Hyundai Genesis |
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- For a little over $30K, you can have a car that's, in many ways, comparable to a mid-level Lexus or an Infiniti, either one of which is easily $10K more. Just as when Lexus and Infiniti first came out and undercut the German cars.
- Very comfortable ride, leans more to soft than sporty, but great for most people
- Excellent warranty, and a good manufacturer reputation
- Sweet engine. Six cylinder has all the power you need
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- A hint, here and there, of cheesiness and tackiness in the styling that's not present in high-end Japanese cars
- Little prestige in driving a Hyundai, if you care about such things (we don't)
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Volkswagen TDI Jetta |
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- Excellent mileage
- Much quieter than old diesels. Average driver might not even notice any additional noise most of the time.
- Sporty handling
- Good, practical size
- Station wagon option
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- Clutch was a bit touchy, leading to stalling.
- Large plastic cover over engine is designed to minimize noise. When it comes loose in a few years, the passenger cabin is going to get noisier.
- No power in second gear. Unforgiving, if you're in second gear and driving a touch too slowly — you'll stall out.
- Diesel fuel prices are somewhat unpredictable. If they soar, could negate the monetary savings of higher mileage.
- Spartan feel to the car's interior
- Seats are very firm
- Diesels vibrate — this one included. Over time, that'll increase wear and noise.
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Volvo Cross Country XC70 |
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- Safe — you feel like you're in a bank vault
- Solid, quiet
- Handles great
- Plenty of power: 281 HP
- All-wheel-drive standard
- Very comfortable ride
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- Pricey
- Only gets 20 MPG on highway — lousy mileage for a car that's marketed to socially conscious consumers
- Expensive to repair
- Two-step process to start car is cumbersome
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Lincoln MKS |
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- Less expensive than other cars in luxury class
- All-wheel-drive (optional)
- Nice looking
- Reasonably sized
- Handling leans more towards comfort than sportiness
- Very comfortable rear seat
- Rear-seat heaters are a nice touch
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- Still not as reliable as Japanese cars
- Handling leans more towards comfort than sportiness
- Mileage only just okay
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Toyota Matrix |
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- Toyota quality
- Small
- Inexpensive
- All-wheel drive
- Good ride
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