Category: Car Reviews (Page 22 of 30)

Car Review: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD

October 8, 2013 / Staff

In the world of high performance SUVs, you have to be for real to be considered a legitimate player. With the first ever performance version of the Ford Explorer finally arriving in the 2013 Explorer Sport 4WD, it also boasts the highest fuel economy among gasoline engine-powered, high-performance SUVs. We were thrilled to test drive this “beast” for a week and came up with the following impressions.

EXTERIOR

The Explorer Sport’s unique grille is a low-gloss Sterling Gray mesh, with contrasting ebony high-gloss bars. The black front lower fascia features a functional opening for additional cooling. Explorer logotype in billet-like black adds a bold identity statement that is well received. Subtle Sport and EcoBoost badges at the rear finish the lift gate and reinforce this special ride. Sport builds on Explorer’s muscular, sculpted form with subtle cues to differentiate it from other models in the lineup. Available in four exterior colors Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat (as tested), White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Tuxedo Black Metallic and Ingot Silver Metallic Explorer Sport has unique 20-inch painted and machined wheels, features blacked-out headlamp and taillamp treatments, black roof rack rails, sideview mirror skull caps and a liftgate appliqué. The Sport also came with chrome door handles, fog lamps, securicode keyless entry, body color rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips and much more.

There is no doubt that this Ford SUV is an attention grabber with the 20-inch painted and machined wheels as the leading eye-catcher. The Explorer Sport has apparently achieved that right balance between muscle and utility for a sleek looking high-performance machine!

INTERIOR

The interior design contrast was inspired by fashion, mirroring two-tones that are currently seen in leather accessories and apparel from design houses Balenciaga and Prada. Stitching is emphasized to lend a handcrafted appearance while highlighting Explorer Sport’s sculptured seats.

Explorer Sport also has unique steering wheel stitching, a technical look to instrument and door panel appliques, unique Sport-logo floor mats and illuminated scuff plates. As the top of the Explorer line, Sport offers a robust array of standard and optional customer focused technologies that make driving more comfortable, convenient and connected. These include 4WD with Terrain Management System, Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control, 10-way power driver’s seat with power recline and lumbar, six-way power passenger seat with recline and lumbar, first-row heated seats, compass and exterior temperature display, rear view camera, SYNC with MyFord Touch driver connect technology, Sony Premium Audio System with HD RadioTM and 12 speakers. And that’s not all, as Ford really loaded up our test model with cabin features like Active park assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, Inflatable rear seat belts, 110-volt outlet, Intelligent access with Push-Button Start, Remote Start, adjustable pedals with memory, power lift gate and some of the freshest leather trimmed seats you’ll find in a performance SUV.

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First Drive: 2014 Toyota Corolla

October 4, 2013 / Gerardo Orlando

The Toyota Corolla has earned a reputation for reliability over the years, making it one of the most successful vehicles in Toyota’s lineup. But the Corolla was also known for pretty conservative styling, and in today’s competitive car market Toyota listened to its customers and made it a priority to improve the exterior and interior styling. The result is a radically different front end for the all-new 2014 Corolla that sets the tone for the new model. The Corolla lineup also features sport model (the S) that has an even more aggressive look.

Exterior

Just take one look at the new front end of the Corolla and your impression of the vehicle will change immediately. It’s much more expressive with a large, trapezoidal grille under the LED headlights giving the Corolla a more memorable look (see first two images above). In the S model the grille shape is flipped to set it apart from the L, LE and LE Eco models, giving consumers an interesting set of choices (see images 3 and 4 above). The S model also has beautiful 17-inch alloy wheels that help the overall look of the car. The exterior dimensions have also changed a bit from the previous model as the new Corolla is a little longer and wider and also a little shorter.

Interior

The interior of the Corolla has also been revamped with a horizontal design across the dashboard. The seats and materials have been improved and the overall driving experience was very comfortable. It’s pretty amazing how far these compact cars have come over the years. The steering wheel had a sporty feel to it and the addition of more soft touch materials made a difference in overall comfort.

Performance

I had plenty of drive time with several of the Corolla models as Toyota prepared a number of routes in the Minneapolis area on a beautiful fall day. I started with the S as I wanted to see how the sportier model would drive and I came away impressed with the acceleration and handling. I’ve mentioned many times that I prefer vehicles that offer a separate sport mode and here drivers can choose between sport and eco settings. The Corolla felt more nimble and quick in sport mode which made it fun to drive, and still performed adequately in eco mode. Toyota offers a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that it calls the CVTi-S which has been designed to give a driving experience more similar to a traditional automatic transmission with the gear changes. The transmission has the feel of seven “gears” or shift points, and in the S model drivers can use paddle shifters to manually control the shift points. The S model does not offer a more powerful engine so buyers looking for small performance cars won’t be looking at this model, but the transmission and suspension changes improve the driving experience enough for many consumers.

The LE Eco model was a very pleasant surprise as it performed well in both eco and sport modes. The Corolla offers a 1.8 liter engine that is rated at 132 horsepower, but the LE Eco has a 1.8-liter engine with Toyota’s “Valvematic” system which produces 42 miles-per-gallon on the highway and 140 horsepower. At the moment Toyota is projecting roughly 10% product mix for the LE Eco with 40% for each the S and LE, and capacity restraints will prevent that from going much higher in the short term. Still, it will be interesting to see if demand for this 42 MPG option causes the company to adjust its plans over time.

Overview

The compact car segment has seen much more aggressive and interesting designs in recent years, so the new Corolla design should help get the attention of younger buyers. Overall this is an impressive vehicle. It’s always been a big seller, but the new design should attract plenty of new buyers considering the various options in this segment.

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Car Review: 2013 Ford C-Max Energi SEL

October 1, 2013 / Staff

If you are a customer looking to optimize your hybrid car experience, the all-new 2013 Ford C-Max Energi SEL could be the right car for you. This impressive new offering from the Blue Oval has the potential to be another home run in the improving U.S. auto market.

EXTERIOR

Looks aren’t everything in a car, and that holds even truer when one is looking for fuel efficiency. But when a car looks good, there is no better starting point. With the 2013 Ford C -Max Energi SEL, we might have the first true hybrid that can boasts good looks as one of the main selling points. Ford was smart by taking the European Focus C-Max and transforming that car into one of the best cars on the market. Our test model sported 17-inch machined aluminum wheels, fog lamps, power lift gate and keyless entry. The ruby red metallic paint looked incredible on the C -Max Energi SEL, adding just enough bling to a car that is all about making smarts. The C-MAX line also features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate, which allows quick and easy access to the cargo area without ever needing to fumble for keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s okay to engage. The same motion can be used to close the liftgate.

INTERIOR

C-Max Energi provides customers with plenty of interior versatility and flexibility along with the urban maneuverability of a smaller vehicle. The sight lines in the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi SEL are as good as any car or truck we’ve tested, and that makes us feel like better drivers on the road. The C-Max line features a high roof design that gives each vehicle an overall height of 64 inches along with a higher command-style seat position instead of a cockpit type. It also features five-passenger seating that includes a split, fold-flat second-row seat. In C-Max Energi, there’s 43.4 cubic feet behind the first row and 19.2 cubic feet behind the second row, which we found somewhat limited.

Our test model was equipped with ambient lighting, dual zone climate control, in-floor storage in the rear of the car, black leather trimmed seats with a 10-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, premium audio and navigation package, hands-free technology package, rearview camera and automated parking system. The feel of the cabin materials were what you would expect in a luxury car, and the overall interior space was smart and stylish. Because of the multiple driving options regarding power source, the dashboard was easy to navigate and understand. There is a lot of Escape DNA in the interior of the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi, which adds some styling flair to this very cool ride.

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Car Review: 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD

September 24, 2013 / Staff

The future of Lincoln is here, and there’s a whole bunch of style and substance that wasn’t present in their cars before the 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD arrived this year. The new MKZ is the first Lincoln created by a dedicated team in its new Lincoln Design Studio with a sweeping profile that incorporates one of the world’s widest-opening retractable glass roofs. This new offering from Lincoln was a major test for Lincoln, and we spent a week behind the wheel to see if the folks at Lincoln delivered.

EXTERIOR

A sweeping roofline defines the new luxury sedan’s profile. The steeply raked windshield and lengthened backlight make for a sleeker and more flowing appearance that is 10 percent more aerodynamic than the model it replaces. Although strikingly modern, the design retains classic Lincoln design elements, including a more refined interpretation of the split-wing grille, first seen on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr. Rearview mirrors stand on door-mounted, sculpted pedestals. This fitment enables the front door glass to extend farther forward to improve visibility and to allow even more light into the interior. The crafted headlamp assemblies include bright, energy-efficient LED lighting. The front headlights turn in sync with the steering wheel, providing enhanced visibility. At the rear, LED technology enabled a thin, distinctive full-width tail lamp graphic. There is no doubt that the MKZ is a real attention grabber on the road, as the looks and compliments were coming from all directions.

INTERIOR

When I first entered the cabin of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD, the striking improvements from the prior model weren’t even on my mind as I just thought that this new car from Lincoln had one of the sharpest interiors I’ve seen no matter what segment we’re testing. Design teams clearly created an inviting interior featuring bold architectural elements, rich natural materials and fine details.

This is the type of functional interior that will appeal to younger and more diverse drivers that appreciate luxury and technology. Innovation and technology abound inside the new MKZ. Replacing the traditional mechanical transmission shift lever is a contemporary five-button interface. The individual buttons of Push Button Shift engage Park, Neutral, Reverse, and forward gears in two modes, Drive and Sport. Push Button Shift gave designers freedom to create a sculptural multi-level center console with more functional storage areas.

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Car Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE

September 20, 2013 / Staff

Ford has been going gangbusters lately in both sales and market share, and much of that can be attributed to the Blue Oval’s relentless efforts to be one of the leaders in fuel efficient cars. The new and forward-thinking 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE is just one of many vehicles that Ford is rolling out to keep the momentum going and the competition wondering what will be next. We were fortunate to drive this Fusion Energi for a week to really learn and appreciate how new technologies are moving the auto industry forward.

EXTERIOR

The exterior of the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE isn’t a whole lot different from the standard Fusion other than some badges. Our test model, however, looked very sharp with features such as 17-inch aluminum rims, auto halogen headlamps, easy fuel capless filler, fog lamps, integrated spotter mirrors, keyless entry key pad and power folding heated mirrors. The dark side paint was extra clean, and with the new, low front end and fastback rear, this Fusion was ready for action.

INTERIOR

The new cabin for the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE is something that can generally only be found in much more expensive cars, and that might have something to do with the big sales numbers coming in for this new Ford offering. Our test model was absolutely loaded with options, such as 10-way heated driver’s seat, leather seating all around, dual zone electric climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and Sirius satellite. The dashboard is unique with all of the electric and gas information in clear view to keep the driver up to date with the powertrain. With the large battery, trunk space is drastically reduced.

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