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Every Body Needs A Seat Belt

A Newspaper-Delivered Consumer Automotive Publication

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DECISIV E o Latin

The Best Source for Cultural and Consumer Automotive News

Winter 2012

2012 Green Car Guide The Cars that Earn More MPGs than Any Others we drive: > 2012 Kia Rio > 2012 Honda CR-V > 2013 Lexus GS 350

Malibu Eco

also inside: Our Picks for Urban Car, Truck, and Green Car of 2012

2012 Hyundai Veloster

2012 Range Rover Evoque

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in

Sign up for a digital subscription at www.decisivelatino.com

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*Confiabilidad basada en longevidad: registros de camionetas pickup de tamaĂąo completo de 1981 a julio del 2010.

Presentamos la Chevy Silverado de media tonelada. La camioneta mĂĄs confiable y duradera del camino. Porque los mejores amigos merecen viajar en la mejor camioneta. POnTe a viviR.

chevy.com/silverado

Chevy. DeJa Que Te Sigan.

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DECISIV E o Latin

The Best Source for Cultural and Consumer automotive News

Volume 3 | Issue 1 | winter 2012

Publisher: Randi Payton Associate Publisher/Editor: Valerie Menard

On the Cover: 2013 Malibu Eco

Editor-in-Chief: Lyndon Conrad Bell.

Editorial Director: Joyce Gates Art Director: Fran Sherman Editor-at-Large/contributor: Christopher Jackson Multimedia Managers: Thuan Ngo

features:

DECISIVE LATINO SALES: Valerie Martinez

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Kia Optima Long-Term

By Valerie Menard Our editor shares final thoughts on the highs and lows of Kia’s midsize sedan.

Green 08 2012 Car Guide

Decisive Latino Editors

From electrics, to hybrids, to alternative fuel vehicles, green cars continue to multiply and redefine the segment.

We look at the newest models for 2012 and beyond.

departments: 04

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Index to Advertisers Cover II/page 1: Chevrolet - www.chevrolet.com p. 5: Toyota - www.toyota.com

Decisive Media Headquarters: 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 500 Landover, MD 20785 Tel: 301-850-2858 • Fax: 301-390-1825 President & CEO: Randi Payton Vice President: Karen Payton Production/Distribution: Joyce Gates Business Manager: Damon Redmond Sales Director: Karen Payton executive assistant: Jane Godshall multimedia marketing: Rich Baron DECISIVE MEDIA DETROIT: Leonard Corbin event manager: Margorie Staten Decisive Auto Latino magazine © 2011 is published four times annually as a newspaper-delivered publication and digital e-magazine by Decisive Media Your complete resource for research and opinion on consumer products and services

03 Editor’s Letter 04 First Looks 06 Auto Noticias

Visit us at www.DecisiveMagazine.com, email us at: latinoeditor@decisviemag.com.

For licensing and reprints of Decisive/Decisive Auto content, contact Nick Iademarco at Wright’s Media, Niademarco@wrightsmedia.com, Toll Free 877-652-5295

Membership applied for October 2010

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letter from the editor

Outlook New Year, New

Photograph By Duncan Hamerill

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he winter issue marks the start of a new year for Decisive Latino and as we’ve all heard, 2012 promises to be anything but normal. Regardless of what the Mayans predicted, we will end the year with a presidential election, a democratic process that continues to inspire and amaze. With issues like the Dream Act, immigration reform, healthcare, and education at stake, Latinos must remain engaged, i.e. register and vote.

A new year also brings new opportunities and at Decisive Media, we’ve embraced them. At the start of the year we hosted our annual Urban Wheel Awards (see story page 6) where we celebrate diversity in the auto industry. We were lucky to snag veteran and venerated newsman John Quiñones as a co-host, and established new relationships with Latino leaders like David Lizárraga, president and CEO of TELACU, the nation’s largest Community Development Corporation, and Al Pina, founder of the National Latino Automotive Council, who also attended.

Our biggest news, however, is the launch of our brand new website devoted entirely to Decisive Latino, www.decisivelatino.com. The new site features advice and tips from all the topics found at www.decisivemagazine.com but with a Latino focus, and that also includes un poquito de español. We’ve added more interactivity, with opportunities for comments and suggestions from our users—simply register and login.

There’s even a Picks and Pans section where consumers can share their experiences, for better or worse, with any product.

Let me know what you think of the site by emailing me at vmenard@decisivemag.com.

In this issue, we return to our annual focus, the environment. In Decisive Auto Latino, we’ve compiled a list of new vehicles in the 2012 Green Car Guide that represent the most fuel-efficient and lowest emission products you can

find. More models will enter the electric car category while hybrids continue to dominate the green car segment.

In Decisive Latino, our experts offer tips to help you live a greener lifestyle, starting with our cover story by travel expert Lillian Aviles, Eco Paraíso. She selects eco-friendly sites for the environmentally conscious traveler.

It’s never too late to go green and Ruben Arvizu, our environmental expert, suggests ways to help reduce your carbon footprint in The Green Routine, from lowering the thermostat in the winter to cleaning out the fridge.

Every year begins with bright prospects. We hope our new website and continued commitment to bring you the news, reviews, advice, and tips you need for consuming with confidence improve the outlook for 2012.

Let me know how it goes.

Cheers, Valerie Menard Associate Publisher/Editor Decisive Auto Latino/Decisive Latino

winter 2012 | www.decisivemagazine.com

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firstlooks

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Kia Rio

Honda CR-V

Lexus GS 350-450h

Keeping the pressure on the competition, Kia gets back to basics with its subcompact, the 2012 Rio. Offered in a choice of sedan, or five-door hatchback, the Rio utilizes gasoline direct injection and the first application of idle-stopand-go technology that actually shuts off the engine at idle to ramp up its fuel economy.

Powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine and matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, the Rio hatchback and sedan should achieve an estimated city/highway fuel economy of 30/40 miles per gallon (mpg).

Described as “the last chapter in Kia’s design-led transformation” at the recent launch in Austin, Texas, the new Rio sedan looks like a baby Optima while the hatch bears the same cutesy insect-like appearance shared by much of the competition.

In typical Kia fashion, the Rio will come equipped with features not normally found at this price point, e.g. air conditioning, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and satellite radio, as well as exceptional options, like a rear parking camera.

Standard safety features include six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and Hill-start Assist Control Quieter than its predecessor, the Rio has a green side too, utilizing seat foam that uses 100-percent biodegradable and non-toxic castor oil and 85 percent of the vehicle can be recycled at the end of its life cycle.

Pricing for the 2012 Rio sedan starts at $14,150.

—Valerie Menard

A leader in its segment, the CR-V set the standard among compact crossover utility vehicles. When it came time to redesign Honda’s best selling SUV, the company turned to CR-V owners for guidance. They said they wanted more value, fuel economy, and technology so Honda responded with the all-new 2012 model.

Termed the “super CR-V,” the new model does include impressive standard features like a rear back-up camera, a must for any SUV, and a feature usually paired with a navigation system, making it cost-prohibitive.

The fourth generation offers an all-new Real Time All-Wheel Drive system, a change possibly driven by the fact that 65 percent of CR-Vs are purchased with the technology, according to executives at the launch in San Diego, California.

Powered by the 2.4-liter i-VTEC fourcylinder engine, it has been improved with 185 horsepower and 163 lbs–ft. of torque. A lack of power is still noticeable but the CR-V makes up for it with an estimated city/highway fuel economy of 23/31 mpg.

To enhance fuel economy, all CR-Vs include the Eco Assist feature with an intuitive color visual cue. The backlit instrument cluster fades from green to blue depending on the driver’s energy saving, or wasting, driving.

For convenience, a 60/40 split, fold down rear seat is now standard, as is Bluetooth phone interface. The CR-V maintains its bestin-class cargo room and the rear window has been enlarged for better visibility.

Pricing on the base 2012 LX model starts at $23,105.

—V.M.

Lexus continues to embrace its sporty green side with the all-new 2013 GS 350 and 450h sport sedans.

Described as “the new face of Lexus,” they bear a new, sharp exterior accentuated by a more aggressive spindle grille.

A sportier look is matched to sportier handling, with the standard rear-wheel drive configuration—an all-wheel-drive version is also available. At the launch in Las Vegas, track exercises revealed its improved agility while driving around town demonstrated the signature Lexus smooth, quiet ride.

The GS 350 does not sacrifice fuel economy for better performance. An advanced 3.5-liter V6, with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT- i) and six-speed automatic transmission achieve 306 horsepower and a zero-to 60 mph acceleration of 5.7 seconds. At the same time, they boost projected EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings to 19/28 mpg for the RWD. The Eco mode also helps to remind drivers that they’re saving gas with subtle green back lighting on the instrument cluster. Switching to the Sport S mode for extra power and performance changes the back lighting to red.

True fuel efficiency fans, however, will opt for the 450h hybrid, available in the spring, that pushes city/highway mpgs to 29/34.

New standard features include a back-up camera with park assist and paddle shifters.

Blind spot warning system and lane keep assist technologies are available.

Pricing for the GS 350 and 450h has not been released —V.M..

decisive auto latino

AutoNoticias

Hispanic Dealer of the Year Bob Zamora.

sixteenth annual urban wheel awards Decisive Media joins with the auto industry to celebrate diversity

(L to R) Decisive Auto Latino associate publisher, Valerie Menard, Decisive Media CEO, Randi Payton, and Decisive Latino sales representative, Valerie Martinez.

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Hispanic Supplier of the Year, David Segura of VisionIT.

Recognizing Year was president diversity in the auto and CEO of Zamora industry, the annual Automotive Group, Urban Wheel Awards Bob Zamora. Joined celebrated sixteen by his wife and son, years of inclusion in Zamora thanked the Detroit, January 9, manufacturers that he 2012, at the Motor represents, his family, City Casino. Awards and his staff for making were distributed his business a success.

Urban Wheel Award co-hosts, Phylicia in twelve categories, Rashad and John Quiñones. He has grown his dealculminating in the ership portfolio from a recognition of the 2012 Urban Car of the Year/ small Honda dealership in 1981 to one of the Hyundai Veloster, 2012 Urban Truck of the largest and fastest growing privately owned Year/Range Rover Evoque, and 2012 Urban automotive dealer groups in Northern CaliforGreen Car of the Year/Toyota Prius Plug-in. nia, which includes a total of 17 dealerships Hosted by the Emerging Diversity Education representing Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Acura, Fund and Decisive Media, the theme of this Volkswagen, Kia, and Mazda franchises. year’s event was “Embracing Multicultural For his work in the industry and the comConsumers and Diversity Inclusion in the munity, David Segura, CEO of VisionIT, reAutomotive Industry.” ceived the Hispanic Supplier of the Year award.

“Our mission began sixteen years ago as Advancing the roles of people of color within an effort to open the doors of the auto industry information technology (IT), Segura, a Michito the multicultural community. Over the engan native, derived his dream for the company suing years, we have grown and diversified the while teaching Detroit inner-city youth about Urban Wheel Awards’ outreach,” said Decisive IT. From this experience, he went on to create Media president/CEO Randi Payton. “Today a VisionIT summer internship program in the event is reaching a global audience.” partnership with Wayne State University. He Taking on hosting duties were actress has also led VisionIT from a startup to a global Phylicia Rashad and Emmy-winning newsenterprise, working with some of the largest man and TV host, John Quiñones. “It was corporations in the U.S., Latin America, Puerto a real honor to take part in such a unique Rico, Mexico, and India. event. What a wonderful opportunity to honor “As the only English-language Latino aumen and women of color in the automotive tomotive magazine and a product of Decisive industry,” said Quiñones.

Media, Inc., our goal is not only to help Latino Many individuals work day in, day out to car buyers make the best car buying decisions, supply consumers with the vehicle of their but to champion diversity that leads to opdreams. For this reason, the awards include six portunity and ultimately, empowerment,” says categories specifically set aside for individuals. Valerie Menard, associate publisher of Decisive Recognized as the Hispanic Dealer of the Auto Latino.

long-term 2011 Kia Optima EX

Long-term Review: Part 2 Written by Valerie Menard As a car reviewer, I’m looking for what sets each vehicle apart. Normally, I only get a week to research but more time spent in a After two months in the 2011 Kia Optima EX, I discovered much more to like than not about this nifty sedan.

Let’s look at the pros and cons.

vehicle reveals more.

Fuel Economy The lineup features three all-new powertrains, including a hybrid.

I drove the one with a 2.4-liter GDI four cylinder (the base engine) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. The window sticker claimed it should achieve an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 24/34 mpg.

The Optima EX (the middle range of the three trim levels) comes with an average mpg calculator that helps the driver gauge his or her own fuel efficiency based on driving manners. It’s a subtle but effective way to engage the driver while helping him or her save a few bucks on gas.

There’s an Active Eco System that automatically alerts the driver with a green ECO signal in the gauge cluster when driving fuel efficiently. But if you’re like me and really ambitious about fuel economy, there’s also an Eco button that adjusts the throttle and shift speeds to perform even more fuel efficiently. There is a discernable loss of power, however.

After two months, I saw my gas mileage climb to 32 mpg at the highest, and 24 mpg at the lowest.

Performance The front-wheel-drive sedan handled nicely assisted by independent front and rear suspension systems and MacPherson struts in the front with a multi-link layout in the rear joined with coil springs and front anti-roll bars. I did have one little fish tail moment but that was quickly corrected by the standard traction control and electronic stability control.

The power-assisted rack and pinion steering felt firm and responsive.

Standard on the EX, the push button start gives the car a fancy touch and the ride was nice and quiet. A light in the exterior door handle illuminates as you approach but the fob doesn’t automatically unlock the vehicle, like some luxury models do.

Interior While the Optima looks good on the outside, car owners will spend most of their time inside this vehicle, and that’s a good thing with this car, for this is where many bells and whistles reside.

At this trim level, you’ll get leather trimmed seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth, a power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, a cooling glove box, and the list goes on.

I liked the charcoal wood accents, the red illuminated interior as well as the instrument cluster and center display, which was easy to read and program. The optional Infinity sound system, however, was nice but not as impressive as I thought it would be.

I would compliment the fit-and-finish but for the multiple visible bolt patches; I counted at least six.

Still, sitting inside the Optima was a very pleasant experience.

Options Extra features were added to this Optima to the tune of $4,250. At the top of the list was a Technology Package that included navigation. It was fairly easy to use and I liked the display with icons for restaurants and other points of interest, but it did lead me quite astray, approximately 30 miles in the wrong direction, on one occasion.

The EX Premium Package included a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated outboard rear seats (that’s really special) and a heated steering wheel.

Pricing starts at $22,495 but increased to $27,440 with all the extra features.

This is a sweet vehicle and backed by Kia’s ten-year/100-mile powertrain, five-year/60,000mile bumper-to-bumper and five-years of roadside assistance, it’s a strong competitor in a very touch segment.

winter 2012 | www.decisivemagazine.com

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2012 green car guide

We would say that the electric-car revolution is kicking into high gear for 2012, but The majority of this burgeoning crop of gasolinefree vehicles puts the power to the road via single-speed transmissions.

They are, however, at the cutting edge of the green car segment so what’s behind this sudden surge in electrically-powered cars?

Battery technology is advancing rapidly, and while the range of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) still can’t come close to that of a gasoline-powered car, increasing availability is making electrics into viable commuters in urban areas.

Green cars are not all electrics, of course. In 2012, few new hybrids will enter the market that’s still dominated by the Toyota Prius line-up, which multiplies by four by the end of the year.

For Latino car buyers who want to reduce their carbon footprint, our 2012 Green Car Guide offers a selection of models that increase miles per gallon (mpgs) or kilowatt hours (kW/hs), a sus ordenes. that wouldn’t be entirely accurate.

Written by Decisive Auto Latino Editors

2013 Honda Fit EV: The diminutive Fit makes an ideal candidate for electrification, as it’s already designed to be a hyper-efficient commuter. Honda says the battery-powered Fit can travel up to 76 miles on a single charge. Its 20 kW/h lithium-ion battery powers a 92-kW high-density coaxial electric motor similar to that used in the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle. Honda claims a three-hour recharge time using 240-volt power. The Fit EV’s biggest challenge may be a steep MSRP. At $36,625, it’s coming close to the price of the more versatile and much larger Chevrolet Volt.

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, Civic HF and Civic Natural Gas: The Civic’s two alternative-fuel variants return with the model’s redesign for ‘12, and benefit from all of the upgrades to the venerable subcompact, including electronic power steering, stability control, and Honda’s Eco Assist system that offers feedback on maximizing fuel economy while driving. The Civic Hybrid gets a larger displacement 1.5-liter engine and is converted to a lithium-ion battery. Additionally, the gasoline-powered Civic HF is on hand to challenge cars like the Chevrolet Cruze ECO, wtih additional aerodynamics that bump freeway fuel economy to 41mpg. The Civic Natural Gas is on sale now with an MSRP of $26,155.

gre Audi Q5 hybrid:

By the end of the year, Audi plans to have a hybrid version of its Q5 crossover available for sale. A 211-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is coupled with an electric motor in parallel, a combination that provides 245 total horsepower and returns over 33 mpg. The Q5 hybrid uses lithium-ion batteries and the stop-start capability and deceleration-recharging that are common on hybrids. Audi has kept the weight close to that of the conventional Q5, so performance and handling are not affected by the additional equipment.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid: Mercedes adds a new dimension to the E-Class for 2012, the lineup’s first hybrid. With its 302-horsepower direct-injection V6 supplemented by an electric motor, the E400 Hybrid returns 24/31 mpgs. That’s respectable, but the real fun starts when you consider that the E400’s combined torque is almost 400 ft.–lbs. That’s some serious grunt.

Additionally, a “sail” function allows the gasoline engine to shut off at freeway speeds, letting the electric motors take over when acceleration isn’t needed. It’ll be available in the second half of 2012.

Volkswagen’s traditionally gone with diesel when it comes to alternative-fuel vehicles, but have no fear; the hybrid Jetta doesn’t replace the much-loved Jetta TDI. The Jetta Hybrid does stand out with a sevenspeed dual-clutch transmission and a compact 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 150 horsepower. A 20-kW electric motor adds another 27 horses. Stop-start technology and an aggressive “coasting” mode shut the engine down whenever it’s not needed for additional fuel savings.

Ford Focus Electric: The fully-electric Focus goes on sale this winter. Apart from the styling tweaks, the Focus Electric is almost indistinguishable from the gas-powered version thanks to shared amenities including the MyFord Touch system and an available navigation system. For further “green” cred, the Focus Electric uses Repreve fabric in the seats. The material is an innovative blend of recycled plastic water bottles and other postindustrial materials.

2012 green car guide

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid:

een Scion iQ EV:

Given the diminutive size of many electric cars, the Scion iQ EV would seem like a no-brainer. Only a bit larger than a smart fortwo, the iQ already has many onlookers thinking it’s electric. The gasolinefree version debuts in 2012, but it’s only available through fleet and car-share programs.

winter 2012 | www.decisivemagazine.com winter 2012 | www.decisivemagazine.com

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Tesla Model S:

2012 green car guide

While BYD seems to be dragging its feet, Tesla is moving full steam ahead with its all-new electric sedan. The Model S is an all grownup, ready-for-prime-time version of the concept first shown in 2010.

Slated to go on sale in mid-2012, the rear-wheel drive Model S features Jaguar-like styling, luxurious interior appointments and a choice of battery packs providing 160, 230 or 300 miles of range according to the manufacturer.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO: The name may remind you of the aero-tricked Chevy Cruze ECO, which relies on lightnes and aerodynamic aids to improve its fuel economy, but the new Malibu ECO goes a step further with GM’s new eAssist electric assistance. The air-cheating tricks are here as well: underbody panels, shutters in the lower grille that close to improve aerodynamics at high speed—but the Malibu ECO also sports a compact motor-generator and a lithium-ion battery to store power during braking and give the relatively small 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine a 15-horsepower push when it’s needed. The result? An EPA estimated 26/38 mpg from a full-sized car.

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist: GM’s eAssist system shows up on the Buick LaCrosse for 2012 as well-with the added bonus of being standard equipment. The luxurious sedan’s light-hybrid system combines a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a 15-kW motor-generator that boosts the engine under acceleration and enables stop-start operation to save gas in congested urban areas. It’s hard to argue with 36mpg on the freeway and Buick’s signature style and comfort besides. The LaCrosse is a true budget luxury sedan, featuring available blind-spot monitoring and a full-color touch-screen radio. Prices start at $29,960

gre Toyota Prius c:

The smallest member of the Prius family makes its U.S. debut in January. This entry-level hybrid rolls out with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine hooked up to Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system, and it’s expected to top 50mpg in the city. Being significantly smaller than the Prius, it’ll be more urban-friendly as well. The Prius c is also available with Toyota’s Entune infotainment system that connects to online navigation and other services via smartphone links.

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