Where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Last year was exceedingly kind to big pickups, sprawling family sedans and SUVs, but not every model came out of 2011 with big sales figures. We took the time to dig through the low-selling models of the past 12 months to find out which vehicles produced throughout the year were the biggest duds. Since we aren't interested in how few Lamborghini Aventador models rolled off of dealer lots in the U.S. in 2011, we kept the MSRP under $100,000.
Our criteria immediately nixed vehicles like the Mazda RX-8, Volvo V50, Ram Cargo Van and everything in the Saab stable due to the fact that those models weren't manufactured through all 12 months of 2011. High-end metal like the Mercdes-Benz SL, CL and G classes were also kicked to the curb due to our price ceiling. Which was the worst of them all? We'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Acura ZDX. Hit the jump to check out our list of the worst-selling vehicles of 2011.
Acura's aggressive "keen edge" beak-like front fascia design, launched in mid-2008 with the 2009 TL, is a love-it-or-hate-it look. And oh, how it was hated. That styling is the single most-cited reason shoppers walked away from the brand. More »
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Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Roth, and Steven Ewing take on topsy-turvy topics like hybrid Ferraris, the Land Rover LRX, Hyundai's focus-grouping a pickup truck, Toyota's possible hydrogen future, and the OnStar relaunch. There's the Autoblog Garage to start, and we finish with questions for this week's 80-minute installment. See you next week!
Autoblog Podcast #177: What? Hybrid Ferraris, FWD Land Rovers, and Hyundai Pickups
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2010 Acura ZDX - Click above for high-res image gallery
Needless to say, the 2010 AcuraZDX is a peculiar beast. And after a week's worth of testing, we're still not sure what to make of it.
But just for some context, let's begin with the fact that despite a similar fastback, five-door body style, the ZDX is not related to the Honda Accord Crosstour. Honda's jacked-up hatch is substantially larger than the ZDX and far more useful. Instead, it's best to think of the ZDX as a rake-roofed version of the MDX - a high-riding four-door coupe (assuming you buy into the marketing spiel) akin to its closest competitor, the BMW X6. Both models share similar designs and purposes - although the ZDX maxes out in price and performance where the German starts off - and both possess some of the attributes of a two-door layout - compromises and all.
The 2010 Acura ZDX, a vehicle Acura calls a "four-door sports coupe" but is actually an SUV with no trunk, is being recalled due to improper laser scoring that may hamper airbag inflation. [Wheels] More »
It's only been on the market since December, but the 2010 Acura ZDX has already gotten its first official recall. According to AutoWeek, Acura believes that less than two percent of the 1,850 ZDXs built so far were assembled with a dashboard material that was incorrectly cut. The problem could cause the passenger-side front airbag to deploy improperly.
If you think you may have one of the affected vehicles, you are urged to take your minty-fresh ZDX to your local Acura dealer so the vehicle can be inspected. If there is indeed an issue, the entire dashboard will be replaced at no expense to the owner.
Owners should be getting notifications through the mail any day now. Alternatively, you can also call (800) 382-2238 for more information.
