Automedia.com - Reviews - 2002 Articles

2002 Acura NSX

Arguably, the Acura NSX may be the most affordable exotic automobile available today. Though it has gone through a few minor changes each year, this sports car has improved with each model revision. Even with a fervent enthusiast following, a strong business case for a limited-production vehicle can be tenuous at best. Fortunately, for those of us who appreciate fine automobiles, Acura has identified the importance of having an image car of NSX magnitude. We hope this automobile will remain in the Acura stable for quite some time to come...

2002 Acura RSX Type-S

From the beginning of the process, as Acura began developing a replacement for the Integra, they knew they would have to go that extra distance for such an important automobile. The Integra is a car that put the spotlight on Acura, gaining the attention of young buyers. In some areas of the country, the Integra even has a cult-like following. By all appearances, Acura's designers and engineers have reached their goal...

2002 Acura TL Type-S

There's no substitute for solid engineering, but a bit of added flash never hurts when it comes to enhancing market appeal. That fact was not lost on Acura, which endowed the TL sedan with a tasteful freshening for 2002. In its first mini-makeover since being introduced in 1999, the TL gains a bolder front end with stronger grille and lamp treatments plus tidied-up taillights. That welcome visual boost aside, it's the hot, new Type-S variant that really makes this midsize, entry-lux 4-door come alive...

2002 Audi A4

Audi has given its best-selling model a major overhaul for 2002, and the results are impressive to say the least. Since its introduction in 1995, the A4 has established itself as a solid player in the entry-lux segment. Bolstered by numerous improvements throughout the package, this second-generation offering is destined to enjoy an even higher profile among its aspirational peer set...

2002 Audi A6 3.0 CVT

As a mid-luxury-class cruiser, Audi's stylish A6 has hardly come in for much in the way of blistering criticism. But in a market defined by such other luminaries as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar's S-Type and Volvo's S80, a regimen of regular improvements is pretty much part of the game. For 2002, Audi has graced it midsize four-door with the largest number of meaningful changes since the current-generation A6 rolled onto the scene in 1998. Visual, structural and motivational in nature, these upgrades promise to keep it on pace for yet another record sales year...

2002 Audi TT Roadster

Remember when you were a kid and you'd finally saved enough money to go downtown to the sporting goods store and buy that new baseball glove? Remember the way it felt as you slipped it over your hand? Remember the way it smelled? Remember how it transformed you into the Brooks Robinson of your local sandlot?..

2002 BMW 325i Sedan

On the BMW model ladder, the 3 Series is the entry-level rung. And within that broad 10-car range of 3 Series variants, the 325i Sedan is the most affordable. At $27,100 in stripped-down form, the 325i puts the revered BMW roundel within reach of people who might be more accustomed to Camry-class vehicles. At that price point, the BMW offers both more and less than its popular competition from Japan...

2002 BMW 745i

In the car business, making big changes generally means taking big risks. That's particularly true in a historically conservative and exceptionally high-profile/high-margin market segment. With its all-new 7 Series sedan, BMW has arguably launched the most dramatic attack ever seen on the status quo of the prestige sedan genre. Stylistically, conceptually and dynamically, it breaks new ground as it seeks to one-up the rest of the field—and most directly its prime archrival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class...

2002 BMW M3 Coupe

BMW's M squad has always been in a class by itself, even when judged against its sibling Ultimate Driving Machines. The latest M3 raises that blatant-overachiever benchmark to a heretofore-unseen level. Despite a multitude of refinements and creature comforts, the third-generation M3 comes closer than ever to being the near-perfect embodiment of a road-going racecar...

2002 Buick LeSabre Custom

How often does a product meet or exceed all of our expectations? For those seeking a large, roomy, comfortable, quiet, conservative American sedan, the 2002 Buick LeSabre Custom fills the bill. That must be why it has been the country's best-selling full-size car for nine straight years...

2002 Buick Rendezvous

Consider this a fresh sprout on Buick's gnarly old tree. Without abandoning upscale (read "wealthy") customers, Buick hopes to lower the age of its client base by at least 15 years by offering its first "truck" (although the EPA classifies the Rendezvous as a special-purpose vehicle) since 1923...

2002 Cadillac DeVille DTS

It was 8:30 one winter morning on a Michigan two-lane with a layer of fresh snow and slush partially cleared Detroit-style. As I approached a left-hand curve at about 50 mph, a huge umpteen-wheel gravel hauler suddenly appeared, coming the other way around the bend—way across the center line!..

2002 Cadillac Escalade

These days, automotive manufacturers look at SUVs the same way that prospectors looked at Sutter Creek in 1849: There's gold in them thar vehicles. No longer simply pickup trucks with enclosed cargo areas and extra seats, SUVs have replaced sports cars in some households. In others, these vehicles now occupy garage space next to expensive foreign jobs...

2002 Cadillac Seville

Only one Cadillac model vies seriously against the luxury-car competition from Europe and Japan: the Seville sedan. In fact, quite a few Sevilles are sold elsewhere in the world, attracting affluent buyers who might otherwise be tempted by a midrange Mercedes, a Lexus GS sport sedan, an Infiniti Q45, or a 5 Series BMW. Seville is the Cadillac model chosen by buyers who appreciate taut handling and a firm but satisfying ride, along with a full load of the expected comforts and conveniences that make driving life a little bit more enjoyable...

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

"Changes in attitude, changes in latitude"—that's how Jimmy Buffet's song goes and that's exactly how Chevrolet hopes people will view the all-new Avalanche. Call it part pickup truck, part sport-utility or maybe all Transformer, but no matter what you call it, the Avalanche is a versatile package that has the capability to morph into many configurations and accommodate many needs. Certainly a change in attitude...

2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS 35th Anniversary Edition

With apologies to the late, great Dylan Thomas, Chevrolet is not quite ready to let its venerable muscle car "go gentle into that good night." Although the Camaro will be mustered out of production at the end of the 2002 model year, the Bow Tie Brigade is celebrating its last lap around the fast track with a limited-edition model that suitably recalls 35 years of past glory...

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24

Hurry, hurry! Get your Z24 Cavalier today, before supplies run out. Carnival barkers might not be the best sources for new automobiles, but these words of warning do apply in the case of the sportiest version of Chevrolet's compact series. Not only has a new Z24 sedan joined the existing coupe, but both are available at dealerships for a limited period, early in the 2002 model year...

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

Authenticity matters in the sport-utility vehicle market—especially for the full-size ones. Some try to conceal their truck origins. Chevrolet's full-size Tahoe almost flaunts its heavy-duty foundation, though that admission is softened somewhat this year by what the company claims is a "premium ride."..

2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT LT 4x2

You have to really want the third seat. That's the thought that kept rattling around in my brain as I spent a 5-day workweek with Chevy's stretched TrailBlazer EXT...

2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LTZ 4WD

Intense competition continues to be a hallmark of the sport-utility realm in 2002. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the midsize segment, the motorized battleground of Chevrolet's all-new TrailBlazer. Although sharing platform basics with the equally new GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada, this Chevy-badged variant is destined to be the largest-selling—and hence, most critically important—member of the General's new power trio...

2002 Chevrolet Venture Warner Bros. Edition

The 2002 Chevy Venture follows a typical minivan formula: adequate V-6, easy-driving 4-speed automatic, somewhat unexciting exterior profile and enough seating for a Little League team. As with other vehicles in its class, cupholders abound, and some nifty storage spaces help stash gear enough for a summer trip to the beach or a winter trip to the slopes...

2002 Chevy Suburban 2500 LS 4WD

I bought my last Suburban in 1973. I was hauling racecars on weekends; the Sub's tremendous towing capability and capacious interior for people and stuff made it, in my opinion, the world's greatest tow vehicle. Nearly 20 years later, along with its GMC Yukon XL sibling, it probably still is. Long-time favorites of ranchers and oilmen, these "Cowboy Cadillacs" are as plentiful as jackrabbits in Texas—and for good reason...

2002 Chrysler 300M

The perpetual whirlwind of "new and improved" is blowing entry-luxury sedans toward rear-wheel-drive propulsion systems faster than you can say "snow tires." That's a pity because front-drive layouts boast so many intrinsic attributes. Case in point: Chrysler's 300M. In terms of value for money, well-rounded competence, and universal goodness, they don't get any better than this...

2002 Chrysler Concorde Limited

By the time most automobiles reach their fifth model year wearing the same basic suit of exterior sheetmetal, they're tapped out. Fenders and fashions inevitably change with the seasons. Rapidly advancing technology is the second force that drives elderly designs resolutely toward the scrap heap...

2002 Chrysler Prowler

When the Plymouth Prowler first appeared on the display stand at the '93 Detroit auto show, the jaded press and slack-jawed public could scarcely believe a vehicle so outlandish could roll forth from a major carmaker. Much too daring. Far too outrageous. And yet there it was, with its rakishly low stance, cycle fenders and all. It was almost as if Chrysler was intending to prove that the Viper (which first appeared in 1989 and then went on sale in 1992) was no fluke. The Prowler flew in the face of convention in dramatic style. Surely by the time the car met all the appropriate safety requirements and internal corporate mandates, it would look nothing like the evocative show car...

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

When you're working with a finite budget, finding a car that's packed with personality can be an enormous challenge. In most cases, you're relegated to mainstream (and very modest) style, bland performance and an overall panache-deficit...

2002 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible

The Chrysler Sebring, totally revamped for the 2001 model year, enters 2002 with lower MSRPs across the board and a sporty new convertible package due mid-year. Until this much-anticipated Sebring GTC is introduced as a 2002-1/2 model, the Limited convert continues to be the line's top-billing drop-topper. It still sports the dashing visual changes and mechanical upgrades the Sebring family received last year...

2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi

One of the more notorious Detroit car designers coined the phrase, "If you must steal, rob a bank, not a dime store." It was a clever way of urging junior staff members to seek inspiration from life's top shelf, rather than from its bargain basement. That sage advice must have registered at Chrysler, where the new-for-2001 Sebring sedan rolled forth showing a close family resemblance to the Concorde and 300M models that define the line's highest aspirations. For all intents, the Sebring is a 7/8-scale model of the best Chryslers money can buy...

2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi Coupe

On the Olympic difficulty scale, selling sport coupes is right up there with underwater tobogganing. It's because any mention of "sport" gets a prospect's tail wagging in anticipation of the "utility vehicle" words that usually follow. So how does a manufacturer clear this hurdle and draw the eye of customers not necessarily in the sport-coupe mood? In Chrysler's case, the answer is the Sebring...

2002 Chrysler Town Country LXi

As America's leading purveyor of minivans, Chrysler continues to roll more of these practical and comfortable vehicles off its lots than any other manufacturer on Earth. There are credible challengers to be sure, but when America thinks "minivan," the majority of people summon up a familiar vision from DaimlerChrysler. But which one, exactly? That's a tough question, since between its Dodge and Chrysler nameplates, DaimlerChrysler offers a dizzying array of choices...

2002 Chrysler Voyager

When it comes to minivans, DaimlerChrysler's approach is anything but "one size fits all." People's specific needs and tastes differ, and DaimlerChrysler probably comes closer than any other manufacturer to offering a custom-built approach designed to please just about everyone...

2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4

Big pickup trucks make great commercials. They carry impossibly large loads, tow huge boats up near-vertical inclines, and leap over tall buildings in a single bound...

2002 Dodge Neon R/T

The Neon was Chrysler's (before Daimler bought them) attempt to market a quality, low-priced entry against entrenched Japanese and German competition. Its cutesy styling, roomy interior, revvy (if a bit buzzy) motor and low sticker made it a base hit—but not quite a home run. Sadly, the coupe version fell prey to low sales, and the virtually identical Plymouth-nameplate edition fell by the wayside when DC axed that division...

2002 Dodge Ram 1500

Hard to believe that it's been over eight years since Dodge unleashed an all-new Ram pickup. Introduced in 1993 as a 1994 model, that innovative Ram's massive front end and dominant fenders had a like-it-or-hate-it personality. A lot of people liked it, and the Ram hasn't looked over its shoulder since...

2002 Ford Escape XLT 4x4

Nothing is a sure bet in today's automotive world. But if ever there were an odds-on favorite to turn up in the success column, it's the Ford Escape. This handsome hauler had all the hallmarks of a winner when it rolled onto the compact SUV scene for 2001. With its impressive combination of style, flexibility, and convenience, the Escape racked up a formidable 164,184 sales and handily displaced the Honda CR-V as the volume leader in class. A handful of minor upgrades for 2002 leaves little doubt that Escape will remain a solid presence during its sophomore season—and for some time to come...

2002 Ford Excursion

GM's Suburban/Yukon XL stranglehold on the full-figured SUV class came to an end two years ago when Ford launched its Excursion. Dearborn's big "E" went straight to the head of the size class. It's bigger in every dimension internally and externally than the Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL. And it's just the thing for affluent people who just have to have the super size of everything. The good news for 2002: Excursion is available in XLT, XLT Premium or Limited, and Limited Ultimate editions with fully 22 different trim combinations. So, you can spec your Excursion virtually exactly the way you'd like it...

2002 Ford Expedition XLT

Overall demand for full-size sport-utility vehicles has admittedly softened of late. But for those who really need the space and capability these magnum load-toters offer, nothing less will do. Despite rating only "middle child" status in Ford's exceptionally broad-based SUV lineup, the Expedition definitely fills the bill when it comes to both aspects of that packaging equation. Introduced in 1997, this versatile hauler was spun from the firm's best-selling F-150 pickup platform and immediately took over the top spot in its segment. While it's definitely feeling the competitive heat from the newer Chevrolet Yukon, GMC Denali and Toyota Sequoia, there's still plenty of appealing features to be found in this Blue Oval offering...

2002 Ford Explorer

Forget most of what you know about SUVs in general and Ford Explorers in particular. The new 2002 edition is a revolution. Out goes a rustic truck-based people-hauler and in comes the third-generation design that combines the best aspects of a car and a truck in one tidy package. Length and height dimensions are largely unchanged. Expanding track width by 2.5-inches and stretching the wheelbase by 2.0-inches changes the Explorer from a large compact to what many are now calling a midsize SUV. Ground clearance and approach angles are both improved even though Explorer customers are probably the least likely to venture off-road...

2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition

Replacing a proven winner is never easy. It entails walking a fine line that introduces enough to keep one step ahead of the game while avoiding the inevitable temptation to try and fix what ain't broke. With its all-new 2002 Explorer, Ford appears to have done an excellent job of treading that notoriously treacherous path...

2002 Ford Explorer Sport

After the redesigned four-door Explorer debuted as an early 2002 model, not everyone remembers that a two-door companion remains in Ford's lineup. The Explorer Sport, its prior-generation roots intact, is conveniently sized and easy to handle with the right amount of allure to those wanting a sport-utility vehicle larger than the Escape but smaller than the full-size Explorer...

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Thinking outside the box has become a hallmark of success in today's rapidly changing business world. The same is proving true in the automotive realm, where rethinking conventional approaches has led to numerous variations on the basic transportation theme...

2002 Ford F-150 Regular Cab

Although the F-150's design is getting a bit long in the tooth—GM redesigned and updated its basic pickups last year and Dodge just did the same with its Ram models—it's still very competitive. Ford sells more F-150s than any other truck or car in America. And F-Series trucks have been the bestsellers here for 24 years consecutively, so Ford's huge volume allows dealers to discount their trucks enticingly. This is particularly true if the model with most of the features you're seeking is sitting on your dealer's lot...

2002 Ford Focus Sedan

Launched for the 2000 model year as a stylish, European-inspired replacement for the subcompact Escort, the Ford Focus rapidly became one of the most popular cars in the world. It's also one of the most chameleonic, with a varied set of personalities and virtues...

2002 Ford Focus ZX3

Korean automakers have run rabid through the small car lot of late, skimming off buyers galore with prices too cheap to believe. Fighting this incursion takes courage, commitment, and creativity beyond the pale. It takes a seriously outstanding effort such as the one Ford invested in its Focus, a bare-knuckle import fighter launched two years ago. The sensible strategy would have been to snuggle the Focus between proven Escort and Contour car lines. But in this day of cutthroat competition, the sensible approach seldom works. So Ford cleared its small-car decks, retiring both of those bookend vehicles to give the Focus ample breathing room. Designers and engineers exploited that opportunity to create one of the most interesting—and enjoyable to drive—small-car families ever to wear a domestic manufacturer's ID plate. Of particular note is the overtly sporty ZX3 hatchback...

2002 Ford Focus ZX5

Ford's Focus ZX3 has been a very popular two-door hatchback. For the 2002 model year, it becomes as practical as it has been popular with the introduction of the Focus ZX5 model, which has two additional doors to enhance access to the back seat and cargo area...

2002 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew

You could pretty much see this one coming from the very start. When America's most successful truck producer and its most legendary motorcycle manufacturer joined forces back in 2000, their collaboration yielded one of the slickest-looking pickups ever to hit a showroom floor. A low-slung, high-strung study in black and brightwork, the original limited-edition Harley-fied F-150 was a rolling objet d'art that even non-truck people had to admire for its unique blend of cool and competence. The subsequent switch from SuperCab to the new-for-2001 SuperCrew body style added even more practicality to the package...

2002 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

In an automotive world fraught with change, constants are few. One of the most enduring is the popularity of America's original ponycar, the Mustang. Ever since it began filtering into Ford retail corrals back in mid-1964, this stalwart steed has occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of buyers across the country. While sales volumes admittedly have dipped from their all-time highs, in a realm increasingly populated by SUVs and "crossovers," the Mustang still accounts for more than two times the combined volume of its closest competitors, the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird...

2002 Ford Ranger FX4 4x4

In today's increasingly crowded world of "active lifestyle" vehicles, one is either a player or a poser. Ford's latest addition to its immensely popular Ranger compact-pickup lineup definitely falls into the former category. Starting with an XLT SuperCab Styleside 4x4, the new FX4 premium off-road package adds a comprehensive array of functional and cosmetic touches that give dyed-in-the-dirt adventurers a vehicle with equal measures of style, comfort and go-just-about-anywhere capability...

2002 Ford Taurus SEL Premium

Since its introduction for the 1986 model year, the Taurus has, in its own low-key way, become one of the legendary nameplates in Blue Oval history. In a daring-at-the-time move, Ford used this eminently practical four-door to pioneer the aero look in modern family sedans. Since then, 5.7 million Tauruses have been sold, keeping the vehicle among America's best-selling passenger cars every year. While no one will accuse the current iteration of breaking mass quantities of new ground, it continues to deliver an appealing mix of desirable elements at an affordable price...

2002 Ford Thunderbird

An American motoring icon is back following a hiatus of nearly 50 years. Most red-blooded Americans over the age of 16 are familiar with the 1955-57 Ford Thunderbirds, and even many automotive-illiterates have at least one memory of these classics...

2002 Ford Windstar

A few years ago, minivans appeared to be fading out of the automotive scene. More recently, they've hinted at a comeback. Plenty of shoppers still like the interior space and versatility of a minivan despite its often-mocked, family-focused image. Owners get many of the merits of a sport-utility vehicle, with more car-like ride and handling as well as better gas mileage...

2002 GMC Envoy SLT 4WD

As sport-utility vehicles have grown in sales over the last 10 years from minor curiosity to major market segment, General Motors has been something of an also-ran in the midsize SUV market. With the Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy/Olds Bravada platform, GM found itself up against the larger and roomier Ford Explorer; America chose the Explorer decisively, buying significantly more copies of it than of all three GM utes combined. It turns out that to American midsize SUV buyers, size matters, and the extra room the Explorer has traditionally offered over its GM counterparts was a significant factor in its favor...

2002 GMC Sonoma

Whether it's intended for work or play, picking the right compact pickup truck isn't easy. Each model on the market, import or domestic, can get the light-hauling job done with a satisfying degree of competence. Therefore, the differences boil down to details and brand preferences...

2002 Honda Civic Si

It's been a while since the Civic lineup was graced with a member whose primary role was to bring pure driving fun to the masses. With the reintroduction of the Si-spec hatchback, Honda has gone out of its way to atone for that glaring omission. It's not that this little street-stormer isn't without a practical side. It's just that, pound for pound and feature for feature, the Si merits absolutely stellar marks when it comes to generating more smiles per mile than virtually anything else out there today in its sub-$20K price range...

2002 Honda CR-V

Transforming an already-excellent sport-utility vehicle into a superior one was a demanding, if essential, task for Honda developers. Although the CR-V quickly reached the top of its class after its 1997 debut, the compact market has gained some vigorous new competitors since then. For its second generation, Honda wanted a "major leap forward," said chief engineer Takahiro Hachigo...

2002 Honda Odyssey EX

America's love affair with the minivan may have abated somewhat over the last decade, but you surely couldn't prove that by Honda. While the firm didn't even enter the multi-purpose segment until 1996 with its original Odyssey, today it stands as one of the world's premier purveyors of people movers...

2002 Honda S2000

With a corporate design culture that prides itself on pushing technology, the S2000 roadster is the perfect image leader for Honda. While other manufacturers tend to escalate engine size in the pursuit of performance, Honda's approach is more minimalistic. And it makes the rear-drive S2000 possibly the most unusual sports car available today—at any price...

2002 Hyundai Accent GS

Econo-boxing has come a long way from its humble beginnings. While burled walnut, supple leather and mega-watt sound systems are still not in the cards, going a few rounds with many of today's budget-oriented transport modules has become a far more bearable and—in many instances—a reasonably pleasant undertaking. Nowhere has the maturation process been more dramatic than in vehicles coming out of Korea. Prime mover in that realm has been Hyundai, whose products have made quantum advances in design and build quality during the past five years while maintaining a solid commitment to price competitiveness...

2002 Infiniti I35

Infiniti has increased performance throughout its 2002 lineup. (In fact, the division's parent company, Nissan, is becoming more excitement-oriented in general.) Based on the same platform as the Nissan Maxima, the I-series Infiniti has taken hold of the entry-lux market and just seems to get better with each model year...

2002 Infiniti Q45

To put it mildly, Infiniti's flagship sedan has led a less-than-charmed life since it rolled onto the scene in 1989. Nissan designers seriously miscalculated the nature of the luxury-sedan market in the first-generation Q-ship, giving archrival Lexus a massive step up on the premium-channel luxury game. The second-generation Q45 arrived in 1997, seriously hamstrung by numerous design compromises mandated by Nissan's deepening financial difficulties...

2002 Infiniti QX4

When it comes to spending quality time in a midsize SUV, few players in today's market can rival the experience provided by the Infiniti QX4. Sharing the same basic MonoFrame structure as the rugged Nissan Pathfinder from which it was spawned in 1997, the somewhat pricier but far plusher QX4 has been winning over the modestly well-heeled ever since with its distinctive blend of competence, comfort and convenience. Beneficiary of an image-emboldening facelift and major powertrain upgrading in 2001, Infiniti's entry-lux sport-ute makes do with a host of lesser—but nonetheless welcome—refinements and seven new exterior colors this time around...

2002 Isuzu Axiom XS

Isuzu's new Axiom ranks as the most brazen example to date of the groundswell automotive movement toward "crossover" vehicles. This high-profile sport-utility model softens the typical SUV styling approach of straight lines and squared corners to convey a unique personality, highlighted by its defiantly muscular front fascia, arcing roofline, sculpted fender flares and geometrically patterned wheels. Beneath its shapely skin, though, the Axiom rides on a rigid 8-crossmember frame that maintains a degree of kinship to both the slightly smaller Rodeo and slightly larger Trooper...

2002 Jaguar X-Type

When Ford Motor Company purchased Britain's ailing Jaguar Cars a decade ago, one unspoken goal was patently obvious. Ford management knew that Lincoln scarcely had the cachet to overtake Cadillac, let alone battle BMW and Mercedes-Benz for prestige sales...

2002 Jeep Liberty

2002 Kia Sedona

Value has been the key to Kia's success. Ever since the South Korean manufacturer began trickling cars into the U.S. market in 1994, its products have promised an appealing selection of features at prices well below the competitions'...

2002 Land Rover Freelander

Pint-sized SUVs have been the province of the Suzuki Grand Vitara, KIA Sportage, and more recently Honda's updated CR-V and Toyota's RAV4. But don't bet on any of those trucklets in a serious off-road situation. For 2002, the new Jeep Liberty has had a short reign as the sole serious small off-roader. Real competition—albeit at a slightly higher price—is here...

2002 Lexus ES 300

With its new ES 300, Lexus has soared well past the original concept of a leather-lined, upgraded and more-expensive Camry. The first ES (the ES 250, introduced in 1989) was just that. Lexus engineers simply Lexified the top-of-the-line Toyota in case their bigger car's $35,000 price tag (lofty then for a Japanese car) scared customers away. From an engineering standpoint at the time, Lexus opted to focus on its then revolutionary LS 400, a car that first startled—then soon scared—the Germans. In hindsight, the LS provoked a Teutonic turnaround that manifested itself in better customer service, longer service intervals, and a host of great new products—plus a few old ones that soon received V-8 heart transplants...

2002 Lexus GS 430

Driving any path to glory is seldom an easy task, even if you're Lexus. For a number of years, the GS series languished in its own quiet corner of the luxury netherworld. Tastefully styled by Giugiaro, the original version of this midsize, rear-drive sedan boasted an admittedly striking visual presence, but comparatively lackluster straight-line performance...

2002 Lexus IS 300 L-Tuned Limited Edition

These are heady times for automotive enthusiasts. With increasing regularity, manufacturers are discovering the marketing benefits of performance-oriented personalization programs backed by a factory imprimatur. The most recent player to establish a fledgling presence in this burgeoning field is Lexus, with its L-Tuned operation...

2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross

In today's automotive world, practical chic is where it's at. Leading the charge in that direction is a variety of new vehicles that combine equal parts of utility and style. Latest face to join this burgeoning group of multifaceted people-movers is the Lexus IS 300 SportCross. Sharing basic architecture with the new-for-2001 IS sedan, the 2002 SportCross offers even more visual impact to complement its additional flexibility...

2002 Lexus LX 470

The House of Lexus brought new standards of quality, performance and luxury to the sport-ute world when it introduced the LX 470, a big, go-anywhere icon that Range Rover freely admits to using as a benchmark when designing its new mega-ute. More than anything, the LX 470 is a first-class means for going anywhere, with a level of comfort and luxury appropriate to Park Avenue apartments. It also provides seating for up to eight, maximum cargo space of 90.4 cubic feet and generous towing capacity, yet is nearly as nimble as most any sports sedan...

2002 Lexus RX 300 4WD

Call it the right product at the right time. Since its introduction for the '99 model year, the RX 300 has become a runaway success for Lexus—so much so that it now stands as the division's top-selling vehicle. One quick drive confirms why. In a universe populated by SUVs of every stripe, the RX 300 excels at delivering what the vast majority of buyers really need. An anathema to hardcore off-roaders and maximum posers, this highly refined hauler was conceived and executed to take care of the business at hand without resorting to pointless excess. It's comfortable, safe, luxurious, decently capacious, easy to drive, and fully capable of going just about anywhere the vast majority of SUV buyers really want to go...

2002 Lexus SC 430

Lexus built its enviable reputation on quality and quiet. It did such a brilliant job in the process that the name has virtually become synonymous with luxury in the minds of American car buyers. Now, Toyota's premium division wants to infuse that slightly constricting definition with some genuine emotion, as well. To that end, it just introduced the 2002 SC 430, a head-turning, top-dropping, hardtop convertible that replaces the recently departed SC 300/SC 400 coupes. In creating what chief engineer Yasushi Nakagawa calls the "jewel of Lexus," the SC 430 development team combined the engine of the LS luxury sedan with the underpinnings of the GS sport sedan and topped off that formidable combo with sheetmetal that ensures the car will make a dramatic entrance regardless of whether it's in closed or open mode...

2002 Lincoln LS V-8 Premium

Seeking to broaden the appeal of its decidedly domesticated lineup, Lincoln introduced the Euro-flavored LS to its sedan family for the 2000 model year. Although it shares basic platform architecture with the Jaguar S-Type, the two have no common sheetmetal and little in the way of interchangeable interior trim bits. Aimed squarely at those who relish the basic driving experience rather than those seeking to avoid it, the LS also takes notable steps to distance itself from its own marque-mates, the Continental and Town Car...

2002 Mazda MPV ES

It's tough to grab much attention when you're not the big dog in any pack—literally or figuratively. That adage has proven particularly true when applied to the minivan segment, a subset that's been acutely impacted over the past decade by the rising popularity of SUVs and car-based crossovers...

2002 Mazda Protegé5

Fun behind the wheel doesn't have to preclude practicality. Mazda is proving that premise with its new Protegé5, which is basically a five-door variant of the well-known Protegé four-door sedan (with trunk). A new body style for Mazda, Protegé5 combines the practical virtues of a wagon with the taut suspension and precise maneuverability of a small sport sedan. The new model went on sale as an early 2002...

2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe

"Affordable Mercedes." Most people might find that word pairing the ultimate automotive oxymoron. With the arrival of the new C-Class Kompressor Sports Coupe, those folks may have to start rethinking the ground rules in the entry-lux game. Starting at $24,950—plus a $575 destination fee—this rakish rear-drive hatchback becomes the lowest-priced Mercedes sold in America. But price is only part of its appeal. There's enough high-quality substance in this value-driven package to find favor with plenty of customers who could afford to spend considerably more...

2002 Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport Wagon

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its roomy, stylish, midsize E-Class station wagons. But for many years, North American buyers who couldn't pop for nearly $60K for a loaded E320 wagon were denied that body style in the smaller C-Series because the price-value-size equation just didn't compute over here. BMW faced the same problem with its 3 Series wagons. It didn't help matters that station wagons as a class were being upstaged by more-popular SUVs and, to make matters worse for would-be wagoneers, Mercedes-Benz offered its Alabama-built M-Class SUV at a relative bargain rate (well below $40,000)...

2002 Mercedes-Benz G500

Mercedes-Benz, the brand long associated with refinement and sleek sophistication, knows what discerning luxury-car customers really want—mud flaps, four-wheel drive and the ability to climb mountains with a shift on-the-fly...

2002 Mercury Sable LS Wagon

Despite a decade-long battering by minivans, SUVs and now an increasing tide of crossover vehicles, the traditional station wagon simply refuses to die. Ironically, it's been European and Japanese automakers who've taken the lead in spearheading a mini-renaissance of this former mainstay of the U.S. motoring industry. On the domestic front, Ford Motor Company has been the most steadfast supporter of this seemingly endangered breed. Current top gun in its corporate station-wagon arsenal is the Mercury Sable LS Premium...

2002 MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper has a heralded and notable history around the world. Even here in the United States, where the car saw minimal exposure, the prospect of having a modern version of the MINI has gathered a windstorm of enthusiasm. Now it's getting extraordinary attention in a country where people had little or no contact with the original car...

2002 Mitsubishi Galant

Always a capable and pleasant automobile, Mitsubishi's Galant midrange sedan has edged up another notch in all-around appeal. Improvements for 2002 aren't exactly earthshaking, but the end result adds to the quality of the Galant driving/riding experience—which is even more enjoyable than before...

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally

Parked in front of my local post office, a spiky-haired, 20-something blonde in tight jeans emerges from a battered KIA. Her car's rear bumper is covered with stickers, the most prominent of which reads "Skin Ink."..

2002 Nissan Maxima

Promise the customers more power, and they will buy. That seems to be an axiom among many automakers these days. It's a rule that Nissan has followed to the letter when modifying its full-size Maxima sedan for the 2002 model year...

2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R and SE-R Spec V

When Nissan introduced its all-new, fifth-generation Sentra compact sedan in the 2000 model year, the car rekindled fond memories of the Datsun 510 and its success in small-bore GT racing. After this Sentra went into production, one of the development cars was collecting dust at Nissan's Arizona Proving Ground, and several of the engineers started fiddling with it in their spare time. After an engine tweak here and a suspension mod there, these Nissan brains realized that they had something special. So special, in fact, that they couldn't contain their enthusiasm...

2002 Nissan Xterra

Effectively, the Xterra single-handedly "saved" Nissan when it was introduced for the 2000 model year. Before then, the company had been bleeding red ink, which translated into less R&D resources for developing and updating vehicles to stay competitive in the market. Nissan gambled with the Xterra and managed to create a new market niche in the process: a real truck-based compact SUV that could transport five adults, is maneuverable and easy to park, and has multi-terrain capabilities thanks to respectable ground clearance and available four-wheel drive...

2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Collector Edition

No doubt about it, as GM's F-body cars take their final bow, the 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the highly desirable WS6 Ram Air performance/handling package is quintessential American transportation—and a very nice piece in its own right. It's a lot noisy, a bit rough around the edges and not a car for wimps. With market forces and insurance rates ushering the F-bodies off-stage at the end of the 2002 model year, Pontiac has marked the occasion by issuing a screaming-yellow Collector's Edition Trans Am, which takes the WS6 joy-toys and adds $3,000 worth of exclusive, purely visual, add-ons...

2002 Pontiac Grand Am

Sportiness comes in a couple of flavors. There's serious sport, where an automobile's motions and behavior closely match its appearance and reputation. At the other end of the spectrum, we have what might be termed pseudo-sport: vehicles that look the part but don't really live it. Pontiac's Grand Am compact coupe and sedan fall closer to that latter category...

2002 Pontiac Montana

Pontiac has something new for its minivan in 2002. Instead of the usual front-drive configuration, the latest Montana can be equipped with the transparent Versatrak all-wheel-drive system...

2002 Porsche 911 Carrera

Through the years, Porsche's venerable, rear-engined sports machine has done a pretty amazing job of carving out its own special niche with performance enthusiasts around the world. Since its introduction in 1965, the 911 has been treated to a continuing series of meaningful upgrades aimed at maintaining its position of primacy, on the road as well as on the racetrack. For the '02 season, the factory came through with one of the most comprehensive mid-generation improvement programs ever. In addition to styling changes that bring the basic Carrera family nearer in appearance to the awesome 911 Turbo variant, major tweaks to the powertrain, suspension, ergonomics and safety features have elevated the line to a whole new level of competence...

2002 Saab 9-5

Some automobiles conceal their true nature until they're driven for a while. With others, it takes only a moment to uncover the truth. Certain models—including Saab's 9-5—simply ooze excellence in every respect...

2002 Saturn VUE

Saturn changed the way we buy vehicles. With a customer-friendly dealer network and a radical way of listing one price with little or no dickering, Saturn shook up the car business. Many dealers of other brands followed suit. As a result, the Saturn brand has reached near cult status among the vehicles' owners. Many become obsessed with their Saturns—and everything that has to do with Saturn...

2002 Subaru Impreza WRX

Most Americans know Subaru for its Outback, Forester and all of those Crocodile Dundee commercials. But to the rest of the world, Subaru has made its name through three consecutive World Rally Championships—and a fire-breathing street-legal Impreza Turbo variant bred from its phenomenally successful competition model. In the past, this factory-built all-wheel-drive hot rod was only offered in Japan and European markets. But for 2002, Subaru finally brought a version to the United States as well. Priced at $23,995 ($24,995 if you need one with an automatic transmission), and badged the Impreza WRX, this 4-door hellraiser is bound for glory in the pocket rocket hall of fame...

2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition

Subarus have come a long, long way in recent years. Once known chiefly for across-the-board all-wheel-drive systems (when few others offered it) and a thrashy, agricultural-sounding flat 4-cylinder engine, Subaru vehicles have evolved into versatile, high-quality competitors. Always a touch quirky thanks in part to the Brat mystique, many "car guys" have come to think of Subarus as Japanese Saabs in terms of individuality...

2002 Suzuki Aerio

Seemingly, Suzuki put all its eggs into the sport-utility basket, at least in North America. The Grand Vitara and XL-7 evolved into the cornerstones of the company's American product line, and these two SUVs have formed a solid foundation on which to build a firm presence...

2002 Toyota Avalon XLS

Full-size sedans are seldom the subjects of automotive reverie. Nonetheless, even in an era of SUV madness, these stalwart haulers remain motoring mainstays for those with more traditional automotive tastes...

2002 Toyota Camry SE

Attempting to fix something that ain't broke is always a risky proposition. When you're talking about messing with the best-selling passenger car in the country for four years running, the prospect of unwarranted tinkering takes on far greater gravity. In recasting its ultra-successful Camry, Toyota confronted multiple—and often contradictory—goals. Aside from mere practical considerations, the engineering team led by Kosaku Yamada was charged with imparting a new sense of style and emotion to the mix—no small feat in a market segment that's notoriously conservative in its de facto automotive tastes. We've recently sampled the 2002 Camry in all of its flavors. While concentrating on the reborn SE variant, our extended seat time in all versions led to one overriding conclusion on the undertaking: It worked. Big time...

2002 Toyota Celica GT-S

Sport coupes have long served as a 3-dimensional playground for automotive stylists. By nature, the shelf life of these flashy, two-door tourers is relatively short and spiky, making sudden visual impact a design essential. Toyota's latest Celica clearly fills the bill when it comes to that fundamental consideration. Borrowing dynamic cues from the firm's CART Champ Car, the look-at-me lines of this futuristic 2+2 fastback tend to evoke a broad range of reactions depending on where one falls in the overall age demographic. Aesthetic consideration aside, the Celica, particularly in upline GT-S configuration, also has the mechanical moxie needed to deliver an engaging motoring experience every time you slip behind the wheel...

2002 Toyota Corolla S

Although it cruised into 2002 with nary a change, Toyota's venerable Corolla remains an extremely popular entrant in the compact/front-drive sedan segment. Currently rolling through its fifth and final season before a full generational change, the Corolla is still on pace to sell about 250,000 units this model year. That kind of continuing crowd appeal leaves it behind only the Honda Civic and Ford Focus, both of which were completely redesigned within the past 24 months. The Corolla's last round of interim changes came as part of a 2001 model-year update when it received a number of exterior and interior tweaks to help raise its visual profile and improve overall ergonomics. At that time, it also gained a new "S" variant intended to add even more spark to the mix...

2002 Toyota RAV4 L 4x4

In today's SUV market, bigger-is-better has become an all-too-familiar rallying cry. Spurred on by profit margins that rise in tantalizing lockstep with the physical scale of these super-utes, manufacturers have been only too happy to indulge the whims of customers who believe that the road to true happiness can only be negotiated in a vehicle whose curb weight and footprint dimension rivals those of a small condominium. Thankfully, saner minds do prevail in certain parts of the realm. For those who feel that form really should follow function when it comes to right-sizing a sport utility—and things like gasoline prices and garageability really do matter—Toyota offers its petite yet practical RAV4...

2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S

Exploding onto the automotive scene in mid-1998, Volkswagen's New Beetle has firmly established itself as an unqualified success story. But like so many things in this increasingly competitive car world, keeping the flame of its new-generation icon burning brightly in the minds of potential Bug buyers has required constant twists and tweaks...

2002 Volkswagen Passat W8 Sedan

Volkswagen makes its preliminary move toward providing more luxurious and powerful automobiles with the introduction of the Passat W8. The Passat has become a successful midsize model for Volkswagen, both in its sedan and wagon configuration. With the new W8 engine, VW takes both the 4- and 5-door Passats to new heights...

2002 Volvo V40 Wagon

So when did Volvo start making small, stylish front-drive cars? Aren't Volvos supposed to be bigger, boxier, rear-wheel drive and less, um, attractive?..

2002 Volvo V70 T5

Once a staple of the American automotive scene, station wagons have become the "missing men" in many manufacturers' lineups during the past couple of decades. That's hardly been the case at Volvo. Despite the onslaught of minivans, SUVs and now various "crossover" offerings, these venerable workhorses have remained a focal point of the mix. On one hand, the Gothenberg Gang has long excelled in serving the overtly utilitarian wing of the wagon-buying community. But it's equally true that Sweden's largest automaker also has managed to crank out some of the hottest sport variants ever to turn a wheel...

2002 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T

These are heady times for Volkswagen. During the next two years, the German automaker is preparing to set sail into uncharted waters with a barrage of new, more upmarket products. Vehicles that will undoubtedly grab the majority of the headlines are the new W8-powered Passat, the Mercedes-challenging D1 super-luxury sedan and the SUV that VW co-developed with Porsche. The good news goes far deeper into the model mix: For 2002, VW's best-selling Jetta gains a healthy boost in performance courtesy of major improvements in the powertrain department...