BRIAN STRASNICK

Toyota Venza V6 2WD

Indeed, the more time we spent in the 2009 Toyota Venza, the more we wondered why anyone would consider buying a Camry instead. We found our answer when we looked at the bottom line. The base four-cylinder Venza starts at more than $26,000 with destination, and our V6 2WD test vehicle tacks on another $2 grand; Toyota's best-selling family sedan stickers for thousands less. Still, if you require the additional hauling capacity, the Venza V6 is one of our top picks at this price point. Take heart, America — the wagon is cool again.

Pontiac G8 V6 Function

There's nothing exceptionally good or bad about the G8's interior from an ergonomic standpoint. Most controls are logically placed and work as expected. The only exception is the optional Blaupunkt audio system. There are no gross errors here either, but a few features take time to master. For example, depressing the volume knob doesn't turn the stereo off; it just mutes it. Even then, "mute" doesn't mean "silent." In true quirky Aussie form, pressing the mute knob just means "less loud." To change radio stations manually, you have to press the "disc" button that also controls the CD changer. Finally, if you have the factory preset equalizer switched on, you cannot then modify the sound by adjusting bass and treble. You have to go into the menu, turn off EQ, then adjust bass and the rest. Unfortunately, this little piece of info isn't obvious right away.

BRIAN STRASNICK

Saturn Astra XR Coupe Performance

Now, about that fuel economy. The EPA estimates the 2009 Astra XR Coupe with the manual transmission gets 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined, compared with 21/30/24 mpg for the 2009 Rabbit with the manual transmission. However, our combined observed fuel economy for the Astra coupe was only 22 mpg, although our results might not be in line with those of the average driver. But even using published numbers, the long-term fuel savings might not justify the Astra's higher sticker price. According to EPA estimated fuel costs, the much more powerful 2009 Rabbit is only $188 more per year to drive. In this respect, the Astra can't necessarily claim to be a better overall value.

BRIAN STRASNICK : Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion

Instead, we wanted a VW CC with the turbocharged four-cylinder that returns 29 mpg on the highway, while only being marginally slower than the big V6. Together with a more modest, yet still impressive features list, that version of this sleek Volkswagen sedan makes a lot more sense as an alternative to family sedans like the Honda Accord.






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