Performance packages
Listed below are capsule reviews of current models of cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Bentley Arnage R
Base price: $199,990. Engine: 6.7-liter, 400-horsepower V-8. It’s now a member of the Volkswagen family. The high-performance, 6.7-liter V-8 launches this sedan like a missile, in keeping with its reputation as a vehicle meant to be driven rather than driven in. Potent takeoffs mean 10 miles per gallon city/15 mpg highway and a $5,400 federal gas-guzzler penalty. Neat touches: A wood veneer picnic tabletop folds from the backs of the front seats should passengers feel the need to chow down while motoring.
Cadillac Escalade ESV
Base price: $55,370. Engine: 6-liter, 345-horsepower V-8. Fuel economy: 12 mpg city/16 mpg highway. New, even longer (by 22 inches) SUV in the lineup based on the Chevy Suburban platform, with a third-row seat. Doesn’t act as big as it looks -- except for its thirst for fuel -- and has good ride and handling. Drawbacks: Access to third-row seat and lack of power control to lower third seat.
Chevrolet Silverado SS
Base price: $39,205. Engine: 6-liter, 345-horsepower V-8. Fuel economy: 12 mpg city/16 mpg highway. Competes with the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning and Dodge SRT-10 full-size pickups, but this is the only all-wheel-drive, extended-cab member of the three. A short bed and four doors (two rear-access doors). The 6-liter delivers 380 pound-feet of torque to enable it to scoot off the starting line.
Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport
Base price: $29,475. Engine: 4.6-liter, 224-horsepower V-8. Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Over the next few years, Ford will remake its sedan lineup, so be patient for a more modern, technologically advanced version. Its conservative style is aimed at the senior market. But it needs some changes to help seniors, such as bigger outside mirrors, and larger and easy to see and use controls. One nice touch: optional trunk organizer ($190), a massive plastic chest that sits deep and flat in the trunk well with individual compartments to hold a wealth of items you don’t want rattling around.
Ford Mustang Mach I
Base price: $28,370. Engine: 4.6-liter, 305-horsepower, 32-valve V-8. Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. A bridge between the current and upcoming all-new ’05 model, a limited edition that pays tribute to the 1969 version. Like the ‘69, it comes with shaker hood scoop. The 4.6-liter V-8 provides brute power without the need to supercharge it. Only 6,500 available for ‘03, and a couple thousand more for ’04.
Hummer H2
Base price: $48,065. Engine: 6-liter, 316-horsepower V-8. Fuel economy: estimated 11 to 12 mpg city/highway combined. (Fuel economy ratings are not required for vehicles more than 8,500 pounds in gross vehicle weight.) A smaller, yet equally distinctive version of the original behemoth that will climb over boulders and ford streams, just not as big boulders or as deep streams as its gargantuan sibling. But this one is refined, comfortable and quiet -- no diesel -- and seats five to six, not just four spread out so far that they can’t hear or see each other. An SUV/truck version is next and after that, an even smaller mid-size model.
Hyundai Tiburon GT V-6
Base price: $17,999. Engine: 2.7-liter, 181-horsepower V-6. Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Redesigned and offered in base and sports versions, the latter with performance-handling suspension complemented by 17-inch radials, and, for the first time, a V-6 and 6-speed manual. A product of a carmaker known for low-price, high-mileage basic transportation. Doesn’t look like an entry-level car and with that V-6, a vehicle that doesn’t act entry level. Spirited and lively; sporty, fashionable looks and a decent window sticker. Don’t forget the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Lexus GX470
Base price: $44,925. Engine: 4.7-liter, 235-horsepower, 32-valve V-8. Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/18 highway. New-for-2003 addition sized and priced between the smaller RX and the larger LX sport utes. Plus a third-row seat the RX doesn’t have, though the option costs $2,030. Each side of the split-bench third-row seat flips up sideways and hooks to the cabin wall. If more room is needed, second-row seat backs fold as well. The rear door swings open wide enough to load luggage, but you may be out of luck is someone pulls up close behind. It’s truck-based, so it delivers a truck-like ride and handling despite adaptive variable suspension damping. All-wheel-drive is nice, as are the antilock brakes, traction control and antiskid systems. Fuel economy is dismal.
Land Rover Range Rover
Base price: $69,330. Engine: 4.4-liter, 282-horsepower V-8. Fuel economy: 12 mpg city/17 highway. Only third redesign in 32 years. Larger dimensions for more room and comfort. One of those rare SUVs actually designed to tackle boulders, hills, fallen trees, swamps, streams and sand dunes. To do so, however, the machine stands tall, so slow down for turns and corners. Dynamic stability control keeps the 19-inch, all-season radials planted firmly without slipping even during extraneous gyrations. But while planted below, you will lean above. Neither agile, nimble nor fuel-efficient. Full-time all-wheel-drive. An off-roader for the wealthy.
Lincoln Aviator
Premium AWD
Base price: $45,125. Engine: 4.6-liter, 302-horsepower, 32-valve V-8. Fuel economy: 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway. A seven-eighths-scale mid-size model that shares the same look, and nearly the same price, as the full-size sport ute in the lineup. An alternative for those intimidated by the big SUV. Choice of 2WD or AWD. V-8 delivers lots of low-end torque for quick off-the-line launch. Gas shock suspension tuned to deliver firmer but more agile ride and handling. Nice touch: heated and cooled perforated leather seats to serve you in winter or summer.
Lincoln Navigator
Ultimate 4WD
Base price: $54,210. Engine: 5.4-liter, 300-horsepower, 32-valve V-8. Fuel economy: 11 mpg city/16 mpg highway. A poster vehicle for want not when it comes to amenities, including power running boards that slide out to help you enter and exit; a power lift gate that opens/closes when you press the key fob and retracts if it strikes an object; power gas/brake pedals that motor to you; and power third-row seats that retract flat into the floor so you don’t have to remove them to haul extra cargo. All the goodies should help keep your mind off having to make frequent trips to the fuel pump.
Nissan 350Z Touring
Price: $33,179. Engine: 3.5-liter, 287-horsepower V-6 (6-speed manual). Fuel economy: 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Styling sensation that will attract crowds. Upgrade from the concept of three years ago. Remake of original is designed to offer high performance at low cost. Base model is $26,269, but a variety of editions with a confusing choice of equipment tickles $35,000 before tax. All versions share the same sports-tuned suspension as well as the potent 3.5-liter V-6 with choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Best with 18-inch radials, traction and stability control. No twin turbo, but a convertible comes out next spring.
Porsche Boxster
Base price: $42,600. Engine: 2.7-liter, 225-horsepower 6-cylinder. Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway. First significant, though modest, styling change since it appeared in the 1997 model year. It also boasts increased power as well as fuel economy. The 2.7-liter 6 delivers 225 horsepower, up from 217 horsepower, and the mileage rating rises to 20/29 from 19/27 for ’02. Subtle changes to the body for better aerodynamics. Biggest change: Power top now has glass rear window with defroster to replace plastic. What didn’t change is that it’s still a lot of fun to drive.
Subaru Forester 2.5 XS AWD
Base price: $23,695. Engine: 2.5-liter, 165-horsepower 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Next generation of the compact AWD sport utility. Boasts car-like ride, handling and fuel economy. A more fashionable rendition with rounded rather than square edges; a larger, bolder grille; contoured halogen headlamps and flared fenders. The engineers deserve even more credit. The body structure was beefed up to provide a more solid and noticeably quieter machine. The suspension was tweaked and rear tracking widened by about an inch to ensure better road manners and more predictable handling; and 16-inch all-season radials replace the old 15-inch treads. Good all-weather performer.
Toyota Corolla S sedan
Base price: $14,515. Engine: 1.8-liter, 130-horsepower, 16-valve, twin-cam 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 32 mpg city/40 mpg highway.
The traditional subcompact now is a longer, wider and taller compact for ’03 sporting new sheet metal. As always, a low-price, high-mileage car with a reputation for reliability, dependability and durability. Underpowered 4-cylinder, less-than-breathtaking design and a tendency to make some items optional, such as ABS, to keep down the price. In addition to more cabin room, bigger size contributes to smoother ride and more precise handling without the typical small-car float.
Toyota Matrix XR 4WD
Base price: $18,445. Engine: 1.8-liter, 123-horsepower 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway. A choice for those who want the security of all-wheel-drive without having to opt for an SUV. An AWD (front-wheel drive available) vehicle that rides and handles like a car, boasts the fuel economy of a car and has the storage capacity of a sport ute, yet one that’s priced for the masses.
Although it acts like a car and functions like an SUV, it looks more like a small station wagon than a sedan. New-from-the-ground-up four-door hatchback that sprang from its alliance with GM, which calls its version the Pontiac Vibe.
Volkswagen Beetle GLS
convertible
Base price: $21,850. Engine: 2-liter, 115-horsepower 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 24 mpg city/30 highway. Cute and cuddly just like the coupe, only with more character and charm thanks to the drop top.
The 2-liter is adequate for the mileage-minded; the 1.8-liter turbo (with a 6-speed automatic) is the choice for those wanting more zip -- but they’ll have to wait until next summer. Power (manual on base model) top that requires a bit of jiggling to get the latches to raise or lower. Get the optional wind locker ($250) to keep from being buffeted in the cabin.
Be prepared to stand in line and pay full list for this one. Good price and wide range of standard equipment, including ABS and air conditioning. Recommended option: stability control at $280.
Volkswagen Eurovan
Base price: $27,700. Engine: 2.8-liter, 201-horsepower, inline 6-cylinder. Fuel economy: 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway. Holds seven people in three rows of seats, but second row faces the rear and sits up against front seat backs. Novelty items include fold-from-wall picnic table, third seat folds into a bed, and dual-level cargo hold with parcel shelf. Good mileage, but noisy engine.
Volvo XC90 T6 AWD
Base price: $39,975. Engine: 2.9-liter, 268-horsepower, twin-turbo 6-cylinder. Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/20 highway. North American Truck of the Year for ’03.
Looks like a tall station wagon but is considered a sport utility vehicle, the first in the automaker’s lineup. Offered in FWD and AWD versions and with a 208-horsepower 5-cylinder or 268-horsepower 6-cylinder featuring twin turbos.
Its standout feature is the standard roll stability control system, which uses gyroscopic sensors to detect an imminent rollover and activate an anti-skid system that reduces power to the engine while applying the brakes to keep you from toppling. Neat feature: Small rear lift gate pulls out to hold things while loading cargo.
