As some of my readers know, I’m quite the car fanatic. Auto Shows come year over year with new cars debuts, concept car debuts, and a host of other issues of intrigue. I can say that after being a devout car fanatic since I was 1 and a half years old…just ask my mom…she’ll tell you, that I know a thing or two about cars. Going to the Philly Auto Show was a big let down of sorts because it should be for car fanatics a time for people like me to jump in and see whats going on. In this issue, I’m going to simply talk to you about the cars and car companies I love, the cars I found most improved, and the big let downs. Consider this the start of a car discussion that I’ll be having often.

I have test driven a mass amount of cars as its a passion of mine and after this car show, just sitting back behind the wheel of several of them, I’m going to make some observations.

The Good Surprises:

Volvo. Volvo. Volvo. Shocked? Don’t be. Volvo now is owned by a holding company in China that is injecting serious cash into their once fledgling brand. They still have very old products left on the line, the XC90 SUV which has now had the same body and design for 11 years and the S80, which is reliable, secure, and on the whole nice, but now, very long in the tooth. They need a new flagship. That said, Volvo has unleashed two cars that are mightily impressive. Their new S60 is a car worth driving. If you’re considering a BMW 3 series or an Audi A4, take a look at the Volvo; give it a spin and give it a chance. Volvo has really amped up their game. The exterior lines of the car are excellent. They offer a wide range of engines, including a very competitive Inline 6 now with (up to) 325 Horsepower. That’s well above the BMW 335i and just 8 horses shy of my Vanessa. The car has a solid AWD system. And after sitting behind the wheel, it’s competitive. Competitive in design and competitive in price point (if you’re willing to fork over 40-50K). The XC60 SUV is another option…well designed and articulated. I’ve test driven the XC60 before and can say without hesitation that for a casual driver, it’s worthy. Suspension is solid. Sight lines are good. The SUV moves quickly. The downside of Volvo is that they try to be techy in a more austere way, very Swedish. But the technology, namely their infotainment systems need serious work…they’re confusing and difficult to use. But this shouldn’t detract you from taking a second look at Volvo.

Mazda. They’re a solid, albeit smaller Japanese auto manufacturer that has had trouble really breaking the big Japanese three (Toyota/Honda/Nissan) over the last 10 years but Mazda has debuted two new critical vehicles that should significantly improve their standing. The Mazda 6 sedan. It’s gorgeous. Truly. For 25K, this car looks like a car that should play with the German luxury sedans. It’s exterior lines are incredible and they’ve really put out a design that is worthy (unlike their last 6 which was horrific). Mazda has also developed a new Sky-active Inline Four which is basically a way of saying they have a more enviro-friendly new I4 engine that is efficient. They will be debuting a Mazdaspeed6, with AWD. When it comes out, it should reach the top of anyone’s list for a 30K vehicle. The CX-5 is also a great new entry-level SUV that is a head turner. Mazda is a car company to watch.

Audi. What can I say, I’m partial. Too bad. Audi has developed the most elegant looking luxury cars in the market. Their new A7/S7 is slicker than slick. Audi has a 3.0 Liter supercharged 6 that could be the greatest engine in its’ class. They know how to appoint interiors of their cars equally well and make BMW and Mercedes look austere and cheap. AND they come in often 10-20% cheaper than the comparable BMW or Mercedes. Wow. I’m biased. But who cares, Audi is fantastic and my guess is they will be the leading German luxury automaker in the world (by sales volume) in a few years.

Cars (not companies) that met my expectations:

Hyundai Azera: a new front wheel drive sedan that replaced the last model. They’re trying to take market share from Impala/Taurus/Avalon owners and this car should do it. It looks good, this car finally doesn’t look like an imitation of a Japanese sedan, and they are no longer putting anemic engines in the engine bay. Take a look if you’re an Impala/Taurus/Avalon owner. Grade: B

Nissan Altima: I’ve always been a fan of the Altima because the car has always, IMO, been a step ahead of the competitors (Camry, Accord, Sonata, Fusion, Malibu, Legacy)  in design execution, interior comfort, and their solid VQ 3.5 Liter engines which for their class are close to unbeatable. The new Altima looks even better, the lines are gorgeous for a car of its class, and it makes the brand new Accord look downright gaudy and the Camry plain boring (they already are, so who cares). If you’re a Camry/Accord owner, go check out the Altima. Grade: B

BMW 335i/328i: I love the BMW. It’s a fantastic car. It’s no wonder most car magazines have said it’s the greatest car in its class most definitively over the last 20 years. The new design is classy, well executed, with the same power trains (I’m looking forward to driving the 335i). I just still compare it to the Audi A4/S4 and can’t help but think…what if BMW outsourced Audi to place their interiors in a BMW shell. Great car. Not the best. Grade: B+

Cars (not car companies that made me want to blow my brains out)

Cadillac ATS: Disclaimer, I haven’t driven it. And I have dear friends that rave about it. So I will reserve judgement till I get behind the wheel on the road. But as I sat behind the wheel yesterday, I was shocked to realize how badly Cadillac executed what was supposed to be the true competitor for the BMW 3 series and Audi A4. I literally couldn’t fit. My knees were popping, my head touching the roof, and my arms cramped. In the front seat. The new dash includes this strange CUE infotainment system that utilizes sensory recognition and buttons do not exist. In a word: Pathetic. When I drive a car, I want to drive it. I want to feel it. I want to press it. I want to engage it. Waving my hand like a wand over gauges to hope they turn on and work while trying to drive is a disaster waiting to happen (Ford is doing it on all their cars now too and it too is disastrous and dumb). The fit and finish was under par for the price point. But most offensive was the rear seat. This car is a two seater. Plus a back area for two people under the height of 3’0. This is not a joke. I literally had to contort my body in an odd function to enter the rear seat. Once in with my knees up to my chest, my head was pressed squarely against the roof or otherwise, jetted back order to not touch the roof. Cadillac dropped the ball and they should be ashamed. I love Cadillac. I always have. I love great American cars. Even if the car drives like a dream, I wouldn’t buy it because I wouldn’t want to subjugate even one passenger to the disgrace of the backseat that it offers. What a pity. Grade: D-

Jaguar XJ: I know the car has gotten raves and huge laudatory reviews. Don’t listen. For a car designed with the passenger and driver in mind, it’s seemingly only generous to the passenger. I have driven Jaguars. I enjoy the growl of their meaty V8’s and their lofty but nice ride. But this car is underwhelming. It looks like an ant-eater. The interior is cavernous and yet very odd; materials are not at the level they should be. The center stack is an odd amalgamation of buttons, sci-fi control wheels, and a revolutionary 12.1″ LCD gauge cluster that is configurable to your preference. But that’s just the problem. these new fangled super tech gauge clusters don’t give the impression of real driving…it’s not your grandpas Jag anymore and I’m very sad. Grade: C/C-

Hyundai Equus: Absolutely, most assuredly, the worst car I have ever witnessed in my life. Just to think that I was so happy with a front wheel drive Azera by Hyundai, the fact that Hyundai had the audacity to deliver a Rear wheel drive flagship sedan that costs in the 60-70K range should make heads spin…in fact, the heads should literally just spin right off. This car looks like Hyundai literally drew a pencil sketch of the last generation Lexus LS430, threw a new grill on it, and called it a wonderful new luxury sedan that is comparable to the affable Audi A8 and the gorgeous BMW 750i. This car is a joke. Step in the interior and touch the plastics that wouldn’t even be found on the Azera. The gauge cluster, the gadgets, the buttons, the levers all deserve to be in a car worth $20K and yet Hyundai is ready to propose a car to the public for $70 because ????? Wow. The new 5.0 Liter V8 engine is interesting so I will reserve judgement on its drive until I do, but I can say this, if anyone wastes a dollar buying a Hyundai Equus, I’m very sad for you. This car gets an F-.Wow. Just unbelievably a disgrace.

Overall, I love Audi and VW. BMW equally is special to me. I think Mazda and Nissan are the very fine Japanese Car makers. And Ford is the Car Manufacturer that I will gladly support, because they never succumbed to a bailout and figured it out on their own. They make good cars. Cadillac is turning into a huge disappointment for me, and I’ve loved Cadillac all my life. What a pity. Look out for a few car reviews on here from time to time.