Money Healey
2010 Volkswagen CC has plenty of style, but a balky drivetrain
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYPay more, get less. What a deal. In the case of the Volkswagen CC, a stylish sedan based on the midsize Passat, headroom is tighter than Passat’s, there are seats for just four instead of five and the trunk is smaller — and the CC sells for about $2,000 more.
Oddly, however, it works.
CC has been the second-best-selling VW, behind the Jetta compact, but ahead of Passat, almost since its launch as › Continue reading
Review: Infiniti QX56 is big and cushy but flawed
By Jim Healey, USA TODAYInfiniti remade its QX56 nearly from the ground up for the 2011 model year. It wound up with a truck that’s bigger outside but smaller inside than the one it replaces, uses less fuel than its predecessor but still has a big appetite, and is odd-looking but now in a deliberate and stylish way.
However, the test truck — and it is a truck, with 3 tons of body-on-frame ruggedness — had some issues that undercut › Continue reading
Test Drive: 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet does topless right
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY Audi’s new A5 Cabriolet is a pleasant convertible and a somewhat disappointing car.
The convertible is new to the A5 line. An A5 coupe has been around a couple of years in the U.S. as the sporty, two-door, hunkered-down alternative to the A4 sedan.
PHOTO GALLERY: Check out pictures of the new AudiCHAT TRANSCRIPT: James Healey answers your questions
A5s are a bit shorter than the A4 and somewhat › Continue reading
Hyundai adds to appeal of Santa Fe with a few exceptions
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYA couple of things are very evident about Mazda’s CX-7, a small crossover utility vehicle that’s been freshened, and had its drivetrain choices expanded, for 2010.
First, it’s a Mazda.
The big fish-mouth in front says it all, though not as rudely as the Mazda3 small car’s overwrought front says it. Otherwise, CX-7 remains attractive.
PHOTOS: More views of the Mazda CX-7QUESTIONS? Ask them now › Continue reading
Review: If you like a firm ride, you’ll like all-new Kia Sorento
By James R. HealeyAutomakers sling around the term “all new” so promiscuously it’s nearly worthless. But if all new is ever credible, it fits the 2011 Kia Sorento SUV.
It’s the first Kia built in the U.S., at West Point, Ga. And it is two years newer than its predecessor. The 2011, which went on sale Jan. 4, replaces the 2009 model. There was no 2010.
But wait, there’s more, as the infomercial guys say:
•Sorento now › Continue reading
Test Drive: 2010 GMC Sierra All Terrain has power, comfort
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYThe rough-and-ready GMC Sierra 6.2-liter crew cab has been advertised on TV so much you half expect to hear the ShamWow guy: “This is Vince for GMC. If you call in the next 10 minutes …”
And while the pickup GMC calls All Terrain is sold in stores, it’s only at a rate of a few thousand a year, making it a boutique truck.
CHAT TRANSCRIPT: James Healey answers your questions MORE TEST DRIVE: Archive of › Continue reading
Audi A3 gets diesel right, but noises can annoy
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYThere are things to gripe about in the 2010 Audi A3 TDI — but the diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission aren’t among them.
Carmakers and buyers who think diesels can’t appeal in the U.S. should spend a day with the A3 TDI (Audi’s code for diesel).
PHOTOS: More views of the Audi A3QUESTIONS? Ask them now for Healey’s chat, 2 p.m. ET
Car companies that believe they must tune › Continue reading
Test Drive: MazdaSpeed3 is a buggy that begs to zoom
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYYou don’t want to sacrifice tingle, but you can’t abide high-strung. You’d love to say you’ll pay to play, but in these economic doldrums you worry that’d be a promise you can’t keep.
Meet MazdaSpeed3, a blazing buggy that’s agreeable and accommodating in the daily schlep. It’s big enough in back for a couple of kids. It’s hatchback-handy and spacious enough for the cargo you’re likely to haul. And it’s not very expensive.
Mazda CX-7 a frisky performer in a tasteful package
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYA couple of things are very evident about Mazda’s CX-7, a small crossover utility vehicle that’s been freshened, and had its drivetrain choices expanded, for 2010.
First, it’s a Mazda.
The big fish-mouth in front says it all, though not as rudely as the Mazda3 small car’s overwrought front says it. Otherwise, CX-7 remains attractive.
PHOTOS: More views of the Mazda CX-7QUESTIONS? Ask them now › Continue reading
Hyundai adds to appeal of Santa Fe with a few exceptions
By James R. Healey, USA TODAYHyundai freshened its Santa Fe midsize SUV for 2010 and made a very nice vehicle nearly terrific.
Preventing it from going all the way: spongy, vague-feeling brakes and instrument panel lights so bright they can interfere with night vision, even when turned down all the way.
The lousy brake feel was pronounced on both test vehicles, a four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive (FWD) version and a V-6, all-wheel-drive › Continue reading