2009 Acura MDX

2009 Acura MDX

The 2009 Acura MDX should see no major changes. This premium midsize SUV seats up to seven and has all-wheel drive. The sole powertrain is a 300-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows. Standard luxury and convenience features include a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a wireless cell phone link. Options come in three packages. The Technology Package has a rearview camera and a voice-activated navigation system that can display real-time traffic conditions. A Sport Package includes those features plus driver-adjustable suspension. The Entertainment Package contains DVD entertainment, heated 2nd-row seats, and power liftgate. Drive impressions based on 2008 report. A diesel V6 may become available in the next few years. Parent Honda plans to introduce 4-cylinder and V6 "clean diesels" to the U.S. market in the near future. Honda prides itself on being the American market's fuel-economy leader, and a diesel MDX would help maintain its lead over other automakers. It would also be more affordable than gas/electric hybrid power, which Honda feels works best in cars, not SUVs.

Sumber: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/

2009 Acura RDX

2009 Acura RDX

The 2009 Acura RDX should see no major changes. This premium compact SUV seats five and has all-wheel drive. The sole powertrain teams a 240-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Also standard are dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery with heated front seats, and a 6.5-inch dashboard screen that displays audio and climate information. A Technology Package, priced as a separate model, includes a wireless cell phone link and navigation system. Drive impressions based on 2008 report. The RDX may be in line for a "clean diesel" engine that Honda plans for U.S. sale. Actually, Honda is developing both 4-cylinder and V6 diesels for a variety of vehicles in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions across its entire fleet. Honda hasn't yet said which, if any, diesel the RDX might get, but we'd bet on the 4-cylinder unit, possibly with a turbocharger.

Sumber: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/

2009 Mercury Milan

2009 Mercury Milan

The 2009 Mercury Milan midsize sedan is offered in two trim levels: base and Premier. The base Milan features 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a CD/MP3 player with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack, cruise control, full power accessories, keyless entry, a six-way power driver seat and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat.

The Milan Premier adds 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, automatic climate control, leather seating, an in-dash CD changer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated side mirrors with approach lamps. Some of the Premier's features are optional on the base Milan.

Option highlights include a voice activated navigation system, an upgraded audio system with a six CD changer, a sunroof, a rear spoiler, heated front seats, wood-grain interior trim and Microsoft's Sync multimedia integration system. The new Voga (Spanish for "fashion") package adds unique leather upholstery and interior trim pieces as well as exterior chrome accents and exclusive 17-inch wheels.

The 2009 Mercury Milan's base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 160 horsepower and receives Partial-Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) certification in California and other California-emissions states. It's paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission in the base four cylinder Milan, while a five speed automatic is optional on the base model and standard on the Premier.

A 3.0-liter 221-hp V6 is optional on both the base and Premier trims. All V6-equipped Milans receive a six-speed automatic transmission, which is notable for limiting drivers to just two forward-gear gates ("D" and "L"), though many drivers probably won't miss the additional manual control. Four cylinder Milans are front-wheel drive, while AWD is optional on V6 models.
For a midsize sedan, the Milan posts adequate but unremarkable fuel economy numbers. A 2009 Milan with the 2.3-liter four and a five-speed manual transmission rates 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, with automatic-equipped 2.3-liter models coming in at 20/28 and 23 mpg combined. The front-wheel-drive V6 is rated at 18 mpg city/26 highway and 21 mpg combined. All wheel drive V6 models drop down to 17/25 and 20 mpg combined.

Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard on all 2009 Mercury Milans. A reverse parking sensor is optional.
In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration frontal-impact crash tests, the Mercury Milan earned a top five-star rating for driver and front-passenger protection. In side-impact testing, it earned five stars for front-occupant protection and four stars for rear occupants. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset and side-impact tests, the Milan received "Good" ratings the highest possible.

The Milan's two-tone cabin seems intended to create an upscale ambiance. Satin metallic trim is standard, and imitation wood-grain trim can be added. Ergonomics are generally sound, though the standard-issue Ford stereo faceplate, replete with identical looking blocky buttons and a tiny green readout, is seriously outdated. The standard analog clock mounted high in the center stack adds a touch of class, however.

Passengers will enjoy the Milan's ample interior dimensions. Two adults can fit in back without issues and storage space is adequate. Moreover, the Milan's 15.8-cubic-foot trunk, split-folding rear seat and fold-down front passenger seat allow bulky items to be transported inside the car.
Another desirable aspect of the Milan is its optional Sync system, which allows the integration of personal electronic devices into the center stack controls and display. With Sync, drivers and passengers can operate their cell phones, PDAs, USB storage devices, iPods or other MP3 players using voice commands.

Boasting sharp steering and a firm yet compliant suspension, the 2009 Mercury Milan offers one of the best ride/handling balances in the midsize sedan segment. Wind and road noise are hushed even at freeway speeds, and both automatic transmissions offer crisp gearchanges up or down. The V6 in particular could use more hp and refinement, but the Milan is still an unusually rewarding family sedan from the driver seat.

Sumber: www.edmunds.com

2009 Bentley Brooklands

2009 Bentley Brooklands

The 2009 Bentley Brooklands is a four-seat premium luxury coupe. It comes in only one trim, but of course, it's loaded with standard features. These include 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a navigation system with a back-up camera, Bluetooth, massaging front seats and power-reclining rear seats. Buyers can turn up the decadence a notch with the Mulliner option, which includes your choice of various exotic leathers and wood, carbon fiber or aluminum veneers. Custom exterior paint finishes and badging can also be had.

The Brooklands has a 6.8-liter twin-turbo V8 backed by a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. Rated at 530 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque, this frighteningly potent power plant blasts the burly Brooklands from zero to 60 mph in an estimated 5 seconds. EPA fuel economy is listed at 12 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

The Brooklands features front and rear side-impact airbags, antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, stability control and parking sensors.

The 2009 Bentley Brooklands' interior is classically British with a few modern highlights. The ability to customize the interior with a vast array of hand-finished leathers and wood veneers will please buyers who covet an exclusive passenger compartment. By utilizing the rear-cabin structure of the Arnage sedan and power reclining rear seats, the Brooklands provides ample amounts of passenger room for a coupe.

Thanks to the mountains of torque and hp generated by the twin-turbo V8, the mammoth 2009 Bentley Brooklands can accelerate with the authority of a sports car. The suspension does a worthy job of isolating the cabin from road noise and pavement irregularities, while the steering provides a good amount of feedback to the driver. When it's pushed down a twisty road at an enthusiastic pace, there is still little doubt that you are piloting a vehicle that's nearly 3 tons, but the Brooklands maintains enough composure to minimize the drama.

Sumber: www.edmunds.com

2009 Mitsubishi Galant

2009 Mitsubishi Galant

The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant gains a face-lift (with a new grille and taillights), loses one trim level the DE and gains two: the Sport Edition and Sport V6. The 230-horsepower V6 returns, featured under the hood of the Sport V6. Later in the model year, Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview camera are slated to be offered.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is a midsize sedan available in four trim levels: ES, Sport Edition, Sport V6 and Ralliart. The base ES comes with 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, full power accessories, cruise control and a six-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player. The Sport Edition adds 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, a sunroof, automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power driver seat and heated front seats. The Sport V6 is equipped similarly but has a V6 engine and an upgraded Rockford Fosgate audio system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio. The Galant Ralliart trim level has the Sport Edition's features plus 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, exterior styling enhancements, leather seating, beige interior accent stitching and aluminum pedals. The Ralliart offers the option of a navigation system, the only Galant trim to do so.

The front-wheel-drive Galant line offers a trio of engine choices. The ES and Sport Edition are powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine that makes 160 hp and 157 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic with manual shift capability is standard on both trim levels. The Sport V6 features a 3.8-liter V6 with 230 hp and 250 lb-ft matched to a five-speed automatic with manual shift capability. The Ralliart gets a 3.8-liter V6 with 258 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
In performance testing, the Ralliart went from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds putting it at the head of the pack along with the V6-powered Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu and Nissan Altima. Fuel economy estimates range from 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for the four-cylinder trims down to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined for the Ralliart.
With a cascading center stack, blue backlighting, white-faced gauges and metallic accents, the Galant's cabin is stylish in a contemporary way. Large controls for the climate and stereo systems are easy to use, and work in conjunction with a display screen located high on the center stack. Unfortunately, the Galant suffers from the typical Mitsubishi trait of some subpar interior materials quality. Most plastics and other surfaces just don't match the refined look and feel of the Galant's main competitors.

On the road, the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is one of the more fun-to-drive family sedans. The Ralliart's V6 delivers plenty of power for passing and merging on the highway. Pushed around curves, the Galant maintains a flat, predictable stance and feels smaller than it is. A surprising amount of road feel is communicated through the driver seat and the steering. Although the steering is a little vague on-center, it is quick and responsive. None of this entertainment comes at the expense of ride quality, which is smooth, forgiving and ideal for weekday commutes.

Sumber: www.edmunds.com

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ES

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ES

Last year, the Mitsubishi Lancer had a minor problem. Visually, it promised to be more than its humble price tag would imply. The GTS trim level, in particular, boasted a giant rear wing and 18-inch wheels that fervently declared, "I can go fast." Problem was, it actually didn't. The car's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced class-competitive 0-60 sprints, but it had virtually no low-end power, requiring the driver to maintain an objectionably loud engine speed of at least 3,200 rpm in order to achieve even moderate passing power.

For the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer's lower DE and ES trim level, the old engine carries over for the more sedate-driving, economy-minded consumer. But for the driver who wants his or her fast-looking car to be, well, fast, Mitsubishi has dropped a larger 2.4-liter engine into the GTS's engine bay. Thanks to increased displacement, it produces 16 more horsepower and, more importantly, 21 additional pound-feet of torque. This engine is not only more responsive, it's also substantially quieter. Zero-to-60-mph times drop by about a second, and fuel economy although not particularly impressive -- is about the same as the smaller engine.

The 2009 Lancer isn't a mainstream economy car like a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, as it lacks the refinement, fuel economy and reputation to match up with these cars. But that's fine by us. In addition to its aggressive styling, the Lancer boasts above-average handling and an impressive array of high-tech features that until recently were reserved for luxury automobiles. Those interested in finding the sportiest option available could be happier with a Mazda 3, but if you're looking for a car that stands out as a viable alternative to the small sedan status quo, this Mitsubishi is worth a look.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact sedan available in DE, ES and GTS trim levels. The base DE comes with 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt-only steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, a trip computer and a four-speaker CD/MP3 stereo. The A/C and Power Package adds antilock brakes, air-conditioning, power door locks and keyless entry to the DE. The Lancer ES comes standard with these package items and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, upgraded upholstery, manual driver seat height adjustment, steering-wheel audio controls and a 60/40-split rear seat with center armrest. The ES Sport Package adds a large rear wing, a minor body kit, chrome exhaust and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top-level GTS adds those items and also gains a more powerful engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped shifter, sport bucket front seats with upgraded fabric, Bluetooth and a six-speaker stereo.

The Sun & Sound Package available on the ES and GTS includes a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer, auxiliary audio jack (RCA style) and satellite radio. When equipped with this package, the GTS can also be optioned with a navigation system that features a 30GB hard drive capable of storing digital music files.

Sumber: www.edmunds.com

2009 Nissan Armada

2009 Nissan Armada

The most famous armada of all time was sent by King Phillip II of Spain to invade England and usurp the heretic Queen Elizabeth. This armada was enormous, formidable and a force to be feared. In the end, though, it vanished into the North Atlantic, a victim of smaller British ships, some unfortunate westerly gales and the scraggly Irish coast. Nissan hopes that its enormous, formidable 2009 Armada doesn't suffer a similar fate, although there are a few westerly gales brewing in the automotive marketplace as well.

Based on the Titan pickup, the Nissan Armada full-size SUV was introduced for 2004, a year that seemed to signal the tail end of the "to heck with fuel economy, big trucks for all!" period. It featured (and still does) several avant-garde styling elements, like its curved roof line, designed to set the Armada apart from its competitors. A refresh conducted last year gave the Armada a more pleasant cabin with smarter ergonomics and much nicer materials. In the top-level LE trim, the Nissan Armada is actually none too different from its Infiniti counterpart, the QX56.
Unlike most of its competitors, the 2009 Nissan Armada is only available with one engine, a 5.6-liter 317-horsepower V8. In addition to brisk acceleration around town and prodigious passing power, the 5.6 allows a 9,100-pound tow rating when properly equipped. We've driven the Armada with and without a trailer and were very impressed by its stamina when hitched up.
Of course, that type of power and the Armada's heavy, boxy body translate into poor fuel economy -- which is subpar even by full-size truck standards. In today's climate of high gas prices, an unstable economy and global warming concerns, Nissan's Armada is entering uncharted choppy waters. And like the Spanish Armada, the full-size Nissan has smaller models conquering its sales as buyers move away from thirsty, large SUVs.

Mind you, such vehicles will always be preferred for serious off-road and towing duties. Although a large crossover like GMC's Acadia is superior for simple people-hauling, it just can't handle the rigors of lugging a Bayliner. However, the Armada's newer rivals from Chevrolet/GMC and Toyota have similar heavy-duty capability and are superior offerings to boot, with a wider choice of engines and a more refined ride.

The 2009 Nissan Armada is a large SUV offered in SE and LE trim levels with standard eight-person seating capacity. The base level SE comes well-equipped with 18-inch wheels, side step rails, rear parking assist, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear climate controls, an eight-way power driver seat and power-adjustable pedals. Also standard is an eight-speaker stereo with an in-dash six-CD changer and an auxiliary audio jack. The LE features standard 20-inch wheels, foglamps, a power tailgate, a rearview camera, front parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, power-folding side mirrors, a four-way power passenger seat, keyless entry/ignition, driver memory functions, leather upholstery in the first and second rows, heated front seats, Bluetooth and an upgraded 12-speaker stereo with satellite radio.

Many of the LE's luxury upgrades are also available on the SE through a pair of options packages. Optional on all Armadas is the Technology Package that adds a navigation system with real-time traffic, a 9GB server for digital music storage, a heated steering wheel, a power-folding third-row seat and 20-inch chrome wheels. Second-row captain's chairs, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a sunroof are also optional.

Sumber: www.edmunds.com