Posts Tagged ‘Toyota Corolla’

Volkswagen executives are probably wishing they had toned down the hubris a few years ago. Back then, they touted the compact Jetta as a legitimate competitor to entry level sports sedans like the Acura TSX and Audi A4.

But sales never kept up with the fifth-generation Jetta’s nimble handling. The Vee-Dub’s premium appointments required a premium price and most shoppers chose to save a few pennies and invest in segment stalwarts like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

With pressure on to triple sales volume by 2018, the folks at VW chose to abandon the premium path and take the road most traveled. The all-new 2011 Jetta went on a strict pricing diet and came to market about $1,700 lighter. It now stares down its rivals with a very competitive base price of $15,995.

To reduce price by that much, Volkswagen had to unleash a swarm of bean counters and engineers to get costs back under control. Their work was extensive but thoughtful and Volkswagen was able to retain much of the Jetta’s premium appeal while trimming away key items that were over-spec’d and under-valued.

Gone is the multi-link rear suspension of the fifth-generation car. Same for the expensive soft-touch plastics in the cabin. Even the rear brakes received scrutiny, with lower “S” and “SE” trim levels now leaving the factory with old-school drum brakes in place of modern disc brakes.

Enthusiasts and owners of the previous Jetta may notice a few of these cost-cutting moves, but shoppers who are new to the brand will not. The 2011 model is what Jettas have always been: a business class car for an economy class price.

Getting down to the nuts and bolts, this new Vee-Dub is a smidge larger than its predecessor and stretches rear seat leg room by 2.7 inches. That’s a mere 0.3 inches shy of the back seat found in the long wheelbase BMW 7-Series, the company notes. Trunk space is a suitcase-swallowing 15.5 cubic feet; half-a-cube larger than the midsize Toyota Camry.

Inside, the Jetta’s cabin is missing a few chrome accents here and there, but still manages to impress with high quality switchgear and controls that are clear and easy to operate. It’s a very tidy, smart place to be and a pleasant alternative to the space-age interior of the Civic and the dreary gray of the Corolla.

Spend a few extra bucks and you can equip your new VW with keyless entry and ignition, touchscreen navigation system, and bluetooth hands-free phone system. All of these features are nice to have, though the Jetta is not unique in offering them.

The only major disappointment is the abundance of hard plastic for the dashboard and door panels. These components sound hollow and cheap if you knock on them, though they are no worse than what you’ll find in the segment’s best-sellers.

German cars tend to come with a bevy of engine options and the 2011 Jetta is no exception. By the end of 2012, shoppers will have five engine choices in a segment that generally offers two.

The base engine – found only in the entry “S” trim level – generates a mere 115 horsepower and has 0-60 acceleration times that are a class below. You won’t find many of these on dealer lots, though, as these cars tend to exist primarily so that Volkswagen can advertise a low base price and lure people into their showrooms.

The engine that you are likely to find is a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine with a generous 170 horsepower rating. Acceleration performance is solid and the 24 city /31 highway fuel mileage bests the optional engines found in the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3.

Alternative fuel fans will soon have their choice of diesel or hybrid power, too. The popular 4-cylinder TDI diesel engine is untouched from last year’s model and achieves fuel economy in the mid-30’s while still managing to produce 140 horsepower.

There are few details on the gasoline-electric hybrid right now, though Volkswagen has confirmed that their system is a “full hybrid” that’s capable of running at low speeds on electric power alone, just like the Toyota Prius.

A sporty GLI trim level will rejoin the Jetta lineup in a few months, packing a 200-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The GLI will also boast a few cosmetic changes and a sport-tuned suspension that returns the missing multi-link rear suspension to the spec sheet.

If you’re clamoring for a Jetta with more cargo capacity, the SportWagen will receive fresh sheetmetal sometime next year. The current model offers nearly 67 cubic feet of storage space, making it one of the best family cars you can buy for the money. Wagons have a retro-hip appeal for young parents these days and we won’t be surprised if sales jump thanks to the new and improved pricing.

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is on sale now and we’re anxious to see if the company’s new direction will resonate with buyers in this segment. Though the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are the most obvious competitors, VW must also stand out against the refined Chevrolet Cruze, lively Mazda 3, and handsome Kia Forte. And in a few more months the pressure will build with the launch of the all-new Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.

With competition this fierce, Volkswagen is going to need all the fahrvergnügen it can get.

Attention, Ford Fans!  Cancel those weekend plans because the 2012 Ford Focus configurator just came online and is ready to offer hours of entertainment.

The Blue Oval’s new compact car will hit the tarmac this spring in sedan and hatchback form, with a starting price of $16,270. Based on our test drive of the hugely impressive 2011 Fiesta subcompact, we expect great things from this new Focus.

We had a chance to take a sneak peek at the new car at last year’s New York Auto Show and were smitten by the energetic design. With its angry trapezoidal grille and chiseled lines, the Focus sedan and hatch are easily the most aggressive looking cars in a segment that’s long been dominated by the staid Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Inside, Ford has loaded up the car with a long list of standard features. You’ll find power locks, windows, and mirrors on the comfort side and a full complement of air bags and electronic stability control on the safety side.

For $995, you can add a Sony audio system and MyFord Touch with enormous 8-inch color touchscreen display. A $1,395 Premium Package adds leather, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels and a few other goodies. There will even be a $695 Parking Technology Package that can automatically parallel park your Focus for you, trumping most luxury cars in the process.

Those features do add up, though. We loaded up a Focus hatchback with the Titanium package and every goodie we could find and ended up at $28,555. We’ll have more real-world pricing information for you car-shoppers once the new Focus launches and TrueCar can tell us what people around the country are actually paying at the dealership. Stay tuned.

Under hood is a new 2.0-liter engine that’s been fitted with Ford’s Ti-VCT technology, an advanced feature that boosts power, responsiveness, and fuel economy.

Final horsepower and mileage figures have not yet been released, but we’ve sampled this technology in the Fiesta and were mighty impressed with the results. We’re expecting about 150-160 horsepower and 35-38 miles per gallon on the highway.

How will you outfit your 2012 Focus? Sedan or hatchback? Automatic or manual? We’ll take our hatch loaded in Tuxedo Black Metallic, please!

Interested in the new Chevy Cruze but not sure if you’re ready to step away from the segment-leading Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla? GM has you covered with a new plan that asks 3,000 dealers to buy a new Civic and Corolla and have them on hand for comparison test drives at the dealership.

Chevrolet is clearly confident about the new Cruze. With ten air bags and top scores in European crash tests (US test results are pending), the new compact sedan promises high levels of safety. And with special sound-deadening glass and acoustic mats, the cabin will no doubt be quiet and refined. A new 1.4-liter turbocharged engine promises up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway for the special Eco model, too.

Chuck Russell, vehicle line director for Cruze, told Automotive News that the new Chevy sedan has more shoulder room than the competition and offers many of the premium features you’d normally find in a midsize car. He expects the car to appeal to folks who want to downsize without losing any gadgets or gizmos. Prices will range from $16,995 to $22,695 with shipping included.

But the big challenge will be in managing three test drives at one dealership. Sales consultants don’t like to leave the lot for long periods of time because it cuts into their selling time. There are bound to be headaches if a customer drives all three cars and then walks away.

Still, the offer to cross-shop all three cars at once is enticing. And if the 2011 Cruze is as good as GM says it is, Chevy’s got nothing to fear.

Raising children is tough – and it’s many times tougher if you’re a single parent.  You’ve got to balance a busy and complicated adult life with the health and happiness of your children.

Everything from getting your kid to school to finding time to run errands is harder when you don’t have a built-in support network. Fortunately, you’re not alone.  According to recent data from the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents out there, raising over 26% of all children under the age of 21.

These hard-working Moms and Dads know what works best for their busy lives.  And as a car-shopping website that’s serious about the people behind the wheel, we thought we could help by compiling a list of the most popular cars for single parents.

We searched through Honk to find single parents who recently purchased a new vehicle and then drew on their wisdom to help explain why these cars and trucks are so well suited to family life.  The final top-10 list of Best Cars for Single Parents contains a variety of sedans, hatchbacks, trucks, and SUVs that range from about $13,000 to $24,000.  If you’d like to create a more personalized list for yourself on Honk, just click here.

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#1 Best Car for Single Parents: Kia Sorento

The most popular car for single parents is also the only one with 3 rows of seating, making the Sorento a great choice if you have two or more kids and need some extra space.  This Kia is stylish and safe and with a starting price just shy of $20k, you’d never believe that the Sorento can also be had with premium features like an optional panoramic sunroof and DVD entertainment system.  The only thing you’ll have to worry about is that you don’t spoil the kids.

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#2 Best Car for Single Parents: Mazda CX-7

Can a family car be fun?  Mazda says yes and proves it with the light-on-its-feet CX-7.  Owners love the sleek styling and luxurious interior, calling this crossover “surprisingly sporty and refined.”  If you need some extra oomph to get you to the ballet recital on time, the CX-7’s optional turbo engine can turn this family hauler into a serious speed machine.

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#3 Best Car for Single Parents: Honda Civic

It’s hard to go wrong with a Civic.  This best-selling Honda is known for rock-solid reliability and a design that is small on the outside but spacious on the inside.  The Civic was also awarded a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, so you can rest assured knowing that your child is safe inside.

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#4 Best Car for Single Parents: GMC Sierra 1500

With a sticker price that can jump from about $21k to over $40k, the Sierra is the priciest vehicle on this list.  It is, however, your best choice if you need to haul large gear or tow a trailer.  GMC offers a wide range of beds, cabs, and engines in the Sierra, though owners with families seem to agree that the spacious Crew Cab model is the best choice if you have kids.

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#5 Best Car for Single Parents: Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 makes a strong case that a car can be “action-packed” and “value-packed” at the same time.  Forget the $15k starting price because this Mazda’s confident road manners make it feel more like a junior sports sedan from Germany than a commuter car from Japan.  Though a sedan model is available, the hatchback may be a better choice if you need extra cargo space for strollers or soccer gear.

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#6 Best Car for Single Parents: Toyota Yaris

With highway fuel economy higher than that of some hybrids and a $13k starting price, this Toyota is a smart move if you’re looking to save money or the environment.  In Europe, the Yaris won many awards when it was first launched, thanks to its cheeky styling and fun handling.  The car comes in two versions, though cargo space is a bit more limited in the hatchback than it is in the sedan.

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#7 Best Car for Single Parents: Jeep Liberty

If you’re a single parent who loves to venture outdoors, this is the best vehicle on the list for you.  The Liberty is genuinely capable off-road and has over 60 years of mud-slinging Jeep heritage behind it.  There’s an optional Sky Slider canvas roof that can peel back for a convertible feel and a UConnect media system that can organize your music and display photos of your kids.

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#8 Best Car for Single Parents: Kia Forte

Kia’s brand new Forte – and its predecessor, the Spectra – earn Kia another spot on this Top 10 list.  The Forte’s handsome looks come from celebrated car designer, Peter Schreyer, who is best known for his work on the stunning Audi TT and A3.  Fortunately, beauty is more than skin deep on this new Kia thanks to a standard Bluetooth hands-free phone system and best-in-class 36 MPG highway rating.  It’s a smart buy, too, with a starting price in the mid-$13k range and a 10-year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.  Your child’s college fund will thank you.

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#9 Best Car for Single Parents: Toyota Corolla

After a long day of running around, it helps to have some space to stretch out.  With an enormous 92 cubic feet of interior space, the Corolla lets you do exactly that.  Owners love that this Toyota is a full package, bragging, “You cannot find a more sensible car in terms of price, style, value, design, fitness to any age, economy to operate, safety and fun.”  And if that’s not enough to convince you, the Corolla was also honored with a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  It’s no surprise that the Corolla landed on the Top-10 list of the most popular cars for single parents.

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#10 Best Car for Single Parents: Nissan Cube

Just because you’re a single parent doesn’t mean you have to be boring.  The Cube stands out with a funky asymmetrical design that’s sure to get a few admiring stares when you pull up at a traffic light.  And thanks to six standard air bags and rear seats that can slide to make room for people or cargo, this Nissan is also a smart runabout for small families.  The tight exterior dimensions can be deceiving, as one owner described his Cube, “It’s like the size of a house inside but looks like a compact on the outside.”