We just posted our first drive from a recent event in Detroit.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...xd_first_.html

If you have more specific questions on the xD let me know and I'll get the answers from the reviewer who went. Or you can leave something on the blog.

 

I'm hoping this starts somewhere *near* $13.5k, but I expect it to be at least ~$14.5k.

Any other day, I would think even more because of the Corolla's pricing, but my fear about that was killed when I heard of the pricing of the new xB; I figured the xB would be priced to compete with the Rav4, since they both share the same engine.

I kinda wished you talked more about the transmission, it looks like you tested a 5-speed. Otherwise, it's a pretty good write-up.

 

garma,
this is from Mike Hanley, the reviewer:
“I drove an xD with the four-speed automatic. My time in the car was brief, but the transmission felt well matched to the four-cylinder and it shifted smoothly. We'll be able to get a better feel for the transmission if and when we get an xD for a longer test, but right now there's nothing to dissuade a shopper from choosing the four-speed.”

So there you go. It was a very brief drive event which is strange. Most press trips you get a few hours in each model or trim. Not so with this event.

We'll get one in for a full review near its release date. An xB is coming into the fleet next week for a full review as well.

 

could even ask around here as I know of 2 people that have driven the xD on this site..me being one of them