10 Great Mini-UTEs Reviewed

The world of small SUVs are proliferating throughout every brand.

We've selected a few Mini-Utes and arbitrarily selected those that are 160-180" in length, meaning micro-minis and land barges don't count in this match-up.

Remember this is Auto STYLING News, not auto performance news, so regardless of how powerful it is under the hood (and most of these ARE quite powerful) looks, at least here, matter more.

Prices are listed here are for 2013 list prices, but bear in mind, as later model year SUVs are rolling out, you may be able to snap these up for far less coin!

We'll rate each from between one and four stars, with four being the best "lookers" of the bunch. The list is alphabetical.

*** BMW X1 175" $30,650

The branding here is excellent. One recognizes it instantly as a BMW with its kidney-shaped grille, BMW badging, and Hoffmeister kink (which BMW created) in the third window, which nonetheless doesn't obscure the driver's view - a common problem in this category, as we'll see in the other reviews. Overall a very well-wrought vehicle, though one could quibble with such a long hood length.


*** Buick Encore 168" $24,200

This is GM's Cute-Ute for the Buick brand. Some fans of this brand may not want to buy a tiny version of the venerable Buick name, but others may want to pare down and get away from the Dinosaurs that GM's rivals are portrayed as in the car's ads. The proportions are a bit Mini Cooper-like and that will scare some away, and rear visibility seems obscured a bit by a very large C-pillar, but overall a very nice design.

**** Ford Escape 178" $22,470

This is a home-run for Ford, with beautifully proportioned front-end that isn't overpowered by the upper or lower grille nor the size of the headlamps - a common error on cars these days. The lines flow nicely over the roof with "Sportage-style" rails and a nice Reverse-Hoffmeister kink that shows up on many other Sport Utes but seems to really complement the lines here.

*** Hyundai Tuscon 173" $19,245

The Tuscon has gone from a bland vehicle to a stand-out in just a few years, and this is a beautifully designed Sport Ute. The front grille, bisected with a curved bar and a small Hyundai badge, is well integrated with the short hood, which radically sweeps upward to the windscreen, giving the car a feeling of swift movement. Head lights are complimented by appropriately-sized fog lamps here. The only issue may be with visibility in the rear, with the tiny third window framed with a perhaps too-large rear panel. Still, the overall look is fantastic and is clearly identified as a Hyundai.


*** Kia Sportage 175" $19,000

The Sportage has always looked nice and so does this version. One might say this one is a bit chunky though, with a high hood, large grille and high door sills that create a "Concept Car" style greenhouse. The head and rear lights are well proportions. Though the extremely large C-Pillars must create visibility issues. Among the cheapest of the bunch reviewed here, the KIA is well worth a look.

*** Mazda CX-5 179" 21,195

The longer, shark-like hood and grille treatment that Mazda recently adopted for its entire line-up is incredibly attractive and suits its image as an innovative brand. The way the head lamps merge into the grille, with an apparent downward force, is also well done. The Reverse-Hoffmeister is present here, creating a bit of an odd shape behind it. The tail lamps are large and mimic the head lamps' style and size.

**** Mercedes-Benz GLK 178" $37,090

Riding high and with a huge greenhouse, this Mercedes is clearly a luxury brand and is unmistakably a Mercedes Benz. It's also got a Benz price tag, so it had better be worth it! The large but well proportioned grille sports the company tri-star, and the aggressive lines moving across the doors give it a sense of style and speed even while standing still. The functional roof rack adds character and an outdoorsy feel to the car, and small C-pillars in the rear give it heft but not sight-line problems for the driver.


*** Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 169" $19,170

The "Shark-like" appearance of the Outlander has offended and shocked some auto reviewers but its just that aggressiveness that gives it character and oomph. The slightly sloping side lines (shown well in this almost matte black photo) are nicely done, and it's clear that visibility isn't an issue with this Mini-SUV, either. The grille is better than the rather prissy one on the ghastly, clunky 2014 Outlander.





**** Toyota RAV4 180" $23,300

The RAV4 underwent a redesign in 2013, and it remains a very attractive vehicle - among the pioneers of the Sport-Ute style. The front end is clean and crisp, as expected from a Toyota. The greenhouse looks large and the Reverse-Hoffmeister side window is nicely done and causes less alarm than in other cars by the delicate curvature of the roofline, which, along with the rising door sills, means that visibility remains acceptable. The tail lights floating away from the rear of the car are as interesting as they are innovative.

** VW Tiguan 174" $22,995

The Tiguan, like all VWs, is an acquired taste. The snout is rather aggressive and unpleasant, while the rest of the body is oddly malformed and seems to be the creation of a committee within VW. There does appear to be great visibility from the greenhouse, however, and the lines are clean and it's certainly consistent with the brand.

And Five others...

** Fiat 500L 167" $18,000 - Larger than the other Fiat.
** Ford C-MAX 174" $25,200 - A cute Ute that looks like a Fiesta on steroids.
** Mini Cooper Countryman 162" $22,000 - Larger than the other Mini.
* Nissan Juke 162" $20,280 - If you can stand the crazy lights, buy this one. Otherwise, wait until they're gone on the 2014 version.
** Subaru XV Crosstrek 175" $21,995 - A car on stilts. Interesting tail lights. Otherwise, not interesting.

10 Mid-Sized 2013 Sedans: Styling Analysis

Americans looking for a mid-sized Sedan have many, many choices, and the sweet spot of the $20,900-$22,500 range is particularly rich in diversity and style.

Since we are primarily concerned with exterior styling, we're going to focus on that, although all of these models feature engines that are highly evolved from those just a decade ago, as well as far better fuel economy. And almost all of these come in slightly different wrappings with higher mileage "Eco" or Hybrid options, which add about $8,000-$10,000 in cost to the prices below.

Let us begin.

Toyota Camry $22,235 - MOST YAWN-INSPIRING

The Camry is a reliable, solid, dependable car. And it looks like it, too. The styling of the Camry is definitely not out-of-date, but it always has a way of looking like it is. The revised front fascia is an improvement over the immediate previous model, which looked too plastic-y.

The fog lamps add visual interest, but just somewhat, and not enough to boost it into the "wow" range. And it's not supposed to be that kind of car, anyway. The rear of the car is well put-together, but again, yawn.


Chevy Malibu $21,995 - MOST GENERAL MOTORS-Y

The Malibu is a steadily evolving body style that isn't at all unpleasant to look at, and I've generally been a fan of the direction this model has been going. But it's also not anything special to look at, and that's a problem. For a car at the higher end in the sedan market's price point, you'd expect a lot more style, but it just isn't there.

The front end is pleasant enough, and it's clearly identifiable as a Chevy on your first glance. The head lamps are a bit over-large, but so is the grille area and the hood itself. The overall look is one of molded plastic, which is not a good look. The sides are free from the creases or other visual cues that would make it more distinctive and add at least SOME visual interest. As it stands, it has nearly none. The rear is a departure, featuring four square tail lamps that are very attractive and are historic throw-backs to earlier models. This, oddly, makes this car more interesting from behind than up front. GM needs to keep working on this car's styling to hit the right notes.

Ford Fusion $21,900 - BEST OVERALL!

The Fusion is in the middle of the pack in pricing but at the top of the heap in styling. This is Ford's Wunderkind, and is absolutely gorgeous. Its grille, which instantly brings to mind Aston Martin (a brand which used to reside in Ford's stable of vehicles) is gorgeous, well-proportioned and the culmination of sleek creases in the softly bulging hood.

The head lamps are squinting works of art, which I bet in the next version will be a bit wider, but are nonetheless nicely done here and properly proportioned to the hood. The sides feature a crease mark high on the door panels, cleverly bisecting the door handles and slightly curving downward to give the rear some visual heft. The tail lights are smart hexagons framing another hexagon between them, all of which is as nicely executed as the front. Overall, this is Ford's masterpiece.

Nissan Altima $21,760 - MOST COHESIVE STYLING

This Altima is all-new, and is one sharp car. The grille features a unique "pinched" look that's nicely framed in aluminum and sets off the stunning head lamps which mimic the subtle "kink" in the grille. The sides are rather muted (with a subtle BMW-style "Hoffmeister kink" for the rear window) but the rear features a perhaps over-large aluminum strip setting off - or one could say, holding IN - tail lamps that look, from a certain angle, as if they're going to fall right off the sides! Still, a repeat of the "kink" in both the head and rear lamps shows a cohesiveness in style, though it may not be to everyone's liking.


Honda Accord $21,680 - MOST COMPETENT DESIGN

One look at the Accord shows that there are definitely some nice elements here, although a second or third look will give one the sense that these are rather derivative of previous models and are kind of bland. The grille is nice, but not over-done, the head lamps are a bit large but are quite nice, too. There's some good creasing on the sides, but not overpowering. The rear tail lamps are perhaps over-large, but well put-together with a subtle aluminum device. Again, there's nothing exciting here, but also nothing offensive. And that's just as they wanted it, I'm sure.

Kia Optima $21,350- MOST SAAB-LIKE

The Optima is an attractive car, and it's moderate price tag comes with a lot of style. That much of its style is derivative of other cars is almost immaterial. Its head lamps resemble the Accord's, though they're connected by way of a uniquely Kia grille that is easily recognizable. The LED lights in the fog lamp assembly are clever, but are becoming ubiquitous, and look a bit like aftermarket add-ons here. Its Buick-style side ports are cliches, but seem to add a bit of flourish to the otherwise flat side panel. The rear trunk is slickly sloping and reminds you of the late SAAB brand, and in fact, when one squints and looks at the front and rear from the view above, the whole car does! The tail lamps are beautifully wrought, and thankfully lack the near-standard aluminum bar connecting them. The half-curve at the bottom of the tail lamps is quite attractive, since they're indented.

Hyundai Sonata $21,195 - MOST ATTRACTIVE

The Sonata is stunningly beautiful, the most curvacious of this entire class, and the revamped, sixth-generation model of this old standard is probably responsible for the good looks of many of the other models in this class. We've always been appreciative of its impact on this entire class of cars. The nicely notched grille, with creases flowing down from the hood, is framed (or "hugged") by two elongated and quite stunning head lamps. The large, pronounced crease juts out on the side and door panels are  unique to this car, but have again been imitated (somewhat) by other models like the Accord and others outside this class. They continue onto the back of the trunk, gently caressing the tail lamps. And those elongated tail lamps are stunning, connected by an aluminum bar that looks as if its holding them together and doing so elegantly in one of the most pleasant rear panels of the class.

Mazda 6 $20,880 - MOST IMPROVED

The prow of the 2013 and 2014 Mazda 6 is stunningly beautiful and instantly recognizable. It's also a 500% improvement over the last iteration, which was wan and weak and had almost no visual appeal. The grille seems pulled out onto the far edge of a curvaceous hood, which makes a quick drop towards a nicely-proportioned grille featuring a large but not overly large) Mazda emblem, bisected by an aluminum line that sits just right in the upper quadrant. This front end is a work of art, and the art continues with aggressive head lamps that seem to flow into the grille work. The underside features a balanced grille and sharply pointed fog lamps that complement the lights. The rest of the car curves gently upwards and then down towards tail lamps that resemble the heads, with rounded LEDs inside, connected with the ubiquitous aluminum connectors that seem to just sit there, though comfortably, between them.

VW Passat $20,845 - MOST READY FOR THE CHINESE MARKET

Let's not waste much time on the Volkswagen Passat, because it's just about the most bland and derivative car in its class when styling alone is considered. The previous version had far more visual interest when it wasn't trying to morph into a Honda. The grille and lamp fixtures are bland and poorly executed, and if you took away the large-ish VW logo in the center, we would be hard-pressed to identify this car's brand. In fact, it looks like a mid-2000s KIA or Honda, which is damning in today's competitive market. VW can do better, and they must, especially if they want to ask over $20K for this vehicle.


Chrysler 200 $20,795 - UGLIEST FRONT FASCIA/MOST FIXABLE

The poor Chrysler 200 has been fully dissected here before and the 2013 model is not improved from the 2011 model which bowed with a new name. This car is the child of the Sebring, which had a poor reputation as rental fleet fodder but at least had head lamps that were well-proportioned. These look blind, with odd "eyebrows" above them and they seem stranded on the sides of the hood, with a too-small grille lonely in the center. The sides look exactly like the Sebring, which I believe is a good thing. The upward slanting crease is nice, as is the roof's curvature above the rear window, which ends in a black triangle rather than a "kink" or a too-small window. The rear is done nicely, with tail lamps that lap gently onto the sides of the raised trunk area and reach out to "grab" an aluminum bar that pulls it together nicely under the graceful Chrysler logo. If they can re-work the front fascia for 2014 (or perhaps give us the concept car design that was promised) this car DOES have a chance. But as it stands, it's hardly worth the nearly $21K base price, and competes better with the $16K Chevy Cruze, which it resembles.

Pinterest contest picks Buick Encore colors

Mashable highlights a contest by Buick to pick the interior and exterior colors for its newly redesigned 2013 Encore luxury car:

Following a call from nine influential design, fashion and food bloggers to create Pinterest boards speaking to their personal style and passions, the company unveiled the winning pinner on Wednesday night at the New York Auto Show.

The "Pinterest to Dashboard" contest is a part of an effort to connect with a younger audience and show a different, more playful side of the brand.

The top collection came from a Pennsylvania-based bed and breakfast owner Michael Wurm Jr. — who has nearly four million followers on Pinterest. His boards, which featured sea foam-colored tones and beach scenes, were picked as the inspiration for new color palates, textures and design features in the existing car.

Perhaps coincidentally, the colors fall within the family history of Buick, reminiscent of the sea foam blue/green shades prevalent in the late 1950s and early 1960s (and even later eras) especially the sea foam blue interior. (see examples below.) It's even possible that this color was even original to Buicks of a bygone era, and they pulled out the color sticks to match it.

While ostensibly the contest sought to reconnect (or connect for the first time) with younger drivers, this may actually help reconnect with OLDER drivers, especially former Buick owners who want to recapture that '60s look and feel that Buick somehow lost over the past few decades.

It would actually go beyond the "interesting" into "awesome" territory if each interior was to be completely customizable to each customer's taste. Of course all cars are, up to a point, but what if the palate was wide and extremely varied? A truly bespoke Buick like this would be a major boost for the Buick division - taking it from ho-hum luxury to bespoke luxury on a Bentley level. Imagine what that would do for the brand.

A quick note on the styling of the vehicle itself, the word "handsome" comes to mind. While surely a small vehicle, the front proportions seem well rounded and properly sized, although some will squint and see a larger version of the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix.

1978 Buick Skylark:

 

 1962 Buick Invicta station wagon:

  1954 Buick Skylark:

Touching Subaru ad highlights 2013 BRZ styling

This touching ad is from Subaru for the 2013 BRZ, for the Japanese market. You don't really need a translation, the emotions are universal.

Making of the Pagani Huayra (video)

National Geographic's excellent documentary of the making of the Pagani Huayra, an amazing - and amazingly beautiful - supercar.

With the MKZ and New Lincoln Motor Co. Moniker, Ford Crosses its Fingers

Well, it's a brand new day over at Lincoln - or should I say "Lincoln Motor Company" (I'm calling it LiMoCo.) As the video above shows, the Ford subsidiary (since 1922) has just relaunched itself with this new moniker and with the new MKZ as a halo car, which, no question, is a pretty car, based on the Ford Fusion (itself a pretty car.) Hopefully it's one with enough differentiation to justify the higher price tag.

So far, the car, and the company, looks good, though with 90 years of badge engineering - simply changing the badge from "Ford" to "Lincoln" with a few cosmetic changes inside and out - it's a history that breeds skepticism.

The introduction video comes with a slick new website (www.lincoln.com) that's large on graphics and hype but not much else. A hybrid MKZ will be available that gets 45 MPG in both city and highway driving, that's something to crow about. The rest of the fleet getting as low as 17 MPG is not, however. No doubt it all balances out to meet Federal standards, though, just as the Ford fleet does with its hybrid(s) and electric Focuses (Foci?)

The MKZ itself has a lot to recommend it. It's exterior features a slim, tasteful windswept grille and a handsome, though seemingly Dodge Charger-inspired rear lamp assembly. The tiny rear window is attractive and not at all derivative of the BMW "Hofmeister Kink" as so many others have been.

The back window hints at great aerodynamics, and the squared-off dual tailpipes are sufficiently exotic.

The interior features an acceptable level of luxury, with all the right wood and leather in the right places. The placement of the shift buttons (yes, buttons) on the center console are at once eyebrow-lifting and interesting - perhaps even logical. The buttons on the Aston Martin-like center console are flush and polished nicely, and there's no question one is inside a luxury car.

Hopefully, this attractive and serviceably luxurious MKZ and the new re-branding can pull the brand out of the trash bin, where it has been tossed by many dismissive customers for decades now.

Jaguar video of the 2013 F-Type Shows One Sexy Tiger!

Jaguar has released official video of the 2013 F-Type. The curves and sexiness of the vehicle are unmistakably Jag.

Some may question the "J" in the headlamps as a bit "Audi," but they are definitely unique. Less controversial will by the tail lights, which are thin and sexy.

What do you think? Sex on Wheels, or Misfire?

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish. It will vanquish you.

The 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish is a gorgeous vehicle, there's no doubt about that.

The video below is the official unveiling of the car to the public by the company (though it was also shown earlier this summer.)

The lines and curves - not to mention the extremely powerful and easily recognizable exhaust note! - are uniquely and clearly Aston Martin. If anyone were to criticize, ever so slightly, it would be the tail lamps, which look kind of like cut-outs of lamps, where the tail lamps were supposed to go. (Though close-up, and at night, they do look more spectacular than a first glance would suggest.

That said, these are the kinds of details that grow on you in a car like this. And if Toyota can foist tail lamps onto the millions like they have with the Camry's "comma-shaped" lamps, these will suffice for the few who buy Astons- and these surely are better and more nicely defined.

The interior of the vehicle is masterfully crafted, and will take your breath away.

Watch this astounding video and see if you fall in love:

Designers Discuss the 2013 Range Rover (video)

In this officially produced video, designers discuss their rationale in re-sculpting the 2013 Range Rover.

It is, of course, a bit over-the-top in their verbal efforts, as usual for these kinds of video productions (especially for luxury vehicles like this.)

And yet... the design does indeed seem to have hit the mark and evokes the "heritage" of the famous British nameplate.

What do you think?

2013 Mustang Ad Gets a Huge Checkered Flag (and so does the car!)

The introductory ad for the 2013 Ford Mustang "Unleash Yours" was debuted during the Daytona 500 back in late February (and a day earlier on Google and Facebook.) It definitely gets the "checkered flag" and a victory lap, both for cleverness in execution, style and effectiveness. Check it out, below.



The ad nails it by understanding that Mustang is an aspirational brand that everyone has, at one time, wished it could own and envisions what THEIR car would look like if their wishes came true.

The ad features four people viewing the new car as a runs down a city street: a woman, a tatooed chef, a cyclist and a little girl. Each see the car in their own favorite colors, exemplified by the clothes their personal styles and clothes.

The girl, wearing a pink tutu, blows away stereotypes by envisioning something far more radical than a pretty little pink car one would assume she'd enjoy.

Since last Fall, Ford has played up the aspirational character of the brand with the Mustang Customizer, which tempts fans of the car with the tagline, "Deep down, you know you want to," and allows users to choose color, transmission type and other packages (which quickly add to the $22,000 base price, as it's tabulated below the car.)

Clearly, the customizer, which has been used by four million fans, and the video, which has had over a million views on YouTube, has struck a nerve, as has the car.

"We know that Mustang owners are incredibly passionate about their car," says Matt VanDyke, director of U.S. Marketing Communications for Ford. "Rather than just show features and benefits, our new ad demonstrates how people see the product as an extension of who they are. We believe that everyone has an inner Mustang just waiting to be unleashed.”

2013's Mustang iteration looks as classic and beautiful as it always has (except for a while there in the late 80s and early 90s, but let's not ruin a good discussion here.)

New for 2013 are some seriously bad-ass headlamps which powerful LEDs, and a slicker hood design that droops over the classically-refined grille. The tail lamps look like they belong on a Mustang, and the optional chrome rear section, which surrounds the badge, is quite impressive.

Fisker Atlantic Revealed (video)

The Fisker Atlantic - a smaller range extender car from Fisker - has been officially revealed on the eve of the New York Auto Show. Below is official video that has been released by the company.

2013 GMC Acadia haunted by Saturn's Ghost

The folks over at the Car & Driver blog should be commended for their sharp eyes.

Someone there noticed that the 2013 GMC Acadia, debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, bears a startling similarity to the 2008 Saturn Outlook. One could truly say it's a dead-on copy.

Leaving aside the question of why GMC still exists as a brand, it seems that GM has frugally raided the parts bin - so much so, it's an exact replica of the dead car company's former crossover vehicle. (Acadia above, Outlook below, in the photo.)

While we applaud C&D for their sharp eyes as well as GM's frugality in these tough times, alas, we don't believe the new Acadia will sell as well as even the lackluster Saturns, but hey, you've got to give them props for trying something ... new. Well, maybe not.

Ford Unveils Handsome 2013 Taurus

Ford unveiled it's 2013 Taurus and Taurus SHO designs at the New York Auto show this week, and it looks like they've upped their game quite a bit, even over their current model, which is itself a vast improvement over past years.

"Attention to detail" is their mantra, and it looks like they've taken it to heart with this handsome car (and that it's not just a cheap slogan.)

Fine details abound on this car, as described in a video released by the company this past Tuesday. Just enough chrome, a new signature trapezoidal grille on a more aggressive hood, better and intricately detailed headlamps and tail lamps, nicer rear treatment (again with beautiful chrome work) and even a nice side vent with the Taurus name in chrome helps to elevate this, Ford's flagship sedan, to a new level of (gulp) luxury.

The high waistline, similar to, but imitative of, the Chrysler 300, help add to the aggressive, yet handsome, looks of this model.

Add to this all the neat gizmos under the hood - 2.0 EcoBoost engine, self-parking mechanisms, and more (click for Ford's page) - this will be a flagship indeed for the company, which has not had to struggle as much as its rivals because it has actually put some excellent models into the market in the past few years, and seems to be committed to continuing this tradition.

The Insanely Beautiful 2013 Bugatti C16 Galibier

The 2013 Bugatti C16 Galibier was revealed earlier this year. It was named after an Alpine pass featured in the Tour de France and combines the styling cues of the Type 57 Atlantic coupe with the Galibier sedan name of the 1930s in a 4-door flagship that also has echoes of the legendary Bugatti Royale.

The nose of the insanely beautiful Galibier sports a large horse collar grille, a Bugatti signature, along with a pronounced fore/aft center spine. The hood has a center hinge along that line, with engine bay access covers opening to the sides of the vehicle. The two-tone body treatment is similar to the Veyron's — the sides done up in polished aluminum that is contrasted by the royal blue hood, roof and rear body panels crafted from carbon fiber. The rear of the vehicle tapers into a boattail, and there's a hatch for access to the rear cargo area. The body silhouette may remind some of the profile of the recently released Porsche Panamera (which for some will not be a compliment but for me, it works.)

The fastback shape of is rear window certainly does evoke Porsche, but upon closer inspection, a large crease runs the length of the roofline and INTO the glass of the window. Shockingly, perhaps, the crease doesn't begin on the roof, but instead, can be seen within the windscreen and the hood as well.

The magic doesn't stop there. The car's "third tail light" is embedded within this crease in the rear window. Like most Bugattis of the past, this will be a truly beautiful car to behold - if we are lucky enough to see one, that is! Production numbers are likely to be less than 5,000.

Beneath the hood is Bugatti's 8.0-liter W-16 engine, which is a flex-fuel unit capable of running on ethanol. The engine, with two-stage superchargers, is said to propel the Galibier to a top speed of 217 mph. The all-wheel-drive car is also equipped with an advanced reactive suspension and carbon-ceramic disc brakes.

Inside, it's a leather-wrapped paradise, of course, with enough wood to build furnish a small apartment. Which, of course, is standard Bugatti fare. The seats look plush and the windscreen appears spacious and unobstructed by the aforementioned crease.