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New Escort will be sold alongside the latest Focus, but only in China.
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Author: ATH
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New Ford Escort Revealed At The Beijing Motor Show
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2019 Mercedes C-Class L Brings Its Extended Wheelbase To Beijing
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It’s all about the rear legroom in China.
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The Pininfarina K350 Concept Is A 400-HP All-Electric SUV
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It’s sleek inside and out.
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2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: two- and three-row crossover is bigger, squarer, and now has a diesel
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The New York auto show whose media days ended Thursday saw several debuts of high-volume crossover utility vehicles.
One was a redesigned 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe mid-size crossover, which gained size, new features, and considerably more traditional and upright SUV-like styling.
Hyundai said the base five-seat model with two rows of seats will now be called simply the Santa Fe, losing the “Sport” designation it has carried for a few years.
DON’T MISS: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe preview
Meanwhile, the long-wheelbase version with seven seats in three rows, will be known as the Santa Fe XL. That model alone will be powered by a new engine Hyundai hasn’t previously offered: a 2.2-liter turbodiesel-4 engine, its first diesel vehicle sold in the U.S.
The smaller and likely more common Santa Fe versions will come standard with a 2.4-liter inline-4 rated at 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Buyers who want more kick in their family SUV can opt for a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-4 estimated at 235 hp and 260 lb-ft. All three engines power the front wheels through a new 8-speed automatic transmission. As before, all-wheel drive will be optional.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
For 2019, Hyundai has made the Santa Fe larger, squarer, and more upright. Especially from the rear, the previous streamlined shape with a raked tailgate has given way to what it calls a “bolder” look. Thin headlights sweep back along the fenders from the upper corners of a large, aggressively cross-hatched trapezoidal grille.
The vertical tailgate takes the Santa Fe away from its small crossover roots and closer to the look of full-size SUVs. There’s also more glass: Hyundai says the windows for rear-seat passengers are 40 percent larger.
A broad and wide dash top inside underscores the appearance of size, with an instrument pod on top in front of the driver and a 7.0-inch touchscreen sitting above it in the center. Hyundai said it has focused extensively on passenger comfort, reducing the size of the door pockets for more legroom and locating the cupholders in more convenient positions.
CHECK OUT: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offers diesel, but are hybrid, plug-in hybrid for US or not?
Safety features are crucial for any family crossover, and the Hyundai Smart Sense suite of active-safety systems will be standard on the SE and higher trim levels. That package bundles adaptive cruise control, active lane control, driver-alertness monitoring, and parking sensors with rear cross-traffic alert and automatic reverse braking, among other features. A new rear-occupant alert feature appears for the first time on the 2019 Santa Fe as well.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
The base five-seat crossover gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, while higher-level trims get a larger unit . Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. A head-up display, Qi wireless smartphone charging, satellite radio, and a premium audio system will be standard or optional depending on model and trim level.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe crossover will go on sale this summer, the company says, and will be available in SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, Ultimate, and 2.2D trim levels.
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The 9 most important cars of the 2018 New York auto show
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Pomp and circumstance didn’t overrun practicality at the 2018 New York auto show. This year’s big debuts at the Jacob Javits center weren’t flashy—unless you count the stunning Lincoln Aviator, but even that three-row crossover has an air of real-world usability that trumps its clean lines and leather-wrapped interior.
Otherwise, crossovers were the name of the game. The big debuts for mainstream shoppers: the 2019 Subaru Forester and 2019 Toyota RAV4. Those seeking a little luxury can step up to the 2019 Acura RDX or 2019 Cadillac XT4.
Sedans didn’t get the short stick, but it’s clear what buyers want: a tall-riding crossover. Read on for our favorites.
2019 Acura RDX, 2018 New York auto show
The Acura RDX adds to the brand’s momentum with its edgy styling and high-tech interior. It’s unrelated to any other Honda or Acura, and it could be just what the comapny’s high-end division needs to finally crack into the big leagues.
2019 Cadillac XT4
Compact crossover shoppers, you have another choice: the Cadillac XT4. Its styling helps it stand out in this crowded field, but we’re dismayed that it doesn’t offer the brand’s Super Cruise self-driving tech and that its active safety gear set is restricted to limited variants.
Genesis G70
Enthusiasts clamor for sports sedans, but they don’t always buy them. The Genesis G70 goes where the BMW 3-Series, Cadillac ATS, and Kia Stinger have all gone before, so we’ll be watching closely to see if Hyundai’s luxury four-door has the goods to woo buyers.
2019 Honda Insight
If at first you don’t succeed… the latest Insight is Honda’s third try at a small hybrid for the masses, and it’s the most conventional. It delivers Prius-level fuel economy with a nicer interior and none of the hybrid styling stigma.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
The big news for the Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t its styling, its roomier interior, or its improved infotainment. Instead, it’s the promise of high fuel economy from the brand’s first turbodiesel for the American market. It’s a bold move, and one that could pay off when the crossover hits dealers this summer.
Lincoln Aviator, 2018 New York auto show
Lincoln Aviator
A three-row crossover is a no-brainer for Lincoln. Yet the Aviator is a big surprise, with its rear-wheel-drive underpinnings, elegant shape, and decadent interior. The blue Aviator with its creamy leather interior that bowed in New York is labeled a concept, but it’s darn near ready for showrooms. Lincoln says it will debut the production version by the end of 2018.
2019 Nissan Altima
Muscular style backed up by a new turbo-4 engine and advanced safety tech mark 2019 for the Nissan Altima. Though much of the hubbub in New York was around crossovers, the Altima is a reminder that sedans are still popular. And with its available all-wheel drive, the new Altima may make some inroads for buyers interested in all-weather capability.
2019 Subaru Forester, 2018 New York auto show
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with the 2019 Subaru Forester, and that should be just fine with most buyers. Subaru’s five-seat compact crossover is loaded with tech, some of it new for the model and some of it new for everyone. The highlight is a system that uses an infrared camera to monitor the driver’s behavior behind the wheel. For everyone else, the roomier, higher-quality cabin and better fuel economy should make the Forester a top choice once again.
2019 Toyota RAV4, 2018 New York auto show
Talk about beating expectations. The Toyota RAV4 has emerged from it shell, with a buff new body, the promise of great fuel economy, and a classy interior. It’s enough to make us forget the underwhelming, if popular, 2018 model. The latest RAV4 should boast at least 200 horsepower and a hybrid-electric version promises both the best performance and the lowest fuel consumption in the lineup.
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Autos for non-majors; what cars we’d take back to school (and where)
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Incoming college freshmen, take note: Your roommates should not be your friends, good shower shoes are indispensable, and leaving campus will become mandatory approximately four days after classes start.
Reliable transportation comes in handy for 2 a.m. burrito dashes, 4 a.m. jam sessions, and 11 a.m. cross-campus runs to class. (Additional note: No matter what time your first class starts, it’s still a struggle to make it on time.)
Where you go depends on what your drive. Here’s our compendium for college-ready cars, cross-indexed somewhere at the campus library—wherever that may be.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek
Likely college: Somewhere in the West, presumably the University of Colorado. Like the Crosstrek, you value kayaking more than entry-level stats, and season passes to the nearest ski resort are likely to short your meal plan next semester.
Safety school: University of Maine with a planned semester exchange to South Florida, because sun.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
Likely college: Southern Methodist University. Aside from your seats at the basketball games, what you drive is how you establish a pecking order in Dallas. The C300 is the kind of Benz that does just that, with a planned maintenance schedule that you’re likely to forget. Along with yesterday’s Writing 2010 assignment.
Safety school: Three semesters at the University of Oklahoma before the charms of Norman, Oklahoma and Greek life weigh heavy on your GPA.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta
Likely college: University of California, Santa Barbara. With a rich tradition of creating some of the best teachers in the country, UCSB students know value for money like pencils worn down to the nubs and writing on both sides of the page. The smart money’s on the Jetta, in part for its easy-to-sanitize surfaces—teachers and party-goers appreciate those alike.
Safety school: Arizona State or UNLV. The Jetta’s air conditioning could keep meat fresh for weeks.
2017 Chevrolet Cruze
Likely school: Michigan State, and you got it on a “friends and family” discount. The Cruze has sensibility down like only a state school can. It’s not too flashy, decently powered, and may last well into your first job if you can manage to keep it out of the ditches in the winter.
Safety school: Oakland University. The basketball is better anyway.
2017 Toyota Prius Prime Premium
Likely school: Stanford. We get it, you’re smart. A Prius not only announces to the school that you’re embracing the NorCal life all the way, it’s also the perfect lab partner for the solar-powered project going on at the school’s Center for Automotive Research.
Safety school: Rhode Island School of Design. Just kidding, it’s Stanford.
2017 Chevrolet Silverado
Likely school: Auburn University, or any school in the Southeast for that matter. The Silverado is the second-best truck for tailgating, which is hugely important in the SEC. What’s the best truck for tailgating? The Honda Ridgeline, but your fraternity brothers will wrap your underwear around your forehead for driving one of those.
Safety school: University of South Florida with a semester in Maine because you’ve never seen snow.
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Likely school: University of Washington, by way of Bellevue. The tony off-roader is at home in King County and is just the right size for runs to Vancouver. You could take it for weekends at Mt. Hood too, but that would require going to Oregon. And that’s just silly.
Safety school: University of Montana, because they have a class in fly fishing. No, really.
Volkswagen Microbus Concept, 2001 Detroit Auto Show
2019 Volkswagen Bus
Likely school: Hogwarts. Because if VW ever builds this it’ll be some kind of sorcery.
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By 2019, every new Volvo will run on batteries (well, kinda)
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Volvo made a bold announcement Wednesday: within two years, every new Volvo will run on batteries…
…or rather, that’s what many of the news headlines would lead you to believe. What Volvo actually said was this:
“Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has announced that every Volvo it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor, marking the historic end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and placing electrification at the core of its future business.”
Which is not quite the same thing.
The key word in that sentence is “launches.” Yes, all brand-new models will come with electric motors, starting in 2019. As for existing gas and diesel models, though, they may continue to roll off the assembly lines without any electrification. Will they be converted to electric platforms when they’re redesigned after the usual seven or so years? Does a redesign count as a launch in this sense? We’ve reached out to Volvo for clarification.
Also note that Volvo isn’t saying that all new models made from 2019 on will be fully electric. Rather, they’ll be electrified, which can include mild hybrid propulsion systems as well as plug-in hybrids.
That being said, it’s still a very bold move—one that’s in keeping with Volvo’s environmentally conscious image, and one that’s also in line with China’s aggressive goals for electric car adoption. (Volvo is now owned by Geely, one of China’s largest automakers.)
And as part of the announcement, Volvo says that it plans to introduce a total of five fully electric vehicles between 2019 and 2021. Three of those will be sold under the Volvo nameplate, with the other two sold as Polestar models. Polestar is Volvo’s performance division, which is being given its own branded lineup.
Volvo aims to have sold a total of one million electrified vehicles by 2025.
For more information and perspective on this news, check out our colleagues at Green Car Reports.
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2017 Nissan Rogue Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos
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The Nissan Rogue covers the middle of the automaker’s crossover SUV lineup. Tucked in between the teensy, utterly impractical Juke and the big three-row Pathfinder, the Rogue relies on good seats and interior space to move its metal.
In a tough class along with the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the Rogue’s unexciting powertrain and handling aren’t big demerits. Its subpar crash-test scores from the NHTSA are.
For 2017, the Rogue is offered in S, SV, and SL models. A new Hybrid model comes in SV or SL trim. Toward the end of the 2017 model year, Nissan made automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and rear cross-traffic alert standard on every version of the Rogue. To mark the change, so-equipped Rogues are labeled as 2017.5 models.
We give the Rogue lineup a 6.8 out of 10, with high marks for comfort, utility, and fuel economy. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Nissan introduced the latest Rogue in the 2014 model year, and a light update this year doesn’t change its benign, handsome styling too much. The front end wears a deeper V-neck grille, the taillamps glow with LED power, but neither of those details alters the conservatively executed sheet metal much at all. The interior gets some nicer materials and trim this year as well.
The standard Rogue draws power from a 2.5-liter inline-4 paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) from the first generation. Power output is set at 170 horsepower. Acceleration is mediocre at best. The Rogue’s power drones out through the CVT to either the front or all four wheels, but it sounds less intrusive than last year, thanks to a few pounds of additional sound deadening and thicker glass.
A new Hybrid edition pairs a 2.0-liter gas 4-cylinder with a 30-kw electric motor and lithium-ion batteries for a net of 176 hp. The hybrid powertrain doesn’t act remarkably different from the gas-only engine, other than adding a couple of hundred pounds to its curb weight. The Rogue Hybrid delivers EPA ratings of up to 34 mpg. Other Rogues can earn ratings as high as 28 mpg combined.
The Rogue’s best performance asset is its calm, composed ride. It doesn’t feel overly stiff, and tall-sidewall all-season tires damp out a lot of freeway roughness. Nissan also uses stability control in clever ways, by applying brake to certain wheels to smooth over bumps and to cut cornering lines. It’s substantial and controlled on the road; it just doesn’t have the vivid feedback of an Escape or a CX-5.
Rogue comfort, safety, and features
The Rogue offers plenty of seating space and comfort, though its third-row option is more for pride than for passengers. The front seats have dense bolstering that feels good after hours-long road trips. A power driver’s seat is available, but like the Ford Escape, there’s no power offered for the front passenger seat, though the right-side front chair does fold down for more carrying capacity. Second-row passengers have good space, thanks to sliding and reclining seats.
While it’s sized at the smaller end of the compact crossover class, Nissan made the unusual decision to offer a third-row seat in the Rogue. Since the second row can be adjusted on a 9-inch-long track, the third-row seat can have usable leg room, but the cushions sit low and head room is tight. Only small children will be comfortable. Even then, it’s a short-distance solution at best.
All Rogues come with standard curtain airbags and stability control, as well as a rearview camera. The Rogue scores a middling four-star rating (out of five) in crash tests conducted by the government, but it has earned Top Safety Pick+ status from the insurance company-funded IIHS. Safety options include a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitors, a lane-departure warning system, and a forward-collision alert system. Adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking are offered as well—the latter having been made standard on the 2017.5 model.
All Rogues comes with power windows, locks, and mirrors; an AM/FM/CD player with a USB port; Bluetooth with audio streaming; a rearview camera; and 17-inch steel wheels. The Rogue SV adds alloy wheels, a power driver’s seat, satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition, and NissanConnect, which enables use of smartphone apps like Pandora. The Rogue SL gets Bose audio, navigation, a power tailgate, the surround-view camera, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, and leather upholstery.
Options include third-row seating, run-flat tires, a panoramic sunroof, those advanced-safety features, and LED headlights.
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