2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Lexus

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

Hypes: Sparkling Performer, Luxurious Accommodations
Gripes: Lose the Mouse GUI

If you’re in the market for a proven high quality 5 passenger sedan at an affordable base price of $38,900, take a close look at the 2018 Lexus ES 350. Because the 2018 version is the last ES before Lexus introduces its TGNA platform-based ES for 2019, you may be able to do some dealer dickering on the outgoing model. While it’s hard to predict what you’ll miss if you don’t wait for the new architecture to materialize, I can certify that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the current well tested version I enjoyed for a week.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

My loaded test exemplar padded the modest base price with $10,282 worth of accessory packs which helped convert a prosaic car into a sumptuous chariot. The most expensive add-on, entitled “Ultra Luxury Package,” cost $3,500 and consisted of semi-aniline leather seats, wood interior trim, power tilt and telescoping wheel, memory system for both front seats, powered sunshade for the rear window, manual shades for the rear side windows, and ambient interior lighting.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

But the most beneficial contribution of this accessory group is the two part “Panoramic Glass Roof and Power Moon Roof.” This ingenious device exposes the otherwise somber interior of the ES 350 like a can opener. You get two separate glass roofs here, with the motorized front section sliding open but the rear section remaining fixed. If you shut the interior shades, and raise all 3 sunscreens, the ES cabin becomes dark as a hearse. However, if you drop the shades and slide the panorama roof shades open, you feel like you’re driving a convertible minus the wind hassle.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

No matter how you option your ES 350, the base price includes a powerful and highly refined 3.5 liter V6 engine coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox featuring a manual shift selection gate but no paddles. Lexus is proud enough of their 268hp engine to call out its “2GR-FE” number on the plastic shroud which keeps the motor clean. I have not seen this sort of ID used by Toyota/Lexus on other products. They have every right to celebrate the performance of this V6, which scoots the front wheel drive, 3,575 pound sedan at a clip that will never leave you short of passing power. The 2GR-FE manages 30MPG on the freeway, and 24MPG in overall driving, and does so without a trace of torque steer. Its snap acceleration is due in large measure to a wide torque band which generates 248lb.-ft. from the instant you open the throttle.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

While the sizeable 193 inch long Lexus hardly qualifies dimensionally as a true sports sedan, its backroad instincts are surprisingly good. Contributing to the adroitness of the ES are the following solid building blocks: 4 wheel independent suspension with gas pressurized shock absorbers plus appropriately stiff front and rear anti-sway bars. Standard ES wheel allocation consists of 17″ x 7J alloy rims with 215/55R17 radials at each corner. But our test car was equipped with $880 optional “18 inch wheels with high gloss finish.” These 18″ x 7.5J rims extend wheel width a useful half inch over stock, and increase diameter by a full inch. The optional rims plant low profile 225/45R18 Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires all around. These enhance cornering ability compared to the standard issue 215/55 rubber. Best of all, this upgrade does not affect ride comfort. It’s well worth the extra $880, and turns the ES into a near sports sedan.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

I was intrigued on a 70 mile freeway run to discover just how well the steering wheel controls manipulate both cruise speed and entertainment choice. Unlike the confusing cruise control designs of many other manufacturers, the Lexus unit is located on a separate stalk of its own. To activate it, just press the button on the end of the stalk, and bump the stick up for more speed and down for less. A thumb button on the right steering wheel spoke controls following distance. When you select one car length distance, this Lexus actually follows your command, never lagging 3 lengths or more behind like so many other cruise control laggards that interpret 1 as 3.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

Lexus equips the center console with an overly sensitive mouse-like unit that is best operated by the passenger, not the driver. However once you have entered preset favorites from SiriusXM radio you can easily control station choice via a scroll switch on the steering wheel’s left spoke. Same goes for volume. The ES 350 is a most reassuring Lexus, one that knows how to take care of its driver on long jaunts.

2018 Lexus ES 350 4-DR Sedan

  • Engine: 3.5 liter V6, DOHC with Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i)
  • Horsepower: 268hp
  • Torque: 248lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 21MPG City/30MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $50,177
  • Star Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Stars

2018 Mazda 6 Signature Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Mazda

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

Hypes: Great New Turbo Motor, Lustrous Interior Finish
Gripes: Heavy Hood Lift

When a car-knowledgeable friend climbed into the cockpit of the latest Mazda6, his hands instinctively went to the Deep Chestnut Nappa Leather dashboard. After a prolonged stroke of the abundant leather that covers the tactile surfaces of Mazda’s top-line “Signature” edition, he observed, “This is something special. Most car makers pay very little attention to the interior, but it’s the place where you spend almost all of your time, isn’t it?” I thought about the wisdom of that statement and replied, “So true. How much time do you actually spend looking at your car’s grill?” Yet it’s really the grill, or the headlight cluster or the side creases that get all the design attention and generate most of the media acclaim.

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

But at Mazda, especially with the Signature line, things are a bit different. Mazda focuses on making the interior significantly better than the competition. Take that expanse of yummy cinnamon leather, for example. It’s not only pleasing to the eye, but pleasant to the touch – a genuinely unexpected attribute in a $34,750 sedan occupying a price point that hardly qualifies it as a luxury ride. Yet the Mazda6 is surprisingly luxurious – in spite of its bargain price.

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

All 5 seats are trimmed in Nappa Leather, and 4 of them include 3 stage heating elements. Sen wood inserts, which look like reclaimed barn wood, enliven the dash and door panels.. Both front chairs also provide seat ventilation. The driver’s seat includes 8 way adjustability, lumbar support, plus 2 slots of position memory. The front buckets are well bolstered. Although rear seat legroom is somewhat limited due to the sedan’s tidy 111 inch wheelbase, 3 can ride without complaint in back. The car’s 15 cubic foot trunk is spacious enough to stow overnight travel gear for 5, and contains a space saver spare.

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

Although sedans seem to have fallen out of favor these days, it’s refreshing to operate a passenger transport device that is not fitted with stilts like an SUV. The Mazda6 stands only 57 inches off the ground, so its response to driver input is light years better than any comparably sized SUV. Mazda widens that handling bonus by equipping the Signature 6 with a rather sticky set of high performance radials – 225/45R19 Falken Ziex Z001 tires mounted on understated but handsome 19 inch alloy rims.

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

But the big news here lies under the hood. Before 2018, Mazda6 drivers had to make do with a decent but unexciting power source – 184hp from a normally aspirated 2.5 liter inline 4. But 2018 brings a Skyactive 227hp turbocharged engine which really lights the wick on this sedan. Given the Mazda6′s low center of gravity, explosive new powerplant (310lb.-ft. of torque!), and sticky (Treadwear Rating 360) Falken rubber, you can really lay into the throttle of this combo on a backroad. Since it only tips the scale at a welterweight 3,185 pounds, the turbo Mazda6 enjoys an excellent power-to-weight ratio of 14lbs. per horsepower. The preponderance of torque surges into play at very low rpm. With 6 well spaced ratios in the automatic transmission, and a pair of steering wheel adjacent paddles to select the gear you need, the Signature 6 is much more than a leather and wood comfort cubicle. Just slip the Drive Mode control into “Sport” and you will quickly discover that this sedan is a serious back road tool for the enthusiast driver.

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

For low profile owners, the best part of the deal is that there are virtually no external clues to this car’s sprint potency. No wings, no spoilers, no air dams, no racing stripes – no nothing. Which isn’t to say that even finished in vanilla (or as Mazda calls it, “Snowflake White Pearl Metallic”), this is far from a plain wrapper vanilla sedan. The side view, for example, reflects highly refined designer chops, with three separate accent creases dividing the surface into a reflection pool of gracefulness. Delicate headlight enclosures soften the gape of the half crescent gunmetal grill that has become a Mazda trademark across the car and SUV line. Although the sweeping roofline rapidly diminishes to a sleek vanishing point, rear vision from the driver’s seat remains excellent. So good, in fact, that you rarely need resort to the rear cross traffic alert image when backing up. Of course, the top Signature edition comes with a full complement of safety measures, including lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and four external cameras which can be called upon to give you a combined overhead/frontal picture on the 8.5″ color touchscreen while you are traveling at speed.

If you can forego the storage convenience and image allure of an SUV, then this Mazda6 makes a great transportation alternative. It’s fast, handsome, and smashingly well fitted inside – where you’ll spend most of your ownership time.

2018 Mazda 6 Signature

  • Engine: 2.5 liter inline 4, Skyactive-G turbocharged
  • Horsepower: 227hp
  • Torque: 310lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 23MPG City/31MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $36,040
  • Star Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Hyundai

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

Hypes: Scintillating Paint/Interior Combo, Racing Gearbox, Turbo Rush
Gripes: Noisy Goodyears

Would you like to own an SUV that handles like a sports sedan and costs less than $30,000? Hyundai has just introduced its Kona line of subcompact SUVs, and if the Lime Twist/ Lime Interior Ultimate AWD example I drove for a week is indicative of this new model’s potential, you can forget about spending way more for a Honda HR-V, Mazda CX3, VW Tiguan, BMW X1, or Audi Q3. The lithe and athletic 163″ long Kona has pole position on the rest of the subcompact SUV field.

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

Kona is available in 2 versions. The front wheel drive base model consists of a 2.0 liter, 147hp, 4 cylinder engine connected to a conventional 6 speed automatic. However, the model you’ll want to order is the all wheel drive (AWD) Ultimate, with a 175hp, turbocharged, 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder engine driving through a seven speed dual clutch gearbox. The dual clutch unit replaces the normal torque converter found in the base model’s automatic transmission. Hyundai says “The dual clutch transmission can be thought of as an automatically shifting manual transmission.” Indeed, you can park the console mounted stick in Drive and let the gearbox do all your shifting for you. Or you can slot the stick into its manual operation gate and bang off upshifts and down shifts with immediate effect thanks to the dry plate dual clutch mechanism. Finding such a sophisticated and sporting transmission in an SUV in this price range comes as a stunningly pleasant surprise.

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

The Kona is chock full of other unanticipated bonuses as well. Take the show car interior. Hyundai stylists have re-imagined the basic black interior by using matte lime twist highlights to outline three dashboard air vents, the starter button, and the shift console. Front and rear seats and headrests are starkly outlined in lime green piping, with a double row of green stitching to accentuate the piping. The steering wheel’s leather cover is also stitched with bright green thread. The net effect is startling but far from garish. In fact, this visual symphony is a real treat. The wow factor of the Kona’s interior matches the visual sizzle of its shocking Lime Twist (no extra charge) exterior paint. In a boring SUV world of grays, blacks and silvers, our test Kona popped retinas wherever it went.

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

Thanks to unexpected fully independent rear multilink suspension, the Kona handles with precision. Its ride quality is exceptional, with even the most egregious potholes making little impression on Kona occupants. Hyundai does not stint on tire or wheel dimensions for the Kona, with the Ultimate model sticking to apexes with polished resolve. Handsome 5 spoke, 7.5″x18″ alloy rims plant generously sized 235/45R18 Goodyear Eagle Touring tires on the pavement. Although the Goodyears lack an aggressive looking tread design, they maintain traction well when you push the Kona to the limit. Their only drawback is high noise feedback over concrete aggregate pavement.

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

The 8-way adjustable driver’s seats boasts power slide and backrest adjustment as well as power lumbar control. The heated front seats are laterally supportive without cumbersome side bolsters blocking ingress or egress. Eschewing the current craze for burying key operational controls inside layers of menus, Hyundai engineers have instead opted for fixed control switches for all necessary basic commands. We particularly liked the old fashioned fly-off mechanical handbrake, and the two large knobs controlling air temp and fan speed. Of course you will find the obligatory 4.2 inch LCD multi-information display screen dominating the center of the dashboard. This easy-to-read graphic information panel allows easy access for tuning the SiriusXM radio during your free 90 day trial period. The tunes play through a 315 Watt Infinity Premium Audio entertainment system with 8 speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are supported, and the system delivers AM/FM/MP3 and HD Radio.

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

If you examine the Kona’s window sticker, you will quickly determine that Hyundai’s favorite phrase is “Included.” Unlike some of the German competition where pretty much nothing is included in the base price of a vehicle, with this Hyundai, everything is “Included.” In fact, beyond a $125 charge for Carpeted Floor Mats,” there isn’t a single optional item boosting the Kona’s base price of $28,700. I challenge you to find another compact SUV that is this much fun to drive, and this delightful to look at, for such an affordable price.

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

  • Engine: 1.6 liter Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection 4 Cylinder
  • Horsepower: 175hp@5500rpm
  • Torque: 195lb.-ft. @1500-4500rpm
  • Fuel Consumption: 26MPG City/29MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $29,775
  • Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Toyota

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

Hypes: Nifty Solution to Transportation for 7
Gripes: Limited Rear Vision, Too Much Black Plastic Inside

Not very long ago, it would have been unthinkable for a 4,570 pound SUV powered by a gas hungry 295hp V6 to return 22MPG in overall driving. But when Toyota performed a substantial makeover of their best selling Highlander for 2017, one of the many improvements they made was substitution of an 8 gear “Direct Shift” automatic transmission for the previous model’s 6 speed gearbox. The new 8 speed automatic adds two overdrive gears which reduce engine rpm at freeway cruising speed, thus improving mileage from the outgoing model’s 18MPG City/24MPG Highway to the 2018 Highlander’s 20MPG City/26MPG Highway. Surprisingly, this welcome fuel economy improvement comes in addition to an increase in horsepower for the new 3.5 liter D-4S V6 from 270hp to 295hp. Engine output also jumps in terms of torque, from the previous rating of 248lb.-ft. to 263lb.-ft. for 2018. While an extra 15lb.-ft. of torque may not seem like much of an improvement, you will instantly notice the welcome addition when you toe into the throttle when merging with freeway traffic. The V6 Highlander will reach prevailing fast lane speed without breaking a sweat. And if you plan to tow a trailer, this new powertrain is capable of handling a 5000 pound load.

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

Spacious and useful describe the cabin accommodations here. The easily reconfigurable three row interior layout, occupying a stretched wheelbase of 110 inches, offers a wide combination of seating arrangements. Toyota fitted our test Highlander with captain’s chairs in the second row, and a folding bench seat in the third row. This combination allows seating for 7, with a smidgeon of trunk storage available behind the third row bench. Seating for up to 8 is available if you opt for a second row bench instead of the captain’s chair combo. Our test SUV’s only option package consisted of an $1,810 Blu-Ray DVD Entertainment System catering to occupants of the less supportive chairs in Row 2. The system included a 9 inch display screen, RCA jacks, a wireless remote and two pairs of wireless headphones. Front seat occupants can busy themselves with adjusting the temperature setting on their heated leather chairs, while attending to various entertainment functions on the 8 inch center touchscreen panel, which controls CD/MP3/USB/AUX/USB/SXM functions. With that array of inputs available to distract you from the chore of driving, it’s no wonder designers are working so feverishly to perfect the self-driving car.

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

But if you still enjoy driving on your own terms, the Highlander does a very decent job of complying with your steering, throttle and handling commands. This 70 inch tall, somewhat ungainly 191 inch long family hauler handles surprisingly well when you click your spurs on a back road. Attribute the Highlander’s traction stability to what Toyota labels “Dynamic Torque Control” all-wheel-drive, abetted by Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires (245/55R19) at all four corners. A treadwear rating of TW 640 promises decent longevity for these expensive Bridgestones. Steering feedback is informative and precise, and though the steering wheel lacks paddle shifters, you can perform the same gear dance with the console shift by engaging the manual override gate provided by Toyota. And congratulations to the designers of the gear shift gate here, who have maintained the age-old standard PRNDL shift pattern instead of concocting one of those ridiculously confusing new shift patterns up-market manufacturers feel obligated to offer these days.

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

With its bargain base price of just $41,550, the SE V6 AWD version of the Highlander constitutes affordable housing for the road. In large measure, the bargain appeal of this eminently useful SUV is spurring monthly sales records for this model. In March, 2018, for example, Toyota sold more Highlanders than ever before, with 21,438 new ones hitting the road to cap the company’s best ever first quarter for Highlander. What accounts for its popularity? It’s the major features, like 40.5 cubic feet of storage space, 295hp, excellent gas mileage and stable handling. But it’s also the little stuff that causes the Highlander to fly off dealer lots. Like the huge roll-top storage bin between the front seats that will swallow a six pack of drinks all at once. Or the brilliant addition of a shelf across the face of the dash with enough vertical space to store all manner of electrical equipment. Toyota designers even had the foresight to fit the shelf with removable plugs to pass cords through for access to USB ports. The Highlander offers no less than 5 of these ports.

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

This mainstream Toyota is the Judge Judy of the SUV world. You don’t keep it because it’s gorgeous, you keep it because it’s smart.

2018 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

  • Engine: 3.5 liter V6 DOHC with Dual VVT-i
  • Horsepower: 295hp
  • Torque: 263lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 20MPG City/26MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $44,355
  • Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription Review

Feature Articles Featured User Reviews Volvo

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

Hypes: Superlative Fit and Finish, Exceptionally Quick
Gripes: Volvo Operating System Can Be Intimidating

Car model differentiation is getting so complicated that the official handle for this Volvo sounds more like a eulogy than a description. But let’s try and decode the official title word by word. “XC” refers to the fact that this model is a sports utility Volvo. “60″ describes its position on the Volvo ladder, with 60 on a lower rung than 90. “T8″ refers to the fact that the supercharged and turbocharged 4 cylinder engine is augmented by an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery good for 400hp. “E-AWD” indicates that this Volvo is a Plug-In Hybrid (“E”) that also boasts all-wheel-drive. So there you have all the attributes of this latest Volvo, which carries a base price of $52,900. However, the version we drove supplements that bottom line with enough expensive extras ( $17,695) to buy you a base model XC60 Volvo plus a new Rolex Daytona.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

If you haven’t driven a Volvo recently, you need to attend Volvo school first. Pretty much everything you know about operating a conventional car needs to be discarded before you earn your Swedish driving permit. For example, that Orrefors crystal ice cube jutting up from the console between the front seats actually operates the shift mechanism for the Japanese built 8-speed Aisin automatic. For some reason, Volvo engineers have decreed that you can’t just move the cube into forward or reverse with one stroke. Rather you have to bump the stick twice in the intended direction of travel or the Volvo won’t budge. The wiper controls demand a similar idiosyncratic pattern of operation that can be difficult to decode. If you miss the memo, you are consigned to watching the blades arc endlessly to and fro long after the rain has stopped. Most driving and climate functions are controlled through a 9″ x 4.5″ Sensus touchscreen that demands familiarization.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

Ah, but once you have your PhD in Volvology, you will fall in love with this gorgeous SUV. From a sporting driver’s perspective, the Hybrid XC60 is intoxicatingly quick. Blame 472 lb.-ft. of torque for orchestrating massive bursts of acceleration. With that much torque on tap, you never need to manipulate the Aisin gearbox manually – although you could do so by selecting the available “B” gate on the console. From a knurled chrome drive-mode adjuster located just behind the shifter, you can chose one of 5 imaginatively named drive settings: AWD (all-wheel-drive), Pure (eco-drive), Hybrid (everyday use), Power (sporty driving), and Off-road (rough road). In order to savor the ample combined output of the 313hp direct injected gas motor augmented by the 87hp electric motor, I invariably chose Power mode. Once, when traversing some rough off-road terrain in a gravel parking lot, I deselected Power mode in favor of Off road, but could discern no difference in ride quality or suspension behavior. Although most sport mode menus tighten steering feedback, choosing Power mode on the XC60 had no noticeable effect on steering response, which remained over-boosted and numb in all modes. But with Continental Cross Sport LX tires (255/45R20) mounted at each corner, the XC60 is unexpectedly responsive in the handling department.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

Of all the add-on packages inflating the bottom line of this Volvo, the one you would least want to eliminate is “Inscription.” For $3,800, this grouping adds bright chrome front grill bars, chrome side trim with logotype, integrated tailpipes with body colored lower trim insert, mechanical driver and passenger seat extensions, driftwood decor dash inlays, tailored dashboard, keyless entry with hands-free tailgate opening, Sensus navigation pro, cooled glove compartment and illuminated door handles. The exterior touches turn an already good looking vehicle into a supreme visual asset. the interior improvements elevate the cockpit of the XC60 to palatial refinement. Especially nice were the driftwood dash inserts, the deft stitching on the dash, and the incised “Inscription” notations on the front seat headrests. Even the chrome strip next to the glove box is incised with a replica of the Swedish flag.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

Blue and yellow flag tags are attached to the Nappa leather of the front seat seams because our test XC60 was fitted with the $3,000 optional Luxury Seat Package. That price tag also adds backrest massage to the front chairs. power seat extensions up front, and heated seats all around plus heated steering wheel. Volvo is the only company I have encountered with a pleasant 3 level heating element for the steering wheel. So if you want to turn the ultimate automotive parlor trick, order your XC60 with the Luxury Seat Package, then activate the massage feature without first warning your front seat passenger.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

  • Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, turbo and supercharged direct injection, with electric motor and 10.4 kWh high voltage battery
  • Horsepower: 400hp
  • Torque: 472lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: N/A
  • Price as Tested: $71,590
  • Star Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Mazda

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

Hypes: Race Car Handling at Bargain Store Price
Gripes: Move Radio Controls on Center Console to Dash Face

Get it while you can. The last real sports car, that is. Mazda still makes it, just as they have for the past three decades. But given our national craze for self-driving cars, who knows how long this delectable purebred sports car will last? The MX-5, now in its fourth generation, represents the polar opposite of that automation mania. You buy an MX-5 not because it will ever drive itself, but precisely because this car puts you in direct, unfiltered command of its every move.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

Originally just called Miata (Japanese for “little pearl”), the diminutive two seater boasts the most finely tuned responses in the vehicle kingdom. Miata is the best British sports car the Brits never built. Unlike its spiritual predecessors from England like MG, Triumph, and Austin Healey, the MX-5 will never spend its life and your money in the repair shop. While those Brit brands provided driving thrills (when they were running), the latest MX-5 outdoes them all not only for driving pleasure, but for reliability. Consumer Report’s evaluation of the 2017 Miata gives it a “Better Than Average” Used Car Verdict.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

You’ll want to order the Club Edition of the Miata because it includes a couple of items that will enhance your driving experience more than you might think. This first is “sport tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers ” which hones the Miata’s already precise handling to near race quality precision. The second item is a “limited-slip differential” (LSD) which is an essential component of faultless performance since it metes out drive to the rear wheels on an as-needed basis. When you punch the throttle in a turn in a Miata equipped with limited slip, you will never experience un-modulated wheelspin. The Club version’s LSD is an essential building block for stable handling.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

Our test Mazda also included an option designated “2BB” which adds a whopping $4,470 to the MX-5′s sticker price of $29,155. While “2BB” doesn’t have a catchy name like “Club Sport” or “Daytona Runoffs” the three pricey additions it brings are worth way more than what you’ll pay here. Inside the cockpit, as soon as you park your butt in the “Heated Recaro Sports Seats” you’ll never want to make do with standard Miata buckets. These Recaro seats are not only supportive in extreme cornering, but lushly adept at damping the sport tuned ride of the Miata’s Bilstein shocks. In addition to better seats, “2BB” adds super stopper Brembo brake discs and calipers at all four corners. These red blazoned beauties provide enough stopping power to run a 24 hour race at maximum tilt. And covering those arresting brakes are a set of 16 spoke, piano black, 17 inch alloy rims made by the foremost racing wheel company in the world, BBS. “2BB” is a package you can’t afford to forego.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

If you want your Miata to duplicate the slinky looks of the example I drove, make sure your purchase includes Code “2AP – Appearance Package for Club.” on the window sticker. This no-extra-charge group adds some aero tweaks that turn the meek looking stock Miata into a rather more ferocious beast. Matching those BBS rims, piano black side still extensions, rear bumper skirt, front air dam and rear lip spoiler all complement the “Machine Gray” exterior color of the test car. For a final fling of flair, be sure to select the no-extra-cost “1RR – Red Roof Package.” The dark cherry fabric of the convertible top enhances the subtle grey paint and pegs the look meter on 10.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

Without question, the appearance and performance of the Miata, after nearly 30 years of development, has morphed from cute to nasty. When you equip the latest aerodynamic body shell with the “Appearance Package for Club,” you end up with an enticing road burner that bears only the slightest resemblance to that first generation “little pearl.” Despite all the appearance improvements, the Miata has lost absolutely nothing of its original feel and feedback. In fact, with 155hp now on tap, and a 6-speed manual gearbox that is the envy of every other car maker for its precision, the latest MX-5 is a real screamer on a back road. Helping immensely in the handling department is a set of Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires (205/45R17) that afford seemingly limitless adhesion due in part to a super soft TW rating of 280. There may be more ways to have fun on a back road than a Club MX-5 fitted with Recaro, Brembo and BBS, but the entry fee will triple what you’ll spend on this steal of a deal last real sports car.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

  • Engine: Skyactive-G 2.0 liter DOHC inline 4
  • Horsepower: 155hp
  • Torque: 148lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 26MPG City/33MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $35,240
  • Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6 Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Kia

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6

Hypes: Add Fast to the Kia Vocabulary
Gripes: Limited Rear Vision, No Rear Wiper

There are a number of adjectives which can be applied to Kia vehicles: economical, practical, affordable, good looking, reliable. But conspicuously missing from that list is fast. Until now, no Kia product could be described as fast. Stinger changes all that. Without question, the GT2 is the first really quick Kia. The twin turbocharged V6 Stinger GT2 accelerates from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds at 107mph. Now that’s fast in any league, and puts the Stinger into vaunted high performance territory no Kia has ever occupied. Although it performs like a BMW, Mercedes or Audi, the stingy Stinger still costs like a Kia: base price of $51,400 in fully loaded form – with nary a single extra charge to besmirch that affordable window sticker. Makers of much more expensive German rocket ships will be paying close attention to Kia’s foray into their formerly inaccessible performance territory.

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6

If you don’t need the shattering acceleration of the GT2, you can opt for the less expensive turbo 2.0 liter model which retails for $31,900 in rear wheel drive (RWD) form, or the RWD version of the GT2, which runs $49,200. But with the flat out thrust of the AWD GT2, why not opt for Kia’s ultimate Stinger? Are there any other four seat, four door cars capable of running 169mph available for just fifty grand? Introductory Stinger advertising used former F1 and Indy 500 champ Emerson Fittipaldi to demonstrate the handling prowess of the new Kia. If you took the time to read the small print on that ad, you would discover that only the V6 Stinger equipped with standard 19 inch diameter alloy wheels would qualify for that 169mph speed rating. The 2.0 Turbo comes with 18 inch rims. Our test car was the striking 19 inch alloys mounting V-speed rated Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (225/40VR19 up front and 255/35VR19 out back) with a Traction Rating of AA and a TW Rating of 300. Although we never exceeded 75mph in our test of the Stinger, it’s comforting to know that an extra 100mph is on tap should you find yourself – like Emerson Fittipaldi – entered in the Indy 500.

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6

The Stinger is not only the fastest Kia of them all, but also the best looking. Despite the fact that it offers a stretched wheelbase of 114 inches, Kia stylists have managed to disguise the Stinger’s length with sheet metal so seductive that your hardly notice the presence of four doors. The 55 inch high roofline exaggerates the sleek profile, but necessitates careful step-down entry lest you whack your head. Once ensconced in the quilted Nappa leather bucket front seats, you grab the fat rimmed, perforated leather steering wheel, click the palm shaped shift lever into Drive, select first gear with the elephant-eared aluminum paddles, and vigorously toe the responsive aluminum throttle pedal. Stinger jumps to your command with such decisive thrust that you feel like a kid on the Big Dipper at Disneyland. The GT2 makes the chore of driving fun again.

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6

It’s also a practical choice for daily use, thanks to its hatchback configuration, low rear loading height, and wide, flat interior storage platform. Even full sized adults will enjoy the spacious rear seats. Stinger’s unexpected utility as a sedan belies its sports car appearance. Kia provides a full complement of safety measures as standard issue here: forward collision avoidance and warning, smart cruise control with stop and go, lane keep and departure warning, and driver attention warning. However, the Stinger is so engaging to drive that it’s difficult to envision a situation where its driver needs a warning to remain attentive.

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6

Handling in such a swift module receives a boost from the Dynamic Torque Vectoring feature of the all-wheel drive system. This safety overlord takes some getting used to, as you can feel DTV kick in when you alter your line on a sweeping curve. To the uninitiated, this DTV-generated lurch can feel disconcerting. Kia offers Stinger drivers the choice of 5 Drive Modes (Eco, Smart, Comfort, Sport, Custom) to tailor the electronically controlled suspension to the performance envelope of choice. Should you need to resort to brake force, note that the GT2 comes with the best binders you can find on any high performance car: Brembo Performance Brakes. These ventilated monster discs will arrest your Stinger quicker than an F-18 Hornet landing on a carrier deck.

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6

  • Engine: 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6
  • Horsepower: 365hp
  • Torque: 376lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 19MPG City/25MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $52,300
  • Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles hybrid Toyota

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

Hypes: Easy to Convert Storage Space, Best CVT Transmission
Gripes: Needs Some Love on the Interior

Toyota’s Hybrid Highlander tops the model range in both horsepower and fuel economy. It’s hard to beat that double-barreled punch. In the non-Hybrid Highlander, the 3.5-liter 2GR-FXS V6 produces 280hp in gas-only form, with an overall mileage rating of 20MPG. The Hybrid electric boosted V6 trumps those numbers, with a combined gas/electric output of 290hp and a fuel consumption rating of 28MPG. In addition to the 3.5-liter V6, the Hybrid adds a pair of synchronous magnetic electric motors. The front unit motor produces 123 kW of power and 247lb.-ft. of torque while the rear electric generates 50 kW of power and 109 lb.-ft. of torque. The Hybrid really jumps when you mat the throttle. There’s more than enough torque to provide sprightly acceleration and a solid tow rating of 3,500lbs. Highlander’s towing attributes include standard Trailer Sway Control.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

The Hybrid system feeds power to all 4 wheels through a CVT transmission which works surprisingly well with this complicated power package. You can select pre-determined speed ranges with a dual gate transmission lever on the console between the front seats. Paddle shifting is not available, however. Hill-Start Assist Control is a big plus, especially if you are towing a trailer. What Toyota calls “electric on-demand all-wheel drive with intelligence” judiciously metes out power as needed to the four Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires (245/60HR18) mounted on standard 7.5×18” alloy rims. Unlike Toyota’s truck-like 4Runner, which relies on body on frame construction, Highlander is a crossover version of the Camry platform with integrated body-chassis monocoque design. While the 4Runner will run circles around the Highlander in rugged off-road endeavors, the Highlander is far superior to its off-road cousin in daily driving. Highlander’s fully independent suspension systems front AND rear soak up the bumps of the daily grind with such finesse that you float over bad road in blissful comfort.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

In XLE trim level, the Highlander hybrid requires almost nothing in the way of pricey extras. In fact, our base price $41,330 test SUV included just one optional addition — $1,810 for a rear seat Blu/Ray DVD entertainment system. With an added $940 for dealer prep, the Highlander’s out-the-door price amounted to $44,080. For that rather modest money, you get a highly dependable all-weather, 8-person (!) hauler that records excellent fuel economy, decent acceleration, and merits a Recommended check mark from Consumer Reports.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

How can Toyota manage to cram 8 humans into this Highlander? They have devised a pop-up, 3-person rear bench which converts easily into flat storage space for normal use. The second row of our test vehicle contained a 60/40 split folding bench also good for 3 adults. Unexpected niceties offered for this second row include reclining seat backs and window-mounted privacy screens. If you fold just one of the second-row seats flat, you can still carry 3 adults and a full-size bicycle inside the cabin. This 4,990lb. Toyota offers up to 40.5 cubic feet of interior cargo space with all second and third row seats collapsed.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

While the interior finish of this Toyota, which is built in the USA (Princeton, Indiana) is serviceable, it is somewhat less than luxurious. Expanses of pebble grained black vinyl mark the dashboard and door panels, with small matte silver plastic inserts added to relieve the visual tedium. You get the idea that the XLE, while an upper echelon trim level, could stand some improvement. The front seats, for example, while heated, aren’t terribly comfortable, despite the fact that the driver’s side offers 8-way adjustability plus lumbar, while the passenger side musters 4-way adjustment. Toyota does offer a “Limited” version of the Hybrid that promises to elevate both the enjoyment and the base price of the Highlander.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

In the great scheme of things, the Hybrid Highlander hits the mark on all the important targets: its usefulness as a transportation tool is irrefutable. Its practicality in operation is unsurpassed for a vehicle of this size. Its pleasure to drive quotient is refreshingly unexpected given its pedestrian appearance and sizeable curb weight. For a family in need of all purpose transportation, the Hybrid highlander is hard to beat for the money.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD-i

  • Engine: 3.5-liter V6 plus front and rear Electric Motors
  • Horsepower: 290hp
  • Torque: N/A
  • Fuel Consumption: 29MPG City/27MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $44,080
  • Star Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Stars

2018 Lexus GX460 Luxury Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Lexus

2018 Lexus GX460 Luxury

Hypes: Consummate Off Roader with Great On Road Manners
Gripes: Desirable Packages Boost Base Price of $63,230 to $75,072

Back in 1987, I landed the opportunity to road test Toyota’s first generation 4Runner. This flash of marketing brilliance married a pick-up truck chassis with a camper shell which enclosed the bed. The truck/RV combo was arranged to allow inside mobility from stem to stern. That first 4Runner literally served as the forerunner of today’s SUV tidal wave. On top of its practical interior, the first 4Runner boasted 4 wheel drive designed specifically for serious off road use. To top it all off, it exhibited revolutionary styling that was both butch and bold. So how does this long gone scenario relate to the Lexus GX460? Simple, really, because the Lexus under review here is the direct descendant of that first 4Runner, updated continuously over 30 years by dozens of redesign generations.

2018 Lexus GX460 Luxury

When Toyota introduced that first 4Runner, the company’s Lexus division was still under construction. But over the intervening years, Lexus appropriated the 4Runner blueprint for their own up-market version of the cheaper but still-available Toyota. The latest iteration of the Lexus side of this distinguished bloodline is the 2018 GX460, which derives its designation from the 4.6 liter V8 engine which produces 301hp and 329lb.-ft. of torque. Yes, you can still buy a 4Runner from Toyota, but you will have to settle for a 270hp V6 power if you do. Given that the weight of this truck is 4,665lbs. in 4 Runner form and 5,170lbs. in GX 460 trim, I would definitely opt for the 1UR-FE V8 installed in the Lexus. In either case, you will be buying a dedicated off road vehicle: both the 4Runner and the GX share old-school body-on-frame architecture designed to take you far, far into the outback.

2018 Lexus GX460 Luxury

The list of mechanical attributes on this Lexus will make you want to head for Moab, Utah at the first opportunity. You can depend on Full Time 4WD (not AWD) meted out by a Torsen Limited Slip differential to get you into and out of tight spots on any trail. Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) clears the way over daunting obstacles, and standard Rear Air Suspension mitigates the discomfort factor from off (and on) road pothole encounters. In fact, the LX460 provides such a silky ride on pavement that its off-road pedigree demands no sacrifice in daily driving. Part of the subterfuge is due to an excellent choice of mud & snow tire: Bridgestone Dueler H/T rubber (265/65R18). The 65 series sidewall of these Bridgestones is tall enough to cushion all the impacts a shorter sidewall tire meets out on a regular basis. On our test GX, the Bridgestones were handsomely displayed on “split six-spoke alloy wheels with Gunmetal Metallic finish” an upgrade that will added $1,4999 to the bottom line. But these 18×7.5J rims were beautifully detailed, right down to their “F Sport” center cap logos.

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Our test GX also included $1,970 worth of dual screen rear entertainment, and $4,340 for a “Driver Support Package” that boosted the standard audio system to surround sound Mark Levinson specifications. The “Support” also implemented a bevy of safety upgrades: pre-collision system with driver attention monitor, dynamic radar cruise control, wide view front and side monitor, and lane departure alert. Of course all these advances were unheard of when the primordial 4Runner was born more than 30 years ago. An additional outlay of $1,950 fitted the test GX with a “Sport Design Package” that provides tilt and slide second row captain’s chairs, plus the following exterior styling filips: front and rear bumper spoilers, chrome exhaust tip, chrome detail side mirrors, and deep red tail lights. Decorated thusly, the LX460 makes for an imposing looking beast.

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However, the ferocity of the exterior styling diminishes when you step into the utterly restful and cosseting interior. Once you’re inside, this off-road tiger takes on the demeanor of a plush pussy. The 10-way adjustable, semi-aniline, leather trimmed front seats are glove soft, heated and ventilated. Second row chairs are heated as well. There’s even a third row pair of occasional seats that fold flat when unneeded, but pop up via power switches when erected for a passenger load of 6. With some judicious flopping here and sliding there, I was able to reconfigure the back of the cabin into a 36.5 cubic foot warehouse big enough to accommodate an unfolded bicycle. Fitted with a $654 tow hitch with ball mount, this Lexus will pull a 6,500lb. trailer. It’s also equipped with Trailer Sway Control, which applies brake pressure and reduces engine torque when trailer sway is detected. On all fronts, the latest Lexus GX640, like its proud line of forebears, is nothing if not ultimately practical.

2018 Lexus GX460 Luxury

2018 Lexus GX460 Luxury

  • Engine: 4.6 liter V8, 32 valves, DOHC, Variable Valve Timing(VVT-i)
  • Horsepower: 301hp
  • Torque: 329lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 15MPG City/18MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $75,072
  • Star Rating: 9.5 out of 10 Stars

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8 Review

Expert Reviews Feature Articles Genesis

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

Hypes: Scintillating Value, Fully Equipped Base Price Vehicle
Gripes: Front Seats Overstuffed, A-Pillar Vision Cluttered

Of all the new cars I drove in model year 2017, the Genesis line from South Korea proved the most unforgettable. While recognition of this new marque remains limited compared to long standing luxury stalwarts like Lexus, Infiniti and Acura, don’t be quick to rule out Genesis if you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle. You can certainly spend more for a Japanese big three product, but you’ll probably be wasting your money. Because Genesis has hit the bulls eye with both of their model lines – the G80 and the G90. The company explains that their rational take on luxury is called “Luxury, Evolved.” They explain that somewhat mysterious concept by saying, “Most luxury automotive brands share the view that luxury is all about status. An excessive price tag just to claim exclusivity. What sets Genesis apart is the belief that traditional ideas can be shaped in dynamic new ways.”

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

The first new dynamic you encounter in a 2018 Genesis G80 is the comparative affordability of this rear-wheel-drive, V6-powered four-door sedan which lists for $41,750. As if to prove the point about how completely equipped the base G80 is as delivered, our test car carried not a single additional charge beyond a delivery fee of $925. That means this exceptionally well equipped sedan sells for $42,725 out the dealer door. If this Genesis carried a BMW nameplate, it would also burden you with a pack sticker of at least $10,000 on top of the base price to cover all the ancillaries Genesis throws in for free: Bi-Xenon HID headlights, Proximity key with push button start, Leather seating surfaces, Dual automatic temperature control, 8″ Touchscreen navigation system, AM/FM HD radio and CD MP3 Audio system with 7 speakers. The list goes on and on, with a 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty, a complete complement of the latest safety controls and accident avoidance technology, and to top it all off, the top safety rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA. So in terms of value for the buck, this entry level Genesis is a steal.

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

But does the driving experience match the car’s economic allure? Most definitely. Unlike so many of the fiendishly complicated products I drive these days, the cockpit of the G80 seems to have descended from a kinder, gentler period of human/machine interface. Most basic driving chores – wipers, seats, defrost, temperature setting – are easily handled by the uninitiated thanks to smart button placement. Almost anyone can climb into the driver’s seat of a G80 and get with the program without a second thought. Such utter freedom from operational confusion is due to the linear, intuitive nature of the dashboard. If you feel the need to busy yourself exploring a host of command menus, find yourself another car. When the G80 arrived, a previous driver had selected the valet setting for seat and steering wheel, which slides the seat backwards and tilts the wheel up when you turn the ignition off. Since I find this song and dance routine quite annoying, I reprogrammed the car to muzzle the wheel and seat on shut down. The reprogramming took less than 60 seconds to accomplish, thanks to a small keypad on the right spoke of the steering wheel that lets you toggle through essential settings in an instant. On other luxury cars, this operation can take forever as you cycle through endless maps and options. On some cars, the dealer has to “perform” the change for you at shop rates.

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

This 4,500lb. sedan is so luxuriously appointed that it makes no pretense at sport performance. Besides, there’s a new twin-trubo Sport version of the G80 for that need. But the base model is certainly no slouch at the drag strip, nor on a back road. The large displacement (3.8 liter) V6 is creamier than a Boston clam chowder, with enough horsepower (311hp) and torque (293lb.-ft.) to meet any passing/merging eventuality that may arise. The handling is predictable, and well programmed, with 18 inch alloys fitted with chunky Michelin Primacy MXM4 radials (245/45R18) at each corner. You can chose from 3 available driving modes via a button next to the console shift lever. In “Normal” mode, the G80 feels a bit pitchy around sweeping turns, but if you select “Sport” mode, the comfy sedan hunkers down on its Michelins and really gets with the program. An “Eco” mode completes the trio, and will help you achieve 22MPG in overall driving – albeit at the expense of an annoyingly lethargic throttle pedal.

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

All in all, this base model G80, which is also available in all-wheel-drive configuration, remains a value revelation well into its second year of production.

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

  • Engine: 3.8 liter V6 with GDI
  • Horsepower: 311hp
  • Torque: 293lb.-ft.
  • Fuel Consumption: 19MPG City/27MPG Highway
  • Price as Tested: $42,725
  • Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

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