Volkswagen is giving itsTiguan crossover a mildface-lift offering new pow-ertrain combinations. The2011 Tiguan goes on sale inJune in Germany and laterin the year in other markets.

In Europe, the 2011 Tig-

uan will be available withtwo new BlueMotion four-cylinder engines — a 109-horsepower 2.0-liter TDIdiesel and, slightly later, a121-hp 1.4-liter TSI gasolineunit. The Blue Motionengines are being offeredonly on front-wheel-drivevariants. Prices in Germanystart at just over $31,000.

VW also is making avail-able its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, replacingthe six-speed automatic, aswell as keyless entry.

Besides the redesignedspoiler and grille the 2011VW Tiguan facelift getsnew fog lights, headlightswith LEDs, and new alloys.Other changes for the 2011

Tiguan definitely includethe front fascia, but the rearstyling is very similar to2010 model, as is the pro-file. The Tiguan will keepits Bi-Xenon headlights,

panoramic sunroof, dualexhaust tips and featureslike heated sideview mir-rors. A slightly greaterwheelbase above the 102.5inches will change the con-trol of the Tiguan.

The Volkswagen Tiguanscored a perfect five out offive stars in 2010 across allfrontal and side collisionimpact tests. Standard safe-ty features includes anti-lock brakes, height-ad-justable telescoping steer-ing wheel, and a full com-plement of airbags.

Fuel economy is expect-ed to improve upward fromthe 19/26 miles per gallonfor the manual transmis-sion and 18/24 miles pergallon for the automatic.These numbers were goodbefore in the class, if theyimprove due to the newengine, expect them to be ator near the top of the class.

PAGE 2 | AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010

2010 Cadillac SRXThe Cadillac SRX, com-

pletely redesigned for 2010,has smooth performanceand a luxurious interiorthat put it in line with classleaders. Best of all, it costsseveral thousand dollarsless than all of them.

Based on the Provoq con-cept revealed in 2008, the2010 SRX is smaller andmore luxurious than themodel it replaces. With astarting price around$33,800, the new SRX is agreat value — it’s one of theleast expensive SUVs in itsclass. On top of that, theSRX has better fuel econo-my than most of its more

expensive rivals — its 18/25city/highway base rating is

surpassed only by the AcuraRDX (and it actually gets

one mile per gallon less onthe highway, but one morein the city).

That confused wagon asyou knew it is gone. In itsplace is a pure crossover.It’s smaller, a bit more dis-tinctive and fitted with anew engine lineup toppedby what’s thought to beCadillac’s first-ever turbo inNorth America. But mostcritical for GM’s storiedluxury brand, and the com-pany as a whole, is that theSRX is a realistic competi-tor for segment-leader Lexus.

Now, the SRX’s excellentvalue equation makes ithard to pass up.

2010 CADILLAC SRX

2010 Mazda MiataFrom the minute you get

in until you arrive at yourdestination, the Miataleaves you nothing short ofthrilled

It has 167 horses, of theClydesdale variety, underthe hood of a car that onlyweighs as much as one ofthe Rocky Mountainrefreshment bringers. The2010 Mazda Miata, like thehorse, is complexity free. Itforgoes hardcore Germanelectronic engineering, it’snot handmade or bespoke,and it will not likely aid youin your bar pick-up game.

But what this car will dois have you spending everyminute of free time drivingit. The Miata is one damnfun car. For the 2010 model,

the engineers at Mazda uti-lized the Japanes mantra,“Jinba Ittai”, which tranl-sates into “horse and rideras one.” Whether it is the

intentional structuralimplementation of alu-minum, including the roof,trunk, engine block andcylinders, or linking the

engine, transmission anddifferential to one powerplant, creating a perfect50/50 front and rear weightratio (by actually factoringin the driver’s weight),everything Mazda engi-neers did was to bring theMiata and it’s diver into aharmony not seen sinceBoyz II Men ruled the air-waves. This car exudes bal-ance.

Driving with the six-speed close-ratio short shiftmanual, left me with noth-ing but smiles. Flicking thecar around corners, driftsonto on-ramps, lane flicksunder tractor trailers, theMazda doesn’t just makeyou want to drive, it makesyou the drive.

2010 MAZDA MIATA

2011 Jeep Grand CherokeeIf the 2011 Jeep Grand

Cherokee were organic, itwould be a mutant, partcrossover and part sportutility vehicle. But GrandCherokee might better bedescribed as a mixed breed.

Ever since its debut inWorld War II, Jeep has nur-tured its reputation as theplanet’s popular-priced go-anywhere conveyance.

There are three versionsof the Grand Cherokee:Laredo, Limited and Over-land. All are available withrear-wheel drive or differ-ent versions of Jeep’s all-wheel drive systems, as wellas V6 or V8 engines. Thestarting price for the basetwo-wheel drive Laredo is$30,995. It is powered by a280-horsepower, 3.6-literV6 engine and a five-speedautomatic transmission.

Tested for this reviewwas the top-of-the lineOverland model with Jeep’sQuadra-Drive II all-wheeldrive system but withoutthe off-road adventurepackage. It was powered by

the optional ($1,495) 360-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8engine.

The V8 engine is thefamed “hemi,” pioneered byChrysler Corp. It is linkedto a five-speed automatictransmission with a manu-al-shift mode.

Included in the Quadra-Drive all-wheel drive sys-tem is Jeep’s Selec-Terrainsystem, which enables thedriver to choose among fivemodes for different condi-

tions: automatic, mud/sand, rock, snow and sport.The last is performance ori-ented for on-road driving; ittightens the suspensionsystem and recalibratesshift points for a sportingrear-drive handling feel.

Also part of the packageis an air suspension system,which Jeep calls Quadra-Lift. It automatically levelsthe Grand Cherokee at allfour corners and can bemanually adjusted to raise

and lower the ride height byas much as 4.1 inches. In theboondocks it can increasethe ground clearance tonearly 11 inches. It alsoautomatically lowers theride height slightly at high-way speeds for better fueleconomy.

On the highway, theOverland is surprisinglysmooth and quiet given itsSUV orientation. There islittle wind, mechanical ortire noise. Inside, the frontseats are supportive andcomfortable, with good lat-eral support, and the sur-roundings featured realwood trim (plastic on low-er-priced models). Instru-ments had easily readablewhite on black numerals.

The Overland’s standardequipment includes aleather and wood steeringwheel with a rim that is wayfatter than generally foundon vehicles these days. Butit offered a reassuring gripthat was appreciated afterlong hours behind thewheel.

2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

2011 Volkswagon Tiguan

2011 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN

With a turbochargedfour-cylinder engine, adriver-selectable suspen-sion system and a rigidEuro-tuned chassis, thenew Buick Regal is a Buicklike no other. The woody-wagon Buick that your fam-ily owned and loved back inthe seventies is a distantspec of history in its rear-view mirror.

Development of this carstarted in Germany whereGM’s globally led engineer-ing team created the OpelInsignia: the 2009European Car of the Year.The Insignia is currentlythe best-selling midsizesedan in Europe and itarrives in Canada as theBuick Regal.

The Regal has a longerwheelbase and a largertrunk than these two andnotable features include asix-speed automatic trans-mission and a selectabledriving mode option.

The turbo version of theRegal is not available untilthe fall, but dealers may getsome early demos you cantest drive.

The 2011 Regal is offeredin premium CXL trim withtwo drivetrain options, andinitial production will besourced from Germany.Additional trim levels willbe offered for the 2012model year and its produc-tion will switch to Canadanext year.

The standard engine isan 2.4-litre direct injectedEcotec four-cylinder enginerated at 182 horsepower(136 kW) that comes with asix-speed automatic trans-

mission – both American-made components. Thetransmission has a manualmode and it’s a combinationthat provides decent powerand excellent highway fuelconsumption.

AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010 | PAGE 3

2011 BuickRegal

2011 BUICK REGAL

PAGE 4 | AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010