2015 Volkswagen Jetta SE FWD Sedan

On January 19, 2015January 19, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Volkswagen1 Comment

The number one selling Volkswagen is the Jetta, produced since 1979. It is currently in it’s sixth generation form, this new design having been introduced in June of 2010 as a 2011 model. For 2015 the Jetta received a mid-cycle update in the front/rear styling and in standard equipment offerings. A Platinum Gray metallic Jetta SE four-door sedan was brought to my home on a recent Monday morning, and I immediately got inside to check out the optional equipment. Heated leatherette seats, heated mirrors, and Sirius satellite radio: check. Power lumbar “V-tech” Titan black leatherette bolstered buckets and leather wheel: check. Touchscreen radio/CD changer and Bluetooth and IPod connection: check. Pushbutton start (on the console along with the emergency brake) and five-speed manual transmission: check. Although most of the buzz with Volkswagen has recently been about the new masculine (supposedly) Beetle introduction, this Jetta is almost the newest VW in the lineup and, as mentioned earlier, the most popular. It’s easy to see and feel why, because this is a real nice car.

I jumped in and took off for Interstate 25 for a test drive and a chance to do some mall shopping somewhere along the way. A real firm ride is in store for the operator; a feeling of quality (and quietness). The steering wheel is rather thick with many controls, and the five-speed transmission quite manageable. The turbocharged four cylinder (EA888), 1.8 liter, 170 hp (6,200 rpm) engine provides an ample amount of power. More, in fact, than would seem available with that horsepower rating. Torque is 184 lb. ft. (1,500 – 4,750 rpm), and the highway fuel economy rating is 37 mpg on the highway, 25 mpg in the city, and a combined mpg figure is 29. The fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons.

Guiding the Jetta up the Interstate is pleasurable. Once again, the ride is firm, but handles the aging Interstate quite well. I had plenty of punch for changing lanes and running by service trucks and seniors. At the mall parking lot I stepped outside to view the styling of the VW. It’s good, if not spectacular, and looks particularly nice from the front with the new 2015 grill treatment. The mirrors have lighting stripes on them and up front are good-looking fog lights. The Jetta has a wheelbase of 104.4″, overall length of 183.3″, and the car weighs 3,047 lbs. Backseat legroom is suitable for a big human being, and the trunk is the biggest in its class, at 15.5 cubic feet. In the center of the back seat is a flop-down armrest/cup holder, and this VW had no power moonroof

This is the best-looking Jetta to date, and has 16”, Sedona ten-spoke alloy wheels to dress it up. Tires mounted on them are 205/55R 16” mud and snow radials. Base price for the SE was $18,995.00 and a lighting package ($995.00) and freight ($820.00) were added, bringing the M.S.R.P. to $20,810.00. Bottom line; I could see myself owning a car like this. The styling, roominess, drivability, and value puts the car high on the list of its segment competition.

2015 Lexus IS350 F Sport AWD Sedan

On December 21, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Lexus1 Comment

Lexus, Toyota’s luxury automobile division, has built and sold the IS series of sedans since 2006. The cars are manufactured in the Tahara plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and for 2014 the model underwent an update in body styling, with the drive train carried over from 2013. For 2015, both the styling and drive train remained essentially unchanged.

I recently tested a new 2015 Atomic Silver IS350, which was equipped with the 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 with 306 horsepower (6,400 rpm) and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. The sedan had a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and a downshift rev-matching feature that worked like a charm. Acceleration was fine, and reportedly the Lexus ( this is the smallest sedan offering) will go zero to 60 in 5.6 seconds. Fuel economy ratings are 19 mpg in town, 26 mpg on the highway, with a 21 mpg overall rating and a 17.4 gallon fuel tank.

The Lexus IS350 styling for 2015 has as its main calling card the new “spindle” grill found on their entire lineup in some form. The IS that I drove had black horizontal bars inserted in the grill along with dramatic inset LED daytime running lights and fog lights on the front of the car. The IS body styling features a scalloped crease that sweeps up just ahead of the rear wheel-well, and an integrated rear spoiler is molded onto the trailing edge of the trunk lid. The dark gray alloy wheels have ten spokes, and are fitted with Bridgestone 225/40R18 Turanza EL400’s, with all-season tread.

Speaking of all seasons, the IS has a mode selector (on the console) that includes a snow setting for winter driving. For the other seasons, ECO, sport, and normal modes are on hand for a total of four settings. My Lexus was an F Sport iteration of the IS, which has more capable underpinnings for track-like performance. An exhilarating intake-noise sound generator kicked in when accelerating, so the car seemed more exciting than it actually might have been. It was enjoyable.

Inside the new IS350, an additional measure of legroom has been added (about 1”, both front and rear), and the “mouse” has been retained on the console for controlling the infotainment system. The screen on the dashboard is 7”, measured diagonally. The IS features a moon roof, push button starter with proximity keyless entry, heated power leather bucket seats, 60/40 fold-down rear seat, ten airbags, Mark Levinson 16-speaker stereo, navigation system with rear facing camera, lane departure/blind spot/rear collision warning system, and power windows, locks, mirrors, with power tilt-telescope steering column. Seating is supportive and comfortable and the trunk can hold 13.8 cubic feet of cargo.

M.S.R.P. for the Lexus is $50,375.00, and that includes a base of $42,300.00 and options/freight totaling $8,075.00. The IS350, a car that had prior to the 2014 model year become a bit marginalized, is currently front and center in the luxury sports sedan segment. Shoppers in that segment need to take a hard look at it.

2015 Toyota Yaris SE 5-Door Sedan

On December 14, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, ToyotaLeave a comment

The most recent car brought to me for review earlier this week was the new 2015 Toyota Yaris . The model was the 5-door SE Liftback in Blue Streak metallic paint. And I like blue, particularly this shade – it was coupled with nice, black fabric seats, and black and silver-colored, 16″ alloy five-spoke wheels.

The Yaris, which has been around since 2007, was substantially updated for the 2015 model and marketing of it started late last summer. A big change to the car involved production of it in France instead of in Japan. Styling is new in many respects, but drive train components are much like the 2014. The styling, by the way, is an improvement in my mind.

The name of this car is derived from the word Charis, the Greek goddess of elegance and beauty. And the German expression of affirmation, “ya” is added onto the front of the name. It could just as surely refer to the target market of this car, Young Adults. On balance, it is a suitable name, and the Toyota people probably don’t mind that the word looks like the cultural epicenter of Europe, Paris (in France).

Ruth and I jumped into the Yaris and drove to Cracker Barrel to get something to eat. Getting in the car wasn’t particularly difficult, and the highway manners were fine for a subcompact. The base price of the Yaris SE is 17,620.00, and the total M.S.R.P. is 18,625.00, including freight ($825.00) and carpeted floor and trunk mats ($180.00). Standard equipment on the Yaris included 4-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, real hand brake, electric power steering/windows/locks, color-keyed power mirrors, anti-lock braking system, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, CD/stereo with USB and aux. jack, tire pressure monitor, tilt wheel, and a 60/40 fold-down rear seat. Behind that last item is a 15.6 cu. ft. luggage compartment, with an articulating package tray above it.

Dimensions associated with the Yaris SE are overall length of 154.7″, wheelbase of 98.8″, and curb weight of 2,315 lbs. The fuel tank holds 11.1 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline and the car seats five people.

Yaris power is provided by a 1.5 liter, 4-cylinder, 106 hp (6,000 rpm) engine with variable valve timing. Torque is 103 lb. ft. (4,200 rpm), and acceleration is OK (zero to 60 in perhaps a touch under ten seconds.) Gas mileage ratings are 30 in town and 36 on the highway (an increase in highway mileage for 2015). I observed a reading of 32.5 overall. The car rides on P195/50R16 Bridgstone Turanza EL400 mud and snow radials. Turning circle of the Yaris is 36.1 feet.

On this day the food in Loveland was good, and the ride back was a pleasure and I was proud to be seen in the Yaris. I guess I looked a little old, but Ruth didn’t. Would I let one of our three daughters drive, buy, ride in, lease, or borrow a Yaris? I sure would.

“Java” 2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV FWD Sedan

On November 25, 2014November 26, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, NissanLeave a comment

Two years ago I wrote of Al Hirt, famed New Orleans trumpeter and bandleader, owning a bar on Bourbon Street in the 60’s, and that I was sure that I had been in it at some point while serving in the Air Force nearby. My favorite watering hole, however, was Larry & Katz (pictured), an establishment a few blocks away from the French Quarter, where only white patrons were allowed inside. Everyone else had to drink outside on the sidewalk in front of the bar. That wasn’t my attraction to the place; that’s just the way it was all over Louisiana in 1967.

Al Hirt closed his Bourbon Street Club in 1983 because, as he said, the area had become “too dirty and dangerous”. His career, on the other hand, was illustrious, and included production of such hits as “Java” and the theme song to TV’s “The Green Hornet”. Java, and its accompanying album “Honey in the Horn”, sold a million copies.

What does all this have to do with my latest test car, the 2014 Nissan Altima? Not much, really, except that the color was called “Java”, and I had never seen that name associated with factory paint. The car, as you can see, looked a little like black coffee and this Altima had the charcoal cloth interior. It was the SV model, next the top of the Altima lineup. Their SL, perched at the top, has leather seating and a Bose stereo.

Power for the front-wheel-drive Altima SV is supplied by a 2.5 liter, four cylinder engine with 182 horsepower (6,000 rpm) and 180 lb. ft. of torque (4,000 rpm). Nissan gave in to the 4-cylinder trend with this car, and my week was pleasurable, even though two years ago I drove the V-6. A continuously variable automatic transmission is mated to the four cylinder engine, and acceleration was acceptable. EPA mileage figures are 27/38 mpg for city and highway (18 gallon tank), and during the week with the car, I averaged 32.4 miles per gallon.

The Altima SV I tested had as options a convenience package ($1,350.00), carpeting floor and trunk mats ($185.00), and technology package ($1,090.00). Total M.S.R.P., counting the $810.00 for freight, came to $27,615.00. With rear backup camera, moon roof, navigation system, keeping this sedan under twenty-eight grand is an accomplishment. Of course it had key-in-your-pocket ignition, tilt/telescope, power locks and windows, cruise control, satellite radio/CD, Bluetooth, and UBS connection. Seating was for five, and the trunk held 15.4 cubic feet of cargo.

Styling for the new Altima, introduced in July of 2012, is an improvement over prior Altimas. It looks bigger than it actually is, which is 191.5 “ in length and 3,177 lbs. in weight. Chrome door handles are attached to the Nissan, and dual fog lights are up front along with a bold grill. Ride is great, and it’s quiet in the cabin (71 decibels). Ten-spoke, 17” alloy wheels are surrounded by P215/55R17 Michelin Primacy MXV4 all season radials.

Nissan’s best seller, this Altima, should hold up well in the sales wars with Honda’s Accord and Toyota’s Camry, as it doesn’t offer a person many opportunities to complain. I spent a long day condo-hunting in Denver with it, and the driving didn’t “Hirt” too bad because I had a “Honey” of a car to accomplish the task.

2014 Lexus IS-F RWD Sports Sedan

On November 15, 2014November 15, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Lexus2 Comments

The high performance Lexus IS-F was waiting at Sky Harbor airport (Phoenix) when Ruth and I flew in to see the penultimate Nascar race for 2014, and we immediately jumped in for our ride up to Scottsdale to our hotel. When you fire it up with the push button starter, the big engine rumbles to life and reminds you that this is a compact car with Lexus’ biggest V-8 stuffed under the hood. It’s a 5.0-liter, dual overhead cam, 32 valve masterpiece with 416 horsepower and 371 lb. ft. of torque. And it’s coupled to an eight speed, sport-direct shift automatic transmission that is as smooth as silk.

When I pulled onto AZ Route 101 and stomped on the accelerator, I was somewhat startled at the sound emanating from under the hood. This Lexus V-8 features a dual air intake system that kicks open a secondary inlet (at 3,600 rpm) to give the big engine an extra gulp of air for enhanced acceleration. And what a sound! Plus, the four-tip, low restriction, semi-dual exhaust system really screams, as well. Advertised zero to 60 mph time is 4.6 seconds, and I am willing to take their word for that. Also advertised is a top speed of 170 mph and I am willing to, well, you know…. The speedometer reads up to 200 mph!

This particular model was “Nebula Gray Pearl” outside with a red and black leather interior. I found myself pretty well surrounded by the front buckets (it has four in the cabin), and lots of adjustments are on hand. “F” logos are stitched in several places on the seating, and “F” chrome emblems are on the fenders. I think it stands for the Fuji Speedway in Japan, where extensive performance testing of the Lexus IS-F took place. This model launched the high-performance “F” line of Lexus automobiles.

The ride is definitely performance related and if you want a smooth ride in this car, find a smooth road to drive it on. Features include double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear, and big Brembo brakes are on hand. With the suspension setup, the snappy eight-speed automatic, and the rowdy V-8, just cruising around Phoenix is a kick in the pants (that is a good thing).

The console and dashboard feature some dark aluminized composite trim and cool, ambient lighting is on the doors; blue needles indicate goings-on over the gauges. The car I had in my possession featured the $3,410.00 optional hard-drive-based navigation system and Mark Levinson, 14-speaker surround sound stereo system. The navigation screen reveals a color picture of your rear view, and the steering wheel is a handsome two-toned leather (again, red and black with radio controls and transmission paddles), and the shift knob is red leather. Counting the aforementioned stereo, navigation, and freight, the Lexus carried a sticker price of $68,170.00. This automobile is designed for four people and the trunk holds 13.3 cubic feet of luggage. The IS-F is a genuine hot-rod for the high-end auto enthusiast, which could be me; I would certainly love to have one.

After checking in, Ruth and I headed up Indian School Road to find some lunch. I found myself hoping for successive red lights along the way so that I could run through the gears on the Lexus. Lots of motorists were admiring the car with it’s 19″ gray/black alloy wheels, big air vents jutting out from the fenders, and upper and lower mesh grills. The big vents are ostensibly for the purpose of letting hot air get away from the big V-8. On the trunk is a carbon fiber spoiler and in the charcoal paint the car is a particularly attractive mode of transportation. At the end of the day it was a pleasure to rumble into the hotel parking lot, and I couldn’t wait to drive the Lexus to Phoenix International Raceway the next morning for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500.

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2015 Hyundai Genesis RWD Sedan

On October 22, 2014November 3, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, HyundaiLeave a comment

The Hyundai Genesis, the company’s full-size entry-luxury offering, has been built since 2008, and is currently in its second-generation configuration. For 2015, the automobile was extensively re-designed and somewhat enlarged, and such a vehicle is what I was presented to test this last week. The unit was painted Pamplona red (maroon) metallic and was fitted with a leather beige interior. STI-Denver was the press firm that delivered it to my home.

During the week, I drove the car extensively, including all around Denver looking at condos with my family. Thus, I got to drive on several of the streets and freeways in Colorado’s biggest city, and was pleased with the handling and highway manners of the Genesis. I found the shifting of the eight-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic to be a pleasure, and acceleration is good – reportedly zero to 60 in about 6 seconds with the 311 horsepower V-6 providing the grunt. Paddle shifters on the Genesis peek out from each side of the steering wheel and work fine with dashboard updates on current gear selection.

The suspension setup is tuned by famed auto-maker Lotus, and the new model reflects the enhanced engineering that has been added. I understand that springs, bushings, motor mounts – even the power steering – were effected by Lotus. Guidance at highway speed is very good, and handling on the grooved-cement surface on Interstate 25 works out great, thanks in part to the 245/45R18 Hankook Ventus S1 Noble mud & snow radials. The tires surround two-toned, fifteen-spoke premium alloy wheels. Road noise seems to be pretty much at a minimum, and a lot of Colorado sunshine can flow in thanks to the panoramic sunroof. A shade can be deployed to keep it darkened in the Hyundai, and sunshades are on hand for all three rear windows – electric in the rear glass.

The Genesis styling for 2015 is something that the firm is proud of, I’m sure. I liked the looks, my friends and relatives did, and the automotive press has been quite impressed, as well. An ample amount of chrome is installed on all sides, and the taillights look at lot like the Lexus GS (I know well – they were both sitting here for a time in my driveway). The manufacturer has styled the Genesis with a large, Fusion-style (Jag?), nickel-finished grill with six big horizontal bars. Stainless steel exhaust finishers are out back and the entire roof and fin on top are blacked-out.

The Genesis contains a lot of technology inside this five-passenger, rear-wheel drive sedan when equipped with the Signature, Tech, and Ultimate packages, as they are marketed by Hyundai. Examples include lane departure warning, imminent collision warning, radar smart cruise control, blind spot monitor to include an icon in the head-up display in the windshield (icons, actually – one for each rear corner), navigation system with 8″ screen, and lane-keep assist. Also inside the Genesis are the usual heated and air conditioned seats, electric tilt/telescope, Lexicon stereo, memory seating, and pushbutton starter. Outside, the trunk opens when the operator stands behind the car (in possession of a key) for three seconds. I liked the seating up front and my passengers in Denver were pleased in all of the other seat locations.

There is no doubt that the Genesis will be a hit in this new configuration. At under $50,000.00, it is a great value for those willing to give up the four rings, tri-star, or the propellor emblem on the hood and trunk of their car. I had a blast driving the Genesis, and can recommend it to prospective shoppers.

WINDOW STICKER – M.S.R.P. $49,950.00, including $4,000.00 for Signature package, $3,500.00 for Tech package, $3,500.00 for Ultimate package, and $950.00 for freight.

2014 Lexus GS350 F Sport AWD Sedan

On October 16, 2014October 21, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, LexusLeave a comment

Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, has been producing the GS series of sedans since 1993. The new 2014 model that I drove this last week represented the manufacturer’s fourth generation offering, and it came in Obsidian (black) metallic with black leather seating. The GS Lexus sedan is a midsize performance car with all-wheel drive.

The power train in my test car consisted of a 3.5 liter V6 with 306 horsepower and 277 lb. ft. of torque. Behind it was a six-speed automatic with manual shifting mode and paddles on the steering column. The F Sport package on this car included graphite finished 19” alloy wheels (with Bridgestone Turanza EL400, 255/40R19 radials), Adaptive Variable Suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and oversized brakes. It accelerates from zero to sixty in under six seconds and reportedly has a top speed of 131 mph.

The M.S.R.P. of the Lexus is $58,990.00, including freight ($910.00), blind spot monitor ($700.00), F Sport package ($5,695.00), and navigation system with 12.3” screen ($1,735.00). I mentioned some of the F Sport upgrades, but the package also included special grill, rear valence, and trunk fin styling adornments, making the car a striking visage.

Ruth and I drove the Lexus to both Denver and Ft. Collins, and Ruth commented on the sumptuous but sporty ride out on I25. Of course, the blind spot monitor helped her husband keep the big sedan out of the way of other motorists. Wheelbase of the car is 112.2”, overall length is 190.7”, and it weighs 3,970 lbs.

The EPA fuel mileage estimates of the GS are 19 and 26, city/highway, and a combined rating of 21 mpg. During my week driving the Lexus in mostly a city setting, the calculation was 21.5 mpg. The V6 performs well, and delivers a throaty roar upon hard acceleration.

Riding in the GS is especially comfortable due to the supportive bucket seats with perforated leather black trim and 16-way adjustability. The driver chooses from three driving modes with a console mounted dial – Economy, Sport, and Sport Plus. The Sport Plus tightens up the steering and throttle/transmission response; plus it changes the speedometer backlighting to red. It is a five passenger sedan with a large back seat and a 14.3 cubic foot trunk.

The options on the Lexus included a power rear sunshade, USB stereo connection, satellite radio, sunroof, power tilt/telescope, 12-speaker stereo, navigation with 12.3” (!) screen, Bluetooth, and backup camera.

Overall, I would recommend the GS350 to the discerning, performance-oriented buyer with a few extra dollars on hand. It was a blast to drive around for the week I had it in my possession.

2014 Volkswagen Turbo Beetle R-Line Sedan

On October 1, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Volkswagen1 Comment

I remember the first time I laid eyes on a Volkswagen Beetle, in Grant, Nebraska in about 1963. A young man in town named Charlie Brixius had purchased a used one (perhaps a 1959), and made quite a splash driving it up and down Main Street over and over. We all did that back then – gas was cheap, the pace was leisurely, and that was the place to be seen. The U-turns were made at the same intersections on the north and south end of this town of 1,000 population, and some of the guys out cruising were lucky enough to have a girl sitting in the middle of the front seat for the ride.

Charlie never had a girl sitting in the middle of his front seat, because the “bug” had two bucket seats in the front of the four-passenger, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive VW. Neither did I, as I rode a Honda 50 scooter/cycle.

Volkswagen Beetles were built from 1938 to 2003, and over 20 million have been manufactured and sold worldwide since the inception of the car in Germany. A man named Porsche designed the car, and along with the rear engine placement, the car was air cooled, without coolant or a radiator.

What is commonly called a “New Beetle” with coolant, a front engine, and front-wheel drive, has been marketed on and off since 1997. Such a car is what was brought to me a week ago for testing, a 2014 Turbocharged Reef blue metallic unit with “R-Line” equipment specified, including a spoiler, “twister” alloy wheels, extra gauges, aluminum pedal covers, and special badging.

Power for my test car was supplied by a 2.0 liter, 210 horsepower (207 lb. ft. of torque) four cylinder gas engine with an EPA mileage rating of 24/city, 30/highway, 26 combined MPG. The transmission on hand was a six-speed automatic with a manual option that shifted into higher gears in a hurry, but seemed sturdy and somewhat enjoyable. For having a turbocharger, the engine had a definite grumble to it, belying the high RPM turbo operating in the power department. Turbochargers whir at about 150,000 revolutions per minute – roughly 30 times as fast as the engine. They are nice in Colorado, spinning faster at our altitude and mitigating power loss that can be associated with naturally-aspirated (i.e. fuel injected) engines.

Inside the Volkswagen, a Fender premium stereo was on hand as well as sunroof, heated leather buckets, Bluetooth connections, navigation, pushbutton starter and satellite radio. The theme inside was two-toned black and blue and somewhat kicky. Styling was great with ten spoke polished alloys and attractive black trim work low on the outside.

Acceleration of the VW was fine, road manners were on target, and handling/guidance were acceptable. It’s a pretty quiet sedan and visibility is fine. List price was $32,215.00 for the 2014 that I drove and that included freight. It has a niche market and doesn’t sell over 400,000 per year (in the U.S.!) like the old days, but still has a nice following and a fan in this reviewer.

2015 Honda Fit EX 5-Door Hatchback

On September 17, 2014September 17, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Honda1 Comment

In 1978, Sports Illustrated broadcast an unforgettable TV advertisement in which Steve Garvey and the late Lyle Alzado are discussing their jobs. Garvey says “I’m a hitter”, and Alzado says “I’m a hitter, too,” then looks at the bat in Garvey’s hands; “what’s that for?”, to which Garvey replies “for hitting”. Says Alzado, “I’ve got to get me one of those!”

While testing Honda’s new 2015 Fit this last week, I had a handful of people make that exclamation after looking over and riding in the car, most notably my wife, Ruth. I was pretty pleased by the Fit, as well, a Mystic yellow metallic five-door EX model.

The new Fit has been re-designed for 2015, with a distinctive crease incorporated into the bodywork and a new six-speed standard transmission. Its built on a new platform with an increase in rigidity and a 1.6” shorter (160”) overall length. Height (60”) and width (67”) are the same as a 2014, and the curb weight is 2,650 lbs.

The front-wheel drive Fit has a 1.5 liter, 4 cylinder, 16-valve engine with 130 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 114 lb. ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm. Zero to 60 mph acceleration is reportedly 9 seconds and top speed is 110 mph. Fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and a combined rating is 32 mpg.

The five-passenger Honda Fit has a surprisingly ample rear seat for three that folds down or alternatively, can be reclined a bit for weary back- seat passengers. Behind the seat is 17 cubic feet of cargo space accessible with a hatch opening (called a fifth door). Folded down seating results in 53 cubic feet of space behind the little buckets.

Guidance and ride are fine out on the highway in the Fit, and the little four buzzes along at 3,600 rpm at 75 mph. That leaves the six-speed transmission with relatively close ratios and that makes acceleration fun, if not breathtaking. Wind and highway noise out there are OK, and in town the handling is on target.

Interior appointments, including cloth upholstery, are about what a person might expect, except that the EX has a proximity keyless pushbutton starter setup and a power moon roof. Materials are fine inside the Honda, and a lack of radio knobs can be overcome with steering wheel controls and a 7” touchscreen infotainment screen.

A backup camera is part of the deal on this Honda, and the company has supplied a camera on the right hand mirror to view the driver’s blind spot behind and to the right of the vehicle. It kicks on when the right hand turn signal is switched. I think it’s super – better than navigation and XM satellite radio, things not present in the Honda.

M.S.R.P. of the Honda, at $18,225.00, is a good value. That’s the reason my friends (and my wife) expressed an intent to “get one of these.” We shall see about that.

2014 Lexus LS460 AWD Sedan

On September 14, 2014September 15, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, LexusLeave a comment

The most recent press loan car that I received was last week, a Lexus LS460 4-door sedan with all-wheel drive. The team that delivered the car to Greeley was Rocky Mountain Redline, a fleet management firm in Dacono. The car came in Liquid Platinum (silver) metallic and the interior was black semi-aniline (perforated) leather. The car seated five comfortably because the LS (M.S.R.P. $90,444.00) is big, with a wheelbase of 116.9”, overall length of 200”, height of 58.1”, and width of 73.8”. Weight is 4,652 lbs.

Power for the Lexus is provided by a 4.6 liter, 360 horsepower (@6,400 rpm) V-8 with a fuel economy rating of 16-city, 23-highway, and 18-combined mpg. My fuel mileage during the week with the car was 23.6 mpg, and the car held 22.2 gallons of premium gasoline. Torque rating for the Lexus is 347 lb. ft. @ 4,100 rpm, and the transmission is an eight-speed sequential-shift automatic with manual control setup. Acceleration was smooth and supple, and reportedly the LS460 will go zero to sixty in 6.0 seconds and top out at 130 mph. An adaptive air suspension system was featured on this LS, enhancing the ride appreciably.

My wife Ruth and another couple all jumped into the Lexus recently to go to Denver to have dinner at the Denver Press Club. That couple was Mr. and Mrs. Bud Wells, Bud being the long time auto columnist that was with the Denver Post for over three decades. The LS, of course, gave us a superb ride and we got lucky and parked right in front of the restaurant on Glenarm Street. Dinner was great and Mr. Wells had many stories about his days of visiting the PC after late nights meeting deadlines at the Post.

This car came equipped without the lane departure warning and radar cruise control, but it had a big navigation screen (12.3”) and 19 speaker, 450-watt Mark Levinson stereo with satellite radio, moon roof, and blind spot monitor. Also, the LS had Bluetooth, Lexus Enform app suite, and power tilt/telescope/heated bamboo steering wheel. All the windows powered up or down (out of sight), the mirrors folded in when the car was locked and a proximity key fob and pushbutton starter button were in the car. The front buckets were superb and adjustable in 16 (driver) and 12 (passenger) ways. Stitched leather was all over the interior, including some well-designed door panels. All four corner seats were heated and air conditioned, something for all the seasons, and the trunk held 18 cubic feet with a lid that powered up and down. The rear seats had a reclining feature, and sunshades were installed in all three rear windows.

The styling of the car was a striking, metallic silver, and up front resided LED lighting for day or night attention. Taillights have three “L’s” molded within each, and an appropriate amount of chrome is installed on the car. The wheels were 19” split-seven spoke forged alloys surrounded by 245/45R19 all-season radials. The twin exhausts puffed out of two sculpted chrome finishers molded into the rear fascia.

Driving the LS is a pleasure, the styling of the car is fine, and comfort for all people inside is top notch. The competition is fierce in this segment, but shoppers for a luxury sedan should not bypass the Lexus dealer during their search.

Stu's Reviews

Category: *PASSENGER CARS