carIn back, although the seat is well-shaped and comfy enough, taller folks may find legroom lacking — at 34.3 inches, it's around 3 inches less than an Accord, though it specs out nearly 4 inches more than a Lexus IS 250. Hip- and shoulder room are noticeably better than before, thanks to the 2009 model's 3-inch increase in width.(Info Ryan Binkley)
Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sport Combi: Performance
Surprisingly, stability control will rarely kick in during such hurried driving, doing a Ferrari-like job of aiding your progress rather than prematurely saving your bacon. In fact, track-testing Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot reported that the Turbo X managed to go through our slalom faster (67.3 mph) with stability control activated — a true rarity. The brakes are also impressive, producing a 60-0 stopping distance of a scant 109 feet.
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Dodge Challenger SRT8
Unlike last year's version, the newest Challenger SRT8 offers a manual transmission. Fire it up, give the throttle a few jabs and the rectangular exhaust tips roar with the 425-horsepower Hemi V8's chest-reverberating timbre. As you grab the pistol-grip shifter to select 1st gear, you're instantly transported back to the age of eight-tracks and bell bottoms. And thankfully, Dodge's retro muscle car doesn't keep the "endearing" characteristics of the original that some so readily forget.
Profile Ryan Binkley : Pontiac Vibe GT
The 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT doesn't win the statuette for enthusiasts' favorite in its category. That honor still belongs to the Mazda Mazda3, which has long delivered world-class driving dynamics that are unmatched in this price segment. Still, the Vibe GT's performance is incredibly engaging relative to most others in its class, and it trumps the 3 when it comes to cargo room and passenger space. The hardworking Pontiac Vibe GT deserves a starring role, but whether it's an ideal pick for you will depend on which attributes you value most in a wagon. Blog Ryan Binkley
Toyota Prius Function
Our 2009 Toyota Prius was equipped with the optional navigation system, which works well and includes a handy back-up camera. Toyota's integration of most functions into a touchscreen interface can be rather annoying, however — a task as mundane as adjusting the climate control system's fan speed requires that you first call up the relevant screen by pressing the "climate" button, as opposed to simply rotating a knob. The button-happy steering wheel simplifies matters somewhat by providing redundant audio, Bluetooth, navigation and climate controls (excluding fan speed and directional flow).
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