SEPTEMBER 2016
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Motoring

2016 LEXUS RX450h GOES THE DISTANCE IN COMFORT, STYLE!

Test-drive stories by NITISH S. RELE, [email protected]

2016 LEXUS RX450h Like its other non-hybrid sibling, the RX350, it’s been totally revamped inside out. And for the better, of course. Getting a substantial boost is the wheelbase by nearly 2, length by 5, width by .4 and height by 1.4 inches. The 2016 Lexus RX450h is still equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine but this one, mated to electric motor/generators, cranks out 308 total horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 247 pounds-feet of torque @ 4600 rpm. Zero to 60 mph is clocked at just 7.7 seconds with top speed limited at 112 mph. The rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive car is fitted with a 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery, which is recharged by energy captured as the driver applies the brakes or coasts. Also, the Continuous Variable Transmission-equipped car gets a regenerative braking system. When the car is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric power functions as a generator, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost. Instead, it converts the energy into useable electricity for recharging the batteries.

The most obvious exterior feature of the revamped five-passenger luxury SUV is the incredibly mammoth spindle grille with a chrome-plated border and surrounded by triple L-shaped LED headlights. However, blue highlights incorporated into front and rear ‘L’ logos make it stand out as a hybrid. The center stack is now more angled toward the driver for easy control of buttons on the lowered dashboard. The 10-way power front seats, three-spoke power tilt/telescopic leather steering wheel, push-button start, auto dual-zone climate control, metallic accents around the center of the overhauled instrument cluster, 40/20/40-split recline/slide fold rear seat, gated shifter and Lexus 12-speaker Premium audio come at no cost. A cool mouse-like Remote Touch (but not the best in the market) can be used to toggle navigation, climate, audio and phone controls, which are displayed on a huge 12.3-inch screen atop the familiar analog clock.

Standard safety features include 10 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, active head rests for front seats, free-limiting seatbelt pretensioners for front seats and three-point seatbelts with pretensioners for rear seats, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

If in the market for a well-appointed and spacious SUV that boasts decent gas mileage while backed by a powerful engine, the RX 450h fits the bill. With a combined EPA estimate of 30 mpg, you could go almost 500 miles on a full gas tank. It’s a tough act to beat.

RX 450h

OVERHAULED CX-9 A CONVENIENT CARGO, PASSENGER HAULER

CX-9Ten years after its debut, the Mazda flagship crossover SUV has been redesigned. Though the length is 1.9 inches shorter than its predecessor, wheelbase is up by 2.2 inches. Curb weight takes a 287-pound dip in the all-wheel-drive version and 198 down for front-wheel drive. And under the hood you get a new 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine pumping out 227 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 310 pounds-feet of torque @ 2000 rpm. The powertrain also is equipped with the direct-injection Skyactiv, which uses a torque boost via a high compression ratio to increase fuel economy. Once again, power is routed through the traditional but seamless 6-speed automatic transmission.

Suspension is handled via an independent MacPherson strut in the front and a multilink rear with stabilizer bars at both ends. The electric-power assist steering is direct and precise. And the one-off CX-9 is available as Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and our test-drive – the freshly inducted Signature trim – to meet the needs of the diverse buyer.

The familiar five-point grille with double bars is surrounded by new LED headlights while the rear also gets LED tail lamps and dual exhaust tips. Nappa leather, and splashes of rosewood and aluminum trim, lend elegance to the roomy cabin. The 60/40-split second-row seat, which can slide fore and aft, as well as the 50/50-split third-row seat, will be useful if traveling with children. Also standard are a tri-zone auto a/c, 8-way heated power driver and 4-way passenger seats, 8-inch instrument display with command control, power lift gate, head-up display, tilt/telescopic steering column, second-row window sun shades, push-button start and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Dynamic Stability Control and traction control, antiskid system with rollover sensor, front seat active-head restraints, three-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, blind spot alert, rear backup sensors, lane keep assist and departure warning, smart brake support, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear crumple zones and tire pressure monitoring system are standard in the Signature edition.

The CX-9 is anything but your run-of-the-mill crossover SUV. It offers ample power, quick acceleration, incredible people and cargo-hauling capabilities, and in the looks department, it scores a point or two for bold styling.

CX-9 (SIGNATURE)

REVAMPED 2016 CIVIC COUPE IS A NO-BRAINER

2016 CIVIC COUPEA few weeks ago, Honda had dispatched over the 2016 Honda Civic sedan for us. And recently, we had the opportunity to test out the coupe in the Japanese carmaker’s lineup. Both share the same power train, transmission, suspension and steering: a 1.5-liter DOHC turbocharged engine putting out 174 horsepower @ 5500 rpm and 162 pounds-feet of torque @ 5500 rpm; continuous variable transmission; MacPherson strut front and multi-link independent rear suspension; and dual-pinion electric power steering with variable ratio.

But it is in the exterior and interior dimensions that the two are different. The coupe length and height is down by 1 and 0.1 respectively, wheelbase and width up by 3.1 and 1.8 inches respectively. Trunk volume sees a hike of 0.2 to 11.9 cubic feet and passenger space by 6 to 88.6 cubic feet. Lest we forget, this year’s version is 76 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Honda also has enhanced the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure with additional high-tensile steel to absorb force in a front collision. Noticeably lowered are noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.

Like its sedan sibling, the 10th-generation Civic coupe sports a chromed Honda “wing” across the front fascia while the rear shows off C-shaped “light-pipe” LED tail lamps. A first for Civic is cap less refueling. Other basic features in our Touring trim included eight-way power driver and four-way passenger leather seats, tilt/telescopic steering column, 7-inch audio touch display with 450-watt sound system, remote engine start, electronic parking brake, dual auto a/c, heated front and rear seats and door pocket bins.

Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag with rollover sensor, stability assist and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, forward collision and lane departure warnings, lake keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

If in the market for a roomy coupe, this revamped ride is a no-brainer. It is durable, reliable, fuel efficient and inexpensive. All these and an aggressively-styled stance make a strong case for parking the Civic in your garage.

CIVIC TOURING

LOW-COST YARIS IS NIMBLE, USEFUL AND A GAS SAVER

2016 Toyota YARISFirst off, we are aware that the three- or five-door lift back will not fulfill the needs of all drivers and their families as far as space is concerned. But if you are looking to eke out over-30 mpg in city/highway driving, this subcompact is well worth a test drive.

A sole 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine develops just 106 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 103 pounds-feet of torque @ 4200 rpm for a pleasant and comfortable drive. Available as a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto transmission, the Japanese carmaker entry-level car is stylish, cool and safe.

Projector-beam headlights with LED daytime running lights and integrated fog lamps flank a black front grille with piano black accents. Offered as the basic L, LE and the sporty SE, the Yaris gets a standard a/c, cruise control, 6.1-inch audio touch screen, 60/40 rear seat, leather steering wheel and shifter, power door locks and windows, and six-way adjustable driver and power-way front-passenger seats. The only comfort we found lacking was a driver armrest.

Kudos to the carmaker for packing the affordable vehicle with standard safety features such as dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, stability and traction control, antilock brakes, smart-stop technology, remote keyless entry, side-impact door beams and tire pressure monitoring system.

The agile, roomy, good-looking and practical Yaris gets the job done reasonably well. And assures you of tremendous savings at the pump (EPA estimates of 30 mpg city and 36 highway). What more can one ask for in a ride that is priced at just $17,670?

YARIS (SE)

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