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| Driver's
Seat |
PUMP SAVVY
By Russ Heaps |
Joe
Q. Public isn’t the only one with fuel economy and pump prices
on his mind. Even though gasoline prices are slowly receding, $3-plus
per gallon costs gave carmakers a scare, and with good reason. High
pump prices dampen demand for fuel-thirsty vehicles.
Automobile manufacturers have been scurrying about searching for solutions.
Honda didn’t need to look far to draft its Fit into service.
Already sold in other markets, Fit simply needed a little Americanizing.
Jeep, on the other hand, has moved into uncharted territory with its
first ever car-based vehicle, the Compass. Each not only gives its
respective maker a vehicle with better-than-brand-average fuel economy,
but a new face as well. |
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HONDA
FIT Sold
as the Jazz overseas, Fit arrived here with an impressive resume.
With nearly as much passenger space as the Accord Coupe and as much
cargo room as the Element, the Fit charms with its versatility and
content. A unique 60/40 split rear seat provides five distinct seating/cargo-carrying
modes. An energetic 109-horsepower 1.5-liter four effortlessly motivates
Fit’s 2,500 lbs. through city traffic where it’s rated
at 33 mpg by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Priced as low as $14,400, Fit comes standard with air conditioning,
power accessories, ABS and a CD player. Ponying up another $800
adds a five-speed automatic transmission to both the base and the
$15,720 Sport version. The Sport has an upgraded audio system, 15-inch
alloy wheels and cruise control. A full complement of airbags, including
side curtain airbags, offers passenger protection in all Fits.
With Honda’s eye for detail, experience with small-car engineering
and reputation for durability, the Fit will be a fierce competitor
in the subcompact arena.
$99.99
after rebate and two-year contract
www.sprint.com
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JEEP
compass As
the first Jeep capable of 29 mpg on the highway, as well as the
first front-wheel-drive-based Jeep with fully
independent suspension, the Compass is clearly breaking new ground
for this off-road icon. Pricing begins at $15,985, but this is a
stripped-down version
offering little in the way of creature
comforts beyond a tilt steering wheel and four-speaker audio system
with CD player. It also has a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat. At $20,140,
the Limited significantly increases the bells and whistles to include
power accessories, leather seating, cruise control, fold-flat passenger
seat and information center. Side curtain airbags are standard across
the board.
Upgrading to the $460 nine-speaker Boston Acoustic audio system
adds two speakers packaged in the liftgate that fold down when the
liftgate is up for tailgating.
A 172-horsepower 2.4-liter four powers Compass; a five-speed manual
is standard. Depending on the trim level, up to two continuously
variable transmissions (CVTs) are available as an automatic tranny
option. Four-by-four capability is a $1,600 option. A transparent
system, it does offer a lock mode for more intense soft-surface
driving. A vehicle stability program, electronic brake assist and
electronic roll mitigation are standard.
Compass features lots of extras, like the interior light that can
be snapped out of its location and used as a flashlight. It’s
a different vehicle for Jeep, yet still delivers many traditional
Jeep attributes. It may not be able to campaign off road, but it
still manages an air of ruggedness and capability.
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