Brief Reviews Part One

Acura TSX V6 ($35,660)

New: Acura has induced the TSX sedan with a 3.5liter V6 which produces 280hp. This will help the TSX sedan compete more with cars like the BMW 3 Series sedan and Infiniti G37 which both use six-cylinders opposed to a four-cylinder like Acura, Saab and Audi. But other than the new engine. One will wonder why Acura didn't just use the same turbocharged four-cylinder as the RDX. The 260hp would provide good amount of power without increasing weight.

Likes: Finally Acura has given the entry-level TSX a V6 engine. This will help the TSX fight the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37 sedan.

Downside: Too much power to the front wheels. A premium of $5,000 over the base engine. The turbocharged four-cylinder from the RDX would've been better suited to the sedan.

Volvo XC60 3.2 ($32,250)

New: Volvo has placed the naturally-aspirated 3.2liter V6 into the hood of the XC60. Bringing the price down to $33,000. While the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder version remains at $37,000.

Likes: More affordable than the XC90. With the 'City Safety" package still offered without having to option for the more expensive version. Very stylish for a Volvo.

Downside: Not as fast as the turbo version. Plain Vanilla personality.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S ($123,600)

New: Porsche has induced the Cayenne Turbo S with a twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder that produces 50hp more than the previous version. So now it produces 550hp.

Likes: Ever wonder what it would be like to get to 60mph in less than five seconds in an SUV? Designed for serious bragging rights.

Downside: Gas guzzler tax will make it more expensive. (Not that its already ridiculously expensive), does the world really need a 550hp SUV? Does one really need to brag about a 550hp SUV? Magnet for speeding tickets and high insurance costs.

Smart Fortwo Passion ($13,500)

News: The smallest car in the United States gets a revised transmission for 2009. The reason is due to the fact many owners have complained that the transmission is rather slow and jerky when it comes to shifting. Smart heard their cries and decided to fix the problem. You can option for a Brabus styled Smart. Which makes the already cute Fortwo more racy looking. Too bad we can't have the turbo engine sold in Europe.

Likes: It's nice to hear that Smart is paying attention to their customer complaints. That Brabus form is one nice kit for the money. Easy to park and draws attention.

Downside: But did Smart really fix it? Or is did they just lie to us? BTW why can't we have the turbo engine sold in Europe? Larger cars will want to pick on you because of its size. Grabs unwanted attention and many questions. Ride comfort is so-so. Brakes are hard to execute smoothly.

Pontiac G8 GXP ($37,600)

New: That 6.2liter naturally aspirated V8 produces 415hp. While a BMW 550i, which cost twice as much only produces 360hp. So it actually makes sense. A Pontiac that makes a BMW look bad. Now that's something you can actually smile at. Plus it costs only $37,000! Not bad at all.

Likes: That V8 roar for less dough. Stylish for an Australian Pontiac. Rear drive means you can really kick it into high gear.

Dislikes: Not sure, can anyone tell me what is a true Pontiac? (Besides the 60's hot-rods?), Pontiac will be discontinued after 2010, so you can get one at a super discount if you wait a year or so, then let depreciation eat what's left of its value. Gas Guzzler tax. Makes you wonder why GM didn't build cars like this five years ago to save itself.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI ($22,400)

New: The Jetta will be available with a turbo-diesel engine that produces 140hp and 230lb-ft torque. This engine will be available on both the sedan and wagon.

Likes: Fuel stingy diesel engine, that's both affordable and not one ounce smelly. Available in all states. Which is a very hard thing to accomplish with New York and California strict emissions regulations. The wagon provides a roomy alternative to bigger more expensive crossovers.

Dislikes: Styling is rather bland, and the chrome doesn't help much. The sedan tail lamps are Toyota like. The Golf TDI will overshadow the Jetta TDI once available in 2010.

Toyota Prius ($22,000)

New: The new Prius is sleeker, faster and more fuel efficient than ever before. The interior is very sleek from what I've seen at the auto show. There's even rumors that there's a plug-in hybrid to be optional in the Prius line-up.

Likes: Way more stylish than the outgoing generation. More power should provide better acceleration and improved driving distance comfort. Toyota high quality materials and reliability.

Dislikes: More horsepower doesn't mean its less dull to drive. Not much personality with all the technology under the hood. How close is it to being a robot-car? Shaped very oddly. Are you really helping the environment by driving a hybrid? And can you justify paying a premium for a hybrid?

Nissan Altima 2.5 ($19,900)

New: Take an Altima and strip it down a little. Taking away the fancy keyless start and a few other features to push the price down to $19,000. The same four-cylinder producing 175hp is standard in the 2.5. It may not have the features that you want. But for those who really want one, and don't care about the extra features. This will make owning one much easier.

Likes: Much less expensive than the 2.5S.

Dislikes: Not much of a price difference between the 2.5 and 2.5S. Exterior mirrors don't fold in. Front seats don't provide upright seating comfort. Buzzy CVT transmission. Floaty ride comfort. No real direct interaction with the car.

Nissan Versa 1.6 ($9,000)

New: Nissan had the title as the most inexpensive car in the United States. Until Hyundai lowered the price on the Accent coupe a few hundred dollars to reclaim the title. The whole purpose of the Versa 1.6 is to provide a new car for consumers who don't want to pay more than $14,000 for one. Just a basic vehicle to get you to and from work. Sort of what the Europeans call 'City cars'.

Likes: Makes sense to price a sedan below $10,000 in this economical hardship.

Downside: Very oddly shaped. Base 1.6 is very stingy on equipment. It's just a car, and that's it. Small wheels translates to bad road comfort on highway. Automatic will cough you $1,000 as well as an additional $250 for ABS (which you'll need because small tires equal long stopping distance) and $155 for floor mats. It's so basic that one has to wonder who would really give up a radio and air-conditioning to get a new cheap car? The creature features push the price close to the Versa 1.8S. So what is the real purpose? And is it really worth holding the tile as the most inexpensive car in the United States?

Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5S ($19,500)

New: The only thing new for 2009 on the Volkswagen Rabbit is the five-door hatchback doesn't have an optional manual gearbox. The standard six-speed automatic transmission does provide smooth rapid shifting and is probably more popular than the stick-shift trans.

Likes: Still a stylish Volkswagen. Very well equipped with solid ride comfort. Clever features and smooth strong performance when you need it. The benchmark for what a small hatchback should be. Solid feel that gives you more confidence when driving around large cars.

Dislikes: Five-cylinder drowns when you rev hard. Feels heavier than it looks. Standard steel capped wheels at $20,000. Will be replaced by the Golf next year.