While cars have appeared in movies since the 1920s, cool rides and powerful ponies have been action stars since Steve McQueen raced the hills of San Francisco with his 1968 Mustang in “Bullitt.” James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 might have beaten it to the screen, but Fords have been movie stars for more than 50 years. Recently, the movie “Ford vs. Ferrari” featured more than 30 different Ford race cars, but the cars in the film were Cobra Replicas from Shelby American and GT40MkIIs from Superformance Cars as well as replica Cobra Daytona Coupes. The 1960 Ford Country Squire in green was genuine.

So let’s get back to real Fords on screen.

We all have our favorite movie cars. Top 10 lists are arbitrary and you may have your own favorites… so send them in … but here are mine:

I like Pony cars, so my tops on the list are Mustangs. Arguably, the most filmed car in movie history is the Ford Mustang. In its 57 years of Pony Car might, the Mustang has starred in more than 500 movies. Here are 32 of them:

Amityville: The Demon (1965-6 Mustang coupe)

Batman and Robin (1964 Shelby 289 Cobra)

Beverly Hills Cop III (1966 Mustang convertible)

Bullitt (1968 Mustang Fastback)

Curse of the Black Widow (1968 Mustang convertible, 1967 Mustang coupe)

Diamonds Are Forever (1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1)

Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (1967 Mustang Fastback)

Fast Food (1966 Mustang coupe)

Fast Lane Blues (1966 Mustang convertible)

Fatal Beauty (1965 Mustang convertible)

Gas Pump Girls (1966 Mustang coupe)

General's Daughter, The (1965 Mustang coupe)

Goldfinger (1964 Mustang)

Gone in 60 Seconds (1967 Shelby GT500)

Grand Prix (1966 Shelby GT350H)

Hitchhiker Vol. 3, The (1971 Mustang Convertible)

Hollywood High (1968 Mustang coupe)

I Am Legend (2007 Mustang Shelby GT500 )

Immortal, The (1968 Shelby GT500KR Mustang)

Implicated (1966 Mustang convertible)

In a Cat's Eye (Classic Mustangs)

In Crowd, The (1966 Mustang coupe)

Incubus, The (1967 Mustang coupe)

Independence Day (1965 Mustang convertible)

J. F. K. (1965 Mustang convertible)

Jocks (1967 Mustang convertible)

John Wick and John Wick 2 (1969 Mustang Mach 1)

Last American Hero, The (1967 Mustang Fastback)

Last Boy Scout (1965 Mustang convertible)

Last Don, The (1965 Mustang coupe)

Transformers (2005 Mustang)

War of the Worlds (1966 Shelby GT350H )

Getting down to cars that made the list …

1. “Bullitt “– 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback: Highland Green, 325 hp, 395 c.i.  Camera angles had you feel as though you were in the driver’s seat as Steve McQueen chased the bad guys. One of the two Mustangs used during filming was auctioned for $3.7 million.

2. “John Wick” -- 1969 Ford Mustang: A Mach 1 that is identified in the movie as a Boss 429, is driven by Keanu Reeves in the stunts. Fishtailing and slamming into other vehicles … the assassin didn’t like anyone messing with his vehicle.

3. “Grease” -- 1948 Ford De Luxe Convertible: Greased Lightning: Chopped fenders, Plexiglas hood, and Kandy Red, John Travolta sings about it. Though he sings of “four on the floor,” this is an automatic.

4. “Thelma and Louise” -- 1966 Ford Thunderbird: Two outlaw ladies jump off  a cliff and into the Grand Canyon is as hot as the action on the screen. Brad Pitt and Geena Davis signed the armrest and sun visor, respectively after the shoot.

5. “American Graffiti” -- 1932 Ford Coupe: This Deuce Coup is a Canary yellow highboy is powered by a Chevy 327 V-8, and sits a little tall in the rear. In a drag scene, Paul LeMat beats Harrison Ford’s ’55 Chevy off the line.

6. “Starsky and Hutch” -- 1976 Gran Torino: Two cars, a 1974 and a ’76 used in the film. An original from the 1970s TV series was used as the template. Mag wheels, custom paint. Led Ford to produce 1300 Starsky and Hutch replicas for sale. Original was 435-hp 360 c.i. beast.

7. “Jurassic Park” -- 1992 Ford Explorer XLT UN46: In the park scenes that took on a T-Rex, the cars that appear to be Jeeps are really Ford Explorers, customized by Hollywood legend George Barris. Hey, it took on a T-Rex.

8. “Gone in 60 Seconds 1974: -- 1967 Shelby GT500, Eleanor:  Dupont Pepper Grey 1967 Ford Mustang fastback is depicted as a Shelby GT500. Powered by a 400-hp Ford V-8 31 c.i. crate engine. Completes a 128-foot jump.

9. “Mad Max” -- 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon: A supercharger (cosmetic and nonfunctional) sticks out of the hood. A 351 c.i. V-8 powered the Interceptor and it featured a new nose on the front end, huge side flares, and fat tire.

10. “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift -- 1967 Ford Mustang: Yeah, one more Mustang, but powered by a turbocharged Nissan RB26, engine. Faced bad guys, bullets and action … lots of it.

Honorable mention:

Diamonds Are Forever - 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1: Driven by Sean Connery as James Bond. With 429-cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8s … tilted on two wheels in one scene.

Take This Job And Shove It / Roadhouse – Bigfoot 1 and 7: Monster truck. Just cool.

Dumb and Dumber -- 1984 Ford Econoline, Dumb and Dumber – The Shaggin’ Wagon: Tan carpet was added inside and out, along with a tail, floppy ears, legs, nose, whiskers, and tongue. The van’s windshield functioned as the driver’s and dog’s eyes, and you had to lift a rear leg to reach the gas cap.

The Big Lebowski -- 1973 Ford Gran Torino: A redesign of the ’72 model with a longer, over-exaggerated front nose. Also used in an episode of The X Files.

National Lampoon’s Vacation -- 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire: Pea-green paint, faux-wood paneling, and eight headlights.  Made a 50-foot jump in the desert.

Since cars can be the star of a movie or show and HAVE ALWAYS been recognized as the stars at the Carlisle Ford Nationals, presented by Meguiar's, 2021 brings the stars together with Carlisle Comic-Car-Con.  At Carlisle in June you can see your favorite Comic, TV, and Movie cars pop off the pages or out of the screen and into one of the special displays in Building T.  Event planners are still gathering cars for the showcase, but if you have one that fits the theme, be sure to visit the event page direct at CarlisleEvents.com to learn more, apply for consideration, purchase tickets and more! 

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Every year, it seems that there are a few supercars that stand out from the crowd in styling, horsepower, performance and handling. What makes a car royalty is subjective, and grounds for argument, discussion and debate, but there is little dissent that 2021 will be an exciting year full of exhilarating cars. Now for me, America has some very exciting supercars on the market, and Corvettes, Mustangs, Chargers and Camaros, among other muscle cars, are always worth discussing and driving fast and full out. However, for this treatment of the subject, let’s look internationally. And if you have a favorite, or opinions that differ from my list, please send me your picks and we will re-visit the subject with your choices.

Now, what lands a car on the “Best” list? Is it the car with the most horsepower? If that is the case, then let’s just list McLaren racers in this and look no further than racecars. Exotic styling? Then look no further than the Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder and be done with it. But for this view, let’s combine horsepower, performance, handling, styling and the WOW factor – not scientific or quantitative, but worthy of putting the vehicle on the list anyway. And let’s get on track by getting off the track. No factory racecars allowed. And sales don’t put you on this list. Many of these cars are really in the supercar price range, and sales don’t make a vehicle a champion for this list.

Fasten your seatbelts. Here we go. Let’s start with styling. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’d like to hear and see your choices. While America’s Ford GT certainly is worthy of a long look, I lean toward the exotic. Here are the top-two most artistically chiseled creations on four wheels.

Styling

Bugatti Chiron --The Chiron is the fastest, most powerful, and exclusive production super sports car in Bugatti’s history – it also appears in our top hp group. Its sophisticated design, innovative technology, and iconic, performance-oriented form make it a unique masterpiece of art, form and technique, that pushes boundaries beyond imagination. Chiron owes its distinctive character to a family of artists and engineers, and every element of the Chiron is a combination of reminiscence to its history, innovative technology and sculpture. The entire rear end is practically one big mesh grille with taillights stuffed into its void. Each side of the car is dominated by a two-tone C-line that curves around the doors and visually splits the body into two distinct sections. The Chiron costs $3.4 million.

Lamborghini Huracán EVO -- The Huracán EVO Spyder is equipped with a 631-hp V-10 engine, but it makes this list for its look. The Huracán EVO introduces refined aerodynamic solutions while remaining true to the design philosophy that is the hallmark of Lamborghini. The front bumper adopts unmistakable Lamborghini Y-shape stylistic elements, hood lines inspired by the Countach, skirt air intakes reminiscent of the Murciélago, and central high-mounted exhaust tailpipes that recall the highest-performance Lamborghini models of the past. Base price $247,400

Honorable Mention: Ferrari LaFerrari, Aston Martin DBS Superleggera,

Porsche 911 (992), Porsche Taycan, BMW 8-series Gran Coupe and Alfa Romeo Giulia.

OK, let’s move on to power … that certainly fits into the best of the best for car enthusiasts.

Horsepower

Not long ago, 300hp was a muscle number and 400 horses was a rocket. Then 500hp was a peak. The horses have multiplied and stampeded and while American muscle tops out at 807 hp with the 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, it only ranks as fifth best in the world of horsepower.

The top two – well, top three as there is a tie, is headed by:

Hennessey Venom F5 -- John Hennessey, created Venom F5 using elements from a Lotus. Venom tops the list with 1600+ bhp from its 8-liter V-8 engine and two turbos, while weighing only 2950 lbs. This car was designed to travel at high speeds of up to 301 mph. Base Price: $1.6 million. There are only 24 in production.

Koenigsegg Regera -- The Koenigsegg Regera uses three electric motors for 670bhp, in addition to its twin turbo 5.0-liter V-8, for 1500 bhp. The hybrid weighs in at 3589 lbs. Priced at $2 million, there are 80 cars in production.

Bugatti Chiron – Showing up again, this style champion comes in between 1479 bhp and 1500 horses with an eight-liter engine and four turbos. Each of these 4WD hypercars spends three days in inspection until the car is up to standards. Base price of $3.4 million.

Honorable mention: NIO EP9 -- 1341 bhp -- base price of $1.48 million, Rimac Concept One -- 1224 hp – base price of $1.3 million, Dodge Challenger SRT Demon -- 808 bhp, price: $86,090. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500SE, 800+ Horsepower – price: $107,080

Best Performance

Performance includes variables including acceleration from a stop and at speed, braking, handling and reliability/predictability, but for this list, let’s rate these with off-the-the acceleration and zero-to-60 mph times.

Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe – A 2.5-second rocket. Powered by a 640-hp 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-six paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic throwing mountains of torque at all four wheels. Price: $204,850

Porsche Taycan Turbo S – Also a 2.5-second sprinter, there is 750hp from two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors. Priced at: $185,000

Honorable mention: BMW M8 Competition – 2.5 seconds from a 617-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. Heavy, at 4251 lbs. Price: $150,000. Tesla Model S – 2.5 seconds from its 778-hp 98.0-kWh battery pack powered motors at each axle. Price $70,000.

Handling

Boy, this category is really subjective. Cornering, stability, true steering, ride-on-rails turns, confidence. I haven’t driven them all, but I took a consensus of automotive writers and experts who generally put the Lotus Elan at the top of the all-time list, and put the following international champions in the mix:

McLaren 600LT, Lotus Elise, Ferrari 4884 Pista, Ferrari LaFerrari, Bugatti Chiron, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW Z4, Jaguar F-Type, BMW M2,  Mercedes-AMG GT R, Acura Integra Type R, Porsche Cayman, Nissan GTR, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette C-8, Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R, Toyota GR Supra.

But the two top handlers, according to most, come from the Porsche stable.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

While other Porsches are track cars, the 911 Turbo S is a street king. With a luxury cabin and high tech, the 911 Turbo S and its 560hp has precise steering, aircraft-worthy braking, agility, response and on-rails  movement with road stickiness. Pricing starts at $182,700.

Porsche 918 Spyder

A hybrid sports car, that offers 800 horses, the 918 Spyder is Porsche’s first V8-powered mid-engine road car. It is balanced, corners with auto-cross precision, has road-grip and accelerates and responds with the best of them. Pricing starts at $845,000.

These are our choices … what are yours?

<I> To learn more about the Import & Performance Nationals and its annual international automotive offerings, visit the car show page direct via the Carlisle Events web page.  Register to show or purchase spectator tickets too.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Whether you call it a flea market, swap meet, bazaar, antique mall, antique show, vintage show, or vintage market, an automotive-themed gathering of people, cars, parts and accessories is an entertaining way for auto enthusiasts and project craftsmen to find old treasures, the parts they need, or items of interest, at reasonable prices.

Most often called flea markets or swap meets, the term swap meet (with swap meaning “to exchange, barter, or trade”) appears to have been in use since at least the late-1940s and early-1950s, though the concept predates it. A pioneer of the automotive swap meet, the Paramount Swap Meet in Paramount, CA, says it started in 1955, and the Hershey, PA Swap meet was also founded in the 1950s, while the Carlisle, PA Spring and Fall Swap meets began in 1974.

Bill and Chip Miller (no relation), founded Carlisle Events in 1974 for “car guys and girls just like them.” Prior to Carlisle Events' emergence, anyone interested in restoring or showing 1950s‐ or 1960s‐era cars had few options, as events focused on pre‐WWII automobiles. Even counting the pre-War-themed shows, automobile-specific swap meets were rare, sponsored by local car clubs as fundraisers, generally small in size and exclusively attracted local enthusiasts. Limited to these locally sponsored swap meets, the field changed when Chip Miller and Bill Miller Jr., became friends through a mutual interest in cars of the 1950s. After attending whatever car shows and automotive flea markets they could find, they saw like‐minded individuals hunt for parts and accessories to restore their vehicles. A need for these events became obvious to these two men who wanted to open up opportunities for enthusiasts who embraced all cars. The Millers brought later-model cars to the genre on September 26, 1974, on the rented Carlisle Fairgrounds, with “Post War '74”. The runaway success of what became known as Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet & Car Corral led to a similar Spring event in 1977. In short order, they became complete sellouts for vendor and car sale (or “car corral”) spaces.

The value of these events, and the dozens that now take place across America, is finding treasures or hard-to-find needed parts and accessories. Glenn Alt, of the Historical Vehicle Association said, “If you need vintage parts, one great place to start is your local swap meet.” Alt said, “Whether one swap meet is better than another is totally subjective and depends on what the person is looking for. Typically, bigger is better. But at any swap meet, there’s that element of the unknown -- every year bringing different vendors and new surprises, which makes the search for parts exciting and not something you get from shopping in a catalog or online.”

With virtual shopping, on-line marketplaces, the rise of eBay and other virtual parts bazaars, many predicted that it was only a matter of time before swap meets became a thing of the past. But Swap meets haven’t died, nor do they show any sign of fading away. Car people like to see, hold, feel, smell and hear about the items for their projects. They want to talk to other car people up close and talk about their cars, their projects and their love for engines, four wheels, style, performance and history. They want to be one with the parts. Shiny is good, but rust is endearing. So even in a social-distancing world, automotive flea markets and swap meets continue to thrive.

With notable, historic and successful events held in such eclectic locations as Hillsborough, NC; Commerce, GA; Salt Lake City, UT; Nashville, TN; Pleasanton, CA; Des Moines, IA; Columbus, OH; Puyallup, WA; Spokane, WA; Ft. Worth, TX; Scottsdale, AZ; Chickasha, OK; Del Mar, CA, and more, some of the longest-running events are held in Hershey, PA – 65 years and running; Portland, OR – 50 years; and Pomona, CA -- the West Coast’s largest automotive swap meet.

Some of the best-attended and most heralded automotive swap meets are the Carlisle Events shows. Held on the 82-acre Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, Spring Carlisle (April 21 - 25, 2021) and Fall Carlisle (Sept. 29-Oct.3, 2021) are among the largest automotive flea markets in the world and two of the best opportunities to get your hands on all things automotive. With 8,100 spaces of vendors selling a vast array of automotive parts, accessories, cars, collectibles and memorabilia, it's almost certain that you won't go home empty handed. Accompanied with the massive automotive flea market and car corral, is the Manufacturers Midway featuring the latest and greatest products and services. Across the street is the Carlisle Auctions, Collector Car Auction.

New to Carlisle this year is Auto Mania (January 15 - 17, 2021) at the Carlisle Expo Center. For more than 30 years, Auto Mania has been Pennsylvania’s largest indoor automotive Flea Market. Normally held in Allentown, PA, this year’s event is moving to the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, PA for 2021 ONLY. The 150+ spaces showcase parts, services, new products, memorabilia items, tires, accessories, car care products, tools, vintage advertising, collectibles and much more.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Currently America’s second-best-selling Crossover/SUV in 2020, the Honda CR-V, which debuted in 1995 as a “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” or CR-V, and evolved into an elegant and sporty crossover filled with state-of-the-art tech and entertainment, has built on its popularity and has refreshed this year with styling, power and safety modifications.

Last fully redesigned in 2017, CR-V jettisons last year’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and has promoted its once-optional 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as its only power choice. The refreshed 2020 Honda CR-V, also gets a redesigned front bumper, headlights, and a new blackout grille; EX and EX-L trims see new 18-inch wheels with a dark gray finish, while the Touring grades get new 19-inch wheels and tires. Additionally, three new exterior colors join the lineup for 2020: Radiant Red Metallic, Sonic Gray Pearl, and Aegean Blue Pearl.

On the safety end, all Honda CR-V trims now come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Honda Sensing® includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ with Forward Collision Warning and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist. Additional driver-assistive technologies include the available blind spot information, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Auto High Beam headlights. CR-V also incorporates the latest generation of Honda's proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure.

CR-V tweaks its popular design cues, refined demeanor and energetic character in a sporty package with broad new openings for the fog lights, dark-tinted taillight lenses, a dark chrome tailgate garnish and more darkly tinted rear glass. Its footprint gains 1.5 inches in length to 182.1 inches, remains 73.0 inches high and 66.5 inches wide, and keeps its 104.7-inch wheelbase for AWD. Curbweight for the EX trim I tested, was 3413 lbs. (about 60 lbs. lighter than last year), and other trims range from 3337 lbs. to 3569 lbs.

All gasoline-powered 2020 CR-Vs now feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injected powerplant rated at the same 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft. of torque it delivered as an option last year. The turbo delivers refined and responsive performance across the engine's full operating range. Available in front-wheel-drive or with Honda Real Time all-wheel drive, power transmits through a sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT) with smooth-shifting Honda G-Shift control logic.

CR-V’s power system limits towing capacity to 1,500 pounds, and in AWD, the 1.5 is EPA rated at 27mpg/city, 32mpg/highway and 29mpg/combined mpg. My test week in an AWD EX trim vehicle was mixed-use with in-town, highway and soft-road miles, for an average of  29.9 mpg. 

In tests, CR-V’s acceleration was dependable and adequate in all ranges on the highway; and on the track, my CR-V was purposeful and steady, with a zero-to-60mph dash accomplished in 7.6 seconds, during a 16-second-flat quarter-mile (hand-timed). Handling was niche-solid and the riding experience was family-oriented – smooth and stable, with less road feel than in a driver’s vehicle. The MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear, both with stabilizer bars, smoothed out rough surfaces. Steering was road responsive, but not auto-cross efficient, with some perceptible understeer, and acceptable top-wobble during quick hairpins.

Inside, all 2020 Honda CR-Vs get a redesigned center console that is easier to use, with more flexible storage options. In-vehicle technologies include a color TFT driver information interface center meter display, available 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, and an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™. Additional available tech includes remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, an Electric Parking Brake, rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver's seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support, and heated front seats.

The cabin remains sophisticated, quiet, comfortable and intuitively laid out. Interior accommodations remain the same as last year, and come in a bit low at 38.0 inches of front headroom and 39.1 in row two; legroom is 41.3 inches in front and 40.4 inches for the second row; and shoulder room measures 57.9 and 55.6 inches.

The 2020 Honda CR-V comes in four trim packages in both AWD and 2WD. The Base LX starts at $25,150 (an increase of $800 over last year) and the EX trim I tested starts at $27,660 (up $210) for the 2WD -- and you gain Honda Sensing™, Smart Entry and a 7-inch display audio touchscreen. EX-L starts at $30,150 (a gain of $400) adding leather inside, a power liftgate, power seats and auto-rearview mirror. The top-of-the-line Touring trim starts at $33,350 (an increase of $600) in 2WD and picks up a hand-free access power tailgate, full LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers and satellite-linked navigation. My EX in AWD (for $1500 more – $100 more than last year) based at $29,160. With a Sonic Gray Pearl exterior and a Black Cloth interior, my CR-V EX added Body side molding for $236, Door Visors for $193, a Gloss-Black front grille for $313, splash guards for $109, heated steering wheel for $523, and parking sensors for $538. With destination and handling fees of $1120, my sticker-as-tested was $31,652.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Mazda’s flagship midsize crossover SUV, the CX-9, has been an attractive, elegant three-row crossover since it debuted in 2006. Gaining a following for its refined interior and ride and its Euro-sculptured architecture, CX-9 received several 2020 updates that focused on elevating the premium Mazda ownership experience. The well-appointed interior extends a rich feeling to each of the three rows, creating a sense of sophistication for all occupants. Available all-new captain’s chairs help provide passengers a prestigious first-class cabin feel, a 9-inch multimedia screen helps create a premium infotainment environment, and the hands-free, power liftgate is another new prominent feature on CX-9 Grand Touring and Signature trim levels that offers refinement and ease when loading cargo.

Now in the fifth year of its second generation, Mazda has enhanced performance attributes for CX-9, adding 10 lb-ft of torque to its turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine, delivering 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane gasoline (310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gasoline). Also new for 2020 are new standard active safety features that include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist. A new off-road traction assist feature for all-wheel-drive versions uses the brakes to slow slipping wheels and send power to the wheels that have grip. Other new standard features include heated front cloth seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated side mirrors and automatic headlights with high-beam control.

I tested the top-of-the-line Signature trim that attacks the premium niche with vigor. It is so loaded that my luxury test ride needed no options. New heated second-row captain’s chairs are standard for this top-trim level. Enhancing CX-9 Signature’s elegance is a second-row center console similar to the front row, with extra storage and convenient access to two USB charging ports and cupholders. The Signature trim also offers the option between Deep Chestnut and Parchment Nappa leather seating surfaces to match the Santos Rosewood interior trim. A new, darker silver wheel finish is unique to the CX-9 Signature, helping distinguish this top-tier trim level. CX-9 Signature is now available in the brand’s lustrous Soul Red Crystal premium exterior paint option and other premium features include a hand-stitched, leather-wrapped “chidori” steering wheel, rear exterior badging, LED grille accent lighting and supplemental interior lighting around the transmission shifter.

CX-9’s design concept embraces Mazda’s “Soul of Motion” style plan, through its proportion -- a long hood, swept greenhouse, large wheels and short overhangs that convey stability and a contained sense of potential energy. A true midsize three-row crossover, CX-9 measures 199.4 inches long, 77.2 inches wide and 67.6 inches high, with a 40.5-inch front overhang and 115.3-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 8.8 inches and curb-to-curb turning circle radius is 19.4 feet. My test CX-9 Signature was in AWD configuration and came in with a curbweight of 4308 pounds.

My Signature trim also added a Signature Badge, LED grill and overhead accent lighting, 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, automatic power folding side mirrors and power sliding-glass moonroof with sunshade.

CX-9’s powertrain added torque, but its 2.5-liter inline-4 turbo engine still delivers 227hp on regular (87-octane) unleaded fuel and 250hp with Premium (93-octane) gas. EPA-estimated at 20mpg/city, 26mpg/highway in AWD configuration (FWD is rated at 22/28), I averaged 24.0mpg in some heavy rains.

CX-9 is smooth and confident on the highway and around town, leveling out road imperfections while performing with speed and attentiveness. The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with engine-speed-sensing variable assist was responsive and accurate both at high speed and during autocross maneuvers, and even the understeer was entertaining and predictable. Acceleration was better than average for the niche, and turbo-lag was minimal. My test CX-9 reacted quickly when asked to pass at speed or to take on long uphill grades. At the track, we managed a 7.5-second zero-to-60mph dash and a 15.9-second hand-timed quarter-mile.

The CX-9 cabin is elegant, intuitive, loaded and comfortable, though not overly roomy. Front headroom is only 39.3 inches up front without a moonroof, 38.5 in row two and a child-friendly 35.4 inches in row three. Legroom is comfortable at 41.0 in front with 39.4 in row two and a confined 29.7 in row three, while shoulder room measures 57.9, 58.1 and 53.1.

The interior is filled with high-tech and comfort amenities, infotainment, safety and navigational (option) amenities, Bose® Centerpoint® Surround Sound System with AudioPilot® and 12 speakers, and my test Signature added Auburn Nappa leather seating and trim, heated second-row seats, genuine Santos Rosewood inlays and leather-wrapped steering wheel with unique stitching.

Available in four trim levels, FWD and AWD, the 2020 Mazda CX-9 starts at 33,890 for a front-wheel drive in the Sport trim – AWD starts at $35,790. Touring trim starts at $35,710 in FWD and 37,610 for AWD; the Grand Touring trim starts at $41,550 (FWD) and $43,450 (AWD) and the top-of-the-model-line Signature starts at $46,215 available only in AWD.

My test CX-9 was a 2020 Signature AWD in Machine Gray Metallic (a standard color), with a Jet Black Mica interior and Second Row Captain’s Chairs. This loaded vehicle needed no additional options. With Destination charges of $1100, my 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature as tested, stickered at $47,315.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Launched as a mid-size crossover SUV in 2004 for model-year 2005, the third-gen Equinox is now a compact sports-ute that ranks second, only to Silverado in Chevrolet sales, and currently ranks as the fifth best-selling vehicle in America.

Last redesigned in 2018, the 2020 Equinox plays on last year’s cosmetic tweaks and adds a Midnight Edition available on the LT trim. Content includes: Mosaic Black Metallic exterior color, Jet Black interior with perforated leather-appointed seating, 19-inch wheels in Gloss Black, front fog lamps with dark-finish bezel surrounds, black grille and grille mesh with black surround and black Bowtie emblems. New exterior paint schemes include Chocolate Metallic, Cayenne Orange Metallic (extra-cost) and Midnight Blue Metallic, and Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seats are available on LT trim. Additionally, the engine choice shrinks from three to two, retiring the 1.6-liter turbo-diesel and relying on a 1.5-liter turbo and a 2.0-liter turbo.

The exterior paint plays off Equinox’s expressive styling with sculpted designs. A mass-efficient body structure is at the center of the Equinox’s lean curb weight and helps make the most of its available turbo engine options. The rounded and clean Equinox architecture measures 183.1 inches long, 72.6 inches wide and 65.4 inches high on a 107.3 -inch wheelbase, for an 8.0-inch ground clearance with 19-inch wheels. The 2.0-liter Turbo AWD crossover I tested in the Premier trim had a curbweight of 3665 lbs.

Packed with amenities inside and out, standard exterior highlights include projector-beam headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, LED taillamps on uplevel models, a hands-free power liftgate, outside heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming body-color manual-folding mirrors with turn signal indicators and chrome mirror caps, 19-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels and a chromed dual-outlet exhaust.

The Equinox cabin is accommodating, and filled with entertainment and function. With seating for five, the interior provides 40 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in row two; legroom is 40.9 inches in the row one and 39.9 row two, while shoulder room is 57.2 and 55.5.

Inside, the cabin has a “kneeling” rear seat that features tilting bottom cushions that enable a flat load floor for easier loading. Connectivity technologies include 7- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink® infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Teen Driver allows parents to set controls and review their teen’s driving habits and available Surround Vision offers a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle. Also inside are dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview auto-dimming mirror and standard active noise cancellation. In addition, my test Equinox Premium came with heated leather seats with driver memory, a heated steering wheel and wireless charging.

Equinox power comes from a choice of two engine systems: 1.5-liter turbo or 2.0-liter turbo engine. The 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is rated at 170hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and the 2.0-liter turbo I tested is rated at 252hp and 260 lb-ft. and was EPA-rated at 22mpg in city driving for both FWD and AWD, and 29/highway for FWD and 28mpg/highway for AWD. My week of mixed-use driving averaged 25.5mpg in an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The turbo exhibited only slight lag in acceleration on the highway and at the track, where I finished off a zero-to-60mph dash in 6.6 seconds, en route to a steady 15.1-second quarter-mile (hand-timed). During quick maneuvers, the Equinox electric power rack-and-pinion steering showed some vagueness, and cabin visibility was a bit obscured. The sports-ute’s ride was soft, and tuned for passenger comfort rather than driver’s feel, as the independent MacPherson strut front suspension with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar and its independent four-link rear leveled out most pavement irregularities. And Equinox’s switchable All-Wheel Drive – available on most trims -- enhances traction and control on slippery or snow-covered roads. Conveniently, you can leave switchable AWD on year-round, since the rear wheels only engage when the system senses reduced traction. In FWD mode, AWD components completely disengage for greater fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in FWD, AWD and either of two engine selections. Equinox pricing starts at $24,995 for the base L-trim model with the 1.5-liter turbo liter engine in front-wheel-drive; the LS 1.5 bases at $27,495; the LT 1.5 trim starts at $28,695 and the Premier starts at $32,595 with the 1.5 Turbo. My test Premier upgraded to AWD at $34,195 and up-powered to the 2.0-liter turbo to put my starting price at $36,895.

My Premier 2.0L Turbo added Cajun Red Tintcoat exterior paint for $495 and was matched to a Jet Black, perforated leather interior. The Infotainment II Package (Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System, Navigation and 8-inch diagonal touch screen, as well as a Bose® premium 7-speaker system, added $1125. Also added, for $1650, was the Confidence and Convenience II Package: Safety Alert Seat, HD Surround Vision, Adaptive Cruise Control – Camera, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam® headlamps, heated steering wheel, 8-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar, Ventilated driver and front passenger seats and Heated rear outboard seats. With Destination Freight charges of $1195, my test 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium stickered at $40,065, but cash allowances and regional incentives cut my test ride by $4750, so check with your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Ford re-entered the hot midsize pickup segment last year by bringing back the Ranger, after an eight-year hiatus, and the muscular midsize didn’t disappoint its buyers or the marketplace.

Ford’s Ranger began its truck life in 1965 as a Ford F-Series trim package, and became its own compact pick-up line in 1983, replacing the Ford Courier. The compact Ranger ceased production in 2011 for the U.S. and Canada, but began globally as an international mid-size pickup. Ranger returned to the US last year as a versatile midsize that is available in Super Crew Cab 4x2 and 4x4, and Super Cab 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Ranger’s Super Cab features a 6-foot box (bed) and the Super Crew comes with a 5-foot box (bed).

The original Ranger was a small, rather uninspired truck. The current 4^th-Gen Ranger is larger than originally conceived and represents a trendy, tech savvy, infotainment rich, upscale and ruggedly sporty truck with Ford-tough, workhorse attributes. Available in three trim levels (X, XLT and Lariat) in either 4x2 rear-wheel-drive or 4x4, Ford Ranger is assembled at the Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan.

With minor revisions and additions to standard features, a new FX2 off-road package, some trim shuffling and three new exterior colors -- Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Race Red, Ranger remains largely unrevised from last year’s renaissance.

 

The new Ranger FX2 Package sports tough styling and capability upgrades for two-wheel-drive trucks, including an electronic-locking rear differential, off-road tires, off-road-tuned suspension, front underbody guard and Ford’s off-road cluster screen.

Meanwhile, Ranger technology comes built-in, starting with an 8-inch touch screen for available SYNC® 3, while a single or dual LCD productivity screen is available for real-time vehicle, navigation and audio information. Standard safety tech on XLT and Lariat trims includes standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Lane-Keeping System that includes lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, reverse sensing, and class-exclusive Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage. Adaptive Cruise Control is standard on Lariat.

The 2020 Ford Ranger is ready for adventure anchored by a high-strength steel frame and powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® boasting 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque paired to an efficient 10-speed automatic. Ranger’s body-on-frame construction is sculpted into a muscular body with a high beltline, raked grille and windshield to increase aerodynamics and reduce wind noise while taking on an athletic demeanor; and short overhangs mean better approach and departure angles and improved off-road capability.

Ranger’s rugged sportiness sits on a 126.8-inch wheelbase, with a 210.8-inch length 85.8-inch width and height ranging from 70.7 to 71.5-inches depending on configuration. Ranger has a running ground clearance of 8.4 to 8.9 inches (depending on configuration) and curb weights of 4145 to 4441 lbs. Its towing capacity maxes out at 7,500 pounds, and its payload is rated at 1,860.

Ranger’s 2.3-liter muscle plant shows niche-worthy acceleration and economy, and is EPA-estimated at 21 mpg/city, 26 mpg/highway and 23 mpg combined. My week of mixed-use testing garnered an average of 23.7mpg.

With little turbo lag, my heavily feature-filled test Ranger XLT finished a 7.1-second zero-to-60 sprint and a 15.5-second (hand-timed) quarter-mile. Uphill grades were easily controlled and passing at speed is no problem. Steering is more carlike than trucklike, and while you do get sway during high-speed or autocross maneuvers, feedback is good for the segment.

Inside, accommodations for either four or five are comfortable with front headroom of 39.8 inches, front legroom of 43.1 and front shoulder room of 56.6. With seating for five, rear measurements are headroom: 38.3, legroom: 34.5 and shoulder room: 56.3. Quiet inside, Ranger is refined, with little road noise, no squeaks, rattles or typical truck noises and a host of niceties.

Safetywise, Ranger is packed and is outfitted with dual-stage driver and right-front passenger front airbags, front-seat side airbags, and a Safety Canopy® System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor. You also get Automatic Emergency Braking, Anti-Lock Brake System, rear view camera, Remote Keyless Entry with remote tailgate lock, SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

The 2020 Ford Ranger starts at $24,410 for the base XL with SuperCab, 6-foot box and 4x2. The XLT starts at $28,460 and the upscale Lariat starts at $32,500. My test XLT upgraded to the Super Crew Cab and 5-foot-box for an extra $2175. I prefer 4x4-drive stability and upgraded from 4x2 for an additional $4000. My Ranger looked sharp in Lightning Blue exterior paint and added the $1670 301A Package that included a sport appearance package, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and power-folding sideview mirrors with power glass. The 302A Package was also added for $2450, with 8-way power driver and passenger heated seats with power lumbar, manual sliding rear window and remote start. The bed utility package with bedliner added $395, and the $995 Technology Package added a number of technology features including navigation and Adaptive Cruise Control. Five-inch Black running boards added $635. Destination charges were $1195 and an Acquisition fee added $645, for a sticker-as-tested of $41,080, but available incentives reduced that by $650, for an MSRP of $40,430.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

 

 

Hyundai entered the automotive industry as an “econocar” builder with the Cortina, in 1967, and after earning props for economy, ventured into the luxury market with Genesis, in 2009. Genesis became its own nameplate subsidiary as a spin-off, in 2017. The new luxury badge added to its ranks with G70, a 4-door compact executive sedan, and has since added the G80 mid-size and G90 full-size luxury sedans. G90 was based on the Hyundai Equus, but has become the flagship and face of Genesis, and according to William Lee, Executive Vice President and Global Head of the Genesis Brand, “The 2020 G90 is a flagship sedan for Genesis in the truest sense. Its launch begins a product offensive for the Genesis brand centered around emotive products with exceptional design.”

For 2020, the Genesis G90 has been restyled inside and out and has added tech and safety improvements. The changes have earned G90 accolades including being named the Most Satisfying Passenger Car and top Premium Luxury Car by leading research consultancy Auto Pacific in its annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. G90 also earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with a superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle interactions, avoiding collisions in 12 and 25 mph track tests. 

For 2020, with the exception of the roof and doors, every exterior body panel on the G90 has been replaced or changed. Employing the Genesis brand’s Athletic Elegance design language, G90’s signature Crest Grille is flanked by Quad Lamps up front, and in the rear, Quad Lamps wrap around from corner to corner. The license plate sits as low as possible, further accentuating a low and wide stance, and the elongated, horizontal side profile of G90 radiates vigor and dignity. Hyundai’s full-size luxury sedan measures 204.9 inches in length, 75.4 inches in width and 58.9 inches in height on a 124.4-inch wheelbase.

The interior design embodies the ethos of Horizontal Architecture, dominated by a harmonious, flow of horizontal surfaces including a parallel layout that includes air ventilation system, and audio controls that maximize simplicity and provide an intuitive user experience. The cabin shows a focus on premium materials and finishes that are befitting a flagship, including authentic chrome plating applied to switches and premium leather wrapping applied to the center console. Authentic, open-pore wood acts as a garnish, as does double stitching and piping throughout the cabin. Inside, G90 is roomy with 41.1 inches of front headroom, 46.3 inches of front legroom and a spacious 59.9 inches of front shoulder room. In the rear seats, G90 provides 38.0 inches of headroom, 37.8 inches of legroom and 57.9 inches of shoulder room.

Loaded and luxurious, G90 comes standard with Nappa leather seating surfaces and microfiber suede headliner; 22-way power driver seat with power lumbar, shoulder, and bolster adjustment; heated and ventilated front seats; Lexicon® 17-speaker audio system with Quantum Logic® Surround; Wireless charging pad and Genesis Connected Services.

From a safety perspective, the 2020 G90 is committed to passenger security and comfort. Advanced driver-assistance systems add a level of assuredness to the already refined driving experience. In addition to Genesis brandwide ADAS technology, the following new systems debut on the 2020 G90: Lane Following Assist expands the reach of lane-keep and lane-departure assists, to help stay centered in a lane and provide steering assistance; Rear Cross-traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist uses rear side radar to help detect and prevent impact with obstacles; Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can now help detect bicycles and vehicles in front of the vehicle; Safe Exit Assist may alert a driver and passengers with alerts when an object is approaching an opening door; and Highway Driving Assist helps the driver to maintain the center of a lane on marked interstate highways, while keeping a safe distance from a vehicle in front.

Offered in two trim configurations based on engine type, you can either get the 3.3T Premium with the 365-hp/376-lb-ft 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 engine or the 5.0 Ultimate with the 420-hp/383-lb-ft 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Both engines are coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and come in either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive with Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension with Electronic Damping Control. The smaller engine is rated at 17mpg/city and 25mpg/highway, and the 5.0-liter is EPA rated at 16/city and 24/highway. My 3.3 averaged 22.7mpg in mixed-use driving tests.

My test 3.3 turbo surprised at the track and pampered on the highway. In track tests, the luxury full-size polished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 5.4 seconds during a hand-timed 13.9-second quarter-mile. In town, G90 was quiet, complaint and energetic and in the highway, my ride was strong, confident, stable and elegance in motion, with turbo lag nearly imperceptible. In quick maneuvers and over irregular terrain, G90 is smooth, precise and comfortable.

The 2020 Genesis G90 starts at $72,200 for the 3.3T in FWD and $74,700 in AWD, with the 5.0 in FWD starting at $75,700 and $78,200 in AWD. My test 3.3T AWD in Porto Red with a Black and Walnut interior, was loaded and added no packages or accessories. The only add-on was the $1025 Freight charge, to put the sticker at $75,725.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

 

Though slipping from 7th-best-selling vehicle in America in 2019, to No. 10 this year, and dropping one place to the 4th best-selling crossover in the U.S., Nissan’s Rogue compact CUV is still a popular buy in the final year of its second generation.

Launched in 2007 for the 2008 model year as Nissan’s entry-level compact sports-ute, Rogue will get a top-to-bottom redesign for 2021 that includes new styling, a new platform, cosmetics and an 11-hp boost in power. For 2020, Rogue discontinues its Hybrid variant; ProPILOT Assist is now standard on the SL trim and is optional on SV; and Rogue has also added the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced safety equipment this year, a package that includes pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warnings, radar-based blind spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts and high beam assist. ProPILOT Assist is a hands-on driver assist system that combines Nissan's Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist technologies, helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane, and maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead. Also for 2020, every Rogue SV gets standard amenities such as heated front seats, a power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, a motion-activated liftgate, and rear automated emergency braking.

Rogue has built a following with its sporty and versatile demeanor and capabilities, and offers such standard safety amenities as Intelligent Lane Intervention, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and High Beam Assist, Rear Automatic Braking, a Rear Sonar System and Rear Door Alert across all grade levels.

Offered in three well-equipped grade levels -- S, SV and SL -- Rogue eliminated its third row of seating a few years back, but it fits the demand for an upscale compact crossover  with dimensions of 184.5 inches in length; 72.4 inches in width and 68.5 inches in height (AWD) on a 106.5-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.4 inches (AWD), and curbweight for the AWD in SL trim is 3670 lbs. Assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, Rogue’s unibody construction utilizes corrosion-resistant and high-strength steel, enhanced by progressive, emotive styling. The Nissan signature "V-Motion" grille and headlights with LED signature Daytime Running Lights help augment Rogue's robust, dynamic presence. Halogen headlights with auto off function are standard, along with Intelligent Auto Headlights. Also available are LED headlights with auto on/off function, High Beam Assist and fog lights. In the rear are combination lamps with LED boomerang signature taillights.

Rogue’s refined interior presents a premium look and feel, blended with a D-shaped steering wheel and leather-booted sport-mode shifter, available heated steering wheel, memory for driver's seats and mirror, and remote engine start.

Thick rear roof pillars impede interior sightlines, but Rogue’s cabin is roomy for a smaller SUV with 41.6 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in row two. Interior legroom is comfortable in front at 43.0 inches and relatively roomy in row two at 37.9 inches. Shoulder room is 56.6 in front and 55.9 and in the rear. The cabin also affords nearly 40 cubic feet of luggage space, or 70 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats down. The cabin experience is quiet, intuitive and the seats are cushy, and you get all the infotainment we have come to expect.

Rogue continues to offer one standard power source, a transverse 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder DOHC engine that provides 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. Coupled with an Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) with standard Sport Mode and Eco switches, Rogue is EPA rated at 26mpg/city, 33mpg/highway and 29mpg/overall in FWD and 25/32/27 in AWD. A week of mixed-use testing averaged 27.4mpg. Rogue is not a track star, and next year’s 11-hp gain will help its slow-but predictable acceleration. Uphill climbs are steady and passing at speed requires some strategy, but Rogue’s electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering was attentive enough for the niche, though with noticeable understeer. At the track, my test Rogue completed a 9.2-second hand-timed zero-to-60mpg dash, during a long 17.3-second quarter-mile.

The driving experience was smooth for the segment, with firm on-pavement engagement from independent strut front suspension, coil springs and an independent multi-link rear, though Rogue does not appear to be suited for severe off-road challenges.

Additional safety items include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors, driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for outboard occupant head protection for all rows.

Rogue’s three trim levels are each offered in front-wheel or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and the lineup bases from $25,490 to $33,190, which was the starting point for my top-trim 2020 Rogue SL in AWD – AWD is $1350 above FWD pricing. Scarlet Ember Tintcoat exterior paint added $395, splash guards added $170, chrome rear bumper protector added $165, clear door edge protectors were $375, and the SL Premium package added $1820 for a dual-panel Panoramic Moonroof and LED headlights. A  moonroof wind deflector added $125, and Nissan’s 360-degree exterior Impact Sensor added $210. Shipping and Handling added $1095 for a sticker-as-tested of $37,545, but as the next-generation Rogue is out for 2021, there may be steep discounts available from your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Blending a hip attitude, style, sportiness and luxury not generally expected from a sub-compact, Hyundai has targeted youthful “urban adventurers” with its sub-compact crossover utility vehicle, the 2020 Hyundai Kona.

Introduced in 2018 with what Hyundai called “urban smart armor” exterior styling, Kona displays an aggressive demeanor complemented by a low and wide stance, and has packed the vehicle with niche-leading safety technology and advanced infotainment features in a compact footprint. Hyundai has also paid attention to performance and safety, offering two engines – one of which is a turbo system – and Kona has been awarded Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and five stars from the federal government. The package tops off with a composure designed to exhibit confident handling in a variety of urban and adventure-oriented driving environments. 

Since its launch in 2018, Kona gained standard driver assistance features last year, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection and an all-electric Kona model. For 2020, Kona adds available adaptive cruise control and a new SEL Plus trim that is up-tweaked with more standard equipment. And on the Kona Limited trim, if you select Sunset Orange exterior paint, it comes with new Orange interior accents. Next year, the Night Edition trim joins the lineup

Slotting just below the larger Hyundai Tucson, the subcompact CUV is so well packed that my test Kona, in Ultimate trim, required only slight accessory add-ons, and an upgrade to AWD. Kona is outfitted with a standard floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ capability; and Hyundai Smart Sense with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning. 

My test Kona Ultimate (top-of-the-line) trim came standard with a Heads-up Display, an 8-inch LCD touchscreen display with navigation, High Beam Assist
Parking distance warning, Rain-sensing wipers, HomeLink® and compass, Infinity® premium audio with 8 speakers including subwoofer, and external amplifier, a 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display, Blue Link® Connected Car Services, Blue Link® connectivity  and guidance packages, and wireless device charging.

Kona’s exterior is designed to exude adventure, power and elegance for the niche, while showing a willingness to take on soft-road activities. Kona plays to Hyundai’s family identity with a cascading grille, featuring a sporty mesh pattern, flanked by flared, wing-like fenders that dominate the front visage. 

The sub-compact Kona measures 164.0 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 61.0 inches high on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, providing a forgiving minimum ground clearance of 6.7 inches. The lightest Konas weigh in with a curb-eight of 2890 pounds and the heaviest with the turbo engine can reach 3276 pounds. 

The distinctive features of the exterior continue inside with a strong horizontal character line creating a wide and spacious feel. The sleek and simple layout interior incorporates advanced infotainment features and a standard floating seven-inch touchscreen. HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls are surrounded by soft, fluid details that contribute to a sensuous experience and enhance the comfort-focused environment.

The cabin shows average-but-not spacious room for the niche, with front headroom of 38.0 inches (with sunroof and 39.6 without it) and rear headroom of 37.8 inches. Legroom is comfortable up front at 41.5 inches and tight as expected in back at 34.6 inches. Shoulder room is generous at 55.5 inches in row one, and 54.5 in row two.

Kona targets efficiency with its powertrains and offers a choice of two gasoline engines. On the SE, SEL and SEL Plus trims a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine is standard, and produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Ultimate trims offer the Gamma 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine generating 175 HP and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. The turbo engine is coupled to a seven-speed EcoShift® dual-clutch manual transmission.

The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 27mpg in city driving and 33mpg on the highway for FWD and 25/city, 30/highway for AWD; and the 1.6 turbo that powered my test ride was rated at 28/city and 32/highway for FWD and 26/city, 29/highway for AWD. I averaged 27.2mpg during a week of mixed-use runs. Acceleration is predictable and confident, with hill ascends and passing achieved easily. On the track, a steady 7.7-second zero-to-60mph dash and 16.1-second quarter-mile were accomplished.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is offered in five trims (SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate). The SE starts at $20,300 with the 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission in FWD, and ranges to $27,950 for the Ultimate trim I tested with the 1.6-liter turbo and 7-speed EcoShift Dial Clutch transmission in AWD.

In Surf Blue exterior paint and a Gray interior, my Ultimate tweaked up with AWD for $1400. The Ultimate trim was so well-packed with standard equipment that only all-weather carpeted floor mats were added for $165 and mudguards were installed for $120. With an $1175 Freight charge added, my 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate stickered at $30,810 for the top-of-the line and seemed to be well in-line with the luxury and quality that were included in the package. You can also get into a lesser-scale Kona for $8,000 less, and Retail Cash Bonuses of up to $2500 may be available from your local dealer, with zero-percent financing options also offered.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

First launched by the Rover Co. in 1948, Land Rover has earned a 72-year reputation for delivering tough, durable, go-anywhere, 4-wheel-drive utility vehicles without sparing comfort or tech. Now known as Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, and owned by parent Tata Motors of India, Land Rover continues to produce luxurious, safe, sturdy, high-tech and high-ticket off-roaders.

That tradition takes another step with the all-new Land Rover Defender, bringing back the badge (originally marketed from 1983-2016) with a new body structure, all-new technologies and proven hardware. Defender is a luxury four-wheel drive off-road SUV that is rugged, upmarket and re-imagined for the 21st century.

Playing on its iconic silhouette and shape, Defender is newly engineered for increased all-terrain capability and toughness. With a rugged modular interior providing comfort, capability and connectivity tech, Defender attends to its niche while remaining Land Rover luxurious and amenity packed. My test Defender 110 was outfitted with All Wheel Drive, Electronic Air Suspension, 8-speed Automatic Transmission, Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®), Wireless Device Charging, Keyless Entry, Connected Navigation Pro, 10-inch Touchscreen, Hill Launch Assist, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Dynamic Stability Control, Low Traction Launch, Electronic Traction Control, Roll Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control and much more.

Defender’s rugged architecture employs minimal front and rear overhangs, with a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining its iconic side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel. That ruggedness is embodied in a package that measures 77.4 inches long, 78.6 inches high and 79.1 inches high on a 119.0-inch wheelbase, with a front overhang of 33.3 inches. Curb weight runs from 3815 to 4940 for the 110 model I tested, and some trims beef up to as much as 5165 lbs with the larger engine.

The Defender interior is an upscale, capable, comfortable, intuitive environment. Cabin features include, leather gearshift and steering wheel, carpet mats, two-zone Climate Control, cargo cover, footwell lights, rear reading lights, 40:20:40 folding rear seats, 8-way semi-powered front seats, Ebony fabric seats with Ebony/Ebony interior and such Driver Assistance tech advances as Blind Spot Assist, 3D Surround Camera

Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Driver Condition Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, 360⁰ Parking Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Speed Limiter and Wade Sensing.

With 5/6 seating or 5-plus-2 seating, Defender supplies 40.6 inches of front row headroom, 40.4 in row two and 40.7 in row three. Legroom is 39.1 inches in front, 39.1 in row two and only 20.5 in the third row, while shoulder room comes in at a spacious 60.8, 59.2 and 48.3.

U.S. customers can choose between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, badged P300, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain, badged P400. The P300 powertrain, which produces 296hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, uses an advanced twin-scroll turbocharger for smooth performance and efficient power delivery, The P400 inline-six MHEV powertrain harvests energy normally lost during deceleration and redeploys it to optimize performance to provide 395hp and 406-lb ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF® automatic transmission and twin-speed transfer box, to deliver a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required.

In tests, my 2.0-liter, estimated at 18mpg/city and 21mpg/highway, averaged 19.3mpg, and at the track, we accelerated from zero to 60mph in 8 seconds-flat (hand-timed) during a 16.3-second quarter-mile. The sturdy short, long arms (SLA) double wishbone front suspension with an integral link rear was comforting and supple, and the Electronic Power Assisted Rack and Pinion Steering was All-Terrain attentive and in-town attentive, though loose at high speed.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender starts at $49,900 for the Standard P300 110 model (296-hp), moves up to $62,250 for the P400 with 395-hp and tops out at $80,900 plus destination and delivery charges for the 110X trim.

My 2020 Defender 110S (one step up from the base model) with the base 296-hp P300 powertrain, started at $53,350 and tweaked up from Standard with 19-inch 6-spoke, Gloss Silver Finish wheels, auto high beam assist lights, Ebony Grained leather and Robust Woven Textile seat facings with Ebony interior, interactive driver display sound system and much more. Pangea Green exterior paint added $710. The $4800 Explorer Pack added front and rear classic mudflaps, matte black hood decal, wheel arch protection, raised air intake, Expedition roof rack, exterior side-mounted gear carrier and spare wheel cover. Off-road and towing packs are extra, but my ride uptweaked for comfort and convenience, adding a Meridian™ Sound System, Premium cabin lighting and front console refrigerator for $895, the Cold Climate Pack (heated windshield, washer jets, power wash and steering wheel) for $700, and Three-Zone Climate Control with Rear Cooling Assist for $1075, also adding Cabin Air Ionization ($100) and Air Quality Sensor ($75). SiriusXM Radio ($300) and WiFi Enabling with Data Plan ($360) were selected and The Driver Assist Pack was also added, with Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and rear Traffic Monitor for $1275. Adding Delivery and Destination charges of $1350, my Defender 110S stickered at $64,990.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

Emphasizing a bold new look and its bumper-to-bumper, wheels-to-roof transformation, the all-new 12^th-generation, 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan continues its legacy as an economical top-selling sedan. The best-selling nameplate in the world with 46 million units sold since its introduction in 1966, Corolla is currently the ninth top-selling vehicle and third best-selling sedan in America. The new-generation Corolla follows last year’s Hatchback launch with a 52mpg-Corolla Hybrid and a trendy new dynamic look for the sedan with Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform for improved stability, agility and comfort. The TNGA platform is new to the sedan and imparts increased rigidity, and the rear suspension has beefed up with a new, more sophisticated multilink system.

Also new for 2020 are Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (standard), a new 169-horsepower, TNGA 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine – available in addition to the standard 1.8-liter powerplant, available Dynamic-Shift CVT or six-speed manual transmission, standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and Wi-Fi Connect. My test Corolla SE came with the larger 2.0-liter engine, normal and sport driving modes, front-wheel-drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, Dark Gray Metallic Sport Side Rocker panels and color-keyed rear spoiler, sport mesh Dark Gray Metallic front grille with LED accent lighting, 8-inch touchscreen, and sporty interior coolness with a center stack screen providing access to vehicle settings, audio controls, navigation, and audio multimedia.

From every angle, the new Corolla sedan looks lower and leaner, tauter and tighter. Powerful fender flares and generously curved fender top surfaces accent its sculpted, athletic demeanor. It’s not the econobox your parents drove in the ‘60s. The compact Corolla is shorter, wider and lower in this generation for increased stability, shortening length by 0.8 inches to 182.3 inches; gaining 0.2 inches in width to 70.1 and losing 0.8 inches in height to 56.5 inches, on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase, though the platform is brand new -- Toyota's New Global Architecture. Curbweight goes from 2910 lbs. to 3150 lbs. depending on trims and accessories, putting on from 50 to 100 lbs. Ground clearance is lower by more than an inch, at 5.1 inches.

Corolla has been known for its fuel economy and that continues this year. The 2020 Corolla offers two efficient engines, a 1.8-liter, 16-valve inline-four-cylinder engine and a direct-injection 2.0-liter Dynamic Force inline-4. The base 1.8-liter unit gains 7hp and delivers 139 horses with the same 126 lb-ft of torque as did the last generation. The 2.0-liter is good for 169hp and 151 lb-ft., where the top-tuned engine of Gen-11 put out 140hp. In keeping with the Corolla mission, Corolla’s 1.8-liter is EPA rated at 30mpg/city, 38mpg/highway and 33mpg/overall. The 2.0 is rated at 31/38/34, and one setup can get you 40mpg on the highway.

The front-wheel-drive system may not be a track star, but it did show energy and finished a zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.9 seconds (hand-timed), during a 16.2-second hand-timed quarter-mile. Showing the economical fuel consumption that first built its following, my test ride averaged 30.2mpg in mixed-use driving.

Corolla’s Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and rear multi-link with stabilizer bar smoothed out road imperfections better than old econocars did, but it isn’t quite up to lavish ride status.

With seating for five, Corolla provides the same 38.3 inches of front headroom as last year, and 37.1 inches in row two. However, legroom loses a bit from last year at 42.0 inches in the first row and a tighter 34.8 inches in the second seats. Shoulder room is comfortable at 54.0 up front and cozier at 51.7 in row two. The cabin is packed with infotainment, climate features, cool upscale lighting and instrumentation, and various informational displays that are driver-friendly. The cabin is quieter than ever thanks to the new structure, drivetrain improvements and insulation. Cabin environment is improved with Corolla sedan’s fully redesigned air conditioning system that employs smarter climate control, as its innovative twin-layer recirculation/fresh air induction unit reduces glass fogging while promoting recirculation of warm cabin air in lower areas.

From a safety perspective, the 2020 Corolla sedan features eight standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology, and all Corolla sedan models come equipped with a standard backup camera. Significantly, all 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan models are equipped standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, an advanced suite of integrated active and pre-collision safety features.

Starting at under $20,000 for the base 2020 Toyota Corolla L ($19,600), Corolla comes in seven trims, including the Hybrid LE, which bases at $23,100. The top XSE trim starts at $25,550, and my test SE trim, second in the lineup, starts at $22,050. Barcelona Red exterior paint was mated to a Light Gray/Moonstone fabric interior and we added one of three SE Premium Packages available, the middle option, for $2315 that included a ton of Siri, Alexa, Apple, Verizon WiFi and remote connect capabilities, GPS, Blindspot warning, remote keyless entry, color-keyed heated outside mirrors, and much more. Bodyside moldings added $209, Door Edge Guards added $125, Mudguards added $129, and Delivery, Processing and Handling fees of $995 put the sticker-as-tested at $25,823. 

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Jaguar leapt into the electric car niche last year with I-PACE, the company’s first all-electric vehicle, and an EV SUV/crossover as well. This fun-to-drive sports-ute had non-traditional electric car sportiness, luxury amenities inside and out, and 394-horsepower performance. Jaguar’s first full battery-electric vehicle has an EPA estimated range of up to 234 miles from a single full charge of its 90kWh lithium-ion battery, and a new software upgrade developed from its eTROPHY racing analysis can improve its real-world range to up to 246 miles.

The software upgrade is part of minor augmentation for 2020, as Jaguar chose to stand pat for the most part, in the second year of I-PACE’s initial run. Also new for 2020 are changes to the torque distribution between the front and rear motors in AWD to deliver greater efficiency when driving in ECO mode. Jaguar has also made refinements to thermal management control to make greater use of the active radiator vane system, closing the vanes more frequently to enhance aerodynamic performance more of the time. Additionally for 2020, changes to the predictive range calculation algorithm delivers a more accurate and consistent estimate of vehicle range, while being more reflective of an individual’s driving style. In addition, regenerative braking now harvests energy more efficiently when the battery is in a high state of charge, and the amount of energy recovery improves at lower driving speeds to maximize efficiency and range.

The all-electric SUV has also uptweaked with a complimentary 4G data plan, a 360-degree camera system, wireless charging, and an onboard app that displays where the nearest charging stations are and how long it should take to restore the battery. Regarding charging, I-PACE’s new 11.0-kW onboard charger has improved charging, and can complete a full recharge from a dead battery in 8.6 hours – last year’s system took 12.6 hours to recharge from zero.

The stylish and sporty I-PACE looks like a luxury sedan up front and your only get the SUV demeanor when looking at it from the side or rear. Definitely not a boxy sports-ute, I-PACE shows off a fixed panoramic roof, Gloss Black door claddings and valance, Gloss Black grille with Satin Chrome surround, tailgate spoiler, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated rear window with timer, 3-flash lane change indicators, LED tail lights, rear fog lights, Automatic Headlight Leveling System and “Follow me home” lighting.

Weighing in at a robust 4784 lbs (curbweight), the sporty I-PACE fits its midsize crossover niche with dimensions of 184.3 inches long, 61.3 inches high and 79.2 inches wide on a 117.7-inch wheelbase.  Ground clearance is 5.6 inches at maximum load.

I-PACE melds Jaguar’s iconic sleekness outside and interior luxury with Big Cat muscle -- 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque while attaining an EPA-rated driving range of up to 246 miles on a full charge. When drivers do not have 8 hours for a full charge, rapid public charging from 0-80 percent can be accomplished in less than 40-minutes, with a 15-minute charge delivering a 60-mile range. Full charges can be undertaken at public sites or at home with an AC wall box (7kW).

Smooth acceleration, track-worthy handling and dynamics are part of Jaguar’s sportscar DNA, and I-PACE delivers with effortless passing at speed, easy conquering of uphill grades and auto-cross dominating steering. From a standing start, my test I-PACE accelerated to a 4.5-second hand-timed zero-to-60mpg sprint and finished off a quarter-mile in a sports sedanlike 13.1 seconds (hand-timed).

The well-appointed cabin speaks of Jaguar lavishness, from its high-quality materials, three information displays and touch-capacitive controls, to its fit, finish and infotainment. The center console’s floating-bridge design is bold, cockpit-like and well above the traditional SUV insipidness. I-PACE seats five, though front headroom is a bit tight at 39.9 inches with only 38.1 inches in row two. Legroom is relaxing in row one at 40.9, but snug at 35 inches in row two, and shoulder room is 57.6 in front and 54.6 inches in the rear seats.

As is characteristic with an electric vehicle, the cabin is quiet, though you do get some tire and road noise on the highway, and the touchscreen takes a beat to respond. Sightlines are good up front and on the sides, but the small rear window and rear shoulders create a blind zone.

The 2020 Jaguar I-PACE starts at $69,850 for the Base model (I-PACE S) and tops off at the HSE trim at $80,900. My I-PACE in SE trim based at $76,250 (about $400 higher than last year). Caesium Blue exterior paint added $710 and the trim came with 20-inch 6-spoke wheels, Ebony grained-leather sport seats with an Ebony interior, 10-way electric memory front seats, soft-grain leather sport steering wheel and 11-speaker/12-amp channel Meridian sound system. A high-res head-up information display added $970; the Driver Assist Pack with 360-degree surround camera and adaptive cruise control added $1300; the Cold Weather Pack with heated windshield, heated washer jets and heated steering wheel added $530; front fog lights were $100; a reduced section alloy spare wheel was $150; cabin air ionization added $100; power gesture tailgate added $100 and delivery and destination charges added $1150 for a sticker-as-tested of $81,360.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Mazda added the CX-3 subcompact to its crossover lineup for model-year 2016, replacing the similar Mazda2 subcompact. In a world of large and often-expensive SUVs, Mazda’s CX-3 represents a more-economic, fuel-conscious downsize that can take on urban landscapes with crowded traffic and parking challenges, camping and outdoor ventures, long highway cruises and family excursions, looking good and sporty while handling with good manners along the way.

Ready for adventure, and developed with Mazda’s striking design philosophy, athletic driving dynamics and straightforward driving position, CX-3 offers an engaging package for urbanites who don’t settle for the conventional. This unconventional presentation has earned the 2020 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover the attention of industry experts, and the fun-to-drive mini-ute has been awarded the title as "Best Subcompact SUV of 2020” by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.Com while gaining a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ranking from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

New for 2020, Mazda has eliminated the Touring and Grand Touring trims that were available last year, reducing the line-up to only the Sport trim. A treasure of advanced safety features have been added as have convenience items including standard Android Audio and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, i-Activesense driver assistance features are now standard. The standard suite of i-Activesense safety amenities includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go function, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and a rearview camera.

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 Sport is packed with more than safety. CX-3 is augmented so fully that enhancement packages offered are non-existent. Standard interior installs include cloth door trim with Black armrests, Black center console knee pads, power windows with driver's one-touch down/up feature, power door locks with 2-stage unlocking, push button start, rear window defogger with timer, remote fuel door release, remote keyless illuminated entry system with “answer back” feature, tilt and telescopic steering column, 7-inch full-color touch screen display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability, AM/FM audio system with Automatic Level Control and six speakers, MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System, Active Driving Display, Ambient temperature and digital clock, 6-way manual driver's seat, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls and a trip computer.

 

CX-3’s athletic architecture features smooth, flowing angles that designers market as “creating a sense of motion.” CX-3 Sport now features all LED exterior lighting as standard, including adaptive headlights, taillights and daytime running lights. To add function to form, the LED headlights have automatic on/off and automatic leveling capabilities. Body-colored power side mirrors with integrated turn signals complement body-colored door handles, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, complement the rear window wiper. To bring the entire package together, the CX-3 is styled with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, shark fin antenna, dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets and an understated black front grille design that brings greater depth and distinction.

 

Mazda CX-3 is molded in subcompact dimensions on a 101.2-inch wheelbase, with a length of 168.3 inches, width of 69.6 inches and height of 60.7 combining for a minimum ground clearance of 6.1 inches. Curb weight is 2851 lbs. for FWD and 2994 lbs. for AWD configuration.

 

Inside, with seating for five, CX-3’s stylish cabin provides full instrumentation including tachometer and fuel level gauge, Black gauges with White lettering and Silver surround, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and front and rear outboard seat headrests. The cabin affords front headroom of 38.4 inches, with 37.2 inches in row two; legroom is 41.4 inches up front and 35.0 inches for the rear seats, and shoulder room comes in at 53.5 and 50.4.

CX-3 powers up with a 16-valve, 4-cylinder SKYACTIV®-G1 2.0-liter DOHC engine that produces 148 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. In FWD, the system is EPA-rated at 29mpg/city and 34mpg/highway, and in AWD, CX-3 gets 27/32. My week of tests in the AWD averaged 30.8mpg.

The mini-crossover’s electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering was agile and attentive, with acceptable understeer and stability, and the suspension is set for a premium riding experience, though road feel is lessened in favor of smoothness.

The 148-hp power plant and quick-shifting Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and Sport mode accelerated smoothly and predictably, passing at speed with some strategy, and conquering uphill grades with patience. At the track, CX-3 is econo-speeded, with a zero-to-60mph sprint accomplished in 9.6 seconds, during a tedious 17.4-second hand-timed quarter-mile.

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 is available in one trim level, the Sport, starting at $20,640 in front-wheel-drive and $22,040 in all-wheel-drive. I prefer the stability and reliability of AWD and we started there. Soul Red Crustal Metallic exterior paint added $595 and was complemented by a Black cloth interior. No full option packages were available as the CX-3 Sport is loaded with standard items, but a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink® added $325, all-weather floormats added $125, and rear parking sensors added $500. Affixing the $1100 destination fee put the sticker of this 2020 Mazda CX-3 Sport as-tested at $24,185.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

The Lexus badge is most-often equated to luxury, but perhaps versatility and purpose can best describe the luxurious full-size three-row Lexus GX sport-utility vehicle. Introduced in 2002 as the third SUV in the Lexus line-up, the GX 470 was rebadged GX 460 with its second generation in 2009, and in the past 11 years has been badged as GX, GX 460 Premium and GX 460 Luxury, under the GX umbrella. The 2020 GX represents a very long run (11 years) for a generation, and with only cosmetic changes set for 2021, this year’s model sees cosmetic, tech and package changes.

New for 2020 are a face lift that starts with a redesigned, more angular spindle grille, new triple-beam LED headlamps, and Atomic Silver joins the palette of exterior colors. Acoustic front side glass is standard on all models as are Amazon Alexa compatibility, and safety features as part of Safety System+. New interior trim options are available and an Off-Road package is also new, consisting of a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor and Multi-Terrain Monitor with four Cameras, a transmission cooler, a fuel-tank protector and Lexus' own Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. The Sport Design Package adds nuances including a lower grille surround, rear valence, side mirrors, matte black exhaust tip, scarlet tail lamps and 19-inch alloy wheels with a Gunmetal Metallic finish, and other available packages add Silver 18-inch wheels and Heated Wood-trimmed Steering Wheel. 

But above all, the 2020 Lexus GX remains luxurious, and capable with a dual purpose: engineered for family, around town lavishness, maneuverability, and crafted with upscale detail, fit and function; while given attention toward long vacations that can require rugged multi-terrain, off-road aptitude and attitude.

The Lexus GX 460 I tested needed few additions, as it is loaded with standard features including 18-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, illuminated running boards, heated power-adjustable side mirrors with integrated turn signals, 10-way power-adjustable front seats and a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column. The cabin is enhanced with keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, faux-leather upholstery, auto-dimming rearview mirror and such safety items as blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance. Towing is aided with Trailer Sway Control, a function of the Vehicle Stability Control that enhances straight-line tracking.

Bold and aggressive with Euro-styled curves, creases and sculpting, Lexus GX is molded on a 109.8-inch wheelbase and is 192.1 inches long, 74.2 inches wide and 74.2 inches high, with a ground clearance of 8.1 inches. Curb weight is 5130 lbs for the base model and up to 5200 lbs for upper-level trims.

Exquisitely crafted and filled with intuitiveness, tech, infotainment, dual-zone climate control with interior filter, and safety, the, GX cabin affords 38.0 inches of front headroom, 40.4 inches in the middle and 35.2 inches in the rear. Legroom is 41.7 inches up front, 34.1 in the middle and a child-worthy 29.3 in the rear. Shoulder room is 55.4 inches up front, 57.3 in the middle and 54.5 in the back seats.

Available features include a wood and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, crafted exclusively with hand-selected materials. The GX multimedia system offers a touchscreen with a customizable home screen that can display three sections simultaneously, and rear seat passengers can power their mobile devices thanks to two additional USB ports, among the GX compliment of four.

The 2020 Lexus GX offers one engine choice: a 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8 with Dual Hydraulic with intelligence that produces 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. This 4-wheel-drive system is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Lexus's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System is standard, and this setup smooths out highway unevenness and serves well in non-extreme off-road challenges. Maneuverability is deft in town and responsive in curves and harsh steering tests, with acceptable body roll and top-wobble for the segment. The Engine speed sensing power-assisted rack and pinion with Variable Gear Ratio Steering was attentive with slight, predictable understeer, and excellent for off-road impediments, but not autocross quick.

In track tests, we were quicker than the manufacturer estimated, finishing off a zero-to-60mpg sprint in 7.4 seconds (hand-timed) during a 16.1-second quarter-mile. 

Fuel economy was not economical, though we managed to exceed the EPA estimate of 15/19 mpg city/highway, as we averaged 19.4 mpg test trials on the interstate, around town and a few quick off-road excursions. 

Lexus attends to safety with the standard Lexus Safety System+ suite of technologies that includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Intelligent High Beams and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. There’s also a backup camera and 10 standard airbags.

Available in three trim levels, the base four-wheel-drive 2020 Lexus GX starts at $53,000; the GX 460 Premium starts at $55,790 and the top-level GX 460 Luxury trim starts at $64,265. My test 2020 GX 460 Premium added elevated style to the base model, with an interior trimmed in NuLuxe®, Gray Sapele wood accents, available second-row captain's chairs and a third zone of climate control. In Nebula Gray exterior paint and Ecru interior, a wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel added $300, headlamp washers added $100, and handling and delivery charges added $1025, for a sticker-as-tested of $57,215.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Subaru launched the midsize Legacy badge in 1989, as a flagship that offered standard all-wheel-drive and a BOXER engine. Thirty years of successful sales later, Subaru of America introduced the all-new seventh-generation 2020 Legacy sedan – the most advanced Legacy in the model’s history. The 2020 Legacy presents with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, available tablet-style high-definition 11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK™ multimedia screen, and DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System. A 260-horsepower turbo engine powers up new XT models, and the redesigned sedan is equipped with new technology and safety features, and is based on a platform shared with Subaru’s high-rep Ascent and Forester.

The completely redesigned 2020 Subaru Legacy uptweaks with tech upgrades, turbo engine and new lane-centering add-on, and the platform that has been optimized for the midsize Legacy, boasting a structure that is 70-percent stiffer in both torsional and front-suspension rigidity and 100-percent stiffer in both front lateral flexural and rear subframe rigidity compared to the previous Legacy’s platform. Along with a strengthened suspension and lowered center of gravity, the Legacy’s improved body rigidity provides more responsive steering and handling, smoother and quieter ride, and heightened hazard avoidance in emergency situations. The 2020 Legacy comes with improved crash protection, as the new body absorbs over 40-percent more energy in front/side crashes than the previous model. When a crash is unavoidable, the Legacy protects with eight standard airbags, including a driver knee airbag.

In six trims, some with renewed sportiness, Legacy is still a family sedan, and is nearly 2 inches longer than Gen-Six, as other dimensions remain about the same. The 2020 Legacy is 15 to 50 pounds lighter than last year, and with the exception of 1.4 inches of greater rear legroom, interior accommodations are roughly the same as in 2019.

An aggressive stance and increased athleticism enhance Legacy’s exterior design, further augmented by its evolutionary grille shape, defined wheel arch, chrome accent at the rear pillars and squint-eye headlamps. The 5-passenger midsize sedan measures 190.6 inches long, 59.1 inches high and 72.4 inches wide on a 108.3-inch wheelbase, for a curb weight of 3499 lbs. for the base model and up to 3790 lbs. for uptweaked trims.

My Legacy Sport trim test ride was second up of the six trims, and boldly shows a performance-oriented exterior that features an exclusive rear bumper, front grille with high-gloss black bar, high-gloss black side mirrors, trunk lid spoiler and dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Sport comes with aluminum pedals as well as red stitching on the instrument panel, door trim, seats, shift lever boot and leather-wrapped steering wheel.  The Sport cabin also upgrades with 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, analog instruments, Keyless Access with Push-Button Start and lots more.

For the first time since 2012, the Legacy lineup will feature a turbocharged engine. Standard on XT models, the 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER engine delivers 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, mated to a high-torque Lineartronic CVT with manual mode and steering wheel paddle control switches, and is rated at 24mpg/city and 32 mpg/highway. My Sport trim was a 2.5 model that powered up with a 2.5-liter DOHC Boxer engine that produces 182hp and 176 lb-ft of torque and is EPA rated at 27mpg/city and 35mpg/highway, though my tests yielded a lower average of 26.4mpg in mixed-use driving.

The turbo might launch a 0-60 mph sprint in an estimated 6.1 seconds, but my 2.5-liter BOXER sprinted in 7.9 seconds during a hand-timed 16.1-second quarter-mile. Slow and steady, the quick-ratio electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering was vague at high speed and in tight turns, but the suspension created a soft, gentle ride, limited body roll, and sightlines were unimpeded. 

Subaru touts interior quietness -- 3 decibels quieter at highway speeds than Gen-Six – thanks to special door weather stripping and sound-insulating glass, and I did enjoy luxury-quiet in the cabin.

Inside, Legacy provides a cozy 39.4 inches of front headroom and 37.2 inches in row two – you lose two more inches up front with a sunroof. Legroom is 42.8 inches in row one and 39.5 inches in row two, and shoulder room comes in at 58.1 and 57.4.

Legacy safety is attended to well and the midsize earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Along with items mentioned above, Legacy safety technology includes standard Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering. Additionally, Legacy has gained a rep for being long-lasting and dependable, with 96 percent of Legacy vehicles sold in the last 10 years still on the road today.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy starts at $22,745 for the base trim. The Legacy Premium trim starts at $24,995, the Legacy Sport starts at $26,945, the Legacy Limited starts at $29,745, the Legacy Limited XT with the 2.4 turbo starts at $34,195 and the Legacy Touring XT with the turbo starts at $35,895. My test Legacy Sport in Crystal White Pearl paint, added Blind Spot Detection with power moonroof, 11.6-inch touchscreen navigation and more for $2245, and moonroof air deflector added $99.99, Destination charges of $900 put the sticker-as-tested at $30,189.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

Cadillac dropped its compact executive 4-door (later, a two-door) sedan, ATS, after a seven-year run, in 2019. Taking over the compact luxury sports sedan spot in the Cadillac line-up is the all-new 2020 Cadillac CT4, which is marketed as an entry-luxury sports sedan to attract first-time luxury, and younger buyers to the Cadillac brand.

Sharing its platform with the abandoned ATS, CT4 is its own design and personality, with two turbo engine choices, and up to 325 horsepower. Though that is quite a drop from ATS’s uppermost engine power choice of 464hp, CT4’s handling, performance and style are enough for it to earn its own rep, accolades and following.

CT4 enters the Cadillac sedan portfolio set to appeal to a new generation of sport-luxury customers through an immersive new social media campaign. Featuring a luxury-sports design, and bold 11-color color-and-trim palette, customers can customize to fit their personalities. Additionally, CT4’s sporty performance, RWD and AWD configurations, and high-technologies including Super Cruise -- the world’s first true hands-free driver assistance feature for more than 200,000 miles of compatible highways in the U.S. and Canada -- inject new ideas and function to the Cadillac line-up.

Available in four trims with specific cosmetic and power differences, CT4  offers special wheel options and is luxury loaded with leather-appointed seating, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Safety Alert Seat and LED Reflective Windshield Collision Alert. Additionally, CT4 is outfitted with Cadillac User experience with Personalization and embedded Navigation, 8-inch-diagonal high-definition color-touchscreen driver information display, dual-microphone, Cloud3-based natural voice recognition, dual-display driver information center, 15-watt wireless charging and lots more.

The CT4’s sleek profile leverages the natural, long dash-to-front-axle proportional advantage of its rear-drive platform and, along with its wide stance, expresses presence, confidence and performance. Bright exterior accents, along with unique grilles (with premium hot foil-stampings on the grille elements) and fascias, distinguish the CT4 Luxury and Premium Luxury models. The Sport and V-Series models are differentiated by darker accents and performance-inspired details, including unique grilles, fascias, rocker extensions, rear spoiler and exclusive performance design wheels.

The sporty entry-luxury sedan measures 187.2 inches long, 71.5 inches wide and 56 inches high on a 109.3-inch wheelbase, weighing in at 3461 lbs. for the Luxury series in RWD, and 3616 for the V-Series in RWD. 

CT4’s driver-focused and connected cabin is ergonomically optimized with intuitive controls to enhance driver confidence with a high-tech sense of tactility. Additionally, sophisticated use of metal accents throughout enhances the décor and technology-driven ambiance.

Inside, CT4 provides a surprisingly tight 38.3 inches of front headroom with only 36.5 inches for row two, 42.4 inches of front legroom with only 33.4 inches for back seaters and 55.2 inches of front shoulder room with 53.9 inches for row two.

Turbo power CT4 delivers power through two engine options. A 2.0-liter Twin-Scroll Turbocharged I-4 DOHC with Active Fuel Management, direct injection and auto stop/start, is mated to an eight-speed automatic with Electronic Precision Shift to provide 237hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. Option two is a 2.7-liter Dual-Volute Turbocharged I-4 DOHC with Active Fuel Management, direct injection and auto. stop/start. The CT4's dual-volute turbo (a volute is a spiral-shaped object) and ten-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision Shift provides 310hp and 327 lb-ft, and is augmented for the CT4-V Series to  supply 350hp and 380 lb-ft.

My 310-hp 2.7-liter plant was rated at 23mpg/city and 32mpg/highway with 4WD, and I averaged 25.5mpg during my heavy-footed tests. Around town, the ride was smooth, maneuverable and attentive in turns and acceleration. On the highway, passing was effortless, road inadequacies were leveled out, and on curves and the autocross, CT4 was nimble, responsive and powerful. In track tests, my test ride finished off a hand-timed zero-to-60mph sprint in 5.1 seconds, though sub-4s can be achieved, and my quarter-mile was a steady 13.6 seconds (hand-timed).

The 2020 Cadillac CT4 is available in four trims, in either Rear-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive configurations and with two engine choices. The base Luxury trim starts at $33,990 (including Destination charges) in RWD – only available with a 2.0-liter turbo engine; Premium Luxury starts at $38,490 in the 2.0-liter turbo and $40,990 with the 2.7-liter turbo; Sport starts at $39,590 with the 2.0-turbo; and the V-Series, comes with the 2.7-liter turbo, starting at $45,490. 

My 2020 CT4-Premium Luxury was the 2.7-liter model and added AWD for $3200 (sticker started at $44,190). Evergreen Metallic exterior paint added $625, and was accented by a Jet Black interior with Jet Black accents, Leather-appointed seating with mini-perforated inserts; Navigation and 14-speaker Bose Premium audio added $1700; Climate Package added $1200 for automatic heated steering wheel and 4-way power driver and front passenger lumbar and heated / ventilated seats; Driver Assist added $1200 for Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking and Reverse Automatic Braking; Technology Package added an 8-inch diagonal color reconfigurable gauge cluster, Head-Up Display and Cabin Air Ionize for $1150; and the Driver Awareness Plus Package added Following Distance Indicator, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and IntelliBeam auto high beam assist for $800. Destination charges were $995, for a sticker-as-tested of $49,665 – with some bundling discounts.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The original second-generation C2 Corvette Sting Ray (1963-1967) rocketed into America’s consciousness with a powerful group of engines that ranged from 327 cubic inches to 427 ci. and galloped as many as 435 horses. Corvette’s Generation-3, or C3, shortened the marque to one word, “Stringray” (1968-1982) and was powered by engines ranging from 305 ci. to 454 ci. engines with ranges of muscle from an un-Vettelike 270 horses to a more appropriate 450 hp.

Brought back in 2014, and capturing a carload of awards for performance and appearance, while winning “Best-in-Class” honors, the Corvette Stingray continues to move forward with exterior, connectivity and technology enhancements that offer customers more personalization choices and convenience features. For 2020, the C8 (eighth-generation) Corvette sees a brand new, re-imagined Stingray with the brand’s first-ever production mid-engine Corvette and new levels of performance, tech advances, craftsmanship and luxury. Corvette’s marketing department heralds the new Stingray as a sports car that “… looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history.” And in terms of the Corvette power legacy, its 490 horses eclipses the original by a herd of thoroughbreds.

Built at GM’s Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant, the 2020 Corvette Stingray is longer, wider and a few pounds heavier, with the same aerodynamic height and with nearly the identical cockpit accommodations as the previous generation. The new mid-engine layout gives the 2020 Stingray better weight distribution, with the rear weight bias enhancing performance in a straight line and on the track and better driver control with driver positioning closer to the front axle, almost on top of the front wheels.

Stingray’s design, inspired by racing and aeronautics, employs a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic proportions that still evokes Corvette. The 2020 Stingray is enhanced by low profile headlamps designed around all-new projectors; completely hidden door, hood and hatch releases that do not disrupt the sculpted design; large side air intakes for engine cooling and aerodynamic performance; and a canopy-forward stance that was inspired by F22s, F35s, other modern fighter jets and by Formula One racing.

The new 2020 Stingray Coupe gains 5.4 inches in length, 2.2 inches in width and 0.5 inches in wheelbase, with the same height as last year, and now measures 182.3 inches long, 76.1 inches wide and an aerodynamic road-hugging low 48.6 inches high on a 107.2-inch wheelbase. Stingray weighs in with a curbweight of 3366 lbs., though with a full set of options, you could top out at 3650 lbs. 

The 2020 Stingray’s cockpit is driver-oriented with passenger comfort, augmented by premium interior materials executed at a high level of quality and craftsmanship. Hand-wrapped, cut-and-sew leather components with thick press stitching and generous use of real metal highlight the environment. The jet fighter-inspired wraparound cockpit is cozy with good sightlines and tech and comfort go hand-in-hand with intuitiveness. Corvette Stingray’s interior combines luxury with a sports car feel, and packed with tech and comfort amenities with seating for two, Stingray provides 37.9 inches of headroom, an accommodating 42.8 inches of legroom and 54.4 inches of shoulder room in luxurious seats. New technology features include Corvette’s next-generation high-res infotainment system; Learn-as-you-go voice recognition; improved real-time traffic; a new 12-inch customizable instrument cluster tailored to all six driver modes; heated steering wheel; premium audio systems and the most personalization options ever for Corvette.

Talking power, the first production mid-engine in Corvette history runs with a small-block 6.2-liter LT2 V8 rated at 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with the Z51 performance package, maximum horsepower bumps up to 495 and peak torque to 470 lb-ft. Chevrolet says the Z51 will do sub-3.0-second zero-to-60 dashes, and my test 490-hp setup still smoked the sprint in 3.1 seconds during an 11.4-second hand-timed quarter-mile.

Response is rocketlike and steering is attentive with enough predictable understeer to be autocross entertaining. Racecar tight and road hugging, Stingray is fun, highway worthy, in-town maneuverable, versatile and exciting. You can set the exhaust note to quiet mode, but, the exhaust growl is part of the Corvette personality to me sooooo growl away.

The setup is EPA rated at 16mpg/city and 27mpg/highway and I averaged 18.6 mpg through in town errands, highway cruises and lots of tire smoking.

The 2020 Corvette Stingray Coupe bases at $59,995 for the 1LT trim and the Convertible stickers at $67,495. Three Coupe trim levels will take you up to $71,945 for the heavily uptweaked 3LT. More than 50 percent of Corvettes sold are 1LT trims, so my test vehicle started with that. Sebring Orange Tintcoat exterior paint added $995 and was striking against Jet Black Performance Textile interior with Jet Black Leather seats. For $5000 the Z51 Performance package and its 5 extra hp, and performance spoiler, front splitter, exhaust, brakes, suspension, rear axle, tires and slip-differential is popular, but we went without it. Lots of cosmetics, decals and exterior and interior enhancements are available, but my test ride passed on them. Inside, we opted up with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System with Navigation and 8-inch diagonal HD color touchscreen for $1795. Destination freight charges of $1095 put the sticker-as-tested at $60,990, which seemed low for this new legend.

You can see the 2020 Corvette Stingray and more than 5,000 Corvettes that cross the 67-year history of America’s sports car, at the world’s largest Corvette event in the world – 2020 Corvettes at Carlisle, August 27-30 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. The event represents all generations of “America’s Classic Sports Car,” and includes burnouts, autocross competition, a huge swap meet and a parade and street party in downtown Carlisle. And there are fun events lined up for the entire family.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

Beginning in the mid-to-late 1990s, the mid-size pick-up truck segment seemed to have lost its spirit and public appeal. However, in the early 2000s, the segment revitalized as consumers began thinking that smaller might be better at times, so Chevrolet took notice and returned to the small-package pick-up genre in 2004 with the Colorado, a compact pick-up launched to replace the Chevy S-10, in tandem with the GMC Canyon, which replaced the GMC S-15.

Thinking outside the truck box for Colorado’s second generation in 2012, Chevrolet resisted the impulse to build a “baby Silverado” by developing Colorado-specific architecture with a spirited demeanor. Colorado’s design is unique with a confident stance, aggressiveness, tall bedsides, a bold raked belt line for the cab, wrap-around headlights, distinctive trapezoid grille and more subtle fender flares. And the exciting ZR-2 and ZR-2 Bison come with a widened stance, higher suspension and enhanced off-road capabilities. Chevrolet also recognized that in trucks, power takes precedence, and to address that, Colorado, which began with 116-hp and 142-hp engines (206-to 216-lb-ft of torque) in 2004, has steadily increased its muscle to as much as 308 horses on one engine option and up to 369 lb-ft of torque on another.

Next year, Colorado will refresh with an updated grille, and a third generation should hit the showrooms in 2023 or 2024. So the second-Gen Colorado for 2020 adds only a key fob-operated tailgate lock control, a Tire Fill Alert, and Package-level changes including the Safety Package now available for the Z71 trim, changing the Chrome Luxury package to the Luxury Package, now available on Crew Cab models, and deletion of several cab long bed models, as well as the Redline and RST Luxury Special Packages. 

With a Crew Cab and 5-foot-2-inch box (it is also offered with a 6-foot-2-inch box and can be optioned with an Extended Cab), the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado measures 212.7 inches in length, 70.6 inches high (in 4WD) and 74.3 inches wide on a 128.3-inch wheelbase (the larger box requires 224.9 inches in length on a 140.5-inch wheelbase). Step-in height is 22.6 inches and minimum ground clearance is 8.2 inches. Curb weight for my LT trim came in at 4433 lbs. for the 3.6-liter engine, short box and Crew Cab in 4WD – the long box adds about 63 lbs. The Colorado features triple-sealed doors inlaid in the body sides and offers the segment’s first active aero grille shutters, designed to enhance aerodynamics when closed.

The interior is packed with convenience and safety features that blend attention to the driver’s need for work, recreation and everyday comfort. A bold, upright instrument panel with large controls and a center console with a floor-mounted shifter are a center focus, and a sculpted headliner that enhances headroom. Halo lighting on key controls offer an easier view and an open area at the front of the center console for easier phone charging are upscale appointments for a smaller truck.

Inside, with the Crew Cab, driver and passengers get 41.4 inches of front headroom and 38.3 in the Crew extension, 45.1 inches of front legroom with 35.8 for those in the second row, and shoulder room of 57.5 inches in row one and 56.2 in row two.

Engine choices are a 2.5-liter DOHC I-4 engine that puts out 200 hp and 191 lb-ft. of torque and is EPA rated at 19mpg/city and 24mpg/highway for the 4WD version, while the 3.6-liter V-6 delivers 308 hp and 275 lb-ft. of torque with an EPA estimate of 17/24 for 4WD.  The 2.8-liter turbodiesel that hums out 181 hp and a strong 369 lb-ft is rated at 19/28. My mixed-use tests put the 3.6-liter’s average at 21.1 mpg.

Nimble and maneuverable, utilizing its wide mid-size stance and demeanor, my Colorado LT’s electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering was responsive, and its maneuverability was markedly better than that of a full-size truck, but not carlike. I found only minimal bed looseness as my test truck attacked turns with confidence. Acceleration was steady and predictable in all ranges, and at the track, my LT 3.6 completed a hand-timed zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.1 seconds, and a quarter-mile in 15.5 (hand-timed). My LT’s 4-wheel-drive independent coil-over-shock front suspension with twin-tube shocks, mated to a solid axle rear with semi-elliptic two-stage multi-leaf springs and twin-tube shocks smoothed most road inconsistencies and was adequate for soft-road, and non-extreme off-road challenges.

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado starts at $27,895 for the base WT trim in 2WD with the 2.5-liter engine, $30,895 for the LT in 2WD with the 2.5-liter engine, $35,095 for the Z71 trim and 3.6-liter, $44,195 for the base ZR-2. My test LT in 4WD started at $35,595 and upgraded to the 3.6-liter powerplant. Red Hot exterior paint was no extra charge, and a Luxury Package that added Jet Black, Leather-appointed seat trim, 4-way power front passenger seats, power driver seat lumbar control, the LT Convenience package, projector-beam headlamps, heated driver and front passenger seats, automatic climate control, remote start, manual sliding rear window, heated steering wheel, rear window defogger, fog lamps and more, added $2715. Front and rear splash guards added $180, Navigation added $495, 7-speaker Bose audio system was $500, The Safety Package for $690 added Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, and destination and freight added $1195 for a sticker-as-tested of $40,175.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

An all-new Ford F-150 is prepared and ready for model-year 2021, but for 2020, the perennial top-selling vehicle in America, for the past 42 years is staying the course with only a few small changes.

As the F-150 upgraded its power systems, exhaust setup, interior and connectivity arrangement last year, “America’s Truck” adds Ford Co-Pilot360™ as now standard Lariat, King Ranch®, Platinum, Limited and consists of Auto-High Beam Headlamps, Blind Spot Information System with CrossTraffic Alert and Trailer Tow Monitoring, Lane-Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear View Camera. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist™ is also now included on Platinum and standard on Limited, and consists of Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System with Pinch-to-Zoom Capability, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link®. Several appearance packages have been changed for 2020, and three new colors have been added to the exterior palette -- Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat.

Additionally, for 2020, FordPass™ Connect with 4GLTE Wi-Fi®, which connects up to 10 devices, is now standard for F-150 XLT and above and myriad technologies can be optioned including SYNC® 3 with Navigation, 8-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen with pinch and swipe capability, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and much more.

The 15^th-generation F-150 trim levels for 2020 include XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited, in addition to the stylish, super-power, 450-hp/510 lb-ft of torque off-road Raptor. Law enforcement can choose the F-150 Police Responder (375hp and 470 lb-ft) – the industry’s first and only pursuit-rated pickup, giving agencies a more versatile and capable patrol vehicle

Built “Ford Tough” at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, the 2020 Ford F-150 is constructed with a high-strength steel frame and an advanced, high-strength, military grade aluminum body. The body on frame truck comes in three cab schemes: Regular Cab, SuperCab, or SuperCrew®.

With sculpted creases and angles that modify the truck’s boxiness, F-150’s exterior is enhanced by configurable daytime running lamps, power sideview mirrors on XL and above trims, a quick-release tailgate with lock; and on my text XLT, a chrome, two-bar style grille with chrome nostrils, black surround and black background mesh.

Confidently long, my 4x4 test Ford F-150 XLT with a SuperCrew® cab and 6.5-foot bed measured 243.7 inches long, 77.3 inches high for the 4x4, and 79.9 inches wide on a 156.8-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 9.3 inches.

The F-150 is a muscular truck, with six engine choices: a 2.7-liter twin turbo EcoBoost V-6 that produces 325 hp and 400 lbs-ft of torque; the 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo that pops out 250hp and 440 lbs-ft; the 3.3-liter Ti-VCT FFV engine that develops 290 horses and 265 lbs-ft; the 3.5-liter V-6 turbo EcoBoost engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing that delivers 375hp/470 lbs-ft; the High Output twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that increases power numbers to 450 hp and 510 lbs-ft of torque, and the 5.0-liter Ti-VCT VB FFV engine that thunders out 395 hp and 400 lbs-ft. That engine propelled my test ride.

My test XLT’s 5.0-liter V-8 was mated to an electronic 10-speed automatic transmission, and the combination was powerful and responsive. On the track, a zero-to-60mpg dash was completed in a hand-timed 6.0 seconds-flat during a 14.5-second quarter-mile (hand-timed). Stable and aggressive on the highway, steering is trucklike, but predictable. Rated at 12mpg/city, 15mpg/highway and 13mpg/overall, I daily-drivered my truck in town, on the highway, on a track run and some soft-roading for an average of 14.1 mpg.

With six interior configurations, my test ride’s SuperCrew cabin was packed with safety items and amenities measured a roomy 40.8 inches of front headroom with 40.4 inches for those in the cab. Front legroom was a generous 43.9 inches with second-row passengers getting 43.6 inches. Shoulder room was a spacious 66.7 inches in row one and 65.9 in the rear seats.

For 2020, Ford F-150 is offered in seven basic trims with modifications for six different engines, three bed lengths and three cab sizes. The base XL starts at $28,745; the XLT as was my test truck, started at $34,760 (gaining cosmetics and the Power Equipment Group); the upscale Lariat bases at $42,750; the luxurious King Ranch® model starts at $52,990; the aggressively powerful and stylish Raptor starts at $53,455; the upper-lavish Platinum trim starts at $55,520 and the top-tier Limited starts at $67,735.

My test XLT, which adds SYNC®3, Ford Pass Connect, stylish grillework, the Power Equipment Group and Chrome Front and Rear Bumper to the XL, based with a Regular Cab and 6.5-foot box; the 3.3-liter engine, 6-speed automatic transmission and 4x2 drive, but my test truck was enhanced with several options. The powerful 395-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine added $1000; and as I am a 4x4-guy, the 4x4 configuration was added in a $3445 package; A SuperCrew cab added $6525; Rear window defroster added $220; Black platform running boards added $250; the Reverse Sensing System and trailer hitch added $425; Destination charges were $1695 and an Acquisition fee of $645 put the sticker-as-tested at $49,005, but cash incentives of up to $2500 may be available to put the sticker price at $46,505, so check with your local dealer.

You can see Ford trucks through the decades, as well as American and foreign trucks from many manufacturers, and more than 2,000 trucks of all eras, at the Carlisle Truck Nationals, August 7-9 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. This event and has been one of the world’s largest truck shows since 1991. This celebration of trucks features Pick-ups, Heavy-duty Trucks, Big Rigs, Mini Trucks, Antiques, Custom Vans, 4x4s, Jeeps, SUVs, Vintage Fire Trucks, Monster Trucks and more.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>