 PEOPLE VS. 2005 RANGE ROVER HSE: There's no doubt the top Range Rover is one of the world's finest sport utilities, capable of feats offroad that would leave lesser utes hung up on boulders. But the HSE is not only capable, it's comfortable and convenient, as well. Still, the bottom line sticker price of $78,750 is enough to give most wallets pause. That money buys a lot - every imaginable safety feature, a navigation sytem, four-wheel electronic traction control and permanent four-wheel drive, a two-speed electronic transfer box with torque-sensing center differential, an electronic air suspension with automatic leveling, bi-Xenon headlights, power everything, ultrasonic front and rear parking assists, and heated seats and steering wheel. There are, thankfully, few of the aggravating quirks that plagued older Range Rovers. The ignition switch is on the floor, ala Saab, but that's about it. Window switches are on the doors, where they belong, instead of the center console as in older models, where they defied logic with their operation. A major downer now is the 12 mpg EPA city estimate and 16 mpg on the highway. Plus, this 4.4-liter, 282-horsepower V8 wants premium gasoline. It's expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, and expensive to operate. Frankly, at this level, the Mercedes-Benz G500 is Judge Bob's preference.
PEOPLE VS. 2005 LAND ROVER LR3 HSE: Go figure. First, Judge Bob gets a near-$80,000 Range Rover, which is pretty darn nice, and then the company follows with the all-new 2005 Land Rover LR3. It costs less and is better in virtually every way. The only difference in the real-world was that the LR3 didn't have a heated steering wheel. Where Judge Bob lives, such an item is needed three times a year - maximum. The bottom line on this sticker was $53,330. Take the difference between this model and the top Range Rover and buy yourself a new Ford Mustang GT convertible. This one uses the same 4.4-liter V8 engine, but gets 300 horses from it and returns 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. Plus, the LR3 is just better looking. The rear window, for instance, dips down on the passenger side, so a driver gets a better rear view when backing up. There are three sunroofs, one for each row of seats. The rear-most seats can remain folded to create a large cargo bay. All safety features are included and this LR3 will exhibit considerable offroad prowess. A problem with both the Range Rover and Land Rover, however, is a booming sound from passing wind if both side windows are lowered at highway speeds. This was first noticed on the Toyota Highlander and is now an objectionable fact of life with many squared-off sport utilities. The LR3 features such sophisticated items as hill descent control with emergency brake assist, and all-terrain dynamic stability control. It was an absolute delight to drive. No wonder it has been named Sport Utility of the Year by Judge Bob's fellow auto journalists. No hung juries on this one.
PEOPLE VS. 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON GLS: Many years ago now, Judge Bob wrote to watch Hyundai move up in the automotive world. Hyundai was - and is - a company with its act together. Well, it did exactly as predicted here.  It is now the maker of some of the world's top vehicles, and certainly ranks near the top in value for dollar spent. The 2005 Hyundai Tucson is a case in point. This new model is, hands down, the best sport utility value on the market. It has a base price of $19,999, has every safety, comfort and convenience feature most folks need, has a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and will suit 9 out of 10 families who find more utility in a sport utility than a car or (horrors!) minivan. Just take a look on the price sticker of the standard items in that under-$20,000 sticker price: a state-of-the-art 2.7-liter 24-value V6 engine, an automatic transmission, front, side and head cushion airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, fog lights, an AM/FM/Cassette/CD/MP3 stereo system with six speakers, air conditioning, power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, fold-flat rear seating, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Sounds like a top Mercedes-Benz or Lexus, doesn't it? It's a Hyundai and it puts to shame offerings from other manufacturers that will charge you extra for virtually every standard item listed above. This sport ute needs NO extra-cost options. This, Detroit and Japan, defines value for the consumer. And even getting past the value here, it's a smooth-riding, highly practical sport ute that returns 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Judge Bob ranks this absolutely number one in sport ute value. In fact, nothing else comes close. Buy one and smile.
PEOPLE VS. 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320: The 320 models offered by Mercedes-Benz have always been among the favorite cars tested by Judge Bob. He once wrote that the (then) E320 model was the best compromise car available. So he was happy to see a 2005 C320 pull into his driveway. Happy right up to the point that he sat in it and observed a manual transmission. Hmmmm. Not many of those around for cars costing $42,830 and seating more than two. But, what the heck, this is meant to drain off a few potential BMW buyers, so how good is it? Very. The 215-horsepower engine launches with 229 lb-ft of torque. Without traction control, these tires would go up in smoke. But traction control is standard, so blast off. It's a six-speed, close-ratio manual, meaning you'll shift frequently and quickly under full bore acceleration. A sophisticated suspension system using gas pressure dampers in the rear helps the C320 to corner as fast as your brain desires. High-performance tires are standard. M-B prides itself on safety features and the C320 is loaded with them, including the important side and head curtain bags. By now, you should be familiar with the litany of M-B features found on most models - this one has them all. There were some pricey options added onto the $37,350 base price, however. Paint, for instance, was $680 (?) for a silver color. Heated front seats were $680 also. A lighting package of Bi-Xenon headlights should be standard equipment at this level of car, but added $790 to the price. A sunroof package was another $1,790. It is, of course, an exceptionally sporting car to drive. And its design is beautiful, with flowing lines moving rearward from a nose-down front. Still, Judge Bob would opt for this car with an automatic transmission. Just makes driving easier on our congested roads.
PEOPLE VS. 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING: In past reviews, Judge Bob has declared the Chrysler Sebring convertible to be the unofficial state car of Florida. Get on Interstate 4 or anywhere near Disney World and start looking at traffic. Those Sebring convertibles are everywhere, filled with happy folks sporting mouse ear hats and new sunburns. There's good reason for this. Florida visitors want a convertible and who can blame them in tropical weather. They also are most often families in the traditional sense: dad, mom, son and daughter. They need a car that can seat four, drop its top and won't cost a fortune to rent during vacation. That defines the Chrysler Sebring. And it's a good car, to boot. It's smooth and easy to drive, with no surprises for drivers used to other brands they left back north. It gets 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. What it doesn't have is all needed safety features - no side bags, no rollover protection and not even anti-lock brakes. And it also has a windshield top so low that it will block the view of intersection traffic lights. There are handle-like pieces of the top that also interfere with that view. What this is is a successful model that hasn't evolved much in the past decade. Now, it's fine to leave well-enough alone. But the $28,210 base price on this 2005 Sebring convertible was a shock. To Judge Bob, this might be a decent $25,000 base car. But inflation is doing a number on what should be an affordable family convertible. This is approaching the near-luxury level that contains Lexus and Infiniti models (not convertibles, but what the ...?). There's also a great little New Beetle convertible and a Ford Mustang GT convertible, a bit cheaper and a bit more expensive. All in all ... this is a good rental. Buying one? Think about it.
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© 2005, Robert C. Bowden
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