I’ve listed the following ten vehicles in alphabetical order by manufacturer.  Let me know what you think in the Forums! (INSERT LINK TO FORUM TOPIC HERE)

Buick Regal

The Buick Regal brings back a tarnished nameplate for the semi-luxury GM brand, using the German engineering of GM’s Opel subsidiary.  By designing the Opel to be more modular, including swapping headlights, taillights and badges, the Regal is a good example of badge engineering, a strategy that hasn’t worked out well for it, Chrysler or Ford.  That’s not to say it’s a bad move for General Motors, since it injects some distinctly European flair into the traditionally stodgy domestic brand.  With rave reviews, the new Regal is off to a good sales start, and works well as Buick’s entry-level car.  For the 2011 model year, Buick will only be offering the CXL trim, with base and Turbo models, starting at $26,995 and $29,495, respectively.  For 2012, the lineup will grow to three trim levels, and production will move from Europe to Canada.  It’s a game-changer for Buick, which needs to bring its average buyer age down a good ways to stay in business.

Cadillac CTS Coupe / Wagon (plus V variants)

For Cadillac to really be the “New Standard of the World,” as their advertising would suggest, they need to compete head-to-head with the likes of BMW and Mercedes.  Taking the CTS sedan’s solid structure and sales and adding coupe and wagon variants goes a long way towards accomplishing this goal.  Expanding the CTS lineup is Cadillac’s first shot across BMW’s bow, and with all three body types containing the amenities and style BMW buyers are looking for, it should hit its mark.  By offering performance-oriented V models, Cadillac is banking on the success of its CTS-V sedan to steal buyers of BMW’s M3 and Mercedes’ C63 AMG.

Chevrolet Volt (also notable: Chevrolet Cruze)

Finally, a mass-market electric car is coming to market.  While it may not be electric-only, the range-extending gas engine should dispel range anxiety – the fear of running out of juice before returning to a charging station.  With government subsidies, the Volt will be starting at around $33,000, but plan on spending another $2,000 or so to charge your Volt in less than 10 hours.  The Volt is competing directly with the Nissan Leaf in the media, even though the Leaf is electric-only.  By sharing its underpinnings with Chevrolet’s upcoming Cruze, GM could design the powertrain and other components separately, which saves the beleaguered automaker untold millions in development money.  It also allowed the General to up its game in the small car segment, where the existing Cobalt has been a non-starter.

Ford Fiesta (also notable: Mazda Mazda2)

With the success of BMW’s Mini and the price of gas, some Americans have started to embrace the truly small car.  The only hurdle left is convincing buyers who have a hard time putting $20,000 into a small car when for a few thousand dollars more, you can get a much larger one.  The trick Ford is using is its SYNC infotainment system and high quality materials, fit and finish, as well as other amenities normally found in larger cars, such as heated leather seats.  The Fiesta also re-starts Ford’s global car initiative, which stalled when redesigns of its Focus weren’t brought to the US from Europe, where the Focus is a much more popular car.  Furthermore, even though Ford sold its controlling interest in Mazda, the two companies are still working together, including the platform that both the Fiesta and Mazda’s Mazda2 ride on.  The Mazda2 promises to be a more fun to drive car, even while the Mazda is cheaper and has less options available.

Hyundai Sonata

After the initial success of the Genesis sedan and coupe, Hyundai is continuing its roll by revamping the  Sonata mid-sized sedan.  Already on sale, the Korean automaker has already moved a significant amount of metal, and for good reasons.  Better-equipped, better materials, and three models to suit a bevy of tastes means the Sonata is really earning its place as Hyundai’s bread and butter car.  Initially, only one model is available, in several trim levels, staring at around $20,000, but soon we’ll see the Hybrid and Turbo models debuting.  Offering class-leading fuel economy, the Sonata is Hyundai’s first attack at upcoming CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) requirements.

Jaguar XJ

Jaguar’s styling seemingly hasn’t changed in decades, but the XF sedan which debuted in 2008 started a design revolution for the English brand.  The XJ continues that, and brings Jaguar into the 21st century style-wise.  The new XJ also brings Jaguar’s electronics up to speed, to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes.  As long as the trick electronics hold up, Jaguar could have a hit on its hands, bringing the automaker back into the limelight of luxury cars.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

As I’ve written before, Jeep is rebuilding a legend with the 2011 Grand Cherokee SUV.  With a less truck-like look, ride and feel, but with all the gadgets buyers expect, the Grand Cherokee looks like a winner.  Jeep may lose some of its more rugged buyers, but it still offers the Wrangler to those buyers.  The new Grand Cherokee rides on the last-gen Mercedes ML chassis, which is why it rides better, but its new platform also brings with it a much-improved off-road setup, so it’s a win-win for Jeep.  Chrysler also gets to use this opportunity to refresh its Durango, a less-expensive and more sport-oriented alternative to the Grand Cherokee.

Nissan Leaf

For years, Nissan has been more a niche player than a mass-market manufacturer.  With sales that lag behind that of Honda and Toyota, it has best competed with Mazda.  Both automakers offer fun-to-drive vehicles that sell in smaller numbers, save the Mazda3.  Nissan’s hybrid offerings have also fell behind that of Ford, Honda and Toyota, so it needed something unique to offer in the fuel economy wars.  Enter the Leaf, a small plug-in electric car.  With a range of 100 miles, the Leaf will work for a lot of commuters whose drives don’t include a lot of highway miles.  The downside?  Range anxiety.  As the distance-to-empty meter gets closer to zero, drivers will be looking long and hard for a charging station.  Major markets like LA, D.C. and New York will be building the charging stations, but most owners will be using in-home chargers, which will cost around $2,000.  Reportedly, Nissan will be building the cost of the charger into the cost of purchase or lease, which is a smart move, and the rumor mill also says week-long loaner cars, with regular gasoline engines, will be available.  It’s tough to say how well the Leaf will do, but I expect it to sell decently in the 150 or so markets it will be available, as long as the advertised range stays true when in the hands of consumers.

Scion tC

Toyota’s youth-oriented brand was originally designed to have single-generation vehicles replaced in 4-5 year increments.  With steady sales of its tC model, Toyota executives commissioned a second generation, which ups the tC’s game with fresh design inside and out, as well as the speaker system from the Lexus LX470, a seriously bold move, and one which is bound to sway a fair number of younger buyers who are also audiophiles.

Volvo S60

Long believed to be more into safety than driving dynamics, Volvo needs less boring vehicles.  Enter the 2011 S60 mid-sized sedan, which Volvo has been advertising as being “naughty.”  Completely redesigned, the Volvo offers buyers the safety they’ve come to like, with proper handling and ride to go with it.

by John Suit

Information / Image Sources: Chrysler, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mazda, Nissan, Volvo

Related posts:

1. February 2011 Sales and Analysis
2. Wrap-up: 2009 L.A. Auto Show
3. Redesigned: 2011 Ford Edge

2011 Scion tC

For a long time, BMW and Mercedes-Benz offered no-charge maintenance for up to 4 years or 50,000 miles.  A few years ago, Mercedes stopped giving away maintenance, while BMW has continued to offer it.  Over the summer, both Cadillac and Lincoln announced they were adding free maintenance packages to their new cars.  Now Toyota has joined in the fray, adding 2 years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance to new Toyotas and Scions.  Click past the jump for more details and the press release.

2011 Toyota Avalon

The program covers basic maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, including things like oil changes, tire rotations, chassis lubrication, as well as 24-hour towing and lockout assistance.  Toyota started offering the free maintenance during this past spring, to help bolster consumer confidence in the brand after all the recalls dinged its stellar reputation.

This is a great idea for Toyota to prop up its sales while the recall fiasco continues.

Check out the press release below or call your local Toyota or Scion dealer for the fine print.

Show Press Release

by John Suit

Source: Toyota

Related posts:

1. Lincoln’s Complimentary Maintenance becomes Permanent!
2. Cadillac and Lincoln: Free Maintenance Packages
3. Toyota releases pricing for restyled 2011 Scion xB

When Toyota realized that its average customers were getting closer to Buick’s than they liked, they came up with the Scion brand.  Specifically marketed towards young drivers, males in particular, the brand has several inexpensively-priced, quirky-looking boxes, and the tC.  By far the most popular, the tC has led to a customer base whose median age is 26 years old.  But, while originally favored by young males, young females have been buying up tCs for the past few years, and this is one of the things Toyota wanted to correct.

To that end, they’ve created a “helmet visor” roof by blacking out the sides of the windshield frame and the separator between the front and rear side glass, also known as the A and B pillars.  The new tC’s profile now looks like a helmet, and is decidedly more masculine, although I find it to be a bit polarizing, as it’s taken some time to grow on me.

The front end of the new car is probably the least worked-over part of the exterior sheetmetal, and it looks handsome.  Meanwhile, out back, the only congruous line is the one sculpted at the bottom of the rear fascia, which is a carryover from the bottoms of both doors and rear fenders.  The rest of it just doesn’t work for me, but then again, that’s why it’s polarizing.

Inside the new tC it’s a much better situation.  There appear to be better materials, at least with better textures to them, and while the radio still looks like an aftermarket install, you at least get the option of satellite navigation and HD radio this time around.  The thick steering wheel with auxiliary radio controls looks good, and it’s interesting to see an “active 3-way front stage” (in audiophile speak) of speakers all on the doors, including the tweeter, mid-range speaker and woofer from top to bottom.  Toyota even mentions that the new tC shares some of its stereo components with the Lexus LX470.

The seats continue their funky look, but without having sat in one, I still say they look comfortable, and the patterns on them break up what could otherwise be a monotone interior.  Behind the rear seats, you’ll find the familiar hatchback setup, and apparently the rear seats split 60/40, to give even more cargo room.

The tC carries on with its glass roof design, which I always thought was a nice touch for a car in its class.  Usually you only see roofs like this one on luxury vehicles and 3-row crossovers.

Feature-wise, the “base” tC comes with ABS, Toyota’s brake-override system, airbags a-plenty, a 300-watt stereo (including iPod/USB hookup), satellite radio (capable), 18″ wheels (almost unheard of in the tC’s class), as well as just about any other amenity you’d expect for under $20k.

Options, on the other hand, are not so numerous: satellite navigation (either an add-on module and a built-in module), HD radio, BlueTooth hands-free phone capability, interior bits and baubles, and of course a bevy of TRD (Toyota Racing Development) add-ons to boost performance, handling or braking.

Fuel mileage is the same for both the 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, at 23/31/26 city/highway/combined.  Those are slight improvements from the previous model, with a modest bump in power due to direct injection, a now-mainstream technology which improves performance and fuel economy at the same time.

Overall, the new tC still presents itself as quite the value, although I’ll have to drive one before I can see if Toyota’s claims that it’s faster and handles better are true.  Starting at $18,275 ($19,275 with automatic transmission) and adding on a $720 destination charge brings you awfully close to the $20,000 mark, so it’s more costly than the cars it’s cross-shopped against; namely the Honda Civic (non EX-L models) and Toyota Corolla.  If you’re in the market for an inexpensive car with a lot of upmarket features, though, the Scion tC is definitely not a bad way to go.  The 2011 Scion tC should hit showrooms sometime this fall.

by John Suit

Source: Toyota

Related posts:

1. Toyota releases pricing for restyled 2011 Scion xB
2. Want Complimentary Maintenance? Buy a New Toyota or Scion
3. Lexus announces the 2011 ES 350

The redesigned xB will carry a $150 higher base price tag, bringing starting prices up to $16,000 and $16,950 for manual and automatic transmission models, respectively.

The highlights of this refresh are the slightly different exterior, with new available colors, and the interior, which now features a center console / arm rest for the driver.  The new xB has a redesigned instrument cluster, as well as a tilt/telescope steering wheel, the latter of which will help drivers of differing heights.

Delivery will cost $670, which is not included in the MSRP.

by John Suit

Source: Toyota

Related posts:

1. Toyota announces changes for 2011 Scion tC
2. Want Complimentary Maintenance? Buy a New Toyota or Scion
3. Toyota Releases fix for 1998-2006 Sienna Minivans

Mini Cooper

In 2001, the Mini Cooper really brought the small car to America.  BMW, the current owner of the Mini brand, showed that Americans were willing to pay for a premium small car.  The Mini gets good gas mileage, has “go kart” handling, plenty of creature comforts, and sells for thousands more than its same-size siblings.

Toyota Yaris

Nissan Versa

Since then, every competitor to the Mini has failed.  While sales might be good for a particular car, they just can’t seem to outsell the Mini. Since 2006, Nissan has been selling the Versa and Toyota has the Yaris.  The difference is, the basic Versa and Yaris are both available for around $10,000, well under what the Mini is going for.  Not too surprisingly, they’re also missing a lot of the creature comforts of more expensive cars.

Smart ForTwo

A car that falls in between the Yaris/Versa and Mini is the Smart ForTwo, a car that is shorter in length than both the Versa and Yaris and yet sells for more money.  Sold by parent company Mercedes-Benz since 2007, the Smart ForTwo has two seats, but is available in a few trim models, including a convertible for under $18,000.  It’s biggest claim to fame is its length, which allows it to park in a parallel parking spot perpendicular to the road, and not stick out much.

Enter the gas price crisis of 2008, when gas hit $4.00 per gallon in a lot of places in the United States.  Buyers flocked to smaller cars, and the subcompact car was once again live and well in America.  All of a sudden, cars which nobody would’ve payed attention to in 2007 were hot sellers!  Anything that got 30+ MPG was in short supply.  eBay was full of auctions for used hybrids, Geo Metros, and the like.

Nissan Cube

Scion xD

Since the Mini’s success began, different manufacturers have been trying to one-up the Mini, offering their funkiest designs in cars such as the Scion xB, Scion xD and Nissan Cube.  While they seem to sell at a decent pace, they aren’t taking the market by storm as their price and advertising should suggest.  While the intended demographic is the young 20-something who wants a lot for his or her money, automakers are finding that more and more empty-nesters are buying up the cars.

If a more mature generation likes the smaller cars, and the data shows that they have a higher median income than the intended demographic, how well should premium small cars sell in America?  Also, why are the buyers with more money not spending it on the Mini?  The easier question to answer is the latter, and the simple answer is that the Mini has a stiff ride coupled with great handling.  While this works for many people, the buyers of the Nissan Cube aren’t looking to take their car to a race track.  That could explain why sales of the Mini Clubman, an extended-wheelbase version of the Mini Cooper, doesn’t sell as well as hoped.  For example, the Mini has a comparable amount of storage space to the Nissan Cube, so the big difference is the ride.

All of the manufacturers who sell cars in the United States have been pouring over the sales data for the last several years, trying to figure out what will sell here, especially with the current economic recession.  Most of those same manufacturers are readying cars to come to our shores in the next 12-18 months, and I’d like to give you a breakdown of what I see coming our way.

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Chrysler is now under the control of Fiat, who is known for building small cars.  Current plans call for the Alfa Romeo MiTo to come to our country first, but I predict that the Fiat 500 should hit our shores before June, 2011, if not far sooner.  Fiat is reportedly fast-tracking their small cars for North America, to be incorporated into Chrysler dealerships.  Click here to read more about Chrysler/Fiat.

Ford Fiesta

Ford has already unleashed a few of its Fiesta cars on US streets.  It’s had a marketing campaign going for almost a year now called “Fiesta Movement”, and is expected to bring the Fiesta to our shores in the Spring of 2010 as a 2011 model.  This new Fiesta isn’t the same one sold in Ford dealerships across the US from the 1980′s into the 1990′s.  It’s a much improved, much better car, sporting a wide range of available options, engines and styles.  Expect to see sedan and hatchback models, possibly with an optional EcoBoost engine, which couples high technology with smaller engine sizes to give drivers plenty of performance without paying a penalty at the pump.  Click the link to see our report on the 2011 Fiesta.

Chevrolet Agile

GM is rumored to be developing an American version of its Brazilian hatchback to battle Ford’s Fiesta in 2010.  Not a whole lot is known, but expect it to carry GM’s current styling cues, and closely resemble the Fiesta in size and overall shape.  Reports have also shown that GM will keep the Chevrolet Aveo in the states, so most of their strategy hasn’t been revealed yet.

Lexus LF-Ch

Lexus has a concept car they are showing off, called the LF-Ch.  It’s a small car, but not quite as compact as the Fiesta or Mazda2.  It’s size is closer to the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series.

Lincoln C Concept

Lincoln revealed its version of the compact car this year at the Frankfurt auto show, the C Concept.  A small car by any measure, it’s impossibly tiny for a Lincoln, but still sports Lincoln-esque dimensions.  Specifically, it’s wider than most compact cars, giving the illusion of a bigger car.  Based on the Ford Focus, the C Concept isn’t as small as the Yaris, Versa or Fiesta, but would definitely provide Ford with a compact luxury platform, if it gets built.

Mazda Mazda2

Mazda shares a lot with Ford, including the platform that the Ford Fiesta and Mazda Mazda2 are built upon.  By changing out some of the suspension and engine parts, as well as completely different interiors and exteriors, the Mazda2 should provide more “zoom-zoom” that Mazda is famous for.  The Mazda2 should offer comparable features and options to the Fiesta, but in a more enthusiast-friendly package.

Conclusions:

Given all of the above information, what do I think is going to happen?  I think that 2010 is going to be a very exciting year for buyers of small cars.  The decent selection is going to explode, offering more luxury-oriented cars.  The Lexus will be a bellweather for the “compact luxury” segment, while the Ford should take the top sales spot, especially given Ford’s recent win with the Fusion as Motor Trend‘s Car of the Year for 2010.  Enthusiasts looking for a small car will flock to the Mazda2 or a Fiesta RS, if it’s brought over from Europe.  If Lincoln builds it, the C Concept would probably end up a bit player in this arena, but would be popular with city-dwellers who want something to soak up the potholes and still fit into tight parking situations.  The Fiat/Chrysler/Alfa MiTo is a wildcard; it could end up a big seller in Chrysler dealerships, or it could end up not selling at all.

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by John Suit

Photo Sources: AutoBlog, Automobile Magazine, Inside Line, Jalopnik, Left Lane News, The Truth About Cars (TTAC)

Related posts:

1. Wrap-up: 2009 L.A. Auto Show
2. Ford Fiesta: 40MPG Highway, 29MPG City
3. Fun Stuff: Top 10 Worst Cars for a Blind Date