consumer issues
Autosside: 2010 GMC Terrain
2010 GMC TERRAIN SLT1
TYPE: Front-drive, five-passenger, mid-size crossover utility vehicle.
PRICE: $28,195 base.
WHERE BUILT: Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
KEY RIVALS: Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V, Nissan Murano.
POWER: 3-liter, DOHC, 264-horsepower V6; six-speed auto transmission.
FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city, 25 highway mpg.
Autos: Terrain exhibits a luxurious personality
"SUV" is not a four-letter word.
So say the marketing experts at GMC, which is pitching its latest passenger vehicle as an SUV instead of what it really is, a "crossover" -- an SUV body on a car chassis.
DriveWays: Ford Taurus is no longer a mid-size car
Like people, automobiles can have multiple personalities. But few have ranged as far and wide as the Ford Taurus.
When it was introduced in 1985, it was an immediate sensation -- a mid-size American car with rounded styling that resembled the luxury Audi from Germany. Before long, it became the best-selling car in the country.
DriveWays Specs: Specifications for 2010 Ford Taurus
Specifications for the 2010 Ford Taurus LTD AWD four-door sedan.
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 263 horsepower.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode.
Overall length: 16 feet 11 inches.
EPA passenger/trunk volume: 102/20 cubic feet.
Weight: 4,224 pounds.
EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 17/24 miles per gallon.
Game On: 'DiRT 2' kicks up a good ride
"DiRT 2"
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PSP, DS
Genre: Racing
Publisher: Codemasters
ESRB Rating: T, for Teen
Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)
Computers: Tips to save on security and ink
It has been some time since we answered the ton of mail that has been piling up so let's get right to it and relieve the pressure on my inbox.
Q. I don't quite get your column on free anti-virus programs. Are you saying that we don't have to pay for these programs anymore?
Game On: 'DiRT 2' kicks up a good ride
"DiRT 2"
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PSP, DS
Genre: Racing
Publisher: Codemasters
ESRB Rating: T, for Teen
Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)
Drive Ways: Equinox equal to or better than its competitors
Even though the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox was developed by the old General Motors, it likely will come to be hailed as a hallmark of the new GM.
The all-new Equinox is a compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that is equal to or better than any of its competitors. It's a shame that it took such a long time coming.
DriveWays Specs: Specifications for 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Specifications for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox LT four-door crossover utility vehicle.
Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 182 horsepower.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic.
Overall length: 15 feet 8 inches.
EPA passenger/cargo volume: 100/31 cubic feet.
Weight: 3,770 pounds.
EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 22/32 miles per gallon.
Autos: KIA fortifies the fleet with an affordable Forte
In these harsh economic times, Kia continues to exceed expectations in the affordable end of the automotive market.
The latest entry in the economical fleet is the 2010 Forte, a sedan that will also be offered as a coupe, with prices beginning at $13,695 for the base LX model.
