Touted as a “grand tourer,” the revamped 2010 XK is the definitive Jaguar.  Evocative of  luxury and performance even while standing still, and built with the highest grade of automotive sophistication and technology, it’s what every other car in its class strives to emulate. Drivers can expect an amazingly smooth ride with unsurpassed acceleration, suspension and braking, a space-aged yet luxurious cockpit, with impressive exterior and interior features like a 5.0L V8 engine, 19” alloy wheels, premium sound system with portable audio interface, seven-inch touch screen and navigational system, digital everything and keyless entry and start, all available in twelve different metallic paint colors and three different regal veneer choices, in addition to the standard Burl Walnut. Bragging rights also come standard.

The coupe and the convertible run from ~$82,000-$101,000.

by Jason Freeman

Touted as a CUV, or Crossover Utility Vehicle, the Outlander SE’s 2010 face-lifted grill rocks a chrome-lined, aggressively sporty muscle car’s smirk but, when rear-facing the largely square-shaped, flap-folding tailgate, it’s all wagon. Its mid-raised ground clearance, combined with its spacious utilitarian cabin and available seven-passenger seating seem somewhat SUV-ish, but its extra wide width reflects its extra wide chassis supported by extra thick axles requiring oversized tires (its got a really big wheel base)—that in conjunction with an understated engine—yields a car that handles more like a pick-up truck. Wide turns. Slow acceleration. In regard to overall performance and maneuverability, the Outlander may be best-suited for open terrain and not on congested city streets.

Nevertheless, sporty but spacious, utilitarian and family friendly, it can clearly be said that the Outlander can cater to all kinds of automotive tastes. And with the MSRP of nicely-equipped model starting at ~$27,000, it can also cater to all kinds of budgets.

by Jason Freeman

2010 Volkswagen Routan SE

Drivers shouldn’t be fooled by their first look at the forward-facing grill façade on the 2010 Routan: this is not an oversized SUV/sport-wagon crossover; it’s a van. It’s as big as van. It drives like a van and it handles like a van. It’s an amply sized, five-door, seven-seating, tailgated, soccer-mom made-in-mind minivan. But unlike other comparable makes in its class, the Routan’s got “Fahrvergnügen”—the essence of VW not had in any other brand—and breaks the soccer-mom minivan mold.

The broad front, side and rear window views are expansive, allowing full vision to the driver, and the reverse-view rear camera display makes parallel parking this moving monolith effortlessly easy, even on congested city side streets. And with its smooth, curvaceous metropolitan appearance (preferably painted in bold color like the pomegranate red or nocturne black), 13 cup holders, 12V power outlets, Uconnect® and Bluetooth® capability and rear-seat entertainment system, with dvd player and two drop-down flat screen TVs, this otherwise soccer-mom machine transforms into a fully-equipped party bus akin to VW’s Minibus roots.

The automatic, remote-controlled sliding rear doors are really neat too.

Manufacturer suggested retail price of the Routan SE starts at $30,000.

by David Cohen

The Routan S and SE come with many features that make these models a good choice for lesbian and gay families.

With perfect crash-test scores the Routan van is safe and reliable.  It has comfortable seven seats; many DVD screens, thirteen cup holders; third row fold-in-floor seating and affordable start price of $25,500 other reasons why it makes it a good a good choice for gay families.

The 2010 Volkswagen Routan S and SE models come with a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 197 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The SEL and SEL Premium are outfitted with a more sophisticated 4.0-liter V6 rated at 253 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission.

But if you looking at all the latest models like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna, these comparable models might serve the typical minivan buyer better.

Bonding with Subaru’s starter model will take some time. Whether the five-door hatchback or four-door sedan, the interior seating and console controls seem built strictly for utilitarian function, and not a comfortable one: The steering wheel doesn’t adjust to a comfortable level for a person of average height. There’s no arm rest for the right driver-side arm and the manual seat-height lever, which “pumps” the driver-side seat up and down, is tacky at best. All of which can make the driver feel somewhat detached from the car’s operation, and manipulating it through local city traffic can feel awkward, at least at first.

But the car grows on you because the Impreza shines on the highway, its utilitarian, no-frills build lending itself perfect for more intense driving with hands at 10 and two. Its zippy 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides ample pick-up and its compact stature can easily weave its way in and out of heavily trafficked rocks. However, it’s just recommended that interested drivers opt to shave off a few of the premium options to trim the Impreza premium’s $21,000 MSRP to a more reasonable starter model price.

An affordable sport sedan and hatchback in one? It’s an awkward-sounding idea that Mitsubishi makes work with their Lancer Sportback and Sportback GTS editions. The company’s motto for this model being “quick shifts of a manual with the smooth operation of an automatic” effects a small, fuel-efficient vehicle (20 city mpg; 27 highway) that’s got something for everyone—cargo space, passenger room and a zippy look reflective of it’s 2.4 liter engine and sport-tuned suspension that holds the road well, even when veering at 50 mph. Nicely equipped packages start at~$23,000.

by Jason P Freeman

The new for ’10 mods to the Taurus has turned the historic American automakers once standard soccer-mom sedan into a sporty muscle machine with a touch of elegance and class.

Per Ford’s Media site: “‘The new Taurus SHO delivers on the authentic sleeper sedan formula but adds all-new luxury-appointments, convenience features and technologies to an unsurpassed balance of power and fuel economy,’ said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. ‘This new sport derivative answers enthusiasts’ calls for a premium Ford flagship sedan with even more attitude.’”

And attitude it’s got—with its subdued growling grill and 19-inch tires accommodating its huge, road-owning chassis—while its newly developed 365HP ECOBOOST V-6 automatic engine offers ample traffic-surpassing acceleration and smooth-riding suspension to spare.

Overall, this unexpected head-turner definitely earns its title as Ford’s flagship model. However, it’s recommended that drivers thoroughly read through the owners’ manual in order to learn just how to toot all of the Taurus’ bells and whistles: The actual function of most every one of the dashboard’s buttons, dials and touch-screen controls don’t appear as apparent as might be expected (coordinating icons notwithstanding). The media, satellite radio and GPS navigational monitors are not easily made use of or manipulated, and the automated driver’s seat/side and rear-view mirror position memory system seems to operate of its own volition; it resets and repositions itself each time the ignition is disengaged.

The standard 2010 Ford Taurus SHO starts at ~$37,000 or ~$43,000 with the complete options package.

by David Cohen

Bottom line, if you want to feel like king of the road drive The Boxster S 2010. This toy is an excellent and much improved model but there aren’t many places it can be driven in the way it is meant to be driven. But if you want to give it a shot, drive it late at night on any highway or Lake Shore Drive and you will experience how smooth it rides, how fast it accelerates and how fun this toy can handle.

The design of the Boxster models is governed by one philosophy above all: that the styling of a Porsche reflects its inner values. Here, the primary value is extreme performance. This concept also follows a traditional Porsche theme–the seamless blend of function and design. Visually exciting with performance to match.

It presents an even more athletic interpretation of the roadster concept, more powerful and more efficient. Its brand engine is now fitted with direct fuel injection (DFI) as standard. For increased torque and power – with a simultaneous reduction in fuel consumption. The result is 228 kW (310 hp) at 6,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 360 Nm at 4,400 – 5,500 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.3 seconds.

To experience the performance of the porsche Boxster 2010, there is only one thing I can say or offer one piece of advice: you really need to drive it !

The price for the Porsche Boxster two door-two seating convertible  starts at $47,600.

Its bold presence is a wakeup call to your senses. Beginning with the unmistakable chrome grille that continues its linear design around Flex in the form of four distinctive grooves. The all-black greenhouse design with privacy glass seamlessly ties the body together with the roof, but it’s the available two-tone top that gives you the option to reflect some personal style. Want an Ingot Silver roof with a Tuxedo Black body? Well then, you’ve got good taste

Flex can fit seven people, or six if you opt for the available second row 40/40 reclining bucket seats. And yet, there’s still plenty of room for storage and stretching of legs. The independent rear suspension soaks up bumps and potholes so you don’t have to. While extensive wind tunnel testing helped us pinpoint noise sources – resulting in a new door inset design and the use of advanced sound-deadening materials. We suggest a test-drive to not hear the results for yourself.

The 2009 Flex earned the highest government crash test ratings in frontal- and side-impact crash tests, from the NHTSA. So it’s no surprise that Flex was also named a “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS. With advanced features like available All-Wheel Drive and a standard anti-lock brake system that includes AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, Flex is engineered to help keep you safe and in control.

Porsche Cayenne GTS

The Cayenne’s standard hitch prep is somewhat curious because—seriously—what’s the SUV prima donna of Porsche ever really going to pull? While this model definitely has the muscle, it’s doubtful that those who can afford the basic GTS starting price of $72k would actually be inclined to schlep their own stuff. And like the hitch, some of the standard/optional pluses are neither practical nor user friendly (the GPS nav display, set far below the driver’s direct line of vision, is one example). Nonetheless, it’s still a Porsche, with all the perks of both an SUV and 5-star sports car. It’s a dream to drive, and having this gorgeous German accenting the asphalt outside your house will make your social stamina soar. Pass on the superfluous and overpriced adjustable chassis control and tiptronic transmission; splurge on the panoramic moonroof.

Jaguar XF

Jumping on the latest sport-sedan, luxury-automotive trend, Jaguar released the XF line this past June. And it is one seriously sexy, head-turning hottie. Drivers of Jaguar’s most awesome model will enjoy the all-new 5.0 Gen III engine with Active Differential Control (taking the XF from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds), a mean-ass grill and smooth, curvaceous fascia, top-class console/interior, a smooth-ass ride and the sure acquisition of popularity points among the good-looking status quo. ~$62,000

Ford F150 Lariat

Drivers of the newly redesigned and reengineered full-size Ford F-series’ uber-luxurious Lariat line are likely inclined to build a bridge, or just buy one. Ford has upped F’s ante to make the series more appealing to collars both blue and white as the nation’s once top-selling truck has become less of a contender in these hardened economic times. Its 5.4 liter V8 engine has been upgraded to a 6-speed automatic, from the four of previous models, to offer quicker pick-up and a smoother ride when hauling or towing its 3,000-11,000 respective capacities. And its super fancy on the inside—all leather, all power, moonroof, supped-up stereo and GPS—the works! Perfect for the construction-site foreman and/or the CEO executive in your life. ~$44,000