The Best Seven-Passenger Choice Imagine a world where a sport utility vehicle did not exist and the words, “I am not a minivan mom!” never were uttered. Imagine a family yearning for a seven-seat vehicle that could also carry all their luggage, in comfort, in a vehicle that gets the best fuel economy in its class–with the majority of the around-town, family trips using no gasoline at all. What kind of a world would this be? Except for the no SUVs, it’s one we can live in now with the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV). Hybrid Exclusivity The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the first and only plug-in hybrid minivan on the market. This does not mean it is best in class by default. This claim, and all the accolades that have been bestowed on the Pacifica, must be and have been earned. Let’s start with the fuel economy. Reinventing the category they invented The front-wheel drive Pacifica Hybrid has a powertrain consisting of a … [Read more...] about Road Test: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Kilmer road test
Road Test: 2018 Lexus NX 300h
Aggressive Styling In A Premium SUV In its fourth year, the 2018 Lexus NX 300h has proven itself as a comfortable driving, compact crossover utility vehicle, offering best-in-class fuel economy. With all-wheel drive standard, there is much to like about this premium crossover. Drivetrain The all-wheel drive 2018 Lexus NX 300h is powered by a parallel hybrid drivetrain, the Lexus Hybrid Synergy Drive. In a parallel hybrid system, the electric motor can power the car by itself, the gas engine can power the car by itself or they can power the car together. No speed demon, the NX 300h acquits itself well on freeways and country roads The Lexus system comprises a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that runs on unleaded regular, producing 154 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid portion consists of two electric motor generators (MG 1 and MG2): MG 1 starts the engine and charges the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid battery, while MG2 drives the wheels and regenerates during … [Read more...] about Road Test: 2018 Lexus NX 300h
Road test: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0L AWC Limited Edition
Mitsubishi’s Entry-level Compact Crossover The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is attracting buyers with a low entry price, sharp styling and an excellent warranty. But in the hot compact crossover segment, the Outlander Sport has not made much a dent in its competitor’s sales. There are various reasons for this, so what does Mitsubishi’s smallest CUV have to offer? Drivetrain The all-wheel control, not all-wheel drive, of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport LE is powered by a 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC engine. The 87-octane gasoline engine puts out 148 horsepower with 145 pounds-feet of torque, driven through a Sportronic Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters. A little long-in-the-tooth, the Outlander trails in the compact crossover MPG pack The EPA fuel economy rating of 23 city/29 highway/26 combined mpg is mid-to-low for this category (going with the 2WD version buys you one more mpg in each category). Ratings for key competitors to the Outlander … [Read more...] about Road test: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0L AWC Limited Edition
Road Test: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 4WD Crew Cab Short Box Duramax Turbodiesel
Midsize Off-Road King With the Colorado ZR2, Chevrolet has created a midsize off-road king. Drop in a turbodiesel, and it becomes a torque and fuel economy wizard. Over a far too-short week, Clean Fleet Report took the Colorado ZR2 Duramax both on- and off-road and came away wanting more time behind the wheel. We wished we had more time to explore the Colorado ZR2’s capabiltiies Power, Torque and Fuel Economy The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado AWD Duramax is powered by a 2.8-liter double overhead cam (DOHC), direct-injection I4 turbodiesel engine, pumping out 186 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. With the Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission, the EPA fuel economy is rated at 19 city/22 highway/20 combined. In 432 miles we averaged 24.1 mpg, which included freeway miles but also some semi-serious off-roading. Out on the freeway over 242 miles, with the cruise control set at 65 mph, we averaged a very impressive 28.2 mpg. When driving your Colorado ZR2 AWD … [Read more...] about Road Test: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 4WD Crew Cab Short Box Duramax Turbodiesel
Road Test: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Ultimate
Contemporary Style in an Affordable Midsize SUV Hyundai tells us the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a carry-over from the 2017 model, but this isn’t a bad thing in any way. Hyundai has sweetened the offering in 2018 on this well-received SUV, with the addition of interior and exterior convenience features. To increase the value, Hyundai discontinued one trim level (Limited) and added a new option package (Pop) so buyers can get a more complete Santa Fe Sport with the most popular features standard. Midsize SUV with a lot to offer Drivetrain The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport comes in either FWD or AWD, with the base engine a 2.4-liter non-turbo four-cylinder. Clean Fleet Report’s test car was equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder DOHC engine with direct electronic fuel injection. Our AWD Santa Fe, running on unleaded regular, put-out 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque through Hyundai’s electronically-controlled, six-speed automatic transmission … [Read more...] about Road Test: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Ultimate