bolsters and adjustable thigh support. The Stelvio begs you to take corners quicker than you have in the past. Powering this hot Italian is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 280-horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. You’ll want to use the steering wheelmounted paddle shifters frequently. Starts at $41,400. Buick Enclave Avenir If you’re looking for more room with near-luxury look and feel then the Buick Enclave Avenir should be on your shopping list. Much larger than Stelvio, the Enclave is a three-row affair, comparable to a Suburban, but without the heft of a body-on-frame SUV. Buick has worked its design magic on the upscale Avenir with an
elegant, stylized grille, touting the tri-shield emblem against a black background. A touch of chrome adds just the right amount of elegance without overdoing it. Small fender vents harken back to Buicks past. A nice touch. The interior is where the Enclave Avenir shines. The quietness of the cabin is noticeable. The upscale leather gives you a sense of much pricier brands. Handling is superb and the ride quality is without fault. Despite its size, this Buick maneuvers store parking lots with ease. Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6, delivering 310 horsepower. It’s smooth, fuel efficient and a long-time mainstay in GM’s arsenal of bulletproof powerplants. Taking the top spot in the Buick Enclave lineup, the Avenir starts at $54,000.
Turn Up the SUV Heat By Don Armstrong
M
ore and more of us
are going for luxury SUV’s, and Bay dwellers are no exception. This month’s pair may surprise with their comparable pricing, yet different origins. AlFa Romeo Stelvio If you want to drive something that stands out in a crowded field of SUV’s, we’ve found something you must try. Like most crossover SUV’s, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is built on its sister Guila’s platform, a sport sedan that handles like a purpose-built racer. It was an instant love affair. Most notable is the Alfa brand scudetto, or “little shield,” trademark
grille. There is no mistaking the Stelvio with any other vehicle. Its high-mounted headlights and large, lower air intake make this crossover unique.
“A touch of chrome adds just the right amount of elegance without overdoing it.” The interior is simply beautiful, and our Ti version has red leather that “pops” like few others. To fully understand the nuances of the infotainment system, you’ll need to keep the owner’s manual nearby. Front seating is comfortable and supportive with rib-hugging side
El Dorado widening project underway Construction on the long awaited widening of a section of El Dorado Boulevard from two to four lanes has begun, Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia have announced. The project, a joint effort between the City of Houston and Harris County Precinct 2 to widen El Dorado Boulevard from two to four lanes from Horsepen Bayou to Clear Lake City Boulevard was first announced back in March 2019.
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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020
The $8 million project includes a new two-lane 150› bridge along Horsepen Bayou, and modification of existing traffic signals at Brook Forest Drive and Clear Lake City Boulevard. “This is a vital road infrastructure project that will address mobility issues in this fast-growing region,» said Martin, who serves the District E area on Houston City Council. «With the help of Harris County Precinct 2, we are glad to officially break ground on this long-awaited project. A special thank you to all residents, community members, and local stakeholders for providing comments and support that helped make this project possible.”
Precinct 2 is the project lead for design and construction. “I am excited to partner with the City of Houston and City Council Member Dave Martin to see this project come to fruition,” Commissioner Garcia said. “This project will improve the mobility and safety in the region and provides us with an opportunity for future hike and bike trails.” Traffic on that section of El Dorado in that area has grown quite heavy in recent years due to an increase in new home construction in the area and the opening of Clear Lake Marketplace, a shopping center at the intersection of Clear Lake City Boulevard and El Dorado Boulevard, Martin added.
