Motoring
JEEP HITS A HOME RUN WITH GRAND CHEROKEE PHEV!
The first electrified Jeep Grand Cherokee has arrived. To make an impression, we must point out. Now, the SUV may not be all electric but a full battery charge can take you up to 26 miles before the gas engine kicks in. And that is a promising start.
Our Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) was equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged engine doling out 375 horsepower @ 5250 rpm and 470 pounds-feet of torque @ 3000 rpm. And that includes energy generated by two motors from the 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. Getting power to the ground is a slick-shifting 7-speed auto gear box. A multilink suspension made up of coil springs, twin-tube coil over shock absorbers and all-aluminum arms and knuckles keeps the Jeep secure, regardless of road and weather conditions. Conveying a direct and communicative feel to the driver is an electric rack-and-pinion steering. When you need to stop, 13.9-inch vented front and 13.7-inch rear discs, equipped with two- and single-piston calipers, come into play. Tow capacity is a cool 6,000 pounds.
Apart from the always-active Quadra-Trac 4-wheel-drive, dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, driver knee airbag, electronic stability control, blind-spot monitor, rearview camera, remote keyless entry, collision warning with active braking, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system come at no extra cost.
Up front, you will notice an aggressive headfirst posture with LED reflector headlights flanking a wider, larger seven-slot floating bright chrome grille. Also conspicuous are active grille shutters, front wheel spats, air curtains and hood aero flick. A redesigned center stack and fresh but slimmer air vents greet one while taking a seat in the top-notch and tailored cabin. Jeep has boosted the space with total passenger volume now at 144.6 cubic feet (4.1 increase) and 37.7 cubic feet (up 1.4) behind the second-row seat. A luxury tech package ($2,155) in our test drive translates into eye-catching stitched Nappa leather seats, 12-way power front seats with back massager, 4-zone auto a/c, manual second-row window shades, etc. Two 10.2-inch screens, a digital gauge cluster and an interactive touchscreen display for the front passenger, appear classy.
Boasting a 450-mile range, the fifth-gen Grand Cherokee is unlike the gas-guzzling Jeeps of the past. With gas prices still over $3, the eco-friendly SUV is an attractive proposition for folks who like to cruise the highway or go off the beaten path. It displays abundant power, substantial passenger/cargo capacity and an appealing interior bar none. Undisputedly, this is a huge win for the iconic brand.
GRAND CHEROKEE 4xe
Tires: 265/50R20
Wheelbase: 116.7 inches
Length: 193.5 inches
Width: 77.5 inches
Height: 70.8 inches
Weight: 5,368 pounds
Fuel capacity: 19 gallons
City/Hwy: 56 MPGe (gas + electric)
Base price: $65,760
Price as tested: $75,035
Web site: www.jeep.com
NISSAN INTRODUCES RUGGED 2023 PATHFINDER ROCK CREEK MODEL
Competitors are aplenty in the large seven-passenger SUV segment but the Pathfinder surely has taken the lead, in our eyes. For 2023, Nissan has introduced the Rock Creek edition with the off-road enthusiast in mind. So, you get an off-road tuned suspension lift, 18-inch bedlock-style wheels with all-terrain tires, 220-pound tubular roof rack, orange interior stitching and second-row Captain’s chairs.
Of course, four-wheel drive is standard in the Rock Creek, which is equipped with the familiar 3.5-liter V-6 engine blasting off 295 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 270 pounds-feet of torque @ 4800 rpm on premium fuel. The potent engine enables the rugged SUV to effectively and equally traverse rugged terrain as well as tackle peak-hour traffic on city roads.
Coupled with a 9-speed auto gear box, its unibody structure is equipped with an all-mode four-wheel drive, which distributes torque evenly to the wheels irrespective of road conditions. Suspension is handled via an independent strut front and multilink rear to result in a well-damped ride. An electric speed-sensitive steering gives the SUV a curb-to-curb turning circle of more than 38.7 feet. Maximum tow capacity is a respectable 6,000 pounds.
Up front, the black V-Motion grille with distinct mesh styling and silver inserts is flanked by familiar boomerang LED headlights and daytime running lamps. Black adorns the badges and the roof rails. The 8.0-inch touch screen interface is easy to control via a knob. Also, there is additional infotainment and driver assist display readings between the round speedometer and tachometer gauges. Cubby space is abundant with a huge center console and a mammoth 54.1-liter storage bin under the cargo floor. There are 10 cup and six bottle holders throughout the cabin. Second-row Captain’s chairs tilt and glide to enable two passengers to duck into the third-row 60/40 seat, which splits and folds flats. Other goodies are 10-way power driver and four-way manual front-passenger leatherette seats, tri-zone auto a/c and Bose sound system with 6 speakers.
Standard safety are aplenty with dual front and side airbags, side airbag curtain for both rows, front knee airbags, vehicle dynamic and traction controls, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, auto emergency brakes, forward emergency braking, ProPilot Assist (essentially with steering and intelligent cruise control) front and rear crumple zones, four-wheel antilock brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, three-point front seat belts with pretensioners, and daytime running lights.
This all-new trim of the Pathfinder should appeal to mid-size SUV buyers, especially those who yearn to venture off the beaten path. With a rugged exterior and a roomy cabin, Nissan has made the path to your destination more enjoyable and safer than ever before.
PATHFINDER (ROCK CREEK)
Tires: P265/60R18 all-terrain
Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
Length: 198.8 inches
Width: 77.9 inches
Height: 73.7 inches
Weight: 4,605 pounds
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
Highway: 23 mpg
City: 20 mpg
Base price: $42,820
Web site:www.nissan.com
2023 CADILLAC XT6 PACKED WITH TECH, LUXURY
Except for new colors and standard cooled front and heated outboard rear seats in Sport and Premium Luxury versions, the 2023 Cadillac XT6 continues as is. Our Sport AWD test-drive made for an exciting ride, responding with quickness in any driving situation while loaded with luxury and tech goodies.
The midsize and posh six-seater SUV is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine cranking out 310 horsepower @ 600 rpm and 271 pounds-feet of torque @ 5000 rpm. It is mated to a smooth 9-speed auto gearbox. A MacPherson strut front and a five-link independent rear sport suspension work well to absorb unpleasant road bumps or curves. Steering response with the electric power rack-and-pinion is instant and precise. Tow capacity is good enough at 4,000 pounds. Drive modes include tour, sport and snow/ice.
A V-Series inspired mesh grille with heavily darker accents and details, flanked by LED headlights, boost the bold look of the XT6. Step into the cabin and performance-inspired carbon fiber trim provide an upscale and well-appointed look. An 8-inch color touchscreen in the center stack includes capactive controls, haptic feedback, gestures and voice recognition (yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available). To accommodate drivers of all heights, Cadillac has equipped the CT6 with a power tilt/telescopic three-spoke steering wheel. There is plenty of room – 78.7 cubic feet behind the first row; and total passenger volume is a laudable 149.9 cubic feet. Amenities are tri-zone auto a/c, eight-way power driver and front-passenger heated seats, remote start, sun roof, third-row power fold seat, hidden cargo hold bin, hands-free lift gate and hands-on CUE (Cadillac User Experience).
Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, forward collision, rear cross traffic, lane change and side zone blind alerts, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, front/rear park assist, stability and traction control, rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.
The XT6 flaunts a powerful engine, adequate gas mileage and plentiful creature comforts. What more can you ask for in a Cadillac SUV? And if you want some vim and vigor in the ride, then the Sport trim is the right choice!
XT6 SPORT
Tires: P235/55R20 all season
Wheelbase: 112.7 inches
Length: 198.8 inches
Width: 77.3 inches
Height: 68.9 inches
Fuel capacity: 19 gallons
City: 18 mpg
Highway: 25 mpg
Weight: 4,690 pounds
Base price: $60,895
Price as tested: $75,715
Web site: www.cadillac.com
HYUNDAI KONA N TRIM BRIMMING WITH EXHILARATION!
For folks who just want to go from point A to point B, the base Hyundai Kona is available. But if you itch for some gut-wrenching and pulsating thrill in your ride, there’s our recent test-drive Kona N trim. Forget sport mode. In the 2022 Kona N, there is a N Grin Shift (NGS) red button on the steering wheel, which when activated, goes into overboost drive, so you can have at least 20 seconds of some heavy pedal to the metal! Or toggle the light blue N buttons to set up N1 and N2 program modes such as suspension, steering, stability. In short, you will have a blast playing around in the N, especially if you are on the track.
A 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 cylinder engine blasts off 276 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 289 pounds-feet of torque @ 4700 rpm. Power reaches the front wheels via a crisp-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox. It should come as no surprise that the Kona takes off real quick and comes to a stop at a moment’s notice, thanks to 14.2-inch front and 12.4-inch rear disc brakes.
The subcompact SUV portrays a low and wide stance with a mesh grille flanked by slim DRLs atop LED headlights. That this is not your base Kona is evident from the red imprinted N on not just the exterior badging, fascias and side sill moldings but also on the steering wheel, sport bucket seats, shifter and sill plates. Further enhancing the stylish appearance are alloy pedals and a black headliner along with eye-pleasing leather/suede seats. Our vehicle came with standard 10.25 screens for infotainment as well as digital instrument cluster of speedometer, tachometer, digital and trip odometers. Other goodies include eight-way power driver’s seat, auto a/c, 60/40 rear folding seat, blue accents, tilt/telescopic steering column, Harmon Kardon audio and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay capabilities.
Endless safety features are standard. There are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, electronic stability and traction controls, electronic limited-slip differential, brake assist, blind spot, forward-collision and rear-cross traffic collision avoid assists, front avoid assist, lane keep and follow assists, adaptive cruise control, front crumple zones, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.
Base-priced at just $34,200, the addition of the N trim makes the Kona an agile, delightful and a cool SUV to drive. Its daring looks, feisty character (remember the red NGS!) and a reasonable price tag should persuade you to sign on the dotted line.
KONA N
Tires: P235/40R19
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches
Length: 165.9 inches
Width: 70.9 inches
Height: 61.6 inches
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multilink rear
Steering: motor-driven power, rack-and-pinion
Weight: 3,020 pounds
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gallons
City: 20 mpg
Highway: 27 mpg
Web site: www.hyundaiusa.com
AUDACIOUS NISSAN KICKS IS INEXPENSIVE, STYLISH AND A FUEL-SIPPER!
“Now, that’s an odd-looking vehicle!” could be a quite natural response by just an initial and hasty glance at the Nissan Kicks. But that is understandable. After all, the cheeky-styled SUV teases the onlooker with a ‘floating roof’ and raked windshield meeting up to boomerang multi-reflector LED headlights and recognizable double V-motion dark satin chrome grille.
Under the hood of the front-wheel-drive-only subcompact SUV sits a 1.6-liter inline-4 cylinder engine putting out 122 horsepower @ 6300 rpm and 114 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm with Xtronic continuously variable transmission. An independent strut front and twist-beam rear suspension work well to absorb rough road bumps while the electric power steering returns a direct response to the driver’s input.
The interior with its “gliding-wing” dash design is airy allowing five to sit in comfort. There’s 43.7 cubic feet of front legroom space while the cargo area boasts 25.3 cubic feet for your luggage. Ingress and egress are easy with the 60/40-split rear seat. The SR trim, which we test drove, comes with an array of amenities such as a D-shaped leather tilt/telescopic steering column, auto a/c, 8-inch touch screen for infotainment, 7-inch driver information system, six-way manual driver and four-way front-passenger leatherette seats, adaptive cruise control, Bose audio with eight speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, chrome door handles, four USB ports, push-button start and power windows/door locks.
Dual front and side airbags, front knee airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with traction, vehicle dynamic control, blind spot, lane departure and forward-collision warnings, around-view monitor, rear cross traffic alert, auto emergency brakes with pedestrian detection, hill start assist, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.
Millennials, singles and couples without children, the tech reliant, exploratory and image-conscious folks should have a go or two at the economical subcompact SUV. It starts at only $19,990 for the base trim and peaks around $22,550 with some attractive perks in the mix.
Sure, the Kicks appears quirky, but it is also nimble, fuel efficient (we averaged around 35 mpg in combined driving) and a sporty alternative to some bland SUVs on the road. Rest assured, if you are looking for attention while strolling the streets, you have earned it! The practical ride has a few ‘Kicks’ to it!
KICKS (SR)
Tires: 205/55R17
Wheelbase: 103.1 inches
Length: 169.1 inches
Width: 69.3 inches
Height: 63.4 inches
Weight: 2,752 pounds
Fuel capacity: 10.8 gallons
City: 31 mpg
Highway: 36 mpg
Price as tested: $25,930
Web site: www.nissanusa.com