THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE - PART III

CHEVROLET AVALANCHE

Avoiding attempts to provide commercial enterprises with an in-depth recommendation (likely ending in a crew-cab dualie with a diesel from one of the Detroit Three), GoodCarBadCar.net is focusing on families who use trucks as transportation but need a beast for other tasks as well. Carrying dirt, towing boats, doing both at the same time.... with five passengers. The kind of work at which the Chevrolet Avalanche excels.

Step back to the first-generation Avalanche and your memory is justifiably tainted. That Chevy was so freaking ugly, it became difficult to consider it as a viable alternative to other trucks or SUVs. But the Avalanche cleaned up well. Chevrolet discovered that buyers were in love with what the Avalanche could do and didn't need to be differentiated for the benefit of regular Silverado/F-150 consumers.

What exactly can the Avalanche do? The Avalanche's mid-gate opens the door to a variety of cargo-carrying options.  With the rear-bench folded (shrinking people-carrying capacity to three) the Avalanche's bed becomes an 8'2"x4' weather-protected box. Bed length increases from 63.3" to 98.2" with the mid-gate open. Remove the rear glass and open the cargo cover for taller junk. The actual mid-gate is a lightweight composite that resists scratches and dings.

One special feature isn't enough to secure a Good 12 Supersize victory, however. Thank goodness the Avalanche is based on the Silverado/Suburban foundation that is known to be one of, if not the best truck platforms around. Add stellar small-block V8 engines, excellent transmissions and a well-configured interior. Back of the net.

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Engines: 310 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque from a 5.3L V8 or 366 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque from a 6.0L V8

City Mileage: 12-14 miles per gallon

Base USD Price: $34,960

Cargo Capacity: 45.5 cubic feet of exterior cargo volume

Towing Capability: 5,000-5,500 pounds

THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE - PART II

BUICK ENCLAVE

Simply put, the Buick Enclave exemplifies the best of the new breed of full-size SUVs. Call it a General Motors-developed Lambda crossover or CUV if you like. The fact is, future versions of GM's true full-size sport-utes will be more like the Enclave rather than less. Demerited for toughness on the towing front, Buick garners cred for offering plenty of space and oodles of luxury in a stunning package. 

Handling isn't sporty, but the Enclave's dynamic mannerisms would lead you to believe the big Buick weighs less than 4,985 pounds; a very good thing. Besides, the ride quality is supremely serene. Cockpit comfort was a priority for Buick designers. Result. Though surely not perceived as a rocket, the Enclave moves about with ease and won't struggle whatsoever on any mountain climbs. 

Best of all, the aforementioned stunning imagery. No direct competitor presents as gorgeous an option to consumers. Can we allow the badge to get in our way of honouring the best large premium CUV? Apparently not. The Buick Enclave is now part of the first Good 12 Supersize.

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Engines: 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque from a 3.6L V6

City Mileage: 16-17 miles per gallon

Base USD Price: $35,070

Cargo Capacity: 115 cubic feet behind front row

Towing Capability: 2000 pounds

THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE - PART I

AUDI Q5

Content to let the SUV party fly by, Audi was very late adding the Q7 to its roster. Based not only on the success of that model but also on the need to expand into more niches if it's to overtake BMW and Mercedes-Benz globally, Audi now positions the Q5 as a competitor in an ever-growing segment that is already filled by BMW, Acura, and Land Rover and will soon be graced by the Mercedes-Benz GLK's entrance.

Yet the Audi is the vehicle which comes to mind as the perfect small luxury utility vehicle. Not ironically, the "car" alternative in The Good 12 v2.0 is from Audi as well; the A4 Avant. Built with some of the A4's parts, the Q5 is a tour de force on the road. As expected from this premium Volkswagen subsidiary, the Q5 is gorgeous as well.

Combine dynamics and exterior class with Audi's sublime interiors and technology that runs rampant and you have a small SUV/crossover that reeks of desirability. The Audi Q5 has pull; something that draws you in and urges you to stick around. Competitors? No, the Q5 has underlings.

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Engines: 265 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque from a 3.2L V6

City Mileage: est. 19 miles per gallon

Base USD Price: $37,200

Cargo Capacity: 55 cubic feet behind front row

Towing Capability: 4,400 pounds

THE GOOD 12 SUPERSIZE - INTRO

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, and for the next twelve days, to witness the unveiling of twelve vehicles with high roofs. These vehicles have been specially hand-picked by The Good Car Guy as the SUVs, trucks, vans, crossovers, CUVs, and SUTs that North Americans should be driving in 2009. If, that is, the cars found in The Good 12 v2.0 are not capable of handling one's lifestyle.

Though it would be easy and rather glorious to showcase twelve of the finest family vehicles on the face of the Earth, sport-utes like the supercharged Range Rover or extended-wheelbase Cadillac Escalade, many variables must be taken into consideration. Firstly, to gain entry to this, The Good 12 Supersize, the base MSRP in U.S. dollars for any and all must be less than $72,000. Secondly, not everyone has $71,000 to spend. Thirdly, GoodCarBadCar.net hates dullness. Finally, because The Good Car Guy appreciates well-rounded automobiles, GoodCarBadCar.net must also manifest a well-rounded repertoire.

Why twelve? Last year, The Good 12 began with twelve cars, of course. This year, The Good 12 v2.0 continued the tradition. How could we break free from that? Besides, surely there must be twelve vehicles that are not cars that could be recommended, not only one, as publications with SUVOTY competitions hold forth.

Thus, from today, the 20th of December until New Year's Eve, one vehicle per day will be released to The Good Car Nation with reasoning, a brief spec list, and well-deserved accreditation. Stick around. And check back on New Year's Day for The Bad 8 v2.0 and The Bad 8 Supersize, when the vehicles you should avoid are introduced in this space.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 EN MASSE

It's time to let you in on a little secret. Since November 7th, GoodCarBadCar.net's The Good 12 v2.0 has been available on YouTube. True, it was fairly hidden away and there was no info other than pictures of each car that would make it to the list. But considering the popularity of the first Good 12, it strikes The Good Car Guy funny that this year's has been available for more than a month. Anyway, thanks for tuning in for the last twelve days. The Good 12 Supersize starts tomorrow with the twelve trucks, vans, and SUVs you should be buying in 2009 if nothing on the regular Good 12 is suitable. The video that's been on YouTube since early November is below.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part XII

VOLKSWAGEN GTI

Europeans are already able to purchase the sixth-generation Golf, a car we'll eventually know as the Rabbit. More importantly, the next-generation GTI has already been revealed. It looks good. In fact, the GTI mkVI looks like it may improve upon the mkV's appearance, economy, and performance. 

Yet the current GTI manages to assemble enough support from The Good Car Guy to claim a second Good 12 crown on the merits of an aging car that was here last year because of " a rediscovered down-the-road adeptness". It is the chassis that cuts muster again. The VeeDub's steering forges a link that already binds mind-to-hands by sending streaming footage of the road beneath. This isn't Lotus Elise-like stuff we're talking about; just good old-fashioned driving fun, the kind that is as enjoyable at 20 mph exiting your subdivision as it is at 85 mph on a twisty on-ramp.

The VW GTI's excellence must be understood with a grain of Civic Si nonetheless. Honda's 197-horsepower hottie is a great accomplishment. The simple fact that Volkswagen makes it here and Honda doesn't ought to speak volumes about the German, a vehicle that indulges more readily without depriving its owners of any practical sensibility.

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Engines: 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder

City Mileage: 21-22 mpg

Base USD Price: $22,990

Anything Else? Want to turn your high-value uber-hatch into a high-priced luxo-barge? Opt for a DSG transmission, sat-nav, upgraded wheels, and other accessories and you'll easily top $30K on the way to $34,000.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part XI

SMART FORTWO

In possession of children? A tower of boats or ATVs? Then keep reading on behalf of your unmarried cousin or the young couple next door with the bachelor apartment. The two-time Good 12-winning smart fortwo is not likely for you.

However, the smart fortwo is very much the automobile for some people. Liking the smart fortwo isn't an option. This is a love it or hate it car. The lovers are those people for whom the Mercedes-developed small car is an entirely viable option while haters originate in large family circles or rural areas. Skeptics also point to the fortwo's low horsepower rating, forgetting that in typical daily driving, they're about as likely to use two-thirds of their car's horsepower as they are to see green lights all the way to work. 

In essence, smart's city car (which does fine outside the city, mind you) performs its tasks admirably, effectively, and efficiently. It is the equivalent of a Porsche 911 GT2 lapping the Nurburgring in 7:30 or a Chevrolet Suburban towing 10,000 pounds or a Honda Odyssey ferrying seven passengers in safety and comfort. Expectations declared - expectations met. Until Scion brings us the iQ or Volkswagen debuts the production up!, there won't be a perfect combatant with which to compare the accomplished and competent fortwo.

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Engines: 70 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque from a 1.0L inline-three cylinder 

City Mileage: 33-36 mpg

Base USD Price: $11,990

Anything Else? Meyers Parking facilities in New York City (a prime smart fortwo market) offer parking rate reductions of 50% to fortwo owners. This is one of many additional savings (insurance, fuel, maintenance) that must be taken into account by critics of the fortwo's 'supposed' small footprint/high price ratio.