autopreview2018 by More Content Now / Gannett

AUTO

SAY GOODBYE TO GEAR SHIFTER

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DO THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE DEALERSHIP

PREVIEW GUIDE

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Say goodbye to the gear shifter By John Goreham BestRide.com

utomakers are looking for space for your smartphone to reside on the center console. Those cupholders aren’t going anywhere, so slowly, but surely, the gearshift lever we have become accustomed to is getting the boot. In its place automakers are introducing a hodgepodge of new, more compact gadgets that allow us to put the car into Park, Neutral, Drive, Low and Sport. The 2018 Lincoln MKC typifies the modern interpretation of the “push-button” style of gear selection. The buttons are arranged in a simple row on the dash next to the infotainment system (well out of the way of your Apple or Droid). The MKC shares a lot with the Ford Escape, but not its gear shifter. The Escape

uses a conventional gear shift lever. General Motors’ new 2018 GMC Terrain crossover has a new button array for its shifting. Like Ford, GM is not being consistent: The 2018

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Chevy Equinox is mechanically almost identical to the GMC Terrain, but it keeps the conventional shifter. Consistency has its merits. Not just for convenience, but also safety. One advantage of the conventional

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automatic gearshift lever is that when the driver wants to put the vehicle into park, there is a distinct forward motion that is stopped by the gear shifter mechanism when park is engaged. Newer designs don’t offer that feeling, and some customers are having trouble adapting. FCA US, the parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Fiat, has had the most public difficulties with new shifter designs. In 2016 the company issued a recall after an owner’s death and vehicle roll-aways were blamed for the new-style shifters the company had adopted. The replacement design also gave customers fits. Push-button gear selection is not new to the automobile, of course. The first patent for a push-button transmission was granted in 1909. The first models appeared in 1913, and pretty much every automaker has offered them off and on since the 1950s.

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things to do before you leave the dealership

On the map

Path is set for better integration of Apple, Android maps in autos

By John Goreham BestRide.com

Once you have done the research, shopped for pricing, test-driven cars, then bought one after a hard afternoon of haggling, it is tempting to drive the car directly off the lot and home. Take half an hour and put the dealer’s vehicle experts to work for you. Pair your phone Before you are even home your cellphone is going to ring. Your significant other is going to call and say “Did you get it?!” Take time at the dealership to have the sales associate pair your phone for you. Watch closely and you can then pair your family members’ phones when you get home.

Locate your gas cap Not all gas caps are on the same side of the car. Every car shows a little arrow on the fuel gauge that points to the side the filler nozzle is on. Next, find out how to open the fuel door. Some cars have an interior button you must hit. It can be on the floor, on the dash to the left and under the steering wheel, or on the driver’s door panel. And don’t be surprised if your new car has no gas cap. Many brands are adopting cap-less systems.

Set your door locks and lights

Many new vehicles, and pretty much every one from any premium brand, can be told how to open your doors. Do you like them to all unlock when you press the fob once or are you a double-tap fobber? Do you like it when the car unlocks all the doors when you shift to Park, or do you like to be trapped inside until you personally hit the open button? These types of settings can be changed in the infotainment screen’s Settings Menu. Have the sales associate show you these menus and set them to your liking.

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New cars have a long list of controls and adjustments that can be difficult to find. Just a few things most new vehicles can do include adjusting the height that your tailgate opens, how your high beams work, what information your heads-up display shows you and the sound level of your navigation instructions. Ask for the dealership expert on these gadgets and take as much time as they will give you.

Relearn how to shift

Even if you’ve purchased a car with an automatic transmission, you’re probably going to be surprised at how gear selectors have changed. From push-button shifters like Lincoln’s to weird stalks like the Toyota Prius’, the simple act of just selecting “drive” has gotten a little more complicated. Jaguar and Land Rover, for example, use a shifter that pushes forward for Reverse and back for Drive, with a Neutral position between and a Park position selected by a button. It’s good to try this out a few times in a safe area before you head out into traffic.

Car wash plan This may seem silly, but many cars sold today cannot go through an automatic car wash without help. First, a technology called Brake Hold prevents your car from rolling when in neutral, which is exactly what your car needs to do to go through any car wash. Next is forward collision prevention, also called automatic emergency braking. This technology is the most important piece of safety gear available today and we hope you got it. It will prevent your car from hitting things like children, bicyclists and the car in front of you, but also that rotating car wash brush that just swung out of nowhere to wash your bumper and grille. There is always a way to temporarily disable this system. It is either a button in the vehicle or buried in your infotainment menus. In Subarus, it is on the ceiling. Know where that button is and be sure you turn it back on when you leave. Finally, if your car has automatic wipers, those, too, should be shut off when entering a wash or they can get caught up in the felt wash fingers.

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ON the MAP

GPS, cellphone

Path is set for better integration of Apple, Android maps in autos

in your new car

By John Goreham BestRide.com

he one big downside to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is that up until now, the system required that the phone be connected to the vehicle via a USB cord. We all charge on the go, but wireless in-vehicle charging is now commonplace. Also, for short trips, or long trips with a fully charged phone, there is no reason to plug in a phone and then have the cord in our way. Alpine has announced the beginning of the end of having to plug in to get the benefits of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. “Apple fans have been eagerly anticipating a wireless Apple CarPlay solution, so we are excited to deliver the iLX-107

as the first aftermarket system with this technology,” said Steve Crawford, vice president and general manager, Alpine Electronics of America Inc. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow smartphone users (and who isn’t one?) to connect their phones directly to a compatible car’s in-dash infotainment system using a simple app. Vehicles equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have many advantages. In vehicles without built-in navigation, the user can use Apple Maps or Google Maps to navigate. The audio plays directly through the car’s sound system, and the map and other visual information are displayed directly on the screen. There are even benefits in vehicles with built-in navigation. Google Maps and Apple Maps

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow smartphone users (and who isn’t one?) to connect their phones directly to a compatible car’s in-dash infotainment system using a simple app.

both keep track of where you go and have your expected destinations already loaded. Tapping in directions or speaking them is simpler and more effective with the smartphone’s software than with the car’s. In our testing, we frequently switch to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay even in navigation-equipped vehicles simply because the real-time traffic and route options are better on the phone. Even in ultra-modern cars like Kia’s new Niro, we often prefer the phone to the car’s nav. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer many other benefits. Most of what you want while on the go can be easily and efficiently accessed using the systems. Most importantly, both Apple and Android constantly update and improve the apps

The hidden

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we find so helpful. Automakers almost never update systems after a vehicle leaves the showroom, and most charge hundreds for navigation map updates. The new system from Alpine is aftermarket-only, meaning it replaces what is in the car you already own. However, Alpine is a major original equipment manufacturer and we expect that the technology will quickly migrate to in-dash systems offered directly from automakers. Now, if automakers could start offering this technology on base models without any nav option, and stop charging us for nav in higher trims, we will all be able to save a bundle on our next new vehicle. Changing that culture may be a higher hurdle than the technical challenges Alpine has now overcome.

his isn’t big news to anyone who uses the telematics system in their car now. OnStar is one of the most popular and is now found in all new General Motors vehicles. In the past, these systems were optional and owners could opt out of the services offered. While that may still be possible, automakers are already planning to make telematics systems universal, and they will soon do much more than they do now. For example, right now cars priced in the low $20K range can do things like flash your lights upon request or lock and unlock doors. Automakers can do this anyplace your car goes where a cellphone signal is available. The technology at its core is a dumbed-down cellphone. That includes a GPS locator. Which is how, when you call OnStar or any brand’s telematics operator, they already know where

you are in real time. They can tell you, for example, that there will be a Starbucks two exits ahead of you on the road you are traveling. This is technology that exists right now in your car. Your automaker and its information partners track your vehicle’s location in real time with no “opt-in” from you. Real-time tracking has been used by police to catch criminals and monitor their location already. Most notably, when the Boston Marathon bombers carjacked a Mercedes crossover, the police quickly located the vehicle using its onboard mbrace system. Telematics systems already keep track of your location for safety reasons. In the event of a crash, they automatically note the severity of the crash and the status of airbag deployment. That information, along with your exact location, is then sent to first responders if you subscribe to that service. This function can be enabled on the go

The technology at its core is a dumbed-down cellphone. That includes a GPS locator. Which is how, when you call OnStar or any brand’s telematics operator, they already know where you are in real time.

with a call to the customer service team or simply by pushing the in-car button. Could the location of one’s vehicle be used in a court of law against them, in say a divorce case? Actually, yes — in divorce cases GPS data is admissible in some jurisdictions. In the past, one party might place a GPS tracker inside of a vehicle. With modern vehicles, that capability is already available via the GPS signal from the telemetry system. Devices that listen to our conversations are also becoming ubiquitous. Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and many more of the gadgets we use are always listening, and that is how they know when we ask them to help us. However, in our cars, we have long felt alone and in private unless we actively opted into some sort of technology. That is becoming old-school as automakers tap into our car’s location and other data without involving us. Tesla, for example,

data-logs almost all of the actions owners’ cars take when equipped with Autopilot. The company owns that data, not you, and Tesla has used it in legal proceedings to defend itself against the car’s owner. The latest news on automotive monitoring and direct remote action by automakers is the announcement by GM that by 2020 its cars will have over-the-air updates. GM CEO Mary Barra recently told reporters that, “We are in the process of deploying a new electrical architecture, which is a pretty comprehensive undertaking, and that’s well under way … as well as a whole new generation of infotainment systems.” These new systems will have the ability to not only monitor the vehicle’s location and other information, but GM will be able to alter the vehicle’s software remotely. GM plans to do this to make corrections and improvements, and to do so without requiring any action on the part of owners.

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2018

HONDA Accord WWW.HONDA.COM

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By Nicole Wakelin BestRide.com

Honda gave the interior a makeover, too. The driver’s view is enhanced by narrower roof pillars that have been moved back. There’s also a new soft-touch instrument panel with an ultra-thin profile for a more streamlined design.

t’s no secret that sedan sales are sliding. Everyone wants a crossover or an SUV or a pickup, but a sedan — nope. This leaves automakers scrambling to make their sedans true attention-getters in the hope of luring back some of those former sedan owners. Honda plans to do just that with the all-new 2018 Honda Accord. It starts with a new design that takes the formerly tame sedan and gives it an edge. The 10th generation of the Accord has a longer wheelbase, lower height and wider body. The overall impression is one of a sportier sedan. Honda gave the interior a makeover, too. The driver’s view is enhanced by narrower roof pillars that have been moved back. There’s also a new soft-touch instrument panel with an ultra-thin profile for a more streamlined design. Even the steering wheel got some attention, with improved contouring

and thumb rests for a more natural hand position. Available paddle shifters offer extra fun for those who want more of a sports sedan experience. Select trims receive a new 6-inch driver heads-up display. You get to choose the information it displays including speed, engine rpm, navigation and traffic sign recognition. There’s wireless device charging, automatic Bluetooth phone pairing with near-field communication technology, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi to round out the tech improvements. Power comes from one of three new powertrains. A new 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque replaces the previous 2.4-liter 4-cylinder as the base engine. It’s paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission, or a 6-speed manual in the Sport trim. Your more powerful choice is a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Once again

you have the option of the 6-speed manual in the Sport trim only. Lastly, there’s the Accord Hybrid with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine paired to electric motors that are the first in the world to use magnets with no heavy rare-earth metals. The battery pack and control systems are smaller so they’re now under the floor instead of the trunk, so there’s no loss of cargo space and the rear seats still split-fold 60 / 40. Every Accord features Honda Sensing safety technologies as standard equipment. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking System, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and traffic sign recognition. Also available is blind spot information, front and rear parking sensors, cross traffic monitor and driver awareness monitor. The 2018 Honda Accord has six trims for the 1.5-liter engine, four trims in the 2.0-liter engine and five trims for the hybrid. Pricing hadn’t been announced as of press time in late August.

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What’s really new for

2018

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By Greg Zyla More Content Now

IMAGES COURTESY OF AUTOMAKER

A look ahead

Although many cars receive minor tweaks each new model year, we identify the truly all-new vehicles for 2018 and the number of models available by brand, and mention the noteworthy upgrades. • Acura: Of the four cars available for 2018 all are carryovers, although the TLX receives some minor front-end tweaks. The NSX is notable, now in its second model year after a late-2016 debut as a 2017. NSX features a mid-engine 573-horse twin turbo with hybrid electric motors to assist the power. Entry ILX still starts at under $30K. • Alfa Romeo: New for 2018 is the Alfa Stelvio, a four-door sedan with a 2.0-liter turbo four. It’s a front-engine, mid-size AWD fourdoor hatchback with a $42K starting price. Mid-engine Alfa Romeo 4C/Spider and Alfa Giulia are pretty much unchanged for 2018. • Audi: Of eight distinct offerings for ’18, major upgrades appear in the A3 line, with RS3, A4, A5/S5 and TT also coming to market with minor and major enhancements. The RS3 is Audi’s new 5-cylinder, 400-horse sports sedan while the A5/S5 line receives a complete redesign, including a new AWD Sportback sedan hatchback. • BMW: Of the 10 BMW cars available in the U.S., new for 2018 is a great looking Z5, a co-op with Toyota that takes the place of the Z4. Also notable is the BMW i8 mid-engine sports car with a turbo 3-cylinder and electric hybrid assistance to develop 372 horsepower. The 5-Series is also new. All other BMWs receive minor tweaks, with the i3 scheduled for a nice exterior enhancement. • Buick: Buick for 2018 introduces an all-new Regal, which is now a station wagon/hatchback

instead of just a sedan. In either dress, it’s a stunning design statement and truly majestic from all vantage points. Regal will impress many who shop this mid-size market, and thanks to continued success in the U.S. and China, Buick also introduces an enhanced 2018 LaCrosse sedan with new drivetrain options and some nice tweaks. The Cascada compact convertible remains unchanged and is the first Buick convertible since the 1991 Buick Reatta. • Cadillac: The ATS, CT6, CTS and XTS receive minor changes for 2018. Notable is the CT6 and its plug-in hybrid electric attached to either a four-cylinder turbo, a fuel-injected V6 or the ultimate 400-horse twin turbo V6. The CTS-V is still available, featuring a 640-horse Corvette-bred V8 under the hood. Notable is that the CT-6 will be the first Cadillac to offer a semiautonomous driving system. • Chevrolet: The nine Chevys for 2018 are all either unchanged or receive minor tweaks. However, the Chevy Bolt is noteworthy as Motor Trend Magazine’s “Car of the Year” in 2017, as are the Camaro, Cruze, Malibu, Spark and Volt, which were improved for 2017. I feel the Bolt may replace the Volt in the future, especially considering Bolt’s over-200-mile range on a single battery charge and its 100 percent electric configuration. Impala is unchanged (no SS option this year) while the Corvette debuts a ZR1 designation that pumps

out 700-plus horses. As for the mid-engine Corvette, expect to see it arrive in 2019 or 2020. • Chrysler/Dodge: Gone are the Dodge Viper, Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200, leaving Chrysler with the 300, impressive Pacifica minivan, and popular Dodge Challenger and Charger. Dodge Grand Caravan also receives minor upgrades, and still sells very well. Since the major ingredient of Chrysler’s cash flow comes from minivan, Ram pickup and Jeep sales, everything that sells in the car line is icing on the cake. Oh yes, can’t forget the all-new performance giant Dodge SRT Demon Challenger, which starts at $85,590 and produces 808 to 840 horsepower, zero to 60 in 2.3 seconds and 9.7 second quarter-mile capability. It comes with just one bucket seat for the driver and is street-legal. The front passenger seat is a $1 option — yes, one dollar. Rear seat? That’s another dollar. • Fiat 500/Spider: No major changes to report for 2018 other than an exterior enhancement for the Fiat 500 L (long wheelbase) model. The 124 Spider two-seat sports car is attracting more attention thanks to sharing mechanicals with Mazda Miata and Miata MX5, assuring a proven formula when you lay your money down. The Fiat 500 models, Abarth included, may see some mid-year updates but nothing major. • Ford: Ford’s 2018 lineup of seven cars includes a brand-new subcompact called

Kia: Nine Kia models highlight the 2018 year, with Rio and Stinger the all-new models. Since Kia completely restyled all of its vehicles the last two years, there’s still lots of “new” at the Kia dealer, especially the Optima, all new in ’17 and still one of the most popular midsize cars out there.

EcoSport, sure to attract attention in this growing smaller car segment. Two engines are available: a 160-horse four-cylinder or a little three-cylinder that puts out 123 horses. AWD will also be an option on the four-cylinder model. There are tweaks to Taurus, Mustang and Fiesta, while all other Ford cars are unchanged. The Mustang deserves special note, with upgraded design cues front and rear and enhanced interiors. Gone is the Mustang V6 as the new standard Mustang engine is a turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost that develops 320 horses. The Mustang 5.0 V8 ups horsepower to 450, with a 526-horse 5.2 V8 and a supercharged 660 horse 5.0 V8 also part of your Mustang choices. • Genesis: All new is the 2018 Genesis G70, the compact that joins the upgraded Genesis G80 (minor tweaks) and big brother Genesis G90, unchanged for 2018. • Honda: The year 2018 is big for Honda, as the all-new 10th generation Accord makes its debut as does a completely revamped Honda Civic. Both models are very impressive and join Clarity (a plug-in hybrid that replaced the Insight) and subcompact Fit at your Honda dealership. The Odyssey also receives a complete redesign. • Hyundai: Three of Hyundai’s six automobiles receive major changes for 2018. The midsize Sonata is showing off its revamped exterior motif while the new Elantra is a stunning example

of compact-class design. Add an all-new subcompact Accent, and there’s much to see this year at your Hyundai dealer. Hybrid electric Ionig and sporty Veloster remain pretty much unchanged for ’18 while the Azera is in its final year of sales. • Infiniti: Infiniti offers four models for 2018, including the Q30 small-compact hatchback, Q50 compact sedan, Q60 Coupe and Q70 full-size luxury sedan. All receive minor tweaks, and are all noteworthy in the luxury class. Q50 and Q60 share powerful twin-turbo V6s while the ultimate luxury Infiniti is the Q70 and Q70 long-wheelbase models, both worthy of attention. Notable is that the Q30 shares Mercedes-Benz mechanicals and is built in Sutherland, England. Rumors persist that the Q30 may be in its final year. • Jaguar: F-Type, XE and XF get some big changes this year. The XJ, which competes with the big luxury sedans, remains the same. Jaguar XE is a four-door compact, while XE has diesel-4, gas-turbo four and supercharged V6 engines available. XF is a mid-size sedan or, hold on for this, a new station wagon with the same engines as XE. The F-Type offers up to 550 horses of supercharged V8 motivation. • Kia: Nine Kia models highlight the 2018 year, with Rio and Stinger the all-new models. Since Kia completely restyled all of its vehicles the last two years, there’s still lots of “new” at the Kia dealer, especially the Optima, all new in

’17 and still one of the most popular midsize cars out there. The new rear-drive or AWD Stinger deserves note as a sure-to-be competitor in the sporty four-door hatchback field. Stinger features a twin-turbo V6 putting out 365 horses. • Lexus: Six car models are available at Lexus showrooms for 2018. The Lexus LC is an allnew, rear-wheel drive sports car coupe that starts at $90K-plus with a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 471 horses. Most of the other Lexus models are similar to 2017 with the exception of the LS, where there are major changes in design and it’s a little bigger than last year, too. This top-line, full-size, LS extended wheelbase model can quickly find its way over $100,000 with options, but keep in mind it is still one of the best car lines in the world. LS will rely on V6 power in ’18 instead of the 5.0 V8, but you’ll still have 415 horses of motivation. • Lincoln: There’s lots of buzz about Lincoln’s new Continental that debuted in 2017 and stays the same for 2018. Additionally, Lincoln consumers have the popular MKZ sedan that starts around $36,000 with either a 188-horse hybrid electric four cylinder, an EcoBoost 245-horse turbo four or a 400-horse twin-turbo V6. Me? I’m waiting to test-drive the new Continental with the 400-horse EcoBoost twin-turbo V6. Lincoln’s three “car like” crossovers stay unchanged. • Mazda: Mazda Miata/MX-5 and Mazda 3 CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Volkswagen: Five cars for 2018 from the German automaker, with the all-new VW Arteon replacing the CC and could be listed as a 2018 or 2019 model. It’s a classy and sportylooking vehicle sure to please many VW enthusiasts. The Beetle is in its last year in 2018, but does receive some amenity and engine upgrades, although outwardly the style is the Beetle we’ve come to love.

stay the same for 2018 after receiving major upgrades in 2016. The big news is a new Mazda6 coming perhaps by mid-2018 in both sedan and coupe offerings. All vehicles from Mazda are fun to drive, especially the lowest-cost sports car in America, Mazda Miata, which starts at around $26,000. • Mercedes-Benz: With nine 2018 Mercedes-Benz cars to choose from, it’s the AMG and premium full-size S-Class that receive the major enhancements. The AMG battles cars like the Corvette and Porsche 911, and new is a convertible roadster. The base 4.0 V8 puts out 469 horses from a twin-turbo setup, while the optional engine produces up to 577 horses. S-Class receives a nice redesign, too, while E-Class adds a convertible and a coupe to the popular sedan design. The B-Class electric is in its final year. • Mini Cooper: Three Minis are available for 2018, including a new plug-in hybrid Countryman. The longer wheelbase four-door Clubman Wagon and the popular Mini hardtop and convertible two-door are unchanged. • Mitsubishi: Good news for 2018 as a brand-new vehicle called the Eclipse Cross joins the family. It’s a small compact wagon/crossover and hopefully will do well, as Mitsubishi needs more vehicles. The 2017 Lancer is still available but will be discontinued in its current form. This leaves the 2018 Mirage as the company’s lone automobile until a new Lancer arrives (if it does). Mirage is the same as last year, still a cheap alternative in the subcompact class. Thank goodness for the two Outlanders, which seem to be doing a bit better thanks to recent upgrades. On the plus side, Mirage delivers a non-hybrid class-leading 37 city and 43 highway MPG rating and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. • Nissan: Nissan offers seven cars for 2018, from a $13K all-new, totally redesigned (not yet officially announced) Versa/Note subcompact to an officially announced all-new Nissan electric Leaf with a near 200-mile range. There’s also the $175,000 Nissan GT-R, which has a few minor

tweaks for this year. The Altima, Maxima and Sentra models undergo some minor tweaks, as does the 370Z sports car. • Subaru: Impreza, Legacy and rear-drive BRZ all receive some minor tweaks for 2018. BRZ is a co-op with Toyota and Impreza is fresh off a redesign in 2017. Impreza and Legacy are still some of the best AWD buys out there. Notable is an all-new station-wagon-style Subaru Crosstrek, which is actually an Impreza wagon and not classified as a car. • Toyota: Toyota enters 2018 with a brand new Camry, a rebranded Corolla and an all-new Supra sports car. The Toyota 86 also joins the field as a rebranded Scion FR-S, as Toyota has ceased Scion production. The new Camry features upgraded powertrains in addition to very nice aerodynamic styling while the Corolla iM is the former Scion iM with Toyota badges. Additionally, the “California only” Toyota Miral deserves note again as this $58,000 hydrogen fuel cell electric engine sedan features a fully electric 151-horse engine, 312-mile fuel cell capacity and front-wheel drive. • Volkswagen: Five cars for 2018 from the German automaker, with the all-new VW Arteon replacing the CC and could be listed as a 2018 or 2019 model. It’s a classy and sporty-looking vehicle sure to please many VW enthusiasts. The Beetle is in its last year in 2018, but does receive some amenity and engine upgrades, although outwardly the style is the Beetle we’ve come to love. Golf, Passat and Jetta are either unchanged or receive a few minor tweaks. However, the big news at VW still centers on the upcoming upper-class Arteon. Stay tuned. • Volvo: The two 2018 Volvo car models, the 60 and 90 series, receive more updates after some major enhancements in recent years. Both 60 and 90 versions are available in sedan or station wagon motifs with either front drive or all-wheel drive underpinnings. The 90 series will only be available in the stretched version (near five-inch longer wheelbase) in the States, making for even roomier surroundings.

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2018

VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan www.vw.com

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By Nicole Wakelin BestRide.com

he 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is all new, joining the new full-size Atlas in Volkswagen’s bid to grab the eye of the SUV-hungry public. The 2018 Tiguan has a larger interior, a more modern design and new safety technologies. There are so many vehicles in this class right now it’s overwhelming. Choice is good, but the number of choices makes it hard to differentiate between one SUV and the next. The Tiguan is not the go-to vehicle for most buyers, but Volkswagen did a lot right with this one. The biggest and most noticeable difference is its size, which is 10.6 inches longer. It looks bigger on the outside and feels bigger on the inside. There is a standard third row on front-wheel drive models, but if you’re looking at the all-wheel drive Tiguan, the third-row is optional. The interior is roomy and appealing, but not plush. They’re not attempting to make a pseudo-luxury car

with the Tiguan, so don’t expect a luxury vibe. Seating is comfortable and the first and second rows are fine for long trips, but the third row is typically short on comfort and best for short jaunts. If it’s cargo you’re carrying, the new Tiguan is ready. There’s 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.7 cubic feet behind the first row. Models without the third row have 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.5 cubic feet behind the third row. With either seating configuration, that’s plenty of room for hauling suitcases or everything you need for weekend projects. Power comes from a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This is the Tiguan’s weak spot. It delivers

plenty of oomph off the line, but once you’re up to speed, if you need an extra burst of power it doesn’t deliver. While lacking in power, the Tiguan is a smooth and wellmannered ride. That ride is good even over rough road surfaces and it handles well with crisp, responsive steering. Despite being larger this year, it continues to drive like a lithe little crossover. The base Tiguan S has a 6.5inch touchscreen with a single USB port while SE, SEL and SEL Premium models receive a larger 8-inch touchscreen and 3 USB ports. There’s optional navigation and an optional 9-speaker Fender Premium Audio System as well as standard Volkswagen Car-Net App-Connect to keep you connected on the road. Safety features include a rearview camera with an optional

overhead view and automatic post-collision braking. Additional available safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with braking, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and park distance control. Many of those features become standard on the higher trim levels, which means you pay more, but pricing is competitive. The base Tiguan S starts at $25,345 with front-wheel drive while the top SEL Premium with all-wheel drive comes in at $37,550. That $13K price jump isn’t small, but for the number of safety and convenience features it adds to the Tiguan, this vehicle is a good value. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t quite have it in the performance department, but it does have the extra space and features SUV buyers want at a price they can afford. With all-wheel drive, an optional third row and the latest available safety technologies, the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is an appealing SUV.

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2018

SUBARU Crosstrek WWW.SUBARU.COM

once you cranked it up to legal highway speeds, fuel economy took a major hit. The numbers on the 2018 Crosstrek ubaru is on the march as one of the don’t provide a lot of encouragement, hottest-selling brands in the autowith the same 154hp, 145-lb.ft. Boxer motive business. Part of that success four as the Impreza. It’s an improvewas the Crosstrek, an entry-level, ment, but it’s not dramatic. Regardless compact crossover that brought a lot of which Crosstrek trim you choose, this is adventurous outdoor types into showthe engine you’ll get. You do have a choice rooms. It wasn’t without its faults, but the of transmissions in the 2.0i and the 2.0i 2018 edition — based on the all-new Subaru Premium trims, which offer a six-speed Impreza — addresses almost all of them. manual or a CVT automatic transmission. It’s kind of ridiculous for any “automotive journalist” to fly to a distant location, Infotainment/Bluetooth drive a model they’ve driven for six hours connectivity and talk knowledgeably about how the car This might seem like a minor inconvehas improved. I’ve never owned a Crossnience, but as every manufacturer leans trek, I’ve never considered buying one, on technology, poor performance can and I’m not really the target audience. lead to significant problems in owner So, I researched the XV Crosstrek Forum satisfaction surveys. Crosstrek ownand I joined the XV Crosstrek Owners ers had problems with connecting to group on Facebook, and Car Talk shared their devices and the sound quality of the the questions I asked of the owners on its hands-free phone operation in the car. Facebook page. In general, the owners’ On both fronts, the Crosstrek has comments broke down into four categories: improved considerably. I paired three Apple devices (my iPhone 5SE, my drivEngine power ing partner’s iPhone 4S and an Apple The outgoing Crosstrek has a 2.0-liter, iPad Mini) instantly, and the pairnormally aspirated four-cylinder that’s ing procedure was intuitive and easy good for 148hp, which it has featured since to navigate on the touchscreen. it arrived here in 2012 as a 2013 model. To test the quality of the Bluetooth The general consensus among Crosstrek microphone, I had my driving partner drive owners was that the engine simply didn’t on numbered secondary roads at over 50 provide enough power. While it offered miles per hour while I made a call from the decent fuel economy at 50 miles per hour, passenger seat. The voice activation is fair. By Craig Fitzgerald BestRide.com

S Pricing starts at $22,710 and can reach $27,210 for the 2.0i Limited with CVT, before any exterior or interior packages are added.

However, the sound quality on the other end was reportedly clear and easy to understand at speed, even with me doing most of the talking from the passenger seat. Interior sound level The real answer to making the interior quiet is to build a stiff, solid structure. In every measure, the Crosstrek is stiffer, and it results in less noise and vibration inside the cabin. The number of pass-throughs for wires and cables from the passenger cabin to the engine bay were reduced, and the remaining openings were sealed more effectively. If there was a single, vital improvement made to this model, this was it. Even in the 2.0i Premium trim, the quietness of the interior was a dramatic leap forward. Seat comfort The 2.0i Limited featured leather seats with contrasting red stitching. The aesthetic improvement is nice, but the real test is how they feel after a few hours. I had no discomfort, and neither did my driving partner, after several hours on the road. We swapped out of the 2.0i Limited into a 2.0i Premium to not only sample the six-speed manual, but to spend some time with the cloth seats. In a way, they’re even more comfortable than the leather seats are, especially in warmer temperatures. The cloth seats seemed to be able to dissipate the heat more effectively than the leather seats did.

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2018 CHEVY

Equinox FULL PAGE AD

WWW.CHEVROLET.COM

By John Goreham BestRide.com

he all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is a fresh and modern SUV sized and designed to meet the needs of the compact SUV customer. Its expressive exterior has an athletic look, echoing the global Chevrolet design cues seen on vehicles such as the Cruze, Bolt EV and 2017 Trax. Setting aside the trucks that GM builds, the Chevy Equinox is its most important vehicle. Cars are declining in popularity, and Chevy hasn’t been a leader in cars for a generation. Or two. Sure, GM can build a heck of a 500 hp, 200 mph luxury sedan. But cars like the Corvette, Camaro and CTS-V don’t pay the bills. GM needs to have a solid crossover line heading into the coming decade, and the Equinox is the

cornerstone of GM’s new lineup. The new Equinox is about a half-inch skinnier and 5 inches shorter than the vehicle it is replacing. Chevy has a new flat-floor cargo area it is very proud of. The big news is the Equinox loses 400 pounds. Rather than just one fourcylinder engine, Chevy offers three. The base engine is a 1.5-liter turbo with 170 hp and about 200 ft-lbs of torque. The step up is a 2.0-liter turbo with 252 hp and about 260 ft-lbs of torque. That is way more than this vehicle needs. Interestingly, Chevy offers a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine as well. Don’t expect a towing rig. It has less torque than the 2.0-liter engine. Instead, the diesel serves two main purposes. First, when coupled with front wheel drive (only) it will allow GM to publish a zinger of an MPG number and say “Best

The new Equinox is about a halfinch skinnier and 5 inches shorter than the vehicle it is replacing. Chevy has a new flat-floor cargo area it is very proud of. The big news is the Equinox loses 400 pounds.

In Class.” The second reason is that it will get headlines. GM also offers multiple transmissions. In the base Equinox and the 1.6-liter diesel, a six-speed auto is the only option. The 2.0-liter gets a nine-speed auto. GM is not jumping into the CVT pool yet, and we think it will be a mistake. This industry is about 15 minutes away from the public realizing that a nine-speed auto hunting for gears and shifting up and down is not as smooth or fuel-efficient as the many good CVTs this segment now offers. The current Equinox does splendidly on crash tests, and we suspect this new one will ace all the IIHS crash tests. Forward collision prevention with automatic braking is available. Note that it is not standard on all trims, like Toyota’s RAV4. The interior of the recently unveiled 2018 Chevrolet

Equinox takes advantage of the Equinox’s all-new architecture to offer a down-and-away instrument panel, while a low windshield base provides a commanding outward view. One way the 2018 Equinox will rise above the fray is infotainment. Chevy is well on its way to having the best system in the industry, in a tie with the Hellcat maker formerly known as Chrysler and Ford. Amazingly, the premium brands continue to screw this up. The ’18 Equinox will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You won’t find that in a RAV4 or Mazda CX-5, unless those two see the light, and fast. Pricing starts at $24,525 and can reach $38,175 for the Premier 2.0L Turbo with all-wheel drive, before any exterior or interior packages are added.

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