AUTO RED BOOK REVIEW: 2010 MAZDA3

ARB On The Cover Review: 2010 Mazda3

The Mazda3 is a bit like ordering a fat-free yogurt cup, then dumping hot fudge and whipped cream on top. On one hand, it fits right in with the guilt-free, small four-cylinder crowd. The problem is, you might actually enjoy driving it, which means something's in there that might not be good for you. The high fat content in this case comes in the form of mediocre gas mileage. The 2.0-liter four achieves 33-mpg on the highway, and the optional 2.5-liter four can only muster up an average highway mpg of 29. Some mid-sized sedans can better those numbers. But there's more to life than counting calories, and the 3 offers a little mild indulgence with smooth, plentiful power, relatively crisp, precise handling, and an interesting, refined cockpit. It is easy to pick a 2010 Mazda3 out of the crowd because it now features an exaggerated, clown-like grin across the front fascia. The grill-treatment should remind you that you're not driving your typical econo-box. And anyway, who wants to worry about the consequences when hot fudge tastes this good. At least you didn't order some huge land-barge. And that has to count for something, right? Right!

In Memory of Jim Sundy

Jim Sundy, a twenty year plus member of The Truck Blue Book Advisory Council, passed away this afternoon. Through his years on the council, he contributed greatly to the truck industry and to many personally.

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Auto Red Book Review: 2010 Ford Fusion

ARB On The Cover Review: 2010 Ford Fusion

There are some mid-sized sedans out there that are so incredibly boring (Accord), they elicit the passion of wet white bread. They’re very good cars, and people buy them in huge numbers (Camry), but most people don’t want to live on a steady diet of warm milk and Saltines. At least that’s what Ford is hoping for with the thoroughly updated 2010 Fusion. No one is going to mistake that big, chrome grill and aggressive stance for one of these coma-inducing competitors. Even the driving experience is improved, with much-needed upgrades in power, including a 263-hp, 3.5-liter V6 available in the Sport trim. Also available in the Sport model are optional bright red or blue leather seat inserts. Pretty cool—but only for the most adventurous. And for the fuel-savers out there, a new gas-electric hybrid model can achieve a best-in-class 41-mpg in the city. Plus, if you drive it nice, a plant graphic gauge illuminates healthy leaves on the vine. Too much hot-shoein’, and you can kill your plant graphic—kill it dead! You know a car is comfortable in its own skin when it allows you to give life or death to a plant graphic. If you’re interested in a mid-sized sedan, the Fusion is a good place to look. But if you’re used to the bland selection that currently dominates the automotive landscape, make sure you take your heart medication before you visit your local Ford showroom.

Auto Red Book Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

ARB On The Cover Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

You see it in the movies all the time. A bashful, nerdy girl with her hair tied up and big, clunky glasses struggles with her self esteem. But the school quarterback accidentally discovers that she is a swell person to be around, and with her renewed confidence she ditches her bulky sweater and emerges as the new school hottie. That’s kind of what’s happening with the Buick LaCrosse. This car was always pretty good, but it just had a milquetoast appearance that wasn’t likely to attract high school football stars. But now—hubba, hubba, is that really the same girl? Based on a new-to-the-U.S. platform, the 2010 LaCrosse appears to have the details right, from the beautiful interior to the body cut line reminiscent of Buick’s “Sweepspears” of the past. The new LaCrosse is expected to debut with two, fuel-efficient, direct-injection V6 choices, with either front- or all-wheel-drive. That’s a sign of the times, because as neat as an all-wheel-drive V8 would be, the V8 “Super” version will not make it to this generation LaCrosse. Not in the short-term, anyway. Nevertheless, this is an amazing, ugly duckling transformation. Hopefully it will do for Buick what the styling renaissance did for big sister Cadillac.