2012 Hyundai Equus/Review

2012 Hyundai Equus

Pricing: $58,750 to $65,750 MSRP/ $54,903 to $61,413 Invoice Price
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG):15 City/23 Highway

Introduced last year, Hyundai now has a sort of super-Genesis in the Equus, an even larger sedan that aims to take on the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS at a price point one rung lower. Toward that end, the Equus, which can seat up to four or five people depending on the trim level, might be cross-shopped against sedans ranging from a 5 Series and E-Class to an Acura RL or Volvo S80.

For 2012, the Equus gains a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine with direct injection. The V-8 makes 429 horsepower and teams with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Power sunshades for the rear side windows are now part of the Ultimate trim level's features.

2012 Hyundai Equus sideview

Exterior
The Equus resembles a larger, bejeweled Genesis; it's probable that passers-by will mistake the two. Although the Equus shares its cohort's platform, it measures 7.2 inches longer. 

Exterior features include:

    *Standard 19-inch alloy wheels
    *Standard adaptive xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
    *Optional forward corner-view camera

2012 Hyundai Equus interior

Interior

By the measurements, the Equus' cabin isn't appreciably larger than the Genesis' — front and rear legroom are up less than half an inch — but both cars meet the EPA's large-car classifications, so few shoppers should be wanting for space.
Nor should they be wanting for features. The dash comes wrapped in French-stitched leather, and it adorns more places — most notably the center console surroundings and steering wheel — than in the Genesis. Interior features include:

    *Standard iPod connectivity
    *Standard Bluetooth connectivity
    *Standard power moonroof
    *Standard power rear sunshade
    *Standard heated and cooled front seats
    *Optional power-reclining rear seats
    *Optional massaging rear seat with power-extending ottoman

2012 Hyundai Equus front and back view

Mechanical features include:
    *New 429-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 with 376 pounds-feet of torque
    *Eight-speed automatic transmission
    *Rear-wheel drive
    *Air suspension with adaptive damping

Safety
Standard safety features include:
    *Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
    *Electronic stability system
    *Side-impact airbags for the front and rear outboard seats
    *Driver's knee airbag
    *Side curtain airbags
    *Active front head restraints
    *Lane departure warning system
    *Parking sensors and a backup camera

TEST DRIVE VIDEO 

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2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid /Review

MSRP: $25,900 to $27,400
Invoice Price: $23,829 to $25,208
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG): 41 - 43 City/38 - 39 Highway

Redesigned for 2012, the Camry Hybrid is the greener version of America’s best-selling mid-size sedan. If you’re looking for a vehicle with a comfortable interior, adequate power, and extraordinary gas mileage, the Camry Hybrid should be on your short list.

One of the major improvements for the Camry Hybrid has been an upgrade to its Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Electric motor output has grown substantially from 30kW up to 105kW, while the gasoline engine gets a bump from 2.4- to 2.5-liters and now outputs 156-horsepower from its four cylinders. Total system output is rated at 200-horsepower combined. The power is routed through a continuously variable transmission to the front wheels. The battery pack has increased in voltage (now rated at 245 volt battery pack) while decreasing in size which allows trunk space to increase to 13.1 cubic feet.

Fuel economy has gone up significantly from last year’s model (which was rated at 31 mpg/city and 35 mpg/highway). EPA ratings now place the Camry Hybrid at 43 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway with a combined 41 mpg rating, which brings the Camry Hybrid to the front of the pack for fuel economy, besting cars like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. This was accomplished by changes to the hybrid system, a weight reduction of about 250 pounds, adding lower rolling resistance tires, and creating a more aerodynamic shape. Toyota also offers Eco and EV driving modes on its hybrid. Eco mode maximizes fuel economy across all driving conditions and the EV mode keeps the vehicle in electric drive as long as possible (up to 25 mph). And with a fuel range of greater than 650 miles per tank, you’ll be able to spend more time on the road and less filling up.

The interior has also been redesigned for 2012, and the Camry Hybrid adds its own unique three-gauge instrument cluster. Information presented includes a power-flow display which shows energy flow, cruising range, and real-time fuel economy. Included in the redesign are gains in the rear seat leg and hip room.
The Camry Hybrid comes in two trim levels: the nicely configured LE and the higher level XLE. The LE comes with a long list of standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and ignition, and USB/iPod and auxiliary audio input jacks. The XLE adds a leather wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power driver’s seat, and six-speaker Display Audio System with audio controls on the steering wheel. Further options include a sunroof, rearview camera, heated front seats, power passenger’s seat, navigation system, and an Entune System that integrates smartphone and web functions.

The Camry Hybrid comes with all the standard safety items we’ve come to expect from a Toyota.  Toyota’s Star Safety System integrates stability control, anti-lock disc brakes and the traction control system. There are 10 airbags in the cabin, including driver and passenger front knee airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and torso-protecting rear seat mounted outboard-side airbags. A blind-spot monitoring system is available as an option on the XLE.
The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid comes back with better fuel economy and a more comfortable cabin, which makes going green better than ever.

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2011 Chrysler 300C /Review

Pricing : $38,170 to $40,320 MSRP/$36,342 to $38,319 Invoice Price
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG): 15 - 16 City/23 - 25 Highway:

Overview

The 2011 Chrysler 300C is the more powerful version of the 300 full-size sedan and for this year gets the same makeover that its smaller counterpart received with a new style and a new interior.
On the outside, the 2011 300C looks different from last year’s model yet similar all at the same time.  The 300’s trademark angles are still there, but the edges have been softened and the front fascia redesigned to be less boxy and more aerodynamic, which helps the 300C’s gas mileage figures.  

 Also new are LED daytime running lights which add a touch of refinement to the nose of the car.  Visibility was a complaint consumers had about the outgoing 300C, so for this year’s car the windshield has been raked back, the rear windows made larger, and the pillars thinned which improves outward visibility by 15-percent according to Chrysler.

Under the hood, the 300C gets a larger engine than its counterpart: a 363-horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 which is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.  The V-8 represents an increase of 71-horsepower over the V-6 in the standard 300, but where you really feel the larger engine kick in is the additional torque (394 pounds-feet opposed to 260) which helps you put the power down.

Fuel efficiency is aided by the 300C’s aerodynamic changes as well as the HEMI engine’s fuel saving cylinder deactivation technology, which shuts down cylinders when they are not needed.  Ratings check in at 15-16 mpg in the city and 23-25 mpg on the highway depending upon your choice of two-wheel- or all-wheel-drive.
Inside, the 300C’s interior gets a luxurious refresh and is packed with features usually only found on cars a class above. 

The new look is accented by brushed metal highlights that add a sense of refinement to the cabin as well as a new three-dimensional instrument panel that is particularly attractive.  The standard features list is long and includes dual-zone automatic climate control, USB/iPod connectivity, powered, heated, and cooled front seats, and an 8.4-inch LCD screen that houses audio, climate, and navigation controls (navigation is also standard).

Safety is also a standard feature on the 2011 300C, with a full complement of airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), antilock brakes, traction control, and an electronic stability system coming on every model.  Further safety technologies like adaptive headlights, blind sport warning system, and adaptive cruise control are optional.
The 2011 Chrysler 300C delivers HEMI power with all the trappings of a luxury car for a non-premium price.

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Special Cars/BMW 335d Sedan

Get great gas milage and all the performance, refinement, and race-ready handling you expect from a Bimmer with the BMW 335d Sedan ($43,900 and up). Featuring a 3.0L, turbocharged inline six advanced diesel engine, good for 265 hp and 36 mpg on highway, the 335d also features niceties like an onboard navigation system with traffic alerts, BMW Assist with Bluetooth, iPod/iPhone integration, run-flat tires, and more.

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