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2010 Suzuki Kizashi Review

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The design of the all-new Suzuki Kizashi is exciting and fresh. I would say the exterior looks more European than Japanese because of the elegant body lines. While driving the Kizashi around town, I could see several bystanders struggling to see what car it was. Inside, you will find comfortable seats, easy-to-use controls and excellent fit and finish. The engine is peppy and delivers decent gas mileage (I achieved 24 mpg on regular unleaded gas in mixed driving) thanks to the smooth continuously variable transmission. And there is plenty of room in the trunk to stow gear for weekend retreats with the family. –Joe Chulick The Suzuki Kizashi is not a cheap car, but then again it's not too expensive, either. The one we drove had push-button start, an all-wheel-drive system available at the touch of a button, a reasonably spacious interior and trunk, and an interior that you would be happy to own for a long time. Sadly, the dashboard is made from the same ugly plastic that Honda puts

BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Review

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2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid — First Drive Review Although BMW initially shunned hybrids in favor of clean diesels and other alternative powertrains, the German automaker is joining the electrically assisted fray next year with not one but two gasoline-electric vehicles: the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 — our first drive of which you can read here — and the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. Both models share ActiveHybrid badging and fall in the contradictory performance-hybrid segment, but their similarities end there. The 7 is a mild hybrid that uses an electric motor in its eight-speed automatic gearbox and a compact lithium-ion battery mounted in the trunk to assist acceleration and run the accessories; the X6 is a far more complex full hybrid. The latter's pair of motors and advanced electronic continuously variable transmission allow it to waft up to 1.6 miles and at speeds of up to 37 mph on electric current alone. Forget about Prius-like fuel economy, though, because the ActiveHybrid X6 is t