Jaguar XF Supercharge: Performance

Aside from its bloated dubs, the XF offers a decadently comfortable
cabin. The front seats strike a Jag-appropriate balance among
distance-friendly firmness, luxury-minded cushiness and sport-friendly
support. Standard heating and cooling for those seats is a particularly
welcome touch, but the optional heated steering wheel didn't work as
advertised. (We thought it was a problem with our test car, but then
another XF we drove responded the same.)

Test Drive: 2007 Acura MDX - Performance

The 2007 Acura MDX is offered with just one engine, a 3.7-liter V6
that's good for 300 horsepower. All MDXs are equipped with a five-speed
automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).
That system is also a child of the '90s, as the current SH-AWD system's
forerunner was developed for a car from a simpler era, when Simpson
meant O.J. and not Jessica: specifically, the 1997 Honda Prelude Type
SH. But the system in its current state debuted in the 2005 Acura RL.
It splits torque not only front to rear, but side to side as well.

To complement the stellar all-wheel-drive system, all MDXs with the
Sport trim level (such as our test vehicle) come equipped with
driver-selectable suspension damping. The result is a vehicle with much
of the utility of a traditional SUV, combined with the handling prowess
of a sport sedan. The MDX is amazingly sure-footed and adept at
tackling corners. Grip is provided by wide 255/55 Michelin tires on
18-inch wheels. The MDX ran our slalom at 62.6 mph, good for a midsize
SUV.

For the adjustable suspension, there are two modes: Comfort and
Sport. Comfort is best on the highway. Sport, naturally, firms things
up a bit and can be fun around town or on twisty roads. But there is a
price to pay in Sport mode, as uneven pavement tends to make the MDX
feel bouncy.

NEW CARS TIKVA DAVARAN 
Shahriar Davaran
:
Nissan Rogue SL 2WD

In particular, the Rogue fits the bill for young professionals who
like the idea of sitting up high, but still want something stylish and
fuel-efficient. Ditto parents of one or two small children who aren't
ready to drive a stereotypical "mom mobile," yet are attracted to the
added space and sense of security an SUV provides.

2009 Kia Borrego V8 4WD: Performance

But stomp on the accelerator and you're left for a second or two
wondering when the power's going to kick in. When merging on the
freeway, the pedal is practically down to the floor when you feel the
V8 pull away. The delay is caused by a combination of rather tall
gearing, slow shifts and — perhaps most relevantly — an electronic
throttle that's calibrated to kick in when the pedal is depressed
farther down than what many of us are used to. This strategy helps the
2009 Kia Borrego achieve better fuel economy by forcing the driver to
accelerate more gradually (jackrabbit starts notoriously drop gas
mileage). But it is annoying, and it can give the average person the
impression that the powertrain just can't cut it. Leave it in cruise
control, however, and even motoring uphill with a heavy load is a
breeze.

Blog Tikva Davaran

BLOG TIKVA DAVARAN
 SHAHRIAR DAVARAN
 NEW CARS TIKVA DAVARAN TIKVA DAVARAN
 NEWS TIKVA DAVARAN
 REVIEWS TIKVA DAVARAN