Yoga teacher and ForbesAutos refugee Matthew De Paula has brought his zen insights and love of top ten lists to MSN Autos. Given the popularity of the genre (which we now usurp in the name of truth, justice and the American way), Bill Gates’ Boyz must be happy enough with the result—although Matt makes a few choices that will surely give pistonheads pause. We report, you deride. Well, we do too, but I’m sure you catch my drift.
1. Ford Fusion — I’m not saying De Paula is a Detroit apologist, but if ever a qualifier seemed po-faced, well, here it is: “The Ford Fusion doesn’t just hold its own against competitors, it beats them in some ways: The least expensive 4-cylinder Fusion is as fuel efficient on the highway (34 mpg) as the pricier Toyota Camry hybrid.” And that’s it: the only way mentioned. Oh wait. “The updated 2010 Fusion uses higher-quality materials, has better fit and finish, and a quieter ride than the model it replaces.” Don’t you just love it when relative excellence means relative to itself? Me neither.
2. Hyundai Azera — “When people talk about cars with friends and family, Hyundai usually doesn’t get the respect it deserves for its appealing and affordable vehicles.” Citation? And while you’re at it, please let us know (below) if this description is meant ironically, in a post-modern sort of way: “If it had a personality, it would be mild-mannered, soft-spoken and quick to please.”
3. Kia Rondo — “Kia gets even less respect than Hyundai, but its vehicles have improved dramatically in recent years. One in particular that stands out as underrated is the Rondo.” Stands out as underrated? My irony meter is pegged. Anyway, the Rio’s inclusion indicates delusion.
4. Mazda Mazda5 — “Popular opinion suggests that few things bruise an ego like driving a minivan. Maybe that’s why the excellent Mazda5, which is smaller and sleeker than a typical minivan but has sliding rear doors like one, is largely overlooked.” I dunno about that. Minivan drivers tend to be OK with driving a minivan. In fact, they like them so much they buy them, instead of something like, say, a Mazda Mazda5. It’s a nice hatch, but I reckon Matt’s made a great landing at the wrong airport here.
5. Mitsubishi Outlander — “It has a lot to offer, including sharp looks, available 3-row seating (albeit only with the less fuel-efficient V6 engine) and better-than-average reliability, according to Consumer Reports.” Woo-hoo! “The base 4-cylinder engine gets decent gas mileage (20 mpg city/25 mpg highway), but it’s paired with a continuously variable transmission, which auto enthusiasts love to hate.” Bastards!
6. Nissan Versa — Another rift, this time between the previously lauded CR and MSN. “Consumer Reports pans the Nissan Versa as not particularly agile or fuel efficient for its size. But after driving several versions, our editors found the car extremely appealing, particularly in hatchback form. . . The Versa embodies what this list is all about: no-nonsense performance and comfort at a good price.” So that’s what this list is all about.
7. Pontiac G8 — (Of course.) Underrated how? By whom? I’ve read nothing but good things about the Thunder from Down Under; you know, aside from [easily dismissed by some] fact that the entire brand has just hit the dustbin of history. Oh, and a heads-up from Michael Karesh at TrueDelta that there may be a few quality issues here and there. And there, and there.
8. Scion tC — “The cultlike following it once enjoyed has waned as the finicky young drivers that Scion targets have shifted their short attention spans elsewhere.” Stupid kids! “It’s their loss, because the tC is still a smashing value with its spunky 4-cylinder engine, surprisingly roomy interior and high-end features like a dual-pane sliding glass roof.” Spunky? Someone’s been reading too much Lieberman.
9. Volvo C30 — “With the MINI Cooper enjoying consistent success, the Volvo C30’s tepid sales remain a mystery . . . Perhaps its relative anonymity comes from Volvo’s reputation as a staid builder of safe family cars, or its relatively unimpressive fuel economy (19 mpg city/28 mpg highway).” Or its price. Or something else, as well. In fact, like many of the vehicles on this list, maybe it’s not so much underrated as unappealing.
10. Volkswagen Rabbit — Pay no attention to five-cylinder engine’s efficiency, ’cause “it sure has lots of torque, which means it will put a smile on your face every time you punch the accelerator at a green light.” Just make sure you don’t punch the service rep down at your VW dealer.
Kia Rondo ≠ Rio. The Rondo’s packaging is appealing, a friend has one. If it’s reliable (I don’t have data on that) I could understand its inclusion.
I think the Ford Fusion and Mazda 5 were good picks, but he gave horrible, weak reasons for picking them.
I like my Mazda5 more than I thought I would but I never cared about image issues in the first place. It does a lot of things well and is far more rewarding to drive than a Rondo, which I rented for a few days.
Spunky?
So my 4.6 liter V8 Grand Marquis achieves the same highway gas mileage a four-banger Outlander, eh?
Scratch that one off my C.F.C. list.
The problem with Volvo C30 is the price… and the fact that most normal people have no idea Volvo even makes a hatchback.
My wife really wants one and since nobody is buying them it is actually a good thing – I’ve seen maybe 3 on the road since the car launched. The car is like hen’s teeth, a true rare find in an age of “me-too” vehicles in ever driveway. It a good little hatchback, but its priced way out of its league. The interior is a bit boring (to me), however some people love that minimalist look. Thus the C30 finds itself in a weird place: its a touch sporty and has the feel/look of luxury but when put up against the likes of the Infiniti G35 and Acura TSX/TL its falls way short of the target. Now that the ’08 are coming back from 2 year leases I wonder what deals can be had?
I saw a G8 at the gas station today, that is the first one I’ve seen on the road since it came out. Does anyone really wonder why GM isn’t planning on bringing over as a chevy?
My sister and b/i/l just bought a new ford fusion saturday with the clunkers deal going on, and they love it. He was always a gm man and would never consider a ford. Here in the last 2 years he has bought a new mustang convertible and the fusion.If the fusion has no problems then i think he will be a ford man for a while. They have had 0 problems with the mustang.
Does anyone really wonder why GM isn’t planning on bringing over as a chevy?
I do. If they built the damn thing in Oshawa with the Camaro I’d think they could build it in low volumes and still make a business case for it. Besides, Pontiac is not a volume brand, Chevy is. I think the higher profile that it would enjoy as a Chevy would help sales.
The Rondo isn’t even good enough to criticize, let alone be over or under rated. It’s literally a tall station wagon. Kia just made the station wagon’s roof 18 taller – you’re still sitting at car height! I suppose it’s good for taller folk.
Mazda 5 does the same, but is somewhat more appealing in every sense.
Volvo would fix the C30 economy issues by importing their Diesel version. I’d buy it in a heartbeat if available in the USA.
–chuck
Now that Warren Brown is retired, someone has to be the worst automotive scribe in the MSM, no?
Don’t get me started on MSN autos, or AOL autos, or any of the other ISP auto coverage. this is just plain garbage. AOL just had something on why ***moms*** were buying SUVs instead of minivans. the teaser said part of it was safety, although there wasn’t a thing about safety in the 10 little vignettes they offered about why (making you click thorugh this absurd fussy little thingy ten times). Well, gee, one of my dear friends, who is a ***mom***, has a Legacy station wagon. What about that, AOL? I think the whole point of these things is to get as many clicks as possible, not to educate or enlighten, or even entertain. If you’re on the right-hand side of the IQ bell curve, forget it, there’s just nothing here. Poor Matthew De Paula must be desperate for money.
I think most of these cars probably are underrated. Many of them serve their purpose well but tend to be overlooked. e.g. Most people looking at the CR-V, RAV4, Subaru Forester probably don’t even know about the Outlander.
If one turns off their cynicism blinders for a second I think you can recognize the list for what it is.
Re: C30. I love this car, but it is way too expensive in Canada. Mid 30’s. I’d much rather have an Audi A3 for that kind of dosh.
The VW Rabbit is underrated? At my college, every fourth car seemed to be a Rabbit or Jetta. Personally, I really like the GTI, but as Farago mentioned, I would be scared to death of the repair bills later on.
BDB “I think the Ford Fusion and Mazda 5 were good picks, but he gave horrible, weak reasons for picking them.”
Spot on. Why couldn’t the writer just come out and say the Fusion is a better car than the sales leader Camry…I can’t think of one area where the Camry does better. This isn’t relative excellence Farago…it is absolute excellence vs. the sales leader.
That said…the Accord remains best in class for mid-size family haulers.
“(making you click thorugh this absurd fussy little thingy ten times).”
Because it generates 10 seperate page views for advertising purposes
“the Accord remains best in class for mid-size family haulers.”
isn’t the accord a full-size car these days?
Others that could also be on the list-
Suzuki SX4
Kia Sedona
Jeep Patriot
I was under the impression that the ’08 and on model rabbits were being imported from Germany. If I remember correctly the window sticker backed that up.
A few more that could be on the list:
Suzuki SX4
Jeep Patriot
Kia Sedona
rnc…technically you are correct. Accord size is enough to qualify as full-size. That said—I doubt many consumers slot it as a full size and likely cross shop it aginst the Camry, Altima, Sonata,Fusion, or Malibu rather than the Avalon, Maxima, Taurus or Lucerne.
I can think of a few better choices, and I do agree that the writer gives bad reasons for inclusion.
I don’t think of calling the Ford Fusion underrated. The 2010 Fusion sold 15,000 units its first month on the market, and is selling around 20K units a month now. A car with sales like that doesn’t count as underrated in my books.
The Hyundai Azera is not underrated, it doesn’t sell because everyone has forgotten about it. Hyundai doesn’t advertise or mention it. Fuck, they have only imported 4 into the UK. Hyundai threw it under the bus for the Genesis, and thats why it doesn’t sell.
Kia not getting any respect? Huh? If Kia is getting no respect, then why is Hyundai-Kia the only company that is having positive sales in this economic shitstorm?
As per the Mazda5, I also attribute this to lack of marketing. Mazda never marketed it when it was introduced, and I forgot that it existed until I read this article. I also agree with RF. I drive my dad’s Dodge Caravan all the time, and don’t feel like any less of a man or feel like my ego is bruised when I step behind the wheel of it. I actually like it so much that I want another one just like it when my Cavalier konks out.
As per the rest of them, they are mainly all forgotten because of their manufacturer’s lack of support for them. The only special case is the Pontiac G8, which is being avoided because Pontiac is a joke of a brand that is being thrown into the dustbin of history by its bankrupt manufacturer. The fact that it is a 30K toy launched in the middle of a severe recession also has something to do with it.
ok-technically the Accord’s interior is full-size.
Having compared the exterior dimensions and weight with the rest of the pack it looks to me like it’s only real “fault” is better packaging.
Let’s face it, it gets cross shopped in this group and is a dang sight better than oversize mess with a cramped rear seat that Chevy calls a full-size.
Bunter
Mazda 5 IS under-rated… it is a well built, good handling alternative to a BIG minivan for a smaller family.
The Mazda5 is a fantastic car, but it’s in a very small market – you can’t haul 6 + their stuff on a road trip, but 4 + their stuff works great. It would be a great fit for us if it had even a SLIGHTLY larger cargo area with the 3rd row. If I had to have just 1 car, and only had the $16-18k they’re selling for, that would be it. It’s a bit underpowered when loaded, as well, but not terribly so. But in America, if it’s not overpowered, it’s CRAP.
“That said…the Accord remains best in class for mid-size family haulers.”
The Accord is really a full-size car now. It competes against the Taurus, Maxima, Impala, and Avalon, not against the Camry, Fusion, Altima, and Malibu.
Any list of underrated (or overrated) anything is inherently flawed without a concrete frame of reference (I mean, exactly what “rating” are they arguing against?). It’s a bit of a straw man argument, designed to stir up disagreement where none exists.
In fact, like many of the vehicles on this list, maybe it’s not so much underrated as unappealing.
Unappealing? I find the Fusion (better than the Camry in all ways, better than the u.g.l.y. Accord in quite a few as well), Mazda5 (would be close to perfect with more space behind the third row and a less repetitive name), G8 (I know Lutz said there’s no business case for it, but they need to keep the G8, even if as a Chevy), & C30 (too high a price for a niche hatch, though). Two are even on my short list for our next car (Fusion, 5).
If Cash for Clunkers didn’t punish people for buying something efficient originally, then I’d be shopping now instead of next year.
Price is exactly why the C30 doesn’t sell. With the Mazdaspeed3 having loads more performance and costing less, it doesn’t make a very good case for itself. Drop the price under 20k and we can talk. Maybe they should have brought over a trim with a 4 banger and fewer options.
I love the C30; it’s just too expensive and the gas mileage is crap. I didn’t buy one for those two reasons, and those two reasons alone, even though I loved everything else about the car. With you 100%, Demetri.
Most definitely the Mazda5. Wonderful car and fun to drive – just don’t tell anyone they are practical. I’d opt in the Honda Element (for those of you who don’t simply judge books by their covers) – has decent handling, only takes a leaf blower and a damp cloth the clean the entire interior in 10 mins, and the huge amount of room and practical space inside. Plus with 22-24mpg average it actually gets pretty decent mileage.
The Fusion is definitely underrated, and the Camry is hugely overrated. My girlfriend has the Fusion’s twin, an ’06 Milan. Nothing is wrong with it after 40K miles. No so much as a squeak from the dash. No recalls, and not much in the way of TSBs either.
The steering is pretty numb, but the weighting is fairly nice and it does feel connected to the front wheels. The seats (and I drive an A6 so I know about comfy seats) are some of the best I’ve ever tried in a mainstream car. The “audiophile” stereo is excellent.
In contrast, I recently drove a Camry SE. The so called “sport” version. I wanted to kill myself after about a minute. Terribly uncomfortable seats, ultra light, ultra numb steering with about 6″ of on-center slop. The steering wheel and the front wheels send messages back and forth via pony express. And the stereo was garbage.
“So my 4.6 liter V8 Grand Marquis achieves the same highway gas mileage a four-banger Outlander, eh?
Scratch that one off my C.F.C. list.”
You must be driving it hard. Most people are able to easily squeeze 30 MPG out of a civilian-geared Panther.
04 grand marquis 25 mpg on a long trip with cruise set at 70 mph and I am happy. I cant understand how so many small cars have such bad window sticker milage.
I can confirm that the Rabbit is imported from Germany. We had one in the USA.
The fact that folks are tied up in knots about the place of a cars assembly still amazes me. It’s very thinly veiled racism and shows a complete ignorance of how cars are put together today.
VW uses robots for about 95% of a Rabbit’s assembly, so the bits that go wrong (no matter where it is assembled) are the parts that are $1 too cheap. And that’s the bean counters fault for buying parts built to a price rather than building them to a particular quality standard.
And that can happen to a car made in Detroit as easily as it can happen to a car made in Wolfsburg. And with VW, you betchya it can happen.
That said, our 07 Rabbit was flawless. It didn’t break down or have any major imperfections in its two year stay with us. VW may have turned the corner. And I say that as a VW owner who previously had a New Beetle (made in Mexico, natch) that had 21 dealer visits in 24 months – all for parts sourced from GERMAN companies like Bosch, Nothing went wrong with the body. I sold that sucker when it was towed for the second time.
Andrew
Whoa RF, get your facts right. Rabbit is as German as Hitler, not Hecho en Mexico.
mikeolan
text amended.
7 out of the 10 cars on this list can be had with a manual tranny. That would certainly put them on my radar when shopping for a new ride.
I drove a Mazda 5 last year during a trip to see family. It handled well and once the seats were laid down I easily fit a brand new bicycle in the hatch.
But as for yet another “top ten” list, I find these boring so I just looked at the car names and nothing else. Which is more than usual because I typically just skip them altogether.
I wonder, would it be possible for us to get a temporary top ten moratorium now? I suggest a 90 day cessation of hostilities…
The Mazda5 >>>>> Kia Rondo… that said, the Rondo is much nicer than 99% of Kias that came before it. Well… maybe 100%… I’m struggling to figure out what that 1% that’s better than the Rondo is…
Space is decent, at least, and the design is clever. The controls are horrible, the suspension uninterested, and the plastics Korean, but it’s not a terrible car. Just not a great one.
The C30… I’ll pass. It’s a nice car and all, but I still prefer the Focus, available with the same torquey diesel and six speed dual clutch box for much less money. Of course, since you don’t get that Focus in the US, you’ll have to settle for the C30.
The Outlander is a conundrum. No, no, no! to the four-cylinder… but the V6 is awfully nice to drive. It’s a shame the Mitsubishi nameplate has limited this vehicle’s exposure… as well as giving it door-cards that wouldn’t look out of place on an amphibious car (they’re a solid wall of plastic).
OK, the writing is lame but the list actually ain’t all that bad. I happen to own a Kia Rondo for family duty, and a good friend has the Mazda5. Both are great vehicles for small urban families who occasionally need to stuff 6-7 people in. They cost $10K less than the big vans, drive better, get slightly better mileage, and are far, far easier to park.
In short, they are useful, well designed vehicles that get very little respect in the media. Explain to me: what exactly is wrong with having them appear on an underrated list?
“So my 4.6 liter V8 Grand Marquis achieves the same highway gas mileage a four-banger Outlander, eh?
Scratch that one off my C.F.C. list.”
You must be driving it hard. Most people are able to easily squeeze 30 MPG out of a civilian-geared Panther.
Who said my Panther was ‘civilian-geared’?
3.55:1
I don’t understand Farago’s comment about the G8 having issues according to TrueDelta. TD’s got the G8 right about average for repairs (60 per 100 cars) in its first model year here, which is damn good for an Aussie import by GM in its first year. To cite TD in saying the G8’s got problems doesn’t make sense to me.
@mikeolan
Actually, he was Austrian, not German.
Mazda 5 is very popular in Canada (so is the Benz B200). Being tall, I really like the form factor. I can easily sit behind the front seat after adjusting it to my size. You can get them in manual. You see a lot of younger folks in them – no stigma really, not really comparable to a mini-van in any case.
The downside: exterior detailing is dying for a refresh – a lot of gaps between panels, and it really needs a Speed Edition to make the engine interesting.
And really, was the Hitler line even relevant or necessary?
Perhaps the Mazda 5 (Oops, the “Mazda Mazda5”) would sell better in America if they were to advertise it as they do in France, with a series of cartoons running in the daily papers, like this one. Get a load of those sound effects: Iiiiiiiiii! Gnnnn! Gloup! Dong!