R&T's Top 5 Most Comfortable Cars
03-25-08, 04:43 PM
#1
Speaks French in Russian
Thread Starter
R&T's Top 5 Most Comfortable Cars
1. 2009 Lincoln MKS
2. 2009 Hyundai Genesis
3. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
4. Volkswagen Passat CC
5. 2009 Infiniti FX
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/new_...JhZ2UtcmVtZWR5
2. 2009 Hyundai Genesis
3. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
4. Volkswagen Passat CC
5. 2009 Infiniti FX
Your daily commute is a grind. Slow traffic, long hours behind the wheel. It's enough to drive even the most laid-back motorist mad. The solution? These five new models promise respite for weary road warriors everywhere.
"Comfort" and "quiet" describe the new Lincoln MKS, the upcoming flagship for Ford's luxury division. Sporting a new split waterfall grille that will become a styling signature for Lincoln, the MKS offers ample room for five and plenty of power from its 3.7-liter V-6, which makes 270 horsepower. Buyers will get to choose between front- or all-wheel drive when this new sedan goes on sale later this year.
For those looking for luxury on a budget, the Hyundai Genesis sedan is just the ticket. This full-size 4-door comes equipped with a choice of 264-bhp 3.3-liter V-6, a 290-bhp 3.6-liter six or the flagship 4.6-liter V-8, which makes 368 horsepower. The styling is understated, yet elegant and like fine European imports, it is rear-wheel drive. Price of admission? Right around $30,000.
Peace and quiet need not be boring as the Pontiac G8 GXP attests. This handsome 4-door sedan from Australia offers room for five and plenty of power from a 6.2-liter V-8, which makes 402 horsepower. While the standard 6-speed automatic is just fine for stop-and-go commuting, the more adventurous might opt for a 6-speed manual. And helping to drown out the honking horns on jammed highways is a 230-watt Blaupunkt sound system.
A 4-door sedan with coupe styling is the impetus behind the Volkswagen Passat CC. This stylish 4-passenger car is slightly larger than the current Passat, but has a lower roofline. Despite its fastback styling, the car has a conventional trunk instead of a hatchback. Powered by either a 200-bhp 2.0-liter turbo four or a 280-bhp 3.6-liter V-6, the Passat CC is equipped with full-time all-wheel drive.
For something completely different, the Infiniti FX sports a new nose, toned-down chrome and a revamped interior for this combination sport/ute and sports car. The flagship is the FX50, which has a 5.0-liter V-8 making 380 horsepower. This engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 7-speed automatic transmission. Riding on massive 21-in. wheels, the FX offers such cutting- edge technology as a lane-departure warning system, active rear steering and a unique all-around view camera that makes parking a snap.
"Comfort" and "quiet" describe the new Lincoln MKS, the upcoming flagship for Ford's luxury division. Sporting a new split waterfall grille that will become a styling signature for Lincoln, the MKS offers ample room for five and plenty of power from its 3.7-liter V-6, which makes 270 horsepower. Buyers will get to choose between front- or all-wheel drive when this new sedan goes on sale later this year.
For those looking for luxury on a budget, the Hyundai Genesis sedan is just the ticket. This full-size 4-door comes equipped with a choice of 264-bhp 3.3-liter V-6, a 290-bhp 3.6-liter six or the flagship 4.6-liter V-8, which makes 368 horsepower. The styling is understated, yet elegant and like fine European imports, it is rear-wheel drive. Price of admission? Right around $30,000.
Peace and quiet need not be boring as the Pontiac G8 GXP attests. This handsome 4-door sedan from Australia offers room for five and plenty of power from a 6.2-liter V-8, which makes 402 horsepower. While the standard 6-speed automatic is just fine for stop-and-go commuting, the more adventurous might opt for a 6-speed manual. And helping to drown out the honking horns on jammed highways is a 230-watt Blaupunkt sound system.
A 4-door sedan with coupe styling is the impetus behind the Volkswagen Passat CC. This stylish 4-passenger car is slightly larger than the current Passat, but has a lower roofline. Despite its fastback styling, the car has a conventional trunk instead of a hatchback. Powered by either a 200-bhp 2.0-liter turbo four or a 280-bhp 3.6-liter V-6, the Passat CC is equipped with full-time all-wheel drive.
For something completely different, the Infiniti FX sports a new nose, toned-down chrome and a revamped interior for this combination sport/ute and sports car. The flagship is the FX50, which has a 5.0-liter V-8 making 380 horsepower. This engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 7-speed automatic transmission. Riding on massive 21-in. wheels, the FX offers such cutting- edge technology as a lane-departure warning system, active rear steering and a unique all-around view camera that makes parking a snap.
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/new_...JhZ2UtcmVtZWR5
03-25-08, 05:06 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Again, it depends on how you define "comfort". Riding comfort, the way I define it, comes from a soft suspension, soft, high-profile tires, a steering system that damps out noise and vibration, plenty of sound insulation, and a long wheelbase. Few....yes, FEW, cars are designed that way today......and the few that are left are rapidly disappearing.
Yet, some cars manage to combine a reasonably comfortable ride, or at least non-harsh, with good handling as well. Non-AMG Mercedes and non-M BMW cars are probably the best.....both companies have excellent chassis and suspension engineering.
Yet, some cars manage to combine a reasonably comfortable ride, or at least non-harsh, with good handling as well. Non-AMG Mercedes and non-M BMW cars are probably the best.....both companies have excellent chassis and suspension engineering.
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03-25-08, 05:10 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
It is getting harder and harder to find TRULY smooth-riding vehicles. In today's obsession with firmness, sportiness, and handling response, they are becoming relics of the past (see my last post above).
03-25-08, 05:37 PM
#10
I've driven and reviewed the new Lucerne and Enclave. While they can't be considered firm-riding, neither is as smooth as you might think.
It is getting harder and harder to find TRULY smooth-riding vehicles. In today's obsession with firmness, sportiness, and handling response, they are becoming relics of the past (see my last post above).
It is getting harder and harder to find TRULY smooth-riding vehicles. In today's obsession with firmness, sportiness, and handling response, they are becoming relics of the past (see my last post above).
Buick still has their le sabre don't they?
03-25-08, 05:57 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
No. Both the Le Sabre and Park Avenue were replaced by one car....the Lucerne. The Century/Regal was replaced by the La Crosse. Both new vehicles have better interior fit-and-finish than their predecessors, but are not necessarily smoother-riding. Even Buick has not escaped the rush to try and BMW-ize everything.
03-25-08, 06:02 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
I was wondering the same thing about the LS, and you're right, the FX, though slightly less harsh than the original version, is too firm for the list.
Though the new LS460 is quiet enough on the road for Pharoah's tomb, the new low-profile 45-series tires do make it slightly firmer-riding than its LS430 predecessor. That's why I said above that the true living-room sofa cars are rapidly disappearing.
Though the new LS460 is quiet enough on the road for Pharoah's tomb, the new low-profile 45-series tires do make it slightly firmer-riding than its LS430 predecessor. That's why I said above that the true living-room sofa cars are rapidly disappearing.
03-25-08, 06:07 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Volvo, No way. They have never been very good in the ride or refinement equations. Volvo's main forte is safety and crash protection.