The Weekly Driver (New Car Reviews, 2003-2010)
After a few concept test runs, the Suzuki Kizashi debuted last December in the Japanese carmaker’s attempt to “deliver the sophistication and driving experience of a premium sport sedan for the price of a modest midsize car.” With the exception of the choice, definition and pronunciation of its name (KEY-ZAH-SEEE), the 2010 sedan is an unqualified success.
As the 2009 North American Car of the Year, the Hyundai Genesis may be the most unheralded car to win the honor. Still, many critics have bombarded it with hard-to-dispute praise. Without its badge and without what ever stigma remains against Korean cars, the Genesis is nearly as luxurious and nearly as unmistakable as its Lexus and Acura competitors.
Introduced in the United States in 2003, the Honda Element arrived after two years as a concept vehicle called the Model X. It was designed by several young engineers who wanted to develop a versatile vehicle that fit a young crowd's outdoor interests — skiing to cycling, camping to recreating at the beach.
It isn't often (OK, maybe never) the price of a luxury car gets reduced by several thousand dollars. But that's what Mercedes-Benz did with 2010 models, including the E550. But Mercedes-Benz not only lowered it prices, it did so with a re-designed vehicle, not the staid offerings of yesteryear. 
Friends sometimes as why The Weekly Driver (that's me) doesn't just review Ferrari or Lamborghini or Maserati The answer: They're all fine automobiles, but not too many people buy them. The Weekly Driver is all about "The Every Driver." Lots of car buyers purchase $15,000 cars or prefer SUVs and midsize sedans. Hybrids and sports cars are fun drives, but they still comprise niche market choices compared to more popular choices — Honda Accord to Ford F-150 pick-ups to Toyota Camry. Like during the previous two editions of The Weekly Driver's Best-of-The-Year list, I waited until the end of the year, the opposite approach of the major car publications. 
The 2010 Jetta Sportwagen is not as well known as the Toyota Prius. But the two vehicles have been compared. The Prius is the much talked about, industry-leading hybrid. The Jetta TDI is the increasingly popular and peppy diesel. The Prius made many of 2010 Best-of-the-Year lists and even topped some of top car compilations. But the Jetta and its surprising value and top gas miles ratings weren’t too far behind. 
A hybrid sport utility vehicle? About six years ago, the idea still seemed outrageous. But then the Ford Escape hybrid debuted. Skeptics sneered. But now SUV hybrids are plentiful from several manufacturers. In other words, there’s competition for the Ford Escape, even if some of the competition remains from Ford via the very similar Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute.
Designed in California and manufactured in South Korea for a global market, the Kia Soul joins the expanding and economical box-style segment manufacturers prefer to call mini MPVs (multi passenger vehicles). The Scion xB and the Nissan Cube are competitors.
More than 40 years after it debuted as a muscle car competitor to the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro re-emerged in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model after a several-year hiatus from manufacturer's lineup. The Camaro is available with V6 or V8 engines and in five trims, all of which attract immediate attention.
Kia
automobiles were first available in the United States 16 years ago and
had a singular reputation. Car buyers seeking a new car who couldn't
afford anything else bought the Korean manufacturer's Sephia, which
morphed into the Spectra. The
Spectra and Sephia are gone now, replaced by the 2010 Kia Forte. Look
out Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Mazda3. Kia's come a long way with
the Forte.
