the premium trim level starts at $47,240, which includes a $925 destination fee.

Overall, the Buick Enclave is a good family vehicle. It has three rows of seats. This is very suitable for a family with two to five children. It makes a good road trip vehicle. Even though there are other vehicles in its class with more powerful engines, the 3.6L V6 engine still provides good power. I outran a V8 Mustang in the Enclave. In addition to solid power and performance, the Enclave has a good ride quality. It is quiet, smooth, and comfortable to drive. But it is not worth the $40,000+ price tag, especially when the base trim level comes with cloth seats. I think that the base trim should start around $33,000. The leather trim Enclave should start at $37,000 with the premium trim going for around $41,000. Other than it being a few thousand dollars overpriced, it is still a good family vehicle. I have driven the Buick Verano, Buick LaCrosse, and Buick Regal. Buick has improved in terms of luxury. The overall Buick styling can improve, but the overall ride quality and comfort for the LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave are very good. Buick needs to soften the ride for the Regal. It was too rough and uncomfortable to sit in.

Next time, I review the 2013 Buick Encore.

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First Drive: 2013 Buick Encore

At the 2012 North American International Auto Show, General Motors debuted a subcompact SUV, called the Buick Encore. At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, General Motors unveiled the Opel Mokka, which the Buick Encore is based on. In the United Kingdom, the Mokka is marketed as a Vauxhall. Opel, a German subsidiary of General Motors, engineered the vehicle. Yet the Encore is built in South Korea. Since the Opel brand is not sold in the United States, Canada, or China. General Motors rebrands Opel cars as Buicks in these markets. The fifth generation Buick Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Encore is a front-engine subcompact SUV that comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. I first saw the Buick Encore at the 2013 Houston Encore. During a Wednesday in August 2013, I stopped by the local Buick delearship and took one for a test drive. The Encore is available with one transmission, a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode. The version I drove came with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option.

The Buick Encore is very small. It is one of the smallest SUV sold in the United States. It has a wheelbase of 100.6 inches and an overall length of 168.5 inches. It has an exterior styling that I can only describe as unique. It is not pretty, but it is not ugly either. It does not look like any other car on the road and will stand out. It lacks that the extended wheel arches found on the Nissan Juke, which hurts the Juke's styling. The Encore comes with 18 inch wheels. The version I drove came with 18 inch chromed aluminum wheels, a $995 option. The Encore I drove came with the premium trim level and came with saddle leather seats. It also came with a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a remote vehicle starter system, heated front and passenger seats, front and rear park assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. The screen in the middle of the dashboard serves as both a screen for the backup camera and the navigation. The leather and wood trim gives the Encore a luxurious feel, even in a vehicle as small as the Encore. The seats are comfortable. I had good headroom and legroom behind the wheel. The premium trim level cost $3,900 more than the base trim level.

The Buick Encore is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 110 mph. The Encore feels slow. I notice a little bit of turbo lag coming from the engine. Despite the subpar performance, the Encore has a smooth and quiet ride. The vehicle responds well when I turn the wheel. Prices for the Buick Encore starts at $24,950, including a $750 destination fee. The version I test drove costs $31,475. A full loaded all-wheel drive Encore goes for over $33,000. For the size of the car, it is a little bit pricey.

Overall, the Encore is average. It has a luxurious feel when equipped with the leather and premium trims. But with the base and convenience trims, you do not get a lot, especially for a vehicle starting around $25,000. The Encore is small and underpowered. The Encore could have benefited from either a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine available in the Buick Regal and Cadillac ATS. Hopefully, General Motors will offer more engine options with the Encore. The turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine ruins the driving experience for the Encore. That engine provides 4 more hp than a Toyota Prius. The engine is not powerful enough for a vehicle that weighs 2,850 pounds. The Encore needs a more powerful engine. It is just too slow and small to cost $25,000. If the Encore started at $20,000, then I could recommend it. But there are much better cars and SUVs out there than the Encore that cost around $25,000.

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