auto OTIVES
Your local automotive buyer’s guide Presented by The Laker/Lutz News • DECEMBER 2018
REDESIGNED 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 SEATS FIVE IN COMFORT By NITISH S. RELE
S
nrele@lakerlutznews.com
ince it debuted in 1996, the RAV4 has stood the test of time delivering a civilized and enjoyable ride. Of course, never to rest on its laurels, Toyota has totally overhauled its best-selling vehicle in the United States for 2019. Under the hood of the compact SUV resides a 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder engine that doles out an adequate 203 horsepower. That 6speed auto gear box, a mainstay for all these years? It is history and now replaced by an 8-speed for even, seamless shifts and substantial fuel savings. The independent MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension does a particularly good job of soaking bumps and potholes with skill and sure-footedness in this front-wheel or all-wheel-drive ride. Also, the good ole column-mounted steering is now a thing of the past and has been swapped with a rackmounted system. This makes it almost effortless to steer the vehicle at higher speeds or pull confidently into a spot in the parking lot at your grocery store. In short, you get a firm on-center feel. Though no speed demon by any means, brakes are potent, fade-resistant and have a strong, assuring pedal touch. Want to save on gas? Well, switch on to eco from normal mode. And, look for a RAV4 hybrid (219 hp) in March, we are told. Sporting a rakish, brawnier stance with a low roofline, the bold fascia shows off multi-LED headlights with chrome bezels and LED daytime running lights. Essentially, wheelbase sees an uptick translating into more head, leg and shoulder room. It’s not just top-notch, but also a well thought-out and elegant cabin with fine materials and craftsmanship. Take for example the touches of brushed metallic silver finish as you slide behind the three-spoke leather tilt/telescopic steering wheel. And, there is ample space for the tots, as well as sufficient freedom for the 6-footers too. Fold the 60/40split second row seat down and you get substantial cargo space. The sixway adjustable driver and four-way front passenger seats are comfortable and supportive. We counted eight total cup/bottle holders, open bin atop the glove box, a sizeable center console, and more for storage. It is optional, but if you like airiness in a ride, go for the panoramic sunroof, a first for the RAV4. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag and driver knee airbag are standard along with sideimpact door beams, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution and brake assist, vehicle stability and traction control, and rearview camera. Also included at no cost is Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. If you need to seat five in comfort in a roomy and safe vehicle, equipped with a responsive power train, the RAV4 should be at the top of your list. Offered in LE, Adventure (this one’s for all you off-roaders who truly like to go places!), XLE, XLE Premium and Limited trims, the hot-seller is priced just right. Besides, the superb ride comes with Toyota’s solid reputation for reliability and durability.
Test drive the RAV4 and all other Toyota models at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd., Wesley Chapel. For more information, call the dealership at (813) 973-8888.
RAV4
(XLE PREMIUM)
TIRES: P225/65R17 WHEELBASE: 105.9 inches LENGTH: 180.9 inches HEIGHT: 67 inches WIDTH: 73 inches WEIGHT: 3,380 pounds FUEL CAPACITY: 14.5 gallons CITY: 26 mpg HIGHWAY: 30 mpg BASE PRICE: $29,500 WEB SITE: WesleyChapelToyota.com A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
auto | MOTIVES • DECEMBER 2018
GO ANY ROAD, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME IN 2019 FORD EXPLORER By NITISH S. RELE
B
nrele@lakerlutznews.com
est-selling three-row SUV in America? The Ford Explorer, you bet. Available as a frontwheel or all-wheel drive, the Explorer is offered as a 3.5-liter V-6 (290 horsepower); 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 (365 hp); or the 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder turbo (280 hp). As you can see, that’s plenty of choices to “explore” the horizon. But, the crisp-shifting 6-speed auto is still the only transmission. In fact, for a vehicle that weighs over 4,500 pounds, this Ford moves with remarkable agility and sure-footedness. Some of the credit goes to the MacPherson strut front and independent multilink rear suspension. Indeed, the Explorer delivers a civilized and composed ride with impressive handling, crisp steering and superb balance. For an excellent on-center response, the SUV is equipped with the electric power steering, making it effortless to dodge sharp and sudden turns on the road. How come it is so quiet in the cabin at highway speeds? We wondered. That can be attributed to low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. If you are looking to haul a small boat to the beach during those warm months, then count on a 5,000-pound tow capacity. And, for that trip up north this winter, you can securely select ‘snow’; other modes are normal, mud and sand. The Explorer sports a robust but pleasing-to-the-eye appearance, thanks to LED headlights that surround a distinct grille with satin chrome finish. But, what we find even more appealing is the EXPLORER embossed in the lift gate applique. It truly stands out. We found the interior to be goodlooking with plenty of comforts and
Basic safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all rows, (BASE, 3.5-LITER) front-passenger knee WHEELBASE: 112.8 inches airbag, four-wheel anLENGTH: 198.7 inches tilock brakes, electronic HEIGHT: 70 inches stability and traction WIDTH: 78.9 inches control, rearview camera, trailer sway FUEL CAPACITY: 18.6 gallons control, antiskid sysCITY: 16 mpg tem with rollover HIGHWAY: 22 mpg sensors and a blind BASE PRICE: $32,365 spot monitor. WEB SITE: Any road, anytime, FordOfWesleyChapel.com anywhere. That’s how plus you have the Detroit carmaker the hefty center has summed up the console to store Explorer in the past. personal items out of sight. Whether you are testing its off-road No one can quibble about the 4.2- prowess or on-road capability, this inch touch screen, which displays best-seller has you covered. audio, phone and navigation conAn accommodating cabin, athletic trols. It is bright and crystal-clear to looks, and array of power trains and read and operate. We liked the espe- models (base, XLT, Limited, Sport, cially large, centered volume knob in Platinum) are further incentive to the center stack. sign on the dotted line.
EXPLORER
stylish enhancements, from real wood and aluminum appliques to Nirvana leather, in the Platinum trim. Though manual, the robust tilt/telescopic steering column in the base trim is functional. Need to access the third-row 50/50 seat? That should be troublefree with the seatback moving forward for stress-free ingress/egress. Well-placed cubbies are plentiful,
Test drive the Explorer and other Ford vehicles at Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel, 28739 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. For more information, call the dealership at (813) 907-7800.
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A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
DECEMBER 2018 • auto | MOTIVES
‘TRAVERSE’ AND ENJOY THE LANDSCAPE IN THIS CHEVY CROSSOVER By NITISH S. RELE
N
nrele@lakerlutznews.com
umerous three-row SUVs compete vigorously in the market, but among the standouts is the Chevrolet Traverse, which went through a major overhaul this year. It’s like the rebirth of an all-new vehicle, with a total revamping inside and out. Sharing its design with the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, the bodyframe integral structure of the Traverse will boost the confidence of any driver. Lighter by 400 pounds with a 3-inch legroom boost for second-row passengers (from previous model), it is equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine putting out a healthy 310 horsepower. That is plenty of clout to propel this 4,362-pound SUV toward its destination briskly on challenging roads. Power routed through the crisp-shifting 9-speed auto gear box delivers adequate performance. Standard active noise cancellation isolates occupants from road sound and imperfections. Available as front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Traverse comes in base L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier and High Country seating seven or eight passengers. Of course, it’s in the passenger/cargo department that the Traverse truly shines. Have a seat up front in the muscularly-styled SUV and you will notice that the center stack offers MyLink with a 7-inch color touch screen for hands-free phone and audio. Underneath the infotainment system are large illuminated climate control knobs. The instrument cluster of two gauge binnacles hosting readings for speedometer, tachometer, water temp, battery and fuel, as well as
a driver information center, is simple but clear. Thanks to tri-zone auto a/c, the driver and all passengers can control their own individual temperature settings. The 60/40 second-row and 50/50 third-row seats can be folded via a lever. That opens up 98.2 cubic feet of storage area. Simply put, throw in a stroller, numerous pieces of luggage, backpack, ice chest, cooler, etc., into
the cargo hold and the Traverse laps it all up. The four-spoke robust steering wheel, which offers controls for audio, phone and cruise, has a robust look and feel to it. Providing eye candy is wood sprinkled on the front center console around cup holders and doors in certain trims. And, during those occasional rainy days, umbrella holders in the front doors will come in quite handy. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, front center airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, antiskid system, stability and traction control, remote vehicle start, rearview camera, hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. Go ahead and ‘Traverse’ the landscape in this Chevy crossover. There is abundant power to ensure a quick but silent and smooth ride, with superb handling and cornering balance. A
TRAVERSE (FWD L)
TIRES: P225/65R18 WHEELBASE: 120.9 inches LENGTH: 204.9 inches WIDTH: 78.6 inches HEIGHT: 70.7 inches SUSPENSION: MacPherson strut independent front; 5-link rear STEERING: electric variable power TOW CAPACITY: 5,000 pounds FUEL CAPACITY: 19.4 gallons CITY: 18 mpg HIGHWAY: 27 mpg BASE PRICE: $30,925 WEB SITE: DavidMausCHevrolet.com
solid chassis and exceptional peopleand cargo-hauling capabilities in this nearly full-size SUV will serve the needs of large households quite well.
Test drive the Traverse and other Chevrolet vehicles at David Maus Chevrolet, 16414 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa or call (813) 969-2600.
A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
auto | MOTIVES • DECEMBER 2018
TIPS FOR BUYING A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE
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here are many decisions to make when buying a used vehicle, and one of the most important is to buy from a trusted automotive dealership located in your community that specializes in pre-owned vehicles. Edmunds.com reports that 40 million used cars are sold every year, so you have plenty of company if you are looking to buy a used car. To help make finding and buying the best pre-owned vehicle for your family, here are recommendations from Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book. 1. SET YOUR BUDGET. Establish the maximum you want to spend, and if you are financing, the maximum monthly payment your budget allows. And then, before beginning your search, make a firm commitment to stay within that amount. 2. PICK THE RIGHT MODEL BASED ON YOUR NEEDS, NOT
nancing can usually be obtained before you begin looking, and typically doesn’t require you to stipulate a specific make or model.
YOUR FANTASIES. This is where huge numbers of buyers make their biggest mistakes — they don't buy the vehicle that is best for their needs, and instead get smitten with something that doesn't fulfill their requirements, costs far too much or,
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typically, both. Plus, if you have limited money for ongoing service, choose a car that’s less likely to break down. 3. USE THE CAR’S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO SEE ITS HISTORY. This is an essential early step, because if the car you're looking at has a bad history report, the sooner you know, the better. AutoCheck and Carfax can reveal if the odometer has been rolled back, if the vehicle was in an accident and, if so, how damaging it was to the vehicle. 4. KNOW THE COSTS OF CAR INSURANCE. Insurance companies charge more depending on the type of vehicle you choose and your driving record. Sport cars, anything with "turbo" or "supercharged" in the name, high performance vehicles and those with four-wheel drive will give you higher insurance rates.
7. HAVE A CHECKLIST FOR THE TEST DRIVE. This is the best way to know if the vehicle is the right make and model for you, and also helps assess a particular car's condition. Here are some things to check: • Is it easy to get in and out without stooping or banging your head? Is there enough headroom, hip room and legroom? And, don't forget to sit in the back seat, too. • Is the driving position comfortable? Do you sit too low, too high or just right in the car? Can you tilt or telescope the steering wheel for a better fit? • Are the seats comfortable? Are they easily adjustable? Is there a lumbar support adjustment for the driver? • How is the visibility? Check the rearview mirror and the side mirrors. Look for potential blind spots. • Check out the tires. How old are they? How much tread is left? • How are the brakes? Are they doing the job of stopping the car? Do they squeak? • Pop the hood. You don't have to know a lot about cars to see if something looks wrong. If something is leaking, steaming or covered in oil, it's time to ask questions. • Does the air-conditioning blow cold? Do headlights, brake lights and turn indicators work? Test them to be sure. 8. REVIEW THE VEHICLE’S SERVICE RECORDS. Ask the dealer if you can see the service records, and check to see if the car has had its scheduled maintenance performed on time.
5. CONSIDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. A service contract covers a wide range of repairs and services, and you won't pay a penny for approved repairs (unless your plan includes a deductible). If the car you are considering is still under factory warranty, the warranty will transfer to the new owner.
9. LISTEN TO YOUR SALESPERSON. Most are very knowledgeable and can help guide you to the best vehicle for you and your budget.
6. RESEARCH FINANCING OPTIONS. You can work out a loan with the dealership, or you can secure financing ahead of time through a bank or credit union. Third party fi-
10. TAKE CARE OF THE SALES DETAILS. A huge advantage of buying from a dealer is that they will take care of all of the details to get your car registered and any taxes paid.
LARGES G ST INDEPEND DENT PRE-OWNE W ED AUTO TO DEA ALERSHIP N veer a Deale Ne D ler Fee!! O On nly l Taax, Taag & Titlle.
2016 2 0 6 Hyundai Elantra E a SE 7,59 $15,495 $ 5
2016 Buick Encoree $16,495
2014 Toyota o Tundra u $29,495
2012 Crysler 200 Touring o $9,495 5
2016 Mazzda Mazda3 Sport S $1 13,995
200 08 Ford FF-250 250 $18,995
Featurre Veh Fea V hicle l 2012 Chevy Camaro SS S 20,122 mi
$27,995
813 3-780-11 132 4542 Gaall Boulevard • Zep phyrhills Just 15 minutes from Meadow Pointe on SR 54
www.tthomasandsoninc.com thomasandsoni nc.com
A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM