- April 1, 2009
- Weekly Driver
Volvo V70, 2006
If a buyer's priorities are comfort, performance and safety, Volvo is a fine choice. It's hard to rattle the Swedish manufacturer's reputation of delivering efficient, if undistinguished, vehicles ideal for open-road driving under any circumstances. The 2006 V70 R (station wagon) further adds to the already nice Volvo overall package with its substantial cargo room.
Audi A6, 2005
Maligned for years and slipping in customer satisfaction rankings, the new A6 instantly helps reverse those woes. It's a classically styled, powerful and overall impressive vehicle that shouldn't be overlooked by anyone considering a car in the above-$50,000 price range.
Ford Fusion, 2006
The longstanding popularity of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima has prompted other manufacturers to attempt to infiltrate the midsize sedan market. Few have succeeded, but the Ford Fusion, a 2006 newcomer built in Mexico, could quickly join the major players.
Honda Accord Coupe, 2006
In its 30-year history, the Honda Accord has transitioned from a curiosity to an industry leader. It's now available in more than 30 configurations, the LX 2-door coupe with manual transmission to the hybrid 4-door automatic with a navigation system. The Accord's base retail price varies more than $12,000; with the least expensive model just under $20,000 and the high-end hybrid now more than $32,000. In brief, the Accord has come a long way since its pint-sized offerings of the late 1970s.