| A car that sips gas rather than gulps, looks good in dim | | | | Acura. Although the 2007 Eclipse has curb appeal with |
| light, and is lively to drive is the new renaissance in | | | | shapely wheel wells, a lavishly appointed interior and a |
| motoring. The coolest cars today are the green | | | | torque rich, powerful engine (263 horsepower in GT |
| Hybrids, and fuel- efficient non-Hybrids, that share an | | | | and 162 horsepower in the GS), there are a lot of cars |
| unconventional styling. Here are 10 non-Hybrids that | | | | in the $19,699 -$23,399 price point. It is also a lot |
| save on fuel while being practical, good looking, and fun | | | | heavier with a curb weight at more than 3,300 lbs. |
| to drive. | | | | Facing competition from the Acura RSX, Mazda RX-8, |
| Acura RSX | | | | and Toyota Scion; the 2007 Eclipse works harder to |
| The future of the automotive universe is in the garden. | | | | retain its share of the pie. |
| The 2006 Acura RSX is a luxurious, well engineered | | | | Mazda6 |
| sports car, that has a green thumb. The car averages | | | | If space is an important criterion in choosing your next |
| 27/34 mpg and has a MSRP of $20,325 to $23,845. | | | | car, the 2007 Mazda6 is a valid argument for the |
| Historically, the RSX is the successor to the ever | | | | buyer who seeks ubiquitous design in a purposeful |
| popular Acura Integra, which was an entry level sports | | | | family-oriented new car. The 2007 Mazda6 has more |
| car in Acura's line up; while the top of the line, NSX, | | | | leg room than a VW Passat, Subaru WRX, Mitsubishi |
| boasted a top speed of 155 mph. | | | | Lancer Evolution, and the Audi A4. It is also the only |
| The 2006 RSX is quick by modern standards while | | | | car in the line up that's available as a sedan, wagon, |
| being incredibly frugal on fuel. In a recent shootout, | | | | hatchback, and race (Mazdaspeed6) version. With a |
| sponsored by Car & Driver magazine, the RSX | | | | MSRP of $19,000 to $30,000, you get a vehicle that |
| beat out the Dodge SRT-4, Subaru Impreza WRX, | | | | satisfies your needs for an uncompromising design |
| Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and the Saturn Ion Redline. In | | | | while understanding your family obligations. |
| terms of horsepower, two versions of the RSX and | | | | The Mazda6 is a somewhat larger version of the |
| RSX-S are available in either 155 horsepower, or 201 | | | | popular Mazda3. The top of the line Mazdaspeed6 has |
| horsepower respectively. The steady refinement of | | | | a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4, gorgeous trim, and |
| Honda's VTEC technology makes it possible to deliver | | | | choice of two exceptional exterior colors: smokestone |
| torque at both low and high rpm's. Consequently, the | | | | and violet gray. Unfortunately, there's no Mazdaspeed6 |
| RSX-S is able to rev up to 7,000 rpm - much like a | | | | wagon, but regardless which version you choose you'll |
| motorbike and still be effective saving fuel. | | | | get a responsive car that averages 24/32 mpg. |
| Unfortunately, RSX's dominion of the two-door sporty | | | | Toyota Camry |
| segment is being phased out in 2007 to give way to | | | | There was once a popular notion that highbrow luxury |
| the Honda Civic Si and the Honda Civic Hybrid. Acura | | | | belonged only in the hallowed grounds of the German |
| believes this will prevent intra-brand competition with | | | | and Italian auto manufacturers. This might have been |
| other Honda products, namely the Civic. For now, the | | | | true ten or even twenty years ago, but not today. The |
| 2006 RSX is a reputable earth-friendly vehicle worth | | | | caliber of vehicles emerging from the Toyota Motor |
| owning on its own merit. | | | | Company, and Honda - even those made in American |
| Honda Civic Coupe | | | | manufacturing plants, are second to none. It's now |
| You don't have to be a South American dictator to | | | | possible to own a fully-loaded, emotionally charged |
| enjoy power, good looks, and fuel efficiency that | | | | 2007 Toyota Camry mid-size sedan for less than it |
| distinguishes the 2007 Honda Civic Coupe from other | | | | costs for an entry level BMW 3 Series, or the |
| cars on the road. The fast, safe, and elegant Civic | | | | Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and even the Honda Accord. |
| embodies Soichiro Honda's personal philosophy of an | | | | The redesigned 2007 Camry picks up the pace with |
| uncompromising sports car everyone can own. For | | | | an art deco inspired interior. Power windows, door |
| MSRP of $14,810 to $18,710, the 2007 Civic lives up to | | | | locks and multi-adjustable seats with lumbar support |
| the hype of exhilarating performance, while achieving | | | | are standard in all trims. This is to drive a message |
| 40 mpg on regular gasoline (and 51 mpg for the | | | | home not only to BMW and Mercedes, but also to the |
| Hybrid). | | | | Honda - the new Camry makes viable economical |
| The Honda Civic delivers vicarious fun in both its | | | | sense. |
| regular and Si iterations. The regular Civic delivers 140 | | | | Bold new exterior shape make the new Camry |
| horsepower from an i-VTEC, 16-valve, 1.8-liter engine | | | | appear as if it is draped in fine Eastern apparel. The |
| that's mated to a drive-by-wire throttle to make sure | | | | look has a more of a landscape-inspired feel, the larger |
| you arrive early at your meetings on time; and the Si | | | | than normal headlights, integrated bumpers and dual |
| unloads 197 horsepower from a 6-speed manual | | | | crease lines on the nose make the front appear more |
| transmission. | | | | prominent. Aerodynamics of 0.28 Cd further enhances |
| An alternative to the VW GTI, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and | | | | the Camry's fuel efficiency which averages 24/34 |
| the Mazda RX-8, is that the 2007 Civic possesses an | | | | mpg (or 40 mpg in the Hybrid.) |
| assertive personality to successfully capture its share | | | | The Camry has always been a popular selling car in |
| of the compact sports car limelight. | | | | the USA. The new version takes the game to a higher |
| Mazda3 | | | | playing field. With a MSRP of $18,270 to $27,820, the |
| Once you've sampled higher fuel efficiency of | | | | new Camry is indeed a valid challenger to the anointed |
| Japanese engineering, there's no going back. The 2007 | | | | position enjoyed by the BMW 3 Series, |
| Mazda3 is a compact sports car that averages 28/35 | | | | Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Honda Accord and the |
| mpg. Unlike the retro sensibility of the Mini Cooper, VW | | | | Mazda6. |
| GTI, and the Honda Civic - the Mazda3 serves up a | | | | Acura TSX |
| fresh perspective in design. The external aesthetic | | | | Imagine waking up one morning to find a 2007 Acura |
| purity, functional cabin ergonomics, and the | | | | TSX parked in your garage. You would probably grab |
| indescribably "zoom-zoom" sound from the peppy | | | | the keys and head out for a test drive. Within |
| engine make it stand out from the crowd. | | | | moments, you realize this sharp-looking, well handling, |
| In our test drive, we sampled the larger 2.3-liter engine | | | | and exceptionally powered 2007 Acura TSX is a |
| that has 160 horsepower from a normally aspirated | | | | resourceful lean machine. |
| four-cylinder engine. Our verdict: the 2007 Mazda3 is a | | | | The beauty of the new TSX is the invulnerability of |
| sensational, fun-loving car to drive. The engine is happy | | | | build quality and the variability of torque. The TSX is |
| zooming up to 7000 rpm in no time. The low- end | | | | not a muscle car, but the availability of torque across |
| torque could be better below 2000 rpm, but once you | | | | the full range of the rpm will have to think twice about |
| reach mid revs, the engine is eager to please. Mazda | | | | the popularity of more expensive German sedans. |
| has done well applying variable valve timing and | | | | With the discontinuation of the Acura RSX in 2007, the |
| variable-length intake runners to the 2.0-liter engine as | | | | TSX will become the new entry-level car in the Acura |
| well, giving it 150 horsepower at 6500 rpm peak torque. | | | | lineup. An alternative to the BMW 3 Series, the |
| Additionally, the standard five-speed manual shifter is | | | | Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the Audi A4, the 2007 |
| smooth due to frictionless synchronizers and cable | | | | TSX is competitively priced to give all the thrills with a |
| linkages. | | | | MSRP of $27,890 to $29,890. An edgier version of the |
| For 2007, the Mazda3 is also available as a hatchback | | | | Honda Accord, the TSX averages 22/30 mpg. Acura |
| offering an additional 17.1 cubic feet of storage | | | | plans to sell 15,000 units per annum. |
| compared to 11.4 cubic feet for the 4-door sedan. | | | | Honda Accord Coupe |
| Mazda3's price of $13,750 to $17,500 makes it well | | | | With more cars on the road today than at any |
| positioned for the fresh out of college crowd, and | | | | moment in history, Honda is aware of the many |
| driving enthusiasts alike. | | | | environmental challenges we face ahead. Maximizing |
| VW GTI | | | | efficiency and reducing pollutants is the new paradigm |
| What happens when you place a mighty fat | | | | that all car companies need to address. The 2007 |
| epinephrine needle in the rear quarters of a thin, frisky | | | | Honda Accord coupe, for example, has a clean, |
| rabbit? Does it run faster? Does it look edgy? | | | | distinguished look, choice of two intelligent engines of |
| Scared? In this case, the mighty fat epinephrine needle | | | | 166 horsepower and 244 horsepower respectively, |
| is the highly responsive 197 horsepower engine that | | | | (25/34 mpg) and the 253 horsepower hybrid that |
| utilizes Audi's R8 racing technology to create a | | | | averages 26/34 mpg. The new Accord, in either the |
| fuel-efficient turbo peaking at 5,100 rpm. And the | | | | regular or Hybrid version, makes a statement - each |
| Rabbit, totally redesigned VW GTI, is bigger and tighter | | | | vehicle has the power to change the world. |
| than the vehicle it replaces. VW claims rigidity is up by | | | | Where the 2007 Honda Accord really shines is in the |
| 80 percent, due to high-strength steel panels and 230 | | | | styling, handling, safety, fuel efficiency, and the strong |
| feet of laser- welded seams. You certainly will not | | | | residual department. These are vital components of |
| hear many squeaks and whistles in this vehicle. Step | | | | the success of the Accord in the USA. While the fuel |
| on the accelerator and the car responds immediately. | | | | efficiency of the Honda Accord Coupe is not as good |
| There's virtually no lag from the turbo as the car | | | | as those of the Toyota Prius, or even the Honda Civic, |
| accelerates from 0 - 60 in 6.5 seconds while | | | | they are better than most family cars on the road. The |
| averaging 24/31 mpg. | | | | 2007 Honda Accord Coupe has a MSRP of $20,475 - |
| When the first VW GTI was introduced, it was 1983, | | | | $29,500 and is available in 13 trims. |
| Michael Jackson was doing the moonwalk and the GTI | | | | Honda Fit |
| was competing with the Chevy Camaro Z-28, and the | | | | 0 |
| Datsun 280 ZX. Today, the VW GTI has a MSRP of | | | | Neither palm readers nor psychics can predict just |
| $20,340 and is competing with the Mazda3, Mitsubishi | | | | how much room is inside the 2007 Honda Fit. Rumor |
| Eclipse, and the BMW 3 Series. | | | | has it, the Fit is 19.3 inches shorter than the new Civic |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | | | | sedan, but designed to feel bigger. An innovative 60/40 |
| More curves than a wonder bra commercial - defines | | | | split 2nd-row seat enables this task, and also makes |
| the wholesome look of the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse. | | | | for distinct interior configurations. The 109 horsepower |
| After16 years of refinement, things are looking up for | | | | 1.5-liter, with VTEC technology gives 31/37 mpg. |
| the fourth generation 2007 Eclipse, but there is a lot at | | | | Although the Fit may be new to the USA, it has sold in |
| stake for Mitsubishi. When the Eclipse debuted in 1990, | | | | Japan since 2001 and in Europe since 2002. This |
| it became an instant sensation in the rave young car | | | | implies that a redesign may be in the works soon. |
| buyers' demographic, paving the way for launch of | | | | Other cars in this market segment include the Toyota |
| mid-sized Gallant and the compact Lancer Evolution. In | | | | Scion xA and xB; and the upcoming Smart car. The Fit |
| 1995, the Eclipse was redesigned to compete more | | | | has a MSRP of $13,850; and can go from 0 - 60 mph |
| aggressively with higher priced cars from Honda and | | | | in 9.3 seconds. |