pow

While the US Regal is more of an Insignia than a Chinese Regal, the 2.4 liter Ecotec/Hydramatic powertrain is one area where the US car is completely different from the German car. However, the optional 2.0T engine with the Aisin transmission (probably from Japan) is native to the Insignia. I prefer the Regal in lighter colors, btw.

If we switched to L/100km (or even US gal/100 mi), things would be a lot clearer. When comparing fuel consumption, MPG is such an abstract figure.

I don't know... I've ridden in a brand-new E250 CGI (gas, not diesel) last week and thought it was awesome. As a passenger, it seemed like none of its Mercedes-ness was gone even with just four cylinders under the good. Some people want a solidly engineered, quality prestigious car, engine size be damned.

Astra wagon looks pretty sweet, if it really does look like that. Shame the sedan (Excelle) looks like crap. I think even a five-door hatch would have been better, as its trunk looks tacked on.

4-cylinder LaCrosse is an odd idea, especially in light GM wants to eliminate trim levels for Buick, leaving only well-equipped cars. The four-cylinder *will* find buyers, IMO, as it's more economical and provides enough power for most drivers, but it's not particularly aspirational. Perhaps they should continue offering it, but only with CXL-equivalent equipment.

Agreed - the internet sometimes brings out the worst in people. If the world were only made up of internet comments and angry netizens, it would be a very depressing place indeed.

FWIW, the first-gen Equinox uses seats from the Aveo, so you could also look there.

BMW X1 xsqwertyDrive20id(iot)... what a pointless vehicle.

A 2.4 turbo wouldn't be as smooth and revvy as a 2.0 turbo, and besides, extra turbo boost would make up for less displacement without ruining fuel economy. The Subaru 2.5 turbos and the old Mazdaspeed6/CX-7 2.3 turbo are as thirsty as V6s. It'll be a trade-off between styling and practicality. If Cadillac goes with the fastback or "four-door coupe" cliche roofline, there will be absolutely no rear seat room if it's 3-series sized. I'm 5'11" and feel cramped in the back of the CTS, but don't in my parents' previous-gen 5-series, which is smaller outside. And let's face it, Cadillac's signature rear door window design makes getting in and out a pain, and it hampers outward visibility for passengers. The now ubiquitous Hofmeister kick does the complete opposite.

The US can't pressure other nations to clean up cause it'll look like a hypocrite. China pollutes more GHG emissions than the US by a percent or two, but they have 4+ times the population. However, it seems international pressure is pushing both superpowers to get their act together, not to mention the concerns of their own residents.

Congrats on the new ride. It seems like you do a lot of highway miles, and the five-speed Cobalt was designed for that. How's the MPG so far?

I choose lineup A, simply because it's unique and GM has expertise in small-block V8s. They already make a supercharged version for a theoretical ATS-Vsquared. BMW and Audi already use superb forced-induction sixes throughout their range that would be hard to match.

Buick LaCrosse. The more I look at it, the more I "get it" and like it. I used to prefer the Taurus, but I'm completely bored by its cliched Chrysler 300-esque hindquarters and generic Ford front end. The LaCrosse to me says "Buick" in a new and positive way. I love the swoopy and chrome-covered art deco details inside. It's not sporty, it's not a Teutonic kind of luxury... and that's refreshing. I'll take a 2011 CXL with the 18" wheels and newly standard 3.6L. The CXS with its 19" chrome wheels is a little bit too much. A comparison video between the Taurus and LaCrosse that swayed me over:

Amazing how the GTI outsells the normal Golf.

I guess we were all wrong... it's the Luxgen MPV from Taiwan, based off of the previous-gen Renault Espace. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 220 hp. Saw a few in Taipei, and it's a pretty good looking MPV.

Now the important part... manual or automatic?

Focus concept interior is pre-production, FWIW.

Agreed. The Equinox/Terrain are too big and fussy. A unibody SUV can be simple, capable, and rugged too - Yeti, Forester, X-Trail, Patriot, etc.

Re: the maximum size of four-bangers, Toyota has transverse mounted 2.7 liter inline-fours on the Sienna, Highlander, and Venza.

It's about the same weight as my '02 Passat, which incidentally has a 1.8T engine with 180-hp. Cruze 1.4T will be down 40 hp, but it has an extra gear and with all the engineering magic that's happened over the years, I wouldn't be surprised if the two cars feel similar in normal driving. All the weight is probably worth it. The Cruze earned the highest score ever given to a car by Euro NCAP. It even has torso airbags for rear passengers and front knee airbags. And kudos to GM for "adding lightness" to the Eco without making it undesirable. Its 17" forged alloys are arguably the nicest in the US-market Cruze line-up. Lowering the ride height is cool as well.

Ironically, in the US you can get a $55K M3 with cloth seats but not on a $35K 3-series. Personally I prefer high quality cloth to average leather - it holds you better, it's better ventilated, and often times more comfortable. The leatherette on BMWs and Mercs (MB-Tex) is nicer than a lot of leather in mainstream cars. My cousin has a '97 ES300 with cloth seats, and its interior is brand new. If that were leather, it would have been cracked, saggy, and butt shined by now. I know you can condition leather, and some people like having a patina, but his interior literally looks brand new. Some people like that...

Not only do I have a high school diploma, I've also traveled overseas before... to Canada!

You guys are hilarious...

How about a Cobalt? It's the more boring but more polished cousin to the ION.

Genesis appears to drive better, which makes sense considering its platform is 5 years newer than the Mustang's, but all things considered, I'd take the Mustang. It's interior is nicer and while it's very common, it still has a special feel to it. Camaro doesn't interest me at all.