The Best Full-Size Cars for 2011

Because your grandparents have to go places too, and they just don’t make the Chrysler Newport anymore.

Fehlio’s Choice: Hyundai Genesis V6

BWAAAHHHHH.

The jury is still out on Hyundai’s attempt at a Lexus, but you can count me on the side that thinks it’s brilliant. It looks great, has a fantastically well-done interior, and costs tens of thousands less than you think it would. If you can get something nicer at this price, then do it.

Alternately: Toyota Avalon

This is the flattering angle. Trust me.

The Toyota Avalon doen’t provide an “engaging” drive, but it does provide a damn good one. There’s room for, like, 11 people, it goes from 0-60 about as fast as a VW GTI, and returns about the same mileage. It’s a shame than a car this good is wasted on grandmas.

Please Don’t: Hyundai Azera

Check it out! This is still a thing!

Unless you can get an amazing deal (which you probably can) there is no reason to buy this over a Sonata or a Genesis V6. It isn’t really a bad car, it’s just the definition of obsolescence. Probably still better than a V6 Chrysler 300 or Impala though, now that I think of it.

Fuck Yeah Ford Raptor!

I realize I'm supposed to be this die-hard Toyota fan, but after tonight's episode of Top Gear (US version) I really, really want a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Hennessey kit optional, Hurricane V8 essential.

This was my childhood family car.

My dad had a 1987 Toyota Camry LE. He bought it from my grandfather in 1993 shortly after the birth of my sister. It was totaled in 2005, with 230,000 miles. My dad's was a little different; the wheels looked like rotary phone dials, and the grill simply had "Toyota" written in a Helvetica-type font rather than the oval symbol. But seeing one like my dad's makes me nostalgic, and yes, I check Craigslist for one all the time.

The Best Midsize Cars for 2011

This is the most hotly-contested segment in today’s market. Bestsellers come from here. Conventional wisdom says to buy an Accord or Camry, but those are boring. The Altima seems like an “alternative” choice, and it is the only one in it’s class to offer it’s top engine with a you-shift-it six-speed. But the thing is, they’re all driven, and later repossessed, by Mexican women. Mexican women don’t read my blog (nor does anyone else) so I can say that here. Point is, either of these two choices will satisfy both sides of your brain.

Fehlio’s Choice: Hyundai Sonata

It's like a beautiful Korean dolphin.

Well, first of all, look at that thing. It’s beautiful. On top of that, it has the best warranty in the business. On top of that, it’s one of the cheapest in the segment. It has the most powerful base engine, and the only direct-injected four-pot in the segment. The turbo four puts out better power AND better mileage than ANY competitor’s V6. And you can get it as a hybrid, if you’re trendy. The Sonata is no longer a great car “for the price”; it’s now the best in it’s class.

Alternately: Ford Fusion

Insert Gillette Fusion Razor joke here.

The fact that the Sonata beat this car is a testament to it’s greatness, as the Fusion is an outstanding car as well. One of the best handlers in its class, the Fusion is a stylish, well-made car that’s an easy recommendation to anyone. From the 5-speed, 4-cylinder commuter special, to the all-wheel-drive, 263 horsepower Sport model, each one is a winner. Add a hybrid model that gets 41 mpg city, and you have a winning range.

Please Don’t: Mitsubishi Galant

Fun Fact: This still exists.

This car is everything the other two aren’t. Basically unchanged since 2003, it’s cheap, crappy, and boring. I mean, even the new Chrysler Sebring (call it the 200 all you want, but it’s a Sebring) would be a better buy. It at least has styling that someone, somewhere might enjoy.

The Best Compact Cars for 2011

This is the bread and butter of the international market. Family cars in Europe; commuter cars here, this may not be the most interesting segment, but it surely is one of the most contested. In the marketplace, it’s all about mileage; here, it’s about the least boring choice. Small cars don’t have to be penalty boxes, as these prove.

Fehlio’s Choice: Volkswagen Golf

It just looks so good.

It’s the most handsome in its class, it has the best engines in its class, the best ride/handling balance in its class, and the best interior in its class. Its better than the Mazda just enough to justify the price hike.

Alternately: Mazda 3

The old one just looks better.

Everything I said about the Mazda 2 applies here, it’s just bigger. It’s a hatchback, which I love, but you can get it as a sedan, if you’re silly. It just kinda looks like a clown.

Please Don’t: Ford Focus

If I wanted an ugly car, I'd buy that Mazda right above.

At least until the new one comes out next year. It’s ugly, it hasn’t been changed since 1998, and the one redeeming factor (the hatchback) was lost in 2008. It can’t get replaced soon enough.

Irronically, the Mazda 3 which is so much better than the Focus is based mostly on the mechanicals of the 2nd-gen Focus we never got, which goes to show that Ford can make good cars; they just don't make them often enough. I have very high hopes for the 2012 "World" Focus.

Bennet has a mustache now.

Indubitably!

The Best Subcompacts for 2011

Lets face it. No one aspires to own one of these cars. They’re made for people who’ve never heard of financing, or used cars. But the segment got more competitive after the gas crisis, leading to some true gems coming stateside.

Fehlio’s Choice: Honda Fit

It looks awkward, but so do I, so I don't mind.

This is the car that proves small cars can work. It’s small, yet amazingly space-efficient; I’m 6’3”, and I fit comfortably. The seats fold in the most clever ways, and it’s a fun drive to boot. The last true Honda.

Alternately: Mazda 2

Still waiting for that 2.5L Mazdaspeed 2.

This is what every small car should be. Based on the also-excellent Ford Fiesta, it isn’t the most refined, but it starts at 14 grand, and still gives a fun drive, with one of the best shifters in the business. It looks pretty good in green. It narrowly beats the Fiesta due to it's better manual shifter (the Fiesta has a better automatic, but who cares), lower price, and better mileage. It goes to show that you don't need huge power to have fun; the 2 has a measly 102 hp, and i'd still rather hoon one of these than a (faster) Nissan Versa.

Please Don’t: Smart Fortwo

"You guys, it's cool, it's like a metal cocoon"

The Kia Rio is pretty shitty, but it has a good warranty. The Toyota Yaris is kinda shitty too, but it’s strangely charming. Stomach flu is pretty shitty, but at least you get a few days off. The Smart is just shitty. It’s more expensive than a Honda Civic coupe, but gets the same mileage, holds less, and makes you look like a French metrosexual.

A Return to Form

I’m alive! I’ve been super busy with school and work and Thanksgiving, but two of those things are over now, so I’m back and I’m going to take this more seriously.

It’s that time of year again. Not Christmas, although this is the time of year when you hear about how it’s that time of year and/or it only comes once a year. No, it’s also the time of year where you see a bunch of “of the year” lists. I was gonna do that. And I probably still will. But for now, I’ma take the easy way out and say “best of right now”. So the next several posts will be my own awards ceremony and return to the blogosphere. Enjoy!