Progress Was Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary By EZRA DYER

December 27, 2009
Car Critic's Picks
Progress Was Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary By EZRA DYER

BOSTON

It was once the mantra of the Red Sox fan: Wait till next year.

Certainly that old saw applies to the automotive class of 2009. While plenty of worthy, interesting cars were introduced this year, the advances were evolutionary rather than groundbreaking.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets better mileage than its predecessor. The new Audi S4 is quicker and more efficient than the last one. And the Camaro is more Camaro-y than ever. (It was easily the hottest car, stylistically, introduced this year.)

But my No. 1 pick is the BMW 335d. Why? While I respect the Fusion Hybrid's federal combined mileage rating of 39 m.p.g., I prefer my fuel-stinginess with a side order of rear-wheel-drive torque — and BMW's twin-turbo diesel delivers 425 pound feet of it. The 335d, to my mind, does the most to advance the green game in the United States, offering a sport-sedan driving experience along with 36 m.p.g. on the highway and a federal tax credit.

But even the 335d is a footnote compared with what's on the horizon for 2010. In 2009, the conventional internal-combustion car got a little faster and a little more efficient. As for the real revolution — plug-in hybrids and electrics — wait till next year.

1. BMW 335d

As I tell anyone who will listen, if this clean-diesel car said "hybrid" on the back and had a unique body, it would be everyone's car of the year.

2. Ford Fusion Hybrid

The best hybrid on the road, it can run up to 47 miles per hour in electric mode. The Prius is still the mileage champ, but the Fusion is a better drive.

3. Audi S4

An amazing transformation into a heretofore unseen breed: it's an Audi sedan that handles.

4. Chevrolet Camaro

Most writers seem to like the Mustang better. I don't. An independent rear suspension, up to 426 horsepower and concept-car styling make this my favorite meathead-mobile.

5. Mazda 3

A small, reasonably priced car that looks, feels and drives as if it belongs in a much more expensive class.

6. Jaguar XFR

One of these kept up with a Porsche Cayman S on a road course during testing for Automobile magazine's All-Stars. But it's a big, comfy Jag sedan. That's incredible.

7. Audi R8 5.2 V-10

Audi's version of the Lamborghini Gallardo is at the top of my list of things to buy when Goldman Sachs mistakenly sends me a bonus. How many exotics are fun in a snowstorm? This one was.

8. Nissan 370Z

The first car in recent memory to get smaller and lighter with a redesign.

9. Ford Flex with the EcoBoost V-6

The only entertaining crossover vehicle that doesn't cost 60 grand.

10. Dodge Ram

They figured out how to put coil springs on a pickup. Somebody send these guys to CERN to fix the Large Hadron Collider.

Beyond the Top 10

Some other thoughts on the cars and trucks of 2009:

Misplaced Expectations: The biggest problem with the Ford Taurus SHO is that it's called "SHO." If its name were "Taurus EcoBoost," nobody would be whining that it's not as hard-core as the 1989 original.

Abuse of the 911 System: I think the Porsche Panamera's rear three-quarter view could be improved by a severe rear-end collision. But I drove a Panamera for four days and the public had nothing but good things to say about it. I even loitered around and eavesdropped, and while some people noted the sedan's 911 cues — "It looks like a 911 limo" — they weren't negative about it. Maybe the Panamera will turn out like a movie that was panned by the critics but ends up being a box-office success.

Guilty Pleasure: After driving the new LR4, I have to say that sitting up there in a big Land Rover with a V-8 is a mighty nice feeling. Let's get some algae ethanol brewing.

Most Anticipated: The Fisker Karma. And I anticipate anticipating it for some while longer.

Evidence of Independence: I drove a Ford Raptor over to Jay Leno's garage for an interview. He took a look at the Raptor, with its flared fenders and 35-inch tires, and asked what its story was. I replied that it's basically Ford's take on a street-legal Baja prerunner truck. "Well," Mr. Leno replied, "They didn't take any bailout money, so they can build whatever they want."
Car Critic's Picks - Progress Was Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary - NYTimes.com (28 December 2009)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/automobiles/27dyer-best.html?ref=automobiles&pagewanted=print
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