Honda S2000

Editors drove the new Honda S2000 in order to give you an expert assessment here in this Bottom Line.
We also researched available road tests on the new Honda S2000 to produce a review that surveys a wide range of observations and opinions. It's been a decade since Honda launched the S2000, and its styling can no longer hide the car's age. However, the roadster gets a respectable 18/25-mpg fuel economy, and the 237-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine's performance is stunning.
Drive the S2000 gently and you probably won't be pleased with the buzzy Power train and busy ride.
Tuned to perform on tight hairpins, the S2000 can feel taut and jittery on public roads.
Wind out the engine and push its limits in corners, and you're in for a completely different, grin-inducing experience; that's what the Honda S2000 is all about. The cockpit is cramped no matter how small the occupants. The high shoulders of the S2000 confine the driver and passenger, and the steering wheel sits low even at its highest adjustment point. Uncharacteristically for Honda, the controls aren't laid out cleanly (there's not a lot of dash space to do so), and the big red Start button seems more like a gimmick. There's plenty of black plastic, too, in the name of saving weight. The 2009 Honda S2000 is one of the least practical mass-production cars on the planet. There's almost no interior or trunk storage, the cockpit's more cramped than the coach seats on a Boeing 757, and it's priced above $30,000.
It is a classic roadster sportscar with rear-wheel drive, a ragtop to open on sunny days, a six-speed manual transmission, and a rev-happy four-cylinder engine. Last year Honda introduced the S2000 CR, the club-racer version of the standard S2000. Inside, the CR gets distinctive cloth seats with yellow stitching, a new aluminum shifter knob, and carbon-fiber look-alike trim panels. Standard equipment on the 2009 Honda S2000 includes electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, but side airbags---a feature now found on nearly all new vehicles---aren't available." Other exterior highlights include stylish "high-intensity-discharge headlamps and 17-inch alloy wheels" that come standard on the 2009 Honda S2000.Edmunds lodges the most prominent criticism of the exterior of the 2009 Honda S2000, noting that while the new aerodynamic pieces on the CR "reduce high-speed aerodynamic lift by about 70 percent," they also "reduce the car's overall visual appeal by, oh, 79 percent." Kelley Blue Book notes that "CR models include an aerodynamic body kit," along with "lift-reducing front and rear spoilers and a removable aluminum hard top in place of the conventional cloth" version on the standard Honda S2000.
According to the reviewers at Edmunds, the "2009 Honda S2000 is a compact two-seat roadster that's offered in two trims: standard and CR."

BMW 6-Series

The 2010 BMW 6-Series carries forward from its minor revisions in the 2008 and 2009 model years, adding a few minor upgrades, including an updated navigation system and new interior and exterior styling options from BMW Individual. A swooping, aerodynamic front end leads to a rather thick and squat rear end that, despite previous restyling attempts, still seems at odds with the rest of the design.
Inside, styling is less objectionable and every bit as elegant as you'd expect, with wood and leather trim, especially with the BMW Individual updates for 2010, bringing a luxurious feel to the cabin. Complex electronic controls and features get in the way of the elegant styling at times, however, due to a proliferation of buttons and knobs on the center console. Unlike many models in the 6-Series' price and performance range, the Convertible variants still use a soft top, which saves weight even if it offers somewhat less isolation from the elements. Handling and power are definite strong suits for the 2010 BMW 6-Series, but its plethora of high-tech equipment takes away much of what makes a great driver's car great in the name of refinement and efficiency. All models offer the same 2+2 seating layout, and the standard car comes with either a manual or sport-shift automatic six-speed transmission. The V-8 engine that propels the 650i Coupe and Convertible is rated at 360 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to take the car to 60 mph in a manufacturer claimed time of 5.5 seconds for the manual transmission and 5.6 seconds for the auto. Features abound in the 2010 BMW 6-Series and M6, with an available moon roof on Coupe models, and a fully power-actuated multilayer soft top on the Convertibles, plus optional sport seats as part of the new Sports Package, a special sun-reflective interior treatment for the Convertibles, a wide range of interior styles and décor, and of course, electronics like heads-up display, dynamic cruise control, and much more. The Jaguar XKR offers classic styling and excellent on-road dynamics, being the closest to a traditional sports car of this group aside from the 911.It's also eminently luxurious."A swooping, aerodynamic front end leads to a rather thick and squat rear end that, despite previous restyling attempts, still seems at odds with the rest of the design. Front LED lights and bi-xenon headlights give the car a thoroughly modern look at night. Car and Driver explains why the deck lid bothers so many, pointing out how the "vertical face of the trunk lid grows more concave" as it curves up "to meet the trailing edge of the plateau."For the M6, BMW adds a few unique features, including forged 19-inch wheels, "M" logos throughout the car, and a carbon-fiber roof in coupe trim. The M6 also gets a freer-breathing front end and more aggressive aerodynamic styling in general than the standard 6-Series.Inside, styling is less objectionable and every bit as elegant as you'd expect, with wood and leather trim, especially with the BMW Individual updates for 2010, bringing a luxurious feel to the cabin.

Toyota's 2009 Avalon

Some of the best automotive resources to bring you this review. And to help you make the best of opposing viewpoints, we have included our own firsthand observations along with information from others. Toyota's 2009 Avalon is the automaker's entry into the full-sized sedan market. The suspension soaks up nearly every kind of bump, yet the body stays in check if you pitch the Avalon into a sharper corner, showing plenty of poise, though it doesn't feel remotely sporty. Its V-6 can barely be heard while idling and is glassy-smooth across the rev band, and its automatic transmission shifts almost undetectably. The Avalon's fuel economy ratings are among the highest in its class of large sedans, at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway. In 2008, all Avalons got a new face with revamped bumpers, headlamps, and grille, along with new tinting for the tail lamps; overall its appearance became a little more distinctive but not any less conservative. The XLS and Limited models get new wood grain and a power passenger seat. 2009 Toyota Avalon XLS models pick up larger 17-inch alloy wheels, while Limited models gain chrome door handles. The Avalon's interior alone is a strong selling point; its passenger space is one of the roomiest of any sedans, with soft, highly adjustable front- and backseats that are contoured adequately for large adults. Sound systems now have MP3 capability and an auxiliary port for iPods. Major options include a DVD-based navigation system, a remote start system, Dynamic Cruise Control, and heated and ventilated seats. The 2009 Toyota Avalon has achieved top marks in crash tests, with the best five-star ratings from the federal government in frontal and side impact tests, plus top "good" results from the insurance-affiliated IIHS in frontal and side impact tests. King Arthur supposedly disappeared to Avalon at the end of his life, and this full-size sedan certainly carries itself with some degree of nobility and integrity. Filling the role of Toyota's luxury U.S. sedan, the '09 Avalon easily fits five passengers in a comfortable and roomy cabin. Its cradle-like ride and responsive engine keep drivers from expending too much effort at the wheel, focusing instead on high-end refinement and passenger-friendly design. For 2009, the Toyota Avalon drops its Touring trim, leaving us with the base XL, XLS, and top-line Limited. Most of the changes this year focus on safety, with the addition of standard traction and stability control, brake assist, and active front head restraints for all trims.XLs come more than well equipped with the now-necessary power features, 16-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, and a 6-CD changer. High-end features, such as 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, and a sunroof are available as options for the XL and get added on with other trims. For it size, the Avalon packs a wallop, and drivers feel confident in its off-the-line and highway acceleration performance. Equipped with variable valve timing for improved fuel economy, EPA estimates average 19/28 mpg, though some happy owners claim to get anywhere from 35 to 40 mpg on the highway. Smooth and velvety, according to some test drives, the front-wheel-drive '09 Avalon handles like a luxury sedan. Professional reviews of the similar 2008 model actually find its handling and power train best suited for highway driving, as its large size can detract from city maneuverability. The '09 Avalon isn't for those looking for any kind of driving feedback from the road. Front seats in the Limited feature convenient memory settings and a power thigh bolster for extra comfort and seat grip. Rear passengers have a roomy, stretch-your-legs-out 40 inches of legroom, although some critics complain about the cramped foot wells. One test driver believes this feature, in combination with the smooth and quiet ride, will quickly lull back-seat passengers into a gentle sleep. The rear seats are wide enough to accommodate five people, although the center section can feel uncomfortably hard on long trips. Tilt and telescopic steering and standard wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls provide convenience and help drivers keep their eyes on the road. Both XLS and Limited can be outfitted with a navigation system, DVD player, satellite radio, and adaptive cruise control. Toyota continues its strong reputation for safety and reliability, as the '09 Avalon receives five stars from the NHTSA in all frontal and side impact tests and the highest Good rating from the Insurance Institute.