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defend-punk-rock · 3 years

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Toyota’s 7 Best cars

Toyota's 7 Finest Vehicles According to US Information & World Record Toyota has actually always been known for developing quality automobiles, though it can not be rejected that certain efforts are a lot more successful than others. When you offer 200 million cars and trucks, there's bound to be favorites when it comes to which ones do the most effective. If you're seeking a vehicle that's going to be both fun to drive and practical enough to last until your grandchildren are ready to get behind the wheel, keep these favorite cars in mind.

2017 Toyota Avalon The Avalon has the room, fuel efficiency, and horsepower to satisfy any type of family member. With a 3.5 L V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission, it's surprisingly quick. US News & Globe Record praises the Avalon for being a trusted cars and truck at a reasonable cost.

2018 Toyota Camry A household name in countries worldwide, the Camry got a remodeling for 2018. It's still fuel-efficient and safe, yet it got some upgrades in terms of its base engine as well as infotainment functions. Chauffeurs can choose a design of the Camry with up to 301 horsepower paired with an 8-speed transmission.

2017 Toyota Highlander Suppose you're trying to find a midsize SUV that puts quality on top of its priorities. In that case, examination drives the Highlander for its expensive cabin as well as outstanding security elements. From pre-collision stopping to stable seats for youngsters of every age, this SUV supplies quite a great deal for a surprisingly economical price tag.

2017 Toyota Prius Toyota was among the first automobile firms to supply a best-selling Hybrid-- actually, it's primary in America for its class. The Prius shows Toyota's commitment to the atmosphere. Individuals like this automobile, not even if it conserves them on gas, however likewise due to the fact that it has a luxurious cabin and also lots of trunk area for whatever they require to carry.

2017 Toyota 86 This car was originally the Successor FR-S, as well as it includes a managing experience that any kind of vehicle driver would certainly wish to create a home concerning. The seats support both drivers and also guest as it sails along twisty roads. Its engine may only provide 200 horsepower, however, pair the 2L 4 cyndrical tube engine with its light-weight body, and you have an automobile that's ready to drive. What's actually remarkable though, is that it's a sports car that will certainly save you journeys to the storage tank with its fuel-efficient engine.

2017 Toyota Sienna Get a four-wheel drive in the Sienna for all those unexpected weather conditions experiences you'll face with your household. With a solid amusement system, comfortable seats, and also high resale worth, it's clear why it made the checklist of top quality lorries in the Toyota family.

2017 Toyota Prius Prime This is a new plug-in crossbreed that's new to Toyota, yet it's handled to make a dash for the method it smoothly changes from gas to electrical. With 25 miles of variety, it's a superb selection for those with brief commutes. Comes with container seating for as much as 4 passengers as well as a lot of security and also enjoyment attributes.

This article is written by https://www.jijiautos.com/

#cars #usedcars #toyota #jijiautos

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fokohow · 4 years

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TOP 20: THE BEST VEHICLES FOR THE FAMILY IN 2020 ACCORDING TO PARENTS MAGAZINE

Once again this year, Parents magazine gets wet by naming its best choices of vehicles for the family. Unlike last year, however, the publication is expanding its list of recommended vehicles to 20 (instead of 10 in 2019). Indeed, the magazine’s list this year includes a few additional categories, with the utility segment making up the majority of the models listed, unsurprisingly.

The magazine also considered the safety assessments carried out by the American institute NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). What’s more, the ‘family’ angle of the top 20 requires a test with child seat expert Abbie Patterson. Patterson, owner of the Super Car Seat Geek company, has tested all types of child booster seats in more than 50 car models.

Finally, automotive columnist Rob Stumpf, took the wheel of the vehicles in the child seat test to evaluate braking, steering, acceleration and a host of other parameters.

Without further ado, here’s the list of the 20 best family vehicles for 2020 according to Parents magazine.

Minivans – Best Value: Kia Sedona

In the minivan segment, Kia Sedona takes home the honours with the best value for money because of its more affordable price in its basic livery. However, the magazine notes that it is not possible to secure three child seats in the second row in the least expensive model. The automatic transmission (from 6 to 8 gears since the 2019 model year) is good for smooth shifting.

Minivans – Best Green Choice: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Chrysler’s representative in the ultra-family minivan segment is currently the only option (in the North American market) marketed with a charging cable. This rechargeable hybrid powertrain lowers average fuel consumption without penalizing performance, while the government rebate is not to be ignored here either. The Pacifica Hybrid will have to watch its back, as we already know that the next Toyota Sienna will be available with a hybrid powertrain.

Minivans – Best choice for large families: Honda Odyssey

Honda’s Odyssey is also an excellent choice, especially since the manufacturer has decided to offer its 10-speed automatic transmission on all trim levels. As reported in the magazine, the versatility of the Odyssey is unparalleled, as the minivan can accommodate up to six child seats at the same time. It’s also the most fun to drive.

Minivans – Best in all weather conditions: Toyota Sienna

Toyota’s Sienna retains its competitive edge once again this year with its optional all-wheel drive system. This increased traction is undoubtedly an asset when road conditions are more difficult, as is its powerful V6 engine, but the Sienna will have to count the Chrysler Pacifica among its direct rivals next year, the American manufacturer having already confirmed the arrival of a four-wheel drive version of its Pacifica.

Three-row SUV – Best Value: Volkswagen Atlas

When the German automaker launched the development of its three-row SUV, it clearly had North America as its target. The magazine was especially seduced by the affordable price of the SUV in its most accessible version.

Three-row SUV – Better Redesign: Toyota Highlander

The change of model for 2020 does him the greatest good, the former Highlander which had been in service since model year 2014. While the publication praises the new design, it’s also in terms of handling that the Toyota representative has improved, especially in terms of suspension. There’s also the availability of a hybrid version, which isn’t widely available in this group.

Three-row SUV – Best Choice for Large Families: Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent joined the three-row seating party for SUVs about a year ago. Here, the fact that all the vehicle’s liveries are equipped with constant-drive all-wheel drive is meant to be an advantage over the rest of the pack, while the publication pointed out that there are 19 (!) cup holders on board.

Three-row SUV – Best Quiet Ride: Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot looks almost Acura inside, not only because of its full equipment, but also because of its quiet ride. In fact, the Parents magazine article even goes so far as to compare the Pilot to the Honda Odyssey because the SUV is so comfortable. Unlike the minivan, however, the Pilot still offers the tandem of six- and nine-speed automatic transmissions. In this case, the older of the two (the six-speed one) isn’t necessarily a bad choice!

Three-row SUV – Best safety technologies: Nissan Pathfinder

Aging, the Nissan Pathfinder still seems capable of seducing a publication that mainly observes a vehicle’s family characteristics. Here, the safety systems are convincing, as is that horn blast heard after every drive where one of the rear doors has been opened before or while driving. This device reminds the driver that he or she may have a child – or even a pet – strapped to the rear.

Three-row SUV – Best Design: Mazda CX-9

Mazda is certainly not a brand with countless financial resources, but on the other hand, the design of the most recent seasons seems to appeal to the general public. In fact, despite its introduction in 2017, Mazda’s largest SUV has not aged a single wrinkle. The CX-9’s driving pleasure should not be forgotten either.

Two-row SUV – Best Quiet Ride: Buick Envision

The three-shield division has long been associated with the silence of its interior. The Buick Envision, assembled in China, is no exception to this rule thanks to the noise reduction system.

Parents magazine mentions the excellence of the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, but this mill is reserved for the more upscale versions. In the other trim levels, the driver has to deal with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine and a six-speed transmission only.

Two-row SUV – Best steering system: Chevrolet Equinox

It’s true that the Chevrolet Equinox comes with a reputation for being poorly assembled and less durable than average. But since its redesign for the 2018 model year, the compact SUV does much better in terms of driving experience, and even overall quality. Parents magazine found the Chevrolet’s steering to be particularly precise, while its powertrain is powerful enough.

Two-row SUV – Better space for child seats: Ford Edge

When it comes to space for child seats, the Ford Edge is second to none, according to the publication. This allows for three seats, a rarity in the two-row SUV segment. The Ford Edge is also one of the most comfortable.

Two-Row SUV – Best Redesign : GMC Terrain

Best redesign award for two-row SUVs goes… drum roll – at GMC Terrain! Oddly enough, the redesign was completed for the 2018 model year at the same time as the Chevrolet Equinox, but hey, it’s the magazine’s choice! The article also mentions the more comfortable suspension on the Denali model.

Two-Row SUV – Best Green Choice: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Par les temps qui courent, il faut regarder du côté des VUS purement électriques pour sauver au niveau de la consommation. Mais, fort heureusement, les modèles hybrides ne sont plus aussi rares qu’à l’époque. Subaru fait d’ailleurs le pari que son deuxième Crosstrek Hybride connaisse un peu plus de succès que le premier qui faisait appel à une motorisation hybride conventionnelle. Avec un arrangement rechargeable, il est possible de rouler sur l’énergie du bloc de batteries, mais il ne faut malheureusement pas s’attendre à de grandes distances.

Two-Row SUV – Best choice for long trips: Subaru Forester

The Subaru manufacturer is often named on this list by Parents magazine. The Forester would be the ideal vehicle for expeditions, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, roof rack and exemplary comfort. You could even add that the Forester’s fuel consumption has been very good for the past few years, a fact made possible by the adoption of a continuously variable transmission.

Sedans – Best Value for a Hybrid: Honda Accord Hybrid

In the arguments listed by Parents magazine, the Honda Accord Hybrid sedan doesn’t cost much more than the regular model, while trunk space is no longer handicapped by a battery stowed behind the rear seat. The Accord Hybrid is also not an unpleasant car to drive.

Sedans – Best in all weather conditions: Subaru Legacy

The manufacturer has made it its hobbyhorse: four-wheel drive guarantees superior traction in winter. The Nissan Altima has joined the Legacy’s direct rivals with an AWD system, but it’s not a permanent type like Subaru’s.

The redesign for 2020 has certainly helped in this case, the sedan can now be ordered with a more energetic 4-cylinder turbocharged flatbed engine.

Sedans – Best sports car: Nissan Maxima

This was its angle of attack when it was redesigned for the 1989 model year in North America. The Four Door Sports Car still stands out from its peers today because of its relatively dynamic driving dynamics. However, Toyota’s effort is worth mentioning with its Avalon XSE, a large sedan that is surprisingly fun to drive. In the United States, there’s also a TRD livery!

Sedans – Best Hybrid Sports Car: Toyota Camry Hybrid

Still, it’s surprising to see that the hybrid versions are now the sportiest in Toyota’s lineup. Even the Camry is no exception to this rule. The manufacturer continues to offer a V6 engine for the more conservative among us, but we have to admit that the hybrid leaning of the mid-size sedan is at least worth a try.

#cars carsofinstagram CarsWithOutLimits carspotting carstagram carshow carsandcoffee carspotter carselfie carsovereverything

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mahmoud-ab-fan · 4 years

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Best Used Cars under 15000 in 2020

For those at present looking for a car, it's a very wide open market at the present time. In spite of a general downturn of new-car deals so far this year, the used-car advertisement really seems, by all accounts, to be on the bounce back. Indeed, used-car deals are outperforming new-vehicle conveyances. Used-vehicle deals in May were just 5% beneath pre-infection conjecture' as contrasted and 20% for retailed new vehicles. This is an unmistakable improvement from April, and proof that the used-vehicle showcase is in recuperation. Following are four best used car under 15000.

1-Toyota Corolla/Scion iM

Hatchbacks are well known with the individuals who like more utility from their vehicles. Due to its structure, a hatchback will in general have the option to fit more cargo in its trunk while additionally keeping up the size of a sedan. Toyota Corolla iM or the Scion iM — which are a similar car, put something aside for the badging. Scion was Toyota's presently outdated, youth-situated brand and the Scion iM was based off the Corolla's foundation. The Corolla is known for its dependability and the hatchback part of the iM just makes it even more valuable. At this price, you can take a gander at softly used 2017 to 2018 Toyota Corolla iMs and 2016 Scion iMs.

2. Nissan Frontier

Purchasing a truck for modest is rarely simple, yet on the off chance that you are straightforward with yourself regarding what you really need a truck for, a fundamental Frontier will probably take care of business. The Nissan Frontier is an incredible option in contrast to the Toyota Tacoma. An equivalent Tacoma in a similar price range will probably be a lot more seasoned and have higher miles. For under $15,000, your choices of Nissan Frontiers go between 2010 to 2018. The price additionally relies upon what number of entryways you need, trim, mileage, and so on, used car under 15000.

3. Chevrolet Impala Sedan

Truly, most people groups' go-to sedan decisions are the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. Those are generally excellent and fine cars! Yet, another car you should consider is the Chevrolet Impala. An Impala may help you to remember the rental car parking area outside of the air terminal, yet there's a valid justification why they're such mainstream armada vehicles. Impalas are open, agreeable, and — in particular — tough. Past ages of the Impala have been used by police offices and taxi armadas. "These cars can withstand long stretches of intense driving, if they are very much kept up." He's correct; acceptable upkeep is the key to unwavering quality. Impalas that fall inside this price go regularly extend from 2012 models to 2017 models.

4. Ford Fusion Hybrid

A great many people think Toyota Prius when they think about a hybrid car, but on the other hand there's the Ford Fusion Hybrid to consider. As a matter of fact, the Fusion Hybrid's mpg gauges aren't on a par with the Prius's. Be that as it may, there are absolutely a greater amount of them around. "Stock is abundant for lower-mile models and some inside this price run are additionally being sold with a Ford Certified PreOwned warranty.

An ensured used arrangement is one worth exploring. Most affirmed used cars are sold with a maker upheld warranty and different advantages, are previously owned, and have been examined, as per U.S. News and World Report. The Fusion Hybrid is additionally bigger than the Toyota Prius. Being a medium size sedan, it may be progressively functional for the purchaser who needs something greater that can likewise keep the fuel costs down. 2016 to 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrids, contingent upon the trim, are accessible in this price range. So, these were the four best used car under 15000 .

#volgopoint #cars #car #carsofinstagram #bmw #auto #carlifestyle #photography #supercars #usedcar

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numberplates4u-blog · 5 years

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4 Small Details Toyota Camry Designers Had to Fight For

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] Toyota has been undergoing a massive style transformation after it got a mandate from the CEO not to make boring cars anymore. Ian Cartabiano, the chief designer at Lexus and Toyota’s in-house Calty Design Research studio in California, took that message seriously and has been pumping out “not boring” products ever since. “We wanted to make this car sexy,” Cartabiano said about the all-new 2018 Toyota Camry. Even if you don’t think the new Camry is sexy, you can certainly appreciate its bold new design. But the Camry’s new style goes beyond just slapping a mean new grille on and calling it a day. Cartabiano says the Camry’s new design is rooted in the little details, many of which he had to fight for. Black Contrast Roof The new Camry is available with a contrast black roof, which is supposed to make it look sportier and high-end. “I was so amazed that the black roof made it because on such a mass production car where the production line time is money, to take the extra time to do that is unbelievable,” Cartabiano said. He said it was a fight to bring this feature to production models because the process for making the contrast roof added a lot of cost and time to the manufacturing process. Each black roof is hand-painted in the Kentucky factory, and it’s pretty remarkable for something that bespoke to be available on a mass-market product. New Badging On the back of the new family sedan, you’ll notice that the word CAMRY is spelled out in a tidy mid-century modern font across the center of the back of the trunk instead of being relegated to the side like in the past. This was a fight because it also increased the time and cost of manufacturing: It was tough convincing the bean counters that five individual badges instead of one made fiscal sense. Why did they fight so hard for this new badge? “Visually, we wanted to symbolize a big change for the company and the car,” Cartabiano said, and putting the word Camry front and center shows that driving a Camry is something to be proud of. This Camry isn’t trying to hide anymore. ALSO SEE: 2018 Toyota Camry Review New Badge Placement The front badge on the Camry is actually the only part that carried over from the previous-generation Camry, but the placement is totally new. Instead of being placed on top of the grille, the designers wanted it recessed into the grille so it could be better integrated. The whole design of the front grille now revolves around the Toyota badge instead of it being an afterthought. Body Creases There are so many new creases on the new Camry’s body that it required a whole new manufacturing process. Generally, the more variation there is in a car’s surface and panels, the more expensive it is to manufacture, so very curvy and creased surfaces are things that are typically reserved for higher-end cars. ALSO SEE: 2018 Toyota Camry Pros and Cons “The amount of shape on the door panel is really huge,” Cartabiano said. “If you run your hand along the door, the amount of surface movement is really crazy and it took not only new sheetmetal stamping, but changing the side member, which is what protects you in a crash.” Designers worked very closely with engineers to make sure the car got high-end surfacing but that it didn’t compromise safety. Get the Flash Player to see this player. Discuss this article on our Toyota Forum The post 4 Small Details Toyota Camry Designers Had to Fight For appeared first on AutoGuide.com News.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/10/4-small-details-toyota-camry-designers-had-to-fight-for.html

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adriansmithcarslove · 5 years

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2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Limited First Test: Cruising Comfortably

The ground-breaking sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata put the Korean automaker on the map as a serious midsize sedan competitor to established rivals from Toyota and Honda. That also meant its successor had big shoes to fill, but the current Sonata’s performance proved underwhelmed when it arrived for the 2015 model year. Hyundai significantly updated the 2018 model, so we tested a 2.4 Limited model to see how well the refreshed sedan can compete with the redesigned Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima.

The 2019 Hyundai Sonata is the same as the 2018 model with one exception: The “+” has been dropped from the names of a couple trims.

Hyundai’s user-friendly infotainment system is a key selling point for the 2018 and 2019 Sonata. Everything is easy to locate, there are shortcut buttons for every function, and it takes seconds to learn. Frequently used features such as media, phone, and navigation are all within easy reach instead of buried in submenus. The optional 8.0-inch touchscreen is quick to respond and has legible graphics, but the integrated navigation system could use better-looking maps. Hyundai’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration remains one of the best; there are minimal hiccups, and its controls are intuitive. An optional 10-speaker Infinity audio system offers great sound quality but lacks the customizability and surround sound function of newer units.

Passenger space is generous, but the front seats lack sufficient side bolstering and thigh support, especially for taller adults. Rear-seat passengers have plenty of room to stretch thanks to the Sonata’s generous legroom. Despite the low roofline, headroom is plentiful and visibility is excellent all around. The Sonata’s 16.3-cubic-foot trunk is one of the largest in its class, and the standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats enable it to accommodate long items. Fit and finish is solid with plenty of padded surfaces where your arms falls and soft-touch plastics in the upper door panels and dash. The harder bits on the lower part of the doors, center console, and in the rear, however, feel cheaper. Although the cabin is mostly quiet, tire roar gets excessive on poorly maintained surfaces, and there’s plenty of wind noise at highway speeds.

All 2018 Sonatas come standard with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are available on all but the SE and Eco grades, and high-beam assist is only offered on the Limited and Limited 2.0T. The adaptive cruise control works well, leaving a reasonable amount of space between you and the car in front even in its closest setting. However, the lane keeping assist system is sometimes late to react; in certain situations, the car has already crossed into the other lane before it nudges you back.

Read our 2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T First Test review right here.

The softly tuned suspension and standard 17-inch alloy wheels on our 2.4 Limited tester provide a cushy ride that isolates the passenger cabin from road imperfections. At the track, the 2018 Sonata 2.4 Limited finished the figure eight in 27.6 seconds at a 0.61 g average and produced 0.80 g of lateral acceleration. Road test editor Chris Walton found the throttle tip-in too abrupt in Sport mode; it upsets the chassis, causing it to rotate if you lift off or understeer if you get on the accelerator. Body control is poor; the Sonata produces secondary and tertiary body motions when going over big bumps, and it rolls excessively when taking corners at highway speeds. Steering is quick but feels disconnected; Walton declared it lifeless. The Honda Accord and Mazda6 remain the best midsize sedans in terms of ride and handling balance.

The Sonata’s base 2.4-liter I-4 has enough power for most consumers, but you need to rev it out during passing, merging, and climbing hills. Hyundai’s six-speed automatic shifts smoothly ,but in Eco and Comfort modes, it’s stingy with downshifts and likes to go to the highest gear. Throttle response is also nearly nonexistent outside of Sport mode. Our tester hit 60 mph in 7.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 16.1 seconds at 87.7 mph. Stopping from 60 mph took 121 feet, and Ayapana observed that distance increased only slightly over multiple hard stops. Brake pedal feel is reassuring, but Walton observed that it became spongy and vague over time when pushed hard during testing.

The Hyundai Sonata sells on value while offering great tech features, a long warranty, a cavernous interior, and a comfortable ride. As tested, the Sonata 2.4 Limited with optional Ultimate package (panoramic sunroof, upgraded sound system, navigation, rear parking sensors, and more) checks in below $31,000 including destination, which is less than a similarly equipped Toyota Camry. Despite its strong value and a refresh that improved the car, the Sonata lands mid-pack in its segment. As sedans strive to stay relevant in a crossover-obsessed world, the upcoming 2020 Hyundai Sonata will need to push the envelope to stay competitive.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited BASE PRICE $28,285 PRICE AS TESTED $30,585 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE 2.4L/185-hp/178-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4 TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,404 lb (59/41%) WHEELBASE 110.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 191.1 x 73.4 x 58.1 in 0-60 MPH 7.9 sec QUARTER MILE 16.1 sec @ 87.7 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 121 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.80 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.6 sec @ 0.61 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 25/35/28 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 135/96 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.68 lb/mile

The post 2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Limited First Test: Cruising Comfortably appeared first on Motortrend.

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roystoyota-blog · 5 years

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2018 Toyota Camry XLE Sedan MSRP: $34,658 DISCOUNT: $ -2,402 INTERNET PRICE: $32,256 STOCK# 22447 ENGINE: 2.5L I-4 CYL TRANSMISSION: 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC HP: 203 FUEL TANK: 16 GALS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE MPG RANGE: 28 CITY/ 39 HIGHWAY HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES: BLIND SPOT SENSOR DISTANCE PACING CRUISE CONTROL LANE DEPARTURE ASSISTANCE AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL POWER MOONROOF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WIRELESS PHONE CONNECTIVITY LEATHER UPHOLSTERY INCLUDED OPTIONS: PANORAMIC ROOF 50 STATE EMISSIONS CARPETED FLOOR MATS/ TRUNK MAT CONVENIENCE FEATURES: PROXIMITY KEYLESS ENTRY OVERHEAD CONTROL GARAGE DOOR TRANSMITTER: HOMELINK LIGHTED ENTRY OTHER FEATURES: SEATING CAPACITY: 5 HEATED FRONT SEATS DRIVER/ PASSENGER LUMBAR SUPPORT RADIO TOUCH SCREEN SIZE: 8.0" WARRANTY: BASIC: 36 MONTHS/ 36K MILES POWERTRAIN: 60 MONTHS/ 60K MILES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: 24 MONTHS/ UNLIMITED MILES MAINTENANCE: 24 MONTHS/ 25K MILES CORROSION: 60 MONTHS/ UNLIMITED MILES **CALL OR TEXT FOR MORE INFO OR FOR SCHEDULING APPOINTMENT** 6014904897 (at John O'Neil Johnson Toyota) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdzIKlFlOr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g34qnm3ty6gh

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savetopnow · 6 years

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2018-03-23 20 CAR now

CAR

Auto Spies

STUD or DUD? Is The All-new Lincoln Navigator, Tuned By Hennessey And With 600 Ponies, THE ONE To Have?

BMW Confirms All Electric X3 Slated For 2020 Release

Diesel Saving Technology Emerges, But Is It Too Late To Save The Oil Burner?

Evidence Mounts That New Mid Engine Corvette Will Be Cadillac Powered

US Seeks To Stop The Sellout Of American Know How To China

Autoblog

VW reveals the new Touareg, but not for America

VW Beetle is not dead yet

Car brands with the most and least loyal owners

Junkyard Gem: 1998 Mercedes-Benz S500 Sedan

Maybe there won't be an Audi R8 V6 after all

Car Throttle

This Container Ship Collision Dumped Brand New Cars Into The Sea

Behold The New, Lighter Volkswagen Touareg And Its Epic Screen

The Karlmann King Is The Stealth SUV You'll Always See Coming

A Simple New Exhaust Technology Could Save The Diesel Engine

The Old Dodge Viper Factory Is Being Turned Into A Museum

Electrek

Porsche shares images of latest Mission E prototypes, shows front trunk

Elon Musk’s Boring Company unveils proposed ‘Loop’ route to travel Washington-Baltimore in 15 mins

First look at Tesla Model 3 Canadian configurator with price structure and availability

Green Deals: Remington 12A 19-inch Corded Electric Lawn Mower $140, more

Nissan unveils stunning new streetlights powered by used Leaf battery packs and solar

Inside EVs

Check Out Slo-Mo Launch Of Tesla Model S P100D – Plus It Races Hellcat, Camaro

LinkedIn Chooses Tesla #5 Overall On Top Companies List

Check Out What Ford’s Electric SUV Might Look Like

J.D Power Survey – Enthusiasm For Electric Cars Grows Rapidly In China

Watch Roborace Devbot Showcase Some Extreme Driving

Jalopnik

I Still Don't Understand How He Does This

I Am Unduly Excited For The 2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport

We're Enjoying All The Incredible Race Cars At Pirelli World Challenge This Weekend

Smokey And The Bandit Will Change Your Life

Comment Of The Day: Sideways Edition

Motortrend

Celebrity Drive: Glen Plake of HISTORY’s ‘Truck Night in America’

2018 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T Interior Review

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback First Look: Matrix Reloaded

Porsche Says the New Cayenne Hybrid Will Channel the 918 Spyder

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I wanted to share my paint splattered trim

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The Car Connection

2019 Toyota Corolla

2018 Infiniti QX60

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2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback: a most international compact car

2018 Infiniti Q50

The CarGurus Blog

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The Torque Report

2018 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T Review: A fun midsize sedan

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2018 Lexus LC 500h Review – Good Design, Bad Design

Rare Rides: The 1979 Nissan President, an Executive Luxury Brougham

#car

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talldrink-o-h2o · 5 years

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Lifestyle: Buying a New Car

I grew up in Michigan, which you can read about extensively in this post. Everyone in Michigan either was employed by the auto industry (working for the Big 3 – GM, Chrysler, or Ford, as the case was in the ‘90s) or had family who worked in the auto industry. To this day, I know I’m in Michigan because of the lack of foreign cars on the road. I remember people would make racial slurs to my mom for the three years she owned a Toyota Camry, because it was more acceptable to say a racist comment than to drive a foreign car.

As a side note, I went to school in East Lansing from 2004 to 2008. This was when it was becoming mainstream to pay an obscene amount for drip coffee, a trend which continues to this day. East Lansing was home to a startup coffee chain called Beaners. I shit you not. Beaners experienced massive growth in Michigan and started to look to national expansion. They tried to enter into the Texas market. Allegedly the Texas powers-that-be said you can’t have a coffee shop that is named Beaners in Texas. Turns out that this is a racial slur for the migrant workers. Calling a shop this would alienate a good portion of the population. The company has since changed its name to Biggby (pronounced “Big B”) and claim the change had nothing to do with how offensive the name was. Which shows why people in Michigan thought it was okay to tell my mom she drove a rice racer because her car was Japanese.

But I digress. My aunt and grandfather both had worked for GM and my mother’s childhood best friend’s husband was a co-owner of a car dealership (did you follow that?). A person who retires from GM is granted a discount for him/her and their family for life. Because of this, it was insane for our family not to drive GM cars.*

When I turned sixteen, Katrina had conveniently totaled the little Mazda MX3 my dad had bought for her from a woman he worked with. The woman had kept it in mint condition, barely putting miles on it, and my dad got it for a song. One missed stop sign and the car was kaput. Because Katrina was a senior in high school and would be going to Michigan State the next year where she wouldn’t be allowed to have a car, my parents thought it’d be prudent to get us a car we could share for a year and then I could have it to myself my senior year. That’s how we got a year-old silver Pontiac Grand Am. And aside from feigning heartburn at the injustice of it all,** that car would take us all the way through college and follow me to my first year in Minnesota.

The first spring I lived in Minnesota, I had agreed to give my car to my sister, who had finished her MBA and was moving out to Virginia for her first job. This meant I needed a new car. Up until this point, the most I had ever spent on any single purchase was a $200 purse. I came out of undergrad with $20,000 of student loan debt and dumbly chose to live in a brand new apartment in the coolest neighborhood that literally cost more than one of my paychecks. I had no money to put down on a car and the idea of buying anything, let alone taking on yet another loan, made me sick to my stomach. I stayed up many nights talked to Steve about it, whom I had just started dating, and whom has always been much more frugal than me. For instance, he lived with his dad for a few years after undergrad so stockpiled an amount of cash. His favorite activity on the weekend is to determine just how much we’ll be able to save in the coming year and at what age we can retire. He offered to co-sign the loan for me, something I’d obviously need, being “cash poor” as the lady at the bank would later describe me to my dad. On principle, I couldn’t have a man I just started dating as my co-signer (I couldn’t think to the next week, why would I be beholden to this dude for five years?) so I had my dad sign.

The car I chose? A year-old silver Pontiac G6 with 22,000 miles on it. This is the car that replaced the Grand Am, because even though I no longer lived in Michigan, why would I ever buy anything other than American? Also the idea of doing research and going from dealership to dealership seemed daunting and not the same pastime activity in Minnesota as it was in Michigan. Don’t worry, this wasn’t an exact replica of the car I had just driven to my sister. This car was a very practical two-door, my statement to the world that I wasn’t planning to get married or have kids cause they couldn’t fit anyway. I chose it because I thought the trunk was cute. “I like its butt,” I told the salesman.

Fast forward to November 2018. I still have the G6. In the 9.5 years I’ve had the car, I’ve put a whopping 45,000 miles on it, meaning I never drive the thing. The furthest distances she traveled were two trips to Michigan, three trips to Milwaukee, and one time to Chicago. Only recently did I start driving her with any regularity, which is because I finally got access to Target’s restricted parking lot (you can reminisce about my first month parking there here). On an average day, my driving is 3-5 miles round trip. It’s less than two miles total to get to and from work, and if I throw in a class at OrangeTheory, I top out at five miles total.

Do you remember what it’s like to drive around in a 2009 model? There’s no back-up camera. There’s no keyless engine start. There’s no input for a phone to connect and certainly no Bluetooth. The dashboard is digital but not a touchscreen. It’s basically the Stone Age.

But back to money. A lot of people will say that they don’t buy cars because they don’t invest in depreciating assets. Which like, fuck off. If you’re leasing your BMW 5Series every three years that means you’re paying $500+ per month every month with no end. You’re pissing away money that could be used on literally anything else.

I always said I’d keep my car until it was ten years old or hit 100,000 miles, whichever came first, which, based on my habits, is clearly going to be the former versus the latter. Also, though, I really don’t like having a car payment so my intention was to drag this baby out as long as I could and start doing some initial research this spring.

But, like any long-term relationship, my car required some TLC recently. I was driving her when the “Service Tire Monitor” light came on. At the time, it was winter in Minnesota and air pressure in tires is a real thing, so being able monitor the pressure is something, but this seemed more like a nice-to-have, versus a need-to-have. So I put it off. I should also note that the only other time this light came on, I was driving down the road (not the highway, thank God) and the car just completely shut down in the middle of traffic. It was able to turn back on but it did it again a second time. As I learned while running, the symptom is not usually the cause and the car’s computer had to be reset – nothing to do with the tire monitor at all. One might think that story would have led me to quicker action this time around, but it did not.

On a November weekend, I went to a suburb for new running shoes (as discussed here). I was forced to take the scenic route home, because the road to the highway was blocked by some random festival. I had to go through a neighboring suburb where I could catch the highway. As I got close to the highway, literally every light on my dashboard – Check ABS, Check Airbag, Traction Control Off – started flashing.

I was nervous, but not overly concerned, and called Steve, who was watching Purdue football. “All the lights on my dashboard are on and flashing,” I started in.

“Uh huh,” he said, distracted, over the sounds of football in the background.

“Well, I just wanted you to know that if I die, this is why.”

“Okay – I’m going to go back to watching the game,” he hung up, unconcerned.

I figured that since things were going nuts and I clearly needed to reset my car’s computer, I might as well call Firestone. I explained what was going on with my car and asked if they’d have any availability today.

“No. Actually the earliest we can get you in is Monday,” the Firestone man informed me.

“Can I just drop it off today? She’s no good to me – actually,” I cut myself off. “My car is shutting down now. I need to call someone who can help me. Bye.”

My car completely died in a busy intersection. I tried to turn my car to the side street but only managed to be at a sight angle causing a backup in traffic. I tried turning the car on and off many times over, but nothing was happening. Now, I was panicked. I put my hazards on and started sweating. I called Steve, unclear what to do in this situation.

“Now don’t get mad, but, did you try turning it off and on?” Helpful.

“Yes. Duh. Many times. It won’t go back on. I have my hazards on but people keep honking. What do I do?” I was starting to freak, picturing that my death would not be because my car blew up on me, but rather because the cars behind me would not notice and crash into me.

“Uh…well…umm…” I could hear his brain working but also thought that maybe something was happening in the game.

“I’m going to call someone who can help me. Bye,” and I very aggressively hung up the phone on my husband.

I was able to get a tow truck and three really kind men who were walking by pushed my car out of the intersection and into a parking spot. One even started yelling at the people who were honking as he helped. Like the completely sane, rational, strong, independent woman I am, after the men saw I was safe and went back about their day, I started crying.

To move the story along, my tow truck friend Kyle delivered my G6 to the Firestone I had called previously. I called to alert them and miraculously they now had time to fix my car that day. Steve came and got me – I apparently told him the wrong intersection so not only did he have to leave the game, he was sent to the wrong place, so he scolded me for that upon arrival. I apologized but also reminded him that I was a little distracted.

All in, my car needed a new alternator, battery, spark plugs, and fuel flush. It cost me $1000. Everyone told me that was high and Steve had been able to get them to drop off a whopping $50, but as I asked everyone who offered their armchair quarterback advice, what leverage did I have?

The following Tuesday morning, I was driving my car to OrangeTheory when the Service Tire Monitor light came on, again. This time, I was no fool. I called the Firestone guys on my way back home post-class and they told me to bring it in. The man on the phone let me know that checking tire pressure is complimentary.

Great, sir, but when the air pressure needs to be checked, a light comes on that says, “Check Air Pressure,” not “Service Tire Monitor.” I had to explain this twice, but they ignored me and sent me out to the garage to have a mechanic check the air pressure, because what do I know? I’m just the girl who cries when people are kind to strangers and who overpays for auto repair.

Turns out my air pressure was just fine, but, wouldn’t you know it? One of the tire monitors was out. Don’t worry, that was another $250.

All in all, I decided that I at least needed to get my money’s worth and drive my car through the spring, which will be its ten-year anniversary. Then I will begin the hunt for a new car.

On my list? Unfortunately, Pontiac has since been discontinued by General Motors. An Audi Q5, Jaguar E-Pace, and Infiniti QX50. For the first time, I’m going foreign. And I will be looking to lease, not only because that car payment is so much cheaper, but also because, when the Service Tire Monitor light comes on, someone else will pay the $1250.

*This obviously didn’t stop my mom from not only owning the aforementioned Camry, but also a Ford van (not a mini-van because apparently owning a mini-van is worse than owning one of those huge vans with the sliding doors that pedophiles drive around in).

**Really my brothers should be the ones complaining. Keith, the eldest, had to buy the Beretta he drove with money he collected from the paper route. He would later inherit my mom’s Ford van, which turns out is the exact wrong thing to give a high schooler unless you want to promote kids getting drunk in the spacious back area. My other brother, Kent, drove a Dodge Diplomat which was more or less a land yacht. It had this big, cushy leather seats that could fit two people each and, unfortunately, the heater only worked sporadically – a problem in Michigan winters – and when it did work, it’d make a really loud noise. He’d proceed to hit the dashboard hard with his fist until the sound stopped. I think a barely used Grand Am to share with my sister was luxury.

#michigan #marriage

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language576-blog · 5 years

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2020 Hyundai Sonata First Look: Is Stunningly Gorgeous Enough?

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2020 Hyundai Sonata First Look: Is Stunningly Gorgeous Enough?

Full disclosure: For the 2020 Sonata’s design background presentation, Hyundai Motor Group flew me and a small group of journalists to Seoul, South Korea and put us up in the Signiel Hotel that occupies the upper floors of the fifth tallest building in the world( and tallest in the country ).

As Top 5 tall buildings run, the Signiel is an impressive testament to man’s singular focus on conquering the surrounding scenery. It also looks like God’s own tweezers jammed into the ground, business end up. Inside, it’s cool, curved and modern, but also sterile and a bit antiseptic. Aside from the stunning views that tall windows at any great height will provide, Signiel is singularly lacking in drama. In short, it’s almost nothing like the 2020 Hyundai Sonata.

Hyundai’s new global head of design SangYup Lee hosted this journey, one of the first to bring international journalists inside Hyundai’s new design centre. His aim was to introduce us not only to the new, eighth-generation Sonata, but to communicate how it would be the flagship for Hyundai’s new “Sensuous Sportiness” design language.

In a high-walled interior courtyard meant for examining exteriors in the full light of day, Lee’s team pulled back silk draperies on a pair of 2020 Sonatas, a red car equipped with a 1.6 -liter turbo-four “Smartstream” engine, and a gray car powered by Hyundai’s new Atkinson-cycle 2.5 -liter four-cylinder, also dubbed Smartstream.

The sheet slid off to uncover a very smooth looking vehicle–and one that describes immediate comparings to the latest Aston Martin styling, and specific models from Audi( A7) and Mercedes-Benz( CLS ), particularly when viewed from the side.

Yes, I’m serious. These were the first brands and models that popped in my head when I saw the car in the metal. If you disagree, it’s because the pictures don’t do the car justice. When viewed in person, in a tint of gray( so all the lines and curves are softly apparent ), the Sonata discloses itself as a monumental accomplishment of proportion and linework.

Lee and his squad massaged the silhouette of the five-seater, shifting the passenger compartment rearward, shortening the front overhang and adding duration to the rear overhang, so that it has the appearance of a rear-drive car’s dash-to-axle ratio.

The look is striking, yet very sophisticated. It’s also astonishingly subtle when you review the numbers. Hyundai provided us the following dimensions it used to benchmark itself and the competitor :P TAGEND

Dimensions( inches) 2011 Hyundai Sonata Difference 2020 Hyundai Sonata 2020 Honda Accord 2020 Toyota Camry

Length 191.1 +1.7 192.9 192.1 192.1 Width 72.2 +0.98 73.2 73.2 72.4 Height 58.0 -1. 2 56.9 57.1 56.9 Wheelbase 110.4 +1.4 111.8 111.4 111.2 Front Overhang 38.0 -0. 78 37.2 36.6 38.4 Rear Overhang 42.7 +1.2 43.9 44.1 42.5

Compared to the sixth-generation 2011 Sonata that Hyundai considers a landmark for its Fluidic Design language, Lee’s team added 1.7 inches in overall duration to the 2020 Sonata along with nearly an inch in thicknes. Height fells by 1.2 inches and wheelbase increases by 1.4. In the front, 0.8 inches of overhang is lopped off and added to the 1.2 -inch increase in rear overhang. These are significant inches, but also reflect the category’s increase in size over the intervening years. The 2020 Sonata is nows easily within an inch of contemporary challengers Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in every key dimension. And yet it looks so different. How?

Lee’s boss and head of design for Hyundai Motor Group, Luc Donckerwolke has the answer: “Designing sedans is not easy; you fight for every millimeter. This generates a lot of pressure for designers.”

Well the pressure paid off because it’s clear that Lee’s team didn’t simply sweat the 2020 Sonata’s sensuous and sporty proportions with millimetric precision, they put lots of thought and endeavour into the lines and open spaces. The main character line( or -Aline in design speak) from the 2018 Le Fil Rouge concept automobile has been ported over, fully intact, and accentuates the Coke-bottle curves massaged into the Sonata’s bodysides.

As in previous generations, the metal in the Sonata body is all steel; no aluminum here, despite potential weight savings, because one of Hyundai’s corporate cousins( alongside Hyundai shipping, building and banking/ finance) is Hyundai Steel.

“We have good competency in steel, so we will use it, ” says Hyundai’s chief engineer, Albert Biermann. To improve crash performance, Biermann says high strength steels and other reinforcements have been placed in three load paths–low, medium, and high–under the Sonata’s shapely scalped to help protect occupants by assimilating or redirecting forces around the cabin.

Hyundai decorators spent lots of day thinking about how the needs of design and safety can work together. Consider the Sonata’s sleek front end, which is now being 1.4 inches lower than the older generation. Nearly all modern autoes have hoods that terminate in a bumper containing the grille, more often than not with an obvious/ ugly closed line. What distinguishes the Sonata is how the steel( not composite) hood flows all the way to the front of the car ending in an edge above the grille. Lee is quick to mention that the only other car manufacturers that currently do this are Aston Martin and Bentley, his previous employer.

But the tale goes much deeper than seems. Engineering such a low and sexy hood to fulfill pedestrian impact standards meant the engine needed to be pushed down and back. Then there are the sculpted steel front fenders and dazzling headlight array.

“See the deep describe of the front fender and very complicated headlight executing? ” asks Lee. “You usually want the[ headlight] lens to be as upright as possible for the best optics[ and] minimal aberration. And you want the bumper upright for heat dissipation. DN8[ internal code for Sonata] has neither and is not compromised for accident, etc.[ The fender and headlights are] very fast, without compromise.”

The most striking component is the strip of bright metal that starts at the base of the headlights and curves around the passenger compartment, before returning to the -Apillar. It’s a virtually unbroken strip of chrome so thoughtfully considered, you wonder why there is a break in it at all. Then the daytime running illuminations switch on, and the genius is uncovered. As you approach the top of the headlight from the base of the windshield, the strip of chrome reflected light gradually devotes route to LED lumens. This metal-to-light gradient is achieved by a series of tiny laser-etched holes in the chrome plating that encompasses the translucent strip of plastic. The holes increase in size toward the headlight cluster, until all the chrome is gone and only light remains.

An aggressive mix of steel, composite and polycarbonate is used for the dramatic rear. The trunk lid and supports are all steel, but the sharp-edge of the rear deck is composite. “Aero fins” atop the polycarbonate taillights underline another new design directive. “We’re not doing styling anymore. Every design input also has a functional output, ” says Donckerwolke. To that end, the aero fins apparently help add a few pounds of downforce.

Side by side, the 2020 Sonata 1.6 T and 2.5 models expose some clues about what we’ll see in the U.S.-bound production automobiles. At least two different front and rear bumpers will be on offer. From the Le Fil Rouge concept comes the “parametric jewel” grille insured on the Sonata 1.6 T in red. This spicier, sportier version has slightly more aggressive ventilates in its bumpers, as well as sideskirts, and 19 -inch wheels. The gray Sonata has a more conservative chrome grille and 18 -inch wheels, which match its entry-level aspirations. Biermann hints that there will definitely be something sportier on the way.

Inside, Hyundai’s most significant accomplishment is stuffing a comfortable and accessible rear seating compartment into the 2020 Sonata’s sleek silhouette. Your humble scribe stands virtually six feet tall, yet could sit comfortable behind the driver’s seat( set for someone his height ), with good knee room and thigh support( to mid femur ), and acceptable headroom( hair simply grazing the headliner .)

Front seat occupants are treated to horizontally oriented displays and air conditioning vents. Control surfaces have been updated according to purpose; knobs and touch controls for the infotainment screen and toggle switches for easy adjustment of the climate control system. Options include quilted leather seating surfaces and a 12.3 -inch digital screen that spans international instruments cluster. Standard across the Sonata line is the deletion of the transmitting lever in favor of PRND transmission buttons similar to what we’ve seen in recent Hondas and Acuras. Next to this button array is small deck designed to hold and wirelessly charge the latest mobile phones.

Smartphone integration and other advanced driver assistance systems( ADAS) were top priorities, which is why the 2020 Sonata comes with an entire alphabet soup of upgraded safety, security, and driver convenience electronics. One of the most interesting is the ability to use your smartphone as a digital key to gain entry to and drive the 2020 Sonata. This alternative works via the Near Field Communication( NFC) standard that comes standard with nearly all current smartphones. For Sonata, a user is indispensable Hyundai’s app downloaded to a smartphone and sync’d with private vehicles. Then, all a driver needs to do is touch the phone to the Sonata’s door handle to gain access. Laying the phone on charging mat allows the car to be started and driven. Truly handy is that permissions can be remotely granted to others interested in accessing the vehicle. Hyundai claims it will be possible to give permanent digital key access to up to three different smartphones. Digital keys can also be granted on a temporary, timebound basis or restricted to just parts of the car, such as the trunk for delivery of goods.

So the 2020 Sonata is definitely sexy and stuffed with high tech goodies. But is it enough? Hyundai’s own research confirms that the midsize household sedan market is shrinking fast; the segment hit a high in 2013 with sales of 2.4 million, but is quickly losing steam. Hyundai has a projection proving marketings could hit only 1 million divisions in 2023.

SangYup Lee and his squad know the argument well. “We all know this marketplace segment is shrink, ” said Lee. “But the sedan will never die; we know this. So we asked a question: Can we make this one right, to make a statement? Hyundai attains the value auto, but this is not enough for the future of Hyundai. Design is the key enabler that will take Hyundai to the next level.”

We shall see.

But how does it drive? We got a very brief taste you are able to read about here…

The post 2020 Hyundai Sonata First Look: Is Stunningly Gorgeous Enough ? seemed first on Motortrend.

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robertkstone · 5 years

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Car Compare: 2019 Lexus ES 350 vs. TLX, Q50, MKZ, and LaCrosse

The ES is Lexus’ best-selling car, and it’s a best-seller in the shrinking “near lux” sedan segment it helped define. The segment’s original formula was to take a squillion-selling midsize sedan (Toyota Camry, in Lexus’ case), tinsel it up, and slap a swanky badge on it. Infiniti’s I30 was a dolled-up Nissan Maxima; Acura’s Vigor was an extensively revised Honda Accord; Lincoln’s MKZ (née Zephyr) was a costumed Ford Fusion. The world has moved on.

Today Lexus bases the ES on larger Avalon underpinnings and is extending the model’s appeal with both a performance-oriented F Sport variant and a new Ultra Lux package. The Infiniti Q50 has no mainstream Nissan counterpart on our shores. The Acura TLX/Honda Accord relationship remains fairly distant, and the Lincoln MKZ no longer shares any major sheetmetal with the Fusion. We’re also throwing the Buick LaCrosse in for consideration. It primarily targets Toyota’s Avalon, but in its swankiest new Avenir trim, it’s priced and positioned to fight the Lexus.

After spending a week in an Ultra Lux 2019 Lexus ES 350 (an ES 350 F Sport is shown in this story), we’ve rounded up some relevant specifications data, reviewed our notes from earlier drives of the key competitors, and are ready to make a few predictions on how a full comparison of the major players might shake out.

Sizing Up

As all of the original contenders have evolved, the Infiniti and Acura entrants have shrunk. The Q50 measures 6.3 inches shorter in length and 1.6 inches narrower than the ES, which tightens its rear seat and trunk somewhat, but the front seat boasts 2 inches more head- and legroom, so overall space is down just 1.6 cubic feet overall. Similarly, the Acura TLX gives up 4.2 inches in length at a cost of rear legroom and trunk volume while adding front-seat space. The Buick is larger in all exterior dimensions, but the payoff is just a slightly larger front-seat compartment—the trunk and rear seat are slightly smaller than in the Lexus. Lincoln matches Lexus almost to the tenth on overall interior and trunk volume while measuring 2 inches shorter in length and 1.2 inch taller. But Lexus remains the benchmark for space, boasting the biggest trunk (16.7 cubes) and back seat (by a nose at 46.6 cubic feet).

Powertrain Choice

Lexus offers your choice of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid electric with an e-CVT good for 215 hp or a 302-hp 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a conventional eight-speed automatic. Both powertrains spin the front wheels. Most of the competition now offers a choice of all-wheel drive (usually for no more money than our front-drive ES 350 Ultra Lux), which I rather missed as mid-February snow- and ice-storms bedeviled my week with an ES on all-season rubber. Acura offers a 2.4-liter 206-hp four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic or a 3.5-liter 290-hp V-6 and nine-speed auto, and honest-ta-goodness torque-vectoring all-wheel drive can be had with the V-6. Infiniti sells its older, fixed-compression-ratio 2.0-liter turbo-four (208 hp) and a choice of two twin-turbo V-6s producing 300 or 400 hp. All three engines spin the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic with all-wheel drive optional on any engine. Lincoln sees Infiniti’s 2.0T and pair of V-6 twin-turbos powering the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic and raises with a front-drive hybrid/e-CVT.

The Buick offers an eAssist 2.5-liter mild-hybrid good for 194 hp paired with a six-speed automatic or a 3.6-liter V-6 that sends 310 horses to the front or all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic. So Lincoln wins on breadth of offerings, but if you don’t need all-wheel traction, Lexus remains tough to beat in terms of buttery drivetrain refinement, and its hybrid fuel economy tops the Lincoln’s (44 mpg to 41, EPA combined—the LaCrosse eAssist ranks way lower at 29 mpg).

Performance

Let’s face it, cars in this class are meant to be driven in a stately manner between stately manors. So there’s little shame in Lexus not really contending for pink slips. After testing a mechanically identical Toyota Avalon of nearly the same weight (stay tuned for a instrumented track test of the 2019 ES 350), we found the V-6 needs just over 6.0 seconds to hit 60 mph, about the same as the AWD Acura V-6, a few tenths behind the Buick V-6, and well in arrears of the 400-horse twin-turbo V-6 Lincoln (5.2) and Infiniti (4.5). Thanks possibly to its 148-pound weight advantage, the ES 300h hybrid outruns the MKZ 2.0H, 7.8 to 8.7 seconds (we haven’t tested a LaCrosse eAssist mild-hybrid).

Neither ES is particularly enthusiastic about cornering or braking. Where’s the fire? Endeavor to leave a few minutes earlier, and you won’t need to tear around so. Opting for the ES 350 F Sport variant adds adaptive dampers that minimize body pitch and roll, but don’t expect lap times to drop much. Basically, we find the Ultra Lux approach to be more in keeping with the ES’ natural role as the regal and aloof “adult” in this class, with the Buick a very close second. You surely don’t need us to tell you that Tail of the Dragon runners will find greater joy with one of the twin-turbo V-6 options or even the Acura SH-AWD (or better still, an Alfa Giulia or Genesis G70).

Creature Comforts

When you line up the standard features lists for the top-tier offerings in this class, the equipment is pretty extensive, with most offering supple leather and real wood. Buick and Acura offer few if any additional options on their top-shelf offerings, but Infiniti, Lexus, and Lincoln buyers can further gild their lilies with numerous pricey option packages. We find it slightly obnoxious that Lexus’ Ultra Lux customer has to drop another $1,900 to get the blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, park assist, and a surround-view camera system, considering many of these features come standard on much cheaper cars than the $50,959 of our loaded 2019 ES 350 tester.

We don’t begrudge automakers for charging for top-shelf audio—$3,000 for Mark Levinson at Lexus and $4,000 for Revel Ultima (bundled with a pano roof and LED lamps) at Lincoln. That lets talk radio listeners save the cash. An interesting $950 option on our Lexus—18-inch wheels with sound-absorbing rings inside. It’s nice to see wheel options that add quietness instead of subtracting compliance with thinner sidewalls, and they (along with acoustic front side glass and more) do lend a library-like atmosphere at speed. As for how cosseting and pleasant the cars are to live in, the Buick looks stunning in photos, but the materials let it down. The Acura and Infiniti are more businesslike and purposeful. Lexus delivers great materials marred slightly by a busy design, wood stained so dark it’s unrecognizable as wood, door pulls that are hard to reach if belted in with the door fully open, and that touchpad user interface that none of us has truly bonded with. Lincoln’s multi-contour seats with Active Motion are pretty impressive, its wood looks like wood, and its Sync 3 system is a breeze to live with.

Conclusions

After a week in the Lexus I understand why the ES continues to outsell these four competitors by between 40 and 212 percent (Q50 and LaCrosse), and why its rate of sales decrease year-over-year was less than half what the others suffered from 2017 to 2018. It looks good from all angles except the front, and it goes about its business without any attention-grabbing engine or tire noises, automatically turning on its heated steering wheel and seats, then automatically turning them down about 10 minutes into a journey. It’s a faithful automotive valet—solicitous, never argumentative, seen but not heard. Toss in a strong record for reliability and resale value, and what non–car enthusiast could resist? So in a consumer-focused Big Test focusing on packaging, safety, reliability, refinement, and the like, I boldly predict that Lexus would grab the gold. Second place might be hotly contested by a heavily optioned 300-hp Q50 Luxe AWD and Acura TLX SH-AWD. I see a Lincoln MKZ 3.0 Reserve II AWD finishing a close third and Buick’s LaCrosse Avenir AWD bringing up the rear. Stay tuned to check these predictions against a future test—unless the category shrinks to complete insignificance before we get around to it …

2018 Acura TLX SH-AWD A-Spec 2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir 2016 Infiniti Q50S 3.0t (Red Sport 400) 2019 Lexus ES 350** 2017 Lincoln MKZ 3.0T AWD (Reserve) BASE PRICE $45,765 $45,790 $48,855 $44,175 $43,735 PRICE AS TESTED $45,765 $47,480 $57,475 $50,959 $59,740 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Front-engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE 3.5L/290-hp/267-lb-ft SOHC 24-valve V-6 3.6L/310-hp/268-lb-ft* DOHC 24-valve V-6 3.0L/400-hp/350-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6 3.5L/302-hp/267-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 3.0L/400-hp/400-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic 9-speed automatic 7-speed automatic 8-speed automatic 6-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,804 lb (60/40%) 3,681 lb (59/41%) 3,872 lb (56/44%) 3,761 lb (60/40%) 4,293 lb (60/40%) WHEELBASE 109.3 in 114.4 in 112.2 in 113.0 in 112.2 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 191.5 x 73.0 x 57.0 in 197.5 x 73.5 x 57.5 in 189.1 x 71.8 x 56.8 in 195.9 x 73.4 x 56.9 in 193.9 x 73.4 x 58.1 in 0-60 MPH 6.0 sec 5.6 sec 4.5 sec 6.1 sec 5.2 sec QUARTER MILE 14.5 sec @ 96.6 mph 14.2 sec @ 99.7 mph 13.0 sec @ 109.2 mph 14.6 sec @ 98.4 mph 13.7 sec @ 102.6 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 118 ft 123 ft 105 ft 122 from PerformanceJunk WP Feed 3 https://ift.tt/2NC14Zy via IFTTT

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crosbyru-blog · 5 years

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Hyundai sharpens social media tools to target buyers for 2018 Sonata

Hyundai worked with Eyeview to target specific consumer segments via social media based on buying behavior. LAS VEGAS — As the midsize sedan segment shrinks, marketing precision has become paramount for brands such as Hyundai that have traditionally relied on car sales. So for a personalized video campaign on Facebook and Instagram to promote the 2018 Sonata, Hyundai couldn’t go in with a goal of reaching broad groups such as millennials. It had to go hunting specifically for in-market sedan buyers, a pool that becomes shallower by the year. Hyundai locked in on users based on purchase behavior, going after audiences such as sedan loyalists, those with an affinity for the Sonata and owners of competing models from Nissan, Honda, Chevrolet and others. Digital ad firm Eyeview executed the video rollout in the fourth quarter of 2017, creating 20 spots using rolling footage from Hyundai that touted various Sonata features while making head-to-head comparisons with rival models. Owners of specific models would see ads that spoke directly to them. For instance, a video targeting a Camry owner might show that the Sonata has a hands-free trunk opener while Toyota’s sedan doesn’t. Or a Volkswagen Passat owner could see a video saying the Sonata has ventilated front seats, a comfort the Passat doesn’t have. While the video blitz didn’t target specific age groups, the segments could be skewed in a particular direction. The sedan loyalist audience, for example, would likely skew older because the group was defined as people who had already bought multiple sedans, said Brian Diamond, vice president, group media director of Canvas Worldwide, an agency that is the product of a joint venture between independent agency Horizon Media and Innocean, Hyundai’s agency. The campaign reached 5.4 million households and was credited with 2,227 new Sonata sales during the measurement period. Data company Oracle, the source of the audience data, was able to track the buy-through rates. “This program began with a question: Who are the real people who are going to buy those cars — not at a high level, not at a data level, but actual households?” Diamond said during the J.D. Power Automotive Marketing Roundtable here last month. “These are the people most likely to buy.” {{title}} {{abstract}} Read more > http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/autonews/BreakingNews/~3/Dc8pxtknzCE/hyundai-sonata-eyeview-target-marketing Latest Auto News The post Hyundai sharpens social media tools to target buyers for 2018 Sonata appeared first on Auto Note Buyer - Sell Your Auto Notes For Cash. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/autonews/BreakingNews/~3/Dc8pxtknzCE/hyundai-sonata-eyeview-target-marketing

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numberplates4u-blog · 5 years

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2018 Toyota Camry Pros and Cons

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The 2018 Toyota Camry is all new and it’s doing things very differently this time around. Toyota is trying really hard to ditch its reputation for making boring cars, and the Camry is a huge step in this new direction. Make sure to check out our full review of the new Camry, but here is a quick overview of the pros and cons for this completely overhauled family sedan. 2018 Toyota Camry Pros and Cons Pros Drives Great: The all-new architecture that underpins the 2018 Toyota Camry allowed it to have much sportier driving dynamics. By pushing the wheels to closer to the corners, making the center of gravity lower, increasing structural rigidity, and completely overhauling the entire chassis, the new Camry is much more athletic than it used to be. “Acceleration is more than adequate, with the engine and eight-speed transmission working hand-in-glove. You can really feel that they were developed by a dedicated team that was all on the same page because they perform beautifully,” said Craig Cole, AutoGuide.com‘s Detroit Bureau Editor in his review. “Refreshingly, this car’s steering is sharp, with a welcome crispness on center and an inspiring amount of heft. Never has a Camry felt so good to drive, which is sure to please first-time buyers and probably surprise repeat customers.” Engine Options: There are three different powertrains on offer for the new Camry. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is the base offering and has 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. For a bit more hustle, the Camry is also still offering a V6 that outputs 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Finally, for more efficient driving, the Camry is also available as a hybrid, which has a CVT. The other Camry models get a smooth eight-speed auto. Fuel Economy: The Camry LE has a fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city, 39 highway, and 32 combined, which beats a CVT-equipped Honda Accord’s 27/36/30 mpg ratings. New Styling: “We wanted to make this car sexy,” says Ian Cartabiano, chief designer at Toyota’s in-house Calty Design Research facility. The new look is a huge departure from the old Camry, with a new style that — whether you like it or not — can’t be classified as boring. This new personality also carries over to the interior, which looks and feels much higher-end than its humble name and price would suggest. It’s Safe: The 2018 Toyota Camry was awarded as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. All Camry models come standard with Safety Sense P, the Japanese automaker’s suite of safety and driver assistance features. It includes collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, lane departure alert with steering assist, and automatic high beams. Some models are also available with blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and a top-down parking camera. The Camry comes standard with a reverse camera. Built in America: The Camry is built in Georgetown, Kentucky. ALSO SEE: 2018 Honda Accord Pros and Cons Cons No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: Toyota is one of the only automakers that doesn’t offer this, but it’s not a totally bad thing because the system native to the Camry is user-friendly and navigation is standard. It also helps that the Camry is available with a 4G LTE connection so that it can act as a wi-fi hotspot. Toyota offers its own brand of smartphone connectivity, but for drivers who view Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as a must-have, the fact the Camry doesn’t have it might be a dealbreaker. ALSO SEE: 2018 Toyota Camry Review Accord Has a Bigger Trunk: If cargo hauling was a big issue for drivers, the Honda Accord has a bigger trunk (16.7 cubic feet) than the new Camry (15.1 cu-ft). Accord is Slightly More Affordable: The new Camry starts at $24,390 while the new Accord starts at $23,330, which again, isn’t a big difference, but might be enough to sway extremely budget-conscious buyers. Get the Flash Player to see this player. Discuss this article on our Toyota Forum The post 2018 Toyota Camry Pros and Cons appeared first on AutoGuide.com News.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/10/2018-toyota-camry-pros-and-cons.html

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smoothshift · 5 years

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Review of my 2017 Prius (5k miles) via /r/cars

Review of my 2017 Prius (5k miles)

Hey there r/cars, I bought a 2017 Prius in the summer of last year.

Why did I get a Prius, you might ask? Well, for a bunch of reasons. I used to be the type of person to shit on Priuses (Prii?) as cars made for lesbian vegan crossfitters, for those too busy sniffing their own farts to notice their intoxicating personalities. It was definitely a meme car, but damn do I love it.

Before this, I was driving a 2006 GMC Envoy gotten from my family, and lemme tell ya that thing was an absolute pig. Big, comfortable, but also loud and slow as hell, not to mention terrible gas mileage. Things inside were slowly breaking, it felt like every 2 months we had to take it to the shop to fix another minor problem, and I just wasn't a fan of it. My dad and I initially went to the dealerships here looking for a Toyota Camry, ya know the 2018 cars? Was a huge fan of it after seeing online reviews praising it. It was just what we needed, a comfortable, quiet, fuel efficient sedan with a record for reliability. At the dealership, they told us they didn't have any inventory of the Camry as it got sold out, it's apparently in really high demand here (Middle East). This was a huge bummer to me, but the guy pointed me in the direction of this - the 2017 Prius. That single lone car sitting in the show room floor. I didn't know they even sold those things here, keep in mind this is the Arab world, gas prices are some of the lowest in the world here, why the hell would Toyota sell a hybrid? I had no intention of driving it, but the more I learnt about this one model, the more I started to like it.

It was a model left from the previous year, and since they couldn't manage to sell it to anyone (since it doesn't have much of a presence here), they were offering 30% off the MSRP. This is huge, especially considering it's a Toyota and they're known for not budging around with price much. I looked around it, it looked clean as a whistle, brand new everything. I never sat in a hybrid before this one, so everything was weird to me. The car made no sound when i pushed the start button. It had a Heads up Display, blindspot monitoring, automatic up and down settings on all 4 windows. Now this might seem kinda basic to most of you reading this, after all you see this on alot of new cars, but considering what I came from these all felt like luxury features. The center screen was massive and almost felt like a smartphone with how many menu settings I could modify to suit my needs. The JBL speakers sound amazing compared to the old Envoy's, and the AC was pretty cool (heh). I could select the exact temperature I want and let the car do the rest in turning the inside into an Ice Box. The cloth seats were decently comfy, altho admittedly not quite as comfortable as the old Envoy, but hey I guess this was one of the sacrifices I had to make. All in all, it cost me the equivalent of $18.5k, which isn't too bad for a (Saudi spec) fully optioned out Prius.

Interior

Interior quality isn't a Benz by any means, as there are a bunch of plastics here and there, but overall I'm satisfied. There's soft spots for where my arms rest, and overall the interior has mostly soft touch plastics, with very few hard scratchy surfaces. The seats are cloth, and are reasonably comfy, but anytime I take a trip of about 3 hours I definitely feel some lower back pain and need to walk around for a bit to be better. The speedometer being in the center display was a little weird for me at first, but the HUD fixes that problem and I barely every take my eyes off my windshield when I'm driving. You sit really close to the ground in this car, like honestly I don't think your butt gets above a foot and a half from the gravel, and that has it's pros and cons. Pros being that you feel like you have more control over the car and the low center of gravity makes turns more confident, along with lower wind noise at high speeds. Main con of this is that you have to lower yourself into the car, and I can see why older drivers might not like this. The headroom and leg room in this car is phenomenal, at least for the front two occupants. I don't ever feel claustrophobic in here, I have more than enough space to stretch out and not hit my head on the roof (I'm 6'0). As for the back passengers, I tried rolling the driver's seat all the way to the back, yet even then when I sat behind myself, I had more than enough room to stretch my legs out. Leg room is a huge plus in this car, altho my hair does slightly brush against the roof in the back seat, but not enough to be a concern. Hatch space is cavernous, easily much bigger than any trunk of a camry or corolla, and especially when the seats are folded down. I was once able to fit in 40 wooden canvases inside, it's definitely very practical in that regard. It's noticeably quiet inside the car too. Like on startup, you hear nothing since the electric motors are pulling all the work, and if you push the accelerator hard enough, you'll hear the subtle whirr of the engine as it starts up and warms up. If you keep a light foot though, all you hear is the very slight, futuristic purr of the electric motors. Even at high speeds, like on highways, at 70 mph I've been able to hold conversations with people without raising my voice, something I couldn't do in the Envoy (had to damn near scream just to be heard on the highway). Ooooo also one more minor thing, the overhead lights on the inside slowly turn on when you approach the car and slowly turn off when you leave, instead of abruptly turning on and off. A small feature, but one that I really like and which contributes to it feeling more high classed than an equivalent Corolla. Overall, a functional, utilitarian, reasonably comfortable, spacious, and quiet interior.

Exterior

Now the exterior is gonna be more controversial, everyone loves to shit on the 4th gen Prius'es design as weird, edgy, too sharp, and not going to age well. Personally, I thought the same thing of it at first, but it's a design that grows on you. It's not as pretty as an LC500, no doubt, but it really isn't that bad. The shape of the car gives it one of the lowest coefficient of drag in the industry, so you could argue that form follows function here? The sharp edges on the car aren't the easiest on the eyes, but it's different. I like that about it, it gives it character, to be a car so weird and different looking that it almost looks cool in my eyes. I saw the Prius redesign for 2019, it's honestly a prettier car but you know what? I'm proud of owning this thing, it's not pretty, but it's mine and that's all that matters to me.

Besides that, it has sensors behind the door handle that automatically unlock the car for you if it senses the key in your pocket, along with a small touch pad on it to lock the car as you leave. This system has worked for me flawlessly, everytime it opens and locks accurately without me even attempting to look "visible" to it. Love not having to pull my keys out anymore. Reversing camera is standard, along with LED lights on the front (which I gotta admit, really brighten up the road compared to halogen lights). Overall, a unique design that's gonna catch alot of flack from people but hey, I like it.

Performance, economy, and driving dynamics

Yeah, if you came to this car for performance, you will be sorely disappointed. With a whopping 121 horsepower, this car is not fast. It actually has a decent pull from 0-20 mph since those electric motors have the instant torque, but beyond that, yeah it's a drone fest. When you floor it, you can just count along with the speedometer as it slugs it's way up. I think it's just physically impossible to get a speeding ticket in this. That's not to say it's horribly slow, like for any normal person the acceleration is totally adequate, but you won't be replicating any Mad Max scenes with this thing. One thing I think Toyota really perfected with this car is the subtlety at which the engine turns on. It's quiet. In the beginning, you can't really tell whether the engine is off or not without developing the ear for it, you learn to notice it after a couple hundred miles or so. Really impressive and seamless transition between electric to engine power, and vice versa. Honestly, the driving dynamics are not bad. From what I've seen in reviews, the older gen Priuses felt like dead bars of soap to drive, but this new one actually livens things up. It's got independent rear suspension, and a low center of gravity, so those two at least contribute to it being somewhat fun to drive. It can take turns pretty well, the suspension feels good and sturdy, and it handles potholes pretty effortlessly. What about economy? This thing excels. Idk how EPA reports this as around 52 mpg, I easily exceed 60 mpg without even trying. I'm able to travel about 600 miles on a single tank (11 gallon capacity), and that's without even triggering the low fuel level indicator. If I try to hypermile, I can sometimes exceed 80 mpg on a good day. Considering the old Envoy got 15 mpg on a good day, this car is leagues ahead of that and I never find myself worrying about gas anymore.

Cost to own

I have long held the opinion that the Prius is the absolute lowest cost to own non-EV car that exists, ignoring depreciation. This thing sips gas like it's in a drought. Converting the currencies, I can travel 600 miles for the equivalent of $12.40 (Thank God for Arab oil prices). That's about 2 cents per mile driven. I had to double check the numbers just to make sure it was right, because that sounds so absurdly low I was sure there was a mistake in there somewhere. The car being this cheap to drive is what made me love driving everywhere. Before, in the Envoy, I was always cautious with how I drove, tried to be more efficient, take the shortest possible route, because that thing drank gas like it was nothing. But with the Prius, I'm always happy to drive anywhere. Friends wanna go out to eat? Sure thing, I'll drive us there. Forgot a very minor, dollar store item in uni? It would be cheaper to drive there and get it than to buy a replacement. Long trips out into the desert visiting hidden lakes and natural sites? Prius is ready for it. I love to drive. And with how cheap this thing is to fuel up, I can drive anywhere I want anytime with no pressure to save money in mind. This is true economic freedom. Insurance for this came out really cheap too, I pay about 22 dollars a month. What about maintenance?

The engine isn't even on half the time, so despite the manual saying to have 6k mile oil changes, I feel like I could double that to 12k miles and get away with it trouble free (not that I would actually do that tho). It's got a 100k mile warranty for the hybrid battery, but I don't think I'll ever really need it. I've read online that most priuses can easily last to 200k miles on the original battery, some even surpass 300k miles. Considering that the winters here are never really that cold, and the summers are good to the Ni-MH battery chemistry, I have no doubt that these things will outlive the car itself. I don't expect the engine to ever die, after all 1) It's a low power, understressed Atkinson cycle engine, 2) The electric motors drive the car half the time and 3) It's a Toyota. I don't think I've ever heard of a Prius engine failing. The transmission is an eCVT, and to be frank with you it's still kind of like wizardry to me. I don't exactly know how it works, aside from the fact that it uses the electric motors as a sort of power transfer and transmission instead of the traditional automatic or CVT we're used to. It doesn't have any gears, any belts, any clutches, complicated parts at all, and I think it's a pretty simple design overall. All that contributes to it being a reliable beast, I don't think I've heard any stories of Prius transmission replacements. Finally depreciation. Toyotas have great resale value, and I'm sure this Prius would be a king in that regard, but I don't plan on selling this, at least anytime soon. I love this car, it does everything I want it to, and knowing how long it's expected to last, I wanna drive it into the dirt, maybe past 500k miles before I buy a replacement for it.

This car may not be considered an enthusiast car by any means, but in my eyes, it's truly what I would call the car for the people, the car that does everything you need it to, and is one of the greatest achievements in the history of the automotive industry.

Tldr it's a good car

#reddit #autonews #auto #cars

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adriansmithcarslove · 6 years

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2018 Honda Accord Hybrid First Test: High Expectations Exceeded

After multiple tests, we’ve concluded that the Honda Accord is the best car in its class. So needless to say we had high expectations for the hybrid version. In many ways, it adds to the Accord’s appeal as a practical sedan, offering a claimed 47 mpg combined (we’ll get to that later) and identical cargo space and passenger volume. And although it’s not as quick as the regular gas model, the Accord Hybrid isn’t wanting for power.

For 2018, Honda has updated the hybrid system. The 2.0-liter inline-four, paired with two electric motors, now offers improved thermal efficiency. The power unit, containing the battery pack and its control systems, is more compact and is now located under the rear floor instead of in the trunk. Output remains 212 hp, which is routed through a smooth CVT.

Like a 2017 model we tested, our new Accord Hybrid managed to hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. That’s significantly quicker than two major competitors: the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Chevy’s hybrid midsizer took 7.5 seconds to hit the mark in our tests, and Toyota’s entry was little better at 7.4 seconds.

The Accord Hybrid also impressed in the quarter mile, hitting 15.4 seconds at 89.3 mph. The Malibu Hybrid managed 15.8 seconds at 87.3 mph, and the Camry Hybrid managed 15.6 seconds at 92.6 mph. It only took the Accord Hybrid 120 feet to come to a complete stop from 60 mph, ahead of the Malibu Hybrid’s 121 feet and the Camry Hybrid’s 125 feet.

The Bow Tie hybrid squeezed ahead of the Accord Hybrid in the figure eight with a time of 27.1 seconds at 0.63 g, compared to the Honda’s 27.5 seconds at 0.61 g. The Camry Hybrid came in at 27.8 seconds at 0.62 g.

The Accord Hybrid offers the immediate pickup that you need when merging onto the freeway. It even accelerates on point in Econ mode. Some tire noise seeps through at 65 mph, so it’s not exceptionally quiet. It suctions to the road when you take a corner quickly, eliciting a smile, mostly because it’s surprising that a midsize hybrid is capable of such fun. Steering feels tauter than I remember on our old 2014 Accord Hybrid long-termer, tight enough to satisfy all but the most sport-minded customers. But that doesn’t mean it’s a sporty sedan. When making three-point turns, you get a sense of the car’s limits.

All trim levels of the Accord Hybrid can achieve 47/47 mpg city/highway. At least that’s according to the EPA. Our own test numbers reveal much better fuel economy: 53.3/49 mpg. For the math-inclined, that’s a 13 percent improvement in the city and a 4 percent improvement on the highway, compared to the EPA numbers.

The interior isn’t luxurious, but it makes you feel at home with pleasant trim and a responsive infotainment system. The seats are a bit stiff for my liking, at least during longer drives. There is plenty to satisfy your inner geek. Inside the cabin, a number of gauges will stress you out by showing you your power usage in real time. One is a graphic of the vehicle showing lines going to the battery and engine depending on how the system is using energy. The new head-up display also shows power flow information. This unit can be height adjusted easily with a button on the left side of the dash.

Midsize hybrid sedans may not be the most popular choice on the market right now, but we think the Accord Hybrid deserves some attention. It offers more than it promises. Not only is it spacious and fuel efficient, it also delivers a pleasurable driving experience with strong acceleration and cornering. What crossover can give you all of that?

2018 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid BASE PRICE $35,605 PRICE AS TESTED $35,605 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE 2.0L/143-hp/129-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4; plus 181-hp/129-lb-ft electric motor, 212-hp combined TRANSMISSION Cont variable auto CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,305 lb (62/38%) WHEELBASE 111.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 192.2 x 73.3 x 57.1 in 0-60 MPH 6.7 sec QUARTER MILE 15.4 sec @ 89.3 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 120 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.86 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.5 sec @ 0.61 g (avg) REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 53.3/49/51.3 mpg EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 47/47/47 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 72/72 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.41 lb/mile

The post 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid First Test: High Expectations Exceeded appeared first on Motor Trend.

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