6 · WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018
The Insight is based on the Civic small-car platform. The
drivetrain consists of a 99-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline
engine and two electric motors. The drive motor generates 129
horsepower, while the secondary electric motor acts as a starter
as well as a generator. Net system output, according to Honda,
is precisely 151.5 horsepower. The internal-combustion engine
only operates independently when the Insight is cruising at
steady-state highway speeds, otherwise the electric motor
powers the front wheels alone through a direct-drive controller.
The four-cylinder’s key function is to generate electricity for the
battery pack. Fuel economy rings in at 52 mpg in combined
city/highway driving. It’s a bit lower in Sport mode or slightly
better if Econ is selected (the default is Normal). The base
Insight includes an assortment of active-safety technology that’s
bundled under the Honda Sensing name.
The latest Avalon is lower and wider than the 2018 version, while the distance between the front
and rear wheels grows by two inches. And you had better like enormous grilles. The base V-6
is back, but now puts out 301 horsepower (previously 268). A new eight-speed automatic transmis-sion
routes power to the front wheels. Depending on the trim level, V-6 Avalons come with up to four
different settings, ranging from Eco to Sport+, which vary the response of the transmission, throttle
and steering. Meanwhile, the Avalon hybrid’s four-cylinder engine and two electric motors produce a
combined 215 horsepower, a gain of 15 horses. With the battery pack now stored beneath the rear seat
instead of behind it, the hybrid’s new 60/40 back seat can now be folded flat for increased stowage. A
continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to control
six simulated gears.
Following a five-year category absence, the built-in-Indiana Ascent
joins the three-rows-of-seats group. This time around, Subaru has created
a roomier structure for up to eight adult-sized passengers. In back, there’s
sufficient space behind the rearmost seat for a reasonable amount of
luggage, groceries and other cargo. The Ascent runs with a new turbo-charged
260-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The accompanying con-tinuously
variable transmission has eight “steps” that can be manually
controlled by paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel. Subaru
claims the Ascent can travel up to 500 miles between fuel stops,
thanks to a large gas tank and a fuel-economy rating of 23 mpg in combined
city/highway driving.
There’s a new platform, new sheetmetal and what’s considered to be one
of the most technologically advanced internal-combustion engines on the
market. Although overall length and the distance between the front and rear
wheels have shrunk, the width has increased by four inches and body height by 3.3
inches. That, plus the new model’s more upright hind section, provides a dramatic
increase in cargo volume. The QX50 sheds the 325-horsepower V-6 for a turbo-charged
four-cylinder rated at 268 horsepower. The new engine features a first-ever
variable-compression-ratio design. Under a light load, cylinder compression is
increased to 14:1 for greater fuel efficiency, but is cut to 8:1 during aggressive
driving so that more turbocharger boost can be dialed in. A continuously variable
transmission (CVT) replaces the previous seven-speed automatic. Front- and all-wheel-
drive trim levels consist of base Pure, Luxe and Essential.
+LEXUS ES
The ES 350 and ES 300h hybrid remain unmistakable in their
origins but are more visually appealing and deliver greater kick-in-the-
pants performance. The standard V-6 in the ES 350 increases
output to 302 horsepower from 268. It’s connected to a new eight-speed
automatic transmission. City/highway mpg numbers are 22/33
(previously 21/30), but for serious gas-pump penny pinching, the ES
300 hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine assisted by two electric motors
produces a combined 215 horsepower. Lexus estimates city/highway
ratings of 44/45. The new-for-2019 available F Sport package doesn’t
add more power, but comes with shock absorbers that instantly adapt to
road conditions and driver inputs. Other F Sport content includes more
front-seat bolstering, aluminum trim and pedals, rear spoiler, blacked-out
grille and 19-inch wheels (17-inchers are standard).
The 2019 RAV4 is new from the wheels up, literally, starting with a more rigid platform and a lower and wider profile. Styling
changes include an aggressive-looking front end, while the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is linked to a new eight-speed automatic trans-mission.
The all-wheel-drive gasoline-electric hybrid model also uses the 2.5, but it adds electric motors for the front and rear axles and a
continuously variable transmission. For 2019, a newly optional all-wheel-drive system is available for the upper trim levels of non-hybrids.
It sends half the engine power to the rear wheels and can direct all to either outside wheel when the RAV4 is turning — called torque-vec-toring
— therefore increasing stability. The system also uncouples the rear wheels when traction is ample. The AWD system for lower trims
has a “Lock” mode that applies half the powertrain’s torque equally to both rear wheels as long as you’re driving below 25 mph. The updated
suite of standard dynamic-safety tech now includes pedestrian detection/avoidance and a lane-departure nanny.
The Ranger nameplate returns for 2019, attached to
an attractive midsize truck to do battle with the Toyota
Tacoma, the Chevy Colorado, the GMC Canyon and the
Honda Ridgeline (plus others). The Ranger is available in
extended-length SuperCab and four-door CrewCab bodies in
XL, XLT and Lariat trim levels along with several accessory
packages. There are also five- and six-foot-long box sizes to
choose from, depending on the cab. Naturally, both 4x2 and
optional 4x4 drivetrains are available, but for now a turbo-charged
four-cylinder engine coupled to a 10-speed automatic
transmission is the sole drivetrain. Maximum payload tops
out at 1,840 pounds, while the Ranger is capable of towing
up to 7,500 pounds. The list of available options is headlined
by a FX4 off-road package that includes an off-road-tuned
suspension, skid plates, rear locking differential and all-terrain
tires. Also available is an innovative blind-spot system designed
to monitor both the Ranger and a full-length trailer being towed.
+HONDA INSIGHT +INFINITI QX50
+TOYOTA AVALON
+SUBARU ASCENT
+NISSAN ALTIMA
Nissan has totally re-engineered the Altima with new skin highlighted by a dramatic grille. Although the new
family sedan is within an inch of overall length and width of the previous version, the wheelbase has been extended
by two inches. The engine lineup consists of a base 188-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but for 2019, the optional
V-6 has been replaced with a 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that has a unique variable-compres-sion-
ratio design. Under light loads, cylinder compression increases to aid fuel efficiency, but compression is mechan-ically
decreased during aggressive driving so that more turbocharger boost can be added. The result is a seemingly
contradictory blend of greater horsepower and reduced fuel consumption. Both powerplants are connected to continu-ously
variable transmissions. All-wheel-drive is optional for the 2.5, but not the 2.0.
+FORD RANGER
+TOYOTA RAV4
+GENESIS G70
The midsize G70’s platform is based on the Kia Stinger’s, although
shortened by about three inches between the front and rear wheels. The
Base 2.0T is armed with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 252
horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3T gets a twin-turbo 3.3-liter
V-6 with 365 horses and 376 pound-feet. According to Genesis — a luxury-car
offshoot of Hyundai — this engine can launch the G70 to 60 mph from rest in
a rapid-fire 4.5 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle
shifters is standard with either engine and has a rev-matching feature that
blips the throttle to smooth out the downshifts. A six-speed manual gearbox
is available, but only in the rear-wheel-drive 2.0 Sport model that includes
Brembo-brand brakes, limited-slip differential and alloy pedals. Sport-trimmed
G70s can also be had with the V-6 and all-wheel-drive. A complete array of
active safety technologies is also part of the base G70’s equipment.
+CHEVROLET SILVERADO
The new Silverado is bigger and has four more inches of distance between the front and
rear wheels. Chevrolet also managed to reduce the truck’s heft by up to 450 pounds, depending
on the model. Both the rear- and four-wheel-drive Silverados are available in regular, extend-ed-length
double-cab and four-door crew-cab body styles. There are also eight trim levels, including
a new RST street truck with added body-colored trim and unique wheels. The LT Trail Boss is
also new and specially equipped for off-road adventuring. The expanded powertrain lineup
includes a new 310-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder as well as a six-cylinder turbo-diesel
along with non-turbo gasoline V-6 and V-8 engines. There’s also a new 10-speed transmission
that connects to the 6.2-liter V-8 and the six-cylinder turbo-diesel.