Let’s not bore each other with mundane luxury and convenience features. The 2017 Subaru WRX Sport-tech gets a 268hp 2.0L turbo 4, a 6-speed manual, active torque vectoring AWD, 18-inch rims, a sport…
WRX? EVO? WRX? EVO? WRX? Hold on… we no longer get to make this argument. Sadly, in a dedicated, systematic effort to transform itself into the most yawn-inducing automaker the world has seen since Daewoo disappeared under the umbrella of General Motors, Mitsubishi has forsaken its countless performance fans along with decades of world rally heritage by giving up on the legendary Lancer Evolution series of compact sport sedans, so now the only Evo that might have a chance of unseating a new WRX will need to come from the pre-owned side of Mitsubishi's dealer lots (or the used lots of Subaru retailers exchanging Evo trade-ins for new WRX STIs). The WRX, on the other hand, is very much alive and better than ever, while its Subaru parent, despite no longer taking part in the World Rally Championship directly, still benefits from its decades of motorsport investment. In fact, Subaru's Canadian division has been growing stronger every year, from just 16,190 sales a decade Read Full Story
Amazingly, Lexus went from having nothing in the compact luxury SUV segment throughout most of 2014 to being one of the top-three players by the end of 2016. The story is even better in the U.S. where…
The 2017 Lexus NX 300h still looks fabulous despite being in its third year of availability. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Amazingly, Lexus went from having nothing in the compact luxury SUV segment throughout most of 2014 to being one of the top-three players by the end of 2016. The story is even better in the U.S. where the new NX is now number one in the entire class.
How the mighty Germans have fallen, not that Lexus is particularly weak and feeble. The Japanese luxury brand is a powerhouse in the crossover sport utility sector where its RX has been the bestselling mid-size luxury SUV in both Canada and the U.S. (by a long shot) for as long as there’s been a mid-size luxury SUV segment, a vehicle class it helped to create. Therefore it only makes sense the NX would do well too.
Modern angles are everywhere, Lexus no longer the conservative wallflower it was in decades past. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
It helps that it looks fabulous, or at least I like it a lot. The NX’ design hasn’t changed one iota since arriving in December of 2014 as a 2015 model. Lexus didn’t wait long before getting this hybrid variant to market either, joining it up with the NX 200t for the model’s inaugural year and making it an important part of its one, two knockout NX punch ever since.
The full LED headlamps and 18-inch alloys are part of the Executive package upgrade. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Now that the Audi Q5 Hybrid is history, the NX 300h is an anomaly within the compact luxury SUV category. In fact, with Audi also eliminating the Q5 TDI (at least temporarily) and Mercedes-Benz doing likewise with its new GLC (again, just for the time being as far as we know), the only alternative-fuel competitors in the class are BMW’s X3 xDrive28d and the unlikely addition of Jaguar’s F-Pace 20d. Still, being that Dieselgate ruined Rudolf Christian Karl’s most fuel-efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) type, most environmentally oriented consumers won’t be turning to diesel as a way to save the planet, leaving the NX 300h as the only real green choice in this burgeoning market segment.
The Executive package adds a number of upscale features. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Behind the NX 300h’s bold spindle grille is the same ultra-clean powertrain as the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus’ ES 300h, comprised of a 150 horsepower gasoline-fueled 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle ICE with 152 lb-ft of torque driving the front wheels and a 50 kW (67 horsepower) permanent magnet electric motor powering the axle in back, the energy for the latter sourced from a rear-mounted nickel-metal hydride battery that gets recharged via the ICE as well as regenerative braking.
The 300h gets hybrid info in place of the usual tachometer. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
When topped off it has the ability to drive solely on EV power for short distances at low speeds (bumper-to-bumper traffic, parking lots, etcetera), but most of the time it merely assists the ICE for improved performance and reduced fuel consumption. A specially designed continuously variable transmission (CVT) takes care of shifting duties, of sorts, the full result of Lexus Synergy Drive’s combined forces being 194 net horsepower and the same 152 pound-feet of claimed torque (although it feels like a lot more and likely is).
A Sport mode is standard, as is an all-electric EV mode. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
More importantly the NX 300h is good for estimated fuel economy equaling 7.1 L/100km in the city, 7.7 on the highway, and 7.4 combined, which is far and away the best in its class (the X3 and F-Pace diesels achieve 7.9 and 8.1 combined city/highway respectively).
Along with its EV mode, the NX 300h features three selectable drive modes including Eco, Standard, and Sport, these focused on maximizing efficiency or power rather than changing steering and suspension settings.
This hidden Qi wireless device charger is is part of the Executive upgrade. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
This being a niche model in comparison to the NX 200t, Lexus’ Canadian division limits trims to just one and options packages to a singular digit as well. Standard trim, which starts at $54,350, is therefore generously equipped with 18-inch alloys on 225/60R18 all-seasons, LED low-beam headlights with washers, LED DRLs, LED clearance lamps, LED fog lights, LED taillights, aluminum roof rails, a rear rooftop spoiler, auto-dimming power-adjustable heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and memory, proximity access, and more on the outside.
The NX 300h now gets standard leather upholstery. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Once inside the base NX 300h includes pushbutton ignition, a heatable leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, a powered tilt and telescoping steering column, a colour TFT multi-information display, leather upholstery, heated and cooled power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone auto climate control, touchscreen infotainment featuring a reverse camera with active guidelines and navigation, a 120-volt household-style power outlet, an integrated garage door opener, a powered moonroof, a powered tailgate, hill start assist, all the usual active and passive safety features including airbags for the driver’s knees, and more.
Is the rear seating area roomy enough for your needs? We’ll tell all in our upcoming review. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Our fully decked out tester included the $6,650 Executive Package that adds full LED headlamps with auto-leveling and auto high beams, rain-sensing wipers, dynamic radar cruise control, head-up display, Qi wireless device charging, 10-speaker audio, Shimamoku hardwood inlays, powered rear seat releases with switches on the dash and cargo compartment, front and rear parking sensors, blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a pre-collision system with emergency autonomous braking, lane departure alert with steering assist, and more, raising the price to $61,000 plus freight and fees. These latter items earn the NX 300h Executive a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the IIHS.
How’s that for size? We’ll provide cargo specs and discuss overall liveability in the review. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Where the conventionally powered NX 200t can be had with the sportier F Sport package, the NX 300h makes do with less aggressive styling and more comfort-oriented suspension settings, although you can upgrade the wheels to a unique set of 19-inch F Sport alloys via the accessories catalog for $2,650 and change.
As you may have noticed I haven’t told you diddly squat about my experience behind the wheel, what I think about its overall refinement, or its standard and available feature set, overall roominess, pricing and value proposition, etcetera, etcetera, which means you’ll need to come back for my detailed road test review. Make sure you do, as you may just be surprised at what I have to say…
Volkswagen will soon replace its Tiguan compact SUV with a newer and larger version, which should help it pull in buyers looking for more size and functionality. The current model, which has only received…
Still cute and perky, the current 2017 Tiguan takes its final breath with this new Wolfsburg Edition. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Volkswagen will soon replace its Tiguan compact SUV with a newer and larger version, which should help it pull in buyers looking for more size and functionality.
The current model, which has only received a mid-cycle update since 2007, is smaller than most compacts, and therefore sells in much fewer numbers than more popular compacts like Honda’s CR-V, Toyota’s RAV4, Nissan’s Rogue, etcetera. The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage suffer from a similar scenario, as they’re sized closer to large subcompact SUVs like Mitsubishi’s RVR, Toyota’s new C-HR, and Nissan’s upcoming Qashqai.
Rugged looking it’s not, the Tiguan proving its worth on curving pavement like most VWs. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
The actual sales numbers might be deflating if VW wasn’t in the process of launching a new 2018 Tiguan, with the current model’s 2017 year-to-date sales of 2,562 units ranking 12th out of 16 models selling into the mainstream compact SUV segment; the bottom feeders are made up of niche brands and models like Mitsubishi’s Outlander and Subaru’s Crosstrek respectively, plus has-beens like Jeep’s Patriot and Compass (yes, surprisingly these two Dodge Caliber-based “classics” are still for sale, the latter even being redesigned for 2018). The Tiguan fared slightly better last year, its 11,229 total sales placing 11th overall after all 12 months of 2016 came to a close.
These 17-inch alloys are standard with the Wolfsburg Edition. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Does its poor ranking make it a bad choice in the compact SUV class? Not at all. In fact, if you were to compare its sales amongst subcompact SUVs, its 2017 YTD number would put it third out of nine competitors, while its 2016 calendar year sales would find it second overall. Of course, if we did this we’d need to toss the two Korean compact SUVs into the mix, but even knocking that fantasy sales chart standing down a couple of notches would be a good showing for the little VW.
Does the dash layout still look fresh enough for you? (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Yes, that’s quite an intro for a “Garage” update, but I find sales details compelling (they’re the only real indicators of how much we consumers like a given vehicle, or not), and as I often say, the one thing the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” taught us was just how often the audience is correct (makes me still believe in the power of democracy despite recent events). So based on that bit of science, is the Tiguan your best bet amongst compact SUVs?
This impressive infotainment system was new last year. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
I’ll attempt to answer that question in an upcoming review (and it will no doubt come down to available discounts), but until then I’ll give you a short rundown on the car at hand. First off, all 2017 Tiguans come with VW’s peppy 2.0-litre TSI gasoline-powered four-cylinder, producing 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual mode puts the power down to the front wheels, while as-tested 4Motion all-wheel drive is optional.
Two-tone black and beige leatherette seats. Cool? We think so. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
In a nice change of events, VW provided a more basic trim level for we journos to drive this time around, which normally happens when any automaker is trying to promote a special edition model (normally our weekly rides are fully loaded up with loot so we enjoy the best possible experience). Therefore, our tester was the second-rung (out of four) Wolfsburg Edition, which takes a base Trendline and adds 4Motion AWD, an eight-way powered driver’s seat with powered lumbar support, their (new last year) 6.33-inch Composition Media infotainment touchscreen with a proximity-sensing display (cool), App-Connect with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone connectivity, an SD card slot, and eight-speaker audio, while supposedly “Wolfsburg Edition” badges were stuck onto the outside B pillars, but I can’t find these at all.
It looks pretty fancy back here, but how does it measure up? (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
I defer to VW’s associated paperwork (they hand out when picking up each car), and yes it says “Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition 4MOTION” right there in black on white. A quick trip over to the VW.ca website shows that indeed the Wolfsburg Edition is the only trim available with my tester’s unique two-tone black and beige leatherette upholstery (a no-cost option that someone at VW’s PR department checked—black being the alternative), its infotainment system isn’t available with navigation (not included in my loaner), and its only paid option is a $1,450 panoramic sunroof (check). So this $31,648 SUV is indeed a completely loaded 2017 Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition 4Motion in standard Pacific Blue paint (new for this year), sans “Wolfsburg Edition” badging. It must have been an early build.
A panoramic glass sunroof… we like! (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Anyway, you may want to know that Reflex Silver is new to the Tiguan paint palette this year and available with the Wolfsburg Edition too, while other possible Wolfsburg colours include Deep Black Pearl, Pure White, and Night Blue Metallic (a darker hue than our tester), while yet more 2017 Tiguan additions (can you believe they still updated this eight-year old model for its final partial year before getting replaced?) are relegated to pricier Comfortline and Highline trims.
A nicely finished cargo compartment, but is it big enough? (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
For now we’ll leave the commentary there, and instead revisit this special Tiguan soon as a full road test review. That means I’ll let you know how it drives, if it’s interior is still up to snuff after all these years, how well the relatively new infotainment system works, is that eight-speaker audio system any good, if there’s enough room in back, how useful the storage area is, etcetera. Stay tuned…
Toyota’s latest 2017 4Runner is in our garage this week, and this particular example is one we especially like. The TRD Off Road is far from top-of-the-line, actually sitting second in a range that…
There’s nothing soft or subtle about Toyota’s 4Runner in 4×4-optimized TRD Off Road trim. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Toyota’s latest 2017 4Runner is in our garage this week, and this particular example is one we especially like.
The TRD Off Road is far from top-of-the-line, actually sitting second in a range that includes five trims, but the only one we’d rather have is the top-tier TRD Pro. Why?
They’re both fully optimized for hitting the trail, the TRD Pro a $52,195 4×4 stuffed full of nearly everything Toyota has available for the 4Runner, including an intense new blackened matte grille, blacked out front and rear bumper caps, and 17-inch matte black alloys on 31.5-inch Nitto Terra Grappler off-road rubber hiding beefy Bilstein dampers with remote rear reservoirs behind. It looks best in exclusive Cement Grey Metallic paint, although that’s just how we feel. Toyota offers it in Alpine White and Barcelona Red Metallic too, while all get black SofTex pleather upholstered interiors with plenty of TRD Pro branded details.
It’s a tall mid-size SUV with superb visibility all-round. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
That brutish model is actually based on the $46,720 TRD Off Road we’re testing this week. The latter is less intimidating thanks to a body-colour grille and satin silver bumper caps, these latter items a bit harder to make out with our tester’s Classic Silver Metallic paintwork. Toyota offers a wider range of exterior colour options in TRD Off Road trim, but alas no Cement Grey. Its six-spoke machine-finished 17-inch alloys with black painted pockets more than make up for any lack of exclusivity, as does the bulging scoop atop the hood and circular fog lamps integrated into its angularly carved front corner vents.
The latter two items come standard, but Toyota adds a classier chrome-laden grille strikethrough and unique chromed front fascia design for Limited trims, while chrome mouldings wrap around the sides in an attempt to dress this string-tied cowboy up for a tux and tails black-tie dinner, which is why we like the 4Runner’s purer 4×4 body styles best.
The hood scoop is shared with the TRD Pro, but the silver bumper cap and six-spoke alloys are unique. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
We also appreciate that Toyota never tried to neuter the 4Runner into a raised family wagon like Nissan did with the Pathfinder, a model that continues forward in name only. Instead, Toyota allowed the 4Runner to remain true to its 4×4 roots and created a completely new model to attract less adventurous families that nevertheless wouldn’t dare drive a minivan, and in hindsight the bigger Japanese brand benefits from a Highlander that regular outsells the Pathfinder, and a 4Runner that still pulls in plenty of diehard customers all on its own.
The 4Runner TRD Off Road’s cabin is mostly business yet still reasonably upscale. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
The 4Runner isn’t completely alone in the off-road capable segment, but it has fewer competitors now that it endured through the ‘80s and ‘90s. Ford’s Explorer might be based on the same mid-size car platform as the unorthodox Flex, but it offers a Land Rover-style preprogrammed terrain system that does well enough off the beaten path for many, and Dodge’s Durango, also unibody in design, remains off-road ready too. Of course, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee (unibody too) maintains its muddy reputation, and VW’s Touareg isn’t quite the 4×4 beast it was initially, but still offers some semblance of trailblazing prowess (although nobody seems to care anymore). Still, if you ask the majority of brazen bushwhackers which SUV they’d trust to take them 50 miles inland on an unkempt cattle trail, most will choose the 4Runner.
There’s a second shifter for selecting 4WD behind this main gear lever. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Four-by-four traditionalists won’t be able to complain about too many creature comforts in this TRD Off Road, as there’s no proximity-sensing access, pushbutton ignition, LED ambient lighting, electromechanical parking brake, colour multi-info display, auto HVAC, big screen high-gloss infotainment, brand name audio, heated steering wheel, perforated leather seats with ventilation, panoramic glass roof, powered liftgate, auto high beams, adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, lane departure warning, etcetera.
Those are red “TRD” logos embroidered into the pleather seats. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Then again it does get classic lever-style secondary gear shifter for its part-time four-wheel drive along with a real bull low range, plus Multi-Terrain Select, a rear differential lock, four-wheel crawl control, an automatic disconnecting differential, Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (I’ll explain this in an upcoming review), Multi-Terrain ABS, downhill assist control, trailer sway control, fuel tank and transfer case protector plates, and plenty of other 4×4 features.
Spacious rear seats for three. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Not to be misunderstood, the TRD Off Road isn’t all about living life in the wild, with additional standard kit including heatable powered side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, lots of piano black lacquered trim, a powered moonroof, colourful Optitron primary gauges with a monochrome trip computer at centre, cruise control, air conditioning, a 6.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with a backup camera, navigation with mapping, plenty of stock and downloadable apps, Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming, SMS/email-to-speech capability, advanced voice recognition, satellite radio, black SofTex leatherette upholstery with red stitching, an eight-way powered driver’s seat with two-way powered lumbar support, a four-way powered front passenger’s seat, heated front seats, handy 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seats, a power-sliding tailgate window, silver roof rails with unique black end caps, tire-pressure monitoring, all the usual active and passive safety features, and much more.
Standard 40/20/40 split-folding rear setbacks makes the 4Runner ultra flexible for passengers and cargo. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Nobody’s going to buy a 4Runner for its claimed 14.2 L/100km city and 11.1 highway fuel economy rating, but its 4.0-litre V6 is robust enough at 270 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque. More importantly it’s proven reliable, as has its comparatively archaic five-speed automatic transmission. Don’t laugh. It’s more likely to get you out of the wilderness in one piece than most of the 4Runner’s peers, while its 2,268-kilo (5,000-lb) tow rating is pretty decent for a V6-powered SUV as well.
I’ll explain how its innovative X-REAS suspension with cross-linked dampers works on the road in the aforementioned review, plus discuss ride quality and what this unique 4Runner is like to live with day in and day out, as well as how it’s doing in the market, its reliability, safety, resale value, and more. Stay tuned for the full review…
In the mainstream volume auto sector only Daimler’s Smart brand has fewer models than FCA’s Chrysler. Chrysler has three. And next year it’ll be down to two. Just how FCA allowed this to happen…
The stylish new Pacifica Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient minivan ever. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
In the mainstream volume auto sector only Daimler’s Smart brand has fewer models than FCA’s Chrysler. Chrysler has three. And next year it’ll be down to two. Just how FCA allowed this to happen is anyone’s guess outside of Auburn Hills, but at least the two models that will carry the Pentastar flag into 2018 are very good at what they do.
Case in point, the 300 luxury sedan is the perennial Canadian bestseller in both the mainstream full-size luxury sedan class and the mid-size luxury class. They’re obviously doing something right. The Pacifica currently in our garage hasn’t been so fortunate thus far, and this new plug-in Pacifica Hybrid even less so, but to Chrysler’s credit sales have been rising after a new entry-level model was recently introduced and prices concurrently came down.
The Pacifica’s aerodynamic lines help to minimize fuel consumption on the highway. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Even more importantly it’s the best minivan in its segment, at least in this auto journo’s opinion. I’ll tell you exactly why in an upcoming review, plus give you a few reasons why I believe it’s not selling as well as it could. In the meantime, here are a few details about the model we’ve been living with this week:
Our $56,495 Pacifica Hybrid Platinum includes most everything offered in base $52,495 Hybrid Premium trim, such as a 7.0-inch full-colour configurable in-cluster multi-info display, tri-zone auto climate control, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment, a 360-degree parking camera, heatable front seats, satellite radio, dynamic cruise control with low speed follow plus stop and go functionality, forward collision warning with autonomous braking, blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with active lane keep assist, and much more.
A beautifully detailed cabin filled with luxury and tech make clear that fuel economy wasn’t the Pacifica Hybrid’s only objective. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
On top of these items the Platinum adds more chrome exterior trim, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, proximity-sensing hands-free dual power sliding doors and liftgate, pushbutton ignition, a more upscale interior with contrast stitching in key areas, a two-tone heated leather and genuine metal trimmed steering wheel, navigation with mapping, perforated Nappa leather upholstery with ventilation up front, rear entertainment with dual flip-up 10-inch touchscreens, and the list goes on.
Both Pacifica Hybrid trims get a 32A socket on the left front fender for recharging its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, which allows about 50 kilometers of EV driving after which it automatically transforms into a regular gasoline-electric hybrid with the majority of its fuel savings in town as well as a reasonable advantage on the highway. It’s safe to say its estimated 2.6 Le/100km combined city/highway fuel economy (when factoring in EV driving) is best in class, as is its total possible range of 911 km, which makes it the ideal choice for family road trips (we took a load of friends to a local tulip festival and will have their backseat feedback included in the review).
These comfortable Nappa leather-clad front seats are both heated and cooled. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
It takes about two hours to recharge the battery with a Level 2 240-volt charger, these available for your home from your FCA dealer or via aftermarket sources, or you can find them (for free most of the time) in front of shopping malls, government buildings, hotels, some retail stores like Walmart and Ikea, or curbside in most urban centres. Alternatively you can plug it into a regular 120-volt socket at home or work, at which point you’ll need about eight hours to top it up from empty.
A big charge indicator on top of the dash lets you know that all systems are working by showing one to five blue lights, these large and bright enough to be seen from a distance. Once unplugged these disappear so as not to distract while driving. This is the best charge indicator I’ve used, so kudos to Chrysler for getting this right.
Second-row captain’s chairs make rear passengers feel nearly as coddled as those up front. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
That’s about all I’m going to say about living with the Pacifica Hybrid for now, leaving the most important details for a full review scheduled later this month (including the positives and negatives of Chrysler’s innovative electrically variable transmission that utilizes twin electric motors for turning the drive wheels).
I’ll let you know now that choosing the Hybrid over the conventionally powered Pacifica brings significant drawbacks, so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. I’ll point out each of these later, along with the various features missing from this pricier Hybrid Platinum that were included in my previous gasoline-only powered Pacifica Limited, some of which made the conventionally powered van look and feel a lot more premium.
In the meantime let’s give Chrysler a big cheer for diving right into the deep end by not only introducing the world’s first hybrid minivan, but also making it a plug-in right off the bat. That takes a lot of courage, especially for such a niche brand. Come back soon for more…
Say hi to the Acura RLX. It’s actually been around since 2013, but slow sales make it a rare sight on Canadian roads so you may not have seen many. The RLX is Acura’s flagship sedan, but it’s no…
Conservative yes, but the RLX wears its Acura shield well, and was the first to sport the brand’s Jewel-eye LED headlamps. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Say hi to the Acura RLX. It’s actually been around since 2013, but slow sales make it a rare sight on Canadian roads so you may not have seen many.
The RLX is Acura’s flagship sedan, but it’s no larger than Mercedes-Benz’ E-Class sedan, which is the most popular luxury model in the mid-size premium segment. By comparison Merc sells about 28 Es to every single RLX, but Acura isn’t the only brand that gets beaten up by the three-pointed star in this category.
The RLX’ tall roofline provides excellent interior headroom. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Mercedes sells almost a third more Es than BMW purveys 5s, while it outpaces Audi’s A6 by approximately 3.5 to 1, Jaguar’s XF by about 5.5 to 1, Lexus’ GS by more than 7 to 1, Infiniti’s Q70 by 19 to 1, and so on. The only car in the segment to outsell it is Chrysler’s 300 that ironically is based on a much older E-Class architecture, and to be fair the near premium 300 is priced much lower and therefore isn’t really targeting the same luxury audience.
A well-built cabin with Acura’s latest features makes the RLX one comfortable ride. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
So it’s an uphill battle for the RLX and many of its peers, but that didn’t stop Acura from investing thousands of Bordens (my Canadian twist on Benjamins, although I probably should have called them Fukuzawas being that we’re talking yen) into this innovative car.
Go ahead and get comfortable with powered, heatable and cooled front seats. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
I say innovative because it’s the only car in its class available solely as a hybrid, and a performance-oriented hybrid at that. Acura claims net output of 377 horsepower and 341 lb-ft of torque via a 3.5-litre V6 and a rear-wheel mounted dual electric motor/lithium-ion battery combination, with the internal combustion engine (ICE) powering the front wheels until rear-wheel traction is needed, which prompts intervention of the electrified AWD. A seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission provides quick shifting duties enhanced by steering wheel paddles no less, heightening the RLX’ sporty nature, but I best leave it there or you’ll have no reason to return for the full review.
Rear seat room is very generous. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
We’ll be covering the top-line Elite model, so everything Acura has to offer is included. Whether you’re seriously interested in purchasing or simply curious, I recommend coming back to take a look as the RLX has long been the mule used for developing much of the sophisticated powertrain technology now harnessed by the fabulous new NSX supercar.
For the time being, enjoy a small assortment of gallery photos that we’ll expand upon when the review arrives…
Cars don’t come more basic than the Mirage in Canada, but here at TheCarMagazine.com we celebrate simple. After all, where else can you buy a new car for just $12,698? Over at Nissan where the equally…
The nicely equipped 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is all about comfort and economy. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Cars don’t come more basic than the Mirage in Canada, but here at TheCarMagazine.com we celebrate simple. After all, where else can you buy a new car for just $12,698? Over at Nissan where the equally small and even simpler Micra hatchback sells for just $9,988 and is a whole lot more fun to drive.
The Mirage focuses more on comfort, especially in new four-door G4 guise, which is how Mitsubishi dressed up our 2017 loaner. We’ll leave our thoughts about styling for the upcoming review, but suffice to say it excites our eyes as much as it’s 78 horsepower 1.2-litre three-cylinder ignites our Evo X aspirations, but then again its as-tested 6.9 L/100km city and 5.7 highway fuel economy put a smile on our faces.
Its tall profile provides a roomy interior. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
That’s with the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT), the base model quite not quite as thrifty with its five-speed manual gearbox. The CVT comes standard in $18,298 SEL trim, lesser models including the $14,498 ES 5MT and the $15,698 ES CVT.
As tested the G4 SEL is actually very well equipped with 15-inch alloys, auto-off halogen headlamps, fog lamps, heated power-adjustable body-colour side mirrors with integrated turn signals, variable intermittent wipers, cruise control, a multi-information display, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with tilt, piano black and chromed interior accents, micron-filtered auto climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming, voice activation, a USB port, remote powered locks, powered windows, four-speaker display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Porsche doesn’t even offer the latter), a rearview camera, premium fabric upholstery, heatable front seats, a rear centre armrest with integrated cupholders, hill start assist, all the expected active and passive safety equipment including a driver’s knee airbag, and more.
The infotainment system even includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
As noted earlier, the Mirage was built (in Thailand incidentally) for comfort, while it’s also built for peace of mind thanks to a 10-year comprehensive and 160,000 km powertrain warranty (can’t get that at Nissan, or anywhere else for that matter).
As for convenience, the trunk is well proportioned for a subcompact city car at 348 litres, while it offers a lot better security for your belongings than the more accommodating 487-litre hatch.
A full review is on the way, so if you’re looking for a simple, straight-forward commuter car that’s great on fuel, plenty comfortable, feature filled, and backed by an incredibly good warranty, you’d best come back to find out what we think about everything else…
Life is good behind the wheel of Jaguar’s F-Type Convertible. Few premium brands offer anything close to Jaguar’s rich sporting and luxury heritage and no modern car better embodies the spirit of…
This 2017 Jaguar F-Type Convertible looks pretty hot for an almost base model. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Life is good behind the wheel of Jaguar’s F-Type Convertible. Few premium brands offer anything close to Jaguar’s rich sporting and luxury heritage and no modern car better embodies the spirit of a model that has long been considered the world’s most beautiful cars ever and one of its era’s best performing, Jaguar’s own ‘61-‘75 E-Type.
The big news for 2017 is the range-topping F-Type SVR that pushes 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque to each of its four wheels. The 550 horsepower all-wheel drive R is carried forward as well, plus the 380 horsepower S in rear- and all-wheel drive, and 340 horsepower base model, also offered in RWD and AWD.
Which angle looks better to you? (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Likewise, you can get every one of these trims as a two-door Coupe or a Convertible, the former featuring a graceful sloped rear roofline ending in a practical liftback, and the latter incorporating a high-quality fabric top ahead of a regular trunk.
The car on loan is the open-top body style with the base engine and just a few upgrades that we’ll soon divulge in an upcoming review. While it doesn’t sprint to 100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds and top out at 195 mph (314 km/h) like the new SVR Convertible, the base roadster boasts an energetic 3.0-litre supercharged V6 capable of 5.7 seconds from standstill to 100km/h and a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph), which is more than enough for raising the heartbeat.
It’s at least as nice inside. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Come back soon to get our insights on interior quality, overall refinement, Jaguar’s electronic interfaces and other features, the retractable roof’s ease of use, and of course how its driving dynamics measure up to competitors, while we’ll also share some thoughts about its place in the market and whether you should consider it over a Porsche 911 Cabriolet or one of its other rivals.
Stay tuned…
