Cars. Crossovers. Trucks. SUVs. As any connoisseur of driving knows, the first two take the switchbacks better than the latter. And the current market is no different. Winding roads have given way to violent curves and the new models for 2009 show how automakers are moving toward the next reality: Smaller, more carlike vehicles with all-wheel-drive that run on everything from gasoline to diesel to electric to even garbage — or all of the above.
The trend toward crossovers, those car-based SUVs, continues with a new batch badged 2009s: Chevy Traverse, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT and Toyota Venza.
To address mileage concerns, Ford has tweaked the Escape/Mercury Mariner SUVs arriving now and Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan hybrid sedans coming this year.
And, with fuel economy no problem, the mini Fit gets upgrades from Honda.
Even Dodge has made a concession to gas prices by adding two Challengers to the sport coupe line: An R/T with a tamer 5.7-liter, 340-h.p., Hemi V-8 and a much tamer V-6 SE.
On the flipside, Ford and Dodge are bringing out all new pickups, with Dodge adding its first Ram Crew Cab and Ford an F-150 that tells you when you’ve left a shovel at the job site.
For Chevy’s part, it’s simply unleashing a 600-h.p. plus Corvette ZR1 that will propel occupants from zero- to 60-m.p.h. in the blink of an eye. But to make up for the ZR1’s guzzling, Chevy’s still dangling the plug-in Volt due late next year. If you drive 40 to 50 miles or less every day, you would not have to stop for gas. Ever.
But that’s then and this is now, so here’s a rundown of the ones to watch for 2009:
Acura: A fourth-generation TL performance luxury sedan gets bigger and comes in two flavors: TL and TL SH-AWD, or super-handling all-wheel-drive, a first for the TL. Choice of a 3.5-liter, 280-h.p. V-6 or a new 3.7-liter, 305-h.p. V-6. Also available are real-time traffic and weather reports.
Chevrolet: The Corvette ZR-1 is powered by a 6.2-liter, 638-h.p., supercharged V-8 that does zero-to-60 in 3.4 seconds and zero-to-100 in 7. It tops out at 205 m.p.h., which means it can run with the Ford GT superexotic. Sticker: $103,300, plus dealer markups. Only 2,000 will be sold the first year. Companions are the Z06 with a 7-liter, 505-h.p. V-8 and the coupe/convertible with a 6.2-liter, 430-h.p. V-8.
On the “truck” side is the Traverse introduced at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. It’s the final member of the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook crossover family drawing owners of full- or mid-size SUVs. Traverse features a 3.6-liter, 288-h.p. V-6 and front- or all-wheel-drive. It can seat eight in three rows and comes with such goodies as stability control and side-curtain air bags. Options include DVD entertainment system and Bluetooth phone connectivity.
Dodge: It’s a difficult year to bring out a redesigned full-size pickup, but there are lots of noteworthy changes to the 2009 Ram. Foremost is the addition of a Crew Cab for the first time. Four-wheel anti-lock-brakes, stability control, side-curtain air bags, hill-start control and trailer sway control are all standard.
Then toss in a Bluetooth phone; heated and cooled seats; heated steering wheel; back seat satellite TV; and RamBox (in Crew Cab only) lockable/drainable storage bins in the cargo bed rails to hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce pop cans, as well as storage bins in the rear floor that each hold up to 10 12-ounce cans plus ice. That’s 260 total cans for six cupholders.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that makes 345 h.p.is upgraded to 390, probably to haul all that pop. A light-duty diesel is coming sometime after 2009 and a two-mode hybrid is scheduled for 2010.
Ford: The redesigned F-150 pickup was delayed slightly as Ford rearranged its production priorities. But when it bows in late October, it also will sport several new technologies, such as trailer sway control; Ford Works Solutions with in-dash computer with wireless mouse and printer; Tool Link, a Radio-Frequency Identification tag to keep track of tools and equipment; Crew Chief, a telematics and diagnostics system that allows small fleet owners know where there vehicles are and their maintenance records; and Cable Lock to secure large tools or equipment in the cargo area.
The compact Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner SUVs get a quicker, yet thriftier 2.5-liter, 171-h.p. 4 that boasts more power (almost 2 seconds quicker zero-to-60 time) and 1 more m.p.g. in the city and on the highway, thanks in part to fuel-saving 6-speed automatic. Like Flex, Escape and Mariner offer Easy Fuel, the capless gas-tank filler nozzle. ABS with roll stability control standard for first time, along with cruise control.
Honda: No terrible 2s for the the mini Fit, which is redesigned and about 4 inches longer. Upgrades are made to suspension, steering and body rigidity for quieter operation and less entry-levelness. New rear “magic seats” fold flat without removing headrests.
A new 1.5-liter, 117-h.p. 4 in Fit is rated at 28 city/34 highway or 1 more m.p.g. than the ’08.
For the first time, Fit – in Sport form– is available with the Honda satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition. That allows electronic stability control.
But no free lunch. Prices are up $500 and $790 for base and Sport, respectively.
Hyundai: Genesis puts Hyundai and luxury in the same sentence. The $40,000 rear-wheel-drive sedan that’s out now will be joined by a coupe early next year. Choice of a 3.8-liter, 290-h.p. V-6 or a 4.6-liter, 375-h.p. V-8. Luxury-car quiet, sports-car quick. Electronic stability control along with traction control standard for the spacious and roomy sedan. Elegant cabin. Standard equipment includes ABS, side-curtain air bags, power sunroof/windows/doors/seats/mirrors, plus rain-sensing wipers. Genesis was to be a separate luxury division, like Lexus at Toyota, but separate divisions with separate showrooms inflate cost and deflate profit.
Lincoln: A luxury MKT version of the Ford Flex with three rows of seats to hold seven is new and will gradually replace the big Lincoln Navigator, a whipping SUV of the environmentalists. MKT offers blind-spot detection so vehicles approaching from the sides don’t surprise you, as well as a new Cross Traffic Alert system that uses the blind-spot monitors to detect traffic approaching up to 65 feet away from either side when backing out of drive or lot. Ford is being coy, saying only that it will arrive sometime next year.
Mazda: The Mazda6 sports sedan is built specifically for the North American market. The Mazda6 i is powered by a 2.5-liter, 170-h.p. 4, the s by a 3.7-liter, 272-h.p. V-6. The new edition rides on a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase (109.8 inches) and is 6.1 inches longer and 2.3 inches wider. A new 6-speed manual is standard in the i .Touring and Grand Touring models feature advanced keyless entry that unlocks the doors upon approach and enables push-button starting. Blind Spot Monitoring, rain-sensing wipers and Bluetooth phone are options.
Nissan: The 2009 Nissan Maxima, the seventh generation of the flagship, is restyled with a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, but wider front and rear track for improved road manners. Maxima is now offered in 3.5 S and 3.5 SV editions and sports a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 with 290 h.p., up from 255 h.p. New features include RearView monitor and voice-activated navigation system with XM Satellite real-time traffic.
Toyota: The Venza crossover derived from the Camry sedan looks a little like a wagon, a little like a crossover, not much like a traditional sedan, but Toyota insists that’s what it is. The front-/all-wheel-drive vehicle with seating for five is for those who want the visibility, room and cargo capacity of an SUV and the ride, handling and mileage of a sedan. Toyota boasts Venza provides the comfort of a Camry, the functionality of a 4Runner, and the luxury of an Avalon.
Venza began as the FT-SX concept three years ago, developed in North America for North America it will be built alongside Camry in Gerogetown, Ky.
Target buyers are those looking to move up from a midsize sedan or down from a large SUV. When it goes on sale later this year, Venza will come with a 3.5-liter, 268-h.p. V-6 and the ability to tow 3,500 pounds; a 2.7-liter 4 model will arrive a few months later. Both will be paired with a 6-speed automatic with sequential shift. The Venza V-6 will come with 20-inch alloy wheels, the 4 with 19 inchers.
Rear seats fold flat to haul lumber and tools or skis and surboard. A power cargo door is optional along with navigation system with backup camera and a panoramic sunroof.
