DRIVE Magazine: September Issue by DRIVE Magazine

OUR STAFF. Daniel Bulgarelli: Editor-in-Chief Kyle Edward: Founder Eric Stafford: Editor Aaron Starnes: Editor Brett Davies: Editor Andre Evans: Editor Calvin Sherwood: Technical Writer Neal Anderson: Designer

SEPTEMBER 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS Feature Story: Luxury SUV shoot out.............4 Review: 2017 Hyundai Elantra.......................... 12 News: Maserati Levante................................... 14 Review: 2016 Ford Mustang GT...................... 16 Article: Change your own Oil......................... 20 Review: 2016 Toyota 4runner........................... 22

LUXURY SUV SHOOTOUT

HYUNDAI ELANTRA

News: 2017 Ford Super Duty........................... 26 Review: 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid.............. 30 Review: 2016 Mazda6......................................... 32 Letter from the Editor....................................... 34 MASERATI

FORD MUSTANG GT

TOYOTA 4RUNNER FORD SUPER DUTY

HONDA ACCORD HYBRID

MAZDA6

F E AT U R E S T O RY

LUXURY SUV SHOOT OUT THE 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VS. THE 2016 LEXUS LX570 4

BY ANDRE EVANS 5

A decade ago with the price of gasoline skyrocketing it was believed that the days of the ever popular SUV were marked & numbered. Manufacturers pushed to offer smaller CUVs and larger sedans to fill the gap in a reduced market for SUVs. Fast forward to today and the most popular segment still reigns supreme. All of that leads us to the square off between two luxury SUVs that offer almost everything a potential buyer could ever ask for. The two competitors are none other than the 2016 Lexus LX570 & 2016 Lincoln Navigator. Both offer so many options that it would take pages just to cover them all. As a preface, there are no losers in this matchup as they both are utterly superb vehicles but one will come out on top in Drive Magazine’s Luxury SUV Shoot Out. First up is the Lexus LX570 with an MSRP of $88,880 it is everything you would expect from a luxury SUV. It comes fully loaded and is far more than just a rebadged Land Cruiser. At first glance, it is unmistakable for anything else on the road. It shares the Lexus signature predator grille which is complimented with its sharp and very angular design. Standard are a nice set of 20” wheels with an optional 21” set that improves the overall look of the LX. Inside, the interior is top notch the Cabernet leather and espresso wood gives it a wonderful two tone look and the first and second row have heated and ventilated perforated seats. The steering wheel has a very sporty feel and is also heated. It can seat 8 but the third row is a little cramped for those of us over 6 feet. The infotainment system is smooth with a 12.3” touch screen it’s easy to use and makings pairing devices simple. The sound system is by Mark Levinson and comes with 19 speakers making music come alive at any level. The only shortcoming is the lack of storage space without folding down the third row. With the seats down however, storage space is ample. Down to the most important part of the LX, how it drives. The LX comes with a 5.7L V8 good for 383 HP & 403 lb.-ft. torque paired with an 8 speed automatic. While it won’t win any drag races it can propel itself from 0-60 in about 7.3 seconds. It rides very smooth as expected of a luxury SUV. Its full-time 4WD makes it easy to tackle any weather condition. The transmission is smooth with the higher gears helping the LX achieve a combined 15 MPG. Where it shines, however, is its off-road prowess. The LX offers an amazing feature called crawl control which helps propel it through any condition and terrain. The second vehicle in our shootout is the Lincoln Navigator which goes about its business in a different way. The MSRP for the Navigator $63,195. On the outside is a more refined design. The Navigator

offers a few different configurations to choose from with standard and extended length. It also comes standard with RWD and optional 4WD. You will get Standard 20” wheels but the 22” optional wheels or 20” dark finish aluminum are definitely the way to go. The Navigator also has power deploying running boards which are a nice touch to keep the smooth appearance. On the inside, the Navigator’s size is apparent in the best way possible. For those of us who are on the taller side, the legroom is absolutely fantastic. In all three rows, there is never a lack of space. The seats up front are both heated and cooled with the secondrow offering heating. Sync 3 is arguably the pinnacle of in-vehicle entertainment and with an update coming to include Apple Car Play and Android Auto it will be even better. The 14 speaker sound system is clear and crisp. Where the Navigator shines, however, are the optional second-row seats with console giving an extra touch of class to the vehicle as well as the extended lengths extra cargo space. Even without the seats down the added space is welcomed making it easy to load up the Navigator with both people and cargo. How it drives is what sets the Navigator apart from other vehicles in its class. Lincoln has invested a lot into the EcoBoost platform and it definitely shows. The Navigator comes equipped with a 3.5L twin turbo V6. It makes 380 HP & 460 lb.-ft. torque and fuel efficiency is a combined 18 MPG. Put your foot down and the Navigator absolutely surges forward faster than anything approaching 6,000 lbs. ought to with 0-60 time is around 6.4 seconds. The ride is smooth and it floats across the road. To add to it all the Navigator is also capable of towing 9,000 lbs. With all of the numbers tallied up and calculated 2nd place goes to the LX570. The Lexus comes with everything imaginable plus a few more extras. Its interior is second to none and has the feel to match the price. However, 1st place goes to the Navigator, which is the best deal in the Luxury SUV segment. Even fully loaded the Navigator is less that most of the competition which can’t go unnoticed. Its performance numbers might leave a few sedans envious even at twice the size. The cargo room and overall space of the interior make it very comfortable, even with a full vehicle of passengers. All in all, it’s the best value in the segment and an absolute blast to drive, for its size at least.

2016 Lincoln Navigator Engine: 3.5L V6, Twin Turbocharged Horsepower: 380 hp @ 5250 rpm Torque: 460 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic 0-60: 6.5 secs MSRP: $63,195 Overall Score 1-10: 9.0

Pros: Best driving large SUV in segment, Most fuel efficient among peers Cons: Needs a full redesign (which is coming soon) Interior can feel cheap for the price

2016 Lexus LX570 Engine: 5.7L V8 Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm Torque: 403 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm Transmission: 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic 0-60: 7.4 secs MSRP: $88,880 Overall Score 1-10: 7.5

Pros: Extreme off road capability, Incredible Mark-Levinson premium sound system Cons: Needs more power, Can feel like driving a boat

2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED UPSCALE DOWNSIZED By Aaron Starnes

In March we reviewed the 2016 Elantra Value Edition, this month we got our hands on the restyled 2017 Elantra Limited. So, how does the newest Elantra stack up? The answer is not as clear as we would like it to be. The Limited has two awesome packages but unfortunately, in the case of our press car, however our Limited version was equipped with exactly zero factory options. Don’t despair though, the days of stripped out Hyudai tin cans is over. Drivers have a bevy of standard features to fiddle with, including heated leather front seats but without the addons the car was missing that special treat. The one feature you look forward to messing with when you’re walking up to the driver’s door. Hyundai offers a number of trim levels in 2017 including a turbocharged ECO version that promises to deliver greater fuel economy. Further forced induction dabblings include the 2017 Elantra Turbo that borrows the engine out of the Veloster and is good for 201 horsepower. This could give the little Hyundai an edge in its class. We look forward to testing that engine option because the base engine in our test car felt pretty lethargic. We pondered the real world mileage capabilities of a car when a driver has to wring the guts out

of it on every onramp. The steering is quite floaty and numb which could be improved. Is there a silver lining here? Yes, the new model brought with it a muchneeded facelift. Gone are swooping garish headlights reminiscent of a smashed Jack-o-lantern. They’ve also done away with the snubbed nose and unsettling combination of organic and geometric styling present on the old body work. The new model looks clean and contemporary and pretty dang good for a car starting around 17k. The lines are simple and conservative which makes for a great profile. The posterior of this little car looks great too. Inside the dash has been restyled also. Hyundai chose to move away from the symmetrical theme and toward a more geometric, driver-centric interface. The Elantra retains the logical layout for controls typical of other cars in Hyundai’s line up. The interior is great for the segment and it comes with Apple & Android carplay which is a big plus. If you’re looking into buying one of these cars go ahead and opt for the upgraded sound system. The base model sound system is one of the worst we’ve heard in awhile. So, if you want a car that looks good, sounds good and has good acceleration,

don’t overlook the Elantra completely. Just wait until you can get your hands on an optioned up Turbo version.

Pros: Stunning exterior (probably best in class), Interior feel and materials, Lots of cool available tech options (not found on other cars in this segment) Cons: Base engine is slowwww, Standard sound system is really lacking, Steering could be stiffer and more responsive

2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited Engine: 2.0L Inline4 PZEV Horsepower: 147 hp @ 6200 rpm Torque: 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic 0-60: 7.9 secs MSRP: $22,350 Overall Score 1-10: 7.5

MASERATI LEVANTE LEVITATES THE MEANING OF LUXURY SUV BY ERIC STAFFORD Maserati’s new Levante SUV exudes luxury both inside and out while offering plenty of performance. Debuting at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, the vehicle is unmistakably Maserati with its signature grille being the most striking style que. Levante’s curvaceous exterior features a high beltline and wide haunches that mimic the lines of some Maserati sedans. “Maserati’s unmistakable design is showcased beautifully in the sleek, sporty silhouette that features three iconic eyecatching air vents on the front wings,” states the company’s website. “The assertive style of the front grille references the great sporting Maseratis of the past, and features the legendary Trident badge the ultimate symbol of exclusivity, refinement and elegance.” It comes in three trim levels - the base Levante, Levante S and Levante Diesel. Also, there are two extended feature packs

- a Luxury-Package and a Sport-Pack. Each include a variety of distinctive stylistic and technical contents and enable customers to extensively personalize the exterior and interior. Powering the Levante is a 3.0 Liter Twin Turbo V6 or available diesel both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base V6 produces 345 horsepower and 369 lb. ft. of torque while the “S” pumps out 430 horsepower and 428 ft. lb. Maserati claims the base Levante can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 156 mph. The diesel engine produces 275 horsepower and 443 lb. ft. All Levantes come with Maserati’s intelligent Q4 all-wheeldrive, a torque vectoring system, and an advanced active air suspension capable of five ride heights. Moreover, engineers were able to create a perfect 50-50 weight distribution with the Levante to maximize handling.

The Levanteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior is as upscale as one would hope with premium leather, fine woods, handcrafted contrast stitching, an 8.4-inch touchscreen that is compatible with Apple and Android and more.Maserati states that, as part of the optional Zegna Luxury Package, the finest leather is combined with natural fibre Zegna Mulberry Silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture. The silk is embellished with a hand-stitched macro chevron. Seating features a central silk insert with a microchevron weave. Door panels, roof lining and sunshades are covered with Zegna silk jersey. Advanced safety features for the Levante include adaptive cruise control, blind spot alert, rear cross path detection, and lane departure and forward collision warning systems. Starting at $72,000, Maseratiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Levante will be on sale this fall.

2016 FORD MUSTANG GT CALIFORNIA SPECIAL

435 STALLIONS By Kyle Edward

It’s not every day you come across a vehicle that has so much Heritage behind its name. Production of the Mustang first started in March of 1964. It had been Ford’s most successful vehicle launch since the model A. The Mustang essentially created the muscle car, class of automobiles that represented high power engines with output to the rear wheels which in turn could do burnouts all day long. Which is a thought synonymous with American muscle cars. Obviously, the vehicle has evolved as we are now in its sixth generation of production. However, that didn’t stop Ford from creating the California Special, a model which costs $2,000 extra on top of the Mustang GT premium. It’s a throwback to the 1968 version, which had a lot of unique features and styling cues that made a very special package. The same idea applies to today’s model, you get unique 19-inch aluminum wheels which are black and the trend continues with the rear spoiler finished in a high black gloss. Naturally, you get a lower larger front end, black stripes and an offset pony badge on the front grill. However my absolute favorite feature on this special edition would be the hood-mounted turn signal indicators which you can see from the driver’s seat or passenger seat, it’s especially fun driving in the evening as you are cruising down the highway with the windows open and the wind blowing through your hair, flip on the turn signal see it blinking on the hood, move over into the left lane shift

into 4th gear, hit the gas and drive off into the sunset. Now that all may sound like a bit much, however, it’s the feeling you get when you’re driving this iconic, beautiful vehicle.

seats which were very useful on our hot summer days, however, you are able to go for the full-on Recaro racing seats if you prefer to go that route, but you will lose the heating and cooling functions.

Okay, we’ve established it’s a unique vehicle but what does that really mean to you in a practical sense? For starters, the Mustang is available with a wide variety of powertrains including a 2.3 liter turbocharged 4 cylinders, Standard V6 and my personal favorite the legendary 5.0 liter V8 good for 435 glorious horsepower. With that said, we have an engine for the enthusiast will be taking their vehicle on the track, the budget shopper who wants a fun car but can’t drop a lot of coin and the turbo for someone who want’s some fun without sacrificing fuel economy.

Driving this Beast is nothing short of exhilarating, especially if you engage launch control which allows you to rev the engine up to 4500 RPMs before lifting off the clutch. Be prepared to get catapulted forward, it will remind you of a ride at an amusement park. Yes, it goes very fast in a straight line while sounding like a lion getting ready to attack its prey. However, let’s not forget that it’s not all about going fast in a straight line. The Mustang is also very maneuverable around curves and Switchback roads which make the six-speed manual gearbox even that much more fun.

On the interior, you will be satisfied with the quality of the fit and finish. We bring some unique styling cues to the table with special door panel inserts, a metal dashboard plaque and a 12-speaker Shaker audio system that has a large subwoofer in the back to provide a deep bass note to any song. Sync 3 is largely improved over the previous versions and reacts significantly faster to user input over previous versions. We were treated to heated and cooled

You are able to get an automatic however the manual feels more fitting for such a classic car. The gearbox is tight and the clutches on the heavy side, however, that’s to be expected for a vehicle such as this. You have three different steering modes,comfort, normal and sport which affect how sensitive the wheel reacts as you turn. Then, of course, we have four selectable drive modes which include

normal, sport, track and a wet snow mode not that will help you much anyways. These modes essentially affect throttle response and how aggressive the vehicle acts when the gas pedal is pressed. Even with all this tech, the mustang still drives like a good old fashioned muscle car with lots of power on tap. Whether you go with classic 5.0 V8 or one of the other two engines, rest assured this pony car is just an absolute joy to cruise in. Pros: Classic Mustang styling, Great value, Driving pleasure Cons: Peers are slightly faster

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special Engine: 5.0L V8 Horsepower: 435 hp @ 6500 rpm Torque: 400 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm Transmission: 6 Speed Manual 0-60: 4.6 secs MSRP: $36,635 Overall Score 1-10: 9.0

AN ARGUMENT FOR CHANGING YOUR OWN OIL BY AARON STARNES

ILLUSTRATION

In college I worked at a call center. I was the guy that called people during dinner to try and hustle life insurance policies. It was a hateful job that I’m not proud of and I got verbally abused by strangers on a daily basis. Why did I work there for two years? After hours, when the lights went down, and almost everyone went home, I got to answer phones rather than dialing them. I was the guy on the other end of the help-line for a major motor oil company. I got to chat with people about cars and get paid for it. Needless to say this made a huge impression on a young mind. People had all sorts of questions and I had a big book of answers. Over time I noticed a few trends. One, synthetic really is better. Two, regular maintenance equals longevity. I know, it sounds basic, but when you’ve taken a dozen calls from guys who use quality oil, change it regularly and have 200k plus on their cars, you become a believer. During this time I purchased my first brand new car. When it came time to do the first oil change I dumped the OEM stuff, poured in the sweet amber synthetic and screwed on a new filter. I have

repeated the process every 5 – 7,000 miles since. That was nearly a decade and 180,000 miles ago. There have been zero issues with my pick-up. Why do I go to the trouble of doing it all myself? Initially, I did it my own because it was the only way I could afford to put the oil I wanted in my crank case. If I took it into a local lube shop 6 quarts of the good stuff, a filter and labor was over 100 bucks. That’s a lot of cheap beer and a rotten deal - especially when the oil and filter only cost around $40. It made fiscal sense to me to do it myself. I already had some sockets to get the drain plug off and chances are you do too. After the initial investment in the required tools, it’s cheaper to change your own oil. Isn’t it a messy, time-consuming job? It’s as messy as you make it. I bought a large drip pan to go under my oil catch basin. I wear nitrile gloves to keep the old oil off my hands, and I keep some kitty litter around to clean up any spills. It doesn’t take any longer than waiting at a lube shop. How much more Candy Crush or Angry Birds do you really need to play? That’s what you’ll be doing in the lobby;

that or leafing through ancient copies of car mags. Plus, after a couple changes you get faster. What if I screw it up? If you can change a lightbulb and pour a glass of milk you can change your own oil, Seriously, the same skills apply. No one will treat your car better than you do. Do you think the middle-school drop-out who just finished his 30th oil change of the day cares about your ride as much as you do? Plus, getting under your car familiarizes you with the lay of the land down there. You’re more likely to notice that torn tie rod dust boot when you have a look under your car every once and awhile. I continue to do my own maintenance because I love the feeling of working with my hands. The sensation of doing a job well sticks with you. Not to mention working with your hands is sexy. Seriously, try to imagine a lady that doesn’t like a handy-man. Now imagine a girl who changes her own oil, independence is hot. Finally, changing oil is a gateway job, it can lead to the hard stuff. Who knows, next you might be doing brakes.

NEED: â&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL U O Y T A H W Oil Filter Rags Catch basin Wrench Oil Filter rain plug) d e h t r o (f Wrenches

How to do it: Position the oil catch basin and unscrew the drain plug in your oil pan. When the old oil stops pouring out, put the drain plug back in without over-tightening it. Remove old oil filter. Pour fresh oil into the new filter and screw it on hand-tight. Find the oil-fill on your engine and pour in the factory recommended quantity and weight of oil. This information can be found in your ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual. You can then take the used oil to practically any auto parts store to be recycled.

OFF-ROAD EXCELLENCE

2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRAIL PREMIUM 22

BY ANDRE EVANS 23

Toyota has a storied history of off-road excellence. It all started with the Land Cruiser in 1951, the longest running vehicle in Toyota’s lineup and one of the oldest nameplates in automotive history. Fast forward to 1979 when they released their first 4x4 vehicle, the Hilux. Jump a few more years to 1984 when the 4Runner was born. A fun to drive a purpose built off road vehicle for the masses. It started with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Over the years the 4Runner has won many accolades as well as growing in size with each model. What started as a simple compact off-road SUV has evolved into a full-sized SUV with the ability to conquer the wilderness. The 2016 4Runner pays homage to its nameplate while surging into the future. It is available in 6 different variations SRD, Trail, SRD Premium, Trail Premium, TRD Pro, & Limited. It comes equipped with a 4.0L V6 good for 270hp & 278 ft-lb torque combined with a 5-speed automatic and part-time 4x4 with full-time 4WD being available only on the limited model. It has definitely grown in size over the years,

but one great feature it retained was the roll down rear glass window. The 4Runner is big and it isn’t afraid to let you know it. It has an aggressive off-road stance and while I am over 6 feet tall I still had to jump up to get into the vehicle. It came equipped with the standard 17” wheels but they are paired with some pretty beefy all season tires which seem ready to attack any terrain. The 4Runner is definitely a stand out with its strong design language. To add to that, it has a functional hood scoop just in case anyone doubted that it means business. It has rigid running boards as well as skid plates to keep the underside protected when you want to venture onto the roads less traveled. On the inside, the 4Runner is spacious with more than enough room to fit 5 adults. The Trail Premium seats are black leather with red accent stitching which is definitely a nice touch. The fronts are power and heated and have more than enough cushioning to keep you comfortable on long drives. The rear seats do fold flat for added cargo space and it comes

equipped with a power inverter making it the perfect companion on long trips as well as those of us who enjoy camping and other outdoor activities. The media unit is a 6” screen with navigation, usb, Bluetooth, and several apps. Integration of your phone is seamless and the premium sound system is crystal clear. It has two shifters the standard automatic gear lever and the second for 4x2 high, 4x4 high, & 4x4 low. What makes it stand out are the knobs located above the rear view mirror. They allow you to change the terrain type as well as Crawl Control to get you out of any situation. The 4Runner is almost the tale of two vehicles though. On city streets, it sits high and is a relaxed cruiser. The visibility is superb and steering is quite responsive to inputs. The backup camera has a guideline that accounts for the position of the front wheels. It’s a comfortable SUV that takes care of business and also can tow up to 5000 lbs. if needed. However, that’s not where this story ends and the 4Runner becomes a totally different vehicle when its moved off-road. Thanks to its aggressive stance the 4Runner can

tackle the toughest of terrain. While to be honest, it took me a while to get the hang of the knobs but once dialed in, driving the 4Runner was a rewarding experience. No path was too difficult and the prowess it had made my off-road experience memorable. No matter what the terrain the 4Runner was eager and ready to accomplish the task at hand. I purposely got it stuck in some mud and thanks to Crawl Control it was able to drive right out as if were pavement. The 4Runner absolutely shines off-road. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a competent SUV that can tackle whatever is thrown at it. The 4Runner is also reasonably priced offering a quality and affordable off-road vehicle for the masses. For those of us that see all of 4 seasons have to offer the Trail Premium is essential. While many people think of the Prius or Camry, when people bring up Toyota and their remarkable fuel efficiency; there is another side to the company and when it comes to offroad vehicles nobody does it better.

Pros: Unique exterior styling, Intense offroad capability, Good value, Back window rolls down Cons: 5 Speed transmission, Road/cabin noise

2016 Toyota 4Runner Engine: 4.0L V6 Horsepower: 270 hp @ 5600 rpm Torque: 278 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 5-Speed Shiftable Automatic 0-60: 7.9 secs MSRP: $33,810 Overall Score 1-10: 8.5

TOUGHEST. SMARTEST. MOST CAPABLE. SUPER DUTY. EVER. INTRODUCING THE 2017 FORD SUPER DUTY

BY KYLE EDWARD 27

Some bold claims, yes. However, with the 2017 Ford Super Duty line, that’s exactly what they did. To show all of us journalists how capable it really is, Ford flew us out to Denver CO for two full days of testing. For starters, Ford has carried over the aluminum body from the F-150 to their big trucks for 2017. Which cuts the truck’s curb weight by as much as 350 pounds. Everything you need and want when it comes to a full blown truck is here. You say you need power? Well, how does a 6.7-liter twin turbo diesel making a best in class 925 lb-ft sound? Yes, it makes that much torque allowing for a maximum gooseneck tow rating of 32,500 pounds on the F-450. Which again, wins

best in class. When it comes to refinement and durability they made the frame up to 24 times stiffer than the previous generation also including a fully boxed frame for increased strength while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. This improvement really comes across when you are driving on the highway making the interior sound as quiet as a luxury car. However, in our minds a couple of the most useful features would be the adaptive cruise control that can be used while towing, making long hauls easier than ever. That is also a class-exclusive feature. Then we have 7 available cameras, which aid the driver in many different ways from parking with the 360-degree bird’s eye view camera to something as advanced

as backing up the trailer with a jackknife warning. You can also set up your trailer to have it’s tire pressure displayed on the Super Duty’s giant screen, which is again making your towing life much easier. I mean come on, who wants to get out and check the trailer pressure at 11 PM in the dark, no takers? Just what I thought. We also have first in class adaptive steering, which changes the ratio between the driver’s actions at the steering wheel— the number of turns— and how much the front wheels turn. The steering ratio continually changes with vehicle speed, optimizing the steering response in all conditions. At low speeds, the system reduces the amount of steering input needed to change direction for easy maneuvering

and low-speed agility. At highway speeds, the system reduces vehicle sensitivity to steering input, helping to make towing the heaviest of loads easier with increased confidence. Continuing our technology trend, we have BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Trailer Coverage – Radar sensors in each tail lamp monitor areas that may not be visible to the driver; optimized to include the length of the trailer (one-time setup required in the Productivity Screen) and lane departure warning which uses a camera to detect

left- and/or right-side road lane markings and warns of unintentional drifting, it will then vibrate the steering wheel and show a departure warning in cluster. When it comes to pricing, a fully loaded Platinum model will cost you north of 80k, you can still get a reasonably equipped truck though for around 50k. When it comes to this market, however, pricing is not going to be the number one concern on a buyer’s mind. It’s going to be, how much can it tow, is it comfortable and

what can it do for me. I feel that Ford was able to hit on all of these points especially when it came to all new technology most of which is not currently available in other trucks. With all of that said, I feel Ford will have great success with their all new Super Duty line of trucks.

2017 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID DELIGHTFULLY UNDERSTATED By Aaron Starnes

Life is full of surprises. They add variety and keep things interesting. As nice as they are, it’s also pleasant to know what to expect and then get it. Honda delivers this feeling. We’ve come to expect something nice, reliable and comfortable from Honda and the 2017 Accord Hybrid delivers. Inside the Accord, the interior does not overwhelm you. It’s understated and tidy. The thumb controls on the wheel are a little busy looking for my taste, but who drives around staring at the wheel? There are some rather nice touches like heated leather seats for example, and a really unique instrument cluster display. The multimedia system is a bit sluggish, but it’s packaged nicely within the dash. The Honda offers a supple ride while still providing a reasonably engaging driving experience. The interior remains extremely quiet while the car is underway. From the outside the Accord looks great. It has conservative good looks reminiscent of German imports. This car

has presence and looks good from all sides. I can appreciate the little details like the shark fin antenna and the way the grill flows into the headlines in a very streamlined way. The Honda seems to have its chin stuck up and out, confident in its place among cars. In a word, it looks classy. This hybrid version offers good power and is very efficient. The car accelerates to 60 mph in under seven seconds, which puts this hybrid in the performance realm of traditional gas powered sedans. The Accord suffers from a mushy brake feel typical of many hybrids. There’s also not a lot of feedback from the wheel. Overall, the Accord Hybrid feels good. If there’s a category that it stands out in, it’s fuel economy. The EPA estimates put it just under 50 mpg. This isn’t good enough to beat out Toyota’s Prius, but it does put it comfortably in second place. I’m ok with this because the Honda doesn’t look like a Prius. It just looks like

a car, a nice car. It also doesn’t make a statement. It doesn’t have styling cues that shout there’s something different going on under the hood. No, it’s subtle, understated and stealthy about its miserly fuel consumption. And if that’s the trade-off, I’m fine with getting fewer mpg.

2017 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid Engine: 2.0L Inline4 Horsepower: 212 hp @ 6200 rpm Electric motor torque: 232 lb-ft Transmission: Continuously Variable (CVT) 0-60: 7.4 secs MSRP: $35,955 Overall Score 1-10: 9.0

2016 MAZDA6 GRAND TOURING A KID HAULER YOU WON’T HATE DRIVING By Aaron Starnes

Family cars don’t have to be dull, boring boxes full of child safety seats, animal cracker crumbs and a loafing, why-even-bother engine under the hood. At Mazda they must agree. Otherwise why would they build the 2016 Mazda 6, a good-looking, affordable four door that handles? That’s right it’s a stylish, comfortable sedan that starts around 22k. The 2.5 liter engine is good for 184 horsepower and pulls the car to 60mph in just over seven seconds which puts this car is on the slower side of its class. However, Mazda has worked some magic under the hood and the results are 26 city and 38 highway miles per gallon. This beats everything in its class aside from the Nissan Altima which gets 39 on the highway. The Mazda might have the edge though when considering the full package. In true Mazda form, this car’s suspension is firm. Not in an uncomfortable way per say, more like in a reassuring way. The adjective solid comes to mind. The steering is taught and responsive. This combined with the suspension makes driving an immersive experience, something not found in most family sedans. Heck, you can even get one of these with a manual shift transmission. Exterior styling is another strong point for this car. The prominent front grill gives the impression that tilted forward and the LED headlights have a determined look to them. These elements collaborate with the arched hood to give the impression that the car is ready to leap forward.

The car’s understated lines give it a good profile and the tidy derriere is set off with twin exhaust outlets. The interior is fantastic; you’ll look forward to sliding in behind the wheel as you open the driver’s door. The high quality materials and finish are impressive for a car in this price range. The thumb controls on the steering wheel are convenient. In the console there’s a big knob to control the Mazda Connect interface. That’s Mazda’s special infotainment system. Every manufacturer has one and they all have to have silly names. This one is above average though. The system is displayed on a seven inch touchscreen and is relatively simple to use. One gripe about the screen is that it looks like it was simply plopped down on top of the dash as an afterthought. Mazda does this in lots of their cars and, in my opinion, it looks like an aftermarket unit. I’d much rather see something integrated into the dash.

Overall very the Mazda 6 gets high marks. If you’re looking for something efficient and stylish that you can cram some kids into while still get an inspirational driving experience, step outside the standard family box and into the 2016 Mazda 6. The animal cracker crumbs may be inevitable, but the drive doesn’t have to be boring.

2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring Engine: 2.5L Inline4 Horsepower: 184 hp @ 5700 rpm Torque: 185 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic 0-60: 7.8 secs MSRP: $30,195 Overall Score 1-10: 8.5

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Photographs on page 14 and 15 are courtesy Maserati. Illustration on page 20 by Neal D. Anderson All car brands are © their respective owners. All other content is © DRIVE MAGAZINE. 35