Archive for the ‘Jill Ciminillo’ Category

Jill Ciminillo

I have to admit, I don’t quite understand the point of the 2011 Honda CR-Z. It’s supposed to be sporty. And it’s supposed to be a hybrid. But with all the compromises involved, it kind of fails at both.

Fuel economy for this 3-door coupe is rated at 31 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. A 31 city number is nothing to sneeze at. If you could actually achieve it. Which, in a city like Chicago, is difficult. And you might think 37 mpg for the highway is pretty good, until you remember this is a compact 2-seater that weighs 2,650 pounds (EX model with the MT).

When non-hybrids like the Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze Eco are rated at 40 and 42 mpg respectively on the highway, you’ve got to look at the CR-Z and give it a bit of a “Huh?”

Might be time to rethink that mild hybrid  vs. full hybrid thing, Honda.

Automakers like Toyota and Ford create “full” hybrids, which means that the vehicles have the ability to drive in electric-only mode as long as the battery is charged and you don’t go over a certain speed (somewhere in the 30 to 45 mph range). But Honda creates “mild” hybrids, which means that the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gives an electric boost in power when accelerating and enables the engine to turn off during braking and when at a complete stop. In some instances, Civic and Insight hybrids are able to operate in electric-only mode while cruising — but only when maintaining a constant or decelerating speed. As soon as soon as the gas pedal engages for active acceleration, the gasoline engine kicks in. The CR-Z can’t drive in electric-only mode at all. And that is why a midsize car like the Prius is rated at 48 mpg on the highway, and a compact car like the CR-Z only gets 37.

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Jill Ciminillo

For me, Jaguar has always been an aspirational brand. So pretty, yet at price points that are so out of my reach. I can’t say that the 2011 Jaguar XF is any different with a base price of $56,500.

But boy is it an attractive, fun and fast car.

A couple years out of the stable, the XF isn’t the new kid on the block anymore, but it’s still a head turner. I had more than one driver do a circle around the car on the toll road from Chicago to Ohio, trying to check it out from all angles. It doesn’t look anything like the S-Type it replaced, and it also has more refined touch points, excellent lumbar support and reliability ratings that take a stab at old cliches.

According to JD Power, last year the 2010 XF scored 3 out of 5 in terms of predicted reliability, which is considered average. However, for 2011 the rating is beginning to creep up, and it’s now situated 3 1/2 out of 5, edging toward a full-fledged “better than most.” Jaguar as a brand is still struggling with “the rest” ratings that hover in the 2 range, but with their solid upward climb, I think it’s time to cut out all those old cracks about having a Jag and a spare.
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Jill Ciminillo

I really like the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. In theory.

This all-new car replaces the Cobalt for the 2011 model year, and it brings a much-needed “cool” into the compact car segment. The interior is stunning with nice touch points and an attractive, curving design. The exterior far surpasses its predecessor–from the headlights all the way to the taillights.

The 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine delivers 138 horsepower, and it’s just enough pep to move you through traffic and keep you competitive off the start from red lights.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ

The test vehicle was a top-of-the line LTZ model ($22,695) and included standard features like leather seats, OnStar Directions and Connections, XM Radio, Bluetooth connectivity for your cell phone, steering wheel audio controls, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, USB port and (my favorite) heated front seats.

All that combined with high fuel efficiency numbers, an affordable price tag and a cute, compact package, it should have made it a perfect 10.

That’s where the “in theory” part comes in.

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Jill Ciminillo

Toyota has launched a full-blown viral campaign that’s trying to make the minivan cool. Hip commercials featuring the all-new 2011 Sienna. A series of YouTube shorts that takes you inside the Swagger Wagon family psyche. And a Swagger Wagon music video. (Yes, really.)

But this single-in-the-city female isn’t quite convinced.

I mean as far as minivans go, the Sienna isn’t bad. But cool? Um. Hmmm. Let me think about that. No.

2011 Toyota Sienna

One of my tweet buddies even mentioned that the “cool” soccer moms have all defected to vehicles like the the Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Tahoe.

So, does the minivan still have a place in American society? I’d say yes, but it’s diminishing. You can’t beat the easy access to all three rows of seats, the plethora of storage room behind the third-row seat (great for strollers, diaper bags, gym bags, athletic equipment, etc.) and the multitude of cup holders front, middle and rear. Not to mention the fact that minivans do get better gas mileage.

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Jill Ciminillo

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.–As I was sitting through the media presentation for the all-new 2011 Lexus CT 200h, I had a distinct feeling of deja vu.

Lexus said they were targeting younger buyers and rattled off phrases like “early adapters,” “tech savvy” and “socially connected.” They identified this demographic as people who are interested in “self discovery” and “personalization.” Thus traditional marketing and traditional options don’t quite jibe with this vehicle.

Where in the world have I heard this before? Oh! I know! About 7 years ago in a similar press review for the launch of an all-new brand: Scion.

2011 Lexus CT 200h

Granted, I get that the demographic they’re targeting with the CT is exactly the same as the target for the initial Scion. But I have to admit my brain is having a hard time making the leap from a Gen Yer, who 5 years ago wanted a car that cost under $20K to a Gen Yer who now makes more than $100K and wants a car that costs more than $30K.

Man, am I in the wrong profession.

I’m also having a problem with the idea that someone would go from a Scion directly to a Lexus.

But perhaps that’s just me?

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Jill Ciminillo

I’d like to think the hatchback craze has finally started to catch on in the US. And when you have vehicles like the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door, how could it not?

What an interesting, fast, attractive, functional and fun vehicle. The compact bullet shape is perfect for city driving, and the 265-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine is pure glee.

This is exactly the kind of car I could own living in Chicago. The compact size and I-mean-business hood scoop had me at hello. The peppy engine power and smooth 5-speed manual transmission got me shortly thereafter.

My first foray onto the highway had me smiling with delight at the quick on-ramp acceleration. And the tight steering and stiff suspension had me weaving in and out of traffic like a race car driver. The ride and handling was all sport and not an iota of cheap.

Which is nice considering the base price of the WRX is $26,220 with destination. And that includes the standard all-wheel drive (AWD), steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod integration and Sirius Satellite Radio. Personally, that’s all I’d need in a car.

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Jill Ciminillo

To be fair, I should start by saying that I swapped into the all-new 2010 Toyota 4Runner after being in the Mazda MX-5. But even so, this all-new large SUV seemed a bit super-sized to me.

The knobs and dials. The seats. The center stack. The center console. The door handles The step-in height. Everything was, well, a bit much.

Except the price. That was a pleasant surprise. The test vehicle was a four-wheel drive (4WD) model with a V-6 engine, and the base price rang in at $30,915. Which I thought was very reasonable considering the shear size of this gigantic SUV.

2010 Toyota 4Runner

I would, however, like to see a standard third-row seat in a vehicle of this magnitude, and my test vehicle didn’t have one. It is an option on the Limited and SR5 4WD models ($1,390), but not available on the two-wheel drive or the Trail models at all.

The 4Runner also comes as a base two-wheel drive model with a starting price of $27,500. Even better.

The test vehicle added a bevy of options that hiked the as-tested price to $36,634. And while I liked the vehicle as equipped, I could probably have done without most of the options, including the Premium Package ($2,205) and the Convenience Package ($1,050). These packages included premium features like leather seats, moonroof and power adjustable driver’s seat.

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Jill Ciminillo

My dad says the Mazda MX-5 is a girl’s car. But I’m going to state right up front that I completely disagree. Which, my dad will tell you, is nothing new.

I mean, what could possibly be girly about a 6-speed manual transmission mated to a 2.0-liter, 167-horsepower engine? Or rear-wheel drive for that matter? Sure, it’s a compact vehicle. But so is an MG or Lotus or a (cough, dad) a Mercedes SLK.

So, if you think a real man can’t drive an MX-5, I’ll say: Try again.

Mazda MX-5

However, I do suppose you’d have to be careful with your exterior paint. Depending on what you choose, that combined with the happy front fascia could conceivably make the car a little bit feminine.

Take, for example, the test vehicle. It was a bright “Stormy Blue.” Not quite what I’d select for a manly man’s car. But a nice black with a black canvas top? Now we’re talking.

And the ride and handling? Phe-nomenal. Phenomenal. Because the MX-5 is so compact and so low to the ground, the driver has an amazing connection to the road. You feel every shift, surge with every acceleration and pivot with every turn.

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Jill Ciminillo

Occasionally you come across those cars that are practically perfect in every way. That car for me was the tester last week: The 2010 Nissan Maxima.

I had just swapped out of a Chevrolet Corvette GS and was rather disappointed to be dropping down into the “4-Door Sports Car.” But I shouldn’t have been. While not much compares with the utter glee of driving a ‘Vette, the Maxima is an everyday driver with plenty of fun and comfort ensconced under the sheet metal.

2010 Nissan Maxima

The test car was an up-level SV model with a base price of $33,180. I know, a little bit steep for a Nissan. But this front-wheel-drive car was fully equipped with leather seats, traction control, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, XM satellite radio, Bluetooth, push-button start, keyless entry and power moonroof. And with that, I wouldn’t need much more.

The test vehicle added the Monitor Package (think USB connectivity, rearview monitor and 2 GB flash music box); Cold Package (think heated front seats and steering wheel); and the 5-piece floor mat and trunk mat set. As tested price for the test vehicle was $35,180, including destination.

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Jill Ciminillo

I honestly haven’t received this much attention in a while. And I wish I could say it was because of something I did with my hair or that really cute dress I was wearing.

But alas, it was all about the car.

I met neighbors I never knew. Had random strangers come up to the car and ask questions–while I was driving. Got more tweet traffic in a week than I usually get in a month. And had several photos taken, um, without me in the car.

The rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Corvette is always a favorite for ride, handling and sheer comfort. But you add “Grand Sport,” and you take it to a whole new level of cool. Especially when you add options such as the Grand Sport Heritage Package ($1,195), chrome aluminum wheels ($1,995) and dual mode performance exhaust ($1,195).

And the Torch Red exterior paint didn’t hurt.

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