Hottest New Small Cars for 2012
Selasa, 01 November 2011
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“In the past, small cars didn’t fare very well with American shoppers, as many of the available options were considered cheap and lacking in features,” says Rick Wainschel, vice president of automotive insights at AutoTrader. “However, the small cars being produced today are exciting, fun to drive and fuel-efficient.”
Small cars introduced in 2011, such as the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Cruze, have already been selling well. And Chevrolet has just announced plans for an urban minicar called the Spark in 2013, which will have both gasoline and all-electric versions.
But here’s a closer look at the 2012 small-car models that already are sparking consumer interest.
Volkswagen Beetle
In addition to new look, the Beetle has gotten a 200-horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged engine with strong acceleration — another bid for male drivers. Reviewers (mostly male) have applauded the addition of this option and praise the power and handling.
The turbo is rated for 22 MPG city, 30 highway. List price on the Beetle ranges from $18,995 for the base model to $23,395 for the turbo version. The 2012 Beetle does not yet have crash test ratings.
Fiat 500
Fun to look at and fun to drive — at least around town and on curvy back roads — the 500 shows its sharp handling on winding roads, although its 101-horsepower, four-cylinder engine (rated 30 mpg city, 38 highway) leaves it feeling a little underpowered.
I only gave it a quick test drive, but other reviewers say that in high-speed interstate driving, the ride is occasionally bumpy and there’s some road noise — making the 500 a better choice for owners who drive shorter distances.
Despite its small size, the 500 got a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Fiat 500 even has cute names for its different versions: The Pop starts at $15,500, the Sport at $17,500 and the Lounge at $19,500.
Chevrolet Sonic
Reviewers praise the Sonic as fun to drive and a worthy competitor to chief rivals Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit. You can get the Sonic in either sedan or hatchback versions, both of which were rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The four-cylinder, 135 horsepower engine is rated at 25 MPG in city driving and 35 on the highway. The Sonic base model starts at $13,735 and ranges up to $18,495 for its top-end version.
Hyundai Veloster
Reviewers praise its quirky exterior design and its comfortable, upscale-seeming interior. Though styled as a coupe, the Veloster has a full-size third door on the passenger side for access to the not-too-roomy back seat. The four-cylinder 148-horsepower engine is rated at 28 mpg in city driving, 40 highway. The downside: Test drivers say that with its focus on high MPG, the Veloster fails to offer a peppy, fun-to-drive experience (like, say, a Mini Cooper).
The Veloster has one price level — $17,300 — but can range up to $18,550 with options like navigation and rear-view safety camera. The Veloster does not yet have crash test ratings.
Source: http://autos.yahoo.com/news/hottest-new-small-cars-for-2012.html
