[cadyshac]

Originally Posted by Frank in MD

I have to disagree with the assertion that the US can't build a good economy car.

Currently, Chevrolet has the most fuel efficient gas vehicle available in the states in the Chevy Cruze Eco. 42 MPG highway, 39 MPG with the Auto. This Summer the Cruze diesel gets launched with a starting price of 25K that gets 46 MPG hwy, 700 range on a full tank of fuel and it's an auto with leather seats.

I understand gas is expensive today, but there are other things to consider other than economy. If there weren't everyone would drive a Prius. Have you driven an Altima with these awful CVT's? They are the equivalent of a soggy sandwich as to fun. The new Accord gets the same econ as the Altima, also uses a CVT, but is far better than the Nissan while still being as fun as the dentist.

Fords new Fusion is more fuel efficient than Altima, but also lacks the fun aspect plus the interior is as bland as the Fusion it replaced. The new Malibu certainly isn't trying to get the highest possible economy, rather focusing on building the best all-around car. They fell short IMO b/c they listened a bit too much to what the critics panned the last Malibu for, not realizing that in the critics eyes, NOTHING that sports a bowtie will be warmly received. The best thing the 34 MPG hwy Malibu has going for it, the 2.5 liter and the 2.0 liter engines they share w/ the Caddy ATS. Wards Automotive named those engines to it's ten best list, you won't find the Altima, Fusion mill in there. You will find the Accords engine there.

Again, why people think the Altima is so great is a mystery to me. Nissan builds boring, cheap cars. Don't agree? Look at the flagship Maxima, compare it to the Impala.... I dare you.

The all new 2014 Impala has the most power (305 hp) combined w/ the most efficient 29 hwy mpg, plus they will also use the 2.5 to get 31 and and eco model that will get 35 MPG hwy. I'll say it again, Impala has class leading economy.

You can believe what the auto critics say or you can drive an Altima, Fusion and a Malibu back to back to back, then tell me which you'd rather drive. The 'bu isn't my favorite car by quite a bit, but compared to those to high mpg rolling penalty boxes I'd pick it as my communter 5 days a week and drive my SS on the weekend. At any rate, what you posted is highly inaccurate.

Thank God, I am not alone!!!!