Looking for a budget car that could help you run errands and save you from daily public transport commuter buses? Check out the 2011 Kia Rio.

Performance

As one belonging to the lowest-priced small cars, the Kia Rio’s high-mileage capability and fuel-efficiency is rather impressive. It has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor that produces 110 horsepower. This is not a speed car but it makes a very efficient commuter on a daily basis. It comes with a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission, which can be added for a price. Manual cruising may be a bit noisier compared to automatic driving.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Sedan	Base Price: $12,295.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.9 gallons (45 liters)	MPG: 28 city / 34 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 166.9 in. (423 cm)	Width: 66.7 in. (169 cm)
Height: 57.9 in. (147 cm)	Wheel Base: 98.4 in. (250 cm)
Curb Weight: 2365 lbs (1072 kg)	Ground Clearance: 6.1 in. (15 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 11.9 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 1.6L 16-Valve DOHC inline-4	Displacement: 1599 cc
Horsepower: 110 HP	Max RPM: 6000 RPM
Torque: 107 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	Transmission: 5-Speed Manual OD

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Rio LX	MSRP: $14,995; MPG: 27 city / 36 hwy
Option:Rio SX	MSRP: $16,095; MPG: 27 city / 36 hwy

Exterior & Interior

Some described the Rio’s exterior as outdated and bland. Thanks to the swept-back headlight and black mesh angular grille, Rio achieves a finer, more sculpted look. Unlike other latest Kia models, there is really nothing much to look at here; still the latest style is better than the older versions.

Conservative is the word that best describes the interior design of the Kia Rio. It provides only the barest requirements like a USB auxiliary input jack, a four-speaker audio mechanism and tilt-steering column. With standard materials used to carve its curves and cabins and a rather taut space allotment, this small car can accommodate a modest pack of luggage and up to four adult passengers snugly.

Legroom is quite tight especially for taller passengers and the seats are not as liberally cushioned like other pricier cars. The cargo space is at a small 11.9 cubic feet that could still hold a few large suitcases, cooler, and other road trip gears.

Safety & Reliability

In a test performed by the federal government, the 2011 Rio did a good well. However, with insurance companies, the Kia car fared really low. The front, roof, and rear sides got a poor rating overall. The car is equipped with dual front and set-mounted air bags and full-coverage side curtain air bags as its standard safety features.

The Competition

When it comes to safety, the Kia Rio has a hard time competing with its contemporaries. For the safety conscious, an inexpensive car that comes with impressive safety features is the Toyota Yaris (MSRP $13,715; 29 city / 36 hwy). For a price range that exceeds the Rio, you can get a car with a host of safety devices that is totally unheard of in the lower end of the inexpensive car spectrum. It has a stability control, traction control, brake assist, and an anti-lock braking system propelled by efficient an electronic brake-force distribution.

Performance-wise, the Kia Rio has a long way to go to be considered a powerful car. The Chevrolet Aveo (MSRP $11,965; 27 city / 35 hwy), is a small car that is priced a little less than the Rio, offers several key features that Rio lacks such as a bigger trunk, better design, and air conditioning and power lack upgrade options. The Ford Fiesta (MSRP $13,200; 28 city / 37 hwy) comes with an affordable price, air conditioning, and power locks, which also might interest buyers who are looking at the same price point.

Pros & Cons

Reviewers comment positively about Rio’s old-fashioned but pleasant and comfortable interior. It might not be one of the fastest small cars out there but generally, it gives a perky driving feel to it. The Rio5 model is also praiseworthy for its versatility and sharpness.

Safety is clearly not a hallmark of the 2011 Kia Rio. Reviewers find Rio’s safety ratings as mediocre and its lack of an electronic stability control worrisome. The manual shifter may be problematic at times and obtrusive sound is emitted by the engine especially when it comes to rough roads.

Finally

The 2011 Kia Rio does well in saving fuel, but is far behind in the safety race. However, if safety is something you choose to overlook, this inexpensive small car promises to perform really well as a daily commuter with long mileage coverage. Not bad for someone looking for a very affordable car intended for light to moderate commute only.

Overall Rating
61 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Kia Rio has a perky driving feel and roomy interior, though the lack of refinement, low safety scores, and dated styling limit its appeal.”Car Connection

“Urban-friendly size is abetted by quick and accurate steering.”Consumer Guide

“Fuel economy is good but trails the class leaders. The ride is comfortable and quiet. Handling isn’t particularly agile.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“Disappointing crash-test results; bland styling; pokey automatic transmission; desirable features cost extra.”Edmunds

“The 2011 Kia Rio is efficient, affordable and reliable.”KBB

The Italian car manufacturer Maserati has recently introduced its latest masterpiece in the art of sport cars, the new 2011 Maserati GranCabrio Fendi. Started in 2007, this first edition was released and named as GranTurisimo at the Geneva Motor Show and underwent a series of upgraded versions by the Italian automaker, which includes the GranTurisimo S (2008) and Gran Turisimo MC/S Automatic/MC Sport Line (2009) and was later renamed to GranCabrio by year 2010.

Performance

A noticeable change in this 2-door Italian coupe is in the propulsion system, which is now equipped with a 4.7-liter Maserati Quattroporte V8 engine that could drive a maximum output of 433 horses with a front engine rear wheel drive design layout (FR layout). A statistic data in term of its engine performance show that the 2011 GrandCarbio Sport cann accelerate from 0-100km/h at a time of 5.2 seconds only.

This new model could generate a top speed of 180 mph. Its shifting gears gearbox has a variant of either a ZF 6-speed automatic or a MC-Shift semi-automatic transmission that can be shifted in a normal, manual or auto depending on the drivers style or engine requirements. In this special edition of the 2011 GranCabrio Fendi, a Maserati trident and a Fendi logo are affixed on its silver oval plaque front panel.

In November of 2010, US celebrity star Adam Sandler reportedly bought a number of this unique line from Maserati as a gift to his fellow celebrities namely Rob Schneider, David Spade, Chris Rock and Kevin James, which cost him around $800,000.00.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Sport Convertible

Est. Market Price: € 135,000 ($186,753.00)

Dimensions

Length: 192.1 in. (488.1 cm)	Width: 75.3 in. (191 cm)
Height: 53.2 in. (135.3 cm)	Wheel Base: 115.8 in. (294.2 cm)
Curb Weight: 4365 lbs (1980 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.8 gallons (75 liters)	Maximum Seating: 2

Performance

Engine: 4.7-liter V8	Horsepower: 433 HP
Torque: 362 lb-ft	Top Speed: 180 mph / 289.6 km/h

When the name Cadillac is brought up, the word luxury almost always come with it. While this is true, they are known for more than just cars. As a result, they have brought out road icons such as the El Dorado and the De Ville, among others.

Due to the shift in interest among buyers to SUVs, huge cars that have a presence and may or may not have off-road capability, Cadillac decided they were not going to be left behind in the SUV arms race. Hence, they have come up with the Escalade, and later the smaller SRX. Introducing, the 2012 Cadillac SRX, see if it has what it takes in the ever-populated SUV market.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: SUV Crossover	Base Price: $34,615.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 21 gallons (79 liters)	MPG: 18 city / 25 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 190.3 in. (483 cm)	Width: 75.2 in. (191 cm)
Height: 65.7 in. (166.8 cm)	Wheel Base: 110.5 in. (280 cm)
Curb Weight: 4224 lbs (1916 kg)	Ground Clearance: 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 29.8 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 24-Valve DOHC V6	Displacement: 3.0 liters
Horsepower: 265 HP	Max RPM: 6950 RPM
Torque: 223 lb-ft @ 5100 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 6.7 seconds	1/4 Mile: 15.2 seconds

Available Trims & Engine

Option:SRX Luxury	MSRP: $39,045; MPG: 18 city / 25 hwy
Option:SRX Performance	MSRP: $42,950; MPG: 18 city / 25 hwy
Option:SRX Premium	MSRP: $45,395; MPG: 18 city / 25 hwy

Interior & Exterior

At first glance, the SRX is unmistakably Cadillac. A child of the “art and science” design principle of Cadillac, it shares a lot of its design cues with the current members of the Cadillac stable. Among them are the rectangular headlights and taillights, the huge grill, and the edgy lines. In short, a lot of people are actually pleased in its looks, convinced that this is one of the best looking compact SUVs around. Go inside the car, and you are about to find more luxurious features that seems to be more befitting of a more expensive vehicle.

The fit and finish of the materials are excellent, and are at par with the best of what the competition has to offer. Heated seats and steering wheel are all standard equipment, and all of the materials used to create the interior are of good quality. 2 rows of seats are available, giving comfortable seating for five people, though some said that the rear seats seem to better fit 2 people instead of 3, so that could be a problem. The trunk, opened by a power tailgate system, opens up and gives 29.2 cubic feet of storage room with all the seats in use. As for safety, the SRX has performed well in crash tests. In addition, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitor, and anti lock brakes are standard equipment for this car.

Performance

One of the biggest complaints in past SRX models is that most people found it to be seriously underpowered. For this model year, Cadillac seemed to have found an answer. Coming in the form of a 3.6 liter V6 engine that is standard equipment for all model trims, it promises to banish the “underpowered” tag for good. This engine produces 306 horsepower, an improvement from the previous engines used in the SRX. This is mated with a 6 speed automatic transmission with multiple modes to suit one’s driving style or needs.

It is a pretty amazing mix. It can cause the SRX to accelerate quickly, and what’s more, it operates so quietly that the delivery seemed so effortless. Handling is pretty amazing for this car, even though some find its brakes to be too grabby. Still, its maneuverability is great, and that is enough to get some extra points.

By the way…

So what can be said about the Cadillac SRX? First, the positive points. It is unmistakably gorgeous while keeping up with the new styling identity of the Cadillac. Hence, it does have a defined personality. Next, the interior is great. It has an upscale feel in it, those inside the car would feel at home, and there is good luggage space at the back. And now, even the performance issues of past SRXs are now solved, thanks to the engine upgrade. However, there are some negative points too. Fuel economy is still relatively low. And the rear pillar seems to be a huge issue. It not just limits the headroom for rear passengers, but also blocks rearward view for the driver.

All in all, the Cadillac SRX is a very good car. Not perfect, but still very good. It is luxurious; it drives well, and is surprisingly practical.

Overall Rating
81 out of 100

What others say:

“With the redesign the SRX received last year, it went from a V-6 or V-8 powertrain lineup to all V-6s; but that doesn’t mean it performs any worse.”Car Connection

“The 2011 Cadillac SRX is an appealing luxury crossover, but it has too many drawbacks to earn a full recommendation.”Edmunds

“If you’re seeking an artful blend of style, utility, car-like comfort, ride, handling and surprisingly fuel-efficient performance (on regular-grade gas), all in a luxury CUV, it will be difficult to overlook the SRX.”KBB

The Ferrari California is already an opulent car as it is. It is luxurious, fast and unique. However, this doesn’t stop people to push the limits of this already amazing vehicle. And, one of these modified California cars is the 2011 Afzal Khan Design Ferrari California.

Afzal Khan is known as one of the best car designers in the world. In fact, his designs are well sought after by some exclusive clientele that want more out of their cars. Now, Khan gets his hands on the California, and leaves an imprint in it that is distinctively his. Adhering to Khan’s principles, this car is sporty, innovative and versatile.

Performance

The driving experience can only be described as exemplary. Combining the already excellent driving dynamics associated with the Ferrari, Khan added some more into it. The same V12 engine and 7 speed gearbox used in the stock California were retained, but both of them were refined, improving it in almost all categories.

Speed, dynamics, driving pleasure, comfort, fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions are all improved to the point that it performs completely different. Modified wheels, suspension and traction control improve both the car’s handling without sacrificing comfort. The exterior is made to be aerodynamic and the interior is turned into a very inviting place to be. Finishing this car’s look is a white paint that perfectly accentuates the Ferrari’s gorgeous lines.

Improving a Ferrari is a daunting task because they are already spectacular as is. But with the 2011 Afzal Khan Design Ferrari California, the Ferrari experience is successfully taken to another level.

The 2011 Ford Evos Concept Vehicle may not be actually seen cruising down roads, but most of its features will definitely be featured in the upcoming automobiles that will be released by Ford. And from all indications this vehicle seamlessly combines all of the features that are desired by car drivers and enthusiasts alike.

Exterior

From its groundbreaking exterior design that will showcase the brand’s intention of conquering the automobile industry on a global scale, to its fuel-efficient and economy-friendly engine, the Ford Evos is a vehicle that is a glimpse into the bright future of the automobile industry and the lofty plans of Ford as it ventures into the future.

Safety

Furthermore, never before has so much attention been concentrated on ensuring the safety of the drivers of the Ford Evos, as it features heart- rate monitoring seats that ensure the safety of their prospective drivers and passengers, along with an interior that is guaranteed to be made of materials that are allergy-free.

The vehicle also pays heed to the varying capabilities and preferences of their prospective drivers by allowing customization when it comes to running the vehicle. And, perhaps most important of all, the design of the 2011 Ford Evos Concept is something that should already be remembered, because even though the vehicle will not be released and mass-produced, its design will be the basis for the future designs of subsequent Ford vehicles, and thus serves as a DNA or template of sorts that will be followed by the company’s future releases of their vehicles.

Specifications

Dimensions

Length: 177.2 in. (450 cm)	Wheel Base: 107.9 in. (274 cm)
Height: 53.5 in. (136 cm)	Width: 77.6 in. (197 cm)