The Car Exam Quick Quiz #34 The 2011 Acura TSX…One of the best tested yet

Good Grades: The 2011 Acura TSX sedan is one of the best cars Consumer and Car Exam has ever tested--period. The TSX is light, quick, has excellent braking and handles with precision. The TSX is a wonderfully balanced sports sedan. Driving the Honda Accord and the Pilot before this car, it makes you wonder how Honda/Acura could build such bland, awkward cars, yet build impressive vehicles on the other hand (The now replaced 2011 Honda CRV impressed Consumer and Car Exam as well, as did the 2011 Acura MDX, and those will be in upcoming reviews).

The TSX's interior was just as impressive as the rest of the car--there wasn't a lot to really dislike about it, except for a few things. The 201hp, 170 ft lbs. of torque 2.4 liter double overhead cam four cylinder engine works flawlessly with the five-speed automatic transmission. The TSX feels like a precision tool, begging to be driven. It never feels out of control; it is a very fun car to drive, especially if the roads you are driving on have lots of curves. Handling is exemplary in the TSX. Torque steer didn't seem to be an issue with the TSX, either. Don't be mistaken; it loves straight stretches of roads as well. Interior quality, materials, seating and most ergonomics are well-done in the TSX. The gauges in the TSX are very simple and easy to read. The styling is nice yet simple...

Bad Grades: ...That being said, the styling is a tiny bit underwhelming (but still nice in the TSX), yet better than most other Acuras, save the MDX (something Acura stylists/designers really needs to get corrected, especially after building nicely-styled cars like the Legend and Integra of the 1980's and also the 1990's), Nevertheless, the styling isn't offensive in the TSX--a good thing. The rear seats could some more room, also. It's not a large sedan, but the rear seats should have more legroom. Tiny stereo and climate control buttons aren't so great, either--but commonplace on far too many new cars today, unfortunately. Increasing the city fuel economy of the TSX would be nice (21 is the city MPG for it).

Final Grade: The Acura TSX is a terrific car. The TSX was a joy to drive, even though it doesn't have blindingly large gobs of horsepower like some cars Consumer and Car Exam has tested (Mustang, Camaro, and Corvette--new Corvette and Camaro reviews will be coming). Acura/Honda may not always build exciting cars, but Honda is apparently in the process of trying to change that with upcoming models. For now, the TSX, and the upcoming review of the MDX crossover are exceptions to that rule...Two very nice and impressive exceptions, especially.

The Car Exam Grade: A

Base M.S.R.P. as tested: $29,610

By P. Scott

The Car Exam Quick Quiz # 29: The 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan

Consumer and Car Exam Quick Quiz # 29: The 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan

Good Grades: There are very few cars I sit in that feel like they fit like a glove--but the 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan is one of them. Like several new cars I've driven recently, the Focus really feels like it's built to fit around the driver. The seats feel very comfortable, and the driving position is excellent. The interior quality is first-rate--one of the best I've seen on a Ford--ever. The gauge cluster is clear and simple to read, and the climate controls are also simple--and simple is a good thing. The radio controls are clearly marked, but they could take some getting used to. The Focus SE came with the optional MY Sync voice activated feature--neat, but you'll need practice to learn using it. I had no problem with the front or rear seat room--some reviews have--but it seemed to be fine in the Focus Sedan. Fuel Economy is a good 27 mpg in the city, and an even better 37 mpg on the highway. The six-speed automatic shifts well, also. The exterior styling is excellent--it's one of the best looking cars in its class, right up there with the Hyundai Elantra. The brakes work well, and the Focus comes packed with ABS, and a full complement of air bags. Engine acceleration was fine--but I'll get back to that in a moment.

Bad Grades: The engine acceleration was fine, but seemed a bit harsh--not as refined as a Toyota power plant, for example. That is something that could use some more work from Ford. The trunk lid wasn't lined, which it should have been, and the trunk opening should have been wider.

Final Grade: Having driven the 2010 Focus earlier this year, and comparing to the new 2012 model, the 2012 SE Sedan is a homerun for Ford, whereas the 2010 was a double at best. While it isn't perfect, the 2012 Focus SE Sedan is far better than the previous model, and worthy of praise.

The Car Exam Grade: A

MSRP: $17,400

Price as tested: $21,775

By P. Scott

Consumer and Car Exam Quick Quiz #26: the 2011 Audi A3 TDI Wagon

Good Grades: Nice power from the 2.0 Liter, four-cylinder TDI engine--it has good acceleration from the Turbo Diesel power plant--it's the first diesel-powered car I've had the opportunity to drive, and it was a pleasurable experience. The Audi A3 TDI's six-speed Automanual transmission shifts with precision. The interior materials are great, the seats are comfortable, and interior room is also useful and respectable. The ride is firm but nice, and the A3 TDI's overall driving experience does not disappoint. It feels very sporty and the braking is also good. This feels like a well-made automobile. It comes fully-loaded with useful safety features (a full complement of air bags all around, anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control), also.



By the way, it should be noted here that the photos for this review are of the 2012 S Line Wagon; photo opportunities of the TDI I tested were limited to a parking structure--not exactly ideal for good photos--so I had to resort to going to an Audi Dealer to get the shots I needed. However, the dealer was out of TDI's, and a salesman told me as they are such hot sellers, most are already spoken for by the time they arrive at the dealership. In fact, the A3 Wagon shown in this review was the only A3 Wagon they had in stock. The S Line model in the photos does not have the navigation system that I mention below.



Bad Grades: The instrument panel is nice, but I must say I don't care for small, distracting buttons on the radio and navigation system. I'm old school that way, and prefer the least amount of distraction from the road as possible. Plus, the price of admission isn't cheap: prices start at $30, 250 and it can go up from there with options.



Final Grade: There is a lot to like about the 2011 Audi A3 TDI Wagon--this isn't your dad's old-tech, diesel-powered car that was slow, made an annoying "knocking" sound and had smelly exhaust fumes. Diesel Technology has improved over the years, and the Audi A3 TDI Wagon proves it. Decrease the price on it by at least three to five grand, and you'd have a straight "A" grade for this car.

Consumer and Car Exam Final Grade: B+/A-
MSRP: $30, 250

By P. Scott

Consumer and Car Exam News # 33: Chrysler 200 ad a big hit--especially with dealers, and Chevrolet keeps adding special Camaros

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Chrysler dealers are taking advantage of the 200's good fortune: Automotive News reports that Chrysler had a popular ad with its Chrysler 200 Super Bowl commercial featuring the rapper, Eminem, and dealers are doing a lot to try to take advantage of its success. Chrysler deals are trying to draw customers by printing t-shirts, sending lots of emails to customers and more. Chrysler's ad agency, Wieden + Kennedy has also stated there have been over five million views of the ad on YouTube.com.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110214/RETAIL07/302149934/1250) 2/14/11



Chevrolet keeps putting more heat on the Ford Mustang with the Camaro: Automotive News is also reporting that Chevrolet will come out with a limited-edition Camaro every six months to keep interest in the car strong, and keep the current Camaro development evolving. It was just last week at the Chicago Auto that Chevy revealed plans to sell the new supercharged, 550 hp 2012 Camaro ZL1, and it will also be selling 500 replicas of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 Camaro Pace Car this spring (the V6 Synergy model will also probably make a comeback in the spring, as well), and possibly another 2012 Camaro based on The Transformers movie sequel may debut this summer.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110214/RETAIL03/302149946/1156) 2/14/11

P. Scott

Consumer and Car Exam News #32: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro & Hyundai Genesis news from the Chicago Auto Show

Chevy means serious business with the Camaro in Chicago: According to Automotive News, Chevrolet unveiled a new, 6.2 Liter, 550 horsepower ZL1 at the Chicago Auto Show today. The new Camaro will reportedly debut on the market at the beginning of 2012. It will also have a six-speed, dual clutch transmission--and according to Chevrolet, it will be "the fastest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet." The Car Exam hopes to have an opportunity to drive it in the future--stay tuned!

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110209/OEM04/110209730/1156) 2/9/11



The Hyundai Genesis will get more muscle, as well: Automotive News is also reporting that Hyundai revealed at the Chicago Auto Show that it will pack more power under the hood of the Genesis for the 2012 model year. The 5.0 Liter V8 in the R-Spec model will produce 429 horsepower and 376 ft. pounds of torque, the most ever for a Hyundai-produced engine. It will also have an eight-speed automatic transmission, a sport-tuned suspension, redesigned front fascia, 19-inch wheels and much more.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110209/OEM04/110209720/1156) 2/9/11

P. Scott

Heidi Klum, Sergio Marchionne, and Bob Lutz: Exclusive L.A. Auto Show photos from Consumer and Car Exam!

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In the right places at the right times

Sometimes, life just works out that way. Going to the L.A. Auto Show this past week provided several surprising and very unexpected photo opportunities for The Car Exam. While the whole event seemed especially cut-throat in terms of trying to any meaningful interviews with the higher-ups in the auto-industry (that wasn't pleasant), The Car Exam was lucky enough to be in several of the right places at the right times on the first day--and get some unexpected and great photos of Heidi Klum, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and former Chrysler and GM executive Bob Lutz.

That was the highlight of the show, although there were some new cars of interest at the auto show as well. Also, THe Car Exam drove two cars for upcoming quick quizzes: The Audi A3 TDI and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Look for those coming soon.

Enjoy the photos...








Written by and photos by P. Scott