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Although I’m sure there’s plenty of brand-loyalty disagreements, based on what I’ve personally driven over the past 12 months, here’s my choices for the best of what I call, “Daily Drivers,” going into the 2007-2008 model year:
Best Family Sedans? There’s a reason Toyota Camry and Honda Accord consistently battle for the top selling — and stolen — spot. But don’t overlook the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan or Lincoln Zepher, depending on your preferred level of luxury. Also consider the 2008 Nissan Altima, Ford 500 (which will be rebadged in 08 as the Taurus). For a lot less money, check out the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata.
Best Luxury Sedans? Mercedes E550, Lexus LS460, Infiniti Q45, Cadillac DTS, Nissan Maxima, and my old favorite, the Jaguar XJ. However, I also have recently become quite enamored of the new 2008 Volvo S80 V8, For way less money, and a lesser but acceptable level of luxury, check out the Kia Amanti and Hyundai Azera.
Best Performance Sports Sedans? There are just too many good ones to choose only one or two because the nuances are so subtle, that it’s often as much about personal style as performance. In the compact class it’s easily the Subaru WRX STI, Acura TL and BMW 3-Series. But the baddest of them all will be the redesigned 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which won’t be available until later this year. Mid-size sedans include the Infiniti G35 and G35X Lexus IS350, Mazda 6, Cadillac CTS-V, Volvo S60R, Jaguar S-Type-R, Audi A6, and the Acura RL.
Among the very best in the large luxury/performance category in my opinion, are the Mercedes S600, Audi A8, and based on my own personal sense of style, as well as all-around comfort and performance I’m particularly fond of the medium-sized Infiniti M35X and full-size Jaguar XJR.
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| 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution |
Best High-Performance Coupe and/or Convertible? Again, too many that are just too good. With opinions being very subjective based on size as well as your own personal sense of style and measures of performance, in the smaller segment, I love the Nissan 350Z. It’s a totally awesome performer that’s been continually refined since its debut. Also on my list are three Porsches’ — the 911 Carrera 4S, Boxster and Cayman, as well as the Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro. I am also quite enamored of the new Saturn Sky Red Line. In the full-size segment, the 505-horse Chevy Corvette ZO6 belongs here, as does the Cadlllac XLR, Saleen and Shelby GT500 Mustangs, and the Mercedes SL55 AMG, along with my personal favorite car, bar none: the Aston Martin DB9. But don’t overlook the all-new Jaguar XK either.
Best SUVs? This is perhaps the most competitive market segment of all, with lots of choices in all price ranges and sizes — and even more coming. There is also a distinction between crossover SUVs — those built on automobile platforms with no low-range gearing — and true, truck-based body-on-frame SUVs, where the choices narrow considerably.
Crossovers: In the compact class I personally like the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and sibling Mercury Mariner (both also come as hybrids), Jeep Patriot, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota RAV4. Also make it a point to check out the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander as well. All are affordable and highly functional.
In the mid-size crossover range, my winners include the new Ford Edge, Mazda CX7, Toyota Highlander (also available as a hybrid), Honda Pilot, Acura RDX, and Volvo XC70.
At the luxury crossover level, my choice remains the Volvo XC90, which won SUV of the Year honors hands down at Mudfest three years running and has won its class every year since. It’s still being recognized by auto writers everywhere as one of the best all-around SUVs in terms of luxury, performance, everyday utility, drivability and value. Honorable mention: the Mercedes GL Class, Acura MDX. VW Touareg, Lexus RX400 and RX400h and Infiniti FX35 and 45.
Body–On-Frame SUVs: In the small class, it’s the Nissan Xterra, hands down. In the mid-sized range it’s easily the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Land Rover LR3, Hummer H3, Porsche Cayenne, and my personal favorite in this group, the Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Best Full-size body-on-frame SUVs? Hummer H2, Nissan Armada. GMC Denali and its siblings, the Chevy Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade, as well as the Chevy-GMC Suburban. The Dodge Durango is also worth a look, but my personal favorite in this group — again, based on my personal sense of style, is the Range Rover.
Best Full-Size Pickups? For my money the Nissan Titan is still about the best after dethroning longtime champ, the Ford F150 last year. But the newly redesigned, 2008 Toyota Tundra is a strong contender, giving the Titan a serious run for its money. Also the all-new 2007 GMC Sierra, and Chevy Silverado offer the most determined competition for the imports in some time. They’ve also gained the edge over the F-150, which is getting seriously long in the tooth. I’m lukewarm about the Dodge Ram. Although I like its looks, I dislike the fact that as with most DiamlerChrysler products, things that are standard on most other brands, are options.
Best Mid-Size Pickup? Hands down, the Nissan Frontier, followed by the Toyota Tacoma.
Best American Car? It’s about a toss up between the Chrysler 300C and the Cadillac STS. The Ford 500, which will be rebadged next year as the Taurus, and its to be rebranded sibling, the Mercury Sable (now the Montego) deserve a mention here as well as the new Saturn Aura.
Best Hybrid? Toyota/Lexus wins hands down in all segments — again — from the Lexus RX400h SUV, to the luxurious LS600h sedan, right down to the Camry hybrid and the Prius. Honda has done an excellent job of combining gas-electric powertrains that actually offer more combined horsepower than Toyota, but I still favor Toyota.
Most Underrated Car? The Mitsubishi Gallant, which is seemingly the Rodney Dangerfield of the mid-sized sedan segment. The Gallant is every bit as good as the Accord or Camry — and cheaper to boot.
Best Small Car? I really like the new Nissan Versa — it’s roomy, powerful for this segment and has lots of thoughtful features not found on most others at this price point. The Toyota Yaris is also a serious contender here. However, Hyundai and Kia still offer the best warranty — 100,000 miles — and the lowest price.
Vehicles I Just Like… Because...??? Nissan Murano — very stylish; Mini — just plain fun; Honda Element — funky but fun, with lots of utility; Dodge Magnum — cool like the old Nomad; Cadillac Escalade EXT — luxurious and a real truck to boot; Dodge Daytona SRT10 — fast — very, very fast; Chevy HHR — cool and functional; Infiniti FX35 and 45 — highly stylish, very comfortable, fast and practical; and the Cadillac XLR —a Corvette in Caddy trim, which means all the speed and handling, as well as all the Cadillac comfort.
A couple of quick notes: In past compilations of this list, I’ve had some feedback about specific vehicles — and why I don’t mention them. Most questioned is my lack of affinity for BMW. I believe BMW has overloaded its vehicles — especially at the higher end — with high-tech gadgetry to the point of near absurdity. Its electronic wizardry can be very intimating for a non-techie. While I consider myself technically savvy, personally, I find BMW’s electronics to be highly non-intuitive for the most part. It shouldn’t take reading a 200-page instruction manual to figure out the radio — or anything else.
The other vehicle I get the most inquiries about is the Dodge Viper. Not surprising is the fact most of these come from people who have never actually driven a Viper, but love its looksand mystique.
The Viper is one of the fastest, most powerful cars I’ve ever driven. But driving it is a full-time job. It takes a seriously knowledgeable driver to understand this complex machine — how it performs, how it handles, and all its other quirks — to be able to drive it competently and safely in anything but a straight line. It’s extremely noisy inside, somewhat cramped and uncomfortable, hard to get in and out of, and the exhaust pipes — even though they’ve now been hidden beneath the rocker panels — will burn the back of your legs every time you get out. Quite simply, the Viper, while beautiful, and extremely fast, is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a daily driver — at least not in my estimation. And daily drivers are what I’m profiling here. |
