Ninth Place: 2007 Saab 9-5 2.3T (13.3 lb/hp)Though it just received a facelift this year, the Saab 9-5 is riding on bones that date back to the Paleolithic era. And while its torque steer isn't as bad as some other Saab models, its 3472-lb chassis just isn't up to the task of coping with 260 horsepower. Saab always reminds us that its roots are in aerospace - and if so, this burnout machine would be the equivalent of two large jets strapped to a Wright Brothers' plane.
Tenth Place: 2007 Honda Accord EX V-6 (13.5 lb/hp)It can be argued that the Accord is more of a driver's car than most of its competitors, and the V-6 model is a rocketship. Its 244-hp V-6 is enough to light up the front wheels on demand, especially with any lock on the steering wheel - a long-standing Honda trait. Add wetness to the road, and the Accord becomes particularly tough to restrain - and serves as a reminder that Honda does it best when they do it with a little restraint.
The Bottom 10:
It you want front-wheel drive, but hate torque steer, these are some great choices. The worst performer - by far - is the Toyota Prius at 38.6 lb/hp. But since the horsepower numbers don't include the extra thrust provided by the electric motor, we've left them out. Here are the ten, non-hybrid, front-wheel drive cars on the market this year that have the lowest power-to-weight ratio. Don't be fooled, though - they're not that slow. A first-generation VW GTI would have wound up mid-pack on this list - perhaps proof that maybe the era of front-wheel drive cars has run its course:
First Place: 2007 Dodge Caravan SE (25.7 lb/hp)
Second Place: 2007 Honda Civic GX (25.7 lb/hp)
Third Place: 2007 Chevrolet Aveo LS (24.6 lb/hp)
Fourth Place: 2008 Saturn Vue (23.3 lb/hp)
Fifth Place: 2007 Hyundai Tucson (23.1 lb/hp)
Sixth Place: 2007 Kia Sportage (23.1 lb/hp)
Seventh Place: 2007 Chevrolet Aveo5 (22.7 lb/hp)
Eighth Place: 2007 Toyota Highlander (22.7 lb/hp)
Ninth Place: 2007 Honda Fit (22.3 lb/hp)
Tenth Place: 2007 Nissan Versa (22.3 lb/hp)