Author Topic: The Urban Driver: Top 10 Vehicles for the Urban Grind (Read 10716 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 13, 2013, 06:27:21 am »

Urban Affairs Correspondent Steven Bochenek weighs in on the best cars for city life. Oh, and a couple crossovers, too.

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ChaosphereIX · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:36:35 am »

Chevy Volt?....that car is perfect for urban situations. Its power train was specifically designed so - you get electric gas and emissions free motoring in town, but you can go anywhere you want outside of the city thanks to the range-extending engine for the generator.

Otherwise I would take the Abarth only for the racing from one stoplight to the other factor.

JohnM · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:59:33 am »

"Style is important too." Would anyone buying a car to impress the world, please simply get gold chains or have diamonds imbedded in their teeth (or get a Prada handbag) and we can be done with the BS.

Urban cars should be made for the urban environment and hence the addition of cruisers and road crushers was inappropriate. However, I understand the journalistic craving for spice in a vanilla pudding article.

Perhaps you could have substituted extremely interesting urban cars from Europe and Japan not available here to avoid covering the Accents, Mazda 2s and Fiestas.

Cheers,
John M.

Snowman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2013, 08:10:29 am »

I miss Chris and Mike already

mixmanmash · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2013, 08:55:57 am »

In relation to the G37 - "3.5L six-cylinder engine." It's a 3.7L.

I probably would have picked the Mazda MX5 over the Mini Coupe.

Noto · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2013, 10:13:40 am »

I like the idea of this article, though I wouldn't necessarily agree with all the choices - but that's where subjective opinions are entitled to differ

I think Plug-in Hybirds or Range-Extended EVs (a la Volt, or more importantly, the upcoming EVR) are perfect city vehicles that don't make huge sacrifices (except in your finances). I also like the idea of the Crosstrek as an Urban vehicle...I more so like that you didn't include the Chevy Trax, Buick Encore, and the like of stupid, tiny, upright vehicles. Parking height is not always available for urban parking

I'm not entirely sure that the G37 makes any sense whatsoever, other than the fact that it's a good car in its own rights - but not for the urban driver. Suburban, maybe. I'm also of the opinion that the Fiat 500's gigantic driver-side blind spot should be illegal.

Factger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:15:18 am »

Quote from: Snowman on February 13, 2013, 08:10:29 am

I miss Chris and Mike already

Where did Chris go anyway?

Fobroader · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:31:05 am »

Ewww, Scion IQ VS the 500 Abarth....who in their right mind would pick that horrid IQ over that awesome little Italian car.

tooscoops · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2013, 12:01:56 pm »

Quote from: mixmanmash on February 13, 2013, 08:55:57 am

In relation to the G37 - "3.5L six-cylinder engine." It's a 3.7L.

I probably would have picked the Mazda MX5 over the Mini Coupe.

and the xc60's 3.2 is a 3.0L

i think including the suv's and such detracts from the original reason/meaning behind the article, but still worthwhile hearing someone else's opinion.

Vanstar · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:42:57 pm »

Urban cars? I live in what is probably the most heavily urbanises areas in Canada and I see nary a one of these on the street outside my window. I see several Civics and two Fits, though, along with a smattering of Corollas.

JohnM · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2013, 04:08:08 pm »

Change takes time. There are a lot of Prius on the road once you start looking. When was the last time you saw a Hummer?

Things aren't changing as quickly as we might like but there could also be an undercurrent of young people who aren't buying cars.

If they were going to buy, they are most likely to go small especially in the city but if they aren't buying, there is a dropout in that segment.

Change will come with more expensive gas and higher CAFE requirements but there are some great options out there. For anyone who has not driven an electric car, you owe it to yourself to take one out. A lot of fun and urban luxury in terms of NHV.

Cheers,
John M.

Black Hatch · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:48:01 pm »

What are the requirements of an Urban car?
I would imagine that a good urban car is for people that have to spend hours on end in their car going to work in a large city; think traffic jams in large cities.

With that you would want a vehicle that is comfortable to sit in for hours, has some entertainment for guests/children and be small enough to dart though traffic.
I would think that luxury cars / CUVs would be the norm for an "urban" car.

Fobroader · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:50:42 pm »

If I had to spend a long time in a car, at idle Id want really good heated/cooled/massaging seats. S class Benz maybe.

johngenx · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2013, 08:06:13 pm »

Is Volvo's engine got a great name? Or not?

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:15:26 pm »

if it ever makes it to North America, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG would be quite the nice "hot hatch" for booting around town (and likely road trips as well).

warning, if you see this, you will want it...you have been warned:

http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/mercedes-benz-a45-amg-shows-up-to-fight-the-hottest-hatches/

mmret · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2013, 11:27:54 pm »

If you've got the money, an S-Class or LS with radar cruise control (hopefully it works in stop+go).

If you've really got the money, a chauffeur driven Rolls.

sacrat · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:41:19 am »

"Frankly the ‘greenest’ cars belong to drivers who are light-footed, regularly check tire pressure, maintain their vehicles and keep them years longer, rather than scuttling them for two fresh tonnes of recyclable material every other year."

The overall article was a bit scattershot, but the above comment deserves a medal for brilliance. Dead on...

ChaosphereIX · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:00:27 am »

Quote from: sacrat on February 14, 2013, 01:41:19 am

"Frankly the ‘greenest’ cars belong to drivers who are light-footed, regularly check tire pressure, maintain their vehicles and keep them years longer, rather than scuttling them for two fresh tonnes of recyclable material every other year."

The overall article was a bit scattershot, but the above comment deserves a medal for brilliance. Dead on...

I agree. It is terrible that most vehicles we would not even consider keeping for 5-7 years. Such as any VW product, Merc, etc. Why cant they make cars that will last years so we can keep them longer. I know they have to make money, but I hate the idea of planned obsolescence [plastic coolant lines that only last a few years, or suspension overhauls every few years, or timing belt and water pump service every 100k that costs thousands to do...looking at you Audi...]

Noto · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2013, 05:29:50 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on February 13, 2013, 11:31:05 am

Ewww, Scion IQ VS the 500 Abarth....who in their right mind would pick that horrid IQ over that awesome little Italian car.

me...and only to bash it in with a sledge hammer to make a statement. I wouldn't put a penny towards any Fiat 500 - that blind spot should be outlawed.

Fobroader · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2013, 05:37:04 pm »

Quote from: NoTo on February 14, 2013, 05:29:50 pm

Quote from: Fobroader on February 13, 2013, 11:31:05 am
Ewww, Scion IQ VS the 500 Abarth....who in their right mind would pick that horrid IQ over that awesome little Italian car.

me...and only to bash it in with a sledge hammer to make a statement. I wouldn't put a penny towards any Fiat 500 - that blind spot should be outlawed.

Well if I had enough money I think using IQs for skeet shooting practice would be a great laugh.