Sunday, November 7, 2010

Hidden Camera Car Shopping

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Elisabeth Leamy Good Morning America consumer correspondent Elisabeth Leamy used a hidden camera to record negotiations over buying a used car for Edmunds.com.

I kept the camera that had been hidden in my shirt pointed directly at the car salesman as I hit him with my opening offer. Meanwhile, a Good Morning America producer at my side recorded me with a camera hidden in her purse. Another producer and a cameraman hovered nearby, pretending to rock out to their iPods, which they were actually using to capture the whole scene on video.

This elaborate ploy, involving visits to two different dealerships in the Phoenix area, was not set up to catch dealers doing anything illegal. We just wanted to demonstrate simple negotiation tactics played out in a typical buying situation. While Edmunds and Good Morning America hope that the undercover assignment will educate car shoppers, it wasn't just an exercise for TV. I really did need to buy a certified used Honda Odyssey for the Edmunds photography department.

Face-to-face negotiation used to be the only way to buy a car before Internet car shopping provided a stress-free alternate route. But Good Morning America needed visuals to make good television. And since I was buying a used minivan, I needed to inspect it before I began haggling. Finally, many consumers have heard of Internet car shopping, but a fair number are still drawn to the less-than-optimal dealership shopping experience.

Before I left on what felt like a secret mission, the Edmunds accounting department deposited $25,000 in my checking account. My goal was to get the Odyssey for below our True Market Value (TMV®) pre-tax price of $22,300, which was the average amount other car buyers paid in the Phoenix area.

Outfitting the Car-Buying Spy
The day before we set out, I went to the hotel room of Good Morning America producer Elisabeth Leamy, author of Save Big, to get my shirt rigged up with a tiny camera, battery and microphone. When I entered, the cameraman, Jim, had electronic gear spread out on the bed. It was like the lair of Q in a James Bond movie, with cameras in purses, BlackBerrys, eyeglasses, iPods and Bluetooth earpieces. The Good Morning America crew selected a shirt from several they had purchased, cut a slit where a button would have been and poked the camera lens through the opening.

"The only thing you have to remember is to point your toes at the salesman," Jim said. "That will put him in the frame. Oh, and remember, when you sit down, don't lean back."

"And when I tap my head, that's your signal to turn to me so I'll be on camera," Leamy said. "That's all you need to think about."

It seemed like a lot to remember in the heat of the moment, particularly since we were dealing with real money, a real van, the needs of the Edmunds photography department and the knowledge that the footage would eventually be seen by a national television audience.

But that, as they say, is showbiz. And so here we were at a Honda dealership, sitting at a sales desk, negotiating for a minivan.

Trouble at the First Dealership
Leamy and I posed as friends buying the car for my company. We had devised a negotiating strategy ahead of time and decided on the key points we wanted to demonstrate, such as trying to get the salesman to name the first price. The dark blue 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L had 43,000 miles on it. The dealer's used-car window sticker had a big, fat asking price of $27,999. However, the salesman said the dealership's Internet price was $23,470. Despite repeated requests from me, he stuck to this as the best he could do.

"I'm willing to pay you $18,500 for the Odyssey," I said, aiming the camera at the salesman and studying his face. Outwardly, he had little response. But behind his eyes, I saw a flicker of disappointment. Actually, I named this low price so he would reject my offer and we could then demonstrate an underrated negotiating strategy — walking out.

The salesman stood up and promised to present our offer to his manager. As he prepared to depart, Leamy told me, "Chandler Phillips called and needs us to call him back right away." Chandler, the name of the author of "Confessions of a Car Salesman," was our code word. If Leamy told me that Chandler wanted us to call him right back, that meant we had to leave the dealership.

We hurried back to our car, parked out of sight around the corner and Jim, the cameraman, pulled out the tiny memory card in the recorder I was wearing. "We have a major problem," he said. "I ran into a guy who knows I'm a cameraman." Even worse, he said, the guy's brother worked in the dealership's service department. He might tell the sales staff who we really were. It was like that moment in a cop movie where a character blurts out, "I've been made!"

Nevertheless, we decided to go back into the negotiation. What followed was a frustrating, hour-long barrage of managers grinding us. At one point, a slick manager wearing a pair of shades tucked into the back of his shirt collar said, "What if I could make $21,000 work? Would you be interested?" We said yes. He disappeared and we felt we were making progress. But then another manager appeared and disavowed any knowledge of this $21,000 counteroffer. Furthermore, they were going to charge us $870 for the already certified vehicle — a clear duplication of charges.

Finally, we left the dealership and regrouped over lunch. The producers reviewed the footage while I reviewed my negotiating strategy. The morning had shown me that an opening offer that is too low doesn't put you on the path to a firm purchase price. And I had a deadline: I needed to end this day with the purchase of an Odyssey. So we loaded up our cameras and headed to a second dealership just outside the city, where a dark cherry red 2007 Odyssey EX-L was for sale for the "Internet" price of $23,988.

The Second Negotiation Starts With Jokes
On the second dealer's lot, it was over 105 degrees, and the sun beat down so mercilessly that it was impossible to stand in the open for more than a few minutes. But when I located the Odyssey, I was pleased to see that it was in better shape than the one we had seen that morning.

"Salesman's coming," Leamy said under her breath

A Tim Allen look-alike appeared, carrying cold bottles of water for all of us. He handed them out as he said, "Hi, I'm Rich. Actually, I'm not rich — that's just my name." I laughed, but he must have used that joke a million times.

After a short test-drive, during which the van checked out fine, we sat in air-conditioned comfort across the table from Rich, ready to begin Round Two of negotiations. I pointed my shirt camera directly at him. "We are willing to offer you $20,500 for the van," I said, and forced myself to remain silent and still once I'd put the number on the table. He immediately stood up and promised to return quickly with an answer.

Meanwhile, "Chandler" had called again, meaning we needed to leave the dealership. We hurried back to the car, checked the footage and found everything working. We returned to the sales office and waited for an answer. Rich returned with his manager, a stern, barrel-chested man who looked like actor Bob Hoskins. After the usual preamble, during which he justified his price, the manager said that the best he could do was $22,900.

Leamy keyed in the figure on a pocket calculator and showed me that this was a discount of $1,088 from the dealer's Internet price, That was actually a signal that we were going to hang on to our number of $20,500. Leamy then used another tactic, telling me that she really liked the Honda we had seen in a different color elsewhere. If we didn't get our price here, she said, we should head back to the other dealership. While not-rich Rich and his manager didn't acknowledge this opening gambit, it seemed to put pressure on them to speed up their counteroffers.

I improved my offer by $500 to $21,000 and eventually moved up to $21,500. This was still well below the TMV price of $22,300, but it left me with very little room to negotiate unless I did it in much smaller increments.

Then the unexpected happened. The manager left to talk to the "big, big boss." A tall, clean-cut young man arrived and sat down in front of us. He began another lengthy justification of his price and then suddenly said, "So, we accept your offer of $21,500." After I got over my surprise, I asked to review all the fees. When I decided they looked good, I said we had a deal.

Our trip through the finance and insurance office was smooth. The only tense moment was when I handed over my debit card and watched the F&I manager key in $23,934.48 (the total cost with taxes and fees added). We all stared at the computer, which seemed to be considering the request. It then spit out a small receipt, just like the kind you'd get if you'd just bought a burger at McDonald's.

As I drove away in the freshly detailed Honda Odyssey, I thought about how thankful I was that Edmunds' car-buying tools and the Internet have given us an easier way to buy cars. Still, doing it old school gave me a real sense of accomplishment and something extra — the peace of mind that comes with knowing I had fought for the best price and gotten the most car for the money.


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Saturday, November 6, 2010

Top 10 Sedans With the Highest Insurance Expense for 2010

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Top 10 Sedans With the Highest Insurance Expense for 2010 — Edmunds.com Return to Edmunds Classic | Tell us what you thinkWelcome, Guest | Sign In | Facebook Sign in | Account |Help Car Reviews Car Reviews and Road Tests Industry Car News Best Cars Lists Awards Blogs New Cars Calculators Car Finder Compare Cars Find a Dealer Incentives & Rebates Search Inventory True Cost to Own® Used Cars Appraise Your Car Certified Cars Selling Tips True Cost to Own® Used Car Finder Tips & Advice Buying and Leasing a Car Selling a Car Family and Car Safety Fuel Economy Car Technology Auto Financing Auto Insurance Auto Warranty Driving Tips Maintenance Maintenance Costs and Recalls True Cost to Own® Find a Repair Shop How-To Articles Maintenance Articles Forums Answers Browse Discussions Search Forums Home> Car Reviews> Top 10 Lists> Top 10 Sedans With the Highest Insurance Expense for 2010 Print | Email | Share | RSS Top 10 Sedans With the Highest Insurance Expense for 2010 (0 Comments)

10/07/2010 - By Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor, Edmunds.com

It's no surprise that luxury and performance cars can throw a gut punch to your finances when it comes to insurance expense. These models often have the sort of horsepower that encourages bad choices, and to top it off, they're usually expensive to repair; put these two factors together and it's easy to see why insurance companies strap them with hefty premiums. But which of these models are most expensive to insure?

The answer is found in the 10 cars listed below; these are the sedans with the highest insurance expense for 2010. Our rankings are based on five-year projections generated by the Edmunds data team. Each model's ranking reflects that of the trim level that's least expensive to insure.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1. 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2010 BMW M5 2. 2010 BMW M5

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 3. 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4. 2010 Porsche Panamera

2010 Lexus IS-F 5. 2010 Lexus IS-F

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Clas 6. 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 7. 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2010 BMW M3 8. 2010 BMW M3

2010 Cadillac CTS-V 9. 2010 Cadillac CTS-V

2010 BMW 7 Series 10. 2010 BMW 7 Series

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Friday, November 5, 2010

Warranty and Roadside Assistance Coverage

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10/05/2010

All new vehicles sold in America come with at least two auto warranties, and many include roadside assistance coverage. Described below are the major types of warranties and assistance provided to consumers.

Basic: Your basic automobile warranty covers everything except items subject to wear and tear, such as oil filters, wiper blades, and the like. Tires and batteries often have their own warranty coverage, which will be outlined in your owner's manual. Emissions equipment is required to be covered for two years or 24,000 miles by the federal government and 8 years and 80,000 on certain components.

Drivetrain: Drivetrain warranties take care of most of the parts that make the car move, like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft. Like the basic auto warranty, parts subject to wear and tear like hoses and belts are not covered. However, most of the internal parts of the engine, such as the pistons and bearings, which are subject to wear and tear, are covered by the drivetrain warranty. See your owner's manual or local dealer for specific coverage.

Rust or Corrosion: A rust or corrosion warranty protects you from rust-through problems with the sheetmetal. Surface rust doesn't count. The rust must make a hole to be covered. Keep your car washed and waxed, and rust shouldn't be a problem.

Roadside Assistance: Most manufacturers provide a service that will rescue you if your car leaves you stranded, even if it's your fault. Lock yourself out of the car? Somebody will come and open it up. Run out of gas? Somebody will deliver some fuel. Flat tire? Somebody will change it for you. See your owner's manual for details, or ask the dealer about specifics.

Make Basic
(yrs/mi) Drivetrain
(yrs/mi) Rust/Corrosion
(yrs/mi) Roadside Assistance
(yrs/mi) Acura 4/50,000 6/70,000 5/Unlimited 4/50,000 Audi 4/50,000 4/50,000 12/Unlimited 4/Unlimited BMW 4/50,000 4/50,000 12/Unlimited 4/Unlimited Buick 4/50,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Cadillac 4/50,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Chevrolet 3/36,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Chrysler 3/36,000 5/100,0001 5/100,000 3/36,000 Dodge 3/36,000 5/100,0002 5/100,000 3/36,000 Ford 3/36,000 5/60,0003 5/Unlimited 5/60,000 GMC 3/36,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Honda 3/36,000 5/60,000 5/Unlimited None Available HUMMER 4/50,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Hyundai 5/60,000 10/100,000 7/Unlimited 5/Unlimited Infiniti 4/60,000 6/70,000 7/Unlimited 4/60,000 Isuzu 3/50,000 7/75,000 6/100,000 7/75,000 Jaguar 4/50,000 4/50,000 6/Unlimited 4/50,000 Jeep 3/36,000 5/100,0004 5/100,000 3/36,000 Kia 5/60,000 10/100,000 5/100,000 5/60,000 Land Rover 4/50,000 4/50,000 6/Unlimited 4/50,000 Lexus 4/50,000 6/70,000 6/Unlimited 4/Unlimited Lincoln 4/50,000 6/70,000 5/Unlimited 6/70,000 Mazda 3/36,000 5/60,000 5/Unlimited 3/36,000 Mercedes-Benz 4/50,000 4/50,000 4/50,000 Unlimited Mercury 3/36,000 5/60,000 5/Unlimited 5/60,000 MINI 4/50,000 4/50,000 12/Unlimited 4/Unlimited Mitsubishi 5/60,000 10/100,000
(except Raider) 7/100,000 5/Unlimited Nissan 3/36,000 5/60,0005 5/Unlimited 3/36,0006 Pontiac 3/36,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Porsche 4/50,000 4/50,000 10/Unlimited
(except GT3) 4/50,000 Saab 4/50,000 4/50,000 6/Unlimited7
(except 9-3) 4/50,000 Saturn 3/36,000 5/100,000 6/100,000 5/100,000 Scion 3/36,000 5/60,000 5/Unlimited None Available smart 2/24,000 2/24,0008 4/50,000 2/24,000 Subaru 3/36,000 5/60,000 5/Unlimited 3/36,000 Suzuki 3/36,000 7/100,000 3/Unlimited9 3/36,000 Toyota 3/36,000 5/60,000 5/Unlimited None Available Volkswagen 3/36,000 5/60,000 12/Unlimited 3/36,000 Volvo 4/50,00010 4/50,00010 12/Unlimited 4/Unlimited10

1 See dealer for a copy of limited warranty and details. Non-transferable. For 2009 and previous model years, drivetrain warranty is for unlimited miles and is not available on SRT and certain fleet vehicles.
2 See dealer for a copy of limited warranty and details. Non-transferable. For 2010 models the drivetrain warranty is not available on Sprinter and Ram Chassis Cab. For 2009 and previous model years, drivetrain warranty is for unlimited miles and is not available on SRT, Sprinter, Ram Chassis Cab, diesel vehicles and certain fleet vehicles.
3 For styles that are equipped with the Power Stroke Diesel V8 engine, there is a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty that applies to the engine.
4 See dealer for a copy of limited warranty and details. Non-transferable. For 2009 and previous model years, drivetrain warranty is for unlimited miles and is not available on SRT, diesel vehicles and certain fleet vehicles.
5 For 2003-2010 model years, models equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) also have a 10-year /120,000 mile CVT limited warranty extension. (For complete information, see your Nissan dealer and read the actual limited warranty.)
6 Towing service to the nearest authorized Nissan dealer is covered if your vehicle is inoperative due to the failure of a warranted part.
7 For 2010-2011 model years, rust/corrosion warranty is for 10 years/unlimited miles on all models.
8 Clutch covered for one year or 12,000 miles.
9 For the Kizashi model, rust/corrosion warranty is for 5 years/unlimited miles.
10 Volvo's "Safe + Sound Coverage Plan," which currently covers 2009 models sold from June 2, 2009 through January 3, 2011; 2010 models sold from September 1, 2009 through January 3, 2011; and 2011 models sold from January 5, 2010 through January 3, 2011, provides a basic and drivetrain warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles and a roadside assistance warranty of 5 years/unlimited miles. The "Safe + Sound Coverage plan" excludes fleet vehicles and is not transferable if the vehicle is leased.

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Top 10 hatchbacks and minimum insurance costs 2010 wagon.

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Top 10 Hatchbacks and Wagons With the Lowest Insurance Expense for 2010 — Edmunds.com Return to Edmunds Classic | Tell us what you thinkWelcome, Guest | Sign In | Facebook Sign in | Account |Help Car Reviews Car Reviews and Road Tests Industry Car News Best Cars Lists Awards Blogs New Cars Calculators Car Finder Compare Cars Find a Dealer Incentives & Rebates Search Inventory True Cost to Own® Used Cars Appraise Your Car Certified Cars Selling Tips True Cost to Own® Used Car Finder Tips & Advice Buying and Leasing a Car Selling a Car Family and Car Safety Fuel Economy Car Technology Auto Financing Auto Insurance Auto Warranty Driving Tips Maintenance Maintenance Costs and Recalls True Cost to Own® Find a Repair Shop How-To Articles Maintenance Articles Forums Answers Browse Discussions Search Forums Home> Car Reviews> Top 10 Lists> Top 10 Hatchbacks and Wagons With the Lowest Insurance Expense for 2010 Print | Email | Share | RSS Top 10 Hatchbacks and Wagons With the Lowest Insurance Expense for 2010 08/26/2010 - By Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor

Quite a few hatchbacks and wagons come with low price tags, so it's no wonder this vehicle category is popular with car shoppers on the hunt for maximum value. Price is certainly one factor to consider when you're shopping for an affordable car, yet it's not the only factor. Your vehicle's insurance expense can significantly impact your budget in the long run, and it makes sense to give it some thought before deciding on a purchase.

In this vein, we've put together a list of the 10 hatchbacks and wagons with the lowest insurance expense for 2010. Our rankings are based on five-year projections generated by the Edmunds data team. Each model's ranking reflects that of the trim level that's least expensive to insure.

2010 Smart Fortwo 1. 2010 Smart Fortwo

2010 Chevrolet HHR 2. 2010 Chevrolet HHR

2010 Nissan Cube 3. 2010 Nissan Cube

2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4. 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser

2010 Chevrolet Aveo 5. 2010 Chevrolet Aveo

2010 Scion xD 6. 2010 Scion xD

2010 Suzuki SX4 7. 2010 Suzuki SX4

2010 Honda Insight 8. 2010 Honda Insight

2010 Volkswagen Jetta 9. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

2010 Honda Fit 10. 2010 Honda Fit View more Top 10 articles Advertisement

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Thursday, November 4, 2010

2011 Kia Sportage load test

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Edgy styling and wraparound headlights with LEDs; Kia has brought its A game from the styling studio. View Photo

Edgy styling and wraparound headlights with LEDs; Kia has brought its A game from the styling studio.

There doesn't seem to be a bad angle from which to view the 2011 Sportage. View Photo

There doesn't seem to be a bad angle from which to view the 2011 Sportage.

Sharper handling accompanies the aggressive exterior. View Photo

Sharper handling accompanies the aggressive exterior.

How weird are those strips of chrome trim over the driving lights and fake vents? Plenty weird, we say.

Aggressive styling; more fun to drive than other crossovers; plenty of premium features, intuitive controls.

Adequate power; artificial steering feel; creaky interior quality; slightly stiff-legged ride.

By Mark Takahashi, Associate Editor

Kia has been on a charge lately, and the 2011 Kia Sportage is proof that the junior partner in the Hyundai automobile empire isn't planning to slow down just yet. The Sportage has been completely redesigned, exorcising the past blandness from nearly every aspect of the car. Instead we now have — dare we say — excitement. Starting with an evocative exterior that proves crossovers don't have to be boring, and extending to sporty, fun-to-drive handling and plenty of premium features, the 2011 Kia Sportage might be the new standard for compact crossovers.

Compared to the 2010 Kia Sportage, the 2011 model is 3.5 inches longer, adds 10 percent more cargo space and, with its base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, makes more power than the outgoing V6 power plant and also achieves better fuel economy.

But the 2011 Sportage is not without faults. The 176-horsepower inline-4 is only adequate for this substantial utility package. And a byproduct of the sporty driving dynamics delivered by the suspension and wide, 55-series tires is a slightly stiff-legged ride. Both of these may be remedied when the more powerful turbo model appears later in the model year, along with adjustable suspension dampers.

Those unwilling to wait for the turbo model will likely find the 2011 Kia Sportage worthy of serious consideration nonetheless. When stacked up against the well-established Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Sportage comes up short in cargo space. But it pulls away in other areas, especially in value, where it rings in about $4,000 less than a comparably equipped CR-V or RAV4. The Sportage also undercuts lesser crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

So with undeniable value, lively handling, sharp styling and plenty of features, it appears the 2011 Kia Sportage has redefined the compact crossover segment.

Under the sculpted hood of this 2011 Kia Sportage test vehicle there's a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine that makes 176 hp and 168 pound-feet of torque. This is respectable power from a four-cylinder of this displacement, but it proves merely adequate to get all 3,329 pounds of this crossover moving, although the six-speed automatic at least makes the most of what's available. For those with aspirations of more powerful motivation — especially when a full load of passengers and cargo is involved — then you'll want to wait for the 270-hp turbocharged inline-4 that will be available later in the year (a five-speed manual transmission will be available for this engine, too).

At the test track, this front-wheel-drive Sportage turns in fairly average numbers when compared to the competition. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph takes 9.5 seconds and stopping from that speed requires 124 feet. Handling tests result in a 62.2-mph blast through the slalom and 0.77g of cornering grip on the skid pad.

While the numbers aren't much more than average compared to the Kia's crossover competition, the new Sportage feels lively from the driver seat. On serpentine mountain passes, the taut suspension keeps body roll at bay when cornering, while the electric-assist steering is precise at the price of some artificial feel. Engaging the transmission's manual shift control further enhances the Sportage's fun-to-drive factor with quick and definitive gearchanges.

Kia's EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 city/31 highway mpg and 25 mpg in combined driving seems a bit optimistic, though. In its time with us, the Sportage averaged only 21.3 mpg; with one tank that was almost entirely composed of relaxed highway driving that netted only 24.8 mpg.

With the Sportage's athletic driving dynamics, some compromises have to be made in the name of handling. A firm suspension setup with 235/55R18 tires means that the Sportage registers bumps and potholes more often and with greater intensity than most other crossover SUVs in this class. Wavy washboard highway surfaces tend to be even more bothersome.

Otherwise, the 2011 Kia Sportage is quite comfortable for long road trips. The driver benefits from a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a cooled seat, making it easy to find a preferred position and maintain that comfort for hundreds of miles at a time. Passengers and driver alike benefit from well-contoured seats and adequate head- and legroom. The rear seats comfortably seat two adults as tall as 5 feet 10, although a third passenger back there will likely find the center seat decidedly less comfortable.

Wind and road noise is noticeable at highway speeds, but not at all intrusive.

Overall, the 2011 Kia Sportage met our expectations during our few weeks with it. Outward visibility is generally admirable, although the rearward view is slightly obstructed by large rear roof pillars (a common issue with crossovers, of course). The A-pillars can also seem a bit thick, but this only becomes an issue on very tight and winding roads. Gauges are situated well within the driver's sight lines and prove legible at a glance.

The appearance of the centrally located touchscreen has a tendency to get washed out by direct sunlight since it lacks a hood to shield it from incoming rays. But this is a minor inconvenience, since the controls for the audio and navigation are as easy to use as any system on the market. Large, clear buttons make operation a breeze, and we expect it to only get better when the Microsoft UVO voice-recognition system becomes available for the Sportage later in the year. Sound quality from the audio system is exceptional, with clear tones and hearty bass from the separate subwoofer.

We're also pleased with the plentiful selection of storage options throughout the Sportage's cabin. Finding a place for personal effects is a cinch, thanks to deep bins and pockets in the doors and center armrest. At the same time, we would prefer the USB/iPod input jack to move from the center console to a more discreet location to keep prying eyes at bay. Cupholders are deep and hold a variety of beverage containers firmly, even during cornering. We are even more impressed with the chilled glovebox, which kept drinks surprisingly cold, even if the climate control was set for warmer temperatures.

Less impressive is the amount of cargo the Sportage can carry. With a maximum capacity of 26.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.6 cubes with them folded flat, this is well below that of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 by at least 25 percent. But all is not lost, since the available space is mostly unimpeded by humps from the wheelwells or oddly shaped interior moldings. It can still hold enough stuff for a couples getaway or small family. And for family-minded buyers, the rear seats can easily accommodate a rear-facing child seat with no impact on front seat comfort.

Among the fairly bland exteriors that seem to dominate the crossover SUV segment, the 2011 Kia Sportage is a head-turner. Sharp, raked lines, contoured body sides, smoothly flared wheel arches and bright LED headlight liners lend it the appearance of a sportier European SUV. This should be no big surprise, since Kia's chief designer came from Audi.

On the inside, there are plenty of complex shapes that come together for a cohesive and pleasing effect. Hard plastics are abundant but well textured and most touch points are adequately padded. Interior elements appeared to be tightly fitted and expertly assembled, but we were annoyed by a subtle creak coming from the headliner/windshield area, making our digitally mastered music sound as if it was recorded from a dirty LP.

If cargo volume isn't a paramount concern, the 2011 Kia Sportage should definitely be on your short list of crossover SUVs to consider. Its base price undercuts any other vehicle we'd recommend, and once it's fully loaded with options, it's priced thousands less than similarly equipped examples of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

We think that Kia clearly targets the single buyer and youthful (or youthful-minded) market with the Sportage's aggressive design and fun-to-drive nature. Small families looking to break from other humdrum SUVs will likely find enough luggage space, despite the significantly smaller capacity. With more features and a powerful turbocharged model on the way, the Sportage's future looks even brighter.

Others To Consider
Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Toyota RAV4.

The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.


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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Load test 4 Low-Priced iPhone car cradle

Arkon Mini Friction Dashboard Mount KitArkon mini dashboards friction Mount Kit, cradle and pair of coins of bean-shaped bag mounts the original iPhone 3 G, 3 GS models to fit the design.

Included with Navigation app to more and more people depends on the iPhone to get to the point B from point A problem occurs destination input on the small screen or the mobile phone is secure and convenient access map to see. So there are a lot of noise, mobile vehicle turn-by-voice for you can be heard.

Provides a variety of solutions to protect the device number of companies to offer the iPhone and iPod accessories related already, fortunately, also while on the road a popular vehicle for specific. We select the featured a handful of entry-level iPhone car cradle of to's took to the road test.

Can be different, to charge the iPhone more expensive car cradle, all these amplified speakers of non-equipped, individually. Is "passive" cradle of these inexpensive — $ 40 in all — is important AT & T data plan you know not come cheap. At least some States windshield mount to check the local regulations.

Arkon mini friction dash board mount and iPhone safety anchors
29 Manufacturers suggested retail price:... 95 $
Grade: A-
Pros: coins of obscuring the shaped-based but not to view; redundant safety hook
Cons: iPhone or not accepting the skin.

For those who prefer the front glass mounted on the dash mount system to friction mini dashboards Arkon to mount kit to conform to the original iPhone 3 G, 3 GS model design, cradle and a pair coins of shaped bean bag type. If selected, the phone cradle and pedestal to protect windshield is easy.

Based itself is running under terms similar champions equipped with anti-skid, sturdy weighted design. Offers one obscuring the view of the screen, regardless of how you deploy on your phone, so in this shape style Donuts is also improved on a like - pad. To create a verbose way to secure the dashboards to mount loop Arkon included for enhanced security, and adhesive hook.

Pedestal articulates and smooth ball and socket, fastening knobs adjust the has affixed a suction cup dash mount 80 mm securely. We cradle itself was disappointed that could accommodate cases to iPhone.

Griffin window sheet
Manufacturers suggested retail price: $ 29... 99
Grade: B +
Auxiliary audio cable from the iPhone pros:, came and arm extension steep angled windshield easier to delete tab
Cons: iPhone or not accepting the skin.

Griffin window sheet each of iPod, iPhone comes to touch as well as various flavors of specific custom cradle. These easily Central small plastic plugin to remove the cradle is to detach correct insert change by attaching.

Griffin your car if you need long Mount for Toyota Prius deeply corresponding to diagonal front glass, such as the extension arm equipped with ball socket systems using. This is good way to go more precise articulation ball socket system if personally, simplicity, flexibility of high Goosenecks.

And mount the turn - lock front glass suction others is like the Griffin system for each cradle charging devices and other peripherals unlimited access permission, it is true. Discovered that we also Griffin easy to insert, and then grab the feel of a small release tab in the corner of the opposite side of the mount and remove the iPhone.

Griffin also auxiliary audio cable, AUX "Oh but you can listen to the audio on your iPhone through car speakers if you have a skin or case sports your iPhone, you get cradle cannot.

Kensington sound amplification cradle for iPhone
39 Manufacturers suggested retail price:... $ 99
Grade: A.
Pros: iPhone cases, skins, accommodation passive audio amplifier audio output to double has included ventilation hole mount.
Cons: cradle most expensive test. Amplifier gain when using caseless iPhone there is a tendency to fall off the bottom of the rubber seal, mount, and does not verify.

Us is essentially low-tech idea a little dubious about admit there-passive amplifier — the main might Kensington sound amplification cradle for iPhone's behind. However, through Wimpy speaker for iPhone from the rear of the Chamber unit audio channeling really well without external power supply volumes effectively doubling worked.

Proviso is: the effective: If the iPhone was used. Provides a Kensington swappable rubber insert, 3 g, 3 GS and original iPhone. Using caseless iPhone and insert these duplicate the performance, could not get the seal of the solid. Had the tendency to fall further, from seals.

Securely hold the iPhone is to amplify the audio double role, in conjunction with support at the bottom of spring has cradled arms unit. To ensure that you can use it even smarter charging devices like accessories purpose. Ideal for use with easy deployment of the windscreen which is attached to the windscreen not only suction mount device indicating disapproval ventilation hole mount throws Kensington.

Scosche SnapFit window & mount with iPod and iPhone
Manufacturers suggested retail price: $ 29... 99
Grade: B
Pros: iPhone and many different iPod compatible. To mount the air vents.
You may have not accepted the skin cons: iPhone or iPhone than firmly grab.

To know how to provide good value and smart packaging Scosche automotive aftermarket, and remain in the game for a long time, SnapFit window & with mounting system is no exception. Suitable for the device, a universal cradle essentially SnapFit diameter 2. 5 Inch, as iPhone, as well as the iPod Nano is designed as a small, solution provides an easy mounting system.

Scosche offers this flexibility to easily swap, various sizes corresponding to design adjustments side brackets two sets. Versatility and other high-scoring of unit see bundle and ventilation hole mounting kit. We, too, goosenecks window suction mount safely and easily removed to discover.

However, gets a versatile evaluation in the cradle, but we found that sending a good bump in spilling your iPhone cradle if (for example by adjusting the landscape view it too) and the inverse of the iPhone 3 g.


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2011 Hyundai Equus load test

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