2009 Toyota Corolla – video clip reviews
Starting MSRP $15,350 – $18,860Unlike Honda when it redesigned its Civic small car a few years ago, Toyota didn’t take any chances with the redesign of its Corolla for 2009. The new sedan looks a lot like its predecessor, but it does receive more standard safety features and can now be equipped with a more powerful four-cylinder engine. New Corollas hit dealerships in February 2008 and compete against the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus and Mazda3 in addition to the Civic.
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Starting MSRP $109,000The Tesla Roadster combines the performance of a high-end sports car — it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to the automaker — with the environmental-friendliness of an all-electric drivetrain that emits zero emissions.
Starting MSRP $17,220 – $28,550The 2009 Equator is Suzuki’s venture into the compact pickup market. The truck is built by Nissan and features mostly Frontier hardware, but Suzuki had plenty of input in its styling. The fully-loaded Equator isn’t a luxurious model, but it does come in the RMZ-4 offroad package. The RMZ-4 features a moonroof, Dana 44 axles, electronic rear-locking differential, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, BFG Rugged Trail T/A tires, unique seat trim with red stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Starting MSRP $29,995 – $33,595The Tribeca comes with standard all-wheel drive. It can seat five in standard configuration or seven with an optional third row. It competes with other midsize SUV/crossover models such as the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander. It’s the only three-row SUV/crossover in Subaru’s lineup.
Starting MSRP $19,995 – $28,195The Subaru Forester, a successful small SUV/wagon since 1998, has been completely redesigned for 2009 on a new platform. This third generation is larger and a little closer to all the other car-based compact SUVs out there — such as the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V — rather than an in-between size that seemed to suit it well. Its standard all-wheel drive can be driven by regular or turbocharged four-cylinder engines through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Starting MSRP $28,160Saturn’s 2009 Vue Two-Mode Hybrid is GM’s first front-wheel-drive application of a “full” hybrid system, which is similar to Toyota’s “Hybrid Synergy Drive” system. This system first appeared on Chevrolet/GMC pickups and SUVs. Saturn also sells a Vue Hybrid that’s a mild hybrid, which GM estimates will be roughly as efficient but not as powerful. It will continue to be sold along with the two-mode hybrid. Four-wheel drive is not offered, and the Vue seats five. The Vue’s main competitors vary; the compact Ford Escape Hybrid is comparable to the mild hybrid in terms of price and size, but the two-mode is comparable to the midsize Toyota Highlander Hybrid in performance and price.
Starting MSRP $400,000The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is an ultraluxury V-12-powered sedan. This posh vehicle blends British heritage with German components and technology.
Starting MSRP $50,300 – $60,200Porsche’s most-affordable car, the Cayman, and its roadster counterpart, the Boxster, have been upgraded for 2009 with more power, better mileage, revised suspensions and upgraded interiors. The Cayman competes with the Audi TT, BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette and Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.
Starting MSRP $46,600 – $56,700Porsche’s more-affordable midengine roadster, the Boxster, and its coupe counterpart, the Cayman, have been upgraded for 2009 with more power, better mileage, revised suspensions and upgraded interiors. The Boxster competes with the Audi TT roadster, BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette convertible and Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.
Starting MSRP $16,100 – $20,875Hatchbacks have become increasingly popular lately, and Pontiac has a new version of its Vibe that’s set to join the mix when it hits dealerships in the early part of 2008. The Vibe wears new exterior styling and also receives interior revisions. Available in either front- or all-wheel-drive form, the Vibe is powered by one of two four-cylinder engines and is related to the Toyota Matrix. Competitors include the Kia Spectra5, Mazda3 and Subaru Impreza.
