suv

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 [...]

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

First Impressions: 2018 Ford Expedition Max Platinum

2018 Ford Expedition Max Platinum How big of an SUV do you need, really? By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | October 2018 The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) Fall Rally, which took place in October at the Autobahn Country Club southwest of Chicago, gave car-ED the opportunity to check out a bunch of vehicles we might not have otherwise seen. The 2018 Ford Expedition Max Platinum caught our attention — how could it not? The largest version of this large SUV dominated the vehicle parking area. It’s understandable that this Expedition wasn’t allowed out on the track, so we hopped in and headed out to the country roads that surround the country club. Based on that brief drive, here are our thoughts on this super-sized version of the Expedition. The Ford Expedition, the brand’s large, traditional SUV, is available in three trim levels, all of which can be upgraded to the extended-wheelbase Max. Thus, the Max Platinum is the top-tier Expedition with extra passenger room and an additional 15 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s huge, yet comfortable and surprisingly easy to handle. The overall vibe of the Expedition’s cabin is rather masculine, thanks to black leather upholstery, dark trim, and a beefy steering wheel. The seats are extremely comfortable, which is nice, and there are some touches that help lighten everything up, such as a massive panoramic moonroof and a stylish [...]

2018-10-29T06:53:00-04:00Oct 2018|Car Reviews|

2019 Honda Pilot Elite AWD

2019 Honda Pilot Elite AWD This family SUV does most things well. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | October 2018 What is this vehicle? The Honda Pilot is a family-friendly three-row SUV. The Pilot is known for above-average reliability, for spacious passenger seating and cargo areas, and for affordable convenience and driver assistance features. This is also one of the more comfortable, easy to drive vehicles in the segment. Unlike some of its competitors, the Pilot avoids falling into the trap of trying to be sporty, which is a wise decision on Honda’s part. The Honda Pilot was last redesigned in 2016 and gets some minor updates to the features menu this year. Who is this vehicle for? Looking for an affordable midsize SUV that can seat up to eight passengers, and is spacious enough for adults to find a comfortable spot in the back row? You really only have a few choices, and the Pilot is one of them. Of course, if you’re willing to compromise rear space and just leave the third row for the kids, you’ll have more options, but the Pilot doesn’t ask you to make that compromise. In short, the Pilot is a very good vehicle for a family, especially when you take a look at its safety and convenience features. Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer? The Pilot was already a pretty [...]

2018-10-09T14:21:56-04:00Oct 2018|Car Reviews|

First Drive: 2018 BMW X2

2018 BMW X2 xDrive28i BMW builds a shorter, lower, and sportier version of the X1 SUV. Is the X2 a better choice, or does it lose the sport-utility plot? By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | September 2018 The 2018 BMW X2 is a racier-looking version of the existing BMW X1. A punchy four-cylinder engine and sharp handling give the X2 a dynamic edge, but is that enough when squared-off against the best from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, and Acura? What is this vehicle? The 2018 BMW X2 is based on the taller and longer X1 sport-utility, the German automaker's smallest entry in the red-hot market for affordable luxury SUVs. Rivals to the X2 include the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, Lincoln MKC, Volvo XC40, Lexus NX, Audi Q3, Cadillac XT4, and Infiniti QX30. Instead of emphasizing the amount of cup-holders and available cargo space, BMW has opted to focus the new X2 on the sportier side of the sport-utility segment. This is why the X2 is roughly three inches shorter than the X1, though it rides on an identical wheelbase. That's a good thing, since it means the X2 doesn't skimp on rear legroom, which is a key factor for many SUV buyers - even ones who don't need third-row seating, or the towing capacity of a big-rig truck. With a starting price of $36,400, the X2 is more a couple thousand dollars more expensive [...]

2018-09-28T12:07:29-04:00Sep 2018|Car Reviews|

First Drive: 2019 Cadillac XT4

2019 Cadillac XT4 Cadillac finally the small luxury SUV fight to rivals like the Lexus NX, Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3. Does the Caddy come out as the new champ? By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | September 2018 The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is a small SUV with a huge job ahead of it: To make the American luxury brand a contender in the red-hot market for compact SUVs that are big on safety, style, performance, and technology. What is this vehicle? The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is a small SUV that fills a huge gap in the American luxury brand's lineup of vehicles. Until now, Cadillac had only two SUVs on offer, the midsize XT5 crossover and the full-size Escalade SUV. Neither one was an ideal fit for the automotive world's hottest craze, the premium compact sport-utility. While rival brands offered pint-sized SUVs - like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX, Audi Q3, and BMW X1 - Cadillac was left outside looking in, at least until now. Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and available with front- or optional all-wheel drive, the XT4 carries an aggressive starting price of $35,790 (including destination fee) and streamlines the shopping experience into three main trim levels: Premium, Premium Luxury, and Sport. No matter which you choose, the powertrain remains the same, and adding all-wheel drive costs an additional $2,500 across the board. While the turbo engine [...]

2018-09-24T20:23:42-04:00Sep 2018|Car Reviews|

2018 Kia Niro PHEV

2018 Kia Niro PHEV This subcompact crossover helps take plug-ins mainstream. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | August 2018 What is this vehicle? The Niro is a subcompact SUV that was added to the Kia lineup for 2017. The first Niro to roll out featured a super efficient hybrid powertrain, and this year, Kia added the PHEV plug-in hybrid model to the Niro family. There isn’t anything quite like the Niro PHEV on the market right now, but it’s fair to expect that rivals might follow suit in the near future as small crossovers continue to dominate the market and automakers invest more in electric and hybrid technology. The Niro is an affordable and practical path to better efficiency. Who is this vehicle for? Take a look at the Niro PHEV if you want a new, modern subcompact crossover with great technology features and excellent efficiency. The Niro does have some drawbacks, namely that it is not available with all-wheel drive and that it isn’t especially fun or interesting to drive. However, if those factors don’t matter to you, the Niro PHEV could be a very good choice for a subcompact SUV or crossover. Furthermore, not all potential buyers will necessarily see a benefit from the plug-in hybrid drivetrain, because the hybrid Niro is already super efficient. Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer? Plug-in hybrid vehicles are becoming [...]

2018-09-24T17:36:50-04:00Sep 2018|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 [...]

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

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD Hyundai puts other small crossovers on notice. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | August 2018 What is this vehicle? The Hyundai Kona is a new addition to the Hyundai lineup for 2018 and it quickly established itself as a leader in the subcompact SUV and crossover category. The Kona is available with a wide range of options, from reasonably affordable to relatively opulent, but at every step of the way, you get modern styling, a fun attitude, and Hyundai’s excellent warranty and reputation for reliability. The Kona succeeds in making a name for itself in the already hyper-competitive subcompact crossover market. Next year, Hyundai will introduce a fully electric version of the Kona. Who is this vehicle for? Take a look at the Kona if you’re shopping for an affordable small crossover, and even consider branching out if you are looking for a small car. The entry-level Kona great choice for buyers with tight budgets; though you’ll spend several thousand dollars more on a base Kona than you will on a bottom-of-the-barrel small car, Hyundai makes it worth your while by providing plenty of value. If you’re considering a mid-range or top-tier Kona trim, you’ll be right in line with its toughest competitors in the subcompact and compact SUV categories. Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer? Hyundai is a disruptor when it comes [...]

2018-09-24T17:33:16-04:00Aug 2018|Car Reviews|

Test Drive: 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon The Jeep Wrangler is the ultimate affordable off-road SUV. By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | August 2018 What is this vehicle? Driving a Jeep Wrangler reminds you why this square-edged SUV has remained popular for so many years. A modern powertrain and numerous luxury touches make it far from being the bare-bones, rough-and-tumble truck it was decades ago. But there's a very simple and timeless core message that comes with the Wrangler. It was built to be rugged and to venture off-road, and no amount of marketing hype or commercialization can take away from the central charm of this solid-axle, square-edged sport-utility. Getting behind the wheel of a 2018 Wrangler Rubicon, the most adventure-loving trim level of an already very adventurous vehicle, shows how Jeep engineers have adapted the company’s most beloved model for life in the modern world. There are plenty of SUVs that handle better, stop faster, or accelerate harder than the Wrangler. It's true - sorry Jeep fans. There are also plenty that get better gas mileage, or offer fancier cabins with more space for passengers and cargo. Yet, at the end of the day, the Wrangler’s attributes – and if we’re being frank, also its negatives – place this Jeep in a field with no true direct competitors. It's a one-of-a-kind vehicle that, in a world of hashtags and trending topics, feels refreshingly individualistic. [...]

2018-08-28T05:33:11-04:00Aug 2018|Car Reviews|

First Impressions: Lexus RX 350L

2018 Lexus RX 350L Does an extra row of seats make for a better Lexus SUV? By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor, Car-ED.com | July 2018 What is this vehicle? The 2018 Lexus RX 350L is a bigger and roomier version of the Japanese luxury brand's popular SUV. Stretching roughly four inches longer than the standard five-passenger RX, the 350L variant offers the convenience and utility of a standard third-row seat. In total, there is now room for seven people, though anyone sitting in the back had better be of modest proportions. Where the RX scores a homerun is with its ride comfort and cabin quietness. This Lexus sport-utility is tuned to take the stress out of every drive, though sometimes all the extra coddling starts to sap the fun out of the driving dynamics. Even when toggling the adjustable drive mode selector to its sportiest setting, the RX 350L remains a serene environment. Everything from the feel of the door handles, to the muted sound of the exhaust seems to have an extra layer of isolation. If you need to get places and enjoy feeling like you're traveling on a cloud, however, this three-row Lexus could be your dream machine. Who is this vehicle for? The Lexus RX 350L is aimed primarily at SUV shoppers who might have overlooked the RX, simply because it never offered an extra row of seating. The second-row [...]

2018-07-31T15:25:43-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|
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