Scion xB Photo Comparison With Kia Soul And Nissan Cube

It's always meant to be. When a GoodCarBadCar.net reader makes a simple request, giving in to that request is guaranteed. In the comment section of this Scion Canada story, conwelpic thought it'd be a good idea to see the 2011 Scion xB, 2011 Kia Soul, and 2010 Nissan Cube lined up with their profile pictures. 

Here, then, are the three budget-minded boxes, with some pricing details to help you form your own opinion. Whoever first explains the Kia Soul 2.0L 4u's $1800 auto-trans anomaly* wins applause.

Canadian Pricing
2011 Scion xB Price: $18,270 + $1020 for automatic transmission

2010 Nissan Cube S: $17,398 + $1300 for CVT automatic

2010 Nissan Cube SL: $20,898 (includes CVT automatic)

2010 Nissan Cube krom: $23,098 (includes CVT automatic)

2011 Kia Soul 1.6L: $15,995 (no automatic transmission available)
2011 Kia Soul 2.0L 2u: $18,595 + $1200 for automatic transmission
2011 Kia Soul 2.0L 4u: $20,595 + $1800 for automatic transmission*
2011 Kia Soul 2.0L 4u Retro: $21,295 + $1200 for automatic transmission
2011 Kia Soul 2.0L4u Burner: $21,595 + $1200 for automatic transmission
2011 Kia Soul 2.0L 4u SX: $22,395 + $1200 automatic transmission
*Kia.ca website mistake.

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IIHS Examines Insurance Losses By Vehicle Model

The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute have finished compiling the data on insurance losses by vehicle type and specific models. "Loss results are stated in relative terms," the study says. "100 represents the average result for all vehicles in each loss coverage category." Rated across various fields (collision, property damage liability, comprehensive, personal injury protection, medical payment, and bodily injury liability), the easiest way to understand the ratings are by the colour in the "All Coverages" section.

Yellow is substantially better than average. Dark yellowish-orange is better than average. Peachy-pink is average. Orange is worse than average. Red is substantially worse than average. White means "insufficient data to compute a reliable result".

What's it all mean? Well, that's something to take up with your insurance provider, not The Good Car Guy. Basically, from the insurance industry's perspective, the following vehicles are - in relative terms, the ones with the lowest instance of loss: Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda Miata, Volkswagen New Beetle, Saturn Sky, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Honda CR-V Subaru Outback, and Toyota 4Runner.

From your perspective, you're interested in finding the least expensive cars to insure. GoodCarBadCar.net has that data, too. Automotive insurance is the unspoken word tandem in most North American car reviews, an almost mysterious extra best left to the consumer after his new car purchase. The more information on auto insurance you have under your belt before heading out to find your new vehicular love the better.

After the jump you can find vehicles grouped by segment type, midsize sedans or large luxury cars or small luxury SUVs or whatever possible permutation anybody's ever been able to come up with.

Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
Top 5 Least Expensive Vehicles To Insure In America In 2010
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The Good Car Guy's Chevrolet Corvette Acceleration Run At Milford

CLICK ANY CHART FOR A LARGER VIEW

Source: IIHS via Autoblog

Paint Your 2011 Audi A4 Avant Teak Brown Metallic

Around the corner from GCBC Towers, a brand new 2011 Audi A4 Avant has been enjoying frequent washes at the hands of a caring owner. The Good Car Guy has never hidden his attraction to Audis, particularly the current B8 generation of Audi's A4 wagon. In The Good 12 v2.0, the Audi A4 Avant was Part I. But even beyond this, the 2011 A4 Avant parked nearby is especially stunning.

Apparently unavailable on the A4 Avant in the UK and the USA is a colour Audi calls Teak Brown Metallic. But my A4 Avant the A4 Avant parked around the corner is painted in this lovely, shiny, shimmering purplish-brownish-blackish, unlike anything I had seen before the shockingly wicked 2011 Audi R8 Spyder.

2011 Audi A4 Avants start at $42,800 in Canada and are equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive as standard and a 211 horsepower 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder. Average fuel economy, according to Natural Resources Canada, is 8.7 L/100km. The 18-inch five-arm wheels are the pick of the crop.

Related From GoodCarBadcar.net
Small/Entry Luxury Car Sales In Canada - August 2010
Small/Entry Luxury Car Sales In America - August 2010
The Good 12 v2.0 (2009) Part I - Audi A4 Avant

2011 INFINITI G25 PRICED AT $30,950 IN AMERICA

A lesser-engined alternative in Infiniti's series of G cars, the Infiniti G25, will be priced at $30,950 when it arrives at U.S. dealerships in September. Canadian pricing starts at $36,390. All-wheel drive is optional. At this point, coupe and convertible Infiniti Gs will remain G37s only. Figures of 218 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque are slightly lower than those of a basic 230-bhp BMW 328i ($33,150). The Cadillac CTS, another hot seller, starts at $35,165 in the United States but is more plentifully-powered: 270 horsepower in the base 3.0L car. Another rival from Germany will be the Mercedes-Benz C300. Priced from $33,990, the C300 generates 228 horsepower. Indeed, the Infiniti G25 seems certain to steal sales from the $29,310 Acura TSX, a front-wheel driven 4-cylinder Japanese sedan with just 201 horsepower.

As for comparisons with the G25's stablemate, the blissful and handsome Infiniti G37, consider this: a G25 with all the options should be priced similarly to the $33,250, 328-bhp G37. Unless over-powered front-wheel drivers are your thang, the $30,690 Nissan Maxima certainly appears less appealing than ever now that the Infiniti badge can be in your garage; the badge plus the pleasant rear-wheel drive dynamics.

The Good Car Guy suggested in September that Infiniti could probably sell another 2,500 Gs in America each month if only there was a smaller-engined $29,990 G30. As a result of GoodCarBadCar.net's impetus Nissan had clearly been looking into the possibility, and shortly thereafter, Infiniti moved to right the wrong. The $30,950 2011 Infiniti G25 will be a welcome addition to Infiniti's fleet and should see Infiniti secure second spot in GoodCarBadCar.net's monthly Sales Stats roundup of Small/Entry Luxury Car Sales. As for the 2011 Infiniti G37, it's still a performance-luxury bargain.

Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
How Infiniti Will Sell 2,500 More Cars Every Month
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Small/Entry Luxury Car Sales In North America
Infiniti G25 Full Press Release



INFINITI G25 SEDAN TO MAKE U.S. DEBUT AT PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

– New 2.5-liter V6-Equipped G Sedan Priced at Under $31,000 M.S.R.P. USD –

Infiniti today announced a new addition to the popular Infiniti G Line, the G25 Sedan, which features a 2.5-liter V6 engine. It is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in September, joining the Infiniti G37 Sedan, G37 Coupe and G37 Convertible. It will have a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price* (MSRP) of $30,950 USD.

“With the new G25 Sedan, we’re broadening the appeal of the G Line with a model designed to provide an additional choice for buyers looking for a true luxury sedan, but who might not need the higher levels of performance provided by our larger engine-equipped G37 models,” said Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore, speaking at a media event at the 60th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. “The G25 is positioned in the heart of the luxury sport sedan market, allowing us to bring Infiniti’s Inspired Performance to a wider selection of buyers.”

The new 2011 Infiniti G25 Sedan shares the same dynamic exterior, interior and chassis as the G37, but with a smaller displacement engine. The 2.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 produces 218 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, versus the G37’s 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6’s 328 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The G25 Sedan comes with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission and is available in both rear-wheel drive and intelligent all-wheel drive. Three models are offered: G25 Sedan, G25 Sedan Journey and G25x Sedan AWD.

The G25 Sedan’s extensive list of standard equipment includes leather-appointed seating, Shodo aluminum interior trim, 8-way power driver’s seat and 4-way power front passenger’s seat, Automatic Temperature Control, premium audio system with six speakers, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and much more.

Other standard features range from 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, 4-wheel Anti-lock Disc Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

The G25 Journey model adds RearView Monitor, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, auto on/off headlights, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control and more.

“While the G25 Sedan serves as the entry into the G line, it still offers an impressive array of luxury features – from leather-appointed seats to satellite radio,” said Poore. “With inspired style and performance – backed by our unique customer care philosophy, the Infiniti Total Ownership Experience® – we are confident the new G25 will attract a lot of attention in the marketplace.”

LOTUS PRICES THE EVORA FOR AMERICA AT $73,500

Lotus Cars USA has finally released the necessary information relative to its new Evora. For those of you who've been attempting to do calculations based on the Evora's £ or € pricing, that chore is now over. Lotus wants you to fork over $73,500 for a base Evora in America. The price could quickly rise with options; a statement which is terribly true for the Evora's main competitor, the Porsche 911. Moreover, had the Lotus Evora been priced lower than $71,230 (2.5x the average purchase price of cars in the USA this year) then it would have been eligible for The Good 12 v3.0. Alas.

Up to this point, the Evora doesn't seem to be quite as quick as Lotus believes. It's nowhere near as powerful as its competition or basically any other $70,000+ automobile. Barely surpassing the German gentlemen's agreement in top speed, the Evora certainly isn't about to set a fire in your belly with its straight line ability.

Read all Lotus-related stories here

However, everybody who's been given an opportunity to drive an Evora has enjoyed the experience to the fullest. The greatest car magazine in the world, England's evo, just named the Evora as Car Of The Year. So before you look at the very unflattering Numbers below, realize this important fact: the Lotus Evora is far more than the sum of its parts. Nice styling, a Toyota V6, relatively luxurious, rather light in weight - and yet, when all is accumulated, the styling and the engine and the luxury and the architecture combine to create a nearly perfect car.

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73,500 - price, in USD, of the 2010 Lotus Evora

276 - total horsepower generated by the Evora's 3.5L V6

258 - maximum torque, measured in pound-feet, available at 4,700rpm in the Evora

2,976 - weight of the Evora, in pounds

1:28.4 - laptime of the Evora around Bedford Autodrome's West Circuit in evo's hands

57,850 - price, in USD, of the 2010 BMW M3

414 - total horsepower generated by the M3's 4.0L V8

295 - maximum torque, measured in pound-feet, available at 3,900rpm in the M3

3,704 - weight of the M3, in pounds

1:25.9 - laptime of the M3 around Bedford Autodrome's West Circuit in evo's hands

78,800 - price, in USD, of the 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera

345 - total horsepower generated by the 911's 3.6L flat-six

288 - maximum torque, measured in pound-feet, produced by the 911's 3.6L

3,075 - weight of the 911, in pounds

1:24.1 - evo laptime of the Porsche 911 in Turbo form on the Bedford Autodrome's West Circuit

61,500 - price, in USD, of the 2010 Porsche Cayman S

320 - total horsepower generated by the Cayman's 3.4L flat-six

273 - maximum torque, measured in pound-feet, produced by the Cayman's 3.4L

2,976 - weight of the Cayman S, in pounds

1:28.1 - evo laptime of the Porsche Boxster S, Cayman's twin, on Bedford Autodrome's West Circuit

80,790 - price, in USD, of the 2010 Nissan GT-R

485 - total horsepower generated by the Nissan's twin-turbo 3.8L V6

434 - maxmium torque, measured in pound-feet, available from 3,200rpm in the GT-R

3,814 - weight of the GT-R, in pounds

1:23.6 - laptime of the GT-R around Bedford Autodrome's West Circuit in evo's hands

EVERYTHING'S BIGGER IN TEXAS DODGE HEAVY DUTY TRUCK WORLD

Trucks are cool. Brits might think North Americans are crazy for enjoying unnecessary largesse. Then again, most North Americans think Texas is a little pickup truck crazy, too. Everything needs perspective.

And for the new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks, you's gonna needs a large perspective. The 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel generates 650 lb-ft of torque just off idle at 1,500 rpm. Dodge also really wants you to know about the grille opening: it's bigger than on the standard Ram; so of course the hood is taller, too. Mega Cab models offer 7.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.

Price tags are large, as well. $51,595 is the highest base MSRP for any Ram HD. That'd be the 3500 4x4 Mega Cab Laramie with a 6-foot-4-inch box. Pricing starts out at $28,165 for the 2500 4x2 Regular Cab in ST trim.

VOLKSWAGEN PRICES THE 2010 GOLF GTI FOR NORTH AMERICA - WITH GALLERY

As a two-time Good 12 winner, the renovated Volkswagen GTI has a lot to live up to. In sixth-generation form, the new Golf GTI - no longer a Rabbit - is very similar to the outgoing car, the GTI MK5. VW USA will price the base GTI at $23,290, about $1,000 more than the Honda Civic Si. Basic 3-door prices in Canada start at $28,675.

Power stands still at 200-bhp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The VW 2.0L turbo is a wonderful engine; so consider this a "no harm done" situation. Transmissions remain as six speeds: a DSG or manual gearbox. Though the platform isn't significantly alterred, there are changes. Those changes, however, are hard to spot.

Styling is updated, of course. And while the 2010 GTI looks better, the casual observer will be at pains to distinguish GTI MK5 from MK6. Is the 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI good enough to bring about a third consecutive Good 12 victory on GoodCarBadCar.net? Change is expected in the automotive universe, and Volkswagen isn't providing much with the new Golf GTI. Can potential consumers continue to be excited over the second most beautiful wheels in the world and 200 horsepower? Or should Volkswagen reconsider their decision to import the wicked sweet Scirocco? Of course, then there's the Model Overlap problem VW finds in the UK....

FUTURE JAPANESE CLASSIC CARS AS JUDGED BY TIM SUDDARDS

The publisher of Classic Motorsports, Tim Suddards, has come to the conclusion that the ten cars listed after the jump are future classics. Except, there's one problem: these ten cars are Japanese; not the country of origin known for pumping out classics. One would assume the easiest arguments could be made against the mid-80s Corolla GT-S, the emphasis on the Honda S600, or why the model years were so specific on the Mazda RX-7. these cars are collectables and definitely make good purchases now. (Via Autoblog)

1997-2001 Acura Integra Type R
1990-2005 Acura NSX
1970-1973 Datsun 240Z
1967-1973 Datsun 510
1985-1991 Honda CRX Si
1964-1966 Honda S600
1990-1997 Mazda Miata
1971-1978 Mazda RX-3
1979-1985 Mazda RX-7
1983-1987 Toyota Corolla GT-S

LAMBORGHINI INTRODUCES THE REVENTON ROADSTER- GALLERY

Around this time two years ago, Lamborghini unveiled the Reventon. Although criticized in some corners - including this one - for being comparably overpriced in light of the upgrades over Lamborghini's Murcielago, the Reventon's exclusivity and stop-you-in-your-tracks design led to some success. Now we have the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster. Rather extreme, we must admit, the Reventon in topless form still generates 661 horsepower, accelerates to 60mph in 3.4 seconds as it makes progress toward a 205mph top speed.

Read more about Lamborghini here

Lamborghini's boss, Stephan Winkelmann, says the Reventon Roadster "adds an extra emotional component" to the most extreme car in the brand's history. Yeah, as if the buyers of the regular Reventon weren't a bit emotional over the whole thing anyway.

Lambo Reventon Roadster buyers will be asked to pony up €1,100,000, today's equal of $1,601,431 USD. That's way too much money to pay for a car with the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster's capabilities. However, there will be about 20 of Lamborghini's "friends and collectors" willing to shell out.

Find out which car compete with the Reventon Roadster for the wallets of the mega rich

CADILLAC CHARGES LARGE PREMIUM FOR CTS SPORT WAGON

Over the next few days and weeks, Cadillac's CTS wagon will begin appearing at Canadian General Motors dealers with a sticker price of $44,325. All-wheel drive versions have a base MSRP of $46,950. Compare this with a CTS sedan's base price of $40,485 and you'll come up disappointed.

Like the CTS you know and admire (somewhat), the "Sport Wagon" is available with 270 or 304 horsepower. Some would argue that the wagon provides more stunning visuals - nobody can argue with stats that say the wagon is nearly twice as cargo-carrying capable. Without taking into account slight changes in standard equipment lists or the "dealer may sell for less" nature of the present economy, the CTS Sport Wagon's surcharge stands at $3,850; a sum not at all unlike that charged by a few competitors listed below.

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$4,400 - extra cost consumers pay for an Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro over and above the $38,300 Audi charges for the A4 2.0T Quattro

$1,600 - extra cost consumers pay for a BMW 328i xDrive Touring over the MSRP of a $42,500 price of the BMW 328i xDrive sedan

$1,500 - extra cost Volvo buyers pay for a Volvo V50 2.4i beyond the $31,695 Volvo charges for the S40 2.4i

$1,500 - extra cost in the MSRP of a Volkswagen Passat TrendLine wagon over the that of the Passat Trendline sedan

-$850 - savings produced by the MSRP of the Hyundai Elantra Touring L under and beneath the $15,845 Hyundai charges for the Elantra L sedan

$500 - extra cost Mitsubishi charges for the extra capacity of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback GTS above the $22,998 MSRP of the Lancer GTS sedan

EXCHANGE 9500 AIRMILES FOR $2000 SMART FORTWO REBATE

Hearing of $2,000 discounts on a $15,000 car is far more joyous than a $4,000 discount on a $45,000 car. Imagine this, in addition: Mercedes-Benz Canada offers you a $2,000 "Mobility Rebate" on any new 2009 smart fortwo then you exchange Air Miles Reward Miles for another $2,000 discount.

Is 9,500 Air Miles for a $2,000 vehicle discount the most lucrative option for your rewards? Probably not. The price of airline tickets for a typical 9,500 Air Mile flight would be significantly more than $2,000. Nevertheless, the thought of a ridiculously low car payment is enticing.

Sobeys, Sport Chek, Shell, BMO, and Century 21 are just a small group of businesses that allow you to collect rewards for free, if you so choose. Turning those rewards into a smart fortwo rebate doesn't sound like the best use of your reward miles, but it doesn't sound like a bad idea, either.

All of a sudden the $14,990 smart fortwo pure is a $10,990 vehicle. Or, the $18,250 smart fortwo passion can be priced like a pure with the $4,000 discounts sucking the price down to $14,250.

The $2,000 rebate from Air Miles ships inside two weeks and can be used on leases and purchases of fortwos in Canada.

COMPARING ZR1, COOPER S, S600, R8 V10 & NEW JAG XJ PRICING IN 3 COUNTRIES

Every automaker on the planet sets up national businesses underneath their international umbrella. These domestic underlings are very responsible for developing pricing schemes independent of what might be happening across oceans or borders. Costs must be covered; profits must be earned. That's the bottom line. Outside of those two factors, it's impossible to predict how any manufacturer will price their cars.

Five vehicles which readily display these remarkable differences are listed below with their prices from three different countries. With the help of XE.com you'll see how these prices relate (or don't relate at all) inside the parenthetical sections.

MINI COOPER S

Germany: €23,100 (equal to £19,896 or $32,976)

UK: £16,580 (equal to €19,241 or $27,470)

USA: $21,950 (equal to €15,375 or £13,244)

AUDI R8 5.2 V10

Germany: €142,400 (equal to £122,659 or $203,160)

UK: £99,580 (equal to €115,596 or $164,920)

USA: $146,000 (equal to €102,351 or £88,171)

MERCEDES-BENZ S600

Germany: €155,355 (equal to £133,773 or $221,501)

UK: £105,160 (equal to €122,096 or $174,124)

USA: $147,450 (equal to €103,393 or £89,044)

CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1

Germany: €136,000 (equal to £117,106 or $193,943)

UK: £109,000 (equal to €126,586 or $180,594)

USA: $103,970 (equal to €72,873 or £62,752)

JAGUAR XJL S'CHARGED SUPERSPORT

Germany: €139,900 (equal to £120,465 or $199,521)

UK: £88,000 (equal to €102,198 or $145,752)

USA: $115,000 (equal to €80,652 or £69,433)