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The 2013 Nissan Altima.

This is, by all accounts, a watershed year for the family sedan. Theres a new Ford Fusion, a new Chevy Malibu, a new Honda Accord, and a new Mazda 6.

Havent driven any of them yet (Malibu and Accord are due at TireKicker World Headquarters soon).

Sure hope they brought their A game, though. Because theres also a new Nissan Altima. And.......damn (let Will Smith sue).

Now, regular TireKicker readers will recall that weve always thought the Altima was a better car than its sales figures (which arent bad) indicated.

But this.....



Lets get to the important stuff. The price has gone up. A 2.5 SL now has a base price of $28,050. The one we drove a shade over a year ago was $5,590 less. But the gas mileage has positively pole-vaulted. The old ones EPA estimate for city driving was 22. The 13 shows 27. The highway estimate jumps from 32 to 38...and although people are suing other carmakers for inflated mileage figures, our week in the Altima says those numbers are absolutely achievable.

The money didnt all go to fuel economy. The 2.5 SL is now an extremely well-equipped machine. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, active understeer control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, vehicle dynamic control, tire pressure monitoring, electronic brake force distribution, a vehicle security system, fog lights, LED taillights, heated outside mirrors and exhaust finishers.

True story: We had people look at us and say "Nice car".  That usually happens tens of thousands of dollars up the ladder. But the new styling resonates with people (whichever car mag said it looked like a Camry stung by bees needs to have its eyes checked)...and it looks especially rich in dark colors, like the Metallic Slate ours was wearing.

The 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL interior.

The bigger base price buys you a nicer environment in which to do your driving, too. The interior is a huge leap from last years, with Advance Drive-Assist display, 8-way power drivers seat, heated front seats, leather appointed seats, premium interior trim, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, a 9-speaker BOSE premium audio system, a 5-inch color display, USB, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, dual-zone climate control, rear seat A/C vents and a moonroof.

Again, all standard. Which makes that $28,050 seem like the bargain it is.

Options? our car had two...floor and trunk mats for $165 and the Technology Package (replacing the 5-inch color display with a 7-inch featuring navigation, blind spot warning, lane departure warning and moving object detection for $1,090. With $790 destination charges, the Altima rang in at $30,105.

It drives well, looks good, has all the creature comforts, just hits $30K and gets 27 in town and 38 on the highway.  Until and unless the other new family sedans can top it, theres a new favorite family sedan down TireKicker way.

Available in three trim intended in 2010, mostly value-oriented LX, EX luxury and SX energetic, easiest trim also give people a range of features and so cheap. Optima LX offers an elegant profile with a halogen headlamps-glass really a chrome grille Dual power heated mirrors with signal colored part of an integrated switch, body-colored door handles, bumpers, spare part and therefore also a barrier breaks associated with garnish tinted visor strip and the edge chrome hence through windows.

This is actually also choose up truck that is truly built to give the utility and its consequence can certainly choose to use in order to work well over long distances. Annual Frontier optioned may simply end up in the truck for rapid response, or a qualified off-road equipment. Frontier carves out a space in itself is really good Typically covered by the compact pickup segment with very efficient and V6 engine, middle-of-the-pack as well as to measure only the choice That Could be attractive off-road enthusiasts.

The actual Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is almost certainly also a sumptuous coupe that’s crammed entire of the particular recent and as well greatest security, ease and also entertainment technologies the particular engineering wizards starting from Stuttgart come with been capable to be able to craft. While various other super deluxe sport vehicles flash their sporting abilities and as a consequence high-priced marquees within your face, typically the CL identifies itself as an exclusive and moreover high-class auto without having resorting in order to gimmicks. Though the particular CL right now ventures also a tiny farther originally from typically the mothership within conditions of styling, this carries stored its close family ties. There’s that a limited “100th Anniversary Model of Mercedes-Benz” type obtainable, along that comes with brand-new driver-assistance technological innovation. The actual CL-Class plays that comes with the actual Jaguar XK and so BMW 6-Series. As it’s based primarily referring to like that a huge car, typically the CL is certainly much more of an autobahn-storming, boulevard-cruising luxurious coupe, relatively other than truly a road-carving GT just like for a BMW 6 Collection also Jaguar XKR.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot

It was easy to dismiss the Jeep Patriot when it first hit the streets (and trails) a couple of years back. Part of it was guilt by association, having been introduced to the public at the same time as the first-ever non-Trail Rated Jeep, the almost identically-sized Jeep Compass.

But while the Compass was (and is, despite some upgrades) a Jeeped-up Dodge, the Patriot was (and is) a real Jeep. In many ways, its the spiritual successor to the 1984 Jeep Cherokee.

1984 Jeep Cherokee

Yes, if you dial the wayback machine 28 model years in reverse, youll find people wondering what was up with this very small Jeep, which replaced the huge (in retrospect) Cherokee (itself a cut-down version of the 1963 Wagoneer).

The Patriots like that. First impression is its too small to be a Jeep, having been exposed to Grand Cherokees, Commanders and even Libertys.  But drive it a few minutes and youll find its the back-to-basics vehicle that Jeeps been needing.

Our tester was the Patriot Latitude 4X4, but the window sticker shows that it was optioned up to Latitude level from a base Sport model. 

Well break that down for you. Jeep Patriot Sport 4X4. Starting at $17,695, its only $1,700 more than the Sport 2-wheel drive model. Stepping up to the 4X4 gives you the 2.4 liter DOHC 16-valve engine and 165 horsepower instead of the stock 2.0 liter, 141 horsepower four.

You also get three transmission choices: A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), a CVT with AutoStick, or a five-speed manual. Personally, Id go with the stick, but the Jeep press fleet chose the CVT with an off-road crawl rate. And, honestly, it was a very good, very smooth CVT. I had to be reminded that was how the Patriot was equipped, which means it felt natural...like the best (Nissan, Subaru) CVTs.

2011 Jeep Patriot Interior

The standard equipment list also includes a full complement of airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, hill start assist, brake assist, speed control, Security Key Theft Deterrent System, a removable/rechargable LED flashlight, rear window defroster, wiper and washer, tire pressure monitoring, an AM;/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with audio jack, and a center floor console.

All in all, thats a cut above the basics in a very competent little Jeep for only $17,695. Id buy one like that.

Except. 

It hadnt occurred to me in a long, long time...especially living in Arizona, but there are cars for sale in this country (not many) where air conditioning is an extra-cost option. And the Jeep Patriot is one.

So our Patriot came with Customer Preferred Package 28B, which gives you air conditioning as well as an upgrade to 17-inch aluminum wheels, power heated manual fold away mirrors, body color door handles and liftgate applique, height adjustable drivers seat, power windows, speed-sensitive power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated entry, steering wheel mounted audio controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear 60/40 reclining and folding seat backs, a fold-flat front passenger seatback, heated front seats and a 115 volt power outlet.

That package is $3,700. Making the price (so far) $21,395. Which is actually a few bucks cheaper than starting with the Latitude 4X4.

But the option list goes on...another $3,400 worth, give or take. The Security and Convenience Group gets you supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags, a security alarm, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with microphone, electronic vehicle information center, universal garage door opener, adjustable roof rail crossbars and a soft tonneau cover for $750. All nice stuff to have.

Then theres the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group: All-Terrain tires, brake lock differential, hill descent control, a full-size spare, skid plates for the transmission, oil pan and fuel tank, tow hooks, an engine oil cooler, trailer towing wiring harness, all-season front and rear floor mats and a "Trail Rated" badge for $500. Those are essentials. Id absolutely check that option box.

The CVT with off-road crawl ratio? Thats an extra $1,000. Again, Id go with the manual if it was my money.

Ours also came with the Media Center 430, which adds a 30 gig hard drive that can hold 6,700 of your favorite songs (depending on length...depending on Ramones or Rachmaninoff, your storage capacity may vary), and a 6.5 inch touch screen display. Thats $640.  As with nav systems, odds are your phone can do this.

And finally, $375 for the Uconnect Voice Command with Bluetooth. It adds a USB port for mobile devices, and Sirius Satellite Radio with a 1-year subscription. Im a huge believer in hands-free mobile when driving...Id probably say yes for the Bluetooth alone.

With $700 destination charge, the bottom line winds up at $25,410. And thats a long way from the $17,695 we started at. But its not unreasonable. It is far less expensive than the average SUV, which doesnt have the Patriots capabilities (as equipped), and its actually less expensive than the average family sedan today.   And wed knock a grand off that sticker by shifting it ourselves.


2011 Jeep Patriot

Base price: $17,695

As tested:   $25,410

EPA estimate: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway

Likes: Compact size, low base price, real Jeep capability, fuel economy, dramatically improved interior.

Dislikes: Air conditioning and Bluetooth should be standard.

Now as is usually the first Discovery, Land Rover does not offer buyers out with trains world-class power. In general, the LR4 2010 is almost certainly simply prepared by a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 375-horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission that goes completely from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Even with some real improvements to improve the habit in the way, usually the LR4 is really always very far from the road. In general, more than LR4 features fully independent suspension uses operate electronic air springs automatically adjust to almost any specific field or off-road challenge. Unlike car manufacturers Land Rover faces the challenge further the production of automobiles in general, distinctive because the hitters off-road in the world still can certainly control their own merchandise yet opened. In general, the MT system offers much more complicated features off the road, not for the most part buyers certainly will not.

This provides an outstanding mixture of ease, area, quietude, and consequently characteristics. Keeping the particular Lexus LS line’s status as an all-star are like exemplary features as also a silent and in addition super-smooth vehicle, commendable engine overall performance, stalwart stability and furthermore undeniable price among competing big extravagance sedans. The particular LS 460 presents almost all anyone may need within also a deluxe auto, and so at just truly a cost just that cannot come to be regarded exorbitant. Rivals feature the actual BMW 7 Collection and furthermore Mercedes-Benz S-Class. An various Progressed Parking Guidance System lets the actual automobile park itself and furthermore is definitely typically the car’s the most intriguing offer. To anyone concerned within also a big quality car, the actual LS 460 warrants serious thought.