Auto News 5

I have to admit, out of all the GL550's features, I found myself playing with the push-button ride-height control the most. After I pulled into my driveway, I summoned my neighbor from his house to show him how it raises and lowers the vehicle at a push of a button. For some reason, he didn't really care. I know this technology has been around for a while and is not necessarily groundbreaking, but it's still fun.

I got the keys to the Routan after spending a weekend in our Four Seasons VW Jetta TDI. It is utterly amazing that these two vehicles are even vaguely related. Beyond being an excellent value, incredibly efficient, and reasonably fun to drive, the TDI basically smacks you over the head with its thoughtful design and engineering.

Months in Fleet: 10
Mileage to Date: 25,000

Bigger, faster, more fuel efficient

There are nearly seven different trim levels offered on the 2009 F-150, but this new Platinum is about as swanky as they come. While the marketing folks might not admit it, this decked-out crew-cab truck is essentially a replacement for the late Lincoln Mark LT in all but name (unless you're shopping in Mexico, where it's sold with an awkward bow-wave grille tacked on the front).

I went to the media introduction of the first-generation Mini Cooper convertible back in May 2004, and I had three lasting impressions: 1) it's a cute car, probably too cute for some, but perfect for any part of the world near a shoreline; 2) it drives very well, with excellent roadholding, steering, and a decent powertrain; 3) the exposed hinges on the rear hatch were unacceptably tacky looking.

Shame on me for not playing with the fancy new Audi drive-select system while I had possession of the Q5. Joe DeMatio mentioned the system's ability to improve steering feel in his review of the Audi Q5 last summer, and the steering weight and feel were among my biggest disappointments in this Q5. I found the steering to require more effort than I'd expect from a crossover in this class. Perhaps a few adjustments through the drive-select system would have changed my mind.

Once a family favorite, the American full-size four-door sedan napped while the storm of imports, crossovers, and SUVs blew in. To revive its Taurus for life in the twenty-first century, Ford has endowed the 2010 edition with fresh thinking, modern engineering, and a wealth of contemporary content. Welcome aboard the recommissioned flagship of the Ford fleet.

As a dyed-in-the-wool Camaro guy (my dad owned four F-bodies when I was growing up), I was initially concerned that this new car would be too different from the bruisers I remembered. Now, I'm not sure if it's different enough.

Let's review some facts:
It is the year 2009, and the planet is in a general state of higgledy-piggledy. The global economy is in the toilet, the polar ice caps are melting, and most car manufacturers are running scared.

If the $199,200 base price doesn't give it away, let me be the first to say this is quite a special car. There are faster cars, there are more practical cars, and there are more luxurious cars, but the Aston Martin DB9 is unique in the market.

I drove the Z4 sDrive35i (what a stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid name; there's even a ridiculous badge with this horrible combination of letters and numbers) around Ann Arbor and environs over the Memorial Day weekend and came away impressed. First, the exterior styling is about perfect, with the long, sexy hood, the curvaceous rear, and the handsome 19-inch wheels. The interior is also very nicely designed, with an appropriately upmarket ambience. This was one of those cars that, after it got a little dust on it over the weekend, I dug out the detailing spray and a chamois and cleaned it up. I didn't want this car to be dirty while it was in my possession, even if I were just driving to the grocery store.