2016 Scion iA 4-Door FWD Sedan

On December 28, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, ScionLeave a comment

My most recent road test was of the Scion iA,, the new-for-2015 compact that is essentially a Mazda2 (the Mazda2 is not sold in America). Scion is the division of Toyota that has marketed affordable smaller cars since 2002 with the goal of selling them to millennials. The i in its name stands of individualism and the A is emblematic of accommodation, referencing the ample luggage space in the trunk, which is 13.5 cubic feet. Interior space is 85.9 cubic feet (five people).

I drove my test iA (2016) to Pirate Radio in Greeley, which is 104.7 on the FM dial. The DJ’s at the Pirate, George Gray and Matt Arguello, looked over the Scion and sat inside for a feel for the car. Their impression was favorable, and they commented that the vehicle was the least expensive of any offering that I had showed to them. We talked about the car on “Stu’s Reviews” at 7:30 am on December 11th, and the positive remarks were voiced on-air that morning.

The M.S.R.P. of my Scion was $17,570.00, including freight of $770.00. Standard equipment on the car included an air conditioner, AM/FM radio with 6 speakers, 7″ audio touchscreen display, tilt/telescope steering column, push button starter, keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, backup camera, cruise control, and power windows/locks. Up front were black cloth bucket seats and the rear 60/40 bench seat folded flat for additional cargo capacity.

I drove the Scion iA for a week and the performance was satisfactory in all respects. The power for the car is supplied by a 4-cylinder, 1.5 liter, dual overhead cam, 16-valve engine. Horsepower is 106 @ 6,000 rpm and torque rating is 103 lb. ft. @ 4,000 rpm. EPA ratings have been computed at 42 mpg-highway, 33 mpg-city, and 37 mpg-combined, and my result was 40.6 mpg for the week. Fuel tank capacity is 11.6 gallons, so range is quite good. Zero to 60 acceleration for the iA is reportedly between 8 and 9 seconds.

With Mazda putting together the styling of the iA, you can expect a good-looking car, which the iA is. I have my reservations about the grill, but must say that onlookers at my radio station visit seemed OK with it. It is not a hatchback, just a conventional sedan with trunk, and looks pretty nice with the Pulse red paint and ten spoke alloy wheels (not plastic hub caps). The car is 171.1″ long and weighs 2,400 lbs.

The Scion iA is good, basic, inexpensive transportation and I enjoyed having it in my possession for a week. An entry-level automobile shopper would be doing themselves a favor dropping by the dealership to test drive the iA.

2016 Mazda3 “S” 5-Door Grand Touring Hatchback

On December 21, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, MazdaLeave a comment

The first Mazda3 that could be purchased was the 2004 model, and the 2016 recently was introduced in a third generation configuration. The Mazda3 was loaned to me for testing recently by Greeley Mazda, and it came in Soul red metallic paint with a black and almond leather interior.

At the same time as the Mazda arrived, the January, 2016 issue of Car and Driver magazine arrived, and in it was the Mazda3 designated as a “10 Best Cars for 2016” selection. The test car that I received was the top-of-the-line Grand Touring S edition with an M.S.R.P. of $30,270.00. The base price was $26,495.00, and to it was added several options that totaled $2,955.00, most notable among them being an appearance package for $1,750.00. In the package was a grouping of spoilers and side sill extenders that actually added nicely to the appearance of the car.

As a Grand Touring Mazda3, my loaner had a moon roof, heated front seats, power driver seat, navigation/rear camera setup with 7” touch screen, and a Bose 9-speaker surround sound stereo. Additionally, the Mazda was equipped with XM radio, a console-mounted command control for the infotainment system, blind spot monitor, proximity keyless entry, and power windows/locks/outside mirrors. A genuine “hand brake” and push button (plus remote) starter, always positives for me, were on hand in the attractive Mazda interior. Also, the Grand Touring model features auto on/off bi-xenon adaptive headlights, LED combination taillights, LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink®, and perforated leather-trimmed seats.

Power for the Mazda3 S is supplied by a 2.5 liter, four-cylinder, 184 horsepower (@ 5,700 rpm), 185 lb. ft. torque rating (@3,250 rpm) engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with floor shift and paddles on the steering column. Reportedly, zero to 60 timing for the 3 is 7.4 seconds. Fuel economy ratings are 27/city – 37/highway, and 31/combined miles per gallon. Mazda equips this drive train with what is called SkyActiv technology, a combination, among other things, of 13 to 1 compression ratio and direct, multi-hole fuel injectors. Therefore the EPA highway readings are excellent, with my observation coming in at above the 31 mpg combined number.

Styling of the Mazda3 Grand Touring S, introduced in 2014, features a longer hood and elevated trunk lid with aerodynamic spoiler attached. All four windows roll down out of sight, and the windshield has an impressive rake to it. Wheels are ten-spoke dark gray alloys fitted with P215/45R18 all-season radials, and the new grill has a more menacing, blacked-out customized look. I gave high marks for the ride, handling, and guidance of the car, and adjusting the sound system and navigation is easy with the right hand on the command control arrangement.

The Mazda3’s handling is improved by virtue of the electric-assist power steering, MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension (a rarity in this class). The car is 180.3” in overall length, with a wheelbase of 106.3” and weight of 2,848 lbs. The fuel tank holds 13.2 gallons and the trunk holds 12.4 cubic feet.
I liked the 2016 Mazda3 five-door hatchback, and could anticipate recommending a purchase to a prospective compact hatchback shopper. And the new Car and Driver magazine editors agree with me.

2016 Scion tC 3-Door Liftback

On December 14, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, ScionLeave a comment

Scion automobiles are a product of Toyota (the Scion name means descendant of a family or heir), and were developed for the American market starting in 2002. Last month I tested a Scion tC 3-door lift back that was delivered to me by Rocky Mountain Redline out of Dacono, Colorado. Originally, the Scion lineup included the xA hatchback and xB wagon, and in 2004 they introduced the compact tC sports coupe like I drove, and the tC is now in its thirteenth year of production. The paint was Blue Streak metallic blue, with black cloth bucket seats and five passenger seating. It is an attractive sport coupe with extensive re-styling that took place two years ago.

My test tC had a 106.3” wheelbase and a chassis that was derived from the European-market Avensis sedan as well as the Lexus HS-250h. Acceleration (0-60 in 7.5 sec.) is provided by the 2.5 liter, 4 cylinder, DOHC, dual variable valve-timed, in-line powerplant. Horsepower is 179 and the torque comes in at 171 ft.-lbs. Fuel economy of the tC with the 6-speed manual transmission computes at 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with a 14.5 gallon fuel tank. The front MacPherson strut and double-wishbone rear suspension gave me a sporty ride and smooth handling, and visibility and road noise are fine for a twenty-thousand dollar automobile.

Speaking of which, M.S.R.P. of the Scion was precisely $20,180.00, including all standard equipment and freight of $795.00. Standard equipment included a glass tilt/slide moon roof, 8-speaker stereo with Bluetooth connectivity, pushbutton starter, power windows/locks, tilt/telescope steering column, remote keyless entry, and cruise control. The glass that runs the entire span of the roof presents a striking appearance, as it is a hatchback design without a package tray in the rear (you can peek in the 14.7 cubic ft. cargo area from outside).

Turning radius on the Scion is 18.7 ft., and the length is 176.6 in., making the handling and parking of this vehicle quite manageable. Whenever I took the tC around the community, a lot of looks and questions were presented to me because of the car’s top-notch styling. Males seemed to pay particular attention, which is good for Toyota because they are striving for 60% male purchasers. The tC features 18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels surrounded with 225/45R18 Yokohama all season radials. Looks are enhanced with the bulging rear wheel-wells and the front grill that has a Lexus look to it, and on balance, the car is a solid alternative for the compact sporty car shopper.

2015 Infiniti Q50S 3.7 RWD Sedan

On November 2, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, InfinitiLeave a comment

Ruth and I travelled to Alabama in October for the Camping World 500 at Talladega, Alabama, and while there tested a Hagane blue Infiniti Q50S. Unlike the race, our trip and test ended pleasurably with a drive to Atlanta for the flight to Colorado. Our stay was on Lake Martin in central Alabama, where in a lakeside cabin Hank Williams wrote “Kaw-Liga” – a reference to a lovesick cigar store wooden Indian – in 1952. The number was included in Williams’ final recording session, and was placed on the flip side of “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, with both songs reaching Billboard’s number one position. Hank Williams died January 1st, 1953, at age 29.

We enjoyed going through the Hank Williams museum in Montgomery, Alabama, but also had a good time for the first 500 miles of racing at Talladega on a temperate, overcast Sunday afternoon. Nascar officials flubbed up the ending of the race, but by that time we had thoroughly enjoyed watching the proceedings and eating Alabama bar-b-que. It was my third trip to the Talladega race, and the paddock arrangement behind pit road was great – we were there for nine hours.

I have tested several Infinitis in the past, and this one seemed particularly suited to my taste – a high performance luxury Q50S sedan. Its M.S.R.P. was $47,755.00, including freight, and that price included the following options – navigation package ($1,400.00) and performance wheel package ($1,800.00) Thus, the car carried a base price of $43,650.00 and freight came in at $905.00. The interior was sumptuous, and included a suede headliner, semi-aniline leather trim, Bose 14-speaker surround sound stereo with satellite radio, tilt/telescope, navigation system, backup camera, moon roof, and heated front bucket seats. The Stone (off-white) upholstery was striking with “Infiniti” stitching in the front buckets and soft double-stitched speedometer/tach hood.

The Q50S is a high performance car, with 328 horsepower and 269 lb. lb. of torque – it is a 3.7 liter V-6 with dual overhead cams. It’s rear-wheel drive, the preferred architecture for a luxury performance sedan in this category. The transmission is a seven-speed automatic (like the Infiniti V-8s have) with manual shift mode and paddles. The driver selects from four driving modes with a console-mounted button – sport, standard, eco, and snow. The eco mode maximizes fuel economy, and this car’s ratings are 20 city and 29 highway. I observed 22.8 mpg during the time spent with the Q50S and that matches up with the EPA combined rating of 23.

The Q50S styling features chrome door handles, exhaust tips, and Infiniti signature grill. The paint was “Hagane” (Japanese for steel) blue metallic, and actually looked best in sunlight. The 19” alloy (RAYS branded) ten-spoke dark gray forged wheels were surrounded with P245/40R19 (front) and P265/35R19 (rear) summer radials. Staggered tire sizes – that’s when the car owner knows that he has a performance machine.

The Infiniti was great to have possession of during the week of racing fun. The Alabama roads are smooth, winding, and secluded in the tall timber. This reviewer had fun with the Q50S, and it comes with my recommendation.

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

On October 11, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, HyundaiLeave a comment

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has been on sale in America for about four and half years, and shares its drive train and some design elements with the KIA Optima Hybrid. The two cars combine to occupy second place (in America) in hybrid sales to Toyota’s Prius. The Hyundai has more conventional styling than a Prius, and in fact is an attractive sedan. I received one for testing last week; a Starlight Silver unit with a gray leather interior.

The M.S.R.P. for my 2016 test unit was $35,765.00, freight included, and it was the top-of-the-line Limited model. The options on the loaded Limited were a panoramic sunroof package ($4,500.00), carpeted floor mats ($125.00), and first aid kit/floor mats/wheel locks ($215.00). Standard equipment on this model included heated front and rear seats, the leather (seating, steering wheel, and shift knob), 400-watt Infinity 8-speaker stereo, backup camera, navigation with 8” screen, power driver’s seat and eco-spoke alloy wheels. Also on hand was tilt/telescope steering column, satellite radio, radar cruise control, power windows/locks/mirrors, pushbutton starter, keyless entry, Bluetooth/USB connectivity, navigation system, blind spot monitor, and heated mirrors with lighted signal stripes.

The hybrid power setup in the Sonata starts with a 2.0 liter, four cylinder gas engine and adds a permanent-magnet AC electric motor (total system power is 193 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm). The car accelerates from zero to 60 in 8.4 seconds. A six speed automatic transmission with a manual mode delivers power to the front wheel drive sedan. EPA mileage ratings for the Sonata are 39 city/43 highway, 41 overall, and the fuel tank holds 15.85 gallons of regular gasoline.

As I mentioned, the Limited Hyundai is rather good-looking, with bold chrome strips on all four sides, chrome door handles, racy lighting on all corners, and two-toned “eco-spoke” gray alloy 17” wheels fitted with P215/55R17 Kumho Solus KH25 all season radials. The Starlight Silver paint had some metallic in the finish, and the panoramic sun roof was evident from outside the car.

I spent a lot of time driving the Sonata around northern Colorado, and the ride was great. Wind noise was minimal, and passing and accelerating from a light was a snap. One thing that was quite balky was the gas gauge, which barely moved in a downward direction.

Weight of the Sonata is 3,560 lbs., not much for a hybrid. The company uses a 270 volt lithium-polymer battery pack (warrantied for life), something normally found employed in a plug-in vehicle. Thus, it is in the trunk, yet the trunk holds 13.3 cubic feet of luggage. Wheelbase of the car is 110.4”, length is 191.1”, width is 73.4”, and the height is 57.9”. With the battery in the trunk, the passenger volume is maintained at 106.1 cubic feet, like the Hyundai gas-powered sedan.

At the asking price of $35,765.00, I feel the Sonata Hybrid deserves a hard look from a perspective hybrid car shopper. It’s attractive, roomy, fuel efficient, and well-appointed.

2015 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4×4

On October 7, 2015 By stuwright47In *SPORT UTILITIES, JeepLeave a comment

Recently I was chosen to examine the 2015 Cherokee Latitude 4 x 4 by Rocky Mountain Redline of Dacono, CO. They graciously brought the Jeep by my house and had a copy of the window sticker along – it was $33,825.00, including freight and several options. I’ll get into that list later, but at first glance I was surprised to see all of the black chrome trim work on the Jeep, and as the test unfolded a lot of my friends made favorable comments about the look. A gloss black appearance was featured on the grill, the window trim, roof rails, wheels, and the fascia application. Along with the Granite Crystal metallic clear coat paint, the vehicle therefore presented an aggressive, business-like look.

The Ohio-built Jeep Cherokee is not to be confused with the Grand Cherokee – this is a mid-size crossover that was introduced for the 2014 model year and was co-developed by Chrysler and Fiat. It is 182″ long, 73.2″ wide, 65.7″ high, is mounted on a 106.3″ wheelbase, and has ground clearance of 8″. Weight of the model I drove was 4,044 lbs. As of this writing, it should not be driven on the streets of South Carolina, because it can only wade through 19″ of water. That’s actually pretty good, but the weather in SC is pretty bad.

I enjoyed testing the Jeep in Colorado, and was pleased about the extra punch provided by the 3.2 liter (197.7 c.i.d.) Pentastar V-6 with 271 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. The torque rating is 239 lb. ft. at 4,400 rpm. Smooth acceleration was effected through the single-speed Activ Drive I four-wheel drive system and the new 9-speed, Chrysler-built transmission that adds economy to the Jeep’s EPA ratings – they are 28-highway, 20-city, and 23-combined miles per gallon. My reading came in as expected and just a little above the combined figure. For the four-wheel drive system, a floor dial is on hand with up to five traction control settings. They are auto, snow, sport, sand/mud, and rock, and the management system is referred to as Selec-Terrain.

The loaded Jeep Cherokee Latitude has as options the following items: customer preferred package ($600.00) – 18″ x 7″ gloss black five-spoke wheels, black trim work and P225/60R18 Continental ProContact steel radials; safety tech group ($1,045.00) – blind spot monitor, rear park assist and multi-function power mirrors; comfort/convenience group ($1,745.00) – remote starter, power lift gate, remote entry and go, power cloth buckets and XM satellite radio; V-6 engine ($1,745.00) – includes start/stop feature for economy plus dual exhausts ; UConnect ($600.00) – 8.4 infotainment screen with navigation capability. All the items were in addition to a base price of $27,095.00 and a freight charge of $995.00.

The total Jeep package was impressive, with V-6 power in an advanced power train, deluxe interior with room for five people plus 25 cubic feet of cargo, acceptable fuel economy and list price, and all the amenities except leather and moon roof. In other words, everything that you expect in a Jeep, and have since 1941.

2015 Chrysler 300S AWD Sedan

On September 23, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, ChryslerLeave a comment

The Chrysler 300S, a full-size luxury offering from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, was introduced in early 2011 at the New York International Auto Show as a second-generation iteration.

The updated 2015 300 represents a nice improvement over its predecessor in terms of styling and technology. The car is 198.6” long, weighs 4,029 lbs., and is intended to compete with popular cars like Chevrolet’s Impala, Toyota’s Avalon, and Ford’s Taurus.

I recently tested a 300S “Sport” model with Jazz Blue pearl coat paint and black leather bolstered seating. The “S” is third from the top in the line of 300’s, and this particular model had all-wheel drive. Power was supplied by a 3.6 liter V-6 coupled with Chrysler’s proprietary 8-speed transmission. The car exuded a throaty exhaust note and reportedly, the acceleration is zero to sixty in under six seconds.

Relative to its technology, the 300S that I tested had the navigation and BeatsAudio sound group, including a programmable driver dash cluster and 8.4” touchscreen display in the center stack. Chrysler calls its infotainment system UConnect, and with it the driver can command by voice the navigation route request, radio settings, text message(s), telephone calls, and recorded voice memos. Hands-free responses to incoming text messages can be pre-defined by the driver (perhaps “I’m on my way.”), and the smart system technology can be trained to better recognize the driver’s voice in three languages, if desired. Chrysler likes to say that their UConnect system takes non-distracted driving very seriously.

Driving the 300S was pleasurable, with handling, ride, road noise and guidance all impressive. A blind spot monitor, cross path detection, and backup camera system all made driving easier, as did the comfort group with its heated steering wheel and seats. A rotary E-shift gear selector was nice, and it’s something that I have come to look forward to when I encounter it in the test cars that I analyze.

Chrysler has a hit on its hands with the 300 series sedan, have sold more than 53,000 in 2014. I can see why it is so popular, and really enjoyed my week driving the “S” model.

2015 Chrysler 300S specs

MSRP: $39,560.00, including freight and; customer preferred package -UConnect 8.4” screen, navigation, and HD radio ($995.00).

Power: 3.6 liter (217 c.i.d.) V-6 with 300 horsepower and 264 lb. ft. of torque. 8-speed automatic transmission with E-shift plus steering wheel paddles. All-wheel drive.

Capacities: Fuel 18.5 gallons, cargo 16.3 cu. ft., passengers 5

EPA ratings: 18 mpg-city, 27 mpg-highway, 21 mpg-combined

2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB

On September 19, 2015July 9, 2020 By stuwright47In *SPORT UTILITIES, Land RoverLeave a comment

Indian conglomerate Tata Motors purchased iconic British automaker Jaguar Land Rover in 2008, obtaining a luxury line of cars and utility vehicles – the Land Rover brand having been around since 1947. Land Rover started selling a bigger Range Rover SUV in 1970, and since 2013 the model has been available in its biggest version to date. A Fuji white 2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB (long wheelbase) was the subject of a recent test that I conducted, and it was the largest foreign non-pickup unit ever loaned to me for review.

American manufacturers produce SUV’s of this size, of course, but not with as many amenities, at such a price, or with as much power. Power which for my test Range Rover LWB came in the form of a 5.0 liter, 510 horsepower, 32-valve, supercharged V-8, permanent four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer case, and an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. With such of a power train, acceleration from zero to 60 is reportedly 5.5 seconds, blazing for a 5,320 lb. aluminum-intensive behemoth. The Range Rover is fast, and it’s ride, handling, guidance and visibility all go hand in hand with its drive train prowess. Plus it can wade through 35.4” of water.

With regards to the amenities, they are in abundance in the Range Rover that I drove, and included four-zone climate control, front massage seats, rear climate seats that recline, beverage cooler, surround cameras, 360 degree parking control, 825-watt Meridian premium stereo, and panoramic moonroof that is controllable from the rear seats. Also, HDD navigation, adaptive cruise control, terrain response system with five settings, rear cabin power blinds, and 21” aluminum alloy wheels were on hand.

People like this journalist are not often spotted in the driver’s seat, or back seat for that matter, of a vehicle such as the Range Rover. It’s convention is often as a form of transportation for an entertainer or business owner. In fact, Range Rover LWB sales are brisk in China, where owners enjoy riding in the back seat where all the room is. This model represents nearly half of Sino-sales, whereas in America only 25% of Range Rover buyers opt for the 7.9” longer version. All but a half inch of that additional exterior dimension benefits the legs of the passengers in the rear, and a lengthened back door that needs careful handling is often taken care by someone outside of the vehicle – the driver.

My rating of the Range Rover in question would be “par excellence”, in the areas of driving experience, off-road capability (reportedly), comfort, and styling. As for the value proposition of this vehicle, I admit that it is expensive, at $118,000,00. However, I suspect that shoppers in this category, for the most part, are not concerned with that aspect.

2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB Specs

MSRP: $118,501.00, including all standard LWB equipment and freight. Options include climate comfort, vision assist, driver assist, towing, and premium audio packages. Base price is $106,995.00.

POWER: 5.0 liter (305 c.i.d.) supercharged V-8 with 510 hp (@ 6,000 rpm), 461 lb. ft. of torque (@ 2,500 rpm) and start/stop technology. Permanent all-wheel drive with eight speed automatic transmission.

CAPACITIES: Fuel 27.7 gallons, cargo 32.1 cubic feet behind rear seat (50 more with seats folded flat), passengers 5.

EPA RATINGS: 14-city, 19-highway, 16-combined miles per gallon. Reviewer-observed MPG – 16.7 mpg.

DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase 122.8”, Length 204.7”, Width 87.4”, Height 72.4” Weight 5,320 lbs., Obstacle clearance 8.68” (11.63 off-road).

2015 Infiniti Q70L 3.7 Sedan

On August 8, 2015August 8, 2015 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, InfinitiLeave a comment

Infiniti is the luxury automobile division of Nissan Motor Company, and has been selling cars and light trucks in North America since 1989. The history of the company goes all the way back to 1914, when the first “Datsun” was produced in Tokyo. The Datsun name was subsequently changed to “Nissan”, and the company sells over 5 million vehicles each year, worldwide. The Infiniti models were rolled out concurrently with Honda’s Acura and Toyota’s Lexus lineup; Japanese government-imposed export restraints at that time made it more profitable for auto manufacturers to send us more expensive cars.

Although at the turn of the century Infiniti nearly became extinct, the lineup has been rejuvenated and today their cars are highly thought of, one of the models being the 2015 Q70L, a high performance, rear-wheel drive four door sedan with V-6 power. A Liquid Platinum silver Q70L was waiting for Ruth and I at Chicago’s O’Hare International airport recently and I had the pleasure of wringing it out for a few days in western Illinois. Inside it had sumptuous Graphite leather seating and Japanese white ash (real) wood trim accents. It’s a five passenger car with terrific (heated and air conditioned) bucket seats and room for three in the back – heated seating, as well. All the occupants can be comfortable because as an “L” offering, the car has 6″ additional interior space, specifically in the rear passenger compartment. As a loaded car it contains the things you would expect as such; heated/tilting/telescoping steering wheel, ten way power buckets, all-around parking/blind spot monitor, power moon roof, push button ignition, dual zone climate setup, Bose 2-channel, 10 speaker audio, 8” VGA color touch-screen navigation display, radar cruise control, and USB/Ipod connections. M.S.R.P. for the Q70L that I drove was $60,605.00, which included the base car ($51,350.00), deluxe touring package ($3,900.00), technology package ($3,300.00) 20” alloy wheel package ($1,150.00), and freight of $905.00.

After looking over the Q70L at the airport, my wife and I headed for Galena, Illinois for the weekend. I wanted to take U.S. 20 to check out the 330 horsepower (270 lb.ft. of torque) V-6 and seven speed automatic with manual shift mode. What a ride! This machine has some giddyup and is a treat out on the road. Also, when crossing rails or tar strips the car feels like a block of steel – no shudder, creaking, or shake. Zero to 60 time is six seconds (3,957 lb. car) and the top speed, reportedly, is governor limited at about 135 mph. Fuel mileage estimates are 18/city and 26/highway (20 gallon tank), and I averaged about 21 mpg running around northwestern Illinois. Handling and ride are firm and compliant with real nice steering feel. Bridgestone RE97as Potenza 245/40R20 radials are wrapped around the ten spoke polished alloys and chrome is on hand both at the lower rocker molding area and on the door handles. It’s a good looking car.

Once again, I have fallen in love with a car and have failed to register a complaint in the review. So before I let the big Q go, I’ll mention that the ample space in the rear passenger compartment was so enticing to my mother-in-law that it became necessary to ride all over the countryside with her on board.

2015 Lexus ES-300h FWD Sedan

On June 30, 2015July 4, 2015 By stuwright47In *HYBRIDS/ELECTRICS, LexusLeave a comment

On a recent long weekend I was able to test a new Lexus for a trip to Nebraska, and it was the ES series hybrid model that has been available since early 2012. The car was painted Atomic Silver and had black leather five-passenger seating. Inside it was black perforated “Semi-Aniline” (a dying process) leather throughout, courtesy of the Ultra Luxury package that was included on this ES. This added $2,435.00 to the base price of the Lexus ($40,430.00) and included power memory heated/air conditioned front buckets, ambient lighting, bamboo trim, power tilt/telescope steering column, rear sunshades, and driver’s seat power cushion extender.

Additionally, the car had blind spot monitor ($500.00), lane departure alert with intelligent high-beam headlamps ($1,015.00), navigation package with 8″ screen ($1,795.00), power trunk closer ($400.00), intuitive parking assist ($500.00), rain-sensing wipers with de-icer ($155.00), and heated leather trimmed/bamboo steering wheel ($450.00). Thus the base price and freight of $925.00 pushed the total M.S.R.P. to $48,605.00.

My father and I bought a brand new 1965 Corsair Corsa for about $46,000.00 less than that figure in Grant, Nebraska fifty years ago. I bring that up because my 50th class reunion in that town was the reason for the road trip in the Lexus. I tooled around Grant in the ES300h, a sedan considerably more accomplished than the old Chevy was, and although the Lexus is more expensive, the Corvair was over $20,000.00 if adjusted for inflation. The Lexus’ current price adjusted back to 1965 dollars comes to $6,500.00, and it may be that Bullock Chevy/Cadillac there in Grant sold a Caddy for about that amount. I don’t really know, but I do know that Dad and I didn’t bother to look at such a car.

As a popular Lexus hybrid, the ES has an Atkinson-cycle, 2.5 liter, four cylinder gasoline engine at its heart, and two electric motor/generators to contribute power. An Englishman named Atkinson obtained an American patent on the Atkinson-cycle engine over 120 years ago, but the design wasn’t favored until recently because its efficient fuel consumption aspect was more than offset by its lack of torque. Well, electric motors provide instant torque, so in the hybrid automobile the Atkinson engine goes with an electric motor like love and marriage. And in the ES300h, the total package provides 200 horsepower and runs that through a continuously-variable automatic transmission. Reportedly, top speed is 112 mph and zero to sixty acceleration takes 8.1 seconds.

Size-wise, this ES is a luxo-Camry with 111” wheelbase and a 16-foot overall length. It’s heavier than a Camry, though, at 3,700 lbs. with its big battery. That battery restricts the trunk to 12.1 cubic feet, and on this ES the lid powers up and down. No restriction is evident in the back seat, however, with seating for three and a big armrest in the middle. Riding anywhere in the ES300h is a pleasure, and I felt the ride was superb while motoring up through northeastern Colorado and into Perkins County, Nebraska. Lexus ES300h styling is suitable for me and me and Ruth really liked the Atomic silver tone. The front-end styling is fine and so is the rear with the exhaust tips concealed, hybrid-style.

EPA ratings for the ES300h are 40-city, 39-highway, and 40-combined miles per gallon – electric power allows drivers to save fuel in the city. My average, driving around Greeley as well as the road trip to Nebraska, was 41.1 mpg. It’s hard to say how much driving is necessary to make a hybrid Lexus pay off; there are other factors involved in the calculations. With resale value and pride of ownership factored in, this hybrid Lexus looks like a pretty good deal to me.