siegen

Yes yes, I understand that it is a design idea pulled from a previous Buick. It does need a side crease, but I think a single flowing crease would be much more fitting. This side crease is very reminiscent of the old Tiburon. It doesn't look the same, and it is perhaps pulled off better, but it still reminds me of two opposing side crease design used on that vehicle. On the contrary, I feel that this side crease looks just as or more out of place than the Acura grille and wheel arch on the new TL. I want to see more real-world shots of a production model, but I don't think my opinion will change. Don't get me wrong, I have a problem with the front fender flare and the grille on the TL, but this side crease is just as bad.

That's funny, the CTS looks basically like the old one with a different grille. I bet a typical non-car person would not even be able to tell the two apart from the rear 3/4 view. Honestly, when I first saw it, I had to look it up to see if it was an MMC or actually a FMC. But that's ok, it's good that GM didn't screw up a good thing. The only thing on the new TL that even vaguely resembles the old model are the head lights.

I think they could have done a much better job on the rear. But I am glad they are offering a wagon, I'd like to see more of wagons and less crossovers.

The new TL is a very large advancement over the old, which was already a great car. I have a feeling the opposite of what you say will be true. Differences in exterior styling between the CTS new and old is not that dramatic.

If I recall, the Volt's combined range had been lowered to a more realistic 350~ range. I for one would probably be too lazy to plug in my car every night and then unplug it every morning. What a hassle! When I get home from work, I literally spring from my car and the first thing to go is the pants. Likewise, in the morning I am tired and cranky. I would probably drive away with the plug still attached more than a few times.

Honda still hasn't announced any plans to make a plug-in hybrid. As far as I can tell the Li-Ion batteries will be for their current hybrids, as they have designed them to accept Li-Ion batteries when they become economically feasible. The rapid charging (from regen braking and engine) and fast discharging (for more power to the electric motor) will allow them to use more electric assist during acceleration and to use IMA on larger vehicles.

Beats the hell out of the SC.

Nice overhang.

Probably not. Just because they are both working on procuring Li-Ion batteries for hybrid vehicles at the same time does not indicate they're collaborating. For the Vue Redline, GM may not have had an engine suitable for that application. That was before GM developed the 3.6 DI engine after all. From the article, it indicates they are taking a different route than other Li-Ion adopters. Honda wants to focus on charge and discharge times for the batteries, so the batteries can provide more power quickly and then recharge quickly as well.

The Accord has a normal TL-inspired side crease, and looks fine. This side crease, even on the nice looking concept, looks poor IMHO. It hurts the overall design more than it helps and really feels like an afterthought.

The 2.7 liter 4-cylinder in the Highlander is interesting. Sounds like an ok move right now, but I wonder how it will drive. A 2.7L 4-cylinder tied to the hybrid sounds like a better solution than the V6 hybrid they have right now though.

The orange/yellow part is the IMA motor, which is sandwiched between the normal-sized gasoline engine and CVT transmission.

Honda Awaiting New "Super" Lithium-Ion Battery for Next-Generation Hybrids Full article at Edmunds

The new Pilot sounds like a pretty big improvement over the old. If I may ask, are you keeping your TSX or trading it in for a crossover? I may be purchasing an '09 or '10 TSX soon, depending on if rumors of a V6 materialize. I may try out the diesel too, not sure if I'll like it.

I'll just get an Ariel Atom with Civic Type-R engine.

"Results not typical" lol A couple of good ones in there. I wonder if the guy with the 2 million mile truck was still on the original engine and transmission.

The Prius is equipped better than the Cobalt isn't it? Did you compare equally equipped models? Edmunds recently did a comparo between the Prius and Fit (click here) and gave the Fit the win. The Fit is smaller on the outside but only suffers in rear leg room on the inside by a few inches, and has much more cargo capacity. Edmunds compared the base Fit though, which I do not agree with, they should have compared a Fit Sport which would have been equipped a little better and closer to the Prius.

Luxury cars always cost more than they are economically worth when compared to mainstream cars. If you are comparing which makes more economic or practical sense, the non-luxury brand always wins. The MDX offers more features than you're giving it credit for, but what it really comes down to is if you are willing to spend more for a luxury vehicle knowing that you are paying more for the same number of features. You can list "300HP V6" and "SH-AWD" as features, but it's far more than that. Does the Pilot deliver even close to the driving experience of the MDX? If these things don't matter to you, and it sounds like they don't, then the Pilot is the obvious choice. The MDX was not tuned on the Nürburgring so it could match the Pilot in features and price.

The MDX has more luxury features, a more powerful engine, luxurious interior, and sh-awd. You could say the Malibu is better than the CTS because the CTS only has power, RWD, and luxury features going for it. The same can be said about any luxury vs mainstream comparison. Edit: You also don't get Acura total care service with the Pilot, or the ELS surround sound system.

Well if the cost is worked into payments or a lease, it becomes barely noticeable.

I have been hearing talk that it is real aluminum, but I haven't been able to confirm it or see it in writing in a review yet.

How about GM just make the full size SUV's and Trucks get 1/1 mpg better across the board, and not bother with the badge? Then have a press release saying that for 2009 they have performed various enhancements to improve mileage by 1/1 on their line of SUV/Trucks, without any extra costs or changes to the customer. They could tout their commitment to continually improving efficiency, rather than silly marketing gimmicks.

"Signed up" perhaps isn't the best word, more like "interested in".

Yes, it is true 5.1 channel DVD-audio capable. The current TL also has 5.1 DVD-Audio and the ELS sound system standard.