Thursday
2009 Toyota Venza Review
With 2008 marking the final year of the Camry Solara Toyota's new CUV, the Venza will succeed the Solara.
From the front the car looks very sculpted and boxy. The winged headlights flow into the enormous chrome grill. The grill sets a new design for Toyota as we haven't seen this much chrome on a four-door Toyota since the Cressida of the 80's . The badge melts down into the grill in a similar fashion as the new Camry making a subtle visual link between the two. Though, that's where the similarities between the Camry and the Venza stop.
The car is more similar to the Sienna with its enormous, wide doors. From the back the vehicle looks similar to a minivan with its large tailgate. The taillights are a new look for North American Toyota's and a bit similar to the new Volvo S60 mixed with the Lexus RX.
Speaking of the RX, Lexus is redesigning the RX for 2009 or 2010. Will it have some styling cues from the Venza? We'll see when it debuts.
From the front the car looks very sculpted and boxy. The winged headlights flow into the enormous chrome grill. The grill sets a new design for Toyota as we haven't seen this much chrome on a four-door Toyota since the Cressida of the 80's . The badge melts down into the grill in a similar fashion as the new Camry making a subtle visual link between the two. Though, that's where the similarities between the Camry and the Venza stop.
The car is more similar to the Sienna with its enormous, wide doors. From the back the vehicle looks similar to a minivan with its large tailgate. The taillights are a new look for North American Toyota's and a bit similar to the new Volvo S60 mixed with the Lexus RX.
Speaking of the RX, Lexus is redesigning the RX for 2009 or 2010. Will it have some styling cues from the Venza? We'll see when it debuts.Monday
2009 Honda Pilot Review
Honda unveiled the next generation Pilot with some mixed reviews about the design. The new 2009 Pilot has a boxier, brawnier look than the previous version but this design could take a little getting used to.
The body is larger and longer and looks less like a crossover but instead like a small SUV. The headlights are also boxy and are much larger and winder than before. The enormous grill, which is becoming a staple of Honda’s 2009 line-up, reminds me of the large grill on the Pilot's upscale cousin, the new Acura MDX.
The rear quarter panel is more boxy than before and similar in style to the 2008 Jeep Liberty. The back also looks similar to Chrysler's competing vehicle, the Chrysler Aspen, from some angles. The rear taillights are also a bit similar to the new Dodge Caravan. Inspiration from Chrysler? Maybe? Maybe not. Though with automotive design there's usually a case of something borrowed something new with each automaker seeing what the competition is up to.
Moving inside the steering wheel and center console have been redesigned. A major change is the relocation of the gear shift from the column up to the lower dashboard; a practical move closer in reach to the driver's reach.
Even though technological practicality is the theme of the interior there are more buttons which on the center console and arm rest's. This ads functionality to the vehicle and more options for the driver to optimize their interior and surrounding and functionality of the car as well but too many controls can seem like you’re in the cockpit of a 747 if you’re not familiar with the interior layout of Honda vehicles. Not unlike trying to cook in someone else' kitchen.
Despite rising gas prices Honda surprisingly does not have a hybrid version of the Pilot. According to a New York Times article, "Honda feels that hybrid powertrains are best suited for small vehicles." Don't rule out the possibility of a hybrid though with more SUV's offering hybrid versions, especially their main competitor Toyota. Nonetheless, the Pilot is set to be a hit with die hard fans.
Though, will this new redesign might send other consumers to choose the Ford Escape or the Toyota Highlander? Time will tell.
See more about the 2009 Honda Pilot in the video below
The body is larger and longer and looks less like a crossover but instead like a small SUV. The headlights are also boxy and are much larger and winder than before. The enormous grill, which is becoming a staple of Honda’s 2009 line-up, reminds me of the large grill on the Pilot's upscale cousin, the new Acura MDX.
The rear quarter panel is more boxy than before and similar in style to the 2008 Jeep Liberty. The back also looks similar to Chrysler's competing vehicle, the Chrysler Aspen, from some angles. The rear taillights are also a bit similar to the new Dodge Caravan. Inspiration from Chrysler? Maybe? Maybe not. Though with automotive design there's usually a case of something borrowed something new with each automaker seeing what the competition is up to.
Moving inside the steering wheel and center console have been redesigned. A major change is the relocation of the gear shift from the column up to the lower dashboard; a practical move closer in reach to the driver's reach.
Even though technological practicality is the theme of the interior there are more buttons which on the center console and arm rest's. This ads functionality to the vehicle and more options for the driver to optimize their interior and surrounding and functionality of the car as well but too many controls can seem like you’re in the cockpit of a 747 if you’re not familiar with the interior layout of Honda vehicles. Not unlike trying to cook in someone else' kitchen.
Despite rising gas prices Honda surprisingly does not have a hybrid version of the Pilot. According to a New York Times article, "Honda feels that hybrid powertrains are best suited for small vehicles." Don't rule out the possibility of a hybrid though with more SUV's offering hybrid versions, especially their main competitor Toyota. Nonetheless, the Pilot is set to be a hit with die hard fans.
Though, will this new redesign might send other consumers to choose the Ford Escape or the Toyota Highlander? Time will tell.
See more about the 2009 Honda Pilot in the video below
Thursday
2009 Acura TL Spy Photos
Acura enthusiasts and members of forums such as the vtech.net have been buzzing with anticipation about the new generation Acura TL for 2009. A member of the vtech forums took these spy photos of new TL out on a test track.
The front end has a more aggressive look and appears to be sporting the large Acura grill with the large crossbar that has gotten mixed reviews. The back end, which was barely concealed, has changed significantly with large rear bumpers, a trunk lid with an overhang and an overall more angular look. The taillights are smaller and look similar to the new Honda Civic coupe.
We'll have a full design review when Acura unveils the 2009 TL later this sumer.
The front end has a more aggressive look and appears to be sporting the large Acura grill with the large crossbar that has gotten mixed reviews. The back end, which was barely concealed, has changed significantly with large rear bumpers, a trunk lid with an overhang and an overall more angular look. The taillights are smaller and look similar to the new Honda Civic coupe.
We'll have a full design review when Acura unveils the 2009 TL later this sumer.
Sunday
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
With GM ending its minivan line, Chevy has a crossover that will pick up from where the Venture left off. The Traverse is the newest addition to GM’s CUV line built on the same Lambda platform as the Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave.
The front fascia is inspired by the styling of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu with its signature crossbar and large grill. The body styling is similar to the Buick Enclave and other GM CUV’s not surprisingly though, interestingly the rear window of the car is similar to the BMW X3.
But the back of the car is where the designers took a few risks. The wing shaped tailights are a unique design and even look slightly like tailights on the Audi Q7 but may they may take some getting used to. The taillights look almost over-powered and slightly disproportionate compared to the enormous tailigate.
The two tone interior is typically Chevrolet. Leather seats and a modern, clean appearance are. There is an emphasis on automotive technology inside such as glowing instrument panel and navigation screen.
Even though her design may take a bit of getting used to it is still yet to be determined if the Traverse can get minivan moms to trade in their Dodge Caravan or upper middle class moms to substitute it for their Lexus RX350.
The front fascia is inspired by the styling of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu with its signature crossbar and large grill. The body styling is similar to the Buick Enclave and other GM CUV’s not surprisingly though, interestingly the rear window of the car is similar to the BMW X3.
But the back of the car is where the designers took a few risks. The wing shaped tailights are a unique design and even look slightly like tailights on the Audi Q7 but may they may take some getting used to. The taillights look almost over-powered and slightly disproportionate compared to the enormous tailigate.
The two tone interior is typically Chevrolet. Leather seats and a modern, clean appearance are. There is an emphasis on automotive technology inside such as glowing instrument panel and navigation screen.
Even though her design may take a bit of getting used to it is still yet to be determined if the Traverse can get minivan moms to trade in their Dodge Caravan or upper middle class moms to substitute it for their Lexus RX350.
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