Volvo. The s60 was a very pleasant surprise indeed. It was gorgeous inside and out. Unique materials were used for the seats and the aluminum detailing was very well done. It just had this very classy minimalist approach to design that the Honda people across the way should go back to school and learn.
Fiat. Ok. ok. I fell for the 500. It is all retro cool all rolled up into a tiny little package and at thousands less than a mini. They won't have any problems selling this thing in big cities.
Very much agree with you on both points. My friends however kept warding me off the S60 as they said that the upcoming Kia Optima was a better choice (
the mind boggles). Almost everything about the interior of the S60 is just right, purely classy, minimalist styling, nice materials, awesome seats. The only thing it lacks IMO are paddle shifters and thigh extension supports ala Sport Pkg BMWs and Infinitis. Having test drove it, its just really "nice". Everything comes together well into an quiet and enjoyable experience with plenty of oomph and enough verve in the corners to keep you interested. Much more than the sum of its parts.
That said, the Kia Optima has a really awesome interior design too. Shame the doors were locked.
The Fiat 500 was probably the car that wowed me the most compared to expectations though. For low 20s you do get a heck of a lot of style. Its barely more money than a Smart Car. And the back seat is actually sort of usable.
And of course I will insert my obligatory plug for my beloved Infiniti EX35. MMmmmmmmmmm
... Now just need the VQ37.
