Powertrains and Performance
All Muranos are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 265 hp and 248 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission sends the power to either the front or all four wheels. The S and SL are available as either front-wheel or all-wheel drive while the LE is AWD only. In our testing of an LE, the Murano scampered to 60 mph in 8 seconds flat. Fuel economy estimates for the 2009 Murano with AWD stand at 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.
Interior Design and Special Features
The difference between the 2009 Murano’s cabin and its predecessor is like night and day. High-quality materials and excellent fit and finish make it easy to confuse this Nissan for an Infiniti. Although a third-row seat is not available, passengers in the second row will enjoy an abundance of leg- and headroom. Prepped for cargo, the Murano has 64 cubic feet available, a small figure for a midsize crossover SUV.
All the state-of-the-art electronics gizmos one could want are available, including a genuine iPod interface (which is one of the best we’ve used), a rear-seat DVD system (with a generous 9-inch screen) and a hard-drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic plus 9.3GB of memory allotted for music storage.
Driving Impressions
The V6 offers adequate power, but the V8 is the engine you want if you have frequent towing or hauling in mind — or even if you simply want to best the powerful V6s from Nissan and Toyota. The Dakota maintains its composure on harsher terrain thanks to its well-calibrated suspension and a stiff hydroformed frame. On-road handling is decent for a truck, but the steering is pretty inert, offering little feedback and a numb on-center feel. Also, if a lot of highway travel is on the horizon, we’d think twice about the 2009 Dodge Dakota. Harsh rides are par for the pickup-truck course, but even on relatively glass-smooth highways, every pavement imperfection greets your backside with a solid bump, then a good jiggle. It gets old quickly.
Anne Gelvin Info: Interior Design and Special Features
Cabin design is a strong point for the 2009 Toyota Corolla. The driving position better accommodates drivers of different sizes than in past years, and the control layout is as ergonomic as they come. Storage is more than ample up front, particularly with the addition of a double glovebox, though the provisions are a bit stingy in back. Materials quality is high, and fit and finish is consistent with Toyota’s historically high standards. In back, the Corolla offers plenty of space for children and just enough room for adults. The trunk measures 12.3 cubic feet (average for this class) and has a wide opening.
Driving Impressions
Most buyers will be content with the base 1.8-liter engine, which delivers respectable acceleration in normal traffic situations. We recorded a 9.1-second 0-60-mph time in a manual-shift Corolla with the 1.8-liter, and our test car returned an impressive 29.8 mpg in mixed driving. Although the five-speed’s shifter feels firm and decisive moving through the gates, we suspect its abrupt, at-the-floor clutch engagement will push many buyers to the automatic. Upgrading to the 2.4-liter engine provides a gratifying increase in low-end torque, though it does come at the expense of fuel economy.
Regardless of which trim level you choose, the 2009 Toyota Corolla excels as a commuter car, as the suspension delivers a comfortable, controlled ride. Handling is uninspiring, however. Body roll is decently controlled, but the electric steering on non-XRS models provides so little feedback, you may find yourself making corrections simply to keep the car traveling in a straight line. Toyota retuned this setup for the XRS, and indeed its steering feels crisper and weightier. Driven on a back road, the Corolla XRS is undeniably a capable compact sedan, but compared to rivals like the Mazda 3, Civic and Lancer, it’s not a very entertaining one.
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Interior Design and Special Features
The 2009 Infiniti FX50 has a comfortable, well-appointed cabin befitting a luxury crossover SUV. The use of chrome and brushed-metal accents is restrained and tasteful, as is the deployment of hand-stained maple wood trim. A host of standard features, along with optional entertainment configurations, provides passengers with ample entertainment possibilities and equips the driver with comprehensive navigation tools and long-haul labor-savers. Rear legroom is diminished compared with the 2008 model, as is cargo capacity. There are fewer than 25 cubic feet available with the rear seat up, growing to only 62 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. Most midsize crossovers offer considerably more cargo volume.
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About Anne Gelvin: 2009 Hyundai Sonata Vehicle Overview
Introduction
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. But what happens when the imitator becomes better than the imitated?
For years now, Hyundai has had its sights set on Toyota. The Japanese giant’s strategy for its vehicles is to make them reliable, impeccably made, conservative in style and comfortable to ride in. Hyundai has taken that approach to heart, and the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is proof positive that it has gotten it right. In fact, not only has the updated Sonata caught up to the mighty Camry, it’s driven past it.
For 2009, Hyundai’s midsize family sedan sees several key changes. Both the four- and six-cylinder engines have received an influx of power, while raising fuel economy at the same time. That’s worthy of a thumbs-up any day. The biggest news, however, resides inside. While this generation Sonata’s original cabin was hardly an environment worth shaking a finger at, Hyundai was never pleased with it from the get-go. This year’s complete makeover performed on the center stack, gauges and center console has led to an overall design that is more user-friendly and better looking. Materials have also been improved, while the top-level Limited trim boasts a tasteful blend of color combinations, wood-grain accents and alloy trim. To be frank, this is the Lexus-lite interior we were expecting when Toyota’s all-star was last redesigned. Hyundai has delivered it instead.
When the Hyundai Sonata was redesigned three years ago, it gave the top family sedans a run for their money — in fact, we ranked it over the Accord and Camry in a 2006 comparison test. Since then, both of those rivals have been completely redesigned, as have the impressive new Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu. The changes for 2009 bring the Sonata back closer to par. Although we’re not sure it’s still the class beater, the case can certainly be made that Hyundai has built a better Camry than Toyota did. Perhaps the imitated should become the imitator.
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Driving Impressions
Since both 2009 Acura TL models feature different engines, different drive wheels, different wheel sizes and different electronic steering calibrations, they are very different to drive. The base TL is more for comfort-minded buyers who should find the 280-hp V6 more than ample for commuting. The steering’s low-effort response, however, feels decidedly artificial, and the car lacks the previous TL’s nimble nature.
The SH-AWD is a different story, as the “Super Handling” part of its acronym proves to be more than just hyperbole. By apportioning more power to the outside wheels during cornering (it’s the same principle that makes a tank turn), the TL exhibits excellent grip and control. The SH-AWD TL’s electric steering also exhibits more weighting and feedback, resulting in a more natural feel. It’s not as communicative as the old TL’s power hydraulic steering and the car doesn’t feel as agile, but the newfound maneuverability at lower speeds is a trade-off most consumers should be happy to make. In addition to the inclement weather benefits of all-wheel drive, SH-AWD also allows for the model’s 306 hp to offer lively thrust without the torque steer.
