New Mazda 6

The next-generation Mazda6 is zooming right into 2009, and looks primed and ready to take on all comers in the ever-evescalating war of midsize sedans.Mazda says that the sporty-looking second-generation Mazda6 was engineered specifically with the North American market in mind. For instance, it will have a focus on larger dimensions both inside and out, as well as more power coming from both engine choices. Mazda says this midsize sedan will “take on the very best cars from Asia, Europe and North America.”

A new Mazda-designed 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine will be available in the Mazda6, as well as a 3.7-liter V6 - the same one used by the 2008 CX-9. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine), or a six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6).

Though many current midsize cars are available in coupe form, the 2009 Mazda6 will only be available as a four-door model. Suspension will be all-independent, with four-wheel disc brakes and ABS coming standard. Mazda also points out that the automaker’s new sedan will have ‘unparalleled reductions’ in road noise and vibrations.

Two trim levels will be available - GS and GT - and both will be available with either engine.

Built in Flat Rock, Michigan, the new Mazda6 will go on sale in the summer of 2008.

Lexus IS more sport than luxury

When we look back on 2008 and consider the best automotive value in Canada, some may look at the Hyundai Accent L and its dirt-cheap $9,995 MSRP, or on the opposite end of the scale, the Lexus LX570, a new model that went down in price by almost $17,000.But whereas you won’t have so much as air conditioning in the Accent and you still have to be substantially wealthy to be able to afford the LX570, the 2008 Lexus IS250 is a gorgeous vehicle that has a mind-bogglingly low price. The base IS250 is almost $5,000 cheaper compared to 2007’s model … and you don’t have to run your own law firm to consider it and its $31,000 base price tag.

The price isn’t the only thing that makes the IS250 appealing though - far from it. This may be Lexus’ entry-level vehicle, but it still retains many of the qualities of its more expensive siblings. It has a whisper-quiet engine, an absolutely pristine interior and Lexus’ attractive new L-Finesse styling.

It may not be sporty enough for those drivers who eat horsepower for breakfast and wash it down with a healthy serving of torque, but when you consider the whole package (not just performance), it makes a case for itself as a truly compelling compact luxury sport sedan.

Though the rear-wheel drive IS250 is the model with the aforementioned $31,000 base price, my tester was equipped with all-wheel drive. The AWD IS is a little heavier and its weight distribution is slightly less balanced than its RWD brother, but for a Lexus - a luxury badge not known for its sportiness - it’s still a lot of fun.

Even before getting into it though, it’s easy to tell that the IS doesn’t have the same attitude as other Lexus cars. It has a short back end and a long front end, giving it a roadster-like silhouette. The taillights sweep around the sides and grow larger moving toward the front, giving it the appearance of moving forward, and the exterior for the most part is uncluttered, so the focus here is obviously more on driving and not so much on just looking good (even though it really, really does).

Once you do step in, it’s difficult to deny that the interior does ooze Lexus from every air vent and cupholder. The seats are more soft and cushy than they are supportive - which doesn’t help when you’re testing out just how well the vehicle handles - and you’ll feel guilty every time you track mud or rain onto the floor mats. This isn’t to say the interior is bad. It’s actually downright immaculate, but again for performance snobs, this may not be enough.

The IS comes available with one of two V6 engines - a 2.5-litre and a 3.5-litre. A glance at the IS250’s spec sheet may not elicit much in the way of excitement when you look at its numbers, but it does feel like a finely-tuned sport sedan once you stop feeling the leather and gazing at the chrome, and start pushing the throttle, turning the steering wheel, and clicking the paddles.

Those steering wheel paddles come standard on the AWD IS250, and let you manually control the six-speed automatic, which is both good and bad. The transmission automatically kicks into fourth gear whenever you move into manual mode - which is great if you’re going 100 km/h and trying to pass someone on a highway, but it makes absolutely no sense if you’re trying to pass someone on a city street while in third gear and you need every bit of torque that peaks at 4,800 rpm.

I just made sure to choose from one mode or the other every time I got in the car; always give myself full control, or always give the vehicle full control.

There are other nice touches that make this a fun little sedan to drive, like an orange light that surrounds the speedometer and tachometer at whatever vehicle/engine speed you choose. It doesn’t make the car go any faster, but hey, it’s fun to look at.

And as enjoyable and truly luxurious as the less-expensive IS sedans are, there are still a wealth of options and packages available to make even the most discerning buyer satisfied. It’s a shame that Bluetooth is only available in tandem with the expensive navi package though.

The IS250 may not be up-to-par with other sports sedans when looking solely at performance numbers and behaviour, but it’s still a fine-handling machine, and with a base price as low as $31,000, its inadequacies can be forgiven.

Honda prices ‘08 Accord

Honda’s tried-and-true Accord gets a facelift for 2008, and the company has wasted little time announcing pricing for both the coupe and sedan.

Customers can buy an Accord for as little as $25,090 for the LX sedan, to $38,290 for the EX-L V6 coupe (before options). There are two 2.4-litre inline-4 cylinder engines to choose from, that produce 177- and 190-horsepower respectively, as well as a 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6 engine. The V6 produces a generous 268-horsepower, which is the most ever for an Accord.

Estimated fuel economy ratings for the 4-cylinder engines is 9.4 L/100 km. city and 6.4 L/100 km. highway (manual transmission). The V6 has an estimated rating of 11.0 L/100 km. and 6.7 L/100 km., city and highway, respectively.

The eighth generation Accord features several new technologies as well as new design philosophies, such as it’s ‘premium quality with a spacious design’ idea, which is intended to provide equal seating comfort for front and rear passengers.

The EX-L Coupe with V6 engine features larger 18” aluminum alloy wheels, chrome door handles, front fog lights, dual exhaust finishers and rear lip spoiler.

Every 2008 Accord includes driver’s and front passenger’s dual-chamber side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System, side curtain airbags, and dual-stage, dual-threshold driver’s and front passenger’s airbags. Other standard safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist and four-wheel-disc anti-lock brake system with brake assist and electronic brake distribution.

			Transmission
Model	Trim	Engine	Manual	Automatic
Accord Sedan	LX	177-hp 4-cylinder	$25,090	$26,290
	EX	190-hp 4-cylinder	$27,490	$28,690
	EX-L	190-hp 4-cylinder	$29,890	$31,090
	EX-L Navi	190-hp 4-cylinder	$32,690	$33,890
	EX V6	268-hp V6	N/A	$31,690
	EX-L V6	268-hp V6	N/A	$34,990
	EX-L V6 Navi	268-hp V6	N/A	$37,790
Accord Coupe	EX	190-hp 4-cylinder	$27,990	$29,190
	EX-L	190-hp 4-cylinder	$30,390	$31,590
	EX-L Navi	190-hp 4-cylinder	$33,190	$34,390
	EX-L V6	268-hp V6	$35,490	$35,490
	EX-L V6 Navi	268-hp V6	$38,290	$38,290