Autos
PAGE 22 | THE VILLAGER • June 11, 2020
2020 Chevrolet Blazer is a royal performer BY H. THROTTLE AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST
Hertz has taken bankruptcy but will stay open and reorganize dumping almost $20 billion in debt with only one billion in cash. Creditors refused to grant them additional slack so Chapter ll will allow this iconic car rental firm to work through the courts to keep the doors open. In recent weeks Hertz announced the sale of their fleet of corvettes that will be snapped up quickly by bargain hunters for these great sport cars. General Motors makes great cars. I’ve driven many GM products and loved them all. “Body by Fisher” adorned the door of my beloved Chevy Impala convertible. I’ve had a Gold Card for years and used the card quick exit program on numerous occasions. They have some of the best locations in the car rental world. But alas, they could not go forward with what the CEO described in the bankruptcy as “zero income” during the worldwide pandemic. The car factories are reopening. President Trump has done his best to bring these factories and jobs back to the United States. With energy sufficiency, gasoline prices have remained lower, we may be re-entering the age of the new generation of automobiles with the dramatic increase of hybrid technology and electric cars. The new technology has advanced rapidly, and the performance of electric powered cars is impressive. As fuel tax revenues drop, this may raise huge issues for state and federal funding for roads and bridges. Watch for new revenue sources to fund highway taxes, like a wheel tax that would apply to road wear and tear. The test vehicle this week is a star-studded performer in the Chevrolet Blazer Premier AWD. There is nothing not to like about this spartan road warrior, except maybe the price of $45,608 with additional safety options available.
There is something to be said for larger SUVs and the safety factor with this vehicle scoring a perfect five-star overall rating. Just the larger frame, size and weight make the Blazer a safer vehicle for driver and passengers. The Blazer boasts a fivestar perfect overall safety rating. This Blazer rides on almost the same frame as a sister Cadillac at Chevrolet pricing. The Blazer is loaded with luxury features from front to back with “Midnight Blue” metallic paint and a “Jet Black-Maple Sugar” interior. The 3.6L V6-engine and 9-speed transmission are both made in the United States. Surprisingly, the final assembly is in Ramos Arizpe, CZ, Mexico with 52 percent U.S. and Canadian parts. It is difficult to fathom why this plant is in Mexico except for cheaper labor and Mexican craftsmanship. They do a great job with this Blazer and maybe consumers don’t care where cars and trucks are made, but how they run and what they cost. The world economy has merged quite well until the recent pandemic that may change many customs for better or worse. This is a larger vehicle and fuel economy averages 21 mpg. Careful driving with the nine-speed transmission can gain additional mileage. The Blazer is a family adventure vehicle with five-passenger leather seating, a hands free liftgate, and roof rails for more luggage, skis or snowboards. The Blazer has heated seats, outdoor mirrors and LED lights for winter mountain adventures. General Motors offers a 5-year/50,000 first come warranty on the powertrain. The Blazer has all of the latest safety and electronic features and the advance forward collision system warns of any forward road challenges with a quick warning light. Overall this is a dream all-wheel drive for those who can afford a larger luxury SUV. The ride and safety features are outstanding, and the drive is safe, sound, and secure. You feel like you are king of the road in this Chevy Blazer.
41 MPG highway mileage: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is more than impressive BY H. THROTTLE AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST
I’m very fond of Toyota RAV4s. The older models display the swingout truck gate with the fancy spare tire. Many of these models are still on the road with very satisfied consumers and high resell value. However, It may be time to step up to the 2020 RAV4 that has all of the latest technology and safety systems earning the 2020 model a perfect overall five-star safety rating. The test car this week is a RAV4 Hybrid XSE all-wheel drive SUV. Along with the elimination of the stylish truck, Toyota has engineered a very efficient hybrid model that delivers an impressive 41 mpg in city driving and 38 on the freeways. Hybrid technology generates power for the battery system from stopping and starting friction leading to slightly lower highway mileage. The vehicle is made in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada and is fully loaded with a total price of $38,074. Dealers must be having sales now, and this is an SUV that you don’t want to overlook. The hybrid system, combined with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine linked to the variable transmission, makes for a spirted drive. Battery power gives an instant boost to the internal combustion engine providing formidable acceleration and excellent fuel economy. Let’s not forget that this RAV4 has electronic on-demand all-wheel drive,
2020 Mazda3 is a competitive bargain BY H. THROTTLE AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST
It is with sadness that the August annual Car Show at the Convention Center has now been canceled. The facility is still in emergency status as a backup medical facility for the Coronavirus. The annual show brings thousands of car fans to the show so has virus potential challenges. The probable leading issue is the shortage of automobiles with many factories shut down along with major dealerships having been closed except for service departments. It appears that the car dealers will rebound rapidly with more people driving this summer and vacationing closer to home in Colorado. This may really help rural Colorado as the East Slope invades the Western Slope with vigor… hungry for country style home cooking, wonderful scenery, great fishing streams, and local bargain rate golf courses.
The most recent drive came in a Japanese brand 2020 Mazda3 premium sedan all-wheel drive. While designed and engineered in Japan, this car is assembled in Salamanca, Mexico with a Mexican engine and Thailand transmission. It all come together with the skilled Mexican craftsmen evident in this sedan.
so critical for winter driving in Colorado. The RAV4 has two major safety systems with the Toyota Safety Sense package that includes the forward pre-collision and pedestrian protection. I really like the windshield roadside speed limit sign assists. The RAV4 also has the STAR external and internal safety systems such as Smart Stop technology, backup cameras, the latest ABS braking system and eight airbags. This vehicle has a formidable appearance and looks like an unmarked police cruiser with ”Blueprint/Midnight black paint” and 18” five-spoke black paint alloy wheels. The interior has plush heated seats, loaded with navigation and sound controls, a JBL premium sound system as an upgrade. Four- UBS ports and a wireless smart phone charger. My new neighbor Brian came over and looked at the 2020 hybrid. He has a recent RAV4 in his garage along with what appears to be a Toyota Camry. “My wife is a nurse,” he explained, and “she needed the all-wheel RAV4 for her work.” This is the latest in auto science and technology and I’ve come to really admire the hybrids. This RAV4 has an 8-year-100,000-mile warranty on the hybrid system. “Let’s Go Places” is the Toyota motto and this is a great drive for work, or play, with top performance, and outstanding fuel economy.
The Mazda3 is immaculate, with “Machine Gray” metallic paint and white interior with leather seats. The exterior has a sleek design and the car appears far more expensive than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for an AWD at $27,900. The 4-door sedan is loaded with the latest safety equipment and powered with a 186 horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 33mpg highway mileage with a versatile “Skyactiv” drive, with sport mode and steering wheel shift paddles. Mazda offers a 60 month/60K powertrain warranty on the Mazda3. The vehicle is not yet rated by the National Highway Traffic Administration but is loaded with safety features. The rear seats have a 60/40 split for more trunk space and covered with a power-sliding glass moonroof. The features offered in this premium Mazda3 are very competitive along with AWD, for Colorado winter driving. Frugal consumers that want an allaround versatile four-door vehicle will find it with this talented Mazda3.
