Major American-automaker Chrysler launches a new program, allowing new-car buyers the option of returning their new vehicle within 60 days if they are not happy with their purchase, with Chrysler assuming the cost of the first two months payments, up to $500/month.

“We build great vehicles for just about any lifestyle and with this pledge, consumers will have the confidence to know they made the right purchase or they can return the vehicle no questions asked ,” said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer—Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales. “Plus Chrysler Group will make the first two payments for the consumer.”

In addition, the company’s National Tent Event also kicks off in July, with more than 2,000 Chrysler Group dealerships participating with associated activities at their stores. “We are pleased to sponsor, for the first time, a national tent event with our local dealerships,” Diaz said. “With local fairs and summer activities in full swing, our dealers are thrilled to add to the summertime excitement and festivities.”

The program starts today July 8th, 2010 and is available on most 2010 Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck vehicles. zero percent financing on most 2010 model year Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram truck vehicles when financed through GMAC Financial Services. The incentives are valid through Aug. 2, 2010.

July Incentives

Chrysler Brands – Consumers purchasing 2010 model year Chrysler brand vehicles can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, through GMAC Financial Services, Consumer Cash of up to $3,000 or the “Regret Free Purchase” pledge program. Consumers purchasing a 2010 model year Chrysler also are eligible for 1.9 percent financing for up to 72 months through GMAC Financial Services. Consumers who lease a 2010 model year Chrysler 300, Chrysler 300 C or Chrysler Town & Country minivan through GMAC Financial Services are eligible for lease bonus cash of up to $2,000

Jeep Brand – Consumers who purchase most Jeep brand 2010 model year vehicles can choose 0 percent financing for 60 months, Consumer Cash of up to $4,000 or the pledge program. Consumers who purchase a 2010 Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Jeep Commander and finance through GMAC Financial Services are eligible for up to $1,000 inGMAC Bonus Cash. Current Jeep owners who purchase the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee are eligible for $1,000 Bonus Cash, and attractive Jeep lease offer.

Dodge Brand - Consumers purchasing most 2010 model year Dodge brand vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, Consumer Cash of up to $3,000 or the “60-Day Test Drive” pledge program.  Consumers who purchase Dodge Charger can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 72 months, Consumer Cash of $3,000 or the “60-Day Test Drive” pledge program

Ram Truck Brand - Consumers who purchase 2010 model year Ram Truck vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, Consumer Cash of up to $3,000 or the “60-Day Handshake” Pledge program.  Consumers purchasing a Ram 1500 and finance through GMAC are eligible $1,000 GMAC Bonus Cash.

Mazda’s performance-enhanced compact hatchback has been totally tricked out for 2010, and, on looks alone, it’s pretty hot. With its lowered air dam, five-point grille, dual exhaust, aerodynamic sport trim design, 18-inch tires, a roof-mounted wing, a 2.3L, four-cylinder, 263 hp engine, the Madzaspeed3 is a versatile, practical compact with enough strength and stamina to hold its own next to some of the more muscle-y American models of its class. And it manages to do so even while still touting 5 doors and 17 cubic-feet of cargo volume.

Automatic climate control, leather and cloth-trim seats and Bluetooth accessibility all come standard, with a navigation assist program available for option.

Starting at ~$23,000

In celebration of the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s 2011 production launch, Chrysler Group LLC released images of the updated model earlier this week.

“The production launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee signals the rebirth of the Chrysler Group,” Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne says in the official press release. “The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a signature vehicle for Chrysler. It represents the best of this Company, the direction we’re moving toward producing high quality, technologically advanced vehicles. We are confident the Grand Cherokee will receive the proper recognition for what it stands for when it hits the road in June.”

And in kind with the company’s putting its best face (or grill) forward, Chrysler also announced the addition of a second production shift employing 1,080 staff members, nearly all of which are new hires—a promising and inspiring sign of better times for the long-struggling American automaker.

“We are anticipating that there will be strong customer demand for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, so we decided it was prudent to add a second shift of production,” Marchionne says.

Highlights for 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee include, an all-new sculpted body and athletic profile, a new dual-pane panoramic sun roof, an interior with more than four inches of increased rear-seat knee and leg room and 17 percent more cargo volume, a 290-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with improved fuel economy, over 45 safety and security features, and a live mobile TV (FLO TV), SIRIUS Backseat TV and UConnect™ Web, which transforms the vehicle into a “hot spot” to deliver the Internet directly to the vehicle.

The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland, with pricing starting at ~$31,000.

Touted as a “grand tourer,” the revamped 2010 XK is the definitive Jaguar.  Evocative of  luxury and performance even while standing still, and built with the highest grade of automotive sophistication and technology, it’s what every other car in its class strives to emulate. Drivers can expect an amazingly smooth ride with unsurpassed acceleration, suspension and braking, a space-aged yet luxurious cockpit, with impressive exterior and interior features like a 5.0L V8 engine, 19” alloy wheels, premium sound system with portable audio interface, seven-inch touch screen and navigational system, digital everything and keyless entry and start, all available in twelve different metallic paint colors and three different regal veneer choices, in addition to the standard Burl Walnut. Bragging rights also come standard.

The coupe and the convertible run from ~$82,000-$101,000.

by Jason Freeman

Touted as a CUV, or Crossover Utility Vehicle, the Outlander SE’s 2010 face-lifted grill rocks a chrome-lined, aggressively sporty muscle car’s smirk but, when rear-facing the largely square-shaped, flap-folding tailgate, it’s all wagon. Its mid-raised ground clearance, combined with its spacious utilitarian cabin and available seven-passenger seating seem somewhat SUV-ish, but its extra wide width reflects its extra wide chassis supported by extra thick axles requiring oversized tires (its got a really big wheel base)—that in conjunction with an understated engine—yields a car that handles more like a pick-up truck. Wide turns. Slow acceleration. In regard to overall performance and maneuverability, the Outlander may be best-suited for open terrain and not on congested city streets.

Nevertheless, sporty but spacious, utilitarian and family friendly, it can clearly be said that the Outlander can cater to all kinds of automotive tastes. And with the MSRP of nicely-equipped model starting at ~$27,000, it can also cater to all kinds of budgets.

by Jason Freeman

2010 Volkswagen Routan SE

Drivers shouldn’t be fooled by their first look at the forward-facing grill façade on the 2010 Routan: this is not an oversized SUV/sport-wagon crossover; it’s a van. It’s as big as van. It drives like a van and it handles like a van. It’s an amply sized, five-door, seven-seating, tailgated, soccer-mom made-in-mind minivan. But unlike other comparable makes in its class, the Routan’s got “Fahrvergnügen”—the essence of VW not had in any other brand—and breaks the soccer-mom minivan mold.

The broad front, side and rear window views are expansive, allowing full vision to the driver, and the reverse-view rear camera display makes parallel parking this moving monolith effortlessly easy, even on congested city side streets. And with its smooth, curvaceous metropolitan appearance (preferably painted in bold color like the pomegranate red or nocturne black), 13 cup holders, 12V power outlets, Uconnect® and Bluetooth® capability and rear-seat entertainment system, with dvd player and two drop-down flat screen TVs, this otherwise soccer-mom machine transforms into a fully-equipped party bus akin to VW’s Minibus roots.

The automatic, remote-controlled sliding rear doors are really neat too.

Manufacturer suggested retail price of the Routan SE starts at $30,000.

by David Cohen

The Routan S and SE come with many features that make these models a good choice for lesbian and gay families.

With perfect crash-test scores the Routan van is safe and reliable.  It has comfortable seven seats; many DVD screens, thirteen cup holders; third row fold-in-floor seating and affordable start price of $25,500 other reasons why it makes it a good a good choice for gay families.

The 2010 Volkswagen Routan S and SE models come with a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 197 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The SEL and SEL Premium are outfitted with a more sophisticated 4.0-liter V6 rated at 253 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission.

But if you looking at all the latest models like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna, these comparable models might serve the typical minivan buyer better.

Bonding with Subaru’s starter model will take some time. Whether the five-door hatchback or four-door sedan, the interior seating and console controls seem built strictly for utilitarian function, and not a comfortable one: The steering wheel doesn’t adjust to a comfortable level for a person of average height. There’s no arm rest for the right driver-side arm and the manual seat-height lever, which “pumps” the driver-side seat up and down, is tacky at best. All of which can make the driver feel somewhat detached from the car’s operation, and manipulating it through local city traffic can feel awkward, at least at first.

But the car grows on you because the Impreza shines on the highway, its utilitarian, no-frills build lending itself perfect for more intense driving with hands at 10 and two. Its zippy 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides ample pick-up and its compact stature can easily weave its way in and out of heavily trafficked rocks. However, it’s just recommended that interested drivers opt to shave off a few of the premium options to trim the Impreza premium’s $21,000 MSRP to a more reasonable starter model price.

An affordable sport sedan and hatchback in one? It’s an awkward-sounding idea that Mitsubishi makes work with their Lancer Sportback and Sportback GTS editions. The company’s motto for this model being “quick shifts of a manual with the smooth operation of an automatic” effects a small, fuel-efficient vehicle (20 city mpg; 27 highway) that’s got something for everyone—cargo space, passenger room and a zippy look reflective of it’s 2.4 liter engine and sport-tuned suspension that holds the road well, even when veering at 50 mph. Nicely equipped packages start at~$23,000.

by Jason P Freeman

The new for ’10 mods to the Taurus has turned the historic American automakers once standard soccer-mom sedan into a sporty muscle machine with a touch of elegance and class.

Per Ford’s Media site: “‘The new Taurus SHO delivers on the authentic sleeper sedan formula but adds all-new luxury-appointments, convenience features and technologies to an unsurpassed balance of power and fuel economy,’ said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. ‘This new sport derivative answers enthusiasts’ calls for a premium Ford flagship sedan with even more attitude.’”

And attitude it’s got—with its subdued growling grill and 19-inch tires accommodating its huge, road-owning chassis—while its newly developed 365HP ECOBOOST V-6 automatic engine offers ample traffic-surpassing acceleration and smooth-riding suspension to spare.

Overall, this unexpected head-turner definitely earns its title as Ford’s flagship model. However, it’s recommended that drivers thoroughly read through the owners’ manual in order to learn just how to toot all of the Taurus’ bells and whistles: The actual function of most every one of the dashboard’s buttons, dials and touch-screen controls don’t appear as apparent as might be expected (coordinating icons notwithstanding). The media, satellite radio and GPS navigational monitors are not easily made use of or manipulated, and the automated driver’s seat/side and rear-view mirror position memory system seems to operate of its own volition; it resets and repositions itself each time the ignition is disengaged.

The standard 2010 Ford Taurus SHO starts at ~$37,000 or ~$43,000 with the complete options package.