hr: LuxuryCars

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid offers everything the normal Tahoe has, and then some. The main difference of course is the “hybrid” part. This hybrid version of the award winning SUV utilizes a two-mode hybrid system. The whole process is quite dizzying what with all the technical details. Suffice it to say that it works, and what it does is save power and provide better fuel economy, 20% better to be exact.

This system is quite a handful to describe in layman’s terms. Let’s just say that somewhere under the hood lie a gas engine and 2 electric engines. Managing these engines is the two-mode hybrid system. When you’re driving, this system tries to “read” the situation constantly, employing various energy and gas saving measures while still obeying your every whim. It does this seamlessly too.

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Typical with most hybrids, some energy lost during braking is retained and stored for future use. The car air-conditioning also uses less power, thus saving more gas. The addition of two electric engines required measure to lessen the weight, which was achieved by using aluminum on some body parts. Aerodynamics is also improved. Here’s a good site for added info on the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

Whenever a car’s interior get the words “the interior design and material wouldn’t be out of place in a BMW…”, it definitely means it’s top quality, usually seen in the bests of the best. The Chevrolet Tahoe got these words, and a whole lot more. It is also spacious and practical; meaning passengers get enough legroom even when the maximum number of passengers, 8 in this case, is reached. Fuel economy, which always seems to be a problem on big SUV’s, was improved. So is handling and suspension.

The Chevrolet Tahoe is easy to drive. It can maneuver on corners with ease, not unlike other SUV’s out there that always seem to go around corners like a ship at sea. Its engine is powerful enough to carry all 8 passengers plus cargo, without noticeable straining. Safety rating for the Chevrolet Tahoe is also excellent. This SUV offers highly advanced side curtains on all rows of seat, ensuring higher safety measures on dire circumstances.

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It’s no wonder the Chevrolet Tahoe got high recognition and numerous awards from reviewers and test drivers. It’s ranked No. 1 in “Affordable Large SUV’s”. Other awards were “Best Large Utility”, and “Best in Class Winner”. Learn more about the Chevrolet Tahoe here.

The most visible change of the newest Mercury Grand Marquis from past models is its new, sleeker grill. But that’s not all there is to it. Improvements are many and some new features are added. The Marquis offers a powerful engine with it’s V8 SOHC engine without sacrificing any of its luxury and comfort features.

The interior design was upgraded, going above the norm. Combined with the upgrades on suspension and handling, these factors help provide a quieter, more relaxing ride. Electronic devices are numerous, including the entertainment system and the interior environment system helping the car achieve a modern feel even with its stylish, and classic exterior design.

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The front suspension was uniquely tuned; the rear air suspension got a unique spring. This is a standard package for the Grand Marquis, together with its 224hp 4.6liter V8 engine. The trunk gets an upgrade too, getting a wider storage space. All in all, the Mercury Grand Marquis is an excellent bang-for-every-buck car. It has power, it has style, and a likeable luxury package. Here’s a Mercury Grand Marquis article if you want to learn more about the specs and info on its pricing.

After reading so many contradicting reviews on the Acura TSX that it made my head spin, there’s just one possible way to go about this. That is to describe the good, the bad, and the so-and-so, and leave it to you readers to make your own judgment.

Here are the good points:

The Acura TSX sure is luxurious. The interior design is up there in league of with the big boys of small to mid-sized cars. Forbes described the TSX’s cabin as “high quality and functional”. The car also scored high on reliability and dependability test. It also scored a “very good” on crash tests, which means the Acura TSX comes with an excellent safety package.

The bad:

The exterior design, although Acura says it has been improved, still lacks originality to stand out on itself. Several reviewers note that the design is not really edgy enough, nor unique enough to go head-to-head with it’s racy competitors.

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The so-and-so:

The engine is modest. It’s quick, but not really fast. It’s strong but not really powerful. It’s fun to drive and all, but it leaves you wanting more. There is no four-wheel drive option, only the existing two-wheel version.

If you want to read all the contrasting reviews yourself, you can Google Acura TSX. Here’s one article about the Acura TSX that offers excellent, and unbiased insight.

If you were still a college student, you’d probably say that the Mercury Sable is not the type of car you would like to end up with, only to find yourself owning one in the near future. It’s not a car that you can brag about, yet it’s functional and very affordable.

If you’re on a tight budget, or even if you do have a little extra cash to spare, passing up on the Mercury Sable at a car dealership will be a struggle. It’s not appealing, it certainly isn’t stylish either, but this car is for you, whether you like it or not. It’s the kind of car you’d drive your family on when going to church, or when visiting your kids’ grandparents.

The Mercury is a large, lumbering car, but quiet and comfortable. It can’t take corners well because of its long wheelbase but it offers excellent safety features. In fact, it has a five-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rating for its front and side crash protection.

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In the highly competitive mid to large sedan market with the really bad at the bottom and the very best at the top, the Mercury Sable sits comfortably in the middle. Most reviewers say this about the Sable. It’s not criticism though, but a point of fact. A good point too compared to those at the bottom. It’s V6 engine’s not that powerful but highly capable.

Okay, I’ve used a lot of “buts” in describing the car, but (sigh) it’s probably the best way to give an accurate impression on the 2008 Mercury Sable. It’s the car for regular Joe’s like you and me even though we hate to admit it. Find more about the Mercury Sable here.

There was a time when Lexus ES luxury sedans were considered as looking like a Camry but with more features and other stuff. With the new ES350 however, Lexus has made improvements to the exterior design which now gives the car a distinct look (see photos below courtesy of Captain Skyhawk).

The styling is aptly called L-Finesse, a concept designed to make the ES350 a sleek, good-looking sedan. It also gives the driver and passengers a more comfortable interior, better suspension, and a quieter, more relaxing ride.

Lexus was often regarded as a manufacturer high on luxury and comfort but a little below par on engine power. That may still be, but the new Lexus ES350, although not really a powerhouse, can still compete head-to-head with several famous luxury cars opting on a more “sports car” appeal.

It has a 3.5liter V6 engine, so quiet in the cockpit that it’s suggested that it feels like you’re going 60mph when in fact you’re traveling at 90mph. Now imagine being in the car at lower cruising speeds, sitting on one of the luxurious seats inside the spacious, well-designed interior.

This level of comfort wasn’t reached just by the silent engine and comfy interior alone, credit should also be given to the amazing suspension of the Lexus ES350. These features give the car the smooth and graceful performance. There’s also that Lexus reliability and high standard of safety. Truly, this is a car that’s worth every dime of the cost, which is quite reasonable in the first place. Find out more about the Lexus ES350 here.

Audi has always prided itself on producing quality cars for more affordable prices. The Audi A6 is no different. It’s right up there with other more expensive cars in terms of user comfort and luxury, yet it cost a few thousands less. Few can match the Audi’s deluxe cabin, and it has also been said that Audi’s overall design is class-leading.

On the other hand, some reviewers graded the Audi A6’s performance as modest. It’s engine, a 255hp V6, is not that powerful. Acceleration is passable and handling is a little rough. The Audi A6 was designed with comfort and luxury in mind, but the engineers could’ve at least made it a little more powerful.

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Most buyers, however, had overlooked this shortcoming in exchange for the world-class and spacious interior design. Audi used first class materials for the interior, often only found in more expensive sedans. This is an excellent car considering it’s price which is well below any other car offering the same amenities. Visit this site for a complete info on the Audi A6.

Purposeful technology, that’s what the makers of the Infiniti M35 said about the electronic gadgetry of the multi-awarded sports sedan. This is in response to the confusing array of knobs and buttons prevalent among the control panel of other cars on the same class as the Infiniti M35, including Mercedes and BMV models.

With the Infiniti M35, you don’t need a geek to figure out the electronic functions. As if to prove their point, a Mercedes engineer recently admitted they’re trying to remove over 600 electronic functions from some of their models. Most of these won’t be noticeable since users don’t even know they existed.

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That’s not all. The Infiniti M35 maintains a clean, sporty look. Inside, the M35 is a picture of luxury offering great space, a functional design, and excellent comfort. Wood trims are offered as options to replace the metal trims installed. It is powered by a V6 engine that has earned lavish praises, winning several prestigious engineering awards. This 3.5liter engine is capable of producing 280hp. Another variant, the M45 comes with a more powerful V8 engine. Learn more about the Infiniti M35 here.

The new entry-level sedan for Cadillac sports a more refined look, and it is more powerful than previous models of the CTS. This time around, the interior is more attractive, better in many ways than the STS-V. The Cadillac CTS has the same body dimension than previous CTS models, although almost everything else was improved. This makes the Cadillac competitive again in the highly contested market for entry-level automobiles.

Unlike the STS-V before it, the Cadillac CTS earned tremendous ratings from several reviewers. Thanks to its highly improved interior design and suspension package, the CTS easily became a popular car among consumers. It is an excellent luxury car with a very competitive price. However, for people used to sports cars, this is not for you. The CTS is designed for consumers interested in cheap but high quality cars that offers excellent safety features, a comfortable interior, and excellent handling. Compared to the other cars it is competing against, the CTS is fast and very powerful. Just don’t compare it to leading sports cars that cost 10 or 20 times as much.

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There are two engine options; both are V-6’s. The cheaper one can produce a modest 258 hp while the better one, a 3.6liter direct injection is capable of producing 304hp. Automatic transmission comes as an option too over the existing manual transmission, so is the 4-wheel drive configuration over the 2-wheel drive currently used. Several luxury options are also being offered, Check them out at the 2008 Cadillac CTS homepage.

Cadillac, once a proud and famous automaker in the US, turned to the STS-V a couple of years ago to reclaim its respectability it lost to Mercedes Benz and BMW. At first glance, it seemed like this is the car that would bring them back to the spotlight. It would have, but it didn’t. So what went wrong?

The Cadillac STS-V is still credited as one of the fastest cars manufactured in the US to this day. But it never did gain enough popularity. Boasting a powerful supercharged Northstar engine, it clocked an amazing 0-60 mph acceleration of just under 5.3 seconds considering that this car is tagged with only a 5-digit price.

Power aside, the rest of its feature failed to measure up when compared to its competitors. Some reviewers claimed that the exterior design needed a lot more work. Others said the mechanical parts seem lacking in harmony, that it’s not as smooth as a BMW or a Mercedes Benz.

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Being a fan of the Cadillac, I would really love to see them bounce back. But apparently, the STS-V failed them. However, a new Caddy is in the market right now. But that’s another story…