BMW X3 2012

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BMW X3 Tops while Range Rover Evoque Flops Consumer Reports' Tests

Just like a Rotten Tomatoes review can make or break a movie’s reputation and its box-office success, Consumer Reports’ road tests have the potential to boost a vehicle's sales or in some cases force a an automaker to run back to the drawing board. The latest batch of vehicles tested by CR include two SUVs that even though different in size, will compete in the premium segment: the second iteration of the BMW X3 and the brand-new challenger in the category, the Range Rover Evoque.
To sum it up, the BMW X3 xDrive28i scored an 80 in CR's road test and received the “Recommended” tag, while the Range Rover Evoque managed a test score of 60 score and was placed near the bottom of its class.
“The X3 does an impressive job of combining sporty handling, a lavish interior and surprising fuel economy”, said CR’s Auto Test Center senior director David Champion. He added that it has strong acceleration, a smooth-shifting gearbox and very good brakes.
The Bavarian model also received good marks thanks to its steering, interior quality and its ability to keeps its occupants serene by isolating them from road imperfections and noise. All in all, the BMW X3 outscored every other model in its segment, bar the Audi Q5 3.2.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged Range Rover was praised for its design, impressive acceleration, braking power and six-speed auto transmission. CR also liked the finish of the interior and the full-length glass roof.
However, according to Consumer Reports, that’s where the good stuff ends. In Champion’s own words, “although the stylish Evoque has won lots of accolades in the press, including North American Truck of the Year, our more thorough testing reveals quite a few flaws.”
For starters, the Evoque is criticized for its artificial steering, choppy ride, cramped and noisy cabin and lack of visibility. CR points out that track testing also revealed flaws in its handling.
"The Evoque tackles corners well but its steering feels artificially weighted, impairing feedback. When pushed to its handling limits at our track, the tail slid out and the vehicle repeatedly lifted a wheel during our avoidance maneuver."
In the same issue, Consumer Reports awarded the “Recommended” tag to the Toyota Prius V and the VW Tiguan, but not the Wrangler Unlimited. Jeep’s 4x4 did well in acceleration and off-roading but was panned by CR’s testers in almost everything else, from handling and braking to more trivial issues like removing the roof.

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Cadillac Contemplating BMW X3-Rivaling Compact SUV

A couple of days after the official revealing of the brand-new ATS that will compete in the premium sedan segment against the likes of BMW’s 3-Series, Cadillac is rumored to be going all out against the Germans. Aside from the development of a diesel version of the ATS, GM’s luxury brand is also said to be considering a smaller SUV to rival the likes of the X3, the Mercedes GLK and the Audi Q5.
“We’re looking at options there”, Cadillac’s vice president of sales, Kurt McNeil, told Businessweek at the Detroit Motor Show. “I think it would go a little bit more head-to-head with, like, the X3.”
Cadillac already has one commercial success in the SUV segment with the SRX, which saw its sales surge by 11 percent last year, so a more compact sized model with a lower price tag could fit nicely in its range and allow the company to compete in other markets outside North America.
McNeil admitted that Cadillac’s push to become a force to be reckoned with in the premium segment is likely to influence the small SUV: “"he fact that Cadillac is becoming more of a global brand will certainly play a role in that decision."
The Cadillac exec also added that GM is keen to reinforce the brand's image as a luxury carmaker, having already reduced fleet sales, mostly to rental car companies, by 33 percent in 2011 in an effort to increase its models’ resale value.

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the North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

For the past 18 years, a committee of journalists from U.S. and Canadian magazines, radio and TV stations, websites and newspapers meet once a year and vote for the North American Car and Truck of the Year [NACTOY]. You'll have to wait until January to find the winners for the 2012 edition of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, but the three finalists for each category were announced on Thursday in Detroit.
The car candidates in alphabetical order are the new Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and the U.S. market VW Passat, which recently won Motor Trend's 2012 Car of the Year award.
We're not sure how the enlightened committee defines the word "truck", but the final shortlist in this category includes the new BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Range Rover Evoque.
The jurors have until January 6 to vote among these vehicles, with the final results to be announced on January 11 during the 2012 Detroit Motor Show.
So far, domestic automakers have won the North American Car of the Year award 10 times, European automakers four times, Japanese automakers three times and a Korean manufacturer only once.
On the truck side, domestic automakers have won the award 12 times, Japanese automakers four times and European automakers twice.
For those of you wondering, here are the vehicles that made it to the jurors’ short list this year:
North American Car of the Year:
Audi A6
Audi A7
Buick Verano
Chevrolet Sonic
Chrysler 300/SRT-8
Fiat 500
Ford Focus
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Veloster
Kia Rio/Rio 5
Scion iQ
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius V
VW Beetle
VW Passat
North American Truck of the Year:
BMW X3
Honda CR-V
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Mini Countryman
Nissan Quest
Saab 9-4X

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