As another year fades into our collective rearview mirrors—OK, that was cheesy—it offers an opportunity for us to take a look at what the future may hold for us in an automotive sense. Around our household it turns out that 2004 will likely be the same as 2003, if Ms. D has anything to say about it—the Year of the Mini. But despite a recent home screening of "The Italian Job" (which is known around here as "the Mini movie," and has little else to recommend it), I think there's still a little more of an automotive frontier to be explored before we start sending our payments back to Bavaria. Here's a look at some of the things that are in store for 2004.

PRACTICAL HYBRIDS
Hybrids are here to stay. The Honda Civic takes the you-barely-know-it's-a-hybrid route, offering a standard-issue Honda sedan with most of the value and practicality that you'd expect. Plus, it gets 50 mpg on the highway. The downsides—it's about $4,000 more than the efficient gas-only Civic sedan, and it's available with limited trim and color options that would make the Clinique counter lady proud. But it's more practical than the Honda Insight, although not as efficient—the 2004 Insight boasts bragging rights both for best mileage in the U.S. (66 mpg highway) and for saving you a cart fee at your local municipal golf course.

The first-generation Toyota Prius became a Hollywood status symbol because its ugly-duck styling screamed "I'm an eco-friendly Hollywood type!" The next-generation 2004 Prius, however, offers actual styling, decent performance and unique practicality that almost puts it in the sport-wagon category. The digital instruments, Start button and odd little gear shifter all may seem quaint in a few years, but for now I'm dying to drive one—although they're in limited supply. (No word on how many Cameron Diaz has snatched up as of yet.)

What's next? Ford has announced a hybrid Ford Escape for September 2004, making 35 mpg in an SUV with power similar to its current V6. And while this edition of the JFP is on the streets, Toyota is expected to announce hybrid versions of the Toyota Highlander SUV for sale in late 2004 as well as the debut of a full-size hybrid truck concept to be used for research on future vehicles.

RETRO
Past-through-tomorrow design is still in, riding the waves made by the Thunderbird and the PT Cruiser. Toyota's new youthful Scion brand offers the relatively sedate xA model and the milk-truck-dragster xB, which feels somehow both Mad Max and Max Headroom-inspired. The Scion models are particularly noteworthy for being (a) cheap, (b) customizable and (c) thrifty with the ol' petrol. Who woulda thunk that the Toyota Matrix could be made to look so, er, mature in one short year?

For the true meaning of the word retro, however, one need only look to the 2005 Mustang, which is clearly my personal midlife crisis waiting to happen. With one part '66 coupe and one part '72 fastback and one part Lincoln LS, if the damned thing ever gets off the assembly line, it may be as popular as the original. And if they offer a ragtop, Ms. D and I will probably have to fight over who gets to have their midlife crisis first.

CONVERTIBLE MINI?
And, finally … yes, spy photos confirm that some preproduction drop-top Mini Coopers have been spotted—and it's so cute it out-buggies the convertible Beetle. It's expected as a 2005 model, but it remains to be seen whether it'll get here before my next annual auto roundup.

In the meantime, try and keep it quiet—if Ms. D spots this little bugger, I'll never get her to test drive another "Cute Ute" again.

Previous Comments

ID

84279

Comment

Saw the Scion xB the other day while leaving my neighborhood. Was ok but looked like a deformed Honda Element without the functionality. Todd, have you seen these in a showroom? I'd love to take a closer look for the sake of doing so.

Author

kaust

Date

2003-12-30T17:34:06-06:00

ID

84280

Comment

I saw one sitting in front of a house in Fondren -- it's striking, there's no question. A bit smaller than I'd thought (much smaller than the Element -- I think smaller than the Matrix) and *very* boxy. I've got a brochure here in the office and it spends half of its pages talking about the ways that the Scion can be customized with lights and neon and all sorts of accessories. It's definitely not a "utility" vehicle, like you could argue for the Element. The Scion is about turning a low-cost hatchback into an "urban image vehicle" (to coin a phrase) aimed at kids who would otherwise have bought a Corolla, Neon, Civic DX, Golf or Sentra/SE5 for customizing. Personally, I'm a bit more interested in reviewing the xB, which is a little less radically designed but perhaps a little bit more, er, age-appropriate for me. ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2003-12-31T11:19:26-06:00

ID

84281

Comment

Agreed on the xB. A little boxy and far from a "utility" vehicle. I went to the Scion site about a year or two ago when the cars were still in "concept." Toyota had sent a brochure assuming I was their target audience (being a Matrix owner). Anyway, they had planned three of them (Scions) if I remember correct. One was a sporty car with a motorized rear hatch that folded into the car much like a convertable in reverse. I was excited to see such a car. Had a very "fast and the furious" interior that looked very hi-tech. Lots of metal and racing-style seats, including seat bets. It appears this particular "sports car" was replaced by the Matrix-ish style (xA) with less zest than the concept. Still, the xA definitely looks like a more mature Matrix/Vibe and that price-point can't be beat (especially with neon green lights under the dash)! ;-)

Author

kaust

Date

2003-12-31T11:40:17-06:00

ID

84282

Comment

Todd, saw the xA today. Wow... I'd have never guessed it was so small. It is basically a "techie" version of the Mini. Entirely too small for my taste but still functional and attractive for the price. Still, for the cost, I'd rather have a Matrix for the room...

Author

kaust

Date

2004-01-04T14:42:31-06:00