Dad Therapy

Dads Won't Find Much at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

 
Unless you’re a dad with money to burn there isn’t much that I saw at the 2010 Detroit auto show that’ll satisfy your family needs. However, if you like to ogle sports cars — like the Audi e-tron concept above — it might be worthwhile.

I just got back last night from Detroit where I covered the show for my post at Cars.com. It was a really subdued show compared to previous years and not as many cars slated for sale were unveiled at all.

The only family haulers of note that did debut there were the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe that is already on sale and the 2011 Lincoln MKX with a nifty MyLincoln Touch system I detailed here. The MKX also get s a new engine and interior so if you need an upscale SUV it might be something to look at.

For the dads who can afford it the 2011 Audi A8 was drop-dead gorgeous in person and has an amazing new tech system. The interior is top-notch too. Much better than the new BMW 7 Series in my opinion. A six-cylinder 740i also debuted for around $70,000.
 
I really liked the Lotus Evora I sat in, but again it’s a $70,000 sports car. Kind of like the Cadillac CTS-V coupe. Perhaps more attainable is the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is which is as close to a Z4 M as the company has gotten with the new model.

The new Mustang 5.0 GT is likely the only attainable sports car that debuted there and I know some dads who get away with a $30,000 car for commuting and fun. That’s a good compromise isn’t it?

What Dads Should Look For at the L.A. Auto Show

 

I just got back from covering the new models at the L.A. Auto Show (for Cars.com) and was impressed by how good new cars are getting. It’s strange to think that Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki have interiors that best Ford and GM and are darn close to Honda.

The most important model for dads is definitely the 2011 Toyota Sienna. It gets a new design that mimics the Venza crossover and there’s even a sport-tuned SE model with a blacked-out grille and better handling for the dads who need more excitement in their minivan. Reclining rear seats in the Limited trim are a good gimic, but even the standard seats are really comfy with tons of legroom.

All-wheel drive is now offered on more trims than just the most expensive Limited like last year, but pricing hasn’t been announced. Did I mention I want an all-wheel drive minivan?

2011 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai is now about styling and practicality. In person this car looked stunning in red and the interior I sat in was a light tan. Usually cars look better with black interiors which hide flaws, this tan looked terrific. I’d definitely pick it over black. Quality is up a notch and it wasn’t bad before either.

It’s really spacious with interior room of a large sedan not a midsize. So it should fit two rear facing infant seats like the Accord does. I’ll have to test that out though.

2011 Kia Sorento
The looks didn’t wow me but at a starting price of under $20,000 you’re not going to find an SUV this big (it costs the same as a Nissan Rogue but is bigger) and the interior was a huge step up for Kia, although not quite as nice as the Hyundai Sonata. It’s really similarly priced to Dodge’s Journey and both have really unusable optional third row seats. However, the interior edge goes to the Kia…big time.

Dads, Would You Drive a Lincoln MKT?

Here’s a new one for the blog. I’m asking all the dads out there if they would be caught dead driving the new Lincoln crossover called the MKT. I’m testing it this week for a full review on Cars.com and would like to include real-world dad feedback on what they think of the looks.

I don’t want to influence anyone, but me, I like it.

Now it isn’t cheap, it starts at $44,200 but a new Lincoln Navigator SUV starts well over $50,000.

My tester also has a turbocharged V-6 engine which is pretty fast. For more pictures check out this post but I want to hear gut reactions in the comments below. Feel free to blog about it yourself too or tweet it, facebook it etc. Just let me know where I can see the feedback. Thanks.

Daddy Driven: 2010 Subaru Outback

For my day job at Cars.com I recently reviewed the 2010 Subaru Outback. Since I own a 2008 I had a pretty good point of reference to judge the improvements and the drawbacks. To me the only drawback is that you give up a little bit of handling chops and being able to lower the rear seats from the hatch. Otherwise the new model is better in every way.

As a parent the biggest improvement is the height of the car. Getting Carter and Evie into their seats is now a bit easier because the child safety seats sit at hip level to adults standing outside. You're not dropping them down into the seat under the roofline, nor lifting them up like in some SUVs. The only problem is if you then lean in after them you might bump your head like Courtney did a few times.

LATCH connectors were a breeze and the added room in the back seat now makes the Outback ideal for two safety seats. Our model forces the passenger — usually me — to move so far forward that your knees are bent into your chest. The new model doesn't require any adjustments.

Check out my video above and the full review here.

Daddy Driven: 2010 Subaru Legacy

I did another dad-centric car review over on KickingTires. Check it out here. The redesigned Subaru Legacy is really much bigger than before. If I needed an all-wheel drive sedan there isn’t a better choice. If you don’t care about foul weather there are tons of competitors though that I’d say take a look at.

If you’re thinking of buying one and have a question for me just post it in the comments below.

Daddy Driven: 2010 Chevy Equinox

Over on the blog I’m actually paid to work on Monday through Friday I posted a very thorough reporting on the new 2010 Chevy Equinox and how well it holds up for parents. Definitely go check it out and let me know what you think of the format.

And in case you missed it – because I never posted about it I guess – I did a report for Father’s Day on all the car’s I’ve tested since Carter was born and which were my favorites. Call it car-stuff Monday I guess.

I Really Hate My Job

Can't you tell?

This was shot last week when I was up at Road America hitting the track with a number of new models. It's the one time a year we get to actually flog the cars on a track. It's not real world driving for sure, but it always amazes me how well street ready cars can handle one of the fastest tracks in the country.

The "business" trip held me up from posting here but I'll get back on it as soon as I can. There's a lot going on for us. K2 is coming in less than a month now! We need a new car to fit all the baby seats and, oh yeah, we need to buy a house still. Crazy times. 

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring: Daddy Driven

I’ve been slacking in the writing department lately mainly because of family stuff, sick kids, long days at work and Guitar Hero addiction. This report has been really slacking as I’ve tested a bunch of other cars since the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring you see here.

A few things about the Elantra Touring before I get into the daddy stuff.

1.    It’s not the greatest looking wagon.
2.    But it’s a wagon!
3.    It’s pretty well equipped for its starting price of $17,800. Automatic is $800.

2009 Toyota Venza Video Plus Bluetooth Music

Here's my latest video for Cars.com where I detail the Toyota Venza. Now, I already did a Daddy Driven post on it back in early February, but now you can see just how huge it is in the back seat and cargo area. Yes, dads: You can fit a family, or a golf foursome with clubs in tremendous comfort.

Check out another video below on the new Bluetooth music streaming feature. Ford's Sync does this too.

VW Routan...Just Buy a Dodge Grand Caravan

Yesterday, I told you how much I liked the VW Tiguan as a dad-mobile. The same can't be said for the new VW Routan minivan based on Chrysler's Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

I only got about an hour of seat time in it but I was really disappointed in the interior quality. It is really no better than either Chrysler product so why pay for the VW styling?

My colleague Joe Wiesenfelder takes the Routan to task in the video above. Enjoy.

And for the record I would take the Honda Odyssey over this in a second.