Hosts Jessi Lang and Steve Hammes road-tested and reviewed the dependable and economical 2010 Nissan Murano, one of the originators of the modern crossover vehicle, the benchmark for all subsequent competitors.

Most of the major facelifts on the Murano came with last year’s model, which had garnered a whole new redesign, and this year finds only a few minor changes on several different trim levels. The luxury LE trim model now comes in a 2-wheel drive package, with several other minor equipment and technology additions. Our tester itself was the SL trim with all-wheel drive, definitely a model worth having in inclement wintry seasons. However, the Murano still retains its attention-grabbing looks and lines, maintaining its sleek, rounded physique that could be defined as sporty and utilitarian at the same time.

The Murano still retains their powerful and award-winning 3.5-Liter V6 engine that musters 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, giving you plenty of ample acceleration for the road ahead. Gas mileage is decent, the Murano is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

The interior, however, could use a redesign when it comes to aesthetics. Its plain and lackluster console and dashboard amenities is a little disappointing, considering the comfortability of the drive and the beauty of its exterior. At first glance, the overall design inside the cockpit seems a little outdated, and could perhaps use a healthy touch of modernization.

The Murano is priced at $31,200 to start with, and our tester came in at $36,100 altogether with the technology, premium and leather package options. With a powerful engine, a gorgeous look, smooth ride, and all-wheel drive, this year’s Murano is a smart addition to the lineup of what is considered as the Godfather of the modern crossover SUV.

For 2010, Nissan has taken over one-hundred pounds off the body and added more power behind the engine of their 370Z Roadster. This agile coupe had host Jessi Lang grinning as she took to the backroads and highways to test out this super-fast and super-fun convertible.

The 370Z boasts a 3.7-Liter V6 engine that produces 370 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0-60 in about 5.1 seconds. Its advanced 4-wheel independent suspension has been made stiffer and lighter this year to improve its quick, responsive handles and ride comfortability. Fuel economy is manageable, you maintain about 18 mpg in the city and roughly 22 mph on the highway.

The comfortable interior maintains a racetrack-aesthetic, with digital gauges mounted into the dash that display all your pertinent information and a finely-tailored cockpit that make you immersed in a true sports car experience. And with the soft-top, the 370Z driving experience becomes a pleasure.

Our 370Z as tested, with the navigation package, came in at $45,270, up from the base price of $41,620.

The 370Z Roadster Touring boasts a lot of power and fun for your dollar, and is a tough competitor to beat in its price-range, a range which includes muscle cars such as the Mustang GT and Camaro SS, or sports sedans such as the Subaru WRX STI and the Lancer EVO. However, the 370Z easily stands on its on apart from the herd with its aggressive exterior, powerful drivetrain, and distinguishing, incomparable characteristics.

Introduction

Boasting a lot of bang for your buck, the Mazda2 is a quick and peppy ride with amazing gas mileage and an extremely agreeable pricetag, all-in-all exemplifying the old Mazda maxim, “Zoom zoom.”

Exterior Styling

Taking design cues from its sporty cousin, the Mazda3, the Mazda2 retains much of the signature hatchback sleekness that the 3 is known for. Its smooth lines give it an aerodynamic aesthetic, and the wide headlights and unique honeycomb front grill make for a fun-looking ride.

2011 MAZDA2 Touring

Interior Styling

Surprisingly, in a car of Mazda2′s size, there’s a good amount of headroom. Being 6’3″, I found plenty of space between my giant head and the car’s ceiling and found that there was plenty of comfortable space for my legs and arms as well. The backseats looked and felt a little restrictive, but on the plus side they come with a 60/40 split fold-down so you can greatly increase the car’s cargo capacity, since the regular trunk space is rather paltry.

As far as interior amenities are concerned, the Mazda2 are rather lacking. Air conditioning, power windows and locks are all standard but you won’t find any navigation screens or state-of-the-art computing here. The most appealing feature I found here is an auxiliary input for your iPod and a pretty decent 4-speaker stereo system. But for someone like me, that’s really all I need, so I can’t complain.

Safety

The Mazda2 features six standard airbags, great visibility, and a confident braking system that makes you feel safe while driving such a compact car.

Powertrain & Performance

The Mazda2 has a 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out 100 horsepower and 98 lb.-ft. of torque. This may seem weak, but with the great power-to-weight ratio, the Mazda2 accelerates faster than you’d guess.

Driving Impressions

I got to drive the Mazda2 for a solid week and was impressed. I would have loved to try out the 5-speed manual while I was cruising along curvy country roads, but my as-tested 4-speed automatic was more than diligent, and the handling was responsive and assertive. I had no problem hugging the curves in this car along the backroads or avoiding the common pitfalls of Washington DC traffic. And, as a side note, this the easiest car you will ever parallel park.

Conclusion

With gas mileage that is practically comparable to hybrids (27 city, 33 highway! and even better if you take the 5-speed manual), the Mazda2 is a fun little ride that you’ll enjoy whether you commute in the city or the country, and it won’t break your bank either. With an as-tested price of $17,185, the Mazda2 seems to outclass its competitors such as the Honda Fit or the Toyota Venza with its confident and sporty attitude.

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The Nissan Maxima is back and better than ever. With the two version offerings, the Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, Nissan has reclaimed it’s place in a very competitive market with it’s flagship sports sedan. With pricing starting below $30,000, around $28,000, and not topping out above $35,000, a buyer would be hard-pressed to not consider the newly re-designed 2009 Nissan Maxima when shopping for a sports sedan.

The 2009 Maxima comes with the new 3.5L V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 261 lb-ft of torque at 4,400, an increase of 35 horsepower over the last year. Even more impressive is the fact that Nissan managed to add one mile per gallon to the EPA ratings even with this power increase, getting 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. But, if you are looking for a manual transmission you’ll have to settle for the only option offered, the revised Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode. For 2009, Nissan added a new “Ds” (drive sport) mode that is an electronic control logic, that enhances sport driving through increased acceleration feel with higher engine revolutions, automatic engine braking and maintaining engine speed during cornering.

On the interior, the available packages allow the buyer to customize the vehicle to meet their needs, while also incorporating things like the dual panel moonroof that’s usually only expected in luxury vehicles. In the Premium package, you can load up on technology. A few perks in the Premium package are the iPod integration, navigation system, climate and entertainment control panels in the back seat, and wood-grain paneling, whereas in the Sport model, navigation is not available and the interior console is more utilitarian without the wood-grain touch. The Sport model also does not have the 60/40 rear seat split but instead has a pass-through for your skis that improves torsional rigidity by 17 percent for stiffer suspension alongside the 19″ rims with low profile tires to provide a sportier driving experience.

But, to see how good the new 2009 Maxima looks both inside and out, and to hear the sounds of the new V6 engine, you’ll have to watch our car review video.

Click here for 2009 Nissan Maxima pictures.

If you’re in the market for a car that is both sporty and luxurious at a good price, look no more because the 2nd generation 2008 Infiniti G35 S sedan is most likely the car for you. For a reasonable starting price of $33,050 (as-tested price of $37,000), the G35 S makes sure the buyer gets the best bang for their buck. Available amenities include RearView Monitor, a touch screen, hard drive-based navigation system, and an impressive audio setup by Bose. And, luckily, with today’s high gas prices, practical meets performance underneath the hood. Surprisingly, the G35 S does not gouge at the gas pump, still getting 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway even with the 6-speed manual transmission paired to the 3.5L V6 engine that produces 306 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm.

But, enough talk. If you want to know more about the handling, interior, styling, and available features, you’ll have to watch the 2008 Infiniti G35 S Video:

Click here for more car review videos on YouTube.

Though fuel prices have gone down a bit over the past few weeks, it seems “fuelish” that consumers would go back to their big SUV, gas-guzzling ways. If you need utility for five in a great, small package, you should strongly consider the 2009 Honda Fit.
 

The Fit is now in its second generation, and the 2009 model is all-new. The new Fit features a “super-forward” design that pushes the wheels out to the corners, offering a spacious interior that belies its diminutive exterior dimensions. A new larger windshield and large front quarter windows ensure a clear, unobstructed view to the front. Side and rear views are also very good – a safety feature sometimes overlooked by consumers on ten-minute test drives.
 
It should also be noted that despite Fit’s small size, it is a very safe platform. The introduction of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure contributes to enhanced safety and is combined with improvements to body rigidity for crisp handling and a surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride. Expect high marks for Fit in U.S. Government and insurance industry crash testing.
 

With the trend downward in size, many consumers recall the days when going “small” meant sacrificing comfort and convenience. But things have always been different with Honda, as they’ve built their reputation on building subcompact and compact cars with features steps above their MSRPs. Fit continues this trend with a very high level of standard content, regardless of trim level. On base models for example, standard features include a great sounding deluxe sound system with iPod connectivity, premium finishing details inside and out (like varied materials inside and a chrome exhaust finisher and side sill moldings outside), a tilt and telescoping steering column, keyless entry, ten cupholders, myriad storage areas, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, six airbags, antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and Fit’s “Magic Seat.” Magic Seat is built into the 60/40 split rear bench, and allows the rear seats to be folded flat into the floor with the flip of a single lever, even with the front seats in their rearmost position.

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Tall drivers and passengers will enjoy Fit’s abundant headroom, though legroom is expectedly tight. Wide bodies will enjoy not rubbing arms with passengers. Even at 6’9” and 275 pounds, my test drive in the Fit through upstate New York’s hilly terrain was enjoyable and not just because of the spacious interior. Pushing the Fit’s 1.5-liter i-VTEC four cylinder was downright enjoyable. If you opt for the more expensive Fit Sport, you can choose a sweet shifting five speed manual with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Fit accelerates smartly, and handles curvy roads like sporty cars that cost thousands more. Quiet and nimble, driving this car won’t cause any “fits” of frustration.

My only gripe about the 2009 Fit is the lack of electronic stability control on base models. It’s simply not available on that trim level. Choose the Fit Sport however, and you get stability control standard, as well as the ability to choose optional DVD based, satellite-linked navigation. The 6.5-inch, voice recognition, touch screen navi system opens to reveal PC card playback capability, further enhancing audio choices.
 
The 2009 Honda Fit is priced between $14,500 and $18,760 depending on trim levels, transmission choices, and whether you choose optional navigation. Purchasing this well done offering from Honda could help keep your resources in “fit” condition.

During our recent trip to Cascais, Portugal for “Nissan 360” (see related story-Around the World in Two Days!), we had the opportunity to drive scores of Nissan products from their worldwide portfolio. We were not familiar with many of the nameplates or body styles, but one stood out, even though you can’t buy it in the United States. On a specially built off-road course at the famed Estoril racetrack, we fully exploited the 2008 Nissan Patrol’s surefooted capabilities.

The Nissan Patrol (known as SAFARI in Japan) is an off-road workhorse with a Land Rover-like reputation for conquering difficult terrain. Nissan calls the Patrol “the definitive, authentic and original off-roader.” There may be a lot of truth to that, as the Patrol was originally introduced in 1951.

Patrol is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 with a four-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. Horsepower is a modest 160, but with 261 pound-feet of torque, road acceleration and off-road hill climbs will be no issue for Patrol’s drivers. Patrol’s chassis features a surprisingly compliant suspension, with on-point axle articulation and long wheel travel to soak up even the worst road imperfections, all while keeping Patrol under control. And though this is a true, purpose-built SUV, Patrol occupants are treated to leather seating, navigation and climate control air conditioning.

Click here for more car review videos from Roadfly.

In the 18 years since the Lexus brand was introduced in the U.S., it has shown that luxury, performance, and reliability are not mutually exclusive. Although the top-of-the-line LS model is no slouch when it comes to performance, for the enthusiast, there is no substitute for the GS. For 2008, Lexus has introduced the GS 460, with an all-new 342 horsepower 4.6-liter V8, coupled to an eight (yes, eight) speed automatic transmission to join the GS 350 (a V6) and the gas-electric hybrid GS 450h, replacing the GS 430.

In the city, on the highway, or in the curves, the Lexus GS 460 excels. The 2008 GS 460 is a powerhouse, with an all-aluminum 4.6 liter V8, producing 342 hp at 6,200 rpm and 339 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. Coupled to the 8-speed automatic transmission, this engine propels the GS 460 from 0-60 mph in only 5.4 seconds, and it does this while maintaining surprisingly good gas mileage. When testing, we used so many different gears along with the sleek body shape that it gave the GS 460 a drag coefficient of only 0.27. It is rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, but in our testing we observed numbers that were even slightly better.

Several exterior and interior styling touches introduced with the GS 460 for 2008 are shared with the other GS models, including a new front bumper and air intake design, a new instrument panel, and new wheel designs. The 2008 GS stands out from earlier versions with its new front fascia design, lower front air intake, new chrome grille surround, new wheels, and a new front bumper. The car is sleek, with a long hood and short trunk lid, giving the impression that it is sitting back on its haunches, ready to pounce.

While the GS 460 is sporty and offers tremendous performance, it maintains an elegant and classy appearance that is neither too cutting-edge nor too stodgy. It is equally at home pulling up in front of a hip lounge or a classy country club. Our test model was finished with a beautiful “Matador Red Mica” paint. This not quite candy apple red shade has incredible depth and a heavy metallic flake in it. In the one week of testing, numerous strangers stopped us in parking lots and at gas stations, all of who commented on the beauty of the GS 460.

Lexus is known for luxurious yet functional interiors. The GS 460 follows this tradition with firm yet comfortable leather seats and a myriad of technologies at the drivers’ fingertips to ensure transportation in style. The electro-chromatic glass covering the instruments is a unique touch, providing good visibility in a variety of lighting conditions. The power rear sunshade helps keep the car cool while parked and keeps the sun off of the necks of rear-seat passengers. The heated and air-conditioned front seats paired with dual zone climate control make sure that the driver and front seat passenger can each have maximum comfort.

Yes, the car is smarter than you are. What is really impressive, however, is how all of these technologies work together so seamlessly and naturally like a technological tour de force that felt like an extension of the driver’s wishes. A cornucopia of acronyms representing a broad range of technologies all fall under the control of what Lexus calls the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. VDIM incorporates and monitors almost everything about the driving experience in the vehicle, including the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), Electric Power Steering (EPS), Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and more.

But, even with all of the features listed about, rather than getting in the way of the driving experience as is true with the majority of ‘innovative’ technologies in some other marques, everything Lexus brings to bear works together in perfect synergy with the driver.

We had only two complaints about the controls. Some commonly-used controls, like the side mirror adjustments, are hidden behind a small panel on the dash by the driver’s knee; we actually had to consult the owner’s manual to find them. And, the voice-command for the navigation, climate, and sound system seemed to have trouble, possibly just because of this reviewer’s Texas drawl. These were minor points, however, and overall, Lexus has done a fantastic job of combining the right mix of features to satisfy a broad range of drivers.

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On the practical side, the GS 460 has a plethora of airbags–variable force front, seat-mounted side, knee front, side-curtain front and rear. But, Lexus puts even more emphasis on trying to ensure that these safety features never need to be used by helping the driver avoid crashes altogether. The Pre-Collision system (PCS) is a technological marvel that can help the driver avoid an accident, or, if an accident is unavoidable, help lessen the chances of injury. PCS begins by using a millimeter-wave forward-looking radar to detect obstacles in front of the car, while simultaneously measuring speed, steering angle, and yaw-rate to determine whether a collision is unavoidable. PCS can automatically switch the suspension to sport mode for optimal driving response, pre-tension front seat belts for maximum safety, and pre-initialize the Brake Assist feature so that increased braking will occur the moment the driver touches the pedal.

All Lexus models, including the GS 460, come with a standard 50,000 mile/48 month bumper to bumper warranty, a 70,000 mile/72 month powertrain warranty, and 48 months of roadside assistance. Lexus has a fantastic reputation for reliability, and their confidence in the quality of their vehicles is reflected in these long, by industry averages, terms. If you’re looking at just the safety features coupled with the generous warranties, the Lexus GS 460 proves to be quite a package.

When Lexus entered the U.S. market almost 20 years ago, it faced stiff competition not only from European and American luxury marques, but also in the hearts and minds of American drivers.
Lexus quickly proved that it could compete and be a leader in the U.S. market, and the latest generation of the GS certainly raises the bar for sports luxury sedans to a new level.

Vehicle Stats:
Base Price: $53,385.00
As Tested: $61,418.00
Engine and Torque: 4.6 liter aluminum V8; 342 hp @ 6,200 rpm; 339 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed Automatic
Wheels and Tires: 18″
Warranty: 4 years/48,000 miles (7 years/70,000 miles powertrain)
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City/24 mpg Highway
0 – 60 MPH: 5.4 seconds; 0-1/4 mile: 13.9 seconds
Top Speed: 149 mph

The Maxima is back! Enjoy the pictures of the all new 2009 Nissan Maxima in the photo gallery.

In its seventh generation, Nissan has continued to build upon the qualities that have made the Maxima a hit while also improving the exterior design, the interior cockpit, and the performance. Nissan’s flagship sedan will be available in two models, the Maxima 3.5 S and the Maxima 3.5 SV.

On sale this summer, the 2009 Maxima comes standard with a 3.5 L V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 Maxima engine. Both models will also come with a revised Xtronic CVT with manual model and a new “Ds (drive sport) mode”; paddle shifters will be available.

Browse the photos of the recent 2009 Nissan Maxima and let us know what you think. For more information on pricing and design changes, check back for the 2009 Maxima car review video from the first drive trip in Cary, North Carolina.

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Join us as we test the all-new, second-generation, 2009 Infiniti FX on the mountain roads outside of San Diego, CA. We tested the 2009 FX50 Sport with the new 5.0L V8 that produces 390 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Don’t need that much power? Then the 2009 FX35 is the model for you, with the new 3.5L V6 engine that still produces a respectable 303 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Both models will be available with AWD while the FX35 will also offer RWD. Even with the large engine, the FX50S gets surprisingly good fuel economy for a SUV, averaging 14 mpg in the stop-and-go traffic of the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

Car Review Video of the 2009 Infiniti FX50S

The designers of the 2009 Infiniti FX have made several subtle changes, some visible and others hidden. Expanding upon Infiniti’s FM platform that was specifically designed and configured for use in the FX, the wheelbase is now longer for a sportier feel. The front end has added a wave design to the dark chrome grille and functional side gills. Scratch Shield paint with the self-healing clearcoat finish protects the eight available exterior colors from those unavoidable door dings and scratches. On the interior, Infiniti made sure to improve their navigation system, which is now also controllable via touch-screen.

Photos of the 2009 Infiniti FX35

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The interior of the FX is sticking with the trend of mixing the sports car feeling into SUV design. The automatic driving position system coordinates the steering wheel and mirror position as the seat is adjusted. The seating position is lower than expected in a SUV and the steering wheel is smaller than those found in most SUVs, the size and responsiveness more like something you’d expect in a sports car. The front seats have stitching patterns that are both elegant and sporty, complimented by details like the maple door insets that complete the SUV’s luxurious and expensive feel. While there isn’t much room in the backseat for those over 6 feet tall, the low step-in height of the SUV makes ingress and egress easy for all sizes. Even with the sporty feel and luxurious features, the FX is still a SUV with a cargo space that can supposedly can fit up to five golf bags before the using the 60/40 rear seat split for additional storage.

For more on the FX50S’ 7-Speed transmission with the Rev Matching feature or the other new technologies like Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) and Distance Control Assist (DCA) that weren’t touched on here, watch our 2009 Infinti FX car review video. But, if you feel the need to run out to the nearest dealer immediately, expect to pay around $56,000-$57,000 for the FX50S basics and somewhere between $62,000-$63,000 if you want all of the goodies.

Not in the market for a SUV? Click here for more car review videos from Roadfly.

The original Nissan GT-R was released as a trim level of the Skyline sedan in 1969. Briefly after that, the first GT-R coupe was introduced and produced until 1973. Sixteen years later, the GT-R was re-introduced into the Skyline lineup, known as the R32. The R32 featured the first application of a twin turbo inline-6 engine and a sophisticated AWD system. The R33 GT-R soon followed, becoming the first production car to break the 8-minute Nurburgring lap time. Since then, the GT-R has become a part of pop culture with a strong underground following, making appearances in the video game Gran-Turismo for Sony PS2 and in the movies, like the Fast and the Furious series. But this generation is different…this 2009 GT-R is NOT based on another model, like the previous four generations.

Click to watch additional Nissan GT-R Videos:
2009 Nissan GT-R on Reno-Fernley Raceway in Nevada.
2009 Nissan GT-R Fastlap Video.

The 2009 GT-R represents a multi-purpose supercar with unique high-performance technologies that accommodate drivers of all skills. The GT-R has a top speed of 193 mph, going 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. The 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 and all-new dual clutch 6-speed paddle shift transmission produces 480 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 430 lb-ft of torque from 3,200-5,200 rpm. The driver can select the Normal Mode for “daily driving”, the R-Mode for “high-performance” with a quickened shift time, and the Snow Mode that locks the AWD system at standing start for smooth starts in rain or snow, reducing throttle response.

What most people don’t realize or don’t choose to focus on with this newsworthy vehicle, is that the GT-R, in addition to being a supercar, was also designed for usability. The 2009 GT-R was built to be a supercar you could actually take on trips, with a huge trunk that can accommodate at least two golf bags. The rear bucket seats are also usable. The touch-screen navigation also interfaces with a state-of-the-art entertainment system with a Music Box Hard Drive, CD player, and Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

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The exterior’s aggressive styling gives a powerful, strong, muscular, and precise look to the GT-R. The HID headlights feature three additional sub-reflectors unlike conventional lights, to spread the light wide and low for cornering. The rear, of course, has the traditional GT-R four-ring LED taillights. The 20-inch “high luster smoke gray” forged aluminum wheels (9.5″ front, 10.5″ rear) with special bead knurling are the only wheel/tire option for now, due to the G forces that the GT-R is able to produce under extreme braking and accelerating conditions. Worried about getting door-dinged in the parking lot? The GT-R has durable chip-resistant paint with a double clear coat process.

The GT-R is priced at $69,850 for the base model to $71,900 for the premium model that includes a Bose audio system with three additional speakers and two subwoofers, heated front seats, and Bridgestone high-performance summer run-flat tires. Start looking for the Nissan GT-R in July 2008.

If you, like a lot of other people, don’t get a chance to drive the new Nissan GT-R, ride along with Roadfly.com as we take a fastlap around the Reno-Fernley Raceway. We mic’ed the GT-R’s engine so you can hear the power of this 480-horsepower supercar. The microphone was placed directly under the hood so you can clearly hear the engine working, shifting gears, etc.

The 2009 GT-R features a world’s first with an all-new independent rear transaxle AWD system, an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 with plasma-coated cylinders, an all-new dual clutch 6-speed paddle shift transmission, and an all-new Premium-Midship platform with die-cast aluminum and carbon fiber composite sections.

Watch our other 2009 Nissan GT-R Videos from Nevada:
2009 Nissan GT-R Track Review Video.
2009 Nissan GT-R Car Review Video.

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