Tag Archives: sedan

Full Review of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze by txGarge

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The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT reviewed by txGarage

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT reviewed by txGarage

We’ve been looking to get into the Chevrolet Cruze for a full week review for a while now. We’ve actually driven a few different models of the Cruze at some events, but have never had the time to really check out the details. Well, we finally got our hands on one, so what’d we think?

The last two times I was behind the wheel of a Cruze, one was a base and one was an eco model. Both had cloth seats and a lackluster performance. Our tester was a 2012 Cruze 2LT. This afforded us leather seats, navigation, 17” alloy wheels, remote start, and a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine matched up to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This decked out Cruze has a window-sticker of just under $24k (23,980) and is spec’d out the exact way I’d want one if I was dropping the money. But would I drop my own money for this car? Let’s get more into the driving, looks, and feel and find out. Continue reading →

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon reviewed w/ Video

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2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon reviewed by txGarage

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon reviewed by txGarage

I’ll admit, after selling my Acura Integra in 2002, I really didn’t pay much attention to the Acura brand. Their styling seemed to go from bad to downright ugly. Their performance seemed to run away after letting the Integra go and featuring the RSX. At the Main Street in Motion event, I test drove the new Acura TSX in comparison to the Buick Regal turbo and was quite shocked at how well I liked it. Then I drove the 2012 Acura TL around the infield track at Texas Motor Speedway. Again, I was shocked at how well the car handled, how balanced it was, how nice the steering was, and how good the paddle shifters on the automatic transmission were.

After seeing the commercials for the new TSX Sport Wagon, my first impression was amazement that they’d bring this to America. My next impression was that it couldn’t be as good as the TSX was. Of course now we have the chance to test it out and see what’s really what. Continue reading →

2011 Kia Optima: reviewed

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2011 Kia Optima EX GDI

2011 Kia Optima EX GDI

Kia and Hyundai have been playing a serious game of catchup. There are many good articles out there about Kia and how far they have come, so I won’t regurgitate the same old sayings. I’ve been involved in the used car business for the past several years and know a thing or two about Kia’s rightly earned reputation, and their immense turnaround that other brands just wish they could accomplish. The mid-sized sedan market, in America, is everything for car companies. Try as they may, the American companies just can’t break into this segment; it’s ruled by the likes of the Camry, Accord, and Altima. Continue reading →

2011 Buick LaCrosse Reviewed

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Dallas Texas

2011 Buick LaCrosse Dallas Texas

In 2009, we attended one of our first big media events for txGarage. What a great time to get in on all these new, exciting cars too. We were at the media event for the State Fair of Texas where they were launching the new GMC Terrain and the Buick LaCrosse. It was fantastic being at one of our first big events and driving brand new cars not yet on the market. Jump forward two years and we are reviewing the 2011 LaCrosse, with txGarage alive and kicking.

Maybe it’s my dysfunctional memory, or maybe the LaCrosse has just improved that much over the last two years, but I dont remember it being such a great car for the money. As tested, our LaCrosse dropped in at $36,660 and was basically fully loaded. You can pick up a base modle for under $30k.
Continue reading →

Review 2011 Hyundai Equus

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2011 Hyundai Equus

2011 Hyundai Equus

It’s not very often that an automotive company is able to break a stigma of selling cheap, semi-unreliable cars to selling luxury sought after flagships. However, this is the direction that Hyundai is headed. Even their low end cars, like the Elantra and Sonata, are making waves in the industry. The Genesis and Genesis Coupe have exploded onto the scene outselling even Hyundai’s expectations. Now, they are bringing a car that has been around in the Asian market since 1999; one that is pitted against the Germans and the flagships of the American auto companies. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata w/video

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2011 Hyundai Sonata

2011 Hyundai Sonata

In 2005, Hyundai really started to change its game in the American market with a refresh of the Sonata. This fifth-generation Sonata stepped up with good looks, dual exhaust, and an optional V6. The quality of the interior started to come up as well, bringing people to notice the Sonata for the first time. Hyundai has continued to push its way upmarket with the Genesis Sedan going on sale in 2008 and the Genesis Coupe starting its life shortly after.

When Hyundai pulled the covers off the all new 2011 Sonata at the LA Auto Show back in 2009, we and many others were stunned at the creation this company had presented. The new Sonata takes influences from the Volkswagen CC and the Subaru Legacy, yet it looks like nothing else out there, especially not at that price range. Smaller car companies, most often, don’t deliver cars that are out there in design. Stick to the box that sells well and you’ll be okay. Hyundai lost that memo somewhere. The Sonata is just the beginning with Hyundai as the sleek and sloping lines will carry through its lineup. Continue reading →

Luxury vs. Beige vs. Economy vs. Sport – all in one:

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The Lexus GS450h Review:

Lexus GS450h

Lexus GS450h

Usually when we are reviewing a car, it’s not hard to determine things like class or target audience. Reviewing the 2010 Lexus GS450h, we understandably  had the preconception that it was made to target the hybrid buying crowd, but with a more upscale buyer. After I sat in it though, I see a button that says “Sport” and a button that firms up the suspension. But wait, isn’t this a hybrid?

Continue reading →

2010 Mazda 3

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2010 Mazda 3

2010 Mazda 3

In 2003 when the Mazda 3 was launched replacing the boring looking but fun to drive Protege, I was excited. Mazda had just introduced the RX8 and only a year before had come out with the Mazda 6. Mazda was really on the move back to being the sporty “zoom-zoom” company it should be. The Mazda 3 was such a big hit, in my mind, because it really showed that Mazda was getting back into the sporty grove with a good looking, small, sporty car. Anyone who is into compact sports cars, then and now, knows that the European spec Ford Focus basically rules. So when we heard that this new offering from Mazda was to be built on the platform of the second generation European Focus we knew we had to get our hands on one.

The first generation 3 did not disappoint. Mazda made sure to give it a good range of engines with plenty of pep, also releasing a Mazdaspeed variant for an even more sporty experience. The interior was nice and not too cheap for its price range, the looks where spot on for the market and the power and handling was excellent. So the successor of this understated machine would have to be even better, and that’s always hard to top in these markets.

So does the 2010 Mazda 3 live up to its “Zoom-Zoom” heritage? I would say yes for sure. The exterior, although it has been made fun of for being too “smiley face” looking in the design, actually looks good in a fun sporty way. That’s the overall theme of this car, small and fun, so why not give it a fun looking exterior. The rear is more aggressive and sportier than before with beautiful molded lines and sharp tail lights. The interior has a clean fill with lots of black and splashes of chrome and red thrown in. The cluster has improved and the center console has a more grown up feel to it. A Grand Touring package adds navigation and loads of extra buttons on the steering wheel and all over the car. By no means is this an uncomfortable place to be on a long trip. Speaking of long trips the driving and handling of the car is again just that much better than the old. Where this car shines is with its new bigger and better engines.

You have the base sporting a 2.0 liter with 148 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. The one to have is the 2.5 liter “s” with a six speed manual gear box pushing 167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque.

All in all I think Mazda has been on the move up since its introduction of the Mazda 6 in 2002. They are still an understated company that has the potential to grow. The new Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 are making this clear. If you want a fun to drive cheaper car with lots to smile about and not much to be down about, I suggest looking at your Mazda dealership.

2010 Mazda 3

2010 Mazda 3

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi:

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Road Race Kizashi

Road Race Kizashi

The official unveiling of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi took place last week showing off a few of the new sedans by Suzuki. The Kizashi is long awaited in the US from Suzuki, as they haven’t offered a mid-sized sedan in the US since the end of the Verona in 2006.  The Verona was a rebadged Daewoo marketed through Suzuki. It was a horrible failure for Suzuki, not only bringing their quality status down but also pulling away from what they want Suzuki to symbolize. The Kizashi though is a completely different story. Built in Suzuki’s new factory keeping everything under Suzuki’s control the new Kizashi lives up to their “way of life” slogan. Featuring AWD and a 3.6 liter V6 that will put it right at par with some great cars and knowing Suzuki’s handling I’m sure it will be a great driving car.

Want to make your Kizashi even better? Road Race Motorsports has already started developing aftermarket parts for this car!

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What about the design? There have been many comparisons to VW or Audi, or even that it looks too much like a bigger SX4 sedan. I’ll agree that the Kizashi 3 concept was quite more stunning than this production version, but everyone knew it would get watered down in the name of a production car. I think it’s still an attractive car and it gives them something to reach for with the next line up. Let’s just hope it is a success for Suzuki in the hard times of the American auto market.