Tag Archives: crossover
2019 DS 3 Crossback SUV Readies For Launch
The new 2019 DS 3 Crossback will be the DS’s star for the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Thanks to the new set of leaked images, we now have a good idea about how the new SUV will look like.
The DS 3 Crossback SUV will be similar to the design of the recently released DS 7 Crossback and will, of course, attempt to compete with the current crossover SUVs in the market. It’s a growing market and one that will continue to grow in years to come. It makes sense that DS wants a chunk of that market for their Nissan Juke-looking SUV.
The two unique design features of this SUV are the sharp kink in the window line and the vertical daytime running lights. Other than these, buyers can be sure that the crossover will use Peugeot’s all-new small CMP platform, the same one used on the next-generation Peugeot 208. This means that an all-electric version could also be in the works since the CMP platform was engineered with electrification in mind.
Eric Apode, DS’s executive vice president who’s responsible for research and development, said during the Tokyo Motor Show last year that two-thirds of the 650,000 cars that DS sold since 2010 have been the DS 3. It makes sense for the company, whose parent company is the Peugeot, to cash in on a large number of customers who believed in the DS 3.
He said there is also an “evolution of the markets,” and this can be seen in the sales of the MINI SUV as opposed to the three-door hatchback that the automaker has been known for. The same can be said for other companies such as the Audi.
The DS 3 Crossback will be the first vehicle off the shelves of DS to use the e-CMP. This means that it will be able to offer the Crossback as a pure electric vehicle as well. As previously published by DS, the car would be powered by a 114bhp electric motor and a 50kWh battery that has a range of 280 miles.
2019 BMW X2 Caught in a Spy Video
Since 2011, we have heard rumors that BMW is planning to build an X2 crossover. It first hit the streets in October 2015 and we saw it again in January 2016. In both occasions, the SUV was heavily camouflaged, giving us no details about what it looked like.
But finally, in 2017, the X2 was introduced as BMW’s sixth crossover. As a sleeker version of the X1, the X2 is in direct competition with the Audi Q2.
Exterior
The BMW X2 shares its headlights with the X1, but the grille and the bumper are all different. The X2’s grille is wider at the base, giving the SUV a broader and more distinct appearance. Below, BMW let go of the horizontal slants and used the more modern trapezoidal design. This enhances the X2’s unique look.
On the sides, there are fewer creases on the door, more cladding on the side skirts, and a new roofline and side window configuration. There’s a slightly raked roof that gives the X2’s appearance a sleeker profile. The same can be said of the X2’s rear design. The taillights stand out, in particular. They are as large as the ones on the other X models, but they are sleeker and they get wider in the lower area.
Interior
The interior of the X2 is identical to the X1. The layout is standard for the modern BMW, using horizontal lines on the dashboard and the door panels. The A/C vents and the control panels in the center stack all have a similar orientation. This was done to make it seem that the X2 is wider and has more space. But remember that the X2 is a compact vehicle, and it could never be as comfortable as the X5.
Drivetrain
It has the same drivetrains as the X1, which means a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. The turbodiesel mill can produce 190 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.7 seconds.
Pricing for the 2019 BMW X5 Announced, Starts At $61K
BMW finally announced the prices for its new luxury crossover SUV, the 2019 X5. The new BMW X5 is available in just two models—the xDrive40i ($61,695) and the xDrive50i ($76,745). The starting price is an increase from the outgoing 2018 BMW X5.
The lineup of the crossover has also been slimmed down. The 2018 lineup used to have a two-wheel drive, a diesel, and hybrid models. However, the 2019 lineup offers none of the said options.
Instead, the xDrive40i gets a six-cylinder engine while the xDrive50i is powered by a V8 engine. The xDrive40i gets a slightly higher price increase. It’s priced $1,200 more than the cheapest all-wheel-drive model, the xDrive35i. But compared with the even cheaper rear-wheel-drive sDrive35i, the difference is $1,500.
On the other hand, the xDrive50i saw a higher price increase from the previous model. The difference is $1,700. Don’t fret, though, since the two new models are more powerful and perform better than their predecessors. That more than makes up for the price increase.
The 2019 xDrive40i makes an extra 35 horsepower, pushing the total to 335 ponies. It also produces 330 pound-feet of torque. The xDrive50i, meanwhile, gets 456 horses from last year’s 450.
Both models will get ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission. They’ll also be packed with the xLine specification, which includes Dynamic Damper Control, two 12.3″ screens, adaptive LED headlights, and safety assists such as blind spot detection and frontal collision warning. There’s also the city driving assist system aptly called the City Collision Mitigation.
The xDrive40i and the xDrive50i are both configured for towing. They have the hauling power of a 6,600-pound trailer and there’s an available option of tow hitch rated for 7,200 pounds. There’s another option—an off-road package that includes air suspension and mechanical locking rear differential.
Buyers may also get the performance-oriented M Sport package, remote starting, BMW’s Laserlights with a heated steering wheel, and heated and cooled cupholders.
The 2019 BMW X5 will be available in dealerships starting on November 10 this year.
2019 Lincoln Nautilus Receives More Room, Co-Pilot 360, New Engine
The Lincoln Nautilus has officially replaced the brand’s MKX crossover, which was the best-seller Lincoln in the US. The Nautilus gets a lot of new stuff from Lincoln, including a new base engine, a mesh grille, chrome accents, standard equipment, and the price increase.
The Nautilus now carries a starting price tag of $40,340, plus $995 for the destination charges. That’s a total of $41,335. It’s a price bump of $1,305 over the MKX. If you have $255 more, you can get the base model of the Cadillac TX5. Want the optional all-wheel drive? You have to shell out an extra $2,495.
The entry-level Nautilus sheds off the “Premier” tag, but the Select, Reserve, and Black Label trims remain.
The legroom and the headroom for the new Nautilus are arguably the best in the industry, according to Lincoln. Standard to all models are the 10-way power seats, a 12.3-inch digital dash, an eight-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sync 3, and 18-inch wheels.
The Select, priced at $45,540, gets leather seats, heated steering wheel, navigation, and LED fog lights. The Reserve, which gets a price tag of $49,870, adds climate control on the seats, a panoramic roof, a 13-inch Revel audio system, and finished it all of with 20-inch wheels.
Finally, the Black Label trim upgrades those seats to Venetian leather and Alcantara headliner. It also has 19-speaker Revel Ultima stereo and 21-inch aluminum wheels.
The standard engine is the low-powered 2.0-liter, twin-turbo, four-cylinder EcoBoost that produces 245 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This, along with all the engines available, is paired with Ford’s new eight-speed automatic while the EcoBoost comes with the start/stop button.
The engine available on the upper trims is the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 with 335 ponies and 380 pound-feet of torque.
The range also gets the Co-Pilot 360. Meaning, the car now packs the following features: automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a backup camera, and blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert.
3 Things To Know About The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer
Chevrolet has officially revealed the reborn Chevrolet Blazer in Atlanta. The 2019 model should give the upcoming Ford Bronco a run for its money, but it doesn’t look like it. Though it has an aggressive styling up front, the Blazer was made to look more like a family car rather than an off-road vehicle.
The new Blazer has exchanged its body-on-frame construction featuring a four-wheel drive system with a unibody structure partnered to a front-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive is now only an option. This is basically a two-row, five-seater mid-size SUV that somehow slots between the Equinox and the Traverse in the growing crossover lineup of Chevy.
Exterior
In terms of styling, the Blazer looks like a fusion of a 2019 Acura RDX and a 2019 Chevy Camaro. It has a massive grille, LED daytime running lights, a window line that sweeps upward towards the rear, and a floating roof treatment with blacked-out pillars.
Interior
The rear seats could slide to increase the leg room or the cargo space. If you fold the second row, the Blazer will have a total of 64.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
As for the tech stuff, Chevrolet hasn’t announced what will make the Blazer a cut above the rest. But details have emerged that standard to the crossover SUV would be an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4G LTE connectivity that allows Wi-Fi hotspot, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, an electronically lockable glovebox, a cargo management system, wireless smartphone charging, 6 USB ports, a hands-free power liftgate, and a panoramic twin-pane sunroof.
There are safety features, too, such as adaptive cruise control and a rear camera mirror. These will be available in the RS and Premier models.
Powertrain
There are two available options right now in terms of power. The first one is coming from a 2.5-liter inline-4 that can produce 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. That’s the base model. Those who need more power might want the 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 305 horses and 269 pound-feet of torque. Both engines will be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Photo Source: Roadshow
Top 3 Fuel-Efficient SUV Crossovers Under $25,000
The average price of SUVs in the U.S. is above $30,000, but there are still a few well-equipped and fuel-efficient SUV crossovers that are below $25,000. Most of the vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission coupled with good crash safety scores and spacious cargo capacities.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 2.0i AWD: $24,854
The mid-level Premium trim has 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, roof rails, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with orange stitching, automatic headlights, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Standard to the trim level is an all-wheel drive, though the Premium comes with an off-road and hill-descent control. The Crosstek is rated 27/33 mpg city/highway and it has a 55.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
2018 Honda HR-V EX AWD: $24,915
The mid-level EX trim is an all-wheel drive that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a proximity key with push-start ignition, LaneWatch (a rear-facing camera mounted on the passenger side-view mirror), a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and Pandora compatibility. It has a rating of 27/31 mpg (28/34 mpg with front-wheel drive) and 55.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo room.
2018 Nissan Kicks SR FWD: $24,630
The Kicks has a top SR trim that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, roof rails, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, a proximity key with push-start ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Kicks is particularly special because the automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert come as standard. These are usually not available in other SUV trims at this price range. The subcompact crossover has a rating of 31/36 mpg and can haul a total of 32.3 cubic feet of cargo.
If you want something bigger, you can opt for the base model or the entry-level model of the same segment but one size up. The Honda CR-V, for example, has a cargo space of 75.8 cubic feet. The base model is priced at just $25,245.
Of Course, Nobody Likes The Smaller Trunk of the New BMW X5
There’s nothing more disheartening than finding out that the new 2019 BMW X5 you have been waiting for has a smaller trunk despite it being slightly bigger and having more legroom for passengers. Oh wait, perhaps that is the problem. When BMW decided to give more room for rear passengers, it ironically (and perhaps, questionably) decided that the best way to give that space is to take it from the cargo space.
The new X5 is two inches longer and more than two inches wider than the previous generation, but the cargo capacity has somewhat been diminished to just 31.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up. That’s down from the predecessor’s 35.8 cubic feet capacity. Let’s do that math: that’s four cubic feet less or 11 percent less than the old X5.
There is no information about the cargo space when the rear seats are folded flat, but you can expect that number to drop, too, given that the overall cargo capacity shrunk. The outgoing BMW X5 can carry 76.7 cubic feet of luggage, which will drop to less than 70 cubic feet in the new X5.
How did this happen? There’s no exact explanation and BMW hasn’t offered one just yet. The official specifications from the German automaker said that the new-generation X5’s gasoline variant would have 31.7 cubic feet and this one has no battery or hybrid system that need space. And even if there’s a hybrid or EV variant, the systems should not take that much space since batteries are usually stored beneath the floor.
It looks like BMW simply made the X5’s trunk smaller to differentiate it from the upcoming X7, which is designed to have the largest trunk yet in the German brand’s lineup. If that’s the plan, then BMW has just lost its edge over the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE, both of which the current generation X5 has trumped in terms of cargo space.
Alfa Romeo To Add Full-Sized And Crossover SUVs In 2022 Lineup
Given the growth of the crossover’s popularity, it’s pretty interesting to know that Alfa Romeo only has one crossover in its lineup, the Stelvio. That is about to change as the company revealed it will get two new SUVs—a crossover and a full-sized, three-row SUV—in 2022. That’s four years from now, but let’s hope that the automaker will fulfill its promise of two additional SUVs.
During the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ capital-markets day in Italy, Alfa Romeo announced that in the next four years, investors and fans of the brand should be ready for the brand-new SUVs.
The subcompact SUV crossover will be in competition with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA Class. The three-row SUV will try to take a chunk out of the market dominated by the Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Class. Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio, on the other hand, is in direct competition with Mercedes GLC Class, BMW X3, and Audi Q5.
There are no details yet about these two new SUVs for 2022, but we can expect the full-sized SUV to use the rear-wheel-drive-based architecture of the platform currently used on the Giulia and the Stelvio. There will also be a hybrid powertrain seeing as this is a segment that Alfa Romeo is keen to enter.
The smaller crossover will use a front-drive layout that will be more space efficient considering that most crossovers could only fit in five people max. The platform is going to be shared with the upcoming Giulietta compact car.
In the past, there have been problems about Alfa Romeo’s ability to meet its deadline (sounds familiar, Tesla?), and this ambitious new project could meet some surprises and challenges along the way, too. Alfa Romeo is working to reenter the US market, and this could be the trigger that would reopen the door. There’s going to be a new GTV and 8C sports car, too.
The BMW iNext Is A Crossover And We Are Not Surprised
The BMW iNext is set to debut as a concept vehicle later this year, but we already received a teaser photo courtesy of the German automaker. There’s so much to look for, including the fact that the iNext is going to become a crossover rather than a sedan. No surprise there, huh?
Many expected the iNext to be a sedan because it will be inspired by the Vision Next 100 concept, but there is a big demand for SUVs in the auto industry, particularly in China, now the world’s largest market for automobiles. In 2017, the market share of SUVs in China exceeded that of sedans. So, it only makes sense for BMW to slot the iNext above the iX3 and have it sized the same as the X5. For comparison, the iX3 is just an X3 with mild design modifications.
Similar to the iX3, the iNext will feature BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology. This drivetrain separates the electric motor, transmission, and power electronics, and features a more powerful set of batteries. The eDrive technology in the iX3 can produce 270 horsepower and can go 400 kilometers (about 249 miles) in the iX3 concept. Since the iNext is slotted above the iX3, we can expect a more powerful iteration of the eDrive powertrain.
The iNext is expected to be the German automaker’s first vehicle to feature autonomous driving technology. BMW is working with a number of big companies such as Mobileye, Intel, Continental, and Magna.
The iNext will start production sometimes in 2021, and is set to become the brand’s flagship electric vehicle. The much-discussed and highly-anticipated iNext should be catching the attention of SUV lovers worldwide, especially those who have made the transition to electrically-charged vehicles. It should be competing with Tesla’s Model X, which is also an electric SUV.