The rookies of the road in ’03
Below are capsule reviews of new vehicle models.
Saturn Ion 3
Base price: $15,910. Engine: 2.2-liter, 140-horsepower, 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway.
A new name on a new and fashionable sedan with bigger dimensions and a new 4-cylinder with more gusto and far less racket and commotion than 4s in previous models. The 2.2-liter engine can be supercharged and will be in a high-performance 200-horsepower version of the coupe for ’04.
The suspension system also is new to reduce road harshness. A good car for those wanting high mileage and low price without it looking like a bargain-basement offering. And thanks to plastic panels, a vehicle that will age gracefully.
Acura MDX Touring
Base price: $40,500. Engine: 3.5-liter, 260-horsepower, 24-valve V6. Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway. The sport utility derivative of the Honda Odyssey minivan was North American Truck of the Year in 2001, but the ’03 model is far better. The V6 gets 20 horsepower more, and the ride is smoother and the handling more predictable thanks to a retuned suspension. Vehicle Stability Assist -- new and standard for the ’03 model -- uses antilock brakes and either traction control and/or throttle control when needed in acceleration, braking or cornering to ensure optimum handling and control. It also features full-time four-wheel drive. Other changes: a factory-installed DVD entertainment system and a rearview camera that uses the vehicle’s navigation system screen to show what’s behind you.
GMC Envoy XL
Base price: $33,220. Engine: 5.3-liter, 290-horsepower V8. Fuel economy: 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway.
For added power, a 5.3-liter V8 is an option only in the extended-length SUV, with seating for seven passengers, including third-row seating for two adults.
Aimed at those who need more towing capability with an additional 55 pound-feet of torque over the standard 4.2-liter inline 6. It can tow as much as 1,300 pounds more than the 4.2 liter.
Very spirited off the line, but you’ll lose 1 mpg compared with the 6. The same type of engine will be offered in ’04 GMC Envoy XUV and Buick Rainier sport utility vehicles.
Chevrolet Suburban 4WD
Base price: $39,006. Engine: 5.3-liter, 285-horsepower V8. Fuel economy: 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway.
Smooth, sedan-like ride and agile handling for a vehicle so big -- except when pulling into that tight parking spot. Quadrasteer, a four-wheel-steering system that makes maneuvers easy, is offered on the three-quarter ton 2500 but not on the half-ton 1500.
It does benefit from StabiliTrak, offered for the first time with the base 5.3-liter V8, to maximize handling on all road surfaces. Also, optional Autoride ($875) controls shock damping to help smooth irregular roads and to take the bounce out of being big.
New for ’03 are optional power-adjustable brake and gas pedals and a passenger air-bag system that won’t deploy when a child is in the seat, and deploys at reduced force in low-speed impacts.
Chevrolet Corvette
Anniversary coupe. Base price: $43,225. Engine: 5.7-liter, 350-horsepower V8. Fuel economy: 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway.
As civil as the Dodge Viper is crude. Active handling suspension, traction control and magnetic selective ride control -- a sophisticated term for a system that reduces bounce, vibration and noise by isolating and smoothing the action of each tire on all roads. Delivers flat ride and precise handling with little effort on the wheel. Offered only in anniversary red. Drawback: You’d think that because Chevy had 49 years to prepare, this would have been a knock-your-socks-off limited edition with let-it-all-hang-out performance.
It’s a smooth ride, with sure-footed handling and ample power from the V8 teamed with optional six-speed manual (automatic standard), but nothing that stands out to make the 50th year noteworthy.
Chrysler Town & Country
Limited Edition. Base price: $36,285. Engine: 3.8-liter, 215-horsepower 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway.
Still the champ in the minivan segment in ride, handling, room, comfort and neat features, such as an optional rear cargo organizer ($250), a huge collapsible plastic tray with dividers that runs the width of the hold; grocery-bag hooks on the backs of the second- and third-row seats; power and retractable side doors and rear lift gate; a power sunroof that’s available when you order the optional factory-installed rear-seat DVD entertainment system; and new power-adjustable brake and gas pedals.
Good mileage, ample power, all-wheel drive available. But the champ has gotten expensive.
Dodge Viper SRT-10
Base price: $79,995. Engine: 8.3-liter, 500-horsepower V10. Fuel economy: not available.
The V10 delivers an awesome 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque, an upgrade from the 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet in the original ’92. Powerful and visually appealing, thanks to tweaks, such as the swept-back fenders and deep-cut side scallops, that refine the traditional design. Ride is a tad stiff and handling requires some steering effort, but this isn’t supposed to be an everyday commuter.
This is the anti-’Vette. A high-performance image. For ‘03, there’s only one model, a convertible with manual top. Drawback: All are spoken for.
Ford Expedition 4x4 Eddie Bauer
Base price: $41,195. Engine: 5.4-liter, 260-horsepower V8. Fuel economy: 14 mpg city, 17 mpg highway.
Well mannered for a big SUV, with a wealth of safety and security features and a styling and engineering upgrade. Surprisingly good handling, thanks to suspension upgrades, a new power rack-and-pinion steering system and better steering dynamics. But the attraction is the power third-row seat that folds flat at the touch of a button to increase cargo capacity. Nice touch: climate-controlled driver and passenger seats ($625) with perforated leather that provides heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Missing: power running boards that motor out to greet you when you open the door and retract when you close it, such as those offered on the Lincoln Navigator.
Mercedes-Benz E500
Base price: $54,850. Engine: 5-liter, 302-horsepower V8. Fuel economy: 16 city, 23 highway.
Be prepared: 160 pages of the owner’s manual detail only the buttons and dials. Redesigned for ’03 so that it looks more like a smaller sporty coupe than a formal sedan. New 5-liter packs more horsepower and torque and offers more spirited takeoffs, but the extra price you pay is a $1,000 gas-guzzler tax. Nice touches: New Airmatic air suspension electronically matches shock and air-spring settings to road conditions. Cornering forces make for sure-footed handling.
Mitsubishi Endeavor LS
Base price: $27,597. Engine: 3.8-liter, 215-horsepower, 24-valve V6. Fuel economy: 19 city, 27 highway.
New midsize all-wheel-drive sport utility, though the company prefers calling it a crossover that’s part sedan, part SUV. Sits low and wide. Quick, precise steering response adds to handling.
A panoramic view of the road. It’s built on a car rather than a truck platform for better ride and handling. Next-generation Galant and Eclipse cars will be built on this platform. Shortcomings: V6 engine growls off the line; difficult to adjust outside mirrors; can’t get power sunroof in base model.
Nissan Murano SL
Base price: $28,200. Engine: 3.5-liter, 245-horsepower V6. Fuel economy: 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway.
The automaker’s first crossover sedan and sport utility for folks who like the ride and handling of a sedan with the function of an SUV. Built off same platform as Altima sedan. Bold, daring design. Potent V6. You’ll enjoy lively takeoffs and spirited maneuvers, which complement the adventurous design. Choice of FWD or AWD for all-season motoring. Continuously variable automatic transmission with infinite number of gear ratios and smooth, quiet operation. Lots of noteworthy goodies, such as levers to lower rear seat backs.
Subaru Baja
Base price: $23,995. Engine: 2.5-liter, 165-horsepower 4-cylinder. Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway.
It’s deja vu. The return of cars posing as trucks. What this vehicle has that earlier members of the genre lacked are four doors with two rows of seats and full-time all-wheel drive -- plus a rear cabin wall that lowers to expand the truck-bed capacity. For those who sometimes feel they want a truck and sometimes don’t.
Toyota 4Runner Sport
Base price: $32,075. Engine: 4.7-liter, 32-valve, 235-horsepower V8. Fuel economy: 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway.
Time for a change, which prompted a 4-inch stretch in wheelbase and length to increase cabin room and improve ride and handling. It adds two snappier engines, a 4-liter V6 and, for the first time, a 4.7-liter V8. But no V6 until December. More sport and not just utility, with a decorative hood scoop, 17-inch radial tires and specially tuned suspension to minimize unnecessary motion. No three rows of seats. Neat feature: Ceramic coating on exterior mirrors side windows sheds water.
