Automotive

2020 Lexus LX 570 Three-Row Review: By The Book Luxury SUV

2020 Lexus LX 570 Three-Row Review: By The Book Luxury SUV 2020 Lexus LX 570In Our Opinion: The 2020 Lexus LX 570 is pretty much by the book when it comes to large luxury SUVs. It has a powerful engine, a quiet interior, and terrible gas mileage. We like the three-row variant as it can accommodate a larger family, but a two-row LX 570 is also an option. Exterior Styling 79Interior Layout 91Driving Dynamics70Safety & Tech Features 80Everyday Functionality82ProsAWD Capability Towing Capacity Comfortable Cabin ConsFuel Economy Infotainment Interface 80Families shopping for a large luxury SUV with lots of room, yet rugged enough for roads that would leave other vehicles stranded, should put the 2020 Lexus LX 570 on their list. It comes with enough torque to pull your boat from a muddy spot near the barn to the lake for the weekend. All in the comfort Lexus vehicles are typically known for.

The LX 570 offers a rare combination of size, luxury, and off-road ability and you have the option of two or three rows of seating. This week, we drove the 2020 Lexus LX 570 Three-Row. Here is how everything went during our drive.

Lexus LX 570: What’s New For 2020?

The 2020 Lexus LX 570 remains largely unchanged but offers a new sport exterior and interior trim package. Our favorite part about this package is the semi-aniline, leather-trimmed seats. It should be noted, however, this sport package is only available for the three-row model. Other changes include the cooled center-console box, which is now a standalone option.

20-inch wheels are standard for the LX 570, although 21-inch wheels are available. Our test vehicle came with 21-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels which ran an additional $745.

As for seating, the two-row model can seat five while the three-row variant can accommodate eight passengers.

2020 Lexus LX 570.Standard Equipment: Performance & Safety

Our 2020 Lexus LX 570 Three-Row ($91,380 base price) came standard with LED intelligent high-beam headlights, a 12.3-inch navigation screen, four-zone climate control, 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 12-way power front passenger seat.

Underneath, the LX 570 gets a locking, limited-slip center differential, plus an adaptive variable suspension for a cushioned ride. The multi-terrain system consists of five modes: Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul, Loose Rock, and Mud and Sand.

The 2020 Lexus LX 570 comes with a range of cameras and sensors to power its suite of advanced safety equipment. Lexus Safety System+ is standard on every LX 570. The package includes forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, and lane departure alert.

Related: How a common naming system for advanced safety features would help consumers. Optional Features: Comfort & Surround Sound

The optional Luxury package ($1,190) upgrades the interior to premium leather. A heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, and projector door lamps are also part of the package. It adds heated and cooled seats to the first and second rows as well.

This LX 570 tester also came with a Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system ($2,350) with 19 speakers. A dual-screen, rear-seat entertainment system ($2,005), a heads-up display ($900), and a heated walnut steering wheel rounded out the list of options.

2020 Lexus LX 570 interior layout. What Does The 2020 Lexus LX 570 Cost?

Total MSRP, including destination, for our test vehicle: $101,248. By comparison, the 2020 Lexus LX 570 starts at $86,480 for the two-row model and $91,480 for the three-row.

Interior Highlights: Comfortable & Spacious

If you want roomy and comfortable, the LX 570 cabin will not disappoint. The fit and finish is up to the high standards you would expect in a luxury SUV at this price point. The front seats are plush with the sport package and offer enough adjustments for any family member. We settled in this week and used the heated seats and steering wheel liberally as spring comes late in the Colorado Rockies (we even had a wet snowstorm).

There’s plenty of room for an active family to enjoy the creature comforts, with large door openings, handholds, and wide running boards to help kids climb in and out. This LX 570 came with the rear-seat entertainment system so the kids won’t be bugging you on those long trips to grandma’s house.

The third row is good for transporting kids but adults won’t be comfortable. The split tailgate design is handy for groceries, but it can make accessing cargo difficult if you are loading bigger items. With the three-row model, there is 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Drop all seats down in the three-row model and it opens up to 81.3 cubic feet of space.

Interior Highlights: One Hassle We Don’t Like

We continue to have issues with the Lexus Remote Touch interface, which uses a small mouse on the console to adjust the audio, navigation, and climate control. Some features are helpful, like being able to adjust the rear climate from up front, but overall, the infotainment system is not user-friendly.

Engine & Powertrain

The 2020 Lexus LX 570 is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 producing 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to an eight-speed automatic with full-time four-wheel drive (AWD). Other standard powertrain features include crawl control, hill-start assist, and the aforementioned multi-terrain select system for low-speed and regular off-road use.

When properly equipped, the 2020 Lexus LX 570 can tow 7,000 lbs.

Related: Why you should consider a Lexus extended warranty. Gas Mileage of the 2020 Lexus LX 570

EPA fuel economy ratings come in at 12/16 city/highway and 14 combined mpg. When compared to other similar vehicles, the LX 570 is really off the mark in terms of fuel economy.

2020 Lexus LX 570 under the hood.How Does The LX 570 Drive?

If you need power, the Lexus LX 570 and its 5.7-liter V8 will deliver. We drove the big SUV in the mountains of Colorado where it takes extra “oomph” to get a vehicle like this moving. The ample torque in the V8 is ideal for hauling people and outdoor gear, or for towing a boat or other recreational vehicles. Watching the fuel gauge is a little depressing, especially when loaded with people and cargo.

Inside, the cabin is quiet and insulates you from the noisy world outside. While there is little road and wind noise, in terms of the ride, it’s probably in the eye of the beholder. The ride is smooth and almost too cushy for our tastes in Comfort mode. The Sport and Sport+ settings offset this somewhat, but then you’ve got a ride that might be too firm. Finding a balance seemed to be a challenge at times.

2020 Lexus LX 570 on the open road. Conclusion: Solid Overall

If you need a third row but want a luxury SUV, the Lexus LX 570 is an overall good choice. It’s quiet inside and its off-road abilities make it a competent vehicle for those living in colder climates. If you like to get away for the weekend and tow a boat for those occasions, the 2020 LX 570 will do that and give you a little extra comfort along the way.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

Lexus LX 570 Gallery

Photos: Lexus.
Original article: 2020 Lexus LX 570 Three-Row Review: By The Book Luxury SUV

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Ford Aims 2019 Transit Connect Wagon At Baby Boomer Generation

Ford Aims 2019 Transit Connect Wagon At Baby Boomer Generation Ford is trying to win over baby boomers in a big way with their 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon (one of Automoblog’s favorite vans). Their press materials from this year’s Chicago Auto Show are crammed with enough condescending references to the post-war generation to gag Grace Slick. But those egregious faux pas aside, the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon has some pretty good stuff to offer.
Influential Generation
Why try to reinvent the van and sell it to boomers? Ford is direct and up front as to why: “Boomers … grew up driving vans, [and] at 111 million strong and holding 63 percent of American financial assets, the 50 plus demographic is the number one consumer demographic in the United States.” Or to be even more succinct: Boomers already know vans, there are a lot of them, and they have a lot of money. According to AARP, one in three Boomers plans to purchase a car in the next three years.
So, besides the corny and insulting hippie references in the press release (i.e. Life’s Still a Trip, Today’s Magic Bus) what does the 2019 Transit have to offer?
2019 Transit Connect Wagon. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Safety & Security
For starters, it has room for five to seven passengers and, since you can easily reconfigure the interior, cargo duty is just as easy as hauling people. American Transit buyers will also get their choice of a new gas or diesel engine, along with a collection of driver-assist technologies like Automatic Emergency Braking.
In addition, the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon comes with Pre-Collision Assist and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid big bang-bangs and thump-thumps. Adaptive Cruise Control is also available to make highway driving easier by automatically slowing the van when the system detects traffic ahead. A Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert is available. It also uses the Transit’s radar system to detect surrounding vehicles that loom at you unobserved from the sides. There is also an available Lane Keeping System that vibrates the steering wheel, and can apply extra steering wheel torque to help you keep the vehicle centered.

Trim Levels & Engines
The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon comes in two wheelbases and three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Titanium. The interior is expansive and adaptable, so fitting people in or loading in cargo is a breeze. There are dual sliding side doors, and the available roof rails give you even more versatility with the number of accessories that can be fitted to the roof. So, hauling bikes, kayaks or that vintage Greg Noll surfboard you’ve had since 1966 should be easy-peasy.
Even the engines got a going over, as I mentioned before. There’s an all new powertrain lineup, including the 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel that promises at least 30 mpg highway. The diesel plant is coupled with a new eight-speed automatic. There is also a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline mill with direct injection on offer. That engine comes with Auto Start-Stop as standard and is also mated to that new eight-speed automatic.
Wanna tow stuff? The Transit Connect Wagon offers a towing capability of 2,000 lbs. when equipped with the trailer tow package.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Availability
According to Ford, the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon will be one of the most affordable seven-passenger rigs you can get, although Ford did not actually disclose pricing. The long-wheelbase version has more interior cargo volume behind the first row than the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, according to Ford’s measurements. So think about that, comparison shoppers. Expect it this fall at dealers nationwide.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Hyundai Drops 2018 Sonata Hybrids In Chicago

Hyundai Drops 2018 Sonata Hybrids In Chicago Hyundai just showed off the soon-to-be-in-a-store near you 2018 Sonata Hybrids, both standard and plug-in, at the Chicago Auto Show. Hyundai seems to roll out new models or improvements and updates to models every two weeks. How Hyundai does this is beyond me, but I’m just glad they’re able to keep it up. As I said, we now have two Sonatas to look at, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.
Of course, the new Sonatas come with a comprehensive exterior and interior redesign along with more safety stuff, better suspension, improved infotainment, and connectivity features, but the real star of the show is the gas/electric drivetrains
Sonata Hybrid
The center of the 2018 Sonata Hybrid is a 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Situated within the transmission is a 38 kW electric motor and clutch where the torque converter should be. Hyundai’s clever idea of putting the hybrid drive guts within the transmission – something they call a Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) – works the same as any other hybrid, but with improved fuel economy via a larger electric motor. Plus, you’ve got to say that’s pretty smart packaging.
The traditional ICE part of the hybrid system produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb-ft. of torque. Add in the electric motor and you get a further 38 kW (51 horsepower) and another 151 lb-ft. of torque. Net power comes up at 193 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Economy-wise, with a Sonata Hybrid SE you’ll get 39 mpg in the city, 45 on the highway, and a combined figure of 42. If you add that all up, you can go for around 650 miles under typical driving conditions. Choice!
The lithium-ion polymer battery pack capacity is good for 1.76 kWh and the whole she-bang fits under the trunk floor. Ergo, lots of trunk space, a flat trunk floor, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Total cargo volume for the Sonata Hybrid is 13.3 cubic feet.

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
The Plug-in Hybrid is similar to the regular Sonata Hybrid, but with the benefit of extended all-electric travel. There’s a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack which is more than five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s battery. According to the EPA, the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid has an all-electric range of 27 miles, and it can be recharged in less than three hours with a level-two charger. Which, if you think about this, allows you to commute to work, park the thing, plug it in for a recharge, and then drive it home without burning a drop of gas. And hey, if you’ve got to head out of town for a long weekend, you’ve got plenty of range thanks to the gasoline engine. Total estimated range is a remarkable 590 miles.
The Plug-in Hybrid has the same six-speed automatic with Hyundai’s TMED in place of the torque converter again, only this time the electric motor is a 50 kW beast. That 50 kW electric motor puts out 32 percent more power versus the Sonata Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid uses the same ICE as the Sonata Hybrid, and the total system output is 202 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. To compliment the performance, the chassis gets some nips and tucks with a stiffer front anti-roll bar and a more rigid rear trailing-arm design with retuned bushings.

Notable Features
Other highlights for the 2018 Sonatas include a new front/rear fascia design, a new grille, hood, front fenders, rear deck lid, headlights, and taillights. There are new 16-inch and 17-inch eco-spoke wheel designs, along with new LED headlights that have a trick cornering Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) function. The interior has a new instrument panel, center stack, steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and rear USB charge port.
Safety gadgets? By the ton. There’s standard Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, a newly available Automatic Emergency Braking system, and Lane Keep Assist.
Manufacturing & Availability
The 2018 Sonata Hybrids will be produced in Asan, Korea. The Hybrid will be in Hyundai dealers by the first quarter of 2018 and Plug-ins will show up in the second quarter.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format.
2018 Sonata Hybrid Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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Hyundai Showcases Autonomous Driving Tech In Las Vegas

Hyundai is showcasing a host of future mobility and transportation technology at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), happening now in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hyundai is demonstrating their advanced autonomous IONIQ models on the roads surrounding the venue.

On the test route, autonomous IONIQ models navigate using an advanced form of LiDAR technology, a laser and radar-based detection system. It scans and identifies the precise location of other vehicles and objects, traveling safely through the test route.

Hyundai uses a different approach in the placement of their sensors, foregoing the typical roof mounted apparatus. Instead, the LiDAR technology is hidden behind the autonomous IONIQ’s front bumper. This helps maintain a sleek design for the car but also allows engineers a more functional, less complex setup. Hyundai’s self-driving systems are kept as simple as possible by integrating existing functions from the production models, including the forward-facing radar of the Smart Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Assist cameras.

A GPS antenna is also utilized to search for the location of other vehicles while high-definition mapping software returns vital data to the car. This data includes things like road gradient, curvature, and lane width. Between the LiDAR, GPS antenna, and existing safety features, the complete system is able to navigate even the most difficult situations, readily identifying other cars and pedestrians, to small pets, speed bumps, and traffic signs.

Hyundai is currently conducting extensive urban testing with the primary goal being the safe execution of autonomous driving with less computing power at a lower cost. Throughout CES, two Hyundai cars will be navigating test routes around Las Vegas. Visitors can further experience Hyundai’s autonomous technology through Virtual Reality simulators at the Hyundai Motor booth.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Hyundai Autonomous IONIQ Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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Uber ignores California's grounding of self-driving Volvo XC90s tests

2016 - Uber launches self-driving Volvo XC90s

Uber hasn’t even completed a week of live testing of its fleet of completely-autonomous Volvo XC90s and they’re already in deep doo-doo.

What’s going on?

Uber has been hitting the headlines with the launch of its first wave of self-driving, completely autonomous Volvo XC90s in San Francisco for a series of real-world tests. It hasn’t been a full week since the cars began testing and already they’re causing trouble.

It all started when a video surfaced on the web of a self-driving Uber XC90 clearly running a redlight sometime last week. Since then, California regulators and the DMV called for a complete grounding of the XC90 fleets. However, Uber isn’t complying and thus has yet to pull the XC90s from the road.

Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good. What are California regulators saying?

Because of the clear video showing the Uber XC90s are still problematic and a safety hazard, the California Attorney General’s office threatened legal action if Uber doesn’t ground the fleet.

The letter was sent later Friday, demanding Uber to apply for the proper permits to allow for continued testing of its XC90s. The permits need to be supplied by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

However, Uber contested these demands claiming its cars feature technology that’s no different than the equipment used on other advanced driver-assistance systems. As a result, the fleet of self-driving XC90s do not need those permits to continue testing.

But Momma California says otherwise…

According to California’s Vehicle Code Section 38750, the DMV amended new legislature regulating the testing and public use of autonomous cars on California’s public roads. Because of these clear statues, the DMV issued a cease-and-desist letter to Uber on Dec. 14 under this code.

But Uber argues that code section only applies to fully-autonomous vehicles with no steering wheel, no pedals, or human driver. The XC90s are still XC90s, just with a bunch of autonomous tech on it.

The debacle is ongoing.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: USAToday

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The 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S is a not-so-extreme SV

Think of it as the Lamborghini Aventador S without the V.

What’s going on?

Lamborghinis are pretty rambunctious and it’s hard to imagine how much more ridiculous they could get. How does more power, more aerodynamics, and more performances sound?

With the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S, that’s exactly what you get. But you don’t get as much performances as the SuperVeloce. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if the the Aventador SV is just a little too much Aventador for you. Instead, the Aventador S is basically like a SuperVeloce without the Veloce.

Ok. So how much more power are we talking?

The 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 already offers a whopping 690hp and 508 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph. Because the Aventador S essentially gets the SV’s revised V12, that means power jumps up to 740hp with torque remaining the same as the regular car. The SV’s mill however gets a higher redline as well. But interestingly, the zip to 62 mph still takes around 2.8-2.9 seconds.

All that extra power but not that much more performance…what else is new with the Aventador S?

To match the extra power, the body gets slightly reworked to serve up more downforce at speed for better stability and handling. Additionally, “overall efficiency” is claimed to increase by 50 percent. Downforce at the front increases by 130 percent and a stunning 400 percent at the rear.

Also new is an active four-wheel steering system, which is new for the Aventador. During low speed maneuvers, the rear wheels can steer in the opposite direction as the front for a better turning radius. When traveling at faster speeds, the system reverses its actions to improve high-speed handling.

How much will this Aventador S cost?

A lot of money, as you can imagine. Prices for the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S start at $421,350. Check enough boxes on the options list and you’ll pass $500,000 very easily.

Deliveries are scheduled to commence in spring of 2017.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Lamborghini

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GM halts production for cars from heavy crossover SUV demand

Like you’ve never heard us tout how popular crossovers are before…

What’s going on?

Crossovers! “Oh jeeze…” Yea. I know what you’re thinking. We get it. They’re popular. I get it too.

But this is how crazy it can get. Car demand is so slow for General Motors, multiple reports indicate the Big Three’s General had to put a stop on various assembly lines. The reason: the demand for crossovers is just too damn high!

According to AutomotiveNews and The Detroit News with info provided by Autodata, GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck, Fairfax, Lansing Grand River, Lordstown, and Bowling Green will all hit the stop button on everything for several week periods.

That’s a lot of plant locations. What cars are affected?

Here’s a quick list of what each plant builds:

Detroit-Hamtramck Facility to shut down for three weeks, builds:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Cadillac CT6
- Chevrolet Volt
- Chevrolet Impala

Fairfax, Kansas to shut down for three weeks, builds:
- Chevrolet Malibu

Lansing Grand River to shut down to for two weeks, builds:
- Cadillac ATS
- Cadillac CTS
- Chevrolet Camaro

Lordstown, Ohio to shut down for one week, builds:
- Chevrolet Cruze

Bowling Green, Kentucky to shut down for one week, builds:
- Chevrolet Corvette

Currently, an overstock issue is a larger issue for the company with many vehicles still heavy in supply. There simply is no more room to store inventory.

On the flip side, crossover and truck supply is lower than company standards because dealers can’t keep those on the lots. The lower gas prices in recent years stimulated crossover, SUV, and truck sales over more fuel-efficient alternatives.

To try and coax more buyers into the showrooms, GM will soon begin offering more incentives and discounts.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: AutomotiveNews, The Detroit News

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2018 Honda Odyssey Elite Review

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite Review
The new Honda Odyssey is designed for families and definitely with parents in mind. Odyssey engineers must have asked families what they wanted because the eight-passenger minivan has been thought out extremely well. Honda has answered the award-winning Chrysler Pacifica by upping its game with the Odyssey, and loading it with features moms and dads will thank them for
This week, we drove the top-of-the-line, 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite.
What’s New For 2018
Honda Odyssey has been completely redesigned for 2018 with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, a quieter cabin, and loads of family-friendly features. New features include a sliding rear seat with a removable middle section and removable outboard seats that slide sideways as well as forward or back. Remove the middle seat, and it’s like having captain’s chairs.
There’s a new 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that can drive the rear entertainment system. There is a wireless charging pad for smartphones, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moms especially will love the new optional feature that allows parents to watch their kids on the big screen on the dash, zooming in with infrared vision. There’s no hiding in the back, hitting your brother or sister, undetected.
Standard Features
The 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite ($46,670) comes standard with leather upholstery, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, sunroof, and power liftgate. It features navigation with voice recognition, a Blu-Ray rear entertainment system with wireless headphones, 115-volt power outlet, and Honda’s CabinTalk system that allows the driver to talk to all passengers through the speakers or headphones.
Odyssey Elite gets the new 10-speed automatic transmission, stop/start technology, the aforementioned CabinWatch feature that points a camera at any seat, an in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, third-row sunshades, a hands-free power tailgate, LED headlights, LED fog lights, and front and rear parking sensors.
The Elite trim upgrade goes further with an 11-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, ambient lighting, gloss black interior trim, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding exterior mirrors, and 19-inch wheels. Total MSRP including destination: $47,610.

Interior Highlights
You’ll want to spend lots of time in this cabin. The Odyssey comes with softer materials, new stain-resistant leather, a big functional center console with two main storage areas, one of them deep and the other wide and flat. The best news is the CabinWatch feature on the screen showing a running video feed of the rear seats, so parents can literally watch everything going on in the second and third rows. It’s even infrared, and you can zoom in, so kids watch out!
CabinWatch works with CabinTalk, which plays the driver’s voice over the sound system and directly into the headphones. Kids won’t be able to get away with anything! Family trips just got much more enjoyable for mom and dad.
The new Odyssey also gets a re-engineered Magic Slide seating system with removable second row seats. The middle seat can be removed to create captain’s chairs, and an easier path to the third row. The two outside seats slide up, back, left or right; and they can be pushed together to create one large seat.
If you need a large cargo area, the rear seats can be removed completely, although they do weigh 70 lbs. each if you want to get them out. With the seats removed, it offers up a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Behind the second row, with the third row folded flat, there’s 86.6 cubic feet. Behind the third row there’s 32.8 cubic feet of space; the third row can fit an average adult. Families can custom-configure the minivan for each trip, project or adventure.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Odyssey’s 3.5-liter V6 engine has been completely redesigned for 2018. It produces 280 horsepower and comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. It also comes with an idle stop feature to save gas. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19/28 city/highway and 22 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
All you need for power will be at your disposal with the new Odyssey. The 3.5-liter V6 has enough power for all driving situations and the 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly and responsively, and uses all 10 gears seamlessly. The Odyssey handles like a minivan but it still gives the driver a feeling of control and confidence. What we didn’t like was the lane departure warning – it would flash the “Steering Needed” sign on the dash when we were driving around mountain corners at highway speeds.
Visibility from the driver’s seat is good with the big greenhouse windows. The sun shades in all rear windows keep the sun out for a more comfortable ride for rear passengers too. Overall, the Odyssey offers a smooth ride and the cabin is more quiet than the outgoing model. It’s a place you and the kids won’t mind spending lots of time, especially if you have a long upcoming trip planned.
Conclusion
The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey is an eight-passenger minivan with class-leading power, space, technology, comfort, handling, and fuel efficiency. With its standard 60/40 folding third row and many safety features, it leads the minivan class for families.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Honda Odyssey Gallery

2018 Honda Odyssey Official Site.
Photos: Honda North America.

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2018 Eclipse Cross: The New Mitsubishi Eclipse

2018 Eclipse Cross: The New Mitsubishi Eclipse I’ll confess two things right up front: One, I keep forgetting Mitsubishi is still selling cars in America, and two: this is what the Eclipse has tuned into? This? The Eclipse used to be a sport coupe with a killer all-wheel drive setup. Then it turned into a more (and more) watered down version of itself; a copy of a copy of a copy.
And that was sad, but now it’s this thing. Sigh.
Waxing Poetics
This is yet another SUV/crossover/thingo which, yeah, makes a certain amount of sense, but not that much sense. Mitsubishi is particularly unrepentant about how it took the name from a (close to a) sports car and slapped it onto what-might-as-well-be-a-station-wagon: “The Eclipse sports car was one of Mitsubishi’s best-selling and iconic vehicles ever. Now, the Eclipse moniker is making its jubilant comeback with the same reputation for driving dynamics and technology in the form of a CUV.” [Gag, gag, ga-ag!!]
What the Eclipse Cross offers, sadly for the marketing outlook, is rather standard faire. Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Cross has coupe-like styling, which is kind of true. When I first saw the pictures, it reminded me of a better looking Pontiac Aztek, but I’ve decided not to mention that, since even that is just too low of a blow to make. Mitsubishi also says it has the look of an Olympic runner in the “get set” position, and that this view is “highly anticipatory, and such is the emotion while looking at the Eclipse Cross.” Seriously. They said that. No, what we’ve got here is a basic two-box shape with a slightly squashed tumblehome, and a rear that looks like it’s been kicked by a giant.
Sure, it has all the Mitsubishi styling cues found on its corporate siblings like a common grille design, which Mitsubishi insists on calling “Dynamic Shield.” It’s not bad looking, but it is rather generic, which can be bad for a floundering car company trying to distinguish itself. Mitsubishi also came up with a new color for the Eclipse Cross: Red Diamond. It’s not just a new color, but a newly developed painting process that creates high intensity and brightness they say. It seems like a nice finish, and you’ll most likely see it on other Mitsubishi products.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross features a standard 1.5-liter direct-injected turbo engine. Mitsubishi always made good engines, even if they couldn’t keep the variant count low. Yes, getting specific in the engine room does improve performance and allows power customization. But if you shy away from commonality, the part costs go way up.
The 1.5-liter turbo mill puts out 152 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 lb-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm, and is said to return greater fuel economy than the other corporate engines of this size. Mitsubishi is contradictory, however, saying the plant’s maximum torque is achieved at just 2,000 rpm, but, spec-wise, what we’re dealing with is a torque curve 2,000 rpm wide. Like seemingly all Mitsubishi vehicles, keep the engine spinning, and you’ll have fun. Mitsubishi has also added sodium filled exhaust valves to maximize performance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
All-Wheel Drive Tech
Of course the power and torque is sent to the pavement via an all-wheel drive system of considerable potency. Mitsubishi calls their system Super All-Wheel Control, which is a bit much, but also pretty close to true. Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC, is cleverly integrated with the vehicle dynamics control system to monitor each component of the 4WD system, Active Stability Control, ABS, and Active Yaw Control. This is so the torque sent to the rear wheels is manipulated for optimal traction and performance. S-AWC has an advanced sensor monitoring system for the steering angles, wheel speed, engine torque, gear ratios, yaw rate, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and brake pressure. All this is put under your control through three different modes: auto, snow, gravel.
So Mitsubishi still has that going for it, and their knowledge of all-wheel drive systems allowed Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki to beat the rally opposition four years running. Thankfully, that ability is still found in Mitsubishi’s products, even in CUVs.
Safety & Connectivity
Naturally there is a buffet of tech and safety stuff contained on-board. There’s a 7-inch monitor on the dash that controls the audio system and connects to your smartphone (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, of course). A full-color heads-up display provides the driver with real-time vehicle information like speed, cruise control settings, forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and paddle shift gear position. The Eclipse Cross also comes with Mitsubishi Connect, which includes everything from a Telematics Control Unit, a 4G LTE cellular modem, and a GPS system.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
When and how much? The 2018 Eclipse Cross arrives in March and starts at $23,295 for the base ES model. Other trim levels include the LE, SE, and SEL, but no pricing information was given for those. The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross sounds like it will do what it’s advertised to do; whether you want it to is, uh, up to you. Personally it’s not my cup of tea. I’d much rather have an Evo or something like that, but hey, it’s your garage.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Gallery

Photos & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

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