The steering is reasonably quick and precise, but without much real road feel. We also find that the steering wheel itself is a bit too large in diameter. A smaller steering wheel would give a sportier feel.
With the V6 engine, the driveline exhibits some torque-steer at full throttle. Stand on the gas when turning at low speed and you'll feel a tug on the steering wheel.
Braking action and performance is on par with anything else in the class of vehicles and trustworthy in panic situations.
The hybrid is considered a mild hybrid and uses a belt-alternator-starter, or BAS system, to stop and start the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine when needed. It shuts down completely at stoplights, and can add 3-4 kilowatts or about seven horsepower to the gasoline engine's output when needed. We found it works as advertised. The engine restarts immediately when you hit the throttle, and it does so smoothly. While the motor adds only seven horsepower, electric motors offer a lot of low-rpm torque, so the hybrid has a little more power from a stop than the base four-cylinder.
That base engine is the Ecotec 2.4-liter. In base trim, it comes with an old four-speed overdrive automatic transmission, an economical alternative that promises cheap insurance and low operating costs. The base model also comes with electric power steering, to save drag on the engine, while the V6-powered models come with hydraulic power steering.
The newly offered six-speed automatic is a much better choice with the four-cylinder. It increased fuel economy by three mpg on the highway, and the shorter gear ratios allow the engine to operate in its power band more often. Plus, it comes with steering wheel shift paddles that allow drivers to kick down to a lower gear manually when planning to pass. That's a nice option, because the four-cylinder is no world beater. It's not as torquey or spritely as the fours offered by Honda or Nissan. Next Page