midsize – Car-ED.com

2020 Hyundai Palisade – First Drive

2020 Hyundai Palisade The Hyundai Palisade is a three-row midsize SUV that straddles the line between value and luxury. By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | July 2019 Hyundai is getting into the thick of the midsize SUV battle with the brand new Palisade. As the replacement for the Santa Fe XL, the Palisade is pitted against rivals like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas, and Kia Telluride. What is this vehicle? The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is the latest entry in the growing field of midsize SUVs with three rows of seating. There is room for seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you order the standard second-row bench seat, or optional dual captain's chairs. The Palisade is offered in three main trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. Pricing starts at around $32,000 for the entry-level model, though this jumps significantly when you climb up to the Limited trim, which stickers for more than $44,000. That's a lot of money, though it's worth noting the Limited comes loaded with comfort and safety features, including Nappa leather seating, 20-inch alloy wheels, blind spot monitors, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, a power-folding third row, surround-view cameras, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and much more. No matter which trim you choose, the Palisade comes in front-wheel drive format and is powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Adding [...]

Nick Kurczewski2019-11-28T02:52:57-05:00Jul 2019|Car Reviews|

First Drive: 2019 Mazda6

2019 Mazda 6 Grand Touring The Mazda6 sedan is more than a pretty face. With sharp-handling, a classy cabin, and optional turbo four-cylinder, the Mazda6 is both entertaining and economical. By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | Jan 2019 Can a family sedan be kind to your car shopping budget, but still provide actual excitement when you're behind the wheel? The Mazda6 is engaging to drive, but remains a high-value proposition when faced against rivals like the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima. What is this vehicle? The 2019 Mazda6 is a sedan that wants to prove you don't need to sacrifice driving excitement for practicality. For many car shoppers, the default choice when shopping for a new vehicle is a compact to midsize SUV. With that in mind, Mazda has several great alternatives (CX-5, CX-9) if you're determined to buy a sport-utility. Yet, when it comes to taking on rivals like the highly-regarded Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Mazda6 presents a unique spin on the traditional family sedan. That's because this midsize four-door has sharp handling that pays more than a passing resemblance to Mazda's own MX-5 Miata sports car. The 6 is much bigger and doesn't have a folding convertible top, of course. But there is an energetic personality lurking beneath the surface of this elegant Mazda sedan. And while we're talking about surfaces, let's point out that [...]

Nick Kurczewski2019-02-11T18:13:31-05:00Jan 2019|Car Reviews|

First Impressions: 2019 Acura RDX

2019 Acura RDX The fully redesigned RDX marks the start of the compact luxury SUV’s third generation. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | June 2018 We got a sneak preview of the vehicle at the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and were pretty impressed by the experience. Every RDX comes powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 272 horsepower, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, though we suspect most buyers will upgrade to all-wheel drive, as is common with crossovers. The all-wheel drive system features torque vectoring, which means that the system can send extra power to the rear wheels, which helps with maneuvering. Our test course consisted of winding country roads around a sparkling lake on a gorgeous sunny day, and the RDX seemed eager to show off these capabilities. The system seems to be a good match for the peppy and enthusiastic engine. The centerpiece of the interior is a floating center console that arches up from the gearshift area and meets the dash, creating a storage nook. This idea isn’t entirely new (it reminded us of the Volvo C30) but it’s unlike anything else out there right now and has the visual effect of carving out separate nooks for driver and front passenger. The gear selector, by the way, consists of buttons rather than a physical shifter. The [...]

Cherise Threewitt2018-09-04T22:42:06-04:00Sep 2018|Car Reviews|