SUVs

2019 Nissan Pathfinder blends into SUV crowd

With nearly every other automobile on the road a sport utility vehicle, it’s often hard to differentiate brands. The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder is the mid-sized SUV’s 32nd year and it blends into the crowd. It’s been a tough go for the Pathfinder in recent years. United States yearly tallies peaked in 2013 when nearly 89,000 of the family haulers sold. With ever-increasing options from domestic and foreign manufacturers, the Pathfinder stumbled to 67,500 sales last year. The current generation debuted in 2013 and has had several upgrades and makeovers. The Pathfinder received a stronger engine and a higher towing capacity in 2017. Automatic braking was added as a standard feature last year. A few safety features have been tweaked for

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2019 Subaru Ascent arrives with SUV street cred

The sport utility vehicle market apparently hasn’t reached its saturation point — at least Subaru doesn’t think so. Welcome the Ascent, the largest car the Japanese manufacturer has ever made. Five years after Tribeca was discontinued, the 2019 Subaru Ascent is the manufacturer’s second and bigger three-row SUV. Subaru is hopeful its new people mover will fare better than its predecessor. When the Tribeca departed, it was among the country’s worst-selling vehicles. Key Takeaways Ascent is the largest vehicle Subaru has ever made: A three-row SUV with seating for up to eight replaces the discontinued Tribeca and surpasses the Outback in size. 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four delivers ~7-second 0-60: The CVT and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive deliver strong daily performance

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2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: raving beauty with faults

Organizers of the Tour of Italy introduced the Stelvio Pass into the country’s most celebrated bike race 66 years ago. It rises above 9,000 feet and includes a few dozen hairpin turns on narrow roads. Alfa Romeo has branded its first compact sport utility vehicle with the same name. The Stelvio route in the Ortler Alps near the Swiss border has been canceled several times because of inclement weather. Many cyclists have successfully negotiated the rugged trek, others have failed because of mechanical failures in the nasty elements. As such, the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has a rugged legacy to follow. It’s powerful and confident like cycling’s best who ride top-end machines. But the all-wheel-drive luxury SUV also has failings.

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2019 Mazda CX-9: versatile SUV with sedan tendencies

The Mazda CX-9 debuted in 2006 as a versatile, well-equipped addition to the fraternity of family haulers. The first generation endured for nine years in the ever-expanding segment of urban taxis. The 2019 edition is the second generation’s fourth year. Tweaks have been added each year as SUVs become increasingly attractive to large clans and families of one. New this year for CX-9: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a retuned suspension and a surround-view parking camera. Mazda’s largest vehicle remains available in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature trims. All choices present Mazda at its best, including the base model. It has a three-zone climate control with a second-row control and a seven-inch color touchscreen with a rotary controller. And

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Toyota Sequoia tops vehicles achieving 200,000 miles

Which cars are proven to last the longest for their drivers? It’s a question the website iSeeCars.com wanted answered. Analyzing more than 13.8 million vehicles, the online automotive search engine and research website determined the Toyota Sequoia tops the list, with 7.4 percent of its vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles. The average among major manufacturers is 0.8 percent. Here are the top 14 vehicles with the highest percentage of its vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles: 1. Toyota Sequoia, 7.4 percent; 2. Chevrolet Suburban, 5.0; 3. Ford Expedition, 5.0; 4. GMC Yukon XL, 4.0; 5. Toyota 4Runner, 3.9; 6. Chevrolet Tahoe, 3.8; 7. Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 3.1; 8. Honda Ridgeline, 3.0; 9. GMC Yukon, 2.8; 10. Toyota Tacoma, 2.6;

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#6, The Weekly Driver Podcast (video): All-Electric Rivian examined

The all-electric Rivian concepts, the R1T pick-up and R1S SUV, have gained substantial attention since their debuts last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicles’ debut is scheduled for late 2020 through direct sales. Michael McHale, the company’s director of communications, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with McHale the pending debut of the vehicles and how the innovated truck and SUV could change the automotive landscape. The company has been touted as a competitor to Tesla, a proposition it welcomes. Rivian was founded nearly 10 years ago by Mainstream Motors in Florida. Its name was changed to Avera and now Rivian. The SUV and

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#75, Rivian gearing up for electric SUV, pick-up debuts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:23 — 47.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreRivian debuted two concepts last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show and attracted as much attention as any vehicle at the automotive industry’s first major show of the year. The all-electric concepts, the R1T pick-up and R1S SUV, have gained substantial attention since. The vehicles’ debut is scheduled for late 2020 through direct sales. Michael McHale, the company’s director of communications, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with McHale the pending debut of the vehicles and how the innovated truck and SUV could change the automotive landscape. The company has

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#73, Saving teenage drivers’ lives with Xbox Driving Essentials

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:33 — 35.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreDriving Essentials XE is an interactive and engaging driver training simulation made specifically for Xbox. It teaches new, teenage drivers how to deal with dangerous situations without actually being in danger. The vast majority of all serious teen crashes are due to critical (and preventable) mistakes — lack of judgment, lack of experience and driving distracted. Bob Davis, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Driver Interactive, Inc., the manufacturer of the new product, is our guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Davis the soon-to-be-available product and how believes teenaged drivers’ lives will be saved.

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2019 Infiniti QX80 classy, rugged, versatile SUV

Now in its mid-teens, the Infiniti QX80 is a large luxury sport utility vehicle with three rows of seating and a dual personality. It has many creature comforts and plenty of driving nimbleness for a heavyweight people mover. But it also has ruggedness to spare. Formerly called the QX56, a reference to its 5.6-liter engine, the QX80 designation on recent years’ models corresponds to nothing more than a new name. By whatever name, the monster SUV holds the unique distinction for the upscale division of Nissan. It was the first Infiniti, which debuted in 1989, built in the United States. The 2019 edition features improvements, as have other recent years’ offerings. A vast upgrade was done inside and outside last

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2019 Cadillac XT4 shines as best new compact SUV

Cadillac has diligently worked for many years to dismantle its reputation as a brand for older drivers. It didn’t help when its massive sedans were often status symbols rewarded as a bonus for successful salespeople in the cosmetic industry. Likewise, big, expensive and luxurious were once equated with better. But it’s no longer the manufacturer’s focus and nor is it true. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is the smallest SUV in the carmaker’s lineup. It’s another attempt to appeal to a younger audience whose only experience with Cadillac may have been their grandparents’ wheels. As a compact SUV, the XT4 joins a quickly expanding segment of entry-level luxury people movers. The industry trend continues with the refrain. It’s in with more

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#69 Ford Edge ST debuts as carmaker’s performance SUV

Tyler Swedensky is the new car manager at Future Ford in Sacramento, California, and he’s good at what he does. With co-host Bruce Aldrich driving and me observing as a back- seat passenger, Swedensky recently took us for a test drive and preview of the 2019 Ford Edge ST. Ford is marketing the new vehicle as its first performance SUV, and Swedensky is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. After our ride, Bruce and I asked our guest about the Edge ST from the offices of the Sacramento dealership. He explained the SUV’s innovative Co-Pilot 360. It’s a suite of standard driver- assist technologies. Features include a blind spot information system, lane keeping system, enhanced

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2019 Infiniti QX50: New generation, no more malaise

Less than 20 years ago, the term compact luxury sport utility vehicle wasn’t part of the automotive lexicon. Now, it’s the most popular top-line segment of the industry with about 600,000 new people movers selling in 2018. It’s also among the most competitive markets in the industry with the new generation Infiniti QX50 joined by Acura, Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and others for 2019. Total sales in the segment increased by about 20 percent last year from 2017. Key Takeaways Industry-first Variable Compression Turbo engine: The 2.0-liter four-cylinder VC-Turbo adjusts its compression ratio on the fly, delivering 268 horsepower with 24 city / 31 highway mpg efficiency that rivals some non-turbo fours. First full redesign in nearly a decade:

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PREVIEW: 2019 Toyota RAV4 debuts new design, features

The Toyota RAV4 debuted 22 years ago. The new fifth-generation 2019 edition of the sport utility vehicle will debut in dealerships in December in gas models and in hybrid models in March 2019. Gas models will be offered in five grades: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited. RAV4 HV will be offered in four grades: LE HV, XLE HV, XSE HV and Limited HV. Following the guiding themes from Toyota trucks, the new RAV4 has a revised front end and grille design to create a wider stance. With their polygonal motifs, the wheel arches appear to hold the tires from a high position, emphasizing the lifted-up body and drawing attention to the vehicle’s capability. Ground clearance is increased by

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#54, Sacramento designer digs her 1986 Jeep Wagoneer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:34 — 35.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreKerrie Kelly knows style. She owns a design company and works in a home office worthy of recognition in an upscale home decor magazine. Kelly also knows what style she likes in her automobiles. She and her husband own a BMW sedan, but it’s a 1986 Chrysler Jeep Wagoneer she prefers to drive. The Sacramento businesswoman, formerly employed by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, is our guest on Episode #54 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Kelly’s passion for her 32-year Jeep Wagoneer, and what she and her husband did to renovate the vehicle. We hear the story of

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2018 Toyota RAV4 retains tradition as top-selling SUV

Now in its 22nd year, the Toyota RAV4 was the first compact sport utility vehicle introduced in the United States. It debuted in 1996 with its acronym meaning “Recreational Activity Vehicle: 4-wheel drive.” The all-wheel-drive designation remains optional. And it’s part of the reason the RAV4 has remained so popular throughout its tenure. Its versatility, variety of trims levels and optional equipment are different than many carmakers whose trims levels are only slightly tweaked. With a few exceptions, sales of the RAV4 has increased every year, with 2017 its best-selling edition with 407,594 units sold, including more than 50,000 hybrid models. The 2018 edition is the sixth year of the current generation, so the sales increase may halt as Toyota

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2019 Volvo XC40 breaks tradition for younger buyers

When competition includes models from BMW (X1), Mercedes-Benz (GLA-Class), Jaguar (E-Pace) and Audi (Q3), Volvo had to do something different. It has. Welcome the 2019 Volvo XC40. The new compact crossover is the Swedish manufacturer’s smallest, sportiest and least expensive SUV. It’s positioned in the lineup as an alternative to the well-respected XC90 and XC60. The base trim, called the XC Momentum, is a misnomer. It has five drive modes and a host of safety and technical features that would qualify it as an upscale model from many manufacturers. The turbocharged two-liter engine produces 248 horsepower and is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes: 8-inch five-spoke silver alloy wheels, high gloss piano black grille,

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