Jim's driveway: Capsules of Jim Mateja's auto reviews.

Byline: Jim Mateja

Jim's Driveway is capsules of Jim Mateja's auto reviews.

2003

HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT: Base price: $14,149; Engine: 2-liter, 135-h.p., 4-cylinder; Fuel economy: 24 m.p.g. city/33 highway. Best-selling nameplate in the South Korean automaker's lineup adds a new sedan offering for `03 as a companion to the hatchback. High-mileage economy car that doesn't look cheap. You won't smoke the radials, but mileage is outstanding and it takes a while to get the needle to move off of "F." Economy-car suspension so don't expect sports-car ride or handling even with addition of 15-inch tires. The popular options _ ABS with traction control ($525), power moonroof ($650) and automatic transmission ($800) will boost the base quickly. _ MAZDA6: Base price: $21,100; Engine: 3-liter, 200-h.p., 24-valve V-6 (5-speed manual); Fuel economy: 20 m.p.g. city/27 highway. Important car because a stretched version of this platform will provide 10 derivative models for Ford, Mercury and Lincoln in the next three years. Ford built V-6 delivers lots of low-end, off-the-line power for quick takeoffs. Lithe and limber handling thanks to larger 17-inch radials in the optional sports package. A well-rounded package with roomy cabin and spacious trunk that also makes those 10 derivatives worth waiting for. Offered only in FWD for now, but the platform was designed for AWD as well. The sedan will be joined by a wagon in January and a hatchback a few months after that.

PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO: Base price: $88,900; Engine: 4.5-liter, 450-h.p., 32-valve, twin-turbo V-8; Fuel economy: 13 m.p.g. city/18 m.p.g. highway. First SUV in the automaker's lineup. Sport-ute with an emphasis on sport. The twin turbo V-8 packs a wallop, but don't expect to pass many filling stations. Comes with full-time AWD and Traction Management as standard to get from here to there quickly while maintaining control. Though you sit high off the ground, there's no sensation of wobble from a too-high center of gravity. Novel item: Optional ($995) "entry and drive" system automatically locks/unlocks doors when you carry the key fob in pocket or purse. 7-13-03

SATURN ION 3 QUAD COUPE: Base price: $15,530; Engine: 2.2-liter, 140-h.p. 4-cylinder; Fuel economy: 26 m.p.g. city/33 highway. Replacement for the SC coupe built off new longer, wider, taller platform that sports reshaped plastic body panels. Also new: a pair of side access doors to help get kids or stuff in and out on either side. New dimensions contribute to better ride and handling. But, ...