Saturday Road Test – Toyota RAV4

2013 Toyota RAV4

First and Second Impressions

By Ron Amadon

GREAT CACAPON, WVA. – Sometimes you do get a second chance to make a first impression.

When first driving the redesigned RAV4 around town on errand running day, I found nothing really wrong with the RAV but nothing really jumped out either. A mid-pack small sport ute, I thought.

But things changed on a day long trip over interstates and favorite back roads to this unincorporated little hamlet of 386 on the banks of the river that carries its name.

Out on I-70 the standard 2.5-liter four with 176 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque hummed along quietly with enough grunt to pass semis on the long hills even if it sometimes took a smooth two gear downshift from the standard six-speed automatic.

Right there are two major changes for 2013. The previous model’s V6 is gone from the power lineup, and the old four speed automatic is also history. Not to mention the RAV’s more contemporary exterior style helped by relocation of the spare tire off the liftgate that is now hinged at the top instead of the side. Toyota also eliminated the very cramped third row seat.

 

Out on the interstate, fifth and sixth gears acted as an overdrive generating an EPA estimated 22-29 miles per gallon with our all-wheel drive Limited Edition. I checked in at 24.7 mpg.

Like many of the RAV’s competitors, acceleration is not a major factor with 0-60 runs a touch over 9 seconds. One does not buy a compact SUV to burn tires after all. Nonetheless, another ten horsepower or so would be welcome.

The independent MacPherson strut suspension in front   with a double wishbone layout to the rear and 18 inch wheels produced a ride that was stiffer than one might expect, especially in the “Sport” setting. This was particularly noticeable on rough surface concrete highways that sent vibrations back through the hood and cabin. While the ride was not stiff enough to be a deal breaker, most RAV owners will probably want to ignore the Eco and Sport setting options. The buttons are hidden low in the center stack anyway.

In West Virginia, long straight stretches of highway are as rare as a Lamborghini, so it was nice to see that the stiff suspension resulted in better than expected handling aided by the all-wheel drive and torque control.

What became clear when I stopped for refreshment at the one and only store in Great Cacapon was how comfortable the RAV was for a small ute.

The top-of-the-line Limited comes with an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory and lumbar support. The breathable “Softex” covered seats looked durable, in line with Toyota’s long standing reputation for long life.

A small and sporty leather wrapped wheel was a nice touch along with “Clear Blue” illumination of the instruments. Stitching abounded inside and all in all, the appearance was that of a more upscale vehicle.

There was ample room for two adults to the rear on 60/40 split fold seats that also reclined. The RAV’s 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded tops the competition and the lift over height is low.

The RAV also equated itself well during some mild off roading, something that is almost mandatory in this part of the world. The AWD drive system allows the operator to lock torque distribution in a fixed, 50/50 ratio at speeds up to about 25 mph. Ground clearance is 6.3 inches.

At the end of the day back at base camp, I came away more impressed with the updated RAV. Consumers seeking a durable well-built crossover in a wide range of prices should definitely trek to the RAV for a test drive.

From a base price of $28,410 our test vehicle sported a $1,660 audio package, $500 Blind Spot Monitor, $229 worth of roof rack crossbars and $225 for various floor mats.

With transportation, that brought the price to $31,869, and that is in line with the competition. A base model can be had for $23,300 yet if the budget allows I would recommend a step up to the Limited Edition for the long list of standard equipment that brings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto News for June 28

The pickup wars between Ford and Chevy continue to heat up. Just as Chevy is getting some publicity in the car mags for its 2014 Silverado, Ford sends out a tremor. The F-150 Tremor with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The 2014 model will be available only in short-wheelbase configuration in two or four wheel drive. As you can see in the accompanying picture, it’s a snazzy looking truck.

GM can crow about sales of the tiny Chevy Spark. In the first year on the market, the Spark has ignited a fire – far exceeding even the maker’s estimates. Authorities say consumers are attracted to the many features on the subcompact, the $12,170 starting price and good fuel economy. Even more significant for GM, the Spark is attracting a large number of first time new car buyers.

AutoPacific has named the Cadillac SRX the top overall vehicle and Cadillac as the highest satisfaction premium brand.

Something to keep in mind over the 4^th. The National Coalition for Safer Roads said July 4^th ranks as the second riskiest summer holiday when it comes to red-light running. It was topped only by the Memorial Day holiday.

Auto News for June 27

On the 10^th anniversary of its initial production, Mazda has displayed the 2014 Mazda3.  It will be available with either a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter four good for 155 horsepower and 184 horsepower respectively. The three grew 2.4 inches worth of wheelbase. Mazda played up a multitude of new interactive devices that should meet the needs of virtually everyone – such as a “Human Machine Interface” system, along with “Active Driving Display,” a new infotainment system, and not to forget safety related aps and audio related gizmos. The 2014 models will hit showrooms in early September. Hopefully dealers will show drivers how all this works.

In conjunction with the 30^th anniversary of its Smyrna, Tenn. assembly plant Nissan is adding more than 900 manufacturing jobs to support future production of the Nissan Rogue. This will be the first time that model will be produced here in the states.

IKEA will add 24 electric vehicle charging stations at stores in Illinois, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Texas as well as corporate headquarters. Once the installations are complete, electric cars will be able to get the juice at 55 IKEA locations.

INRIX, a company that follows traffic data, reports that traffic congestion rose 9.2 percent nationwide last month with the biggest gain in the western states. On the plus side, the company said it might be a good sign that the economy is continuing to recover because there are more cars on the road.

Auto News for June 26

  Attention Mustang fans!!! The L-A Times said the much anticipated, redesigned 2015 Mustang may make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January. It is expected to finally get an independent rear suspension and, the rumor mill has it, possibly a turbo four!

 It is just a few days until we get the official facts and figures on June car sales, but if predictions from Kelley Blue Book are correct we will see a 6 percent improvement year-over-year. Senior Analyst Alec Gutierrez said “the industry continues to benefit from modest improvements in housing, unemployment and consumer confidence.” Kelley predicts a 13.4 percent gain for Ford, 1.3 percent increase at GM, and 7.7 percent at Chrysler. The biggest gain will be at Nissan at nearly 15 percent, the report said.

 Speeding is a primary culprit in a third of fatal crashes involving teen drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. In a study funded by State Farm, the group said speeding is more prevalent among teen makes, at night, and in the presence of other teen passengers. Among other recommendations, the association said it backs the installation of additional automated speed cameras. 

 Shelby America will open its new global headquarters in Las Vegas on December first. It will consolidate manufacturing and Speed Shop facilities under one roof. In case you were wondering, the company builds three continuation model Shelby Cobras, as well as versions of the Shelby GT500 and Mustang, Raptor and Focus. It would be fair to say all of them have, well, rapid acceleration.  

 

 

 

 

Auto News for June 25

Only six months of shopping days until Xmas! 🙂

Cars.com says when it comes to U.S. made vehicles the Ford F-150 pickup tops its 2013 list. Cars “American-Made Index” measures domestic parts content, final vehicle assembly point and sales. It says strong sales and 75 percent domestic parts content moved the Ford pickup into the lead over the now second place Toyota Camry, last year’s winner. Yet the web site said Toyota remains the brand with the greatest number of ranked vehicles with the Sienna, Tundra, and Avalon also in the top ten.

It’s a gas, gas, gas! Navigant Research predicts there will be 34.9 million natural gas vehicles on the road worldwide by 2020. It cited a “greater openness to alternative fuel vehicles on the part of motorists and fleet operators.”

Research and Markets meanwhile feels the connected car is all set to be the “next big thing” in the auto industry. It said future systems are likely to be cloud based for content, information and services. But it said manufacturers need to standardize on common solutions to drive the market.

In line with that, ABI Research predicts that the number of automotive apps downloaded in cars will jump from around 12 million to 4.3 billion in five years. That should generate, the firm believes, $1.67 billion in revenues globally.

The 2014 Cadillac XTS will offer a twin turbo 3.6-liter V6 good for a robust 410 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This will be the General’s first twin turbo V6

 

Auto News for June 24

Audi has captured its 12^th win at the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race and its fourth straight title in a competition clouded by the death of Aston Martin driver Allan Simonsen. He skidded into a barrier just ten minutes into the competition and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. After taking the checkered flag, Audi’s Tom Kristensen said, “This one is for Allan Simonsen… a fantastic driver.”

Weather conditions were difficult at the start and the finish when rain moved into Le Mans, while a cloudburst at the close made traction an iffy thing. It was the second time Audi captured the race with a hybrid race car matched with Quattro drive.

One of the auto industry’s good guys, Hyundai’s John Krafcik, has been named Automotive Executive of the Year. As the Detroit News points out, when Krafcik joined Hyundai from Ford, its share of the U.S. market was 2.5 percent. It is now nearly 5 percent. This writer had the chance to share a long ride and go one on one with Krafcik during an event, and we were enjoying the conversation so much we got totally lost. As he was programming the navi, we somehow stumbled across the correct road and made it to the lunch stop ahead of several other drivers!

How you feel about your auto insurance company? Not so hot according to a new J.D. Power survey. It said overall customer satisfaction declined this year from an all-time high in 2012. Rising prices and policy offerings were the main reasons why.

Cars.com has announced collaboration with Disney for the soon-to-be-released film, “The Lone Ranger.” I see the masked man in a Jeep Wranger, silver of course. Tonto would have to drive an old International Scout.

New Yorkers purchase the highest rate of moonroofs in the country while Dallas customers go for the foot activated liftgate option, while caffeinated Seattle buyers like driver assist packages. Ford has released a customer buying trend report for its Escape and Explorer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Mazda6 Road Test

 

2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring

Beach Boy’s Four Door

By Ron Amadon

DAMASCUS, MD – If you are thinking that “your fun is all through now” because you’re in the market for a four door sedan, think again.

While the old Beach Boys song referred to a taken away Thunderbird, the subject of this day’s road test is our first 2014 model, to wit the very sporty Mazda6.

Just by sitting in it, you know your fun is NOT all through now. Sharp drivers will notice that this is not your run-of-the mill four door. The seats grab your sides but are all day comfortable, the smaller than expected steering wheel feels like something out of the Miata and the electroluminescent gauges are always easy to read.

A 6’ tall driver had more than adequate room in all directions while two adults can be comfortably seated in back. Basic audio and ventilation controls were easy to figure out, and the TomTom based navi, in a 5.8 inch touchscreen, was easy to program. As more and more studies surface of owner discontent with overly complicated screen based controls, I firmly predict this is a trend we will be seeing in the months ahead.

The test car had the one and only engine offered at the present time, a 2.5 liter four that produces 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. Look for 60 miles per hour from a standing start in about 7.5 seconds. Mazda said the 2014 engine generates eight percent more horsepower and nearly 11 percent more torque than last year’s model.

With the six speed automatic, the EPA estimates the combination is good for 26-38 mpg. In mostly country and interstate driving while exercising the fast acting paddle shifts, I came in at just a whisker over 30 mpg. A six speed manual can also be ordered in some models.

Coming our way in the second half of this year is a 2.2-liter turbo diesel while the 3.7-liter, 272 horsepower V6 is history.

Fear not car buffs, for the Mazda was lively with the four, and like the kids in Lake Woebgon, handling was above average, while feedback was better than expected. Body roll was minimal, and while the ride was a touch on the firm side my guess is that passengers won’t notice. Wind and road noise were nicely contained.

Fit and finish were good and the Bose 11 speaker sound system was nothing short of excellent.

Standard equipment included Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system that will assist the operator in avoiding front collisions when traveling at less than 19 miles per hour. It will reduce brake pedal travel, and if need be, activate an automatic braking function.

The top of the line Grand Touring test model carried a base MSRP of $29,495. Standard equipment included 19” wheels, moonroof, bi-xeon high-intensity headlights with auto leveling; leather trimmed and heated sport seats that were eight ways adjustable, and satellite radio, among other things.

The “Soul Red” paint was an extra $300 while the “MRCC and FOW Package” came to $900. Before you go back and check an old Latin textbook, I should explain this stands for “Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Forward Obstruction Warning” system.

With that comes I-ELOOP, and no I do not make these names up. “Intelligent Energy Loop” is a capacitor based brake energy regeneration system that provides power to all of the electrical mechanisms in the vehicle, and Mazda claims, improves fuel economy.

This brought the cost of the test car to $31,490.

All these rather strange names aside what you end up with, even with the under $21,000 base model, is a comfortable and fun to drive sedan. It is that “Zoom Zoom” factor that sets the Mazda6 apart from its rivals in the white hot sedan market.

Auto News for June 21

Auto News for June 21

 

As certain as today is Friday is the fact that the 2014 Corvette Sting Ray will be a fast car. Now we know how fast. GM said with the Z51 Performance Package 0-60 will work out to 3.8 seconds. That is as fast as a Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabrio and only three tenths of a second slower than a Shelby GT500.

Making all this happen in the ‘Vette is the new 6.2-liter V8 with 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. In case the money is burning a hole in your pocket, the Sting Ray goes on sale in the third quarter at about $52,000 to start.

Anyone who has driven a car with a backup camera knows what a nifty safety device it is. Now the Transportation Department has delayed until 2015 a rule that would require them to be installed on all new vehicles. The department said, in essence, that it needs more time to study the matter.

J.D. Power predicts June new vehicle sales will increase by half million over the month previous to an annual rate of 13.2 million units. “There is little question that the automotive market has strong momentum as we close out the first half of 2013,” said Jeff Schuster of LMC Automotive, that teamed with J.D. Power on the study.

The used car market continues to be hot. First quarter profits at CarMax rose more than 21 percent and exceeded market expectations. Of course with increased demand come higher used car prices.

The old TV show “Baywatch” has inspired a new safety campaign in Oslo, Norway, where safety officials said one in ten pedestrians have been hit by a car. So they have set up lifeguard style watchtowers at busy intersections to remind pedestrians to be more careful crossing the street. And before you ask, they wear uniforms in those towers and not bikinis.

They are said to be the first of their kind in North America available for lease or rent – light and medium duty compressed natural gas powered trucks now joining the Ryder fleet.

We all have days when it appears things around us are going to rack and ruin. Here is a nifty video from Toyota that will make you feel better about your fellow man. If you watch it, Toyota will donate a meal to a New York City family in need. The link is:

www.mealsperhour.com

 

 

 

 

 

Auto News for June 20

Porsche, GMC, Lexus, Infiniti and Chevrolet were the top brands in J.D. Power’s latest survey of initial quality. GM captured eight categories and Chevy finished fifth in the survey, a big jump of ten slots for the bow tie brand. Also making it to the top ten were Acura, Toyota, Honda, Jaguar and Hyundai. Power measures the number of consumer complaints per 100 vehicles in the first three months of ownership. Finishing at the bottom of this year’s survey was Scion. Chrysler moved up ten spots to 15^th, while Ford remained at 27^th mainly over dissatisfaction with its Sync and MyFord systems. Voice and touch screen systems were included in the study for the first time. Power says both young and old drivers were not happy with complicated audio, entertainment and navi systems.

How big a win was this for GM? The Camaro was tied with the Mustang for midsize sporty car. The Impala was named best large car, the Buick Encore and Kia Sportage tied for subcompact crossover, while the Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Avalanche, GMC Sierra along with the Chevy Silverado all topped their respective categories.

Tesla is recalling more than 1,200 of its Model S series to fix problems with a rear seat latch.

The Hyundai Veloster has been named the coolest car selling for under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Book. Rounding out the top five coolest cars were the Ford Focus, Kia Soul, Honda Fit and the Dodge Dart.

It won’t make a huge difference in traffic backups, but Triple A predicts .8 percent fewer Americans will take trips over the 4^th of July holiday. That leaves 40.8 million who travel 50 miles or more.

Honda has unveiled the Accord hybrid that will hit dealer lots in October. It claims a “class-leading mid-sized sedan EPA fuel economy rating of 49 mpg city, 45 highway and a combined 47 mpg.” It will be the first Honda hybrid assembled in Ohio.

Auto New for June 19

Chrysler has changed its mind and now will recall 1.5 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty models. You may remember that Chrysler initially balked at a National Highway Safety Administration recall request over the placement of fuel tanks behind the rear axles, something the agency maintained amounted to a fire risk in the event of an accident. Chrysler agreed to put a trailer hitch on the vehicles for added protection. Involved in the recall are 1993 to 2004 Grand Cherokees and 2002 to 2007 Liberty models.

Mazda is teaming with Xbox to offer what it claims is the first ever global live stream of a new vehicle introduction. The June 26^th event will be held in New York and feature a live Metric concert. Mazda is not releasing any information on the new vehicle.

Ground breaking ceremonies have been held in China for a new Cadillac factory, the world’s largest auto market.

If you are ever in Istanbul and need a limo, Blacklane, a German firm, wants you to know they have expanded their service to that city.

The Consumer Electronics Association has formed a group to develop industry standards for all the electronic devices in cars and come up with ways to make them safer for drivers to use.

Strategy Analytics reports there are 22-million vehicles on the road that have telematics hardware but are not currently connection because subscriptions have lapsed. It said original equipment makers have to address this or leave millions of dollars “on the table.”

Hertz has renewed its sponsorship of British MotoGP, part of the world championship competition. Hope there’s no mileage charge.

A Long Island man, Irv Gordon, is closing in on a rather remarkable milestone – three-million miles on his red 1966 Volvo P1800. He said he just likes taking road trips. This is legit, by the way. Gordon holds the Guinness Book of World Records recognition for the most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle. It makes one wonder that the three-million mile checkup must be like.