We started the first morning off with breakfast and industry award presentations before making our way to Kia’s press conference. During the industry award presentations, various brands and their ad agencies were recognized for their creative television spots and we had the opportunity to watch an array of different ads.

We made sure to get live coverage of all the brands Morrie’s offers and below we have provided a detailed overview of all the latest model updates.

Kia’s press conference was vibrant and exciting, just like their brand. Journalists, correspondents and other members of the press crowded around for what seemed to be one of the most anticipated reveals at the auto show. A team of New York style break-dancers and the Kia Hamstars introduced three exciting new models, the 2014 Kia Soul, the 2014 Kia Forte Koup, and the 2014 Kia Optima. Each vehicle receiving quite the upgrade.

2014 Kia Soul:

The all-new 2014 Soul was a highly anticipated reveal.  This model has received a refresh inside and out. The exterior sports an angled body and wider wheelbase with updates to the front fascia and head and tail lamps. The interior features a new steering wheel, center stack, and updated stitched leather seats.  This redesigned 2014 Soul is one to keep your eye on the next few months when it becomes available on show floors.

2014 Kia Forte Koup:

The 2014 Forte Koup was another one of Kia’s three debuts at the New York Auto Show. The exterior of the Forte Koup received integrated LED headlamps and wrap around tail lamps to give the vehicle a dramatic stylized look. The interior updates include an updated UVO infotainment system and a more driver-focused cockpit. This new model is available in two trim levels, the EX equipped with a 173 horsepower, 2-liter, four-cylinder six speed automatic transmission. And the SX gets a turbocharged 1.6 liter with either a standard six-speed manual or optional automatic transmission. Keep your eye out for pricing and a release date on this hot new vehicle.

2014 Kia Optima:

Kia’s third and final debut at this year’s New York Auto Show was the updated 2014 Kia Optima. The refresh included a revised front fascia, repositioned LED lighting above the headlights and upgraded LED taillights. The interior has been upgraded with more comfortable seating and two additional displays. The displays include a 4.3 inch TFT display in the gauge cluster and the 8-inch high res infotainment screen where navigation features reside. The 2.4 liter GDI four-cylinder and turbocharged 2.0 four cylinder engines carry over from the 2013 model, the SX Optima features a Drive Mode Select system that adjusts transmissions points and steering weight to create a more dynamic driving experience. Expect to see the 2014 Optima on show floors during the third quarter of this year.

Porsche 911 GT3:

Next, we made our way over to Porsche to check out the all-new 2014 911 GT3 and we weren’t the only ones looking to get coverage of this newly redesigned high performance sports car. The 911 celebrated 50 years in the U.S. by debuting here at the New York Auto Show. The GT3 is equipped with a 3.8-litre flat-six cylinder engine that generates 475 horsepower. The new 911 is quicker than its predecessor with an estimated 0-60 sprint of just 3.3 seconds. A new front splitter and fully functional rear wing elements provide significant aerodynamic down force. Keep your eye out for the GT3 in the US this fall with an expected base price around $130,000.

2014 Pathfinder Hybrid:

Nissan also had an exciting presence at the Auto Show with the release of their 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid crossover and the appearance the the NV200 Taxi of tomorrow. The Hybrid crossover model that we saw will be offered in two or four-wheel drive models that are supercharged with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and electric motor that is paired with a compact lithium-ion battery. This vehicle achieves 250 horsepower and performs almost the same as the gas-only model. The Dual Clutch System integrated into this vehicle helps to efficiently manage power from both the electric motor and the gas engine. The combined fuel economy of this attractive new hybrid is 26 mpg which is a 26% increase over the standard pathfinder. Keep your eye out for the arrival of this model in dealers later this summer.

2014 Bentley Flying Spur:

Another very exciting moment during the 2013 New York Auto Show was the North American debut of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur. The completely refreshed vehicle was designed with comfort and luxury in mind and embraces styling cues from the Mulsanne as well as the Continental GT. Exterior updates include a lower roof profile, sharper lines, and rounded surfaces, which make this vehicle, appear lower and wider than its predecessor.  Under the hood, the Flying Spur features a twin-turbocharged 6.0 w-12 liter engine that allows the vehicle to achieve 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds. This vehicle can reach top speeds of 200-mph. The interior is updated with over 600-new components including the latest in entertainment features.

2014 Hyundai Equus:

Hyundai also made an appearance at this year’s Auto Show with their 2014 Hyundai Equus. The 2014 model received updated styling, new interior features, and additional safety features. A new addition to the Equus is the card-type smart key that allows keyless entry into the vehicle as well as a shift-by-wire gear change inside the vehicle. Keep your eye out for this premium sedan in the coming months.

2014 Cadillac CTS:

Cadillac also brought something new to the table with their 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan. The new CTS has a classier, more avante-garde design in comparison to the older model. LED front accent lights help to give the model a more aggressive look. The interior of the new CTS applies wood and leather and the CUE infotainment system, similar to the XTS. The 2014 is expected to arrive this fall and will be available with three engines, a naturally aspirated 3.6 liter v6 rated at 321 horsepower, a turbocharges 2.0 liter four cylinder rated at 272 horsepower and a range topping 3.6 liter twin-turbo v6 packing 420 horsepower which will be the highest output v6 engine in GM history.

Subaru was also one to be talked about amongst those at the Auto Show this year. With the release of the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid and the WRX sports car concept, many people were anticipating the Subaru Press conference, which wasn’t held until Thursday afternoon.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid:

Many were thrilled that Subaru was finally releasing a hybrid version of their year-old XV Crosstrek crossover vehicle. The XV Crosstrek Hybrid is visually comparable to the gasoline-powered model and has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches.  With a combined fuel efficiency rating of 28-mpg, drivers receive astounding fuel efficiency. If you’re in the market for an eco-friendly-crossover alternative, look for the release of the XV Crossover Hybrid in Fall of 2013.

2014 Subaru WRX Concept:

Last but certainly not least came the reveal of the highly anticipated Subaru WRX concept. This hot new concept car drew quite the crowd. The high performance sports car brings added styling and design to the Subaru brand. The coupe-like vehicle adds two extra doors in the rear, an aggressive front grille and menacing headlights making this concept one to remember.

Morrie’s is proud to bring you live coverage from this exciting event. To check out our photo library click here.

Perhaps it was the pre-trip excitement, a bad frame of reference or poor planning, but it wasn’t until we arrived at Mazda HQ in Irvine, California, that we realized that our car would be challenged in the cargo carrying department.   You see, in addition to our regular luggage and briefcases, we were also hauling a full load of camera gear to get footage at the show. In a prior life I spent many years working for company that sold two-seat roadsters, that shall remain unnamed, offering substantial trunk space in a front and rear trunk. It was not until we had our rendezvous with the MX-5 in Mazda’s parking lot that it finally clicked that not all convertibles are adept at swallowing large pieces of luggage.  Despite its Spartan trunk space, some creative packing allowed us to fit everything quite snugly in the car. So snug, in fact, that when it came time grab the camera to snap a picture of our packing prowess, I realized it was in the bottom of the trunk. So, you will have to envision a trunk overflowing with luggage and equipment.

Since it was already mid-afternoon and neither of us had eaten since we left Minneapolis before the sun rose, we high-tailed it to In-N-Out Burger.  On the short stretch of highway between Mazda HQ and lunch, I quickly realized why everyone praises the Miata. The car exhibited nimble handling, a great 6-speed manual gearbox and enough oomph to get you in trouble. Even when crammed full of luggage and two 6-foot plus guys, the car had enough guts to get the driving enthusiast in me excited. We arrived shortly at the In-N-Out Burger in Venice and if a couple of guys climbing out of a Miata wasn’t a strange enough sight for the line out the door to see, me taking pictures of the car in the parking lot probably was. After devouring a delicious double-double, we hopped in the car and made our trip north on PCH.

As we drove north towards Malibu, the opulence of the area became apparent immediately. Porsches, Mercedes, BMWs and Bentleys were a dime a dozen, parked recklessly on the side of the road and populating traffic moving in either direction. On the way back south we stopped at the Santa Monica pier to check it off of our tourist bucket list.

We finished up our afternoon at Venice Beach. The personalities and eclectic mix of shops made this an interesting stop. It was here that we saw our umpteenth film crew, shooting a new AMC reality series at the Venice Beach Freak Show. Had we not stopped, we would have missed out on the opportunity to see America’s tallest man and a guy soliciting the public to staple his forehead with an industrial stapler.

As we headed to our hotel we got our first glimpse of California traffic, spending what seemed like two hours heading to Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd. Upon arrival at our hotel it first appeared that there was a pre-teen convention going on, but upon second glance we realizes that the Jonas Brothers had a week of bookings at the neighboring Pantages Theater.  Needless to say, we avoided the Pantages theater like the plague.

Over the next two days we spent our time at the LA Convention center getting an up-close look at all the upcoming automotive offerings from every manufacturer imaginable. Within the Morrie’s portfolio of brands we saw debuts of the Bentley GT3 concept, Bentley GT Speed,  brand new 2014 Mazda 6, Ford Fiesta ST, Ford Transit, Kia Forte, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Veloster C3 Rolltop, Nissan Hi-Cross Concept and Subaru Forester.  For more details, check our 2013 LA Auto Show Highlights blog post.  http://blog.morries.com/2012/12/2012-la-auto-show-highlights/

Following the close of the auto show press day number two, we took the Miata south through Orange Country on PCH.  Before getting too far, we made the obligatory stop at the In-N-Out Burger in Long Beach for double-double number two.

We then continued south through Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach and finally Dana Point. As we drove along the cost on windy roads I could only think of how fun it would be to spend more time here with a two seat roadster like the MX-5 Miata.

Waking early the next morning, we our last stop at the Mazda Design Center, where we got an exclusive look at Mazda’s motorsport collection. Housed in the basement, Mazda has amassed a collection of successful endurance racers including the sister car to the Le Mans winning 787, a number of IMSA GTP, IMSA GTU and Japan spec RX-7 racers as well as a couple out of place Bonneville cars. Unfortunately, pictures were not permitted in this area, so again, you will have to use your imagination.

Upon arriving at the airport for the flight home I had a chance to reflect on the trip.  The LA Auto show was unlike any show I had been to prior.  Driving on PCH was a blast and the 2013 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition was well suited for the job.  Having driven a couple hundred miles in the car I was pleasantly surprised with the cars all around drivability. Despite its sport-tuned suspension, the ride was comfortable on all but the bumpiest roads. Despite being crammed with equipment and two-tall guys, the car was comfortable even after a couple hours of seat time. Generally speaking, the ergonomics were good, except for poorly placed window switches that triggered at least a dozen unexpected window opens.  While I wouldn’t pick a MX-5 Miata as my everyday driver, I would not hesitate to drive another one on a winding road trip or country drive.

Adam’s mood, on the drive there, was not so sunny. A terrible anxiety griped him as his thoughts turned to the space assets of the vehicle. Adam had never tried to fit anything as large as the 52” TV and iMac, he was planning on picking up for his parents, into a Santa Fe.

As he took a long sip of his double-espresso pumpkin spice latte from Caribou, his mind raced to the defeat he would feel in having to go directly back into the store to return the gifts. He wondered at the shame he would feel from his parents by his showing himself without gifts if they didn’t fit. As the last drop of sweat he had left fell from his face into the fibers of the coat he received from his parents the previous year, he proceeded into the mall.

The experience in the mall lightened the mood. The mall was so busy and humming that some larger vehicles were coerced into parking on top of snow mounds and halfway over curbs, but Adam had no problem getting the Santa Fe Sport into one of the tighter spaces.

The people of the mall were quite friendly and helpful, which had Adam in and out of each store quickly.

Then, the moment of truth arrived. Adam opened the trunk and put the iMac in first, situated like a book on a bookshelf. It fit. Next, the same with the TV. …It was about half out and half in. Adam’s heart sank, but he did not give up. He took out the TV and the iMac and tried again, this time with a little more tact.

He laid the iMac in flat on its face. Then he tried inserting the TV sideways and diagonal, like parallel parking on a hill. That did not seem to be working, so he pushed and pushed at it — to no avail. After several minutes of this, Adam regained composure when he remembered how the Santa Fe Sport’s second row of seats quickly and easily fold down to allow a segment-competitive amount of trunk cargo space.

Adam was able to quickly and easily fold down the second row. He tried one last time to insert the gifts, the same method of the first time. iMac? Yes. TV? Not only did it fit, thought Adam, but he had enough room for a dozen more TVs!

On his way back to the dealership, Adam saw a lot of Santa Fe’s on the road.

The now warm memories put a smile on his face each and every time.

Stop into Morrie’s 394 Hyundai today to see the spacious 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in person!

Ahhhh Thanksgiving. A holiday to give thanks, stuff our faces with an embarrassingly array of calorie laden treats and for some, an opportunity to brave the crowds at the mall in hopes of getting a deal that’s too good to be true. I for one checked all the boxes in this trifecta and added one more. I spent the extended holiday weekend enjoying the all-new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder.

When it first debuted in 1986, the Nissan Pathfinder was a true body on frame 4-wheel drive truck that was arguably better suited for off-road hijinks than on-road comfort. Throughout the years, the Pathfinder has evolved away from its off-road, path finding roots, and more towards suburban errand running. Don’t take this as a bad thing, though. Just consider it a different kind of path finding that better aligns with consumer preference.

The 2013 Pathfinder is a true crossover that blends the functionality of a 4-wheel drive vehicle with the comfort and utility of a family truckster. The new 3.5 liter V6, coupled with one of the lightest curb weights in the segment, helps the Pathfinder achieve 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon in the city. Having averaged 22.5 miles per gallon on my city biased weekend I can say that the EPA estimates reflect actual fuel consumption. This was a pleasant change from our current SUV that barely squeezes out 13 miles per gallon.

I am no stranger to seven seat SUV’s and was pleasantly surprised by the size and driving dynamics of the Pathfinder. I would say the vehicle is just the right size. It easily accommodated my wife and 11-month old and I heard nary a complaint from either. They were particularly happy with the remote starter that quickly warmed the car up in advance of our trip home from Thanksgiving dinner. Only in Minnesota can you start the day with temperatures in the fifties and end the day with snow and temps in the teens. Despite icy roads on the trip home, and L-tryptophan induced drowsiness, the Pathfinder safely foraged our path to the suburbs. It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized that the car wasn’t even in 4-wheel drive. I am confident that the Pathfinder can easily tackle all that Minnesota winters throw at it.

While most sane people were probably sleeping in on the Friday after Thanksgiving, my chief shopping strategist, AKA Becky my wife, had an early morning adventure planned. Who knew you could spend so much money before 9am. If there was an upside, it was that the Pathfinder easily swallowed everything we threw at it. The sliding second row seats provided flexibility and the fold flat third row helped maximize cargo capacity for our Black Friday shopping mission. The rear view camera also was a huge help, guiding me out of my parking spot when I couldn’t see out the rear window and had to dodge deal-crazed shoppers. I can tell you that more than a couple of the seven seat SUVs on the market could not have hauled what we were able to stuff into the Pathfinder. In fact, my wallet tells me that it wishes the Pathfinder had a little less cargo capacity.

The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful, short of a run in with a previous generation Pathfinder driver on Saturday morning. Clearly said driver was impressed with the new 2013 Pathfinder, judging be the way we sped up to catch us and eventually pass us on the highway. The whole time he longingly stared at the car and I’m pretty sure that once he was well ahead of us he had to wipe a pool of drool off of his chin.

The Pathfinder has gotten better with age. Looking back, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder took everything we threw at it with stride. While it’s lost some of its off -road ruggedness, it makes up for it with refinement and all around functionality.

With over 10 brands to choose from within the Morrie’s Automotive group, one could easily find a number of cars that he or she would love to take on a road trip. Cars like the Nissan GT-R, Cadillac CTS-V and Bentley GT come to mind, but what would you think about spending 200 miles in a Nissan Sentra. Admittedly, the Nissan Sentra would not be my first choice for a half-day road trip, but I must say that after spending four-plus hours in a new Sentra I was pleasantly surprised. For a number of reasons, the Sentra easily complements any road trip.

My journey brought me from our Nissan store in Brooklyn Park, out to Willmar and back. Upon picking up the Sentra in Brooklyn Park, the first thing I thought was that the Sentra sure has come a long way. My second thought was that you can buy a lot of car for 22 grand these days.

My chariot for the day featured leather interior, keyless entry with push button start, backup camera, navigation, bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio and telephone, dual zone automatic climate control, real time weather, plus much more. A lot of these are features that you would have found only on high-end cars only 5-7 years ago. I was looking forward to trying out all of the aforementioned options on my trip, but was most interested in seeing how the fuel economy ratings of 34mpg city and 39mpg highway stacked up to real driving conditions. I’ll get to more on this later.

In the recent past, I would have tried to cover the 90 miles each way as quickly as possible, but perhaps old age and having a baby strapped into the back seat has slowed me down a bit. Instead of hammering the gas pedal and setting the cruise at 70mph plus, I opted to hit the eco button and settle into a comfortable pace just north of the speed limit. Immediately, I got stuck behind a cube truck, but I didn’t let it bother me, rather I just took a deep breath and enjoyed my surroundings.

From the inside, the 2013 Sentra is equipped quite nicely. While rarely am I able to get comfortable in a new car, I immediately felt at home in the Sentra. The seat exhibited a good combination of support and comfort, while the controls were all well within reach. The cabin was roomier than expected, with ample room for my “well fed” 6 foot 1 inch frame. Whereas our rearward facing child seat cannibalizes front passenger legroom in many cars, it appeared that a front passenger could still sit comfortably in the Sentra. If a lack of whining and crying is any indicator, my son also enjoyed the rear seat comfort of the Sentra.

As the miles accumulated on Highway 12, we passed through the cities of Delano, Montrose, Howard Lake, Cokato and Litchfield. While it was not the most picturesque stretch of road, I did see some interesting roadside relics along the way. The sights included a number of derelict tractors and an old commercial truck doing a wheelie, as a result of an enormous tree strapped to its frame. I did enjoy driving through each small city and seeing the unique charm of each, including the Hollywood theater in Litchfield and a variety of small mom and pop restaurants. Despite the fragrant farm air outside the car, I can conclude that the cabin filter did its job. The only foul air found inside the Sentra came from my 10-month old in the back seat.

After roughly two hours of meandering down highway 12, and dealing with the stop light induced slowdowns in towns every five miles or so, I reached Willmar. After a brief stop I turned around and resumed my trip in reverse. When it was all said and done, I traveled just under 200 miles and put in about four hours of seat time. To put icing on the cake, the Sentra delivered average fuel economy of just under 46 miles per gallon, well above its 39mpg highway fuel economy rating. In nearly 200 miles the Sentra sipped only 4.3 gallons or $13.50 worth of gasoline.

On this road trip the Sentra was the real destination. The Sentra certainly exceeded my expectations and I would not hesitate to drive one again. If you haven’t checked out the redesigned 2013 Nissan Sentra I would highly recommend doing so. Morrie’s Brooklyn Park has one of the largest selections in the metro.

Morrie’s Minnetonka Subaru is excited to bring you a sneak peek of the brand new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. While it will not be available at dealers until this fall we had the opportunity get up close and personal with an early production model that stopped by our store.

The adventure friendly Subaru XV Crosstrek was designed to get you in and out of all the places where you make life happen. On top of Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the XV Crosstrek offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance to get you into places other cars cannot. Despite the added ruggedness the XV Crosstrek does not sacrifice fuel economy and is the most fuel efficient crossover on the market.

Check out the video to learn more about the XV Crosstrek.

Yesterday I made the trek out to our Mazda store in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin and thought it would be a great time for an extended road test and blog post highlighting one of the models we sell. In most cases I make the trip out to Chippewa Falls alone, but in this case I was joined by three colleagues, Brian, Kristen and Ali. Needless to say we needed a car that would provide a comfortable ride and adequate space for the four of us on our 220 mile journey. I was also hoping to avoid awkward road trip games so it was important that our car had a bevy of tech gadgets that could keep everyone entertained and muffle any spontaneous singalongs in the back seat. In the end we settled on a Kia Optima SX Turbo and I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

By way of democratic vote I was nominated driver and can now add Corporate Chauffeur to my job description. Despite a few objections to my driving style (see photo of Brian shrieking below) I think it was a good choice.

You see, I was actually looking forward to driving the Kia Optima and seeing seeing what the car offered beyond it’s great looks. For anyone who has seen the new Kia Optima you have to admit that it is a good looking car, in fact the entire 2012 Kia lineup is marked by great styling, but I was really interested in the whole package. A car cannot get by on looks alone and after just a few miles in the car my impressions were positive.

Overall ergonomics are quite good with a multi-function steering wheel that puts a number of controls right at your fingertips, including shift paddles, controls for the cruise control, telephone and audio system.  These controls came in handy when Brian selected the Sirius satellite radio techno channel, BPA, and tested the Infiniti audio system. I was quickly able to adjust the volume to more tolerable levels.

The integrated telephone bluetooth made phone calls easy and allowed us to have a couple of impromptu conference calls. This car was equipped with the premium package, which included the aforementioned audio system, as well a rear backup camera, navigation system, panoramic sunroof and push button ignition.  Short of the photo op below I can’t say I really used the navigation system, but I am sure it would have come in handy for Brian and Kristen who both hail from New Jersey. Neither Brian nor Kristen have spent any time in Wisconsin and got a kick out of the regional offerings available at the gas station we stopped at on our way to Chippewa Falls. I suppose when you think of it, you don’t see to many gas stations that go above and the beyond basics like cheese curds and offer shoes, tanning, taxidermy, crystal collectables, deer lures, 96 ounce sodas and church services – all in one place!

The multi-way adjustable driver’s seat was quite comfortable, offering a good combination of support and comfort. Beyond being just heated the Optima seats are also ventilated, a nice feature that is more common on $60,000 luxury cruisers than on a $28,000 Kia sedan. Kristen and Ali, both sitting in back, indicated that there was more than enough legroom and that their seats were comfortable. In fact, there was enough room for them to repurpose the back seat as a mobile office, using their laptops to stay up to date on work.

The only complaint stemmed from a convenience feature integrated into the driver’s door. Every time I opened the door the seat moved back for easier egress, which worked out great for me, but tended to crush Ali’s legs in the back seat.

In terms of ride and performance, the Optima did it’s job flawlessly. The 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder, packing 274 horsepower, provided more than enough power to accelerate to the speed limit and beyond. Despite encountering a cross section of Wisconsin’s worst drivers and left lane hogs, I was able to maneuver out of their way with ease. The Optima is not positioned as a handling dynamo and our trip, predominately spent on I-94, did not provide many encounters to push its handling limits. Yet, it did a fine job taking on the handful of cloverleafs that we encountered providing a good combination of firmness and comfort. Steering wheel weighting felt good and the turning circle proved more than adequate when I missed a turnoff and had to pull a u-turn. The 6-speed automatic seamlessly adjusted the gearing as needed and never hunted for gears.

All in all, the Kia Optima SX Turbo worked great as our corporate commuter and I can say with confidence that the Optima is much more than just a pretty face. It’s looks are combined with sporty performance and a driver centric interior available with all the latest bells and whistles. As equipped at just a tick over $28,000 this Optima provides a ton of value and in my future travels to Chippewa Falls I’m sure that I’ll grab the keys to an Optima again.

The Winding Road has added two new Saab road tests to their online magazine – and they’re both worth a read. First up is the Saab 9-4X Aero, pictured here. There is the inevitable who\what is Saab storyline in both reviews, but once you get past that and on to the cars, they’re both quite good.On the 9-4X Aero, they had this to say: “For those paying attention, the driving dynamics of the 9-4X are positively brilliant. The 9-4X has a smoothness and stability going down the road that buyers will find hard to beat. The genius here is that Saab does smoothness not by giving the driver a flaccid, mushy chassis, but by using a very stiff body structure and a carefully designed suspension. In other words, the 9-4X is firm and controlled over the road and at the same time, smooth and silky. The car feels refined, yet responsive.”

[read more: The Winding Road]

The second car they’ve driven is the 2011 Saab 9-5 in Turbo4 trim. Here’s a quick quote: “In fact, much of the 9-5 experience fell into the “refined” category of driving experience. We were never inundated with feedback through the steering wheel, with Saab engineers obviously opting for smoothness, and progressive weight in terms of power steering tune. Handling characteristics were similar. We found the 9-5 to be hugely stable in sweeping corners, and willing to turn in quickly, without ever deigning to fall into the “chuckable” category. The Saab’s substantial wheelbase (111.7 inches) and overall weight makes it a fantastic choice for spirited cruising, and rather inappropriate for outright thrashing. Nothing about this new car belies the laid-back ethos that Saab has fostered for decades.”

[read more: The Winding Road]