Lexus ES350,a luxury offering that keeps working.

Is there a space for a mid size luxury Sport Sedan ? That is a question Bumper2Bumpertv ponders when it looks at the latest version of the Lexus ES350.

A new name for a familiar vehicle, the Toyota iM!!

While many automakers are concentrating on crossovers, SUV's and light trucks , Toyota has not forgotten what made the brand's fortunes- well done compacts. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at one entry in the segment that was salvaged from the defunct Scion Division.

Legacy from Subaru lives up to its name.

It can claim the distinction of being one of the first All Wheel Drive platforms that was extremely reliable. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at the Subaru Legacy which has stepped up its game.

Prius Prime first look

Toyota has come up with a higher end variation on the Prius. The Prime comes loaded with a full suite of safety features and other high tech features. Bumper2Bumpertv has a first look.

Infiniti QX80

THE AUTO PAGE

By John Heilig

• MODEL: 2016 Infiniti QX80 Limited AWD
• ENGINE: 5.6-liter V8 
• TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual mode 
• HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 400 hp @ 5,800 rpm/413 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm 
• WHEELBASE: 121.1 in. 
• LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 208.9 x 79.9 x 75.8 in. 
• TIRES: P275/50R22 
• CARGO: 16.6 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row) 
• ECONOMY: 13 mpg city/19  mpg highway/13.4  mpg test 
• FUEL TANK: 26.0 gal. 
• CURB WEIGHT: 5,888 lbs. 
• COMPETITIVE CLASS: Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition, Toyota Land Cruiser 
• STICKER: $89,845 (includes $905 delivery)  
• BOTTOM LINE: The Infiniti QX80 is a big, comfortable, powerful and luxurious SUV, but at a price.

            Infiniti has done a good job with luxury in the QX80, its largest SUV. Inside, it has wood trim, and dark leather seats with diamond-shaped piping. The headliner, door pillars, door trim and dash top are covered in ultra suede. In the luxury department it has just about everything you could want.

            Under the hood of this enormous vehicle is  5.6-liter V8 that delivers 400 horsepower. The is very good power, and it’s necessary for a vehicle that weighs nearly three tons. Acceleration is good for the size.

            The QX80’s size is impressive. It’s a bit smaller than a GM Suburban, but it gives the same feel. The QX80’s size is mitigated somewhat by a host of safety accessories, including a blind spot monitor,  High Beam Assist, Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Emergency Braking and Predictive Forward Collision Warning. Add to these Backup Collision Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Distance Control Assist and front pre-crash seatbelt. Also included are blind spot intervention, lane departure warning and lane departure prevention. 

            The blind spot monitor warning lights are located on the A Pillars. I prefer them to be located on the exterior mirrors, but once you use them a few times you remember where they are.

            My favorite accessory is the around view monitor that gives an “overhead” view of the vehicle. Nissan includes this on other models. The feature is very useful when parking, because you can see the lines and what is behind you. You can also switch the monitor on when you’re headed forward to prevent running into a wall in front of you when you’re parking. 

            Entry and exit on the QX80 can be difficult. However, there are assist handles over all four doors as well as assist handles on the A and B pillars. Add to this a running  hard and entry becomes easier, even for senior citizens.

            With considerable size, there are a lot of features that can’t be available in a smaller vehicle. For example, there’s a huge center console/arm rest that eliminates fighting between the front passengers for arm rest space. 

            USB and AUX plugs are located in a small cubby at the base of the center console. In addition, there are the requisite pair of cupholders and a neat small round cubby in the center console that’s great for holding keys. 

            Luxury features include heated and cooled seats. We didn’t use the heated side of the equation because of exterior temperatures that hung around the mid-90s. But the cooling feature was a pleasant surprise. 

            Second row seats offer excellent leg room. They, too are heated and have their own HVAC controls. The second row seats fold and flip forward to provide access to the third row seats. And, again thanks to the 

QX80’s size, third row legroom is also very good. Entertainment screens for the second row are located behind the front row head restraints. 

            Cargo capacity in the QX80 is also extremely good. With the third row seats up, there is a substantial 16.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Lower the third row seats (there is a pair of switches on the right side that will do the job for you), and capacity doubles or triples (Infiniti doesn’t quote the capacity, but trust me, it is, as Donald Trump would say, Huge!).

            Infiniti’s goal with the QX80 was to make the most luxurious vehicle it could, and it has succeeded, to the extent that no options are offered. OK, the price sticker is out of the reach of many, but except for that “minor” detail, the QX80 is super.

(c) 2016 The Auto Page Syndicate

Lexus fights off the challengers to the ES 350

Lexus is being forced to come up with some serious innovation to keep the ES 350 sedan at the forefront of driver's minds these days. Bumper2Bumpertv took a look at what the once dominant mid size sport sedan can put on the table.