Motown Is Getting It's Mojo Back!

[nsap]

Motown Is Back!
By: Nsap
www.gminsidenews.com





In the latest issue of Motor Trend (December) they perform a comparison road test between three of the latest sedans from The Big Three and one major competitor from Japan. After testing the four vehicles the magazine claims, “Motown has it’s Mojo back!” Declaring that The Big Three are well on their way to being true competitors against the best Japanese vehicles.

MT tested the Chrysler 300, Buick LaCrosse, Ford Five-Hundred, and Toyota Avalon. The cars went through a normal comparison test in what better location than Detroit.

We all know that it has been years since a sedan from the Big Three has been able to top any Japanese sedan, but that is changing. Not just one of the Big Three companies have a Japan-fighting sedan, but ALL three companies managed to beat the Avalon. Does this mean the Big Three are out of the blue yet? No. The magazine said that the Avalon is a great car, but it is does not have the style and power of the new Big Three sedans.

As long as the Big Three keep up the good work, and not slack like they did in the 1990’s, they will be able to compete with imports. The American companies are finally getting the right combination of: power, drive train, style, and comfort correctly.

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Be sure and check out the road test! We finally got an UNBIASED road test!!!!

[Squachy]

ill play the devils advocate and say...

is it fair to compare 3 all new models (300C, Lacrosse, five hundred) to one pretty stale somewhat dated one (avalon)?

[AJR]

Originally Posted by Buick61

What was the order of the finishing? Let me guess:

1. Five Hundred
2. 300
3. LaCrosse
4. Avalon

And what trim levels/powertrains were tested??

From what I understand the order was

1) 300 - 3.5 V-6

2) Five Hundred - 3.0 V-6 w/ 6 speed auto

3) LaCrosse - don't know at the moment

4) Avalon - don't know at the moment

I wouldn't get too excited just yet. A new, more powerful Avalon is coming next year. The rumor is that it will have a 270 hp 3.5 V-6 powering the fwd wheels. We will have to see, but the Toyota people in Kentucky seem to be pretty excited by it.

[orkan013]

avolon is an old car that is not big accomplishment to beat 5 year old car

[Taycron]

In a comparison test Motor Trend said the Nissan Titan clearly beat the new Ford F150 in just about every category but then named The Ford F150 Truck of the year...

[dav305z]

Close, it was
1. 300 (3.5l)
2. Five Hundred
3. LaCrosse CXS
4. Avalon

Note that they stressed the top three as being very close, with the Avalon being far behind all three. Regarding the CXS, they were very positive overall, criticizing only the faux wood and the back seat (too small - just like the GP). I get the general impression that MT's new editor is very pro-Domestic.

[awalbert88]

It's good press. Motor Trend (like many automotive rags) isn't all that fair or unbiased most of the time, so it's nice to see credit being given where it's due. I'd like to see more comparisons like this in the press. So many reviews of the Five Hundred, 300, or LaCrosse make comparisons with other Toyota or Honda models, but fail to do a proper point-for-point comparison. Nearly every car on the road has some advantage that it holds over competing models, but when you balance it all out, some cars simply are better than others.

[SUPERBADD75]

WE FINALLY GET AN UNBIASED TEST FROM A MAGAZINE!! HOORAY!!!

yeah, whatever. the Avalon is a pretty old car up against new models. the new ones better trounce it, or you've got real problems. in reality, the Buick came in last for this competition, because the Toyota doesn't even really count. the Avalon isn't really a big seller for them anyhow.

get over the thought that all magazines are biased toward imports, and realize that the reason they win a lot of comparisons is because they're better. the American cars were better this time, so they won. that's the way it should be.

[Buick61]

I'm glad they chose the 300 (are you surprised?) But I'm intrigued that the Five Hundred's cheaper price, larger trunk, and more advanced transmissions didn't put it in first. I didn't read the article, so I'm guessing the the 300 was a better driver.

[cemaxc]

I haven't read it yet but whats with the underpowered Ford beating the Buick???
Not cool.

[the prix]

It's not that big of an acomplishment being that the Avalon is several years old.

[T-Type]

Wait, let me get this straight...this doesn't count because the allmighty toyota's car is old and out of date...but when it's GM's car that is old and out of date in one of these comparisons, then it's more proof that GM sucks...Riiiiiiiiight.

[MTRANS]

The Avalon style was dated the moment it came out, thats probably why they haven't sold that well ever.

[Maverick]

Using that same logic- that the Avalon is several years old and is being unfairly put in last- we could say that Chevrolet shouldn't be blamed for the recently killed Cavalier and that it was too old to be compared to anything. One more thing- what's with everyone repeating that the Avalon is so old? GM's gone for more than five years without a new platform in some cases (or most?), and it has worked out some of the time.

[4runner]

I heard that next month Motortrend will have a comparo between a 1997 Camry, a 1998 Accord and a 2004 Malibu.