2008 Detroit Auto Show Winners and Losers: Production Cars
There weren’t nearly as many new production cars at this year’s Detroit auto show compared to the array of concepts, but Cars.com’s Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder take on each with gusto.
Mike Hanley: Winner
If the BMW X6 is a success — which I think it will be with its muscular, athletic styling — it’ll go to show that the AMC Eagle of the ’80s really was before its time, as the X6 follows the path set forth by that all-wheel-drive hatchback. With a healthy helping of horsepower, the X6 looks like a smart way for BMW to attract more SUV shoppers without diluting the driving experience too much.
David Thomas: Loser
It’s neat-looking and I can’t wait to drive one with the turbo V-8, but otherwise the X6 doesn’t work for me. You can’t see out the back, you can’t fit in the backseat. It doesn’t have much utility at all, and it’s going to be expensive. Yeah, sign me up for that.
Joe Wiesenfelder: Loser
I like the idea of the X6, and I think it looks pretty good. I’m down on redundancy, though, and I don’t see this model’s necessity. I’d be more enthusiastic about the style and styling if it showed up as a next-generation X5.
2009 BMW 1 Series Convertible
MH: Winner
I’m not the biggest fan of the 1 Series coupe — I just think its proportions and front styling are a letdown — but the new convertible won me over with its clean, top-down look. If BMW delivers on the driving experience, as it’s done with the 3 Series, the 1 should be a heck of a lot of fun.
DT: Winner
I’m not a fan of convertibles, but I was able to sit in a 1 Series for the first time in Detroit and was shocked at the amount of room in the front seats. There’s really no loss of usable room for the driver and front passenger in the smaller 1 Series. There’s even decent trunk space. Plus I bet it’ll be a lot of fun to drive.
JW: Winner
I am a fan of convertibles, and I’ll take it off your hands, Dave. I gave the coupe’s odd proportions a pass, but there’s something wrong with the convertible’s overall shape. Regardless, it promises to be a blast, with more than enough power to overcome the added weight of a convertible. The soft top is a bit of a downer, but the 3 Series retractable-hardtop starts at more than $42,000, and I’d rather see this one’s cost kept down.
MH: Neutral
The performance improvement to Cadillac’s high-powered sport sedan is truly remarkable, and its all-black cabin is quite appealing, but the V-Series wire mesh grille doesn’t enthrall me the way the regular CTS’ big eggcrate design does. I’m sure this point won’t matter once I’ve had a chance to drive it, but right now it’s a significant issue.
DT: Winner
I like the wired grille on the new CTS-V better than the old one. Still, black chrome would be even cooler. Um … how much power does this thing have? Yeah, that should do it.
JW: Winner
I’m with Mike on the grille; something muted would be better with this car’s quintessential black or charcoal paint, but at least it’s real (Jaguar, take note). The regular CTS is so good to drive, I can’t fathom what this monster will be like. Big, big winner.
MH: Winner
What’s more Detroit than a 620-hp Corvette? How about a 620-hp Corvette with Kid Rock and his band blasting out some jams behind it? That was the scene at the GM Style event the night before the auto show opened, and it proved to be the perfect setting to show perhaps the baddest ‘Vette ever.
DT: Loser
Seriously? You need a 620-hp Corvette? OK, “need” isn’t a good word, but I’ve driven the Z06 with 100 less hp, and it was hard to hold back all those horses and save my driver’s license. 620 hp will just get you arrested faster.
JW: Loser
The expected 0-60 times of 3.7 seconds are also promised by the Nissan GT-R, which costs about $80,000; the Chevy’s expected price is around 100 grand. Granted, ZR1 production will be in the hundreds, versus more than 1,000 GT-Rs in the U.S., but if Ford could sell its GT supercar — which was quicker and looked unlike anything else on the road — for $150,000, then Chevy should rethink pricing. I’m sure it will rock, but it’s still a Corvette.
MH: Winner
Dodge made some smart updates to its best-selling vehicle for 2009. The new front styling keeps the truck fresh but instantly recognizable, while the new crew cab version will help the Ram better compete with other full-size trucks. The new interior is classy, especially on uplevel trims, and the available RamBox cargo box storage system will find numerous uses in the real world.
DT: Winner
If you’re a truck buyer, and especially if you’re a Ram buyer, then this is the truck for you. Personally, I’m still waiting for the company to build the Rampage concept, as I think trucks buyers have been stuck with the same designs for years. Nifty features like the RamBox will definitely win over a few shoppers, but I don’t think the interior could really be called “classy.”
JW: Loser
If I had to pick based on the auto show experience only, I’d call the Ram a loser. I like the forward-swept grille and the in-fender storage boxes, but beyond that I’m seeing improved but not competitive interior quality, no mention of mileage improvements and added features that appeal more to the casual than the core buyer, and these are the people I expect to flee the class because of fuel costs. How it drives is critical, because how it compares at the auto show is not favorable.
MH: Neutral
The new F-150 can have some neat features, like a step that makes it easier to reach into the side of the cargo bed, and a tailgate post and step to make it easier to climb into the bed. New styling makes the truck even more imposing than before, but I take issue with the cabin’s new dashboard layout, particularly the size and feel of the buttons and control knobs; the headlight knob felt cheap and some of the buttons are excessively small.
DT: Winner
I thought the buttons were fine, especially after hearing from everyone how bad they were. Only the radio presets were too small. The steering wheel felt a bit cheap, though. Otherwise the interior was a great improvement, and the base model’s cloth seats were very comfy. I liked the exterior but couldn’t really see a huge difference from the current model. The black plastic grille on the base models seemed cheap to me, too.
JW: Winner
The styling is a significant change that clearly says “Ford.” Features like the backup camera sold as a stand-alone option, and innovations such as the side and tailgate steps, are of value both to casual and serious pickup owners. A model-wide fuel economy improvement of 1 mpg is small but better than nothing. With Toyota bearing down and GM’s recently redesigned full-size pickups earning critical acclaim, Ford swallowed hard and put more money than originally planned into the F-150 redesign. It shows, and Dodge should have done the same.
MH: Winner
Hyundai isn’t a luxury brand, but it’s built a nice luxury car in the new Genesis. The sedan gives you many of the features of the revered German brands, like rear-wheel drive and V-8 power, at what should be a significantly lower price. It’s hard to argue with that.
DT: Winner
If you had told me even a year ago that I’d be gaga over a Hyundai, I would’ve called you nuts. But starting with the latest Santa Fe through to the new Elantra and Veracruz, the company has delivered content and quality at a good price. That equation is taken to another level here. The materials are Lexus quality, for sure, with only the leather maintaining a slippery feel some might consider off-putting.
JW: Winner
I’m not ready to evoke the name “Lexus,” and the leather definitely is among the less pleasing on the market. Otherwise, this car’s remarkable, with a price likely to match. The Hyundai name is a problem. It’s not that people won’t buy a luxury car built by Hyundai, it’s that not as many will buy one named Hyundai. There’s a reason Toyota has Lexus, Honda has Acura and Volkswagen has Audi. Even with stunning value, Hyundai needs a lux brand to maximize its success.
MH: Loser
It’s hard to understand the logic of introducing an all-new body-on-frame SUV like the Borrego at a time when shoppers are abandoning them faster than Jessica Simpson turned Dallas against her. Developing the right products for the market isn’t easy, but when conditions change, sometimes it’s better to cut your losses than introduce a model like this one that doesn’t make sense.
DT: Loser
I couldn’t get in it to check out the materials, but I can spell snoozer and it’s B-O-R-R-E-G-O. This was probably the least-talked-about vehicle of the entire show. There’s a good reason for that, as Mike mentioned above.
JW: Loser
…and from a company that has made such good decisions recently. I’m telling you, Kia thawed out Dr. Evil — frozen since 1990 — and made him the product planner. “The secret to our success will be … a midsize, truck-based SUV!” Someone throw Kia a frickin’ bone.
MH: Loser
Mazda’s mild changes to its RX-8 sports car include a new R3 sport package that features a rear spoiler and 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, as well as functional elements like Recaro bucket seats and a sport suspension. That’s nice and all, but this is the Detroit auto show, for heaven’s sake, and you have to bring more than a prettied-up version of an existing model if you want to be taken seriously.
DT: Loser
I don’t mind barely upgrading the exterior and interior with slight tweaks, but the measly 232-hp rotary engine is screaming for more power and an upgrade simply for reliability’s sake.
JW: Loser
Dittos all around. This generation’s been on the market long enough for more significant changes, especially because they’re needed. Manufacturers don’t make changes frequently or lightly, so this could be what we get for a few more years to come.
MH: Winner
A 50% gain in fuel economy is nothing to sneeze at, and that’s what GM says the new Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid will achieve compared to its V-6 sibling, which works out to a combined gas mileage estimate of about 25 mpg. The 2 Mode system doesn’t come cheap, but if it’s well-integrated like the one in the larger Tahoe Hybrid, it’ll find buyers.
DT: Winner
I’m still not sure why they didn’t use a four-cylinder hybrid system to get maximum mileage, but this will be one peppy hybrid SUV. The new Vue’s interior is tops in its class, too. That might draw in luxury buyers looking for something they can stomach driving simply to be green.
JW: Winner
I’m with Dave on this aspect. I’d like to see them give less power and more efficiency, but it’s probable the V-6 is more conducive to the planned plug-in version promised for 2010. A mileage improvement of 50% is stunning; too bad the Vue’s mileage is so low to start with.
MH: Winner
Even though it has a small footprint, the Forester is big on the inside, which tall guys like me appreciate. The previous Forester’s front styling was unimpressive, but this new model’s look is quite sporty for an SUV. I’m just wondering when Mitsubishi is going to come calling to ask for its Outlander design back.
DT: Winner
The looks may be generic, but the Forester has one big thing going for it: Visibility. There’s still a very bright greenhouse with lots of glass and a minimal blind spot despite the new exterior design. More interior and cargo room, added to the fact that people will now know the Forester is indeed an SUV, means Subaru will sell a lot more of these. The Tribeca may take a hit, though.
JW: Winner
This is a winner because nothing major seems to have been done that takes away from the model. I don’t know if it’s a winner because of the changes. I see a considerably smaller greenhouse and a less unique vehicle overall. It may serve Subaru’s sales better, but it takes away from buyers’ choices. Funny that Mike notes it’s copying the Outlander, because the original Outlander copied the Forester utterly.
MH: Winner
The Mini Cooper and Volvo C30 have helped make the small hatchback cool, and the Venza has the looks to do the same for large hatchbacks with its well-proportioned, sporty good looks. Its functional, upscale interior will appeal to mainstream and luxury buyers alike.
DT: Loser
I don’t care how nice the materials are inside, people won’t understand why this exists, and they’re not going to pay a premium for it. The Toyota Highlander a few feet away on the show floor is so darn good, and so darn popular, I’m not sure why this is even needed. Plus the Highlander has a better name.
JW: Winner
The guys are both right. I’m not sure who will buy this — or over what alternative they’d choose it, Toyota or other. But I don’t feel I have a good enough read to base my conclusion on its marketability. For what it is, it seems well-executed. It seems like Toyota heard the barbarians at the liftgate and dialed up the interior quality.
MH: Loser
The Passat CC looks great, for sure, but it’s not different enough from the regular Passat to warrant the time and effort that went into it. Volkswagen calls the CC a “coupe with sedan access and functionality,” but the automaker would have been better off just coming out with a real two-door Passat coupe. There’s no need to cannibalize Passat sales, which is what the CC is going to do.
DT: Winner
If VW had just said this is its new Passat sedan and chucked the old one out with the bathwater, everyone would be praising this car. The rear design is fantastic and all the added technology features will be welcome. Of course, it might not be good to have more stuff to fix in a Passat.
JW: Loser
I think the guys make good points. I agree that it’s nice to look at, but I know many people will disagree. There’s an insurgent disdain for short windows — either the way they look from the outside or the closing-in feeling some people get inside, or both. The roofline makes it hard to get into without clocking yourself, but one could argue that it’s better than a two-door, and that’s a fair point. I’m not sure how important rooflines are anymore, which is to say I don’t know how much the coupe look will draw buyers. In addition, the “four-door coupe” label annoys me.
