Tag Archives: suv
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.
The Kia Telluride Spy Shots Look A Lot Like the SUV’s 2016 Concept Model
We first saw the concept for the larger sport utility vehicle Kia Telluride back in 2016. These spy shots prove that the Telluride is on its way to production form, thanks largely to the uncovered front grille and headlights.
The spy shots from Autoblog reveal that the Telluride uses much of the same design shown in the 2016 concept. It has the same square and blocky design that features a tall, sheer, slightly upturned nose. The grille is broader but it curves a bit backward towards the headlights, allowing for a softer facade. The grille also has a slightly upward angle and the headlights have increased in size compared with the concept. And instead of being an inset, the headlights wrap around the fender.
The sides and the rear of the Telluride have more camouflage but that didn’t stop us from having a look at what this new SUV from Kia will offer. The details are taken straight out from the concept and that includes the chrome trim that surrounds the windows. It has a little extension that leads to the B-Pillar.
The rear taillights feature the concept’s inverted L-shaped lights, though the lights on the production model span the full width of the rear hatch.
There is no word yet on the powertrains that will be available for the Telluride. But seeing that this is a mid-sized SUV, we should probably look at the engines available in the Sorrento. Back when it was first introduced as a concept, reports indicated that it would have a 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected V-6 machine that produces 270 horsepower combined with an electric motor that can produce 130 horsepower.
The Telluride should be ready for production in about a year. A report earlier this year said that the announcement will be coming in the near future. The latest spy shots we got here might look exactly like the production version, so we already have a good sense of how the Telluride will look in our garages.
A Look Back at the 2016 Kia Telluride Concept
Let’s revisit the 2016 concept of the Kia Telluride in the video below that comes with a cool remix of Ennio Morricone’s masterpiece:
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.
New 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE Spotted Out And About
The Mercedes-Benz GLE will soon be redesigned, probably as an answer to BMW’s launching of the newest X5. The prototype for the new-generation of Mercedes’ mid-size luxury SUV has been spotted testing and we’re here to pick it apart for new information and details.
The current-generation GLE was never a redesigned model. It was introduced back in 2016 as a model for that year, but it was really just an update of the M-Class, which was launched in 2012. This redesigned model should focus on giving the GLE a new look. It will arrive for the 2019 model year, and should be on sale starting later this year or early next year.
How did we know this test vehicle was a GLE? The size and proportions would tell you that externally. But there was also a shot of the earlier test vehicles that showed the “W167” inscription on the rear. The current-generation GLE is internally referred to as a W166, so that makes sense, right?
The prototype has very light camouflage and disguise, and it’s easy to make out a number of details such as the massive grille and the more angular headlight shape. There’s also a more rugged look for the SUV’s body, thanks to the wide wheel arches that lead to the narrow cabin. Overall, the shape is more similar to the iconic G-Class with its strong lines and aggressive styling.
Inside, the layout is quite similar to the E-Class with the dashboard featuring a host of technology such as the dual-screen design and smartphone-like screen that is the main controller for the infotainment system. Speaking of infotainment system, that would be the new MBUX system that’s in the latest A-Class.
The MHA platform will be used for the new GLE. This is related to Mercedes’ MRA platform that’s in the German automaker’s sedans and coupes. Remember that it had its debut in the GLC? There’s also going to be a redesigned GLS in the future.
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.
3 Things We Can Expect From The 2019 Jeep Renegade
When the Jeep Renegade debuted back in 2014, it easily became a favorite because of its city-friendly design and off-road capabilities. After four years, Jeep decided it’s time to redesign the Renegade, which showed off its new looks at the Turin Motor Show in Italy.
Sleeker and more modern, the new Renegade will feature an updated grille, snazzier lights, and a new set of powertrains.
Updated Grille
One of the first things you’ll notice about the new Renegade is the changes on the front grille. The vertical chrome bars are the same, but they are now thinner and they still divide the grille into seven square sections.
Snazzier Lights
Both the headlights and the taillights are more stylish on this new Renegade. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that Jeep teased the Renegade’s new taillights? This would redesign the whole look of the Jeep’s rear end and would somehow be the highlight of the differences that separate this new Renegade from the previous model.
There’s an “X” inside each lamp but this one is bigger and more prominent than before, plus the black surround is no longer bulky. In the center of the light, there might be a Jeep grille. Aside from the headlights and the taillights, Jeep also redesigned the lower vents and repositioned the foglights.
New Powertrains
Jeep said it would have new engines for the European market (we have no word yet about the US market). The new engines include a 1.0-liter engine that produces 120 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine with 150 horsepower or 180 horsepower, depending on the configuration chosen by the buyer.
Specifications of the Jeep Renegade for the US version are not available yet, but the current model in the market offers 1.4-liter turbo-four that churns out 160 horsepower or the optional 2.4-liter I-4 with 180 horsepower.
There Will Be No McLaren SUV In The Future
If you are one of those on the lookout if supercar maker McLaren is going to come up with a super SUV, you will be sorely disappointed. The company made it clear that entering the highly-profitable SUV market is not part of its long-term Track22 business and development plan.
McLaren wants to focus on building two-seater sports car and build its legacy to be the most important sports car brand in the world.
Luxury automakers Lamborghini, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce have already entered this market, so it wasn’t so far-fetched that we were thinking McLaren and Ferrari would do the same. Both companies, however, rejected the idea of joining the fray and they would rather focus on what they do best—making sports cars.
Tony Joseph, McLaren North America president, said that McLaren is a profitable company and has been in existence long before such trends started. “So there’s really no need to go into SUVs. We want to concentrate just on two-seat sports cars and be known as the iconic sports car company,” he told Automotive News.
McLaren, of course, could build an SUV if it wants to. It has the engineering, the architecture, the facilities, and the capability. It does not want to, and that’s a big difference. Many could see it as a waste of opportunity for McLaren to make money and dip its hands into the profitable market of SUVs.
However, McLaren isn’t in financial trouble. Far from it, actually, making its decision not to dabble into SUVs understandable. In 2017, the automaker posted its biggest sales year, delivering 3,340 units the entire year. We’re only halfway through 2018, and it’s already on pace to break the record it made in 2017.
Those figures are expected to rise in the coming years since the company plans to unveil 15 new cars by 2022.
Next-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Will Be Based On Alfa Romeo Stelvio Platform
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, together with the Dodge Durango, has been using a premium platform gifted by Daimler since 2011. But that’s about to change now as the next-generation Grand Cherokee will underpin the same platform used on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
This was confirmed by company CEO Sergio Marchionne during the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles investor conference in Italy last week. Marchionne confirmed reports that the Grand Cherokee is using the same platform used by the Stelvio and the Giulia sedan.
The original architecture has been modified and extended to accommodate both the two-row and the three-row Grand Cherokee, Marchionne said. The Jeep plans to release both five-seater and seven-seater for the new iteration of the Grand Cherokee. But more than that, the company CEO also revealed that Jeep is planning to come up with a three-row E-segment mid-sized SUV by 2022. That vehicle might be called the Grand Cherokee as well, though we’re not exactly sure where it will sit in the lineup.
Based on the company’s plans, the new Grand Cherokee will be the first vehicle in the lineup to have Level 2 self-driving capability. That means it will be able to brake, accelerate, steer, and change lanes on long highway drives, similar to what the Cadillac Super Cruise system can do. That semi-autonomous driving capability may arrive in 2020, though a Level 3 self-driving technology is slated to appear sometimes by the end of 2021.
There is no specific timeline yet for the next-generation Grand Cherokee, though the work on the new platform has already started. That means that the new vehicle might arrive by 2019 or 2020 at the latest, which is at the end of Jeep’s ambitious five-year plan.
The self-driving technologies might appear on this next-generation vehicle. At least, that’s what makes sense to us. It’s going to either be a 2020 or 2021 model.
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.