Are cars getting uglier?

Acura TL: When the first Acura TL was released in 2004. It was very stylish and rakish for an Acura. Although it was front-wheel-drive and torque steered excessively. The vehicle was still a very nice alternative to European and American Rivals. But with the new 2009 rendition of the TL. You'd have to question Acura's polarizing styling cues. Looks like it was mutated rather than evolved. Even with the addition of all-wheel-drive. If you can get past the front end design. You'll have a nice sedan with Honda-like quality.

Honda Pilot: You either love it or hate it. Depending on what you're looking for in a crossover. This vehicle won't disappoint. But if you were wearing a blind fold. Then you'd probably pick it until you see the styling. Somehow Honda has managed to make it both ugly and boring to look at. But given it great seven-passenger room and value for the money. So you either love it or hate it; or maybe you're just scared of it.

Jeep Compass: Design based on the same platform as the Caliber. The Patriot looks more like a Jeep. This however doesn't even come close to looking like a Jeep. With mismatched panels and dumpy styling. You have to ask yourself, did Jeep really design this? Or was it a knock-off that Jeep thought would be nice to add to the line-up. But didn't realize that it wasn't worth adding.

Subaru Impreza: Without the cool body-kit and the racy wheels. The Subaru in plain design just looks down right ugly. We know that Subaru has its weird design language. But this is just torture. We all know not everyone wants a body-kit on their vehicle. But why buy a Subaru if you're not looking for rally-inspired cars?

Chrysler Sebring Convertible: We were hoping that what made the Sebring Sedan ugly. Wouldn't make it over to the convertible. Well Chrysler didn't hear our plee. As the convertible gets the same weird looking hood. With the same humpbacked profile of the sedan. It's not even close to attractive looking.

Ford Focus: The Euro-Focus is one of the best looking Focus sold. The U.S. Focus is one of the blandest looking you can buy. We've longed for the day Ford introduces the Euro-Focus to the U.S. The Euro-Focus is more stylish and has way better build quailty that the U.S. version. Mainly due to the fact that it's built in Germany.

Volkswagen Polo Sedan

The next-generation Volkswagen Polo sedan will rival the Toyota Yaris and Chevy Aveo sedan. Speculation is that production will take place in South Africa for Africa, Asia and Western Europe. As well as China, Russia Brazil and Mexico. Volkswagen wants to take full advantage of the downsizing trend by offering all three versions to the U.S. buyers, while giving a viable alternative to the U.S. bound Ford Fiesta hatch range and its upcoming sedan model. Powertrains will likely reflect those of the hatch, including a 1.2TSI, a 1.6TDI and the seven-speed DSG transmission. The (150hp) GTI was only offered as a hatchback so that should not change. Hopefully, Volkswagen will include the recently launched Polo Bluemotion with it's outstanding 71.3 mpg rating. Such fuel economy could help many here in the U.S.

Over the top? One name BMW

The BMW X6 already makes no sense to the auto world. No one knows for sure what the heck the car is supposed to be. It's not all that stylish and it's not as practical as an X5. But it sure can grab and hold on to corners like a sports car. Yet it's all hidden away under a large overweight body frame. Gives new meaning to 'don't jude a book by it's cover'. The X6 has been given an M version which has a mighty 555hp. Not that the world needs a near 600hp SUV. But with EPA and fuel economy rules changing for SUVs as well as cars. BMW has decided to add a hybrid model to the X6 range. With a step base price of over $89,725! With a 4.4liter V8 producing anywhere from 400hp or more. BMW wants to make the most powerful hybrid you can purchase. Power with little to no emissions is a good thing. But what about gas milage? Well BMW is good a blending fuel economy with performance. So we're guessing that the mileage will be anywhere between 20 - 22 or maybe less.

Tata Nano getting tweeks

Starting at $2,500, the Tata Nano is the world's most affordable car. But apparently this hasn't stopped early customers from griping about some of the vehicle's shortcomings. Luckily those complaints aren't falling on deaf ears. Tata Motors will make subtle changes to the mini car within the next six months. One of the biggest complaints the Nano faces is it's lesiure acceleration. Which should be expected of any vehicle with 33hp. To make the best of the situation, Tata Motor Engineers will crank the engine's 5,000 rpm red-line up to a more respectable 6,000 rpm. This should help add more pickup. Also under consideration is a five-speed manual gearbox. Although the Indian market Nano will likely continue with just four gears. Another improvement, which should please Nano owners is the addition of an actual tailgate. The current Nanoe is hatchless in the interest of lower cost. Build complexity, and structural rigidity. Anyone who wants to add or subtract cargo has to do so by folidng down the rear seat and going through the doors. Other changes include a new single side mirror assembly that will make way for future of power mirrors and a 'check strap' for limiting how far the door opens. While these changes will improve the Nano. I'm hoping the modifications don't come a price. Either way, it's nice to see Tata listening to the suggestions of it's new customers.

Drastic new look for Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 has always lacked behind the compact sport sedan segment. Being the more safer and softer choice among its rivals. The new Volvo S60 however, looks exceptionally well this time around. With a more dramatic design. Which follows into the tradition of the Volvo XC60 (one of the best Volvos in the line-up). The front end somewhat reflects the concept. But the design language is all Swedish. Very curvy and very sexy indeed. Before Volvos were boxy and bland looking. But this may display a new more appealing image for Volvo. With products like the S80 and V70. There's even a rumor the R-version will return.

Devbot's take: With the dramatic styling that could hurt/help Volvo. Thumbs up to Volvo for taking a new direction with their S60 sedan. If offered with the right engine choices and priced accordingly. Volvo could have another homerun on their hands.

('The Volvo that may scare traditional Volvo owners")

Mini Takes

GMC Arcadia ($32,400)

Likes: Stylish, very roomy third row seat, priced very well to its size, V6 offers plenty of power to push this heavy SUV along.

Dislikes: No standard all-wheel-drive, some features you may want will push price up past $40,000.

Mazda3 ($16,045)

Likes: Stylish, upscale interior, great driving position, punchy four-cylinder engine, great fun for little money.

Dislikes: Doesn't have that same cutness as previous generation.

Porsche Panamera ($90,750)

Likes: First ever Porsce that competes with luxury sedans, very fast especially with turbo form, very upscale interior and driving experience words can't describe.

Dislikes: 'Say what?' base sticker price, love/hate it styling, kind of makes you wonder if it really has a place in Porsche's line-up.

Kia Forte ($14,400)

Likes: Stylish, affordable alternative to the Honda Civic, coupe form looks very promising.

Dislikes: Looks like a Honda Civic at front, questionable resale value.

Volkswagen Golf ($19,190)

Likes: Much needed improvements over the MK5, interior quality exceeds competition, available with a diesel engine.

Dislikes: Styling seems rather bland, no more Rabbit nameplate.

Pontiac Torrent ($25,340)

Likes: Roomy second row seats, large trunk, very stylish, plenty of power under the hood.

Dislikes: Pontiac is being discontinued after 2010.

Audi A5 ($44,750)

Likes: Very stylish, upscale interior like all Audi vehicles, loads of options to choose from.

Dislikes: Can get expensive, very hard to find due to high demand.

BMW 135i ($40,40

Likes: Baby 3 Series styling, performs like a BMW, upscale interior decor.

Dislikes: Priced like a BMW, only available with six-cylinder engines.

Mercedes GLK ($34,600)

Likes: Baby GL styling, affordable crossover with Mercedes quality, peppy six-cylinder.

Dislikes: Prices can jump to $40,000 and higher quickly.

Dealership prices

Cadillac CTS Wagon ($53,400 MSRP)

Cadillac SRX ($47,350 MRSP)

Cadillac DTS ($52,300 MSRP)

Cadillac STS ($50,400 MSRP)

Cadillac CTS ($42,900 MSRP)

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid ($74,500)

(Prices are not including tax, title and license fees)

Although Cadillac has a whole new body language and several new products to be released. Would you still consider buying one? Leave a comment below...

Ford Ecoboost

EcoBoost is a family of turbocharged and direct injected six-cylinder and four-cylinder gasoline engines produced by the Ford Motor Company. Engines equipped with EcoBoost technology are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with larger displacement, naturally aspirated engines while achieving approximately 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% reduced greenhouse emissions than these same engines. Relative to the power output and fuel efficiency of hybrid and diesel technologies, Ford sees EcoBoost as an affordable and versatile alternative and intends on using it extensively in future vehicle applications.

With the wrapper finally removed from the sugarcoated exterior of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO earlier this week at a national media preview, Ford's EcoBoost movement is unofficially in full swing. Basically, be prepared to hear a whole truckload of EcoBoost-centric news coming out of the Blue Oval's Dearborn, Mich., headquarters over the next few years.

Ford is really excited about its fancy but not-so-new EcoBoost technology, a new engine-building methodology that blends forced induction and direct injection into a high-powered yet efficient mechanical cocktail. For the rest of us that don't yammer on purely in marketing lingo, that would mean new, turbocharged powerplants.

With all the modern day concerns surrounding fuel economy, CO2 emissions, the end of the world and Simon Cowell, turbochargers are going to become much more prevalent. Basically they use exhaust gasses that would otherwise be wasted to spin a tiny turbine, which in turn spins a tiny impeller that compresses air into the intake. Blah blah blah. Bottom line? More power with less fuel, reduced CO2 emissions and (hopefully) fewer complaints from the Green Party, Leo Dicaprio and Cameron Diaz. But don’t hold your breath on that last one.

Having been launched last month in the Lincoln MKS, the current iteration of the EcoBoost mill is a 3.5-liter V6 with twin turbochargers (or a bi-turbo if you want to be all European about it). More accurately, rather tiny twin turbochargers. Colloquially described as being "about the size of an orange, the two turbos can each deliver up to 12 psi of boost. In the new Ford Taurus SHO, that means 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, an improvement of 102 hp and 101 lb-ft over the standard 3.5-liter V6, with identical fuel economy to the lighter (but still fairly chunky) all-wheel drive Taurus.

Ford offers the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine in the Lincoln MKS, MKT and Taurus SHO, and it will soon see service in the Flex as well. However by 2013, Ford has committed to offering an EcoBoost engine on over 90% of its North American vehicles. In the works is a four-cylinder turbo engine, which should bring with it some seriously impressive fuel economy numbers. And preferably some serious performance figures as well.