Further, noise is limited to what comes through the tires and the ride is smooth, though somewhat firmer than most
buyers in the segment expect.
Like I said there are more than one kind
of buyer in this segment and they both are doing their job to appeal to the two different groups.
While it does offer three rows of seats, the concept's third row seat appears to be a bit more cramped than
most buyers in this segment would like.
Dodge says it has the
youngest buyers in the segment, and for the first quarter of 2014, sales are down fewer than a thousand units, to 24,956, still ahead of Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima.
It's clear from the first curve that this is not a corner carver, though its handling is safe, confidence - inspiring, and about
what buyers in this segment have come to expect.
Performance from the 1.2 L petrol engine is adequate and, paired with a slick shifting 5 - speed manual gearbox, should satisfy the needs of an average
car buyer in this segment well.
That's not surprising,
since buyers in this segment are predisposed towards low running costs and ease of use rather than tailing hot hatchbacks on Welsh B - roads.
Struggling to
convert buyers in a segment dominated by the tried and trusted German stalwarts, is a new 3.0 - litre V6 twin - turbo Infiniti's game changer?
The Nissan Terrano was launched in 2013 and
offered buyers in that segment a touch of premiumness and a slightly more masculine approach to the compact SUV conundrum.
She noted that only one - third of
women buyers in this segment care whether a car is front drive or rear drive - which made touchy - feely items more important than hardware.
Protective buyers in this segment have a tough choice as there are some really great offerings from rivals; like the BMW X3, the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60, but hopefully a closer look will help with that decision.
It's true that
few buyers in this segment actually go off - roading, but if you're considering some serious back - country adventures, the Cherokee — particularly the Trailhawk — is the best choice among five - seat family - friendly SUVs.
With both GLEs comfortably seating five (the X6 at introduction had a two - place rear seat, since fixed), the coupe and wagon give
Benz buyers in segment genuine choice.
That should make the Mazda3 a better car to drive for the vast majority of
buyers in this segment without detracting from the model's accomplished ride / handling balance.
This, coupled with the desirable looks, spacious and attractive cabin with decent boot space (all rows up), and unique bits such as the Virtual Cockpit with the brilliant Bose music player gives it that edge that
buyers in the segment really appreciate.
That may not be a popular opinion
among buyers in this segment where some automakers offer more horsepower and / or a traditional, geared automatic transmission, but having driven a fair number of its competitors, I am totally OK with Nissan's powertrain choice for the Pathfinder.
The Dart will change the compact landscape — it's definitely a star in the small - car universe and should
draw buyers in this segment back to Dodge dealerships.
The Vitara Brezza is receiving amazing response
from buyers in this segment and hence Ford has launched this special edition so that it creates more appeal for the vehicle.
As per previous generations, questions still hang over the latest A8's steering, but the reality is, for
many buyers in this segment, the well - weighted blandness may be welcome.
The equipment list is generous and covers most of the big - ticket items that
buyers in this segment demand; making up somewhat for the dated design and below - average material and assembly quality in the cabin.
But I can say that when I first saw it, it made me grin — and let's face it,
buyers in this segment won't care much about skidpad grip or at - the - limit handling.
Mated to VW's spectacular 6 - speed DSG dual - clutch transmission, which is optional, the Passat is everything
a buyer in this segment could ever want: efficient, quiet and thrilling.
Buyers in this segment are obviously looking for ride quality more than handling prowess, and jittery or vague steering is the last thing you'd want with a camper hitched to the back of your SUV.
But that's what happens when a car sets a new benchmark and locks up four in 10
buyers in its segment.
While we love the bold rectilinear design, the straight - edged look is too unusual for
some buyers in this segment.
But if you forgo the bigger engine — which is doesn't need anyway — for a smaller one and take it easy on the options list, you get a car that has everything
any buyer in the segment could ask for.
Many
buyers in this segment may want an Audi A4 but can't afford it, so a Chrysler 200 with AWD could be a suitable alternative.
Sweers says Toyota has the youngest
buyers in the segment.