2011 Chrysler 300
Matt: Hit. The Chrysler LX cars were the toast of 2005. Although they can't expect to relive those glory days, Chrysler has done what needed to be done. The new 300 is slightly more generic and German and more upscale. In the previous car, the cabin was OK. This time around, it's gorgeous to match the sheetmetal. If gas prices remain reasonable, the 300 should reclaim some of its past glory.
Mike: Hit. An affordable, near-luxury, full-size sedan is always a good choice for sales reps and chauffeured politicians. The new Pentastar V6 is much better than the outgoing ones, and a better-crafted cockpit will only make the car more desirable. I’m just not too sure about the more feminine look of the front end.
Luc: Miss. What's the closest thing to a 300? A 300 with a flatter windshield, that's what! The car shown in Detroit merely serves as an interim model until the Chrysler-Fiat alliance launches the real new thing. For sure, the cosmetic upgrades to the 300 are nicely executed and they don't mess with the original design penned by Montreal's Ralph Gilles.
2012 Ford C-Max
Matt: Hit. A concrete-filled-bat out-of-the-park grand-slam hit! The C-Max combines the look, the versatility, the pricing and the image young modern families want. The C-Max is cool; there are no two ways about it. I don't have a family (unless you count two cats) but I'd happily cruise around in a C-Max. It has the right powertrains and given Ford's newfound ability to market their products, will quickly find its way on top of shopping lists.
Mike: Hit. Space for up to seven passengers in a compact, fuel-efficient package is what every young family could need, with the added bonus of sliding side doors. Mazda should be concerned about the C-Max, as it could either steal sales away from the Mazda5 or increase the microvan segment’s popularity. It should prove popular in Canada.
Luc: Hit. Bull's eye! People always appreciate minivans, but they no longer want a heavy, clumsy gas-guzzler like the old Freestar. The C-Max is the complete opposite – compact, versatile and reasonably efficient. In a very lightly-crowded market segment, this Ford arrives just in time!
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| Photo: Chrysler |
Matt: Hit. The Chrysler LX cars were the toast of 2005. Although they can't expect to relive those glory days, Chrysler has done what needed to be done. The new 300 is slightly more generic and German and more upscale. In the previous car, the cabin was OK. This time around, it's gorgeous to match the sheetmetal. If gas prices remain reasonable, the 300 should reclaim some of its past glory.
Mike: Hit. An affordable, near-luxury, full-size sedan is always a good choice for sales reps and chauffeured politicians. The new Pentastar V6 is much better than the outgoing ones, and a better-crafted cockpit will only make the car more desirable. I’m just not too sure about the more feminine look of the front end.
Luc: Miss. What's the closest thing to a 300? A 300 with a flatter windshield, that's what! The car shown in Detroit merely serves as an interim model until the Chrysler-Fiat alliance launches the real new thing. For sure, the cosmetic upgrades to the 300 are nicely executed and they don't mess with the original design penned by Montreal's Ralph Gilles.
2012 Ford C-Max
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
Matt: Hit. A concrete-filled-bat out-of-the-park grand-slam hit! The C-Max combines the look, the versatility, the pricing and the image young modern families want. The C-Max is cool; there are no two ways about it. I don't have a family (unless you count two cats) but I'd happily cruise around in a C-Max. It has the right powertrains and given Ford's newfound ability to market their products, will quickly find its way on top of shopping lists.
Mike: Hit. Space for up to seven passengers in a compact, fuel-efficient package is what every young family could need, with the added bonus of sliding side doors. Mazda should be concerned about the C-Max, as it could either steal sales away from the Mazda5 or increase the microvan segment’s popularity. It should prove popular in Canada.
Luc: Hit. Bull's eye! People always appreciate minivans, but they no longer want a heavy, clumsy gas-guzzler like the old Freestar. The C-Max is the complete opposite – compact, versatile and reasonably efficient. In a very lightly-crowded market segment, this Ford arrives just in time!