There is more to test driving than meets the eye. A new vehicle needs to measure up to style, as well as practical, demands. Use this checklist to help determine whether the vehicle you want is really the vehicle for you.

Vehicle Checklist

Bring this checklist to your test drive and mark a "Y" or "N" next to each item.

Vehicle Name:

_____________________________________________

Exterior Inspection

_____ Attractive styling

_____ Suitable paint and assembly quality

_____ Large enough trunk size for hauling groceries or sports equipment

_____ Suitable wheels and tires

Interior Inspection

_____ Doors open and close easily

_____ Easy entry and exit of the vehicle

_____ Comfortable front and back seats

_____ Ample head room and leg room (front and back)

_____ Interior (both front and back seats) roomy

_____ Pedals, seat, steering wheel, and shifter adjust easily

_____ Safety belts adjust easily

_____ Instrument panel's controls are easily visible and reachable

_____ Gauges are easy to understand

_____ Temperature is simple to adjust

_____ Excellent visibility out of rear, front and side windows

_____ Adequate storage space

_____ Offers the type of convenience features you need (e.g. cup holders, cargo nets, etc.)

Performance

_____ Vehicle accelerates quickly and smoothly from rest position

_____ Brakes make both slow and hard stops

_____ Vehicle downshifts without hesitation and at the right time

_____ Vehicle shifts from gear to gear smoothly

_____ Vehicle climbs to higher speeds easily

_____ Vehicle has low amount of engine, interior and road and wind noise

_____ Vehicle has low amount of noise with the sunroof open

Handling

_____ Steering responds quickly and precisely to changes in direction

_____ Vehicle's change in direction feels controlled

Safety

_____ Vehicle is equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

_____ Vehicle has traction control

_____ Minimal pulsing (a short burst of repeated beats) when braking hard (excessive pulsing lets you know that the vehicle's ABS system may not be as advanced as others)

_____ Vehicle is equipped with air bags