A couple of other people have some opinions on family cars I've mentioned recently on DT. [Ok, fine. They're car critics, real ones, who've actually driven the cars I just ruminate about from the curb, and one of them has a Pulitzer, so sue me. But if you already bought a Subaru Tribeca based on MY post, you're beyond help, and any jury'll see that right away.]
Jalopnik on the Subaru B9 Tribeca: "...I reckon the B9 is the ultimate test of Subaruís legendary brand loyalty. The official version is that the B9's nose evokes Fuji Heavy Industries' history as an airplane manufacturer. Someone should have reminded Subaru that Fuji's planes bombed Pearl Harbor ó and we all know how that turned out." Bonus points for spotting the Fallopian tube motif in the dash.
LAT's Dan Neil on the Mercedes R-Class, which he calls "a super-luxury bus": "Mercedes isn't being coy about the R-class' dimensions, referring to the R-class' size as "commanding," "generous proportions" and even "XXL." Sounds like stretch pants, doesn't it?" He senses this "is how the Germans see Americans," huge and needing giant cupholders. Sounds about right, actually. As for the likely buyers, "if you own a Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lexus LX470 or another luxury SUV, consider yourself targeted." Ugh. [Sorry, Dad.]
The Mercedes B-Class gets a bonus mention, though, from Neil: "...I continue to pine for the company's B-class vehicle, which in spirit and levels of luxury is comparable to the R-class, except 2 feet shorter. Mercedes, facing pressure from the weak dollar, decided not to bring the B-class to the U.S. this year, but if demand is sufficient, it still could. So demand, already."
You heard him, people, call your local Mercedes dealers today. Or go to mbusa.com and give'em the business. Or, if that doesn't work, move to Canada, where the B-class goes on sale this fall.
Previously: Subaru+Urban=Suburban?; Mercedes Miniv- er, R-class; B-class not for the US of A-list
