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Small Car Favorites For 2001
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| Good Things Come In Small Packages |
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| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:33:47 |
| Rating |
 16 ( -2 -12.5% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
With the continuing popularity of super-sized SUVs, it may appear that small cars have taken a back seat on the road. But just because you may not notice them on the road (after all, they usually aren't the ones that cut you off because you're in their blind spot), doesn't mean that small cars are passé. Some of the best-selling cars in today's market are compacts and for good reason---you can get a lot of features in a not-so-pricey package. We took a look at your favorites in this class as well as a couple of new contenders that have entered the scene.
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier has been one of the staples in General Motors vehicle line-up for years, finding a home among the younger crowd (and their parents). For 2001, the popular Cavalier is largely unchanged. With a base price of $13,800, the Cavalier comes with a 115-horsepower, 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission. Our test model, priced at $16,430, was a LS Sedan with a 150 horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Cavalier has a broad appeal to a wide range of buyers in the market for a coupe, convertible or a sedan. It is roomy enough to hold five passengers comfortably, with decent cargo space in the sedan and coupe models. One disadvantage is the size of the trunk opening, which is a bit on the small side and can make loading larger items a challenge. All models offer air conditioning, rear window defroster, traction control and anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. A stereo with CD player are now standard equipment on the LS Sedan and Z24 coupe. Also new for 2001 is an Indigo Blue exterior and a reconfigured Sport Package, which now includes rear spoiler, tachometer and Premium Amplified Audio System.
Ford Focus SE Sedan
Introduced as a 2000 model in 1999, the Ford Focus's sharp edges and tall design have become more commonplace on American roads. The Focus has already proved to be hugely popular with the under-35 crowd, who make up almost half of the buyers. New on the 2001 Focus is the AdvanceTrac system, an interactive vehicle dynamics system designed to offer more precise handling, offered as an option on the Focus ZTS sedan and ZX3 hatchback. Six-spoke 16-inch aluminum wheels are a new option for 2001 as well. The ZX3 hatchback, the base model starting at $12,125, now offers two optional packages. The Premium Group ($1,095) includes air conditioning, 16-inch aluminum wheels and tires, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, front center armrest, speed control and front map lights. The Power Group ($740) includes power door locks and remote keyless entry. The tall design of the Focus provides substantially more room for occupants and cargo than the models it competes with. The Focus SE Wagon, the largest of the models, received the 130-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine as standard equipment (instead of optional) for 2001 and is now offered with a five-speed manual transmission. Standard features on all Focus models include intermittent wipers, power steering, dual front airbags, height-adjustable driver's seat, stereo with cassette, digital clock, auxiliary power outlet and a remote trunk release. On both the SE sedan and wagon, air conditioning, power door locks and mirrors, keyless remote and variable intermittent wipers are standard as well.
Honda Civic
Honda has redesigned its Civic (the best-selling small car in the U.S. for the last five years) for 2001, updating its styling, improving the engine performance and boosting the interior space. All trim levels of the 2001 Civic feature 1.7-liter engines that boast horsepower gains of five to 10 percent, improved fuel economy and now meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. Our test 2001 Honda Civic EX coupe, priced at $16,660 with optional side airbags, featured a new 1.7-liter, 127 horsepower, four-cylinder engine with improved torque (114 foot-pounds at 4800 rpm up from 107 foot pounds at 5500 rpm). Even the entry level Civic, the DX, received a mild performance boost-115 horsepower up from 106 horsepower last year. 2001 models now offer advanced dual-stage front airbags, which monitor seatbelt usage and crash severity in order to determine the force to deploy the airbags. Side airbags are optional on all Civic trim levels, while the front passenger side airbag has a cutoff switch which will prevent the airbag from deploying if a child or small adult is leaning into the side airbag deployment path. All Civics, which begin at $12,760 for the DX coupe, come standard with features such as power steering, an adjustable steering column, AM/FM stereo and an immobilizer theft deterrent system. The LX trim level also includes air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, cruise control and an AM/FM/cassette. The EX, the top of the line version of the Civic, also includes anti-lock brakes, a moonroof, AM/FM/CD stereo with anti-theft, keyless entry and larger 15-inch wheels and tires as standard equipment.
Kia Rio
The least expensive car on the American market today (beginning at $9,345), the Kia Rio is a spirited little sedan that is a solid new contender to this category. The Rio offers a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 96 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 98 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. Mated to the five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic is an $875 stand-alone option) made the Rio surprisingly peppy. The simple suspension and small tires made for unimpressive handling overall. Although adequate, handling was no match for its higher-priced competitors, such as the Ford Focus. For the rock-bottom base price, the 2001 Kia Rio includes a rear window defroster, tinted glass, cloth interior and center console. Features like power-assisted rack and pinion steering, tilt steering wheel, dual vanity mirrors, body-side moldings and wheel covers are all part of an optional package. Features such as automatic transmission, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, stereo, alloy wheels, rear spoiler and carpeted floormats are all stand-alone options. Our test model came in a $10,864 and included the upgrade package, air conditioning, AM/FM radio with cassette and carpeted floor mats as options. What is most impressive is Kia's Long Haul Warranty, which includes a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty, a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty and a five-year, unlimited mileage roadside assistance plan. With the exception of Hyundai, Kia's parent company, the Long Haul Warranty is vastly superior to those offered by its competitors.
Toyota Corolla
The 33-year-old classic in Toyota's product line-up, the Corolla received a freshening for the 2001 model year. The exterior appearance is a bit more aggressive with a new look to the front end, including aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen four-beam headlights, chrome-plated trim and a lowered front bumper. New taillights, echoing the styling of the headlights, also grace the rearend. All models feature the 125 horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which was upgraded for 2000, and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Three- and four-speed automatic transmissions are options in the CE, LE and new sporty S trim levels. Interior updates include new seat fabrics and a push-button air recirculation control as well as dual cupholders for rear passengers and a larger center console with armrest in select models. The Corolla S, the sporty model starting at $12,793, offers a visually different exterior with color-keyed rocker panel moldings, rear mudguards, front grille, protective body side moldings, black manual remote control mirrors, integrated fog lamps and wheel covers exclusive to the S model. On the inside, the Corolla S features adjustable bucket seats with sport fabric, a leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as a covered center console with integrated sunglasses holder, red-illuminated instruments with a tachometer and outside temperature gauge.
Toyota Echo
Also introduced as a 2000 model is the Toyota Echo, which was designed to offer the interior space of a compact-sized vehicle in the exterior body of a sub-compact class car. The short front and rear ends of the Echo make it appear even taller than it is, although its profile is higher than most cars of its size. The tall design translates to a large amount of headroom and very comfortable, but upright seating. Unique to the Echo, which starts at $11,325, is the center-mounted instrument cluster. What seemed a bit out-of-place at first actually makes it much easier to monitor gauges such as speed and fuel capacity far more quickly than instruments mounted in the traditional location. The Echo features a 108 horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that offers lots of power while still achieving 32 mpg in city driving and 38 on the highway with the automatic transmission. Standard features include a tilt steering wheel, rack-and-pinion steering, 14-inch wheels and tires and an AM/FM Stereo. A $1,465 upgrade package adds air conditioning, a deluxe stereo with CD player and power door locks. Other options include anti-lock brakes with daytime running lights, a four-speed automatic transmission, rear spoiler, digital clock, a sports body-cladding kit and side airbags. Our test Echo, which came well equipped with a host of options, was priced at $15,180.
Volkswagen Jetta
The tremendously popular Volkswagen Jetta has proved to be a favorite with all drivers, including Autobytel.com visitors. With prices starting at $16,700 for the GL model, the Jetta is the most expensive car in our group. The higher starting price does have its benefits---it will offer a side curtain-style airbags, which are designed to protect the heads of front and rear passengers, as standard equipment mid-way through the 2001 model year. In addition, entry-level Jettas have a long list of standard equipment, including four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, tilt/telescope steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, keyless remote locking, two auxiliary power outlets and an eight-speaker stereo with cassette. A 115 horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine is standard, while a 174-horsepower, V-6 engine and a 150 horsepower, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine are both offered as options. The Jetta's exterior design is attractive and modern and our test model, a GLS 1.8T which starts at $19,200, had a unique interior with black fabric seats featuring a tiny geometric pattern and a unique nighttime display on the instrument panel, with gauges that were backlit in blue with electric red needles---a striking combination. Standard on the GLS 1.8T is Volkswagen's Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, power windows with one-touch up and down for driver and front passenger, cruise control, air conditioning, a locking, split-folding rear seat and an anti-theft alarm system.
Copyright 2000, Tara Baukus Mello. |
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