Sometimes I test drive a car and it is much better than I expect it to be.

For example, I test drove the Hyundai Tiburon with low expectations, so its combination of sophisticated styling, overtly sporty character, and quality interior--at a price in the high teens--blew me away. I came away from that test drive knowing that Hyundai was going to be a major force in the industry. I've yet to come across another review nearly as positive as my own--the Acura RSX is usually the one to beat in this class--but I personally enjoyed driving the Hyundai more than I enjoyed driving the Acura.

More often, I have been surprised by a single aspect of a car: the quality of the Subaru Forester's interior (which tipped me off that Subaru was going seriously upscale), the stylishness of the Acura TL, the steering of the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

So, what car or aspect of a car has really suprised others here?

I had not driven a car with really good brakes until my Porsche 968. Since then, good brakes are high on the list of desirable features for me and the only car that has come close since is my 2003 Subaru Legacy sedan.

Edit: My neighbor's 2001 Corvette has brakes about the same quality as the Porsche 968, with a firm yet easy-to-control pedal.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for. The car could be a rattletrap but if it has good brakes, I'll be impressed.

--Bob

I was surprised by the Sorento. So much better then I had ever expected.

Whatever has positively surprised people when driving a car is what I was fishing for. But it seems this surprise has developed into a pet peeve.

In my experience, some cars overdo that strong brake feeling, biting hard even when you don't want them to. Volvo brakes tend to be susceptible to this, as do the G35's brakes and the electro-hydraulic brakes on some recent Mercedes.

On the other hand, the brakes in my Mazda could use more starch. I usually don't focus on brakes, but this is one of my largest issues with the car.

I found the Smart car I test drove at the auto show a nice surprise. You've probably heard about the smart,but if not here's the official website:
http://thesmart.ca/


Review from a professional :

http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/vip/job.aspx?make=Smart&model=Fortwo&src=reviewers

Another great review:
http://www.akasa.ca/smart/review/

I drove a diesel version of the Smart Car in Hungary a couple years ago. I'd love to see these on the streets here but imagine what an Escalade would do to a Smart Car in an accident!

--Bob

Last I heard, they're coming to the US in late 2006. Seem to be doing fairly well in Canada so far, but they're damned expensive for what they are...

You might be surprised. They tested the Smart against some other Mercedes like the E-class and it held up quite well.

It's supposed to have an egg-like protective layer with its construction. Still not enough to convince me to buy one,but...

bump

Saw an article recently about a Brazilian company that also wants to introduce a very small, green-oriented eco-car to the U.S. market.

Heard of Obvio ??

Mark

I dunno. The Obvio pictures I saw were kinda goofy. I'm not sure it would sell any romance...

The car's are supposedly being marketed in U.S. by Zap:
http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=386

They'll run on any combination of ethanol and/or gasoline, and there's an electric hybrid "E" option available. Supposedly priced around $14K with availability expected by late '07.

See ya!
M

I, too, was surprised by the subjective excellence of the Lancer Ralliart (to revive a year-and-a-half-old train of thought).

The biggest surprise for me in the previous year was the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP. Its spec sheet makes it sound like a train wreck, but in person, I warmed to its woofly V8, firm, accurate steering, and--most amazingly--total lack of torque steer in moderately spirited driving.

The Cobalt SS Supercharged was another surprise hit. For the money, I'd choose it over the RSX, Civic Si, and Cooper S without a second thought.

The Kia Rio5 deserves mention, too. It rides, handles, steers, shifts and accelerates better than the Toyota Yaris, and to me, is the cream of the current subcompact crop. I wasn't expecting that.

i got the new vw rabbit and i lovee it and it actually does good on gas