2008 Scion xD

2008 Honda Accord

2008 Ford E-Series

Rolls Royce Drophead Coupé

Let it not be said that I favor any one price range when it comes to reviewing the new 2008 models. This year I’ve decided to cover the gamut from cheap (sorry, inexpensive) to ridiculously out of any normal person’s range. I’ve even thrown in a work truck—hey, Artvoice readers work just as hard as anybody out there!

At the bottom of the price scale we find the new Scion xD. Scion has a strange naming system for its cars. You may remember when Toyota debuted the Scion line a few years back, they gave us the rounded xA five-door hatch and the square xB box on wheels. Then along came the sporty tC coupe. (Someone has a thing for the upper and lower case.) For 2008 the xA has morphed into a squarer xD, while the xB, still called the xB, has grown into what looks from a distance like a larger version of the xD. You really have to park the two of them next to each other to see that, yes, they are two distinct designs. Fans of the original xB may be disappointed to see that their little econobox has grown, but the slow-selling xA should benefit from the makeover into the xD.

Honda has once again redesigned its best-selling Accord, and it comes off looking much better than the previous model, whose rear reminded me of some sort of bug. Looking more Camry-ish shouldn’t hurt sales a bit—I look for Honda to make inroads on the Camry, which is starting to look too much like an old man’s car. Honda is introducing variable cylinder management in the Accord’s available 3.5-liter engine. It will operate on six, four or three cylinders depending on driving conditions, which Honda claims will improve its fuel efficiency. Models range from the LX, LX-P and EX, up to the top-of-the-line EX-L. (Whatever happened to actual names?) A range of new Accord coupes should also be hitting showrooms any time now.

Need a new van? Ford has sold gazillions of Econoline vans over the past 47 years, and they’ve just put a fresh face on the 2008 model. Which is now known as the E-series. There’s no doubt that the new van’s frontal look was inspired by the Ford Super Duty pickup—definitely quite menacing when viewed through one’s rearview mirror. Besides the looks, Ford has upgraded the E-series’ brakes with larger front and rear rotors and calipers. New technology should also improve the ride and the steering. Some models also feature stability control and traction control for safer handling under certain driving conditions.

From the “if you have to ask” department, Rolls-Royce has rolled out its new Phantom Drophead Coupé. You and I might call it a convertible, but what do we know? Look closely at the photo and see where the door handles are located. That’s right, the door opens out from the front, which I suppose is to make it easier to get into. The nickname for this type of door opening is a “suicide” door. No word from the folks at Goodwood (home to Rolls-Royce offices and manufacturing) on what they’d call a suicide door. I’m sure it’s something at least as interesting as calling a convertible a “drophead.”

Til next time…