The 2013 GMC Acadia brings to families the safety they expect in their SUV’s with a new front center console air bag as well as the luxury that the Denali has become known for.

This model has been around 6 years with this package and upgrades have made it a state of the art ride for those that ride around in it.

Changes to the body and package have added to the style while holding true to its reputation as one of the best GMC offers. You simply cannot go wrong with the GMC Acadia if you are in the market for a top of the line SUV.

Interior

This model has always been considered a leader in safety and technology. Many new upgrades solidify that reputation as one of the best in the market for the price. The Color Touch Radio is compatible through Bluetooth or USB ports with any Smartphone for playing your favorite stations through an audio system as well as a hands free phone operation.

HD radio, photo viewers and a rear mounted cam are all features included with this system. There are far more additions as well as Denali standards that improve the driving experience of the 2013 Acadia.

Performance

The 288 horsepower 3.6 L V6 is perfect when backed up with the newly designed Hydra-Matic 6T70 six speed transmissions. This ensures perfect shifting and proper performance in difficult situations, either weather or road, to alleviate any safety concerns one may have when traveling during difficult times.

You really cannot ask for more when it comes to the powertrain as this set up really delivers.

The Denali has been a favorite among consumers for several years and the Acadia package adds to its appeal. There really is nothing that can be said in the grand scheme of things to minimize all that this vehicle offers. From luxury to high tech features, overall safety and performance, the 2013 GMC Acadia is in a class of its own.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: SUV	Base Price: $32,685.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gallons (83 liters)	Miles Per Gallon: 17 city / 24 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 200.7 in. (509.7 cm)	Wheel Base: 118.9 in. (302 cm)
Height: 69.9 in. (177.5 cm)	Width: 78.2 in. (198.6 cm)
Curb Weight: 4656 lbs (2112 kg)	Ground Clearance: 7.4 in. (18.8 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 24.1 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 7 people

Performance

Engine: V6 FWD	Displacement: 3.6 Liter
Horsepower: 288 HP	Max RPM: 6300 RPM
Torque: 270 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic

German tuner PP Exclusive decided to start a new project based on the Mercedes-Benz SL R230, and in 2012 it has come up with a majestic looking vehicle.

PP Exclusive has incorporated a number of new features and designs to give the vehicle a whole new look and feel.

Modifications

The Mercedes-Benz SL R230 has been fitted with an electronic module, which has lowered the suspension by around 100 mm, that gives the car a truly ruthless wedge-like form. The steering wheel is adjusted to lower the height. The wheel arches have been stretched with extra sheet metal embedded onto the existing arches to expand them by 25 mm in the front and 55 mm in the rear.

Exhaust

In order to achieve a loud, rich and nice sound from back end of the vehicle, the exhaust system is entirely built with stainless steel staring from the catalytic converter, to four oval shaped exhaust pipes.

Fitted with the stainless steel exhaust system, the Mercedes-Benz SL R230, is wrapped in 255/30 and 305/25 Dunlop tires. It sports 11 x 20 inch front wheels and gigantic 13 x 20 inch rear wheels have been used. But one can easily select the tire up to 23 inches in size.

Interior

PP Exclusive did not stop here instead they have done a lot of work with the interior design. It has been restyled with the help of white Nappa leather with dark embroidery for the seats, wood inserts with matching color on the dashboard, and black Alcantara for the roof.

The steering wheel now has a compact rim and formed straight unlike the earlier curved bottom shape. This has given the vehicle a new look and feel from the inside.

In a nutshell, with the Mercedes-Benz SL R230, PP Exclusive has presented the seamless illustration of excellent deep and wide car tuning work, retaining the classic standards and qualities of tuning at the same time.

Although reviewers haven’t yet had a chance to test drive Toyota’s latest offering to the mid-size SUV market, the 2012 Toyota Highlander has definitely struck a chord in the family SUV market.

If you need to carry seven passengers comfortably, the Highlander definitely fits the bill. And if it is driving the family round town, the steering makes parking a cinch compared to some of the bulkier 7-seaters in the marketplace.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Midsize SUV	Base Price: $28,240.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.2 gallons (72.6 liters)	MPG: 20 city / 25 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 188.4 in. (478.5 cm)	Wheel Base: 109.8 in. (278.8 cm)
Height: 68.1 in. (172.9 cm)	Width: 75.2 in. (191 cm)
Curb Weight: 3946 lbs (1789 kg)	Ground Clearance: 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 42.3 cu ft-behind 2nd row	Maximum Seating: 7 people

Performance

Engine: 16-valve, 4 Cylinder DOHC	Displacement: 2.7 Liter
Horsepower: 187 HP	Max RPM: 5800 RPM
Torque: 186 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Max Towing Capacity: 1500 lbs (680 kgs)	Maximum Speed: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:SE	MSRP: $33,505; MPG: 20 city / 25 hwy
Option:Limited 3.5L V6	MSRP: $36,405; MPG: 18 city / 24 hwy
Option:Hybrid 4WD 3.5L V6	MSRP: $39,350; MPG: 28 city / 28 hwy

Performance

Toyota is not trying to emulate a sports style when they created the Highlander, and the 2012 model has kept with those goals.

The base model comes as a 2.7L DOHC 4 cylinder engine that produces 187 HP and a 186 lb-ft of torque. A 6 cylinder power-train is available for those who need more power. It comes with a 6 speed auto-transmission and power steering that make it a great family vehicle with enough punch to get away from the traffic when you need to.

Exterior

The previous Highlander was a facelift model, so you won’t find much difference in the outside specs on the 2012 edition. Toyota stays with the standard features that made the 2011 model such a success.

The window spacing provides excellent visibility for driver and passengers alike – high enough to make it look the part (this is no car!), but soft lines that won’t mistake it for a truck!

Interior

The upholstery and above average plastics used on the interior make this a quality vehicle. But with seven passengers, space is always going to be an issue. Reviewers say that the second row is adult size seating and the third row, with the second row moved forward, is better than some.

But there’s no doubting that it’s a comfortable ride for seven people with loads of storage areas, including a sizeable central console, catering to 10 cup holders and 4 bottle holders. A CD player, auxiliary audio jack, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and cruise control are all standard features on the basic 2012 Highlander model.

The cargo space comes in at 95.4 cubic meters with all the seats down. But put a passenger in each seat and your cargo space goes down to 10.3 cubic feet – not a lot of room for gear compared with other models out there.

Safety

Toyota’s impressive safety record continues with the new Highlander which boasts of three row roll-sensing side curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag and brake assist and hill start assist as standard.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given it a 5/5 for side crash safety and a 4/5 for frontal and rollover tests. It doesn’t get much safer than that. One issue that reviewers have raised, though, is the reduction in the driver’s rear visibility due to the second row headrests and roof pillars…not really a safety issue but something you should be aware of.

Reliability

Once again, Toyota offers its own confidence in its product with a three year/36,000 miles basic warranty (upgradeable to the powertrain warranty – five year/60,000 miles). ToyotaCare is standard on the Highlander – that means complimentary factory scheduled maintenance at two years/25,000 miles.

If you are looking for a seven passenger vehicle that gives you a smooth ride at an affordable price, you can’t ignore the 2012 Highlander. And if you are looking for easy access to all seven seats, you will love the slide fold second row seat – arguably providing the most user-friendly third row access in the market today! This is a great vehicle for the family – easy to drive, comfortable and affordable.

Competition

But if you need to use the full seven seat capacity more often than not, you may want to check out the Chevrolet Traverse (MSRP $35,435; 16 city / 23 hwy) or Ford’s Flex (MSRP $30,290; 17 city / 24 hwy) which have adult size seats in all rows.

Overall Rating
76 out of 100

What others say:

“As for the driving experience, don’t expect much from it. All of the Highlander models tend to lull you into simply setting the cruise control and conversing with passengers; it’s very softly sprung, and the electric power steering tends to be light—too much so, we’ve observed, on the highway.”Car Connection

“Pleasant to drive, though not quite car-agile. Cornering lean is evident and steering response is a bit slow. Overall control is fine, and the brake-pedal feel is firm and progressive.”Consumer Guide

“The 2012 Toyota Highlander is an excellent choice for a do-all family vehicle, though several competitors offer more interior space and utility.”Edmunds

“No longer the smallish wagon-like vehicle that was the original Highlander, the 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV has grown in size and sophistication to nearly full-size dimensions, and all that growth translates into a roomy, 7-passenger crossover ideal for growing families.”KBB

Kia premiered the latest version of its cee’d model at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show in March.

Exterior & Interior

The interior and exterior appearance of the 2013 Kia cee’d has been significantly modified, giving the new model a more elegant, streamlined look.

Better aerodynamics and the introduction of lighter components in its chassis, coupled with engine and transmission improvements, have added better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions.

In line with many other manufacturers of cars in the same class, Kia has given the cee’d a sportier look. Although the new model’s wheelbase remains unaltered, the length of the car has increased slightly, while its height is fractionally lower than the previous model.

Aerodynamic styling has given the car’s windscreen a shallower angle, and drag is further reduced by the rear spoiler, restyling of the rear lights, and streamlined coverings under the engine well and the floor. These features give improved road holding while reducing fuel consumption.

Performance

The Kia cee’d is available with a choice of four engines, two gas and two diesel. Both gas and diesel engines come in 1.4 and 1.6-liter versions. There are six speed automatic and manual transmissions available for each engine type. The 1.6 diesel can also be supplied with a dual clutch transmission (DCT) developed in house by Kia engineers.

The DCT system uses two shafts. The first handles first, third and fifth gears, while the other controls second, fourth and sixth. The dual system further improves fuel efficiency.

More Features

The steering wheel on the new cee’d is the adjustable tilt and telescopic capability as standard. Supplied as standard is the iPod and USB connectivity and an audio system with six speakers.

The instrument panel information can be optionally displayed on a new high-resolution TFT background, giving greatly enhanced clarity. Other options include an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and a full-length sunroof.

The 2013 Kia cee’d can be fitted with a parking assist system. All-round sensors feed information to the on-board computer, which then controls the steering, enabling parallel parking where the driver need only control power and braking.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Hatchback	Base Price: £11,000.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 gallons (53 liters)	Miles Per Gallon: 39 city / 55 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 167.7 in. (426 cm)	Wheel Base: 104.3 in. (265 cm)
Height: 58.2 in. (148 cm)	Width: 70.4 in. (179 cm)
Curb Weight: 2784 lbs (1263 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 12.0 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: Euro V 1.4 Petrol	Compression Ratio: 10.5: 1
Horsepower: 89 HP	Max RPM: 6000 RPM
Torque: 101 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
0-60 mph: 12.5 seconds	Maximum Speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)

Most Kia fans are familiar with the unique look of the Kia Soul, which opened the door to Kia’s more sporty possibilities.

Recently seen at the Chicago Auto Show was the the 2012 Kia Track’ster concept, inspired by the Kia Soul in its creation. You will find yourself looking at this Kia concept twice because of its unique look.

Features

This car has a bold new look never before seen in Kia automobiles. Its colors are an eye-catching contrast of the colors “whiteout” and “inferno orange” highlights on the roof and the lower valance of the car, which sits only several inches off of the ground. The car is overall about five inches wider than the Kia soul.

Performance

The lower set intake grille at the front of the vehicle gives it a tougher look as well, also allowing increased amounts of airflow to the 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine.

While the engine isn’t large, it delivers sufficient power at 247 horsepower, which is two thirds more power than the Kia Soul. It is equipped with four wheel drive and a manual six speed transmission for more control while driving the car. The lower sports suspension of the Track’ster concept gives it better handling as well, so the average driver can handle corners more like a track car.

In the Back

An additional fun feature is that helmets, suits, tools, spare tire, and other emergency equipment are stored in the back where they are easily accessible, instead of the rear seats. There are nice touches such as the suede granite grey steering wheel and orange suede covered racing seats. The entertainment features are accessible through a touch screen console.

While Kia is not officially planning to produce the Track’ster concept for the mainstream public, it’s definitely an outstanding example of just how different their future Kia Soul cars and other models may look in the future.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Hatch

Base Price: NA

Performance

Engine: Turbo Inline 4	Displacement: 2.0 Liter
Horsepower: 247 HP	Transmission: 6-Speed Manual