Auto News 5

The U.S. auto market may be fast-moving and competitive, but one subset, commercial vans, is neither. Looking much the same as it did during the Nixon administration, it has seen few innovations and fewer new entries. The only real change is that the big Dodge van--dressed in the same duds since the early '70s--finally expired a few years ago, when the Mercedes-Chrysler tie-up brought us the Sprinter van to replace it. Half-hearted attempts to make work vehicles out of passenger haulers, such as panel-truck versions of the Dodge Caravan and the Chevy HHR, have met with little success.

If anyone spots a Venza in my driveway - one actually owned by me, not borrowed - please shoot me. This Toyota has the sex appeal of a turnip and far less sporting character than the little red wagon I admired as a 4-year-old. The high beltline, the é ride motions, and the boring-at-all-costs attitude is more than I can stomach. Also, I detected a few poor trim fits inside which makes me suspicious that Toyota has relaxed its supreme quality standards. I must, however, admit that the Venza is a perfectly suitable transpo-appliance for Joe and Jane Blow who motor through life in a trance. It's affordable, fairly roomy, probably safe, and capable of mid-20-mpg fuel economy. Since it wears a sombrero badge, durability is practically guaranteed. So if these qualities appeal to you, be my guest, but do me a favor and keep your Venza out of my sight.

The Mercedes-Benz C300 packs an amazing amount of luxury and technology into a remarkably clean package, inside and out. And that cleanness and simplicity is the most remarkable thing about the C300. It's refreshing to be surrounded by an interior free of clutter and jet-fighter control panels. Instead, you focus on the very sastifying driving experience. The V-6 is adequate, the controls precisely M-B. There's a big, thick steering wheel and brakes that bite. Leaving the office, I found the ride was fairly harsh on the Ann Arbor's broken roads, then noticed the comfort/sport mode button was parked in the sporty shock-your-ass mode. Huh. Someone must talk to these motor gophers.

Recent developments at Volkswagen have sent some enthusiasts praying for their beloved brand. A sacrilegious VW badge on a Chrysler minivan and plans for watered-down, cost-cut, U.S.-specific models are an effort to attain VW's ludicrously optimistic U.S. sales target of 800,000 cars per year. But those cars come at the risk of undermining Volkswagen's brand image - that of a premium, sporty product with superior driving dynamics.

The best thing about this car is the heavy-metal exhaust note when you floor it. The round, billet-aluminum gearshift knob is pretty sweet, and its short throws are a big improvement over the last Mustang GT's shifter. It also feels good in the hand. (Well, let me amend that: this morning it was freezing cold.)

One look at the frumpy 2010 Lexus HS250h confirms what we've suspected all along of Prius drivers: the hybrid's smug visual statement is as important to the purchaser as its fuel economy. This explains why the dorky Prius handily outsells the quite ordinary-looking Camry Hybrid, and is probably why Lexus didn't simply build a hybrid version of the ES.

This Honda Insight lists for about $5000 more than our similarly equipped Four Seasons Fit. The extra money nets you a continuously variable transmission rather than the Fit's 5-speed manual or automatic transmission, two inches more in length (the cars have identical width and track), nicer floor mats, and, oh yeah, Honda's Integrated Motor Assist Technology. The hybrid scores a whopping 12 mpg better in the city and 8 mpg better on the highway. And yet, it drives very similar to the Fit, not surprising since they share many suspension components. In fact, the most noticeable difference on the road is not due to the Insight's electric motor but rather to its transmission. The CVT eliminates the engine drone that afflicts the Fit at highway speeds. Around town though, it makes the Insight feel more sluggish, and doesn't offer the precision of Honda's excellent manual shifter.

Miles to Date: 35,056
Months in Fleet:10

If you think that companies like General Motors only think about fuel economy when new CAFE standards are making news, you'd be wrong. GM and other manufacturers are always looking for new technologies to more efficiently power the next generation of transportation.

Months in fleet: Five
Mileage to date: 7335