THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART XII

TOYOTA 4RUNNER

Remember the days when SUVs were S-U-Vs? 4x4s were 4x4s and off-roading was something you did on the Rubicon Trail, not on the curb outside your child's elementary school. Even as Toyota is (hopefully) returning to its roots with the FT-86, at the other end of the spectrum Toyota is using this 4Runner to prove the company still cares about unique products for unique people.

Let's face facts: the Toyota 4Runner is not the main thruster in Toyota's SUV family anymore. Not with HAC, DAC, A-TRAC, KDSS, auto LSD, Crawl Control, VSC cutoff, skid plates and a website called TrailTracker.com. Not without hybrid availability or models named Sport and SE.

Still, y'ought not be misled. A top-end Toyota 4Runner is fitted with a 15-speaker JBL sound system, voice-activated GPS, a backup camera, and power-operated heated leather seating. Toyota wouldn't want to completely forsake what the 4Runner has become in returning to what the 4Runner once was.

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Engines: 157/270 horsepower; 178/278 lb-ft of torque from a 2.7L inline-four or a 4.0L V6

Base USD Price: $27,500

Cargo Capacity: 89.7 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 5,000 pounds

City Mileage: 17 miles per gallon

Sales Stats: Toyota 4Runner sales in '08 were less than half what Toyota achieved only a few years prior, on a consistent basis, in fact. 2009 has been even worse. Compared with last year, '09 sales are off by about 65%. One way to fix such stagnant figures is to return the vehicle's roots with style and purpose. That's exactly what's been done with the Toyota 4Runner. Whether or not that will take 4Runner sales in North America to Highlander or RAV4 levels remains to be seen.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART XI

SUBARU FORESTER

There's something about the Subaru Forester which makes other good, solid, and capable small SUVs seem bland and uninteresting. Foresters play in a league where competition is ripe - nearly every Forester adversary is, for one reason or another, worth buying. Standing out from the pack isn't an easy task.

Subaru's first ingredient is fun. The Forester is a hoot to chuck around corners. The same can't be said for 90% of the opposition. On the value front, basic Foresters can be had for less money than a CR-V or a RAV4. Subaru did a decent job of cramming cubic feet into the Forester without messing up its clean lines. Nissan couldn't pull off that trick with the Rogue, nor did Jeep with the Compass.

Besides, the Subaru Forester has an element of uniqueness missing from every other small CUV/SUV. The turbocharged XT is somethin' else. Both engines burble like they're not inline-fours (which they aren't). And the Forester, even in base form, doesn't look like a $20-25K car. If not in features than in feel, the Subaru Forester resembles something initially meant for the class above.

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Engines: 170/224 horsepower; 170/226 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5L boxer-four or a turbocharged 2.5L boxer-four

Base USD Price: $20,295

Cargo Capacity: 63-68.3 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 2,400 pounds

City Mileage: 19-20 miles per gallon

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive: Unlike many systems available on the Forester's competition, Subaru's all-wheel drive constantly sends power to all four wheels, not just when slip is detected. Fuji Heavy Industries automotive division has been working on all-wheel drive technology for 40 years. Subaru Forester owners enjoy the fruits of much labour.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART X

NISSAN XTERRA

Superior cargo-carrying proficiency can be found elsewhere. Full-bore towing is a task best undertaken by a larger SUV. Heady acceleration can be more easily accomplished in a truly sporting crossover. The calming influences of luxury aren't likely to be found in this price bracket.

Then again, the Nissan Xterra can carry an awful lot of junk. At the same time, the Xterra will keep a hefty trailer in line. 261 horsepower ain't no joke, neither. Air-con, cruise-control, and keyless entry are standard equipment. Need ye more?

Nissan engineered the Xterra in such a way that each and every one of its skills would be maximized. You, your peeps, and the paraphernalia of yours and your peeps travel swiftly and solidly to destinations unknown. Of course the Nissan Xterra is rough and tumble. But a rough and tumble vehicle is perfect for a rough and tumble world.

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Engines: 261 horsepower; 281 lb-ft of torque from a 4.0L V6

Base USD Price: $22,450

Cargo Capacity: 65.7 cubic feet behind front row

Towing Capability: 5,000 pounds

City Mileage: 15-16 miles per gallon

Original Flavour: Basic Xterras generate 118 more horsepower than the first Xterra of a decade ago. Admittedly, basic Xterras now weigh about 650 pounds more than the progenitor. More interestingly, the current Nissan Xterra pricing is directly in line with the '00 model's when adjusted for inflation.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART IX

MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 BLUETEC & GL450

Stars have aligned perfectly for Mercedes-Benz shoppers since the GL-Class became available in '06. Mercedes has never sought out the status of "Value Bastion". Yet the Benz GL350 Bluetec and the GL450 utilize sticker prices far lower than anticipated to send heart palpitations through any Range Rover owner's heart.

Still, $60-70K is a lot of money. At that price we expect a measure of greatness, an innate sense of go-anywhere-do-anything that can't be found in a regular.... sedan. The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class can ferry large numbers of humans and fill-up with a heap of stuff while hooking up to an Airstream PanAmerica out back. These aren't tasks suited to an S-Class limo or the lovely GLK. This is a serious world. For some people, a very serious vehicle is required.

Before you get too bent out of shape wondering if the GL350 Bluetec and GL450 are all brawn and no brains, consider. The rear-view camera helps you park. A rear panorama sunroof brightens the place up. 610 watts of Harmon/Kardon saturate the cabin. Serenity is basked in as a result of the three-zone automatic climate control. Of course, you'll have to pay extra for some of this stuff. This is a Mercedes-Benz, after all.

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Engines: 210/335 horsepower; 480/339 lb-ft of torque from a turbodiesel 3.0L V6 or 4.7L V8

Base USD Price: $59,950

Cargo Capacity: 83.3 cubic feet behind front row

Towing Capability: 7,500 pounds

City Mileage: 13-17 miles per gallon

G, ML, GLK: It seems like recent history when Mercedes-Benz SUV production was limited to special order G-Wagens. Now the family tree includes that patriarch as well as the best-selling GLK350, the commonplace M-Class, and the jumbo GL.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART VIII

MAZDA CX-9

Don't make any more sacrifices than is absolutely necessary. There are millions of people who need more space than a smart fortwo provides. Not everybody can spend Range Roveresque money on an SUV, either. Anticipating Porsche Boxster Spyder-style handling in anything other than a Porsche probably isn't realistic. And wishing for Jeep Wrangler-like off-road ability is probably pushing it.

But what if you could lay out an interior so intelligently that there was space for seven inside without a gigantic footprint outside? There's nothing wrong with a luxurious ambience. Surely a generous helping of horsepower and handling prowess will make up for the domestic appearance. Off-roading may be off your checklist, but a commanding ride height is helpful.

In the CX-9, Mazda has provided the optimal vehicle. Few, if any, mainstream CUVs are as sporty as the Mazda CX-9. Rarely does a vehicle come along with an interior layout so purposefully (yet stylishly) laid out. Mazda designed a wagon on stilts, and it shows in both handling and height. To be completely honest, the Mazda CX-9 is chock full of compromises. However, Mazda pinpointed the exact location at which these compromises would be most appropriate. In so doing, Mazda nailed each and every one. The Mazda CX-9 is the CUV for the car buyer who wants or even needs everything but needs to settle for a jack of all trades. The CX-9 happens to be one of the best jack of all trades consumers can find.

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Engines: 273 horsepower; 270 lb-ft of torque from a 3.7L V6

Base USD Price: $29,385

Cargo Capacity: 100.7 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 2,000-3,500 pounds

City Mileage: 15-16 miles per gallon

Lug Loads: Three-row SUVs and crossovers are often criticized for being poorly constructed when it comes to cargo carrying competence. Either carry the peeps or the possessions; not both. The Mazda CX-9 can haul a greater volume of goods behind its third row than the Good 12-winning Mazda 6 can fit in its trunk. 17.2 trumps 16.6 cubic feet.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART VII

JEEP WRANGLER

The purchase of a new Jeep Wrangler makes you the envy of the neighbourhood. Oh, don't get me wrong - I know plenty of folks will sneer. They're under the impression that your new SUV (and a true SUV it is) is useless. You won't go off-roading, they're sure. No way are they about to see you loading a refrigerator in the cargo hold. And while driving their Camry Hybrid past the gas station, they haughtily notice you and your Wrangler filling up. For the sixth time this month.

Yet, it's you, oh Wrangler owner, who possesses the joyous feeling. Jeep Wrangler owners are the people driving the exact vehicle they wanted. A small, boxy, tough, quick convertible isn't easy to come by. In fact, the Jeep Wrangler is the only one of its kind. Besides, pedigree is of great worth. It takes decades to get to the point where a vehicle can be so simply introduced: "I bought a Jeep. It's black. I've already taken its top off twice."

Jeep doesn't portend to offer you any more than what you actually get in a Wrangler. Pretensions are nonexistent. Jeep Wranglers are not luxurious, smooth, sporty, spacious, or quiet. The Jeep Wrangler can, however, go anywhere. Anywhere, anytime. Anywhere, anytime, in any weather. For thousands of buyers every year, that's enough.

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Engines: 202 horsepower; 237 lb-ft of torque from a 3.8L V6

Base USD Price: $21,195

Cargo Capacity: 56.5 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 2,000 pounds

City Mileage: 15 miles per gallon

Expenditure Assessment: Option a Wrangler Rubicon to the hilt and the Jeep's value quotient flies out the window and lands somewhere south of the stream bed. Leather, an automatic transmission, the "power convenience group", and a high-end stereo are just some of the items that make a $35,150 MSRP possible.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART VI

INFINITI FX

Back when Infiniti was in elementary school, figuratively speaking, it became clear very quickly that he/she/it wasn't like the other kids. Like a good-looking left-handed child with funky eyewear and a knack for upstaging the popular kids on rare occasions, Infiniti rose to prominence by sticking to his/her/its principles and honing his/her/its talents. To be fair, Infiniti didn't really grow into his/her/its skin until realizing that a bit of normality wouldn't hurt.

Indeed, it wasn't until Infiniti's single mother, Nissan, married a Frenchmen late in life that the Infiniti FX35 and FX45 were born. After a makeover, Infiniti alterred the FX's birth certificates to say FX35 and FX50. To many eyes, the Infiniti FX lost some of its visual appeal during the makeover. Naturally, others disagree. Any child... er, vehicle this polarizing will be loved by some and, unfortunately, hated by others.

Lovers and haters alike can't deny the Infiniti's remarkable sprinting ability. Oft-times it's been said Infiniti ought to force the FX35 and FX50 into a little weight training, something that would bulk up the FX's load-lugging competency. FX driverss care not at all - this Infiniti is all about being different, standing out from the pack. Compromises come more easily to those who appreciate unique flavours.

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Engines: 303/390 horsepower; 262/369 lb-ft of torque froma 3.5L V6 and a 5.0L V8

Base USD Price: $42,400

Cargo Capacity: 62 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 3,500 pounds

City Mileage: 14-16 mpg

Mojave Copper: Not everybody likes the look of the cartoonish Infiniti FX. Every nook and cranny; every swoop and every line is exaggerated. For an even more polarizing effect, Infiniti gives FX buyers the option of Mojave Copper paint, a yellowish-beige meant to make a few particular clients very happy. While at the same time forcing a few onlookers to vomit.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART V

FORD FLEX ECOBOOST

A decade ago, the crazy fast Chevrolet Corvette used a 5.7L V8 to generate 350 lb-ft of torque. The public, including automotive press and Corvette owners, found 350 lb-ft to be hugely effective. Ford's EcoBoost-powered Flex arrives at the 350 lb-ft figure using different methods, in a much larger vehicle; a vehicle with an entirely different purpose. Yet 350 lb-ft of torque, 102 lb-ft more than can be found in the regular Ford Flex, is still a difference maker.

In the first Good 12 Supersize,The Good Car Guy passed over the gorgeous Flex because it had just the one differentiating character trait: style. This Ford's competition, both internal and external, looks nothing at all like the Flex. GoodCarBadCar.net had no trouble honouring the Buick Enclave, another stylish crossover, as that American brute didn't suffer from the feeling of power deficiency and, more importantly, possessed a nature so serene that it could not be ignored.

Fortunately for Ford, seasons change. The Flex is now available with the twin-turbocharged V6 from the Taurus SHO (among others) while its defining character trait remains strong. Space for a large family, the ride height of an SUV, and style befitting of a hip urbanite team up with the thumping V6 to make the Ford Flex EcoBoost a box worth acquiring.

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Engines: 355 horsepower; 350 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6

Base USD Price: $40,090

Cargo Capacity: 83.2 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 4,500 pounds

City Mileage: 16 mpg

White Roof Only: The Ford Fairlane Concept of '05 was a two-tone tall wagon with plenty of side strakes and rear suicide doors. It was lovely. In production, Ford has given buyers the option of a monotone finish. No designer worth his weight in pastel crayons would advise anyone to select their Flex without the white roof. Some buyers do so anyway. This is a very specific GCBC Awards selection - the Ford Flex EcoBoost with a white roof only. Trimmed as such, the Flex looks incredible. Without the contrasting roof, the Flex looks like a delivery van with blingy wheels.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART IV

FORD F-150 SVT RAPTOR

Imagine yourself as a bank robber. Imagine, I said - don't actually.... ya know, rob a bank. We've all attempted to figure out the absolute best getaway vehicle for the post-robbery run to the cabin in the woods. Pre-teens assume Ferrari's 458 Italia and its ability to get up and go is most advantageous. Years bring with them intelligence. Red supercars are conspicuous. Disappearing into the scenery is rather useful, too. Rather than the 458 Italia, a black Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG could be useful.

Then again, to truly get away, you may need to travel to forsaken territories. How 'bout marrying that speed with pure go-anywhere dexterity? That'd be quite a combo. And a truck bed for the bounty wouldn't be the worst thing now, would it?

We're left with one truck, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The Ford's front suspension has 11.2 inches of travel; the rear stretches about one inch further. Tow your trailer. Carry your dirt. Tow your trailer and carry your dirt up and over Mount Katahdin. Do so in style. SVT Raptors are seven inches wider than regular F-Series pickmeups, a dimension emphasized by side marker lights strung out on the Ford's temples. No other truck looks half as good as the SVT Raptor. No other truck can go half as many places as the Raptor. Ostensibly, that makes the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor about twice as good as any other truck.

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Engines: 310/400; 365/400 from a 5.4L V8 and a 6.2L V8

Base USD Price: $38,995

Cargo Capacity: 55.5 cubic feet of exterior cargo volume

Maximum Towing Capability: 6,000 pounds

City Mileage: 14 mpg

Special Parts: BFGoodrich All-Terrain 315/70-17 tires, internal bypass shocks from Fox Racing Shox, functional hood extractors, Hill Descent Control, Off-Road Mode, 4.10:1 differential, and 13.8" front brake discs are only some of the unique-to-the-Raptor components found on every Ford F-150 SVT Raptor before options have been added.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART III

CHEVROLET AVALANCHE

Don't worry. You're not alone. There are other people buying vehicles with V8 engines. Moreover, people are still buying jumbo SUVs and full-size trucks. In terms of your unfounded guilt for considering the Chevrolet Avalanche, keep this fact in mind: plenty of others can't decide between a jumbo SUV and a full-size truck, either. They, too, settle on the Chevavalanche.

With political leaders meeting at the Copenhagen climate summit, it's not hard to see why you'd struggle with the thought of a multi-ton truck with SUVesque people carrying capaciousness. One five-passenger car plus a regular pickup truck would be a whole lot more inefficient. Besides, there's joy to be had with a Chevrolet Avalanche; the kind of joy that stems from dropping a midgate and shoving lumber into the cabin or raising the midgate and shutting the outside world.... out.

Chevrolet Avalanches are the pickup trucks for regular folk, the kind of guy (or gal) who almost needs a truck and surely can't survive with just a car. An Avalanche is a truck for the multitasker, a pickup for the family man, the SUV for the go-to girl.

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Engines: 320 horsepower; 335 lb-ft of torque from a 5.3L V8

Base USD Price: $35,725

Cargo Capacity: 45.5 cubic feet of exterior cargo volume

Maximum Towing Capability: 5,100-5,400 pounds

City Mileage: 15 mpg

Tier Two: You may've heard of another couple trucks manufactured by General Motors: the Silverado and Sierra? It's safe to say an Avalanche is sold once for every thirty Silverado/Sierra pickups. If this makes you think the Avalanche isn't good enough for anybody else so therefore won't be good enough for you, fuhgeddaboudit. Avalanche customers are opting into something very specific. Silverados and Sierras go out to all kinds of different folk looking for all kinds of different truck.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART II

BUICK ENCLAVE

In the inaugural Good 12 Supersize, the Buick Enclave grabbed hold of a position with many thanks to its designers. The Buick Enclave's design hasn't changed during the interim and no large crossover has appeared with a more resolved visage. Thus, the Enclave is found firmly entrenched in The Good 12 Supersize v2.0.

There's more to the big bruiser of a Buick than strong exterior styling. The inside's pretty fine, too. Opulent in every way - especially when it comes to an absurdly low decibel reading - the belly of this Buick is a place to whittle away hours upon hours; miles upon miles of interstate. Chuck a few friends in the back. Chuck the stuff of your friends behind your friends. Be content.

"But it's still a Buick," you say. Yeah, I say that, too. And then I say, "Would I want the best and most beautiful or the second-best, less beautiful but better-badged option?" The answer's obvious. That's why the Buick Enclave is here in The Good 12 Supersize v2.0 and the Lexus RX is not.

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Engines: 280 horsepower; 270 lb-ft of torque from a 3.6L V6

Base USD Price: $35,215

Cargo Capacity: 115 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 2,000 pounds

City Mileage: 16-17 mpg

Activator: Buick is huge in China. In its home market of America, however, this sub-Cadillac brand has struggled for the last.... well, since I can remember. Nonetheless, the Enclave represents the start of a new era for Buick. The gorgeous second-gen LaCrosse is now on stream and the even better-looking Regal will be here soon. For a lesson in how to sell cars, hear ye this: build good product. Buick decided to heed the advice.

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THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE v2.0 - PART I

AUDI Q5

The four-ringed badge of Audi has always played a special role in the life of The Good Car Guy. It's hard to escape the effect a brand can have when, from birth, the smell and feel and atmosphere of a car company is embossed on one's consciousness. The Q5 is the quintessential modern Audi: a handsome and successful response to a growing segment. A handful of competitors were greeting the Audi Q5 when it first landed in dealers about a year ago. Audi managed to ascertain the potential customer's wishlist and then blended its own core values into a new segment with as little compromise as possible.

Spacious, stylish, and speedy, the Audi Q5 is to the small luxury SUV category what the Audi R8 is to the supercar establishment. Coming just a little out of right field, the Q5 - and the R8, too - aren't the most obvious choice but, upon closer inspection, reveal themselves to be the exceeders of expectations. Can I really have this much cool for this much money?

Apparently I can. We expect good interiors from Audi. Audi's Q5 innards are great. We expect a sporting nature from a new Audi. Q5s top the class in that department. Design is the factor which took Audi from also-ran status to the belief that, later on next decade, it could be the largest luxury brand in the world. The Q5? Mmm-hmm, one of the company's most cohesively styled current products.

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Engines: 270 horsepower; 243 lb-ft of torque from a 3.2L V6

Base USD Price: $37,350

Cargo Capacity: 57.3 cubic feet behind front row

Maximum Towing Capability: 4,400 pounds

City Mileage: 18 mpg

Stiff Competition: The Good Car Guy's visceral response to the Mercedes-Benz GLK landed that vehicle on GoodCarBadCar.net's 100 Favourite Cars list. On the other hand, the BMW X3 was in The Bad 8 Supersize last year. (Will it be again in v2.0?) Other opponents include the fun-to-drive Acura RDX, Infiniti's wagon-like EX35, the stylish new Volvo XC60, and Land Rover's butch LR2, all of which the Audi routinely out-sells. All but the Benz, that is.

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THE GOOD 12 v3.0 - PART XII

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WAGON 2.0 TDI CLEAN DIESEL

Just before The Good 12 Supersize v2.0 begins, another wagon creeps into The Good 12 v3.0. Along with the BMW 3-Series Touring, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, and Toyota Venza is this, the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. On the heels of vastly improved front fascia styling and small but meaningful changes underneath its skin, the new Jetta SportWagen TDI is definitely worth consideration as a new car purchase in 2010.

Don't fool yourself into believing that, as a turbodiesel, this Jetta SportWagen TDI is going to save you bucketloads of money. On the surface, Volkswagen doesn't really sell value anymore. First, you pay a healthy sum for the vehicle. Then you pay a little extra for wagonized utility. Okay, now fork over some more hard-earned cash for the diesel option. We're not in Honda Civic territory now, are we?

In fact, we're not even close. This ignores one of the biggest reasons-for-buying people discover on a Volkswagen test drive: feel. While it's true that Volkswagen wants an awful lot for this car, you'll feel like you're driving something worth an awful lot. Knobs, switches, buttons, and materials all feel as though they came from a much more expensive vehicle. The lack of vibration through the pedals are more reminiscent of the class above than the class below. Besides, people in those little cars with their alleged 30 mpg ratings have to stop for gas sometimes. In the Jetta SportWagen TDI, pulling over for a fill-up occurs little more than every 400 miles or so.... in city driving.

There's much more to the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI than the TDI engine. Every review of this VeeDub doesn't need to be limited to two topics of discussion: efficiency and emissions. Diesel-burning Jettas are fun to drive; 236 lb-ft of torque makes sure of that. Jetta SportWagens provide the atmosphere of a luxury car without the luxury car price and without a handful of luxury car accouterments. On the plus side, Volkswagen's Jetta SportWagen TDI happens to burn only a little fuel and does so with the planet's hygiene in mind.

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Engines: 140 horsepower; 236 lb-ft of torque from a turbodiesel 2.0L inline-four

Base USD Price: $25,060

City Mileage: 30 mpg

49th Parallel: What's with the naming conundrum? The 2010 wagonized version of Volkswagen's small car rides on the sixth-generation platform of the Volkswagen Golf. Plans are afoot for the Jetta, still a Golf MkV car, to fill a lower-priced role as a smaller car in the near future. It appears as though Volkswagen Canada decided to market the new wagon as the newer, better car that it is, seeing as how it rides on improved fifth-gen Golf architecture. No longer a Jetta in Canada, the wagon is now the Golf it's kinda-sorta always been. Volkswagen of America stayed the course.

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