tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post6464540878588544498..comments2024-03-24T20:30:55.379-07:00Comments on Subcompact Culture - The small car blog: Car and Driver compares the latest subcompacts with somewhat surprising results.Andy Lilienthalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08962844660116593646noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-31491595733461714322011-10-04T16:00:53.855-07:002011-10-04T16:00:53.855-07:00One thing I don't get about Hyundai/Kia is tha...One thing I don't get about Hyundai/Kia is that the latter is supposed to be the "sporty" one, the Excitement Division, but they restrict manual transmissions to the base model while Hyundai'll sell you an Accent with a stick in any trim except the fully-loaded sedan version.nlpnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16925589671848667697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-20877723290488035212011-10-04T03:03:07.147-07:002011-10-04T03:03:07.147-07:00I don't doubt the results of the testing from ...I don't doubt the results of the testing from purely a performance standpoint but from a broader perspective, what it's like to live with from day to day, I think the guys at Car and Driver are way off the mark. I've driven the new Accent and I prefer it over the Fit. Yes, the Fit handles better, and yes, the Fit has a better gearbox. But the new Accent is much more liveable. The suspension is more compliant, the power plant is more than sufficient, and the Accent does something that small cars struggle with: It feels luxurious. You feel like you're in a larger and more luxurious car than you actually are. And that's something that's rare for any car that gets 30+ MPG. Were I attacking the twisty roads on the side of a mountain, I'd take the Fit. Were I driving to work in the morning with a smoking hot $5 coffee in my cup holder, I'd take the Accent.Dukenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-11608169982836462992011-10-03T20:29:05.701-07:002011-10-03T20:29:05.701-07:00There's a new automotive world order. In it, s...There's a new automotive world order. In it, small is good. Small and affordable is even better.Projector Headlightshttp://www.x2industries.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-49630436278314324362011-10-03T18:27:09.885-07:002011-10-03T18:27:09.885-07:00I'm sure everyone has had their fair share of ...I'm sure everyone has had their fair share of comparing these subcompacts. Experience is also a matter of understanding.Chevy HHR cold air intakehttp://www.autotuningstore.com/CGS_Cold_Air_Intakes--category--710.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-31403937014964119722011-09-30T17:01:30.755-07:002011-09-30T17:01:30.755-07:00Oh, and they chose the Fit over the Sonic based on...Oh, and they chose the Fit over the Sonic based on powertrain flexibility as much as anything else. Check the "Test sheet" PDFs, and you'll find that the Sonic came to them with a first-tankful-tight 152 miles on it while the Fit was pushing 2000 miles so more fully broken-in.nlpnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16925589671848667697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-66128156197706634312011-09-30T16:41:43.229-07:002011-09-30T16:41:43.229-07:00I'd also like to see their opinion on the base...I'd also like to see their opinion on the base 1.8/5-speed Sonic since they're correct that a loaded LTZ is high-end for the segment.nlpnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16925589671848667697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158601016174103420.post-2701116492905537082011-09-30T13:21:05.841-07:002011-09-30T13:21:05.841-07:00I haven't driven any, but based on what I read...I haven't driven any, but based on what I read, I'm surprised at the Yaris' ranking. But good for it! Also, I understand why they didn't include the Fiesta and 2, but since I'm in the market and a Fiesta is at the top of my list (along with the 500 and this new Sonic), I'm disappointed it wasn't included. It would be nice to see how it stacks up with the Sonic. And I never understand why the 500 isn't included in these. (Well, I do - the narrative is 500 vs. Mini, and that's what they're gonna stick to!)Chrisnoreply@blogger.com