DETROIT, 11:51 PM, SUN JUL 6 | 2 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | RSS
Posts Tagged “

Review

”
mercedes bluetec diesel

Mercedes Bluetec Diesel SUVs, Reviewed

Our friends at Popular Mechanics have just driven three Mercedes SUVs equipped with the Bluetec diesel engine. The ML, GL and R all share the same 320 CDI Bluetec oilburner, with Popular Mechanics reporting that it does an ample job of powering all three, despite occasionally feeling overwhelmed in the big GL. The diesels carry a price penalty of about $1,000 over models equipped with a similar-capacity V6 gas engine, but deliver 25-33 percent better economy. Sounds like a decent trade-off to us.


[Popular Mechanics]

2:45 PM on Thu Jul 3 2008
By Wes Siler
602 views, 12 comments

Latest by HDC: @Andrewpetty: There's no Bluetec's in the Grands yet. The current diesel in the Grand is different altogehter. The Bluetec Grand Cherokee is slated for the '09 model year but is in danger of slipping for some unknown reason. more »

jalopnik reviews

Dodge Charger Police Edition, Part Three

Why you should buy the 2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition:
You need a big cruiser, but need muscle car speed. Your department has a bunch of money to spend after a big drug bust. You've got to reunite your band and save an orphanage.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You think high-speed pursuits are unnecessary and dangerous. You complain about high gas prices. You think the police shouldn't carry guns. You're a neo-Nazi from Illinois.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Thu Jul 3 2008
By Mark Arnold
1,332 views, 26 comments

Latest by volksdragon: I cant wait till these are dirtcheep decommissioned units more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition, Part Two

Exterior Design: ****
The 2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition benefits from the inherently aggressive looks of the standard Charger's angry headlamps and strong rear haunches. Of course, each car's style will be affected by the livery of its jurisdiction. Our car looks badass in black with the exposed steel wheels and a spot lamp mounted in the A-pillar, but we would've liked to have a push-bar in front to make it even more intimidating.

Interior Design: ***
Function rules over form inside the Police Edition. The center console and floor shifter have disappeared, making room for a large mounting surface for police equipment, relocating the autostick to the steering column. You would think a cop car might have some sort of donut holder molded into the dashboard, but there aren't even any cup holders. But the three stars come entirely from the rubber floors, making you free to spill beverages or bodily fluids without fear of a difficult cleanup, and the red night-light.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Wed Jul 2 2008
By Mark Arnold
2,562 views, 29 comments

Latest by MrEvil: I actually want one new, but those d-bags at the Dodge house won't sell one to me. I DETEST floor shift automatics. The only shifter on my floor should have an H Pattern or engage the front axle. I also more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition, Part One


If you saw Top Gear last week, you saw the boys compete to find the best sub-£900 replacement for the British standard Opel Astra police car. They shouldn't have bothered. There's already something bigger, stronger and faster in the colonies — and we've driven it. Just ignore the price tag and fuel economy. —Ed.

Barreling down the highway in the 2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition, I'm on a mission. It's 106 miles to Chicago, I've got a full tank of gas, and I'm supposed to meet Hardigree on the Southside in an hour at the 95th Street drawbridge. Legally, there's no way for me to make it on time, and even though this is a cop car, I've no sirens or flashing lights to assist me in pursuing above-the-law speeds. What I've got instead is a stripped-down, blacked-out cruiser that feels like the spiritual successor to the Dodge Monaco Elwood Blues picked up from the Mt. Prospect city police auction. Though that may just be the black suit, sunglasses, and fedora talking.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Tue Jul 1 2008
By Mark Arnold
4,766 views, 62 comments

Latest by FrankGrimes: What option box do I check to get the police package? more »

jalopnik reviews

2009 Chevy Traverse, First Drive

So this crossover thing? Yeah, it's starting to get a little out-of-hand. What we have here is the 2009 Chevy Traverse. If you want to use the promotional literature, it's an 8-passenger crossover vehicle. If you use your eyes, it's a minivan with big wheels and no sliding side doors. Thus the stage is set for that epic automotive battle: Marketing vs. reality.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Wed Jun 25 2008
By Andrew Stoy
5,256 views, 64 comments

Latest by n/a: I work at a Chevrolet dealership in South Texas and the reason we need the Traverse is because GM killed the Trailblazer EXT that had a third row seat. So the only alternative to a Trailblazer EXT is a Full-size more »

2008 citroen c5

2008 Citroën C5, Reviewed

A 6-speed manual-equipped wagon that's big enough to hold all your enfants terrible, gets 34 mpg (US) and has hydropneumatic suspension? Of course it's not sold here. But the folks over at Popular Mechanics did get the chance to test a 2008 Citroën C5 during a rainy English holiday, discovering that the big Frenchie demonstrates "supreme competence in areas that most owners appreciate most often." That's not even the worst part. Even with the plummeting dollar, their optioned-out Exclusive model retails for the equivalent of $42,700. Suddenly, that 2009 Ford Flex doesn't seem like such a bargain, does it? No mention of the Citroen C5's patented Très Difficile seating system though.

[Popular Mechanics]

1:00 PM on Thu Jun 12 2008
By Wes Siler
1,108 views, 24 comments

Latest by aesthari: Beautiful car, me wants! more »

jalopnik reviews

2009 Ford Flex, First Drive

Ford PR Flack:"We wanted to give the Flex what we call a 'wow' factor."
Random Auto Journalist: "Wow, can I quote you on that?"
Press launches are interesting places. Well, if you find humanity in its most mundane and sycophantic form interesting that is. Full Disclosure: I didn't actually drive the 2009 Ford Flex, but I did sit in the passenger seat nursing my gimpy arm while Ray drove and opined on the experience.

More »

Feature

12:00 AM on Thu Jun 12 2008
By Wes Siler
6,910 views, 113 comments

Latest by MrEvil: 42 grand.....FOR THAT THING? Whisky Tango Foxtrot? I mean it's the uber premium limited package and all, but SERIOUSLY, what's with the price? more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazdaspeed3, Part Three

Why you should buy the 2008 Mazdaspeed3:
You want a fast car, but have to pick up your children from school. You want a WRX STI, but can't quite afford the running costs and you don't need the AWD anyways. You got a bunch of tickets a few years ago; you still like driving fast, but want to preserve what little credibility is left of your driving record. You've seen the light, and understand that hot hatches are the most practical, best value all-round vehicles for an enthusiast, but you think the WRX is too soft, the GTI needs more power, the Caliber SRT-4 is too loud, and the other 3-doors are too small.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You need a dope ride to pick up some shorties. You think "Tokyo Drift" was the most awesome racing movie ever. You don't consider chrome racing rims to be oxymoronic. You want a roof scoop on your car, but have no idea what they're for. When someone says, "driving dynamics," you think they're talking about a tuning company. You like hatchbacks because they have more room in the back for a system.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Thu Jun 5 2008
By Mark Arnold
4,040 views, 60 comments

Latest by n/a: Heeeyyyy. I'm a hairdresser and I find this car to be quite suitable! Mine is ridiculously red, so I have no trouble getting attention in it; especially from the law. The Mazdaspeed3 seems to have done a fine job of developing a more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazdaspeed3, Part Two

Exterior Design: ***
The 2008 Mazdaspeed3 doesn't visually distinguish itself much from the standard Mazda 3 hatchback, but it doesn't need to. The basic design's thick D-pillars, subtle shoulder bulges over the wheels, and angular lines are a good starting point. More important is how the car doesn't look. There are no scoops, fins, stripes, or stickers exclaiming the car's performance. The slightly larger rear spoiler, which we suppose is theoretically functional, looks just like the spoiler on the standard car. The wheels look boring. Even the intercooler is hidden away, breathing through the normal-looking grille.

Interior Design: ***
For some reason, there are more Mazdaspeed logos inside the car than there are outside. But besides some extra red trim and stitching, it's again much like the standard 3. You have plenty of room for a few of your friends and their stuff to come along, though there's not much extra room for the driver's knees. Aside from that, everything is quite comfortable, despite being over-styled in the manner of an athletic shoe.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Wed Jun 4 2008
By Mark Arnold
5,028 views, 73 comments

Latest by WarShrike: I love my Mazda3, and when I can afford to replace my lunky Firebird V6, it'll be a MS3 that'll take up the space. Wife is gonna hate me for buying a car with a stick shift though :) more »

jalopnik reviews

2009 Lincoln MKS, First Drive

When the powers-that-be over here at Jalopnik asked me to test drive a car for you boys, I was pretty excited. Finally, I thought, Jalopnik is learning to respect a woman's automotive point of view. And then Ray told me it was going to be the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Hmm. I'll admit, I have a bias against big cars that dates back to the need to parallel park my mom's minivan for my driving test. On the other hand, it's not like I get to drive a ton of "luxury cars" either, so I figured even if it wasn't to my taste, I could cheat on my Toyota Corolla for one day. Luckily, it was a really, really nice day, although I was sad I didn't get to see the rain-sensing windshield wipers in action, since those have always sounded really cool. Yes, that's right — while I might not have the the automotive knowledge set of the gentlemen of Jalopnik or say, Popular Mechanics, you know my Lincoln MKS review will make up for it with a certain panache you won't find here or there.

More »

Feature

1:45 PM on Tue Jun 3 2008
By Megan Carpentier
7,329 views, 96 comments

Latest by biminitwst: @Al Navarro: Thats a rough neighborhood over there. As much as I like Megan [and sometimes Moe] I wouldn't advise wandering over there alone. Especially after dark. more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazdaspeed3, Part One

Cruising the affluent suburban streets of the Chicago area in the 2008 Mazdaspeed3, I'm looking for trouble. The dimming evening light and warm weather has brought out all the usual suspects: everyone from boy-racers in tuned Hondas to middle-aged men in Ford GTs. Chirping the tires as I dart from stoplight to stoplight, I feel like a 17-year-old taking a joyride in his dad's sports car. But I'm not racing anyone — yet. I'm just trying to get the attention of someone else who wants to run me. It's usually not something I do, but with 263 HP under my right foot, and a 6-speed gearbox in my right hand, I'm in a juvenile mood. Chasing down a previous-generation Subaru WRX that's sporting some aftermarket wheels and a loud exhaust, I feel like I might be biting off just a bit more than I can chew.


More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Tue Jun 3 2008
By Mark Arnold
9,000 views, 112 comments

Latest by n/a: @jkd77: RE: the kitt stereo lights I couldn't agree with you more. Fortunately you can disable the circus light show from within the audio menu. You can also disable the annoying beep that accompanies every button press or volume change. more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part Three

Why you should buy the 2008 BMW 128i Convertible: You just found out that the Botox you had injected straight into your eyelid didn't leak into your brain thereby ending an existence that has, up to now, been mostly pointless. No longer. Your new life is going to have meaning, you're going to shun materialism and embrace the world. To celebrate this epiphany you're going to buy a blue one, because blue is the color of tranquility.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You can't afford the kind of girls that are attracted to men in little BMW convertibles. You're short and scrawny with girlishly long hair and the sight of those skinny arms next to that thick steering wheel and pudgy body just makes you look that much more like an Abigail Breslin body double. You like the simple things in life and you don't have $50,000 to blow on a car that can't carry your laser tag gear. You want a capable sports car that's fast, fun and simple.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Fri May 30 2008
By Matt Hardigree
3,173 views, 42 comments

Latest by n/a: Quite possibly one of the best reviews I've ever read. BMW should rename this car the 128y. more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part Two

Exterior Design:***
The 2008 BMW 128i Convertible manages to put its best face forward, with wide headlights that add a new dimension to the brand's rigid look and set the 1-Series apart from the big brother 3. In profile, you'll have to buy into the flame surfacing and its fear of straight lines, which shouldn't be too hard as this is a fairly conservative take on the Bangle theme. Things fall apart in the end, literally, as the strong beltline bends angrily towards the shoulders with an over accented trunk too reminiscent of the 7-series. Attractive? Yes. Iconic? No.

Interior Design: ***
Once I accepted the rear seats serve only as a place to store shopping bags and coats, I found the little convertible to be a comfortable place to pass the time. The seats can be configured in so many ways that, if you can't find a happy seating position, you're probably freakishly deformed. Though everything is within easy reach the abundance of knobs, stalks, buttons and switches is distracting. They manage to put all of the navigation, communications, audio and climate settings under control of one knob but I need a special button on the end of a stalk to switch between average mileage and miles to empty?

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Thu May 29 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,631 views, 26 comments

Latest by edgarj: When I saw the fully optioned price come out to nearly $50K, or roughly what I paid for my well optioned e92 335i + PROcede and Eisenmann exhust, I gasped. Over 14K in options on their entry level vert? Not more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 BMW 128i Convertible, Part One

Piloting the 2008 BMW 1-series Convertible out into a crowded street, top down, I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious. I'm not much for the attention drawn by convertibles, and this is a shiny, brand-new BMW convertible. No less than three minutes into my journey I'm stopped by someone on the street who yells "Hey, buddy." I'm guessing the gentleman wants to ask about the car so I try to assume the confident poise of someone who might actually buy this particular vehicle, only to have him point out that the fuel door is open. Thanks. At the next stoplight I quickly thumb a message to Mark Arnold, who is following me in another car: I FEEL LIKE A DBAG. According to Mark, I also look like one. But it would be worth looking ridiculous for a vehicle that's supposed to be the spiritual successor to the venerable E30, a car that made no compromises on its way to becoming the ultimate driving machine.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Wed May 28 2008
By Matt Hardigree
3,931 views, 54 comments

Latest by rennsport964: BMW used to appeal to car enthusiasts. Somewhere in the late 90s it took a left turn and changed its image to appeal to denstists and mortgage brokers. So it goes with the 1 series. For what it's worth, unlike the more »

2009 nissan maxima

2009 Nissan Maxima, Reviewed

We've yet to get behind the wheel of the 2009 Nissan Maxima, but our good friends at Popular Mechanics have put the 2009 Maxima through its paces to determine if the car once hailed as the "four door sports car" has returned to its roots. It's hard to argue with the 3.5-Liter VQ which is good for an additional 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of twist. On the other hand, we have rarely been impressed with a CVT transmission at the center of any kind of sports car, even one that promises a manual mode that emulates a conventional gearbox. With a sampling of pieces from the Nissan parts bin, including some suspension bits from the Infiniti M45 and a steering wheel said to wind up in some form on the new Nissan 370Z, could this new Maxima chart Nissan's flagship sedan back into sportier waters?


[Popular Mechanics]

10:00 AM on Wed May 21 2008
By Ray Wert
7,173 views, 77 comments

Latest by LandofMinos, That pissed and muted look: @GTBruiser: I think style-lines down the sides of those cars you mentioned may be a product of Bangleism. BMW designer Chris Bangle was obsessed with fold lines in origami paper art and that maybe why we now see these funny more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazda RX-8, Part Two

Exterior Design:***
The 2008 Mazda RX-8 shows all sorts of pleasing shapes amidst all of that strong idiosyncrasy. It's good clean fun to look at the profile of the front fenders rising slightly above the curve of the hood while you're driving. Molded-in Wankelry on the hood flows nicely into subtle twin speed bumps on roof, but then the line drops into the rear, which is just kind of there. Our test car had the optional chrome Wankelry on the front and rear air dams. Frankly, there are better ways to spend $159. From outside, the infanticide —er, "Free Style" doors are well-integrated. Overall, a rather handsome car with "grows-on-you" versus "...Damn!" styling — although we hear the Mazda killer-guppy front fascia will be somewhat improved for 2009.

Interior Design:***
The 40th Anniversary edition includes leather trim and seats in a color Mazda calls "Cosmo Red," but your parent's living room group knew it better as "Dusty Rose." It seems, unfortunately, like a compromise color. The exterior Wankelry extends to the interior in the shape of the shift knob, headrest inserts, special badges on the floor mats... Rotors, rotors, everywhere rotors as far as the eyes can see. The instrumentation is crisp, but the luminous blue LCD-lit dials (Warning! Digital speedo, Will Robinson!) contrast with the red LEDs in the center stack, giving a pleasingly patriotic affectation to the dash.

More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Wed Apr 30 2008
By John Krewson
5,931 views, 43 comments

Latest by Unregular: excellent, thanks guys. more »

2009 honda pilot

2009 Honda Pilot, Part Three

Why you should buy the 2009 Honda Pilot:
You have kids and take them places. Those places include bulk discount stores, the mountains, the beach, Home Depot and lacrosse practice. The utility in SUV appeals more than the style or image. You find the prospect of carrying sheets of plywood bizarrely intriguing. You need to tow, but don't want to buy an otherwise impractical vehicle in order to do so. You think that Ohio deserves just as much of your hard earned as Detroit.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You think an SUV will make you look tough and/or sporty. You're single. You live the kind of "Xtreme" lifestyle that requires a plethora of tribal tattoos. You think SUVs are the living embodiment of Hitler and George W. Bush combined.

More »

Feature

1:00 PM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Wes Siler
4,859 views, 51 comments

Latest by westfieldind: Must repeat....Honda good for USA, Ford bad; Honda good for USA, Ford bad; Honda good for USA, Ford bad...must stop...brain hurting more »

2008 honda accord coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe, Part Three

Why you should buy this car:
You've always bought Accords and the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe will merely be the latest. You don't know much about cars but you do know that you don't want to buy American. You fit the above criteria, but despite the physical onset of middle age you think you're too young for a four door. In reality, you're just too single. You're on the fast track to middle management and you want people to know it.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You know that driving fast isn't just about power. You want to buy American and that whole "Made in Ohio" versus "Assembled In Ohio" thing confuses you. You want a simple, well-engineered, economical, practical car. You work in any design-related field.

More »

Feature

12:30 PM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Wes Siler
3,819 views, 67 comments

Latest by superbmtsub: Sorry Wes. This car jus kept lookin better every day. The interior dash cluster is a flaw however. One word of advice: Not every car has to be a big-wiener mobile. more »

next »