Memorial Day Auto

2 | AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010

The Ford F-150 may bethe biggest success story of2009’s carpocalypse.

The 2010 F-150 contin-ues to offer buyers plenty ofpower, towing and haulingabilities, plus innovativecargo solutions and enoughhigh-tech interior featuresand creature comforts tomake true truck fans feelright at home. If the truckmarket has shrunk to buy-ers who truly need a truck’scapabilities, many review-ers say the F-150 has themarket covered.

Like most trucks, the2010 Ford F-150 highly cus-tomizable. It’s availablewith regular, extended andcrew cab configurations,long, regular and shortbeds, and two- or four-wheel drive. The F-150 hasseven trims, including thebase XL, off-road orientedSVT Raptor trim and top-of-the-line Platinum trim.

Since the F-150 was all-new in 2009, changes for2010 are minimal. They in-clude better fuel economy fortrucks with the 4.6-liter en-gine, as well as Ford’s My-Key safety system, which isnow standard on all modelsexcept for the base XL. For2010, Ford also introduces ahigh-performance SVTRaptor edition. A new 6.2liter engine that shouldmake 400 horsepower is

due to arrive midwaythrough the model year.Since the top engine on theF-150 currently makes 310

horsepower, if you’re look-ing for more power and likethe F-150, the new enginemay be worth the wait.

AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010 | PAGE 3

2010 Buick EnclaveThe 2010 Buick Enclave

is largely unchanged. Thispremium-midsize SUV is acrossover that shares itsbasic design with the Chev-rolet Traverse and GMCAcadia.

Enclave comes in baseCX, mid-level CXL-1, andtop-line CXL-2 trim levels.The sole powertrain teamsa 288-horsepower 3.6-literV6 engine with a 6-speedautomatic transmission.Maximum towing capacityis 4,500 pounds. Front-wheel drive or all-wheeldrive is available on allmodels. Standard seating isfor seven, with second-rowbucket seats and a third-row bench. A second-row,three-person bench is avail-able. General Motors’ Smart

Slide second-row seats haveflip-forward bottom cush-ions and sliding backrests.They’re designed to alloweasier access to the thirdrow and are standard. Avai-lable safety features includeABS, traction control, anti-skid system, curtain-sideairbags that cover all seat-

ing rows, and front-sideairbags.

Bi-xenon headlamps arestandard. DVD entertain-ment is available, along witha navigation system withreal-time traffic updatesand heated and cooled frontseats. A rearview camera isalso available.

2010 BUICK ENCLAVE

2010 Cadillac CTSThe 2010 Cadillac CTS

lineup gains a wagon bodystyle and a new base engine.CTS sedan and Sport Wag-on come as the 3.0 model,with a new 270-horsepow-er 3.0-liter V6 engine. Thisreplaces a 263-horsepower3.6-liter V6.

Both body styles alsocome as the 3.6, with a 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. A6-speed manual transmis-sion is standard on 3.0sedans and is offered as acredit option on 3.6 sedans.A 6-speed automatic trans-mission is standard on allwagons and 3.6 sedans; it’soptional on the 3.0 sedan.Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is available.

The high-performanceCTS-V is a rear-drive sedanpowered by a 556-horse-power supercharged 6.2-liter V8. It’s mated to eithera 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmis-

sion. The CTS-V comesstandard with GM’s Mag-netic Ride Control suspen-sion, which automaticallyadjusts firmness within twodriver-selectable modes. GMalso offers its “PerformanceTraction Management” sys-tem on the CTS-V. This sys-tem is similar to GM’sStabilitrak antiskid system,but it is set to aid perform-ance in spirited driving.

The V also gets an up-graded interior that includes

available Recaro-brand seatswith 14-way adjustmentand a suede-like microfiberwrap for the shift lever andsteering wheel. Availablesafety features include ABS,traction control, antiskidsystem, curtain-side airbags,and front-side airbags.Available features includesteering-linked headlampsand keyless access/enginestart. A navigation system isstandard on the CTS-V,optional otherwise.

2010 CADILLAC CTS

2010 Ford F-150

2010 FORD F-150



No fewer than three dif-ferent engines are offeredfor the 2010 GMC Canyon,including an inline-4, aninline-5 and a V8.

The standard 2.9-literfour-cylinder makes 185 hpand 190 pound-feet oftorque, and an optional 3.7-liter inline-5 produces 242hp and 242 lb-ft of torque.The 5.3-liter V8 (onlyoffered on extended-caband crew cab models)makes 300 hp and 320 lb-ftof torque. The Work Truckand SLE models come stan-dard with the 2.9-literengine but can be equippedwith the 3.7-liter engine.The 3.7 is standard on SLTmodels, and SLE and SLTtrims can be outfitted withthe V8.

The 2.9-liter four ispaired with a standard five-speed manual transmissionexcept in the crew cabs,which only come with afour-speed automatic. Allmanual-shift Canyons areeligible for an upgrade tothe automatic, and the twolarger engines are automat-

ic only. Rear-wheel drive isstandard, while the avail-able four-wheel drive fea-tures a shift-on-the-fly two-speed transfer case withpush-button controls andan optional locking rear dif-ferential.

Fuel economy estimatesstart at an impressive 18mpg city/24 mpg highwayand 20 mpg combined for2WD models with the 2.9-liter engine; by the time youget to the top-of-the-lineV8-powered crew cab,however, those numbershave dropped to 14/19/16.

The Canyon doesdeserve high marks for thesimple and straightforwardlayout of its controls and

gauges. Rear legroom is abit pinched on extended-cab and crew-cab models,while ingress and egress forrear passengers can be a bitof a challenge due to thesmallish rear door open-ings. Out back, the Canyon’scargo boxes feature two-tier loading, and the dual-position removable tailgatecan be secured partly opento support the placement of4-by-8 sheets of wood atopits wheelwells.

The 2010 GMC Canyon’scabin is relatively tranquilaround town. Those look-ing for abundant power andtowing capability will, ofcourse, want to specify theavailable 5.3-liter V8.

The 2010 Dodge GrandCaravan is the latest exam-ple of a fundamentallysound idea that continuesto resonate with families onthe go, more than 25 yearsafter its introduction. Not afull-size van, but certainlynot a station wagon, theGrand Caravan minivanoffers enough seats foreight passengers, a carlikeride, smooth acceleration,and reasonable fuel econo-my.

Available only as a long-wheelbase minivan, the lat-est look for the DodgeGrand Caravan is squared-off and edgy, compared tothe Clorox-bottle shape ofthe previous generation. It’smore integrated with themuscular look of otherDodge cars, but the T-

squared lines somehowmake the Grand Caravanseem less impressive andless upscale than previouseditions. Cars.com saysDodge “really hit the mark

with the new styling. It did-n’t go overboard trying tomake it look like somethingother than a minivan.”Kelley Blue Book calls thelook “masculine,” whileMotor Trend chimes in,describing the influences of“Dodge’s ‘masculine’ Char-ger and Magnum.” Theyalso note its “broad shoul-dered...handsome, expen-sive presence...[it] actuallylooks mean looming up in arear view mirror.”


Dodge Grand Caravan 2010 GMC Canyon

2010 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

2010 GMC CANYON

It’s easy to see why the2010 Mazda 3 was a finalistin the recent Internet Carand Truck of the year con-test. The compact sedan isstylish, easy to drive, com-fortable fore and aft and it isfairly fuel-efficient.

For 2010, designers gavethe Mazda3 a new grilleexecution, new front andrear lamp treatments, anddeep creases in the frontfender design.

All that translated into acar that looked like it wasmoving while parked.That’s what you need inautomotive design to have asporty image.

In fact, the Mazda3 has adominant grille that usesdesign cues from theMazda6 and RX8 and that’snot a bad thing.

Still, today’s automo-biles, except for the trulyexotic, are more than looks.

In a phrase, in today’s worldit’s about value for the dol-lar, and the Mazda3 deliv-ers.

The wheelbase and trackwidth remains the same butthe overall length of theMazda3 has been increasedby three-inches. Thatlengthened has improved

drag coefficient and it hasincrease fuel capacity.

The Mazda3 with the2.5-liter engine and a man-ual transmission has anEPA rating of h a 2.5-literengine gets 21 mpg in citydriving and 29 on the HWY.The five-speed automaticloses one mile per gallon in

the city.The new MAZDA3’s

cockpit is configured tosupport the driver in a morededicated manner than anysport-compact competitor.Two large instrument clus-ters are carefully positionedand clearly marked to deliv-er engine and road speedinformation.

Key controls are locatedin the steering wheelspokes where they can bereached with minimum dis-traction. A new Multi-Information Display screencontaining navigation,audio, and trip informationis positioned high on theinstrument panel to avoidthe need for the driver torefocus vision off the roadahead.

A second screen slightlyto the right provides stationfrequency and climate con-trol setting information.

2010 Mazda 3

2010 GMC CANYON

The pickup truck haslong been a mainstay ofAmerican byways and high-ways, and GMC has beenthere from day one.Originally used andrespected by farmers, con-struction workers andsmall-business owners,GMC’s hauler was a basicworkhorse known for itsreliability and longevity.More recent times haveseen GMC’s full-size truckadopt the name Sierra,which was previously anupscale trim level.

As with its rivals, themodern-day GMC Sierra

1500 full-size pickup isavailable with a wide vari-ety of body styles, power-trains and trim levels.Thanks to this flexibility,the half-ton Sierra pickup isnearly as adept at serving asthe weekday family car as itis at transporting home-improvement supplies ortowing a boat on the week-ends.

Older versions of theGMC Sierra 1500 pickuphave been praised for theirstrong work ethic, butsoundly criticized for theirbland, cheap cabins. Withthe current model, fit and

finish has improved to thepoint where the Sierra nowstands proud in that area.There are other choices in

the full-size pickup truckmarket, but the Sierra 1500remains a solid pick no mat-ter what the intended use.


The Outlander isMitsubishi’s smallest SUVoffering in North America.The compact crossover isbuilt on the same platformas the Dodge Caliber andChrysler Sebring – theresult of a partnership withChrysler.

The entry-level Outland-er ES and SE models arepowered by a fuel-efficient2.4-liter 168 horsepower,167 lb-ft of torque alu-minum DOHC MIVECfour-cylinder engine teamedwith a new Sportronic CVTtransmission. Both the ESand SE will return 21 city,and 27 highway in front-wheel-drive form, and 21city, 25 highway with all-wheel-control. The XLSobtains 19 city, and 25 high-way in front-wheel-driveform, but drops to 18 city,24 highway with all-wheel-control. The GT is onlyavailable with all-wheel-control and is thus rated at18 city, 24 highway.

The more premium XLSand GT models are pow-ered by an updated 3.0-liter

230 horsepower, 204 lb-ftof torque aluminumMIVEC V6 engine mated toa six-speed Sportronicautomatic transmission.

All Outlander modelscome standard with front-wheel drive, Active Stabilityand Traction Control, Anti-lock Braking system andElectronic Brakeforce Dis-tribution to improve steer-ing while braking. What’smore, all are available withoptional all-wheel-control.

The entry-level ES

model comes with standard16-inch wheels, frontairbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side curtainairbags, anti-lock breaks, atire pressure monitor, ASC,aluminum roof and a flap-fold tailgate. There are nooptions on the ES model.

The SE, XLS, and GTmodels all come with 18-inch wheels, with the lattertwo having a unique 7-spoke design. The SE gainsFAST-key over the ES asstandard equipment, as

well as availability of the710-watt Rockford Fosgatestereo, FUSE hands-freelink system, and a powerglass sunroof.

The upscale XLS and GTmodels come with morestandard and availableequipment. The XLS gainsstandard FAST-key andFUSE technologies, withthe option for full leatherseating surfaces, XenonHID headlamps and the40GB HDD Navigationwith a music server andreal-time traffic.

The top-level GT comesstandard with Xenon HIDheadlamps, 710-wattRockford Fosgate stereo,and the power glass sun-roof.

In all four trim levels thesecond row seat featuresindependently reclining60/40 split fold-and-tum-ble seat backs. On XLSmodels, the standard thirdrow seat folds flat into thefloor. With the second andthird rows folded, overallcargo volume is 72.6 cubicfeet.

For 2010, the midsizesedan gets a fresheningwith a revised hood,bumper and grille. One ofthe more significantchanges was the addition ofstability control as standardequipment.

While the Altima is avail-able in a wide variety ofmodels, the 3.5 SR completewith a powerful 270-horse-power V-6 tied to one of thebest performing continu-ously variable transmis-sions in the business. Froma standstill, it will hit 60 inabout 7 seconds, probablyquick enough for the aver-age Altima customer. A 2.5-liter four at 175 horsepoweris also available.

Check the SR model, andyou get the six, larger 17-inch ally wheels and asportier suspension, amongother goodies.

It is on an extended tripthat one can truly enjoy thiscar. The Altima is quiet outon the interstates; the seatsare comfortable, with a six-way power driver’s seat inthe test car. Two would berather happy up front whilethe rear seat is better forshorter people if the driver6 feet tall or more.

There is ample space fora weekend away with a 15.3cubic foot trunk. Moreover,the convenience ofBluetooth and Ipod inter-faces were in the test car.

2010 NissanAltima

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander

2010 GMC Sierra

2010 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

2010 GMC SIERRA

If you’re looking for afun, rugged off-roader, theWrangler won’t disappoint.The Wrangler’s off-roadabilities, distinctive stylingand convertible top havehelped it to build a dedicat-ed following. ConsumerGuide says, “Off road, it’s afinely honed tool. On road,it’s best considered a fun-in-the-sun runabout.”

With the four-doormodel, the Wrangler mayeven work as a ruggedhauler for particularlyadventurous families whocan do without a lot of crea-ture comforts. But if you’renot the adventurous type,there are more comfortableoptions.

For 2010, the Wranglersees minor changes to the

base model. These includenewly standard fog lamps,tow hooks, a compass, anoutdoor temperature gaugeand an indicator that showswhen you’re driving effi-ciently. In addition, Jeephas modified the standardsoft top to make it easier to

remove. The Wrangler comes in

three trim levels — the baseSport, Islander, Sahara, andtop-of-the-line Rubicon —in either a basic two-dooror an Unlimited four-doorversion. Check out the Jeepdeals that may be available.

Odyssey has displacedthe Dodge Grand Caravanas America’s best-sellingminivan, evidence that buy-ers will pay a bit more forstyle, dependability, androad manners. Two 2010Honda Odyssey trim levelsstand out as particular val-ues: priced around $30,200,the EX model has powerside doors and other familyessentials; the EX-L addssuch amenities as leatherupholstery, plus a more-fuel-efficient engine, foraround $34,000.

Should you buy a 2009Honda Odyssey or wait forthe 2010 Odyssey? Buy a2009 Odyssey and you’llbenefit from a buyer’s mar-ket in a slow economy.You’ll also enjoy maximum

time before your Odysseylooks dated — though manyminivan buyers rightly pututility and value ahead ofhaving the latest in automo-tive fashion. The longer youdelay your purchase, how-ever, the more it makessense to wait for the

redesigned 2011 HondaOdyssey. Yes, deals on out-going 2010 models maysweeten as Honda storesmake way for theredesigned 2011 Odyssey,but your choice of color andfeatures will narrow as sup-plies dwindle.


2010 Honda Odyssey2010 Jeep Wrangler

2010 HONDA ODYSSEY2010 JEEP WRANGLER

The Mustang 5.0 or aspurists prefer to call it, the302, makes a comeback forthe 2011 model year withthe presentation of the newGT. The GT’s new 5.0-literV8 engine employs 32-valves and Twin Inde-pendent Variable CamshaftTiming delivering 412horsepower and 390 ft.-lb.of torque, compared to theoutgoing 2010 Mustang GT4.6-liter V8’s, 315HP and325 lb-ft.

Ford said the V8 engine,as shipped, weighs 430pounds or 195 kg represent-ing a weight savings of morethan 20 percent over theprevious 5.0-liter offering.

With the automatictransmission, the 2011Mustang GT will deliver upto an estimated 25 mpghighway and 17 in the city,up from 23 mpg highwayand 17 city for the 2010model.

The six-speed manualtransmission Mustang GTmodels are projected to

deliver 24 mpg highwayand 16 city, matching the2010 model.

Along with the newengine and transmissions,the new GT also gets a spe-cially tuned Electric PowerAssist Steering, 11.5-inchfront and 11.8-inch rearvented disc brakes and anenhanced suspension fea-turing an improved rearlower control arm and stiff-ened rear stabilizer bush-ings.

There’s also an optionalBrembo brake packageupgrade that includes 14-inch vented front discsfrom the GT500 Mustang,specific 19-inch alloywheels and summer per-formance tires.

Other updates includethe 5.0 fender badges, thespeedometer that increasesto 160 mph and thetachometer redline thatclimbs from 6,500 to 7,000rpm.

2010 Ford Mustang GT

2010 GMC CANYON


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The introduction of anew mid-grade V-8 for the2010 Tundra, adding equalhelpings of power and effi-ciency, couldn’t come at abetter time. Producing 310hp and 327 lb-ft of torque,the new 4.6-liter millreplaces last year’s middle-child 4.7-liter V-8, whichmade 276 hp and 313 lb-ft.Whereas the power gainsare appreciable, the engineis a descendant of the 4.6-liter mill that powers theLexus LS460 and GS460and can make up to a whop-ping 380 hp and 367 lb-ft.Although it seems counter-intuitive to weaken anengine that is destined foruse in, of all things, a full-size pickup, the resultantoutput figures place it rightwhere it needs to be in theTundra engine lineup: split-ting the difference betweenthe base 236-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 and the aforementioned5.7-liter powerhouse.

Among the numerousefficiency gains made underthe hood, as well as the fit-ment of a six-speed auto-matic transmission (replac-ing last year’s five-speed),the mid-grade Tundraengine boasts impressivefuel economy, too—thecompany estimates that upto 15 city mpg and 20 high-way mpg are possible,which places it among thebest base V-8s of its com-petitors and even betterthan the Tundra V-6, whichis EPA rated at 15/19 mpg.

Equipped with the 4.6,the Tundra – at least in thefour-wheel-drive DoubleCab guise we sampled –won’t light up its tires like itdoes with the 5.7-liter, yet itis perfectly adequate, allow-ing one to scoot aroundtown with reasonable gustoand without fear of losingthe rear end around everycorner. Besides, as we real-ized – vividly – during arecent stint with a Tundrashort cab powered by asupercharged version of the5.7-liter (with 504 hp and550 lb-ft of torque), drivingoverpowered Tundras canbecome a frustrating battleof wits between the driverand the stability controlsystem – un-fun except inthe most controlled circum-

stances.Further prompting a

more relaxed driving styleare the Tundra’s innatelylow-effort steering andrather numb brakes, neitherof which is incapable ofperforming its respectivetask and both of whichseem rather well suited tothe suh-moooooth opera-tion and Lexus-like quiet-ness of the 4.6. Seriously,you could drive through alibrary in this thing and notget shushed, although youmight knock over an ency-clopedia rack or two withthose massive side mirrors.Buyers seeking a bit moreexhaust rumble can find aquick fix with some war-ranty-sanctioned aftermar-ket pipes from Toyota

Racing Development.In all other respects, the

refreshed 2010 Tundraoffers no surprises. Otherthan a token grille-slatredesign and new dark-ened, sparkly plastic interi-or trim in place of last year’slight-silver bits, the Tundrais pretty much unchangedfor 2010. The buttons andthe knobs are still huge, andthe storage solutions aremany and mighty. The SR5package offers just enoughcomfort features to bepalatable as a personal vehi-cle, as long as you’re used tobeing surrounded by hardplastic and sitting on seatsupholstered more like thechairs in your dentist’swaiting room than those inyour living room.

2010 Toyota Tundra

2010 TOYOTA TUNDRA


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