Motoring
ARMADA PLATINUM BOASTS OFF-ROADING PROWESS
THE RIDE: Four-door, up to eight-passenger full-size 2022 Nissan Armada Platinum 4WD SUV.
DOWN THE ROAD: Ensconced on a heavy-duty, body-on-frame structure, the power in the Armada is abundant to propel the 6,000-pound-plus vehicle. The ride is quiet and graceful whether you are on the highway or testing the Armada’s off-road talent.
TECH & PERFORMANCE: A 5.6-liter V-8 DOHC engine pumps out 400 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 413 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. It is mated to a smooth-shifting 7-speed auto gear box. Tow capacity? An astonishing 8,500 pounds. The four-wheel-drive system can be driven in auto, 2WD, 4Hi or 4Lo modes depending on road and weather conditions. Up front and in the rear is an independent double wishbone suspension with stabilizer bars and shock absorbers. The power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering is accurate and direct. Stopping power is left up to the massive 13.8-inch front and rear vented disc brakes.
LOOK & FEEL: We test drove the top Platinum model with chrome accents on the bold and familiar Nissan grille, door handles, exterior mirrors and exhaust tip. Huge LED headlights and fog lamps stand out as you approach the SUV. The dark-painted, side-step rails come in handy for the little tykes for ingress and egress. Space is at a premium (make that Platinum!) in the full-size Armada with storage areas in the center console, overhead console and doors. Want cargo space to haul plywood from the local home improvement store? Then fold flat the second-row seat. Or press a button and watch the 60/40 third-row seat fold flat to open up 95.4 cubic feet of space (that’s with both second and third row seats down). Wood trim on the doors and the dashboard above the glove box conveys a tasteful appearance. Also notable are a leather-wrapped steering column and shifter knob, 12.3-inch touch infotainment display, 13-speaker Bose audio, dual auto a/c, 10-way power heated/cooled driver and eight-way passenger quilted leather seats, power slide/tilt moon roof and liftgate and nine total cup/bottle holders!
SAFETY FIRST: Standard are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all rows, four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, hill start assist, lane departure/blind spot and forward collision warnings, rear-cross traffic alert, auto emergency brake with pedestrian detection, vehicle dynamic/traction control, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system.
OUT THE DOOR: $68,300, plus tax, tag, delivery and destination charges.
BY THE NUMBERS: Tires, 275/50R22 all-season; wheelbase, 121.1 inches; length, 208.9 inches; fuel capacity, 26 gallons; city, 13 mpg; highway, 18 mpg; Web site: www.nissanusa.com
WHY DIG IT: Lots of room for passengers and cargo as well as commendable tow capacity backed by a robust engine. What’s there not to like? If you looked past the fuel economy figures (we eked out just 14 mpg in combined driving), this full-size SUV should serve the needs of large households quite well.
OVERHAULED 2022 INFINITI QX60 OOZES LAVISHNESS
THE RIDE: Four-door, six- or seven-passenger mid-size 2022 Infiniti QX60 AWD.
DOWN THE ROAD: After a hiatus in 2021, the QX60 is back, all redesigned but retaining its power train. Based on an all-steel frame, the power in the Infiniti is plenty to push the 4,655-pound plus vehicle. The luxurious ride is quiet and graceful whether you are on the highway or testing the Infiniti’s off-road prowess.
TECH & PERFORMANCE: Under the hood sits a 3.5-liter V-6 engine putting out 295 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 270 pounds-feet of torque @ 4800 rpm. It is now coupled with a 9-speed auto, replacing the previous continuous variable transmission. Tow capacity is creditable at 6,000 pounds. The four-wheel-drive system can be driven in auto, 2WD, 4Hi or 4Lo modes depending on road and weather conditions. Up front is a MacPherson strut and a multilink independent takes up the rear. The power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering is accurate and direct. Depending on road/weather conditions, driver has a choice of standard, eco, sport, personal and snow modes via the drive selector.
LOOK & FEEL: We test-drove the well-equipped Autograph trim, which is packed with tech and luxury goodies. An even more pronounced hood meets the double-arch mesh grille surrounded by digital piano key LED headlights and daytime running lights. Also distinct are body-side moldings with chrome accents. A huge bin under the cargo hold will come in handy to hide personal belongings. Total passenger area is nearly 141 cubic feet. The InTouch infotainment system comes with a 12.3-inch touch screen atop the dashboard. Wood trim on the doors and the dashboard above the glove box conveys a tasteful appearance. Standard are tri-zone auto a/c, eight-way power semi-aniline/quilted front heated/cooled seats, head-up display, removable center console, roof rails and power slide/tilt moon roof and rear lift gate, seven USB ports and a total 10 cup/bottle holders.
SAFETY FIRST: Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all rows, front knee airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, blind spot-, forward collision- and lane departure warnings, rear cross traffic alert, 360-degree camera, hill start and distance control assists, front/rear park sensors, adaptive cruise control, daytime running lights and a tire pressure monitor are standard.
OUT THE DOOR: Based at $63,250 (with options totals $65,645), plus tax, tag, delivery and destination charges.
BY THE NUMBERS: Tires, 255/50R22; wheelbase, 114.2 inches; length, 198.2 inches; Width, 66.9 inches; Height: 69.7 inches; fuel capacity, 18.5 gallons; city, 20 mpg; highway, 25 mpg; Web site: www.infinitiusa.com
WHY DIG IT: Welcome back, QX60! You have been missed. Boasting a powerful engine backed by a sumptuous cabin, and impressive tow capacity, the midsize SUV is a winner in our eyes. And that would make it a champ amid tough rivals in the ring such as the Acura MDX and Audi Q7.GAS-SIPPER NISSAN SENTRA IS AN INEXPENSIVE, ENJOYABLE CAR
Redesigned two years ago, the 2022 Nissan Sentra continues to be an alluring ride. It can be even more if you opt for the brand-new Midnight Edition package, which comes with lovely black exterior trim and black 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The powertrain maintains its status quo, which means the small sedan boasts a spirited, great-to-drive attitude, with speedy acceleration and nimble handling/balance.
A 2.0-liter direct-injection inline-4 cylinder engine puts out 149 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 146 pounds-feet of torque @ 4400 rpm. Our test drive was mated to a fairly silent continuous variable transmission. An up front strut suspension and a rear multilink system soak obstacles with skill and self-assurance. Providing positive on-center response is an electric power steering. Want to save on gas as fuel prices go up the roof? Turn on the green eco button to the left of the steering wheel.
Boomerang-shaped reflector LED headlights flank the dark chrome V-motion grille to portray a forceful look. Boosting the appearance further are lower body side sill extensions, black-painted outside mirrors, and a rear spoiler and chrome tip. The practical cabin is plentiful with creature comforts such as dual auto a/c, flat-bottomed and tilt/telescopic steering column, 60/40 split fold rear seat, leather steering wheel and shifter, power-slide moon roof, overhead sunglass holder, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six-speaker audio. The 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist, located between tachometer and speedometer, displays vital info. Trunk space is an admirable 14.3 cubic feet. We recommend opting for the SR Premium Package, which will fetch you such wonderful features as thin projector LED headlights, power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature, heated steering wheel and front seats, six-way power driver's seat with two-way power lumbar, 8-speaker Bose premium audio, among others.
Dual front and side airbags, side airbag curtain for both rows, front knee airbags, vehicle dynamic and traction control systems, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, blind spot and lane departure warnings, rear-cross traffic alert, auto emergency brake with pedestrian detection, tire pressure monitoring system, three-point front seat belts with pretensioners, rearview camera and daytime running lights are standard.
Slotted between the smaller Versa and the Altima sedan, the reasonably priced and fuel-efficient Sentra responds with agility and grip in all driving conditions. First-time owners, please put this pleasant and energetic car at the top of your list to test drive. You won’t be disappointed.
SENTRA (SR)
Tires: 215/45R18
Wheelbase: 106.6 inches
Length: 182.7 inches
Width: 71.5 inches
Height: 57 inches
Weight: 3,084 pounds
Fuel capacity: 12.4 gallons
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg
Base price: $22,100
Price as tested: $27,615
REDESIGN MAKES 2022 OUTLANDER AN IRRESISTIBLE RIDE!
That Outlander you may have driven or heard about in the past, toss it all out. The all-new, fourth-gen Mitsubishi compact SUV has been reborn with a fresh power train, extended fascia and an almost luxury-like cabin. Essentially, it is now taller, longer, wider opening up more legroom space for rear-seat passengers. And make that a seven-seater with a third row!
Sharing a chassis and power train with its corporate cousin Nissan Rogue, the 2022 Outlander is equipped with a 2.5-liter, inline-4 cylinder engine that puts out 181 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 181 pounds-feet of torque @ 3600 rpm. However, the slightly noisy continuous variable transmission continues as is to our detriment. Our test vehicle had the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), so it would be more than a relief if it were taken off the beaten path such as gravel, mud and even snow if you drive up north this winter. A MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension handles uneven bumps on the road with confidence. The electric power steering conveys an immediate and communicative feel.
No doubt, the Outlander sports a fresh look with horizontal LED headlights and fog lamps, flanking what the Japanese carmaker terms a “dynamic shield” grille with the familiar Mitsubishi emblem. The rear too shows off a horizontal-themed T-shaped tailgate. The cabin is now even roomier with plentiful head and leg room for second-row seat passengers. Space in the third row, found only in another small SUV, the VW Tiguan, is miniscule. The analog instrument cluster of speedometer and tachometer with silver accents hosts digital fuel and temperature gauges. Several comforts are offered such as tri-zone auto a/c, thick-rimmed leather tilt/telescopic steering wheel, eight-way driver and four-way power and heated front-passenger seats, 9-inch infotainment touchscreen display, panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, 12.3-inch digital display and power windows.
Safety features at no extra cost include dual front, side and airbags, side curtain airbag, rearview camera, active stability and traction control, blind spot and lane departure warnings, lane change assist, rear-cross traffic and hill start assists, four-wheel antilock brakes, anti-theft alarm, electronic parking brake, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system.
Though deficient in power, the four-cylinder and brand-new Outlander is a tempting proposition. After all, it makes up for the deficit with considerable cargo and passenger space, decent fuel mileage (our mixed driving average was around 26.8 mpg) and a price that isn’t astronomical, so to speak.
OUTLANDER SEL
Tires: 255/45R20
Wheelbase: 106.5 inches
Length: 185 inches
Width: 74.7 inches
Height: 68.8 inches
Weight: 3,803 pounds
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons
City: 24 mpg
Highway: 30 mpg
Base price: $33,745
Price as tested: $38,590
Web site: www.mitsubishicars.com