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Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

A midsize crossover SUV, the 2009 Dodge Journey comes in SE, SXT
and R/T trim levels. All models have seating for five or, with the
optional 50/50-split folding third-row bench available on the SXT and
R/T, seven.

The base SE comes with 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt/telescoping
steering wheel, air-conditioning, a six-speaker stereo with a six-disc
CD/MP3 changer, and full power accessories. The midgrade SXT adds
17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, heated side mirrors, a trip
computer, keyless entry, enhanced interior storage, stain-resistant
cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, an auto-dimming rearview
mirror, a 115-volt power outlet and satellite radio. Finally, the
top-drawer R/T features 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, dual-zone
automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a
leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls and a
remote engine-start system.

Dodge bundles most of the Journey's optional features into
packages, and one can get much of the upper trim levels' features as
options for the lower trims. Other major options include a chrome
appearance package, Bluetooth, auxiliary rear air-conditioning/heating,
a rear-seat entertainment system and the MyGIG hard-drive-based
navigation and entertainment system with a back-up camera.

Powertrains and Performance

Both the base coupe and convertible Corvettes feature a 6.2-liter
V8 that makes an impressive 430 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. The
optional dual-mode exhaust adds another 6 hp and 4 lb-ft. The Z06
boasts an exotic-class 505 hp and 470 lb-ft from its 7.0-liter V8,
while the ZR1 has an otherworldly 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque.

All 2009 Chevrolet Corvettes have a six-speed manual gearbox as
standard, while a six-speed paddle-shifted automatic is available for
the base coupe and convertible. Regardless of which Corvette you
choose, you'll get stunning performance. In our testing, a base coupe
went from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Z06 will knock that down
to 3.9 seconds. GM estimates the ZR1 does the 0-60-mph sprint in 3.4
seconds. EPA fuel economy estimates stand at a laudable 16 mpg city/26
mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for a manual-transmission Corvette.
Opting for the automatic drops these numbers down by 1 mpg. The Z06
checks in at 15/24/18 mpg, and the ZR1 is still respectable considering
its performance with a 14/20/16 EPA estimate.

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Driving Impressions

Most buyers will be content with the base 1.8-liter engine, which
delivers respectable acceleration in normal traffic situations. We
recorded a 9.1-second 0-60-mph time in a manual-shift Corolla with the
1.8-liter, and our test car returned an impressive 29.8 mpg in mixed
driving. Although the five-speed's shifter feels firm and decisive
moving through the gates, we suspect its abrupt, at-the-floor clutch
engagement will push many buyers to the automatic. Upgrading to the
2.4-liter engine provides a gratifying increase in low-end torque,
though it does come at the expense of fuel economy.

Regardless of which trim level you choose, the 2009 Toyota Corolla
excels as a commuter car, as the suspension delivers a comfortable,
controlled ride. Handling is uninspiring, however. Body roll is
decently controlled, but the electric steering on non-XRS models
provides so little feedback, you may find yourself making corrections
simply to keep the car traveling in a straight line. Toyota retuned
this setup for the XRS, and indeed its steering feels crisper and
weightier. Driven on a back road, the Corolla XRS is undeniably a
capable compact sedan, but compared to rivals like the Mazda 3, Civic
and Lancer, it's not a very entertaining one.

Powertrains and Performance

The front-wheel-drive 2009 Mazda 6 is powered by either a 2.5-liter
four-cylinder engine or a 3.7-liter V6. The four generates 170
horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 pumps out 272 hp
and 269 lb-ft. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on
four-cylinder models, with a five-speed automatic optional on all but
the i SV. A six-speed automatic is mandatory on V6-powered models.

Fuel-economy estimates stand at 20 mpg city/29 highway and 23
combined for four-cylinder models with the manual transmission, while
the five-speed auto improves the four's numbers to 21 mpg city/30
highway and 24 combined. These are class-competitive numbers. However,
if you opt for the V6, estimates drop to 17 mpg city/25 highway and 20
combined, which is about as bad as it gets in this segment.

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2008 Hyundai Genesis Overview

Introduction

If ever an automaker deserved a "Most Improved" award, it would be
Hyundai. Within the last decade or so, the Korean company has gone from
building cars that were the butt of cruel jokes to competent vehicles
that just might be the cause of some sleepless nights for Honda and
Toyota executives.

Now that Hyundai has proven it can keep up with Japanese carmakers
when it comes to producing high-quality and reliable small and midsize
cars at value prices, the company has set its sights on the large
luxury sedan market with the 2009 Hyundai Genesis.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Lincoln MKS comes in two trim levels: front-wheel drive
and AWD. Standard features on both include 18-inch wheels; heated power
sideview mirrors with memory and auto-dimming on the driver side; xenon
HID headlamps; cruise control; a new capless fuel-filling system (used
previously on the Ford GT and now appearing on new models, including
the Ford Flex); and a sleek, inconspicuous touchpad entry system.
Inside, the MKS comes standard with Ford's voice-activated Sync system,
leather upholstery, a tilt/telescoping power steering wheel with
memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated
12-way power front seats, heated rear seats, a rear center armrest with
pass-through slot and an eight-speaker, THX-certified AM/FM stereo
system with an in-dash six-CD changer, Sirius Satellite Radio and an
auxiliary jack.

Optional features include 19- or 20-inch wheels, adaptive
headlights, rain-sensing wipers and a dual-pane sunroof. In the cabin,
options include wood or aluminum trim, a touchscreen navigation system
with Sirius Travel Link, a back-up camera, a power rear window
sunshade, adaptive cruise control (which uses radar to adjust speed
based on traffic in front of the car) and an upgraded 14-speaker
600-watt THX-certified stereo system with two subwoofers. Many of these
features can be bundled together in Lincoln's Navigation, Technology or
Ultimate Packages.

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