What’s new from Mopar and the Penstar brand?

A large sedan with enough power to chew up the roadway? Full size trucks that are using hybrid technology for better fuel economy and a rework of a classic roadster. That are some of the vehicles Bumper2Bumpertv encountered at the Fiat Chrysler proving grounds while checking out what’s new.

Lexus SUV’s may have to look over their shoulder at the competition.

The Lexus brand well known for luxury sedans and SUV’s gets a lot of competition these days. As Bumper2Bumpertv tells us the company may want to rethink what technology it offers as standard equipment in light of the challenges.

Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition

THE AUTO PAGE

By

John Heilig

• MODEL: 2019 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4WD Rock Creek Edition 
• ENGINE: 3.5-liter V6 
• TRANSMISSION: Xtronic CVT 
• HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 284 hp @ 6,400 rpm/259 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm 
• WHEELBASE: 114.2 in. 
• LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 198.5 x 77.3 x 70.6 in. 
• TIRES: P255/60R18 
• CARGO CAPACITY: 16.2/47.4/79.5 cu. ft. (3rd row up/down/all rows down)
• ECONOMY: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway/18.3 mpg test 
• FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 19.5 gal.
• CURB WEIGHT: 4,662 lbs. 
• TOWING CAPACITY: 6,000 lbs. 
• COMPETITIVE CLASS: Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot 
• STICKER: $44,455 (includes $1,095 delivery, $3,800 options) 
• BOTTOM LINE: At the mid-point in Nissan’s SUV range, the Pathfinder offers three-row seating and good cargo capacity.

            Nissan offers a bunch of sport utility vehicles. The Pathfinder falls somewhere in the middle, in more ways than one. It incorporates styling that’s more traditional than the Murano and Rogue, for example. It isn’t Nissan’s prettiest SUV, but it’s set to do the job, with seating for seven or enough cargo capacity to carry a lot of stuff.

            Like most three-row SUVs, base cargo capacity with all three rows up isn’t great. For example, I had to lower the third-row seat backs just to get my golf bag in back. But, with that third row lowered, cargo capacity almost triples from 16.2 cubic feet to 47.4 cubic feet. So you can still carry four passengers and just about all the luggage they’d need, even if those passengers are female members of my family. Additionally, those third-row seat backs lower and raise easily. It’s the same with the second-row seat backs, should you REALLY need carrying capacity.

            Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 284 horsepower. This is enough power for the Pathfinder. In addition, the CVT transmission was quiet and not whiny in normal operation. The only real noise in the generally quiet vehicle was some tire noise on rough surfaces, like concrete.

            Our tester was the Rock Creek edition, and Rock Creek logos were on everything - fenders, floor mats, seats, cargo floor. That alone almost fills the $995 option cost. The total cost for the Rock Creek edition is $3,800 for what is basically a style package. Part of the package is a nice Bose sound system.

            The navigation system is easy to program and recalculates almost immediately when I diverged from the suggested route to a better one that I knew. 

            The instrument panel is clear with white-on-black dials and red pointers. There’s a nice 3D effect with the information panel between the two major gauges. In the middle of the dash is an infotainment screen with the standard suite of options. Six buttons to make choices are sometimes hard to distinguish. 

            I believe Nissan introduced the “overhead view” camera plus the rear view when you shift into reverse. You can also turn these cameras on independently. I like the overhead view because it allows you to park more precisely between lines. 

            Interior styling is highlighted by “carbon fiber” trim and red accents. Internal storage consists of a cubby at the base of the center stack that has two USB and a 12-volt outlet. The center console/arm rest has two levels with the releases for both labeled. In total, it’s deep with USB, AUX and 21-volt outlets. Pockets on the sides of the transmission hump can hold papers, phones or even tablets. 

            Front seats are comfortable and are easy to enter and exit. Second row legroom is excellent and third row legroom is decent. My granddaughter said the third row seating was comfortable, and she had no problems getting back there.

            There’s excellent visibility all around, although the rear headrests tend to obstruct the driver’s rearview vision.

            My biggest complaint with the Pathfinder is, in reality, a small one. The key fob is a terrible design, with buttons that are so similar you can lock the doors when you want to unlock them. Surely, Nissan can do a better job.

            But overall, the Nissan Pathfinder is a good three-row SUV that’s loaded with practicality.

(c) 2019 The Auto Page Syndicate

A throwback to real driving—the Honda Civic Sport!!

There are a few purists out there who still relish the idea of controlling a car in all kinds of situations. And as Bumper2Bumpertv tells us Honda has a midsize sedan that might satisfy those urges.

BMW X5

THE AUTO PAGE

By

John Heilig

• MODEL: 2019 BMW X5 xDrive 40i
• ENGINE: 3.0-liter twin turbo I-6
• TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with sport-manual shift modes  
• HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 335 hp @ 5,500-6,500 rpm/330 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
• WHEELBASE: 117.1 in. 
• LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 194.3 x 78.9 x 69.0 in. 
• TIRES: 275/45R20   
• CARGO CAPACITY: 33.9/72.3 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down) 
• ECONOMY: 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway/17.5 mpg test 
• FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 21.9 gal. 
• CURB WEIGHT: 4,813 lbs.
• TOWING CAPACITY: 6,600 lbs.
• COMPETITIVE CLASS: Acura MDX, Cadillac XT5, Infiniti QX60
• STICKER: $73,980 (includes $995 delivery, $12,055 options)  
•  

            BMW offers a wide variety of vehicles, not including vans or trucks. The Big Momma of them all is the X5 Sport Activity Vehicle (as opposed to a Sport Utility Vehicle) that is assembled in Spartanburg, S.C. And it’s a beauty.

            First, the X5 is one of the quietest running vehicles of any ilk I have driven lately. In the X5’s defense, I have driven some pretty noisy vehicles of late. But the X5 has absolutely silent operation at all speeds. It’s worthy of the company’s 7-Series sedans.

            To go with the quiet ride is comfort. The front seats offer power adjustments to find the ideal comfort level. Rear passengers also enjoy excellent legroom and a flat floor to accommodate a middle passenger. Those rear passengers have their own HVAC controls as well as pull-down sun shades on the windows.

            The 3.0-liter twin turbo six offers excellent power, even though the X5 weighs in at 4,813 pounds. Horsepower is rated at 335 over a wide range of engine speeds, and torque checks in at 330 lb.-ft. All this power reaches the wheels through an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters if you’re interested in a manual mode. The X5 xDrive 40i can go from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Not bad for a sport ute.

            The X5 also wears BMW’s latest generation of xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, which can split torque between the front and rear wheels with even greater precision than before. 

            As is to be expected from a vehicle whose sticker is nearly $74,000, the X5 offers BMW luxury along with everything else. Inside there are tasteful dark brown seating surfaces and door trim that work well with the black dash, etc. 

            Instrumentation is clear, although the array is different from most cars with the speedometer on the left and tachometer on the right. The tach is replaced with economy information when the EcoPro ride option is chosen. Other options are sport, comfort and adaptive.

            The infotainment screen is clear and wide. There’s a large controller on the console that aids in navigating the screen, along with six buttons.

            The wheel is busy with the normal array of options. However, I couldn’t find the on/off switch for the cruise control.

            You want luxury? How about a pair of cupholders that can be heated or cooled?

            Along with the start/stop button that is located on the center console rather than the dash, the shift pattern is different, and this is good. You don’t shift robotically, but you have to think. For example, Park is a button on the shifter, and you push forward for reverse, and rearward for drive. Again, it forces thinking. 

            The clamshell tailgate is practical. One owner told me that the shorter bottom part of the tailgate provides an ideal seat for him to put on his golf shoes. It also is convenient of you have longer objects to carry. The cargo area is large enough for several golf bags. The rear seat back releases are in the cargo area. There’s a hidden storage area under the cargo floor for objects you’d like to keep from prying eyes.

            Outside mirrors fold when you lock or unlock the X5. They also fold and unfold every time you walk near the vehicle with the keys in your pocket. 

            It has a couple of quirks, but the BMW X5 xDrive 40i is a near-perfect luxury Sport Activity Vehicle with a healthy sticker price to go along with its many features.

(c) 2019 The Auto Page Syndicate 

What happens when a small Sport Utility Vehicle gets technical and mechanical vitamins-The 2019 Toyota Highlander!!

Three rows of seats, a lot of tow capacity and well equipped with technology. That is what Toyota is building in with the 2019 version of the Highlander SUV. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at how the whole package comes together.

In hot pursuit of the police business- 2020 Ford Interceptor

While most car buyers are looking for something with luxury features, extreme economy or tow capabilities their tax dollars get spent on a different kind of vehicle. Police agencies are now getting the option to use some of the new technology in the cars they drive day in and day out. Bumper2Bumpertv has sneak look at what might be chasing you.