Motor Press Guild Track Days 2014 Car Comparison
Motor Press Guild Track Days 2014 Car Comparison
by Joel Arellano
In the very first blog post here at Why This Ride, we stated our purpose, plain and simple:
“With a life-long passion for cars, the Why This Ride team’s mission is to understand why people buy the cars they do.”
That was part of my mindset during the first day at the Motor Press Guild Track Days event. What made a particular car attractive to a shopper. Was it its size? Engine numbers (i.e., horsepower, torque)? The manufacturer? Or just simply its price. I learned long ago that direct comparison of vehicles was nearly impossible. Automakers made sure of that. They had already figured out what I like to call the “measurable” items like fuel economy and number of airbags. That was easy. Instead, they aimed at the intangibles like emotional appeal of their vehicle to the well-informed shopper.
So at the Rose Bowl under the bright California sun, automakers from Acura to Volkswagen had their best wares on display for journalists and reporters to test to their publications’ contentment. I asked myself, as I sat in each vehicle, what would make a shopper buy it – basically, Why this Ride?
2015 Hyundai Sonata
Plush. That was my first thought when I sat in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. From the leather upholstery of the seats to the soft-touch plastics on the dash, the interior exuded luxury I usually associated with higher marques like Lexus and the German. Granted that I was in the Sport 2.0T, which is the top trim of the lineup. I had not thought it possible for Hyundai designers to actually exceed the premium level of the last generation Sonata. They had and anyone looking for a luxury sedan but wanting to pay in the low $30,000 range should put the Sonata on their “To Drive” list.
2015 Subaru Legacy sedan
“Are you trying to compete with Volvo?”
My exclamation elicited a laugh from the Subaru representative. But I was truly astonished. She had covered the all-new Legacy’s safety features and I had been completely floored by the amount of high-end safety equipment, especially for $30,000. Did you know the Legacy has a seat airbag that inflates to actually hold the front passenger in place during a collision? I hadn’t.
But the most intriguing tidbit about the sedan has to be EyeSight. This driver assist system monitors traffic ahead of the Subie to help minimize collisions and their effects. Unlike similar systems, which were housed in the front bumper, EyeSight was located inside in a unit right above the rearview mirror. This reduced bumper costs in even minor fender benders. The non-profit and private IIHS, which tested such systems, voted EyeSight as one of the best in front crash protection.
Both the Legacy and its crossover/wagon Outback sibling received the coveted Top Safety+ ratings from the IIHS. Car shoppers who priorities safety as a Must Have on their Want list should definitely put the Legacy on top.
2015 Chrysler 200
One thing many auto review sites rarely discuss is how appealing – or not appealing – is a car’s looks. And with good reason. As any single person looking for dates can tell you, everyone has their own ideas of what’s a looker.
But people can agree if something stands out. And that was the case of the Chrysler 200, especially the luxurious C trim. Most of the cars in this comparison follow the flat-face front fascia design that’s trending today. The 200C, though, continues with the more windswept look from the front grille to the rear bumper. I instantly saw a resemblance to the late and lamented Crossfire, especially the hood. The design differences continue inside. Chrysler designers moved away from lines and sharp angles found in most of today’s cars. Instead, curves rule from dash to the infotainment designs. The 200C had the most “bright” interior with a dual black/beige color scheme and tastefully placed wood inserts. It was hard to believe I was in a $31,000+ car; it looked and felt more expensive than that. Especially after I reviewed the monroney sticker. The 200C is packed with such high-tech like lane departure warning, parallel parking assist and a premium audio system and speakers. I think the Korean automakers may soon have some competition on who has the best “bang-for-the-buck” value among their vehicles.
2015 Mazda6
I knew as soon as I took the Mazda6 onto the track that this was the car for me. Specifically, the enthusiast part who just loved cruising down empty roads punctuated by tight turns and sweeping switchbacks. Quiet interior? Who cares. Ear-splitting audio system and speakers? Mute it. Rearview camera system? I know how to park, thanks.
It’s not just one feature that elicited such strong feelings. As any enthusiast will tell you, it’s a slew of factors, all working together to make a memorable driving experience. For me, it started with Mazda6’s heavy steering. It then moved to the firm suspension. And so on. I could tell this was a driver’s car even during my short drive over the controlled track. The low $33,000 price tag showed you didn’t have to take out a second mortgage to get an ultimate driving experience.
Many reviews talk of “segments” and “markets” where vehicles are pigeonholed due to certain pre-determined characteristics like price. But vehicles all have different characteristics emphasized by their automakers. It’s these differences, from a vehicle’s looks to how it performs on the road, that people point to when asked, Why This Ride.
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