Car and Driver 2/06: 5 Everyday Heroes (Acura v. Honda v. Mazda v. Pontiac v. VW)
#1
Car and Driver 2/06: 5 Everyday Heroes (Acura v. Honda v. Mazda v. Pontiac v. VW)
5. Pontiac G6 GTP - $29,335
Highs: Torquey V-6, slick styling, respectable test numbers
Lows: Opressive wind noise, primitive shifter, steering substitutes effort for road feel.
The Verdict: Competent, comely, and quick, but not quite ready for prime time.
4. Mazdaspeed 6 - $28,555
Highs: Power to burn, eager responses, good control layout.
Lows: Psychotic-vacuum-cleaner exhaust note, low-rent interior, firm ride.
The Verdict: Long on punch, short on polish.
3. Acura TSX - $30,505
Highs: Sweet engine, snick-snick six-speed, gazelle moves, uptown interior.
Lows: A few ponies shy of perfection, i-VTEC not necessarily an asset here, wants real rubber.
The Verdict: A sophisticated light-weight in a middleweight title fight.
2. Honda Accord EX V-6 - $29,850
Highs: Plenty of smooth power, handsome interior, superb seats, lots of room.
Lows: Hints of first-gear torque steer, could use more roll stiffness, lacks visual pizazz.
The Verdict: An uninspired tiger in a business suit.
1. Volkswagen Jetta GLI - $27,605
Highs: All-pro tailback moves, torquey turbo motor, sports-car braking.
Lows: Rubik's cube seat adjuster, cramped rear quarters.
The Verdict: A Jetta that finally lives up to its name.
Highs: Torquey V-6, slick styling, respectable test numbers
Lows: Opressive wind noise, primitive shifter, steering substitutes effort for road feel.
The Verdict: Competent, comely, and quick, but not quite ready for prime time.
4. Mazdaspeed 6 - $28,555
Highs: Power to burn, eager responses, good control layout.
Lows: Psychotic-vacuum-cleaner exhaust note, low-rent interior, firm ride.
The Verdict: Long on punch, short on polish.
3. Acura TSX - $30,505
Highs: Sweet engine, snick-snick six-speed, gazelle moves, uptown interior.
Lows: A few ponies shy of perfection, i-VTEC not necessarily an asset here, wants real rubber.
The Verdict: A sophisticated light-weight in a middleweight title fight.
2. Honda Accord EX V-6 - $29,850
Highs: Plenty of smooth power, handsome interior, superb seats, lots of room.
Lows: Hints of first-gear torque steer, could use more roll stiffness, lacks visual pizazz.
The Verdict: An uninspired tiger in a business suit.
1. Volkswagen Jetta GLI - $27,605
Highs: All-pro tailback moves, torquey turbo motor, sports-car braking.
Lows: Rubik's cube seat adjuster, cramped rear quarters.
The Verdict: A Jetta that finally lives up to its name.
#2
umm what happen to toyota camry? i had camry and i know they are not sporty and all, but for daily driver, there is no better choice than a camry or an accord. i think toyota camry deserve to be on the list, not jetta.
#5
Originally Posted by Trexus
I was also thinking where is the Toyota Camry? I can't believe the Accord beat the Acura TSX. It appears this review is not complete. The Camry is an everday hero.
#6
Originally Posted by Trexus
I was also thinking where is the Toyota Camry? I can't believe the Accord beat the Acura TSX. It appears this review is not complete. The Camry is an everday hero.
I understand your concern about the Camry not being there but the Camry, while an excellent family machine and a relatively soft, easy-going car, apparantly was not sporty enough to meet C & D's criteria for this test.
I would like to have seen where the new Ford Fusion V6 or its brothers, the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr......especially the Zephyr, which starts in the same 29-30K range the other cars in the test did and is a semi luxury / sports sedan like the TSX, would have fit in here. I recently did a review of the Zephyr.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...lincoln+zephyr
#7
Originally Posted by TwiBlueG35
Probably because there is a new Camry coming out soon, they don't want to test the phase out one. Plus, if you put Camry and Mazdaspeed 6 together, it looks kind of not in the same class. But Accord, TSX, GTP look closer, but what does the Jetta doing there?
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#8
True that.
The Jetta is nice though; it has really grown up. But the Camry and Passat fall into this category better. I can't wait to see the comparison next year when the new gen Camry is revealed.
The Jetta is nice though; it has really grown up. But the Camry and Passat fall into this category better. I can't wait to see the comparison next year when the new gen Camry is revealed.
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