Car Reviews – Page 4

First Impressions: 2018 Volkswagen GTI

2018 Volkswagen GTI Finally, a sports car the whole family can agree on (and fit into). By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | July 2018 What is this vehicle? The 2018 Volkswagen GTI proves compromise is still possible, at least when it comes to finding a car that's functional and fun-to-drive on a daily basis. Beneath the GTI's stoic four-door body, and tucked somewhere behind its handy hatchback, is a feisty side that loves to play whenever you punch the gas pedal. Granted, this isn't a Hemi-powered, chest-thumping kind of sports machine. If a Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger are the heavyweight boxing bruisers of the affordable performance world, think of the VW GTI as more of a world-class fencer or slalom skier. For starters, the VW's 220-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets you going, quickly. But if smoky burnouts and look-at-me driving shenanigans are what you're after, the GTI could leave you feeling suddenly very...sensible. For the 2018 model year, the GTI is only available in four-door format, as the coupe model sadly got the heave-ho from the lineup. A six-speed manual is the standard transmission, though many buyers will probably spend extra for the available six-speed automatic (which is how our test car was equipped). While we're proponents of manuals, the automatic does an excellent job of smoothly delivering power to the front wheels. Inside the cabin, the materials feel a cut above the [...]

Nick Kurczewski2018-07-30T16:29:45-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

Compare the Newest Crossovers

Hyundai, Ford and Mitsubishi's New Crossovers Take a closer look at each model. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | June 2018 The crossover market is currently booming, which means that there are a lot of new entries to the segment. The Hyundai Kona and Ford EcoSport have generated a lot of interest, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross may have the opportunity to generate new buzz for the brand. We had the opportunity to test these three new crossovers at the Midwest Automotive Media Association annual Spring Rally, which took place in May at Road America. These vehicles were approved only for street use, so our driving impressions better reflect real-world driving conditions than if we had tested them on the track, though we were only able to spend a short time with each vehicle. 2018 Ford EcoSport According to Ford, the “Eco” in the all-new “EcoSport” is actually pronounced “echo.” Knowing that, this vehicle makes a bit more sense, since it isn’t actually as efficient as the word “eco” would imply. That said, we made our most of our chance with the EcoSport to see how it fared against other crossovers making their debut. Ford brought us an EcoSport in top-of-the-line Titanium trim, which has a ton of features. The interior was a mixed bag. We thought the seating was comfortable and easy to adjust, and the Titanium model’s standard leather upholstery [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-07-22T14:51:53-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

First Impressions: 2019 Genesis G70

2019 Genesis G70 Hyundai's luxury brand delivers a world class sport sedan. By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | July 2018 What is this vehicle? The 2019 Genesis G70 sport sedan is the first product from Hyundai's new luxury division engineered specifically as a stand-alone model, a car developed from the start to take on a wide range of luxury rivals, including the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus ES350 and Acura TLX. Entering the luxury field can be a daunting task, especially when you consider how much weight is given to badge prestige and name recognition. Say the name "Genesis" to most car shoppers and, let's admit it, you're going to be hard pressed to find someone who immediately thinks of a Korean luxury brand, not a 1980's pop rock group. While the Genesis name has graced several high-end Hyundai sedans over the past few years, the G70 is the first model introduced now that Genesis is its officially a spin-off brand. Will Hyundai be able to convince luxury car buyers to consider giving its upstart sport sedan a chance? Based only on the G70's spec sheet - which is chock full of available performance goodies, like a twin-turbo V6 and 6-speed manual transmission - the initial impression is that the established luxury players could be in for a surprisingly strong new challenger. Who is this vehicle for? The Genesis G70 [...]

Nick Kurczewski2018-07-17T18:50:47-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

2018 Hyundai Accent Limited

2018 Hyundai Accent Limited First, take a look at the lower trim levels. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | July 2018 What is this vehicle? The Hyundai Accent lineup has been fully redesigned for the 2018 model year. In base form, the subcompact Hyundai Accent is one of the most affordable new cars you can buy, and it is a great choice for shoppers on a very tight budget because it has above-average reliability scores and is backed by Hyundai’s excellent warranty. It is a good car for a young or first-time buyer or a buyer on a tight budget. The Accent Limited, however, is a slightly different story. The Accent’s top-tier trim, which is the model supplied by Hyundai for this review, is something of a distraction to the Accent’s entire purpose. Keep reading to learn why. Who is this vehicle for? If you are looking for a cheap new car on a very tight budget (think $15,000) the Hyundai Accent sedan is a great choice for you. There are only a handful of brand new cars available in this price range or less, and the Accent is better than most of them, thanks in large part to its fresh redesign. It’s not particularly fun to drive, but it is new, it has a good predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power, and it carries the benefit of Hyundai’s solid reputation for vehicles [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-07-11T18:50:39-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

First Impressions: 2018 BMW X2

2018 BMW X2 Can this all-new subcompact crossover carve out a niche in a crowded lineup? By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | June 2018 The X2 is an all-new addition to BMW’s lineup for 2018. This subcompact crossover slots in above the established X1 and differentiates itself with coupe-like styling and a considerably higher entry price. We had the opportunity to test the new X2 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, at the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally. The X2 comes powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, rated for 228 horsepower. Though we had only a short time to play with the X2, it proved a willing partner. The X2’s acceleration is smooth and peppy, and handling is absolutely fantastic on the curvy roads around the lake. The paddle shifters are an effective way to extract a little more fun out of the driving experience, and help make passing super smooth. Sport mode makes the steering and acceleration a little sharper. The interior is mostly a win. The front seats were extremely comfortable, as we’ve come to expect from BMW. We also really liked the interior layout; everything on the dashboard was easy to see and reach. The X2 isn’t perfect. It seems kind of redundant alongside the existing X1, which provides the same specs and more interior space (due to the higher roof) at a lower price. Since [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-07-11T18:49:22-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

First Impressions: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen’s entry-level sedan has been redesigned specifically for North America. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | May 2018 One of the highlights of the Midwest Automotive Media Association annual Spring Rally was the presence of the fully redesigned 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The rally, which takes place at Wisconsin’s Road America, had plenty of exciting vehicles, to be sure. We at car-ED have a long and rich history with VW, however, so the new Jetta was a must-drive. The powers that be at VW didn’t let us take the Jetta out on the track, but we got some solo time around the area’s lakes and country clubs. Here’s what we learned. The new Jetta now rides on the MBQ modular platform, which VW has been using for several years, and comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that is rated for a modest 147 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard in the base model, but most cars will get the optional eight-speed automatic. Acceleration is solid, not particularly sporty, but the engine and automatic transmission feel like and a good pair and we liked the tight handling. The two-tone upholstery is nice, but we thought there was a little too much texture in the cabin. Our test car featured a soft-ish to the touch upper dash, brushed metal accents across the middle, and a weird, shiny, wallpaper-like material on [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-07-06T20:38:49-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

First Impressions: 2019 Infiniti QX50

2019 Infiniti QX50 We got to drive the fully redesigned 2019 Infiniti QX50 at the 2018 Midwest Automotive Association annual Spring Rally. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | May 2018 This compact luxury SUV was on hiatus for 2018 but is back with a fresh and modern design. Infiniti gave us the opportunity to get acquainted with the new QX50 on the easygoing Wisconsin country roads that surround Road America, though we had only a short time to learn as much as we could. The redesigned QX50 has car-like handling and, from behind the wheel, feels quite a bit smaller than it actually is. The power isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s definitely not lacking, either. This vehicle features a groundbreaking variable compression engine, though shoppers only really need to know that it’s a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 268 horsepower, paired to a fuel-efficient CVT. Acceleration is quick, responsive, smooth, and effortless; it just lacks the “ooomph” that we look for in an upscale vehicle. There’s no drama. The steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are a nice touch and help add a little excitement to the driving experience. However, when we downshifted manually via paddle shifter, it took an unusually long time for the engine and transmission to match back up again. To be fair, excitement might not be Infiniti’s goal, here. There are two screens, a display for navigation and a touch [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-07-06T20:17:07-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

2019 RAM 1500 Rebel

2019 RAM 1500 Rebel RAM's budget answer to the Raptor By Randy Lioz, Editor, Car-ED.com | June 2018 RAM has a bit of Raptor envy. The Ford F-150 Raptor is seen as many as the ultimate off-road truck, with its upgraded suspension dampers, wild engine and bold wide-body styling. But it's an expensive proposition, with an opening ante over 52 grand, and rising quickly from there with a few option groups. So RAM thought it had a better idea: take a basic RAM 1500–all-new for 2019–and give it uprated Bilstein monotube dampers, knobby tires, and a look that sets it apart from the standard truck, and save the customer a heap-load of money. As Fiat Chrysler spokesman Scott Brown put it, "Owners wanted the lift and look," but they didn't necessarily want to go full-bore if they're not racing their truck through the desert on the regular. We got a chance to try it out off road at Calamigos Ranch outside Malibu. What is this vehicle? The RAM 1500 is the brand's full-size pickup truck, a rugged workhorse that also provides creature comforts. The 1500 is the brand's lightest-duty truck, with heavy-duty variants starting at the 2500 level. But that doesn't mean it can't handle a ton of weight...literally. It can haul up to 2,300 lbs. of payload in the bed, and tow another 12,750 behind it if equipped right. The RAM 1500 [...]

Randy Lioz, Editor, Car-ED.com2018-06-23T21:12:47-04:00Jun 2018|Car Reviews|

2018 Mazda Mazda3 Grand Touring

2018 Mazda Mazda3 Grand Touring This sedan begs to be tossed around. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | June 2018 What is this vehicle? The Mazda Mazda3 is the most affordable point of entry to the Mazda brand. This compact car is available in sedan and hatchback body styles and is known for being one of the best-handling vehicles in its segment. In base Sport trim, you’ll get a fun-to-drive, stylish, efficient, well-rounded compact car with a decent list of standard equipment. In the top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim, which we tested for this review, the Mazda3 sedan feels surprisingly premium and provides some advanced technology features that aren’t often seen in this class. Who is this vehicle for? The Mazda3 isn’t the absolute most affordable vehicle in the compact segment, but it’s priced pretty reasonably considering all that you get. This car is perfect for buyers who want something a little nicer than most entry-level compact cars, and who appreciate that a car can be genuinely enjoyable to drive even if it doesn’t have the most powerful engine on the market. The Mazda3 has modest horsepower compared to other sporty compact cars, but it’s also quite efficient, making this a good choice for fuel-conscious shoppers who don’t necessarily want a hybrid or EV. Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer? The Mazda3 is really a great choice for shoppers [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-06-22T12:42:42-04:00Jun 2018|Car Reviews|

Here are the Latest Hatchbacks

Testing Chevrolet, Hyundai and Toyota's Cool Compacts How do these three hatchbacks stack up? By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | June 2018 We recently had the chance to check out the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE, 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Hatchback, and 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport. These three hatchbacks were tested during the Midwest Automotive Media Association’s annual Spring Rally, which is based at Road America in Wisconsin. Each member of the media who attends the rally gets a day and a half to spend with a roster of nearly 100 vehicles, from affordable compact cars to luxury SUVs to race cars. We used the opportunity to test out and compare some of the new vehicles that we expect to be most meaningful to car-ED readers. All three of the vehicles mentioned here were approved for street use only and were tested on the winding country roads that surround the Road America facility. 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE The Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE was an early favorite thanks to its sporty appearance and eye-catching bright blue exterior, and it was the first of our drives for this comparison. A disclaimer inside the vehicle stated that this was a preproduction prototype, which means that when the vehicle is available at dealerships, some elements of the vehicle may have changed. The interior was quick to impress, with a stylish and modern-feeling two-tone design and a comfortable steering [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-06-19T01:04:14-04:00Jun 2018|Car Reviews|