Vehicle: 2003 Nissan 350Z Touring Edition with 5-speed manumatic (that is the only demo I can get hold of in this area). Performance: Based on Nissan’s wonderful VQ engine series. This VQ35DE that bumps out 287hp and 274 lb/ft of torque has amazing responses even if it doesn’t have “proper” stick shift. The throttle response [...]

Vehicle: 2003 MINI Cooper 115hp CVT Performance: Considered Cooper has 115hp and 110 lb/ft of torque in a relatively lightweight body, it feels pretty good with stick shift. However, its not the same story with CVT. This CVT doesn’t seem to match well with this small displacement engine. While its still efficient, for the most [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Ford Focus SVT 3-door with optional 6-disc premium sound Handling: Focus has always been famous for its entertaining handling, the same is true for the SVT. Other than the stiff chassis, the SVT-tuned sports suspension and 17″ wheels, the SVT handles beautifully through the corners. There are plenty of road feel through the [...]

Vehicle: 2002 Nissan Sentra XE with optional 4-speed auto and A/C. Performance: The base Sentra comes standard with a 1.8L 16-valver 4-banger that has 126hp and 129 lb/ft of torque. It has to be one of the most powerful powerplant in this segment considered it responds quickly through throttle tip-in. The throtttle response is quick [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Saab 9-3 2.0t Linear with Sport Launch package, Touring package and 5-speed Sentronic automatic tranny Handling: The single biggest drawback of the outgoing 9-3 is the flexy chassis. That dated chassis has made all the engines coupled with the outgoing car feels overengined. The new 9-3′s handling dynamics is simply a revelation. With [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD with convenience, security and touring packages + Geartronic transmission Performance: Our tested XC90 shares the same T6 engine as S80. The identical 2.9L twin-turbocharged engine that bumps out 268hp @ 5100 rpm and 280 lb/ft of torque @ 1800 rpm. The performance of the T6 is pretty amazing considered [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Honda Element Package AWD with 4-speed automatic Performance: Since Element shares the same platform as CR-V, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they also share powerplant. Its powered by a 2.4L i-VTEC which also found home in Accord sedan and upcoming TSX. With 160hp and 159lb/ft of torque, there is enough power [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Infinit FX45 with high technology package Performance: The FX45 is powered by the same powerplant as M45 and Q45. The 4.5 liter V8 32-valver that’s good for 315hp and 329lb/ft of torque. The power delivery is silky smooth, refine, flexible and match exceptionally well with that 5-speed manumatic tranny. This tranny is willing [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Jaguar facelifted S-Type 3.0 V6 with premium pkg, sports pkg, Xenon and 6-speed auto Performance: The base S-Type is powered by the 3.0 V6 engine that is basically a slightly revised version of Ford’s Duratec engine series. It bumps out 240hp and 221 lb/ft of torque. Its performance is adequate for a car [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Nissan Murano SE Performance: Power has never been an issue with Nissan’s sweet VQ35DE powerplant. With 245hp and 246 lb/ft of torque available, Murano feels like a rocketship. As with other VQ silibings, throttle response is exceptional. This engine never seem to run out of breath at any rpm. Matched with this engine [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Mazda 6 GS V6 with GFX package and 5-speed stick shift Handling: Mazda 6 is not only one of the best handling front drivers, it has to be the best handling Japanese family sedan I have ever driven. Along with the stiff chassis and new multi-link suspension, this car is a complete revelation [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Lexus RX330 with sports package Performance: Based on one of the world’s finest V6 engines with upgraded 300cc, power is considered never an issue. With 230 hp and 242 lb/ft of torque, there is power available on every rpm. The engine is refine, smooth and willing to rev. Its also flexible and very [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Acura TSX with 6-speed stick Performance: The 2.4L i-VTEC with 200 horses and 166 lb/ft of torque has given TSX plenty of get-up-and-go. The torque delivery of this i-VTEC is simply amazing. The throttle response in low-end is responsive and linear. A response that feels more like a 6 than most normally aspirated [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5SE with 5-speed manumatic, automatic leather package and sunroof package Performance: Max uses the 265hp and 255 lb/ft of torque version of Nissan’s proven VQ35DE engine. Typical of VQ, this engine is highly flexible and refined. Its also willing to rev and throttle is as responsive as expected. The 5-speed manumatic [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Mercedes C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan with 5-speed Touchshift Performance: Just like its C-Coupe silibing, C230 Sport Sedan uses the same 1.8L 16-valve 4-cylinder Kompressor engine with 189hp and 192 lb/ft of torque. The engine’s refinement and NVH are light years ahead of the previous 2.3L unit of Kompressor engine.. The engine feels a [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Porsche Cayenne S with 6-speed Tiptronic, 18″ standard wheels and steel suspension Performance: The S is powered by a 4.5L V8 32-valver that bumps out 340hp and 310 lb/ft of torque. The performance is amazing even if this Cayenne is a “base” S instead of a flagship turbo version. It got a brisk [...]

Vehicle: 2003 Kia Rio S with 5-speed stick Performance: The Rio is powered by a 1.6L 4 banger with 104 horses and lb/ft of torque. While it will never remind you of a sports car, it provides more than adequate performance for daily driving. Its a pleasant surprise that this engine provides decent torque at [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Performance: Powered by the 3.5L V6 24-valver with 250hp and 250 lb/ft of torque. This engine delivers more than adequate low-end torque considered its maximum torque arrives at a rather medium 3950rpm. What I meant “adequate” is because it doesn’t have the zippy and responsive low-end response as many of [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT with 4-speed automatic tranny and leather seats Performance: Powered by 2.5L flat 4 turbocharged engine that bumps out 210hp and 235 lb/ft of torque, power has never been an issue in this Forester. The throttle response is exceptional. Its an extremely responsive engine that has basically no competition in a [...]

Vehicle: 2004 VW Touareg V8 with premium plus pkg, convenience pkg, winter pkg, 4-zone climate control pkg, air suspension pkg, bi-Xenon headlights and parking sensors Handling: The Touareg is based on the same platform as the mighty Porsche Cayenne, so its unsurprising that this is a very stiff and strong chassis to begin with. With [...]