An Automotive Engineer's Point of View – News and Reviews
The new-for-2019 Nissan Altima offers all-wheel drive to hold a unique space in the market and satisfy those looking to hold on to the styling and inherent handling of a traditionally shaped sedan.
Continue reading “Quick Drive: 2019 Nissan Altima SV AWD”
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is an off-road capable truck that pulls at my heartstrings. Extra body protection, a small but mighty diesel four-cylinder, and special suspension dampers are packed into a medium-sized package. The price of this ZR2 Bison creates unmet expectations in terms of features while the interior looks more appropriate in base trim, not this version that’s more than twice the price. Still, it raises the bar for off-road all-around capability and its honest character gives it a special feel. To some, that’s invaluable.
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The Ford Edge Titanium sits at the top of the trim lineup, save the performance-focused ST model. It packs an impressive feature list yet somehow still has the feeling of being outdated. The exterior’s shape dates back to 2007 – its first year on Ford’s roster, and the Edge’s interior design can be traced back to 2011. Still, this large five-passenger crossover is plenty practical and goes about its business in a confident manner that is unlikely to ever go out of style.
+Exterior styling blends old-school grandness with modern chiseled LED lighting.
+Sophisticated-feeling interior with large singular trim pieces of gloss black plastic, padded leather, and natural wood.
+Hybrid power provides instantaneous and seamless acceleration with a confidence-inspiring low-end grunt.
+Fuel economy is on par with what is expected of large hybrid cars, meaning better than hybrid crossovers but not as good as smaller hybrid cars, like Toyota’s own Camry Hybrid.
The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid nails the modern sense of a large car. High tech, high efficiency, and fine details create a cool scene and leave a lasting upscale impression.
Continue reading “2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited”
Looking much more like a performance car than a roadster, the BMW Z4 seems to be able to play both roles quite effectively. And sure, it’s practical for most situations, but with just two seats and limited cargo space, it’s unlikely to be the sole car of the household. So focusing on the car’s intentions, does it impress as much as the $63k+ price tag?
The 2020 Toyota Corolla is all new and boasts an updated, flashy chassis and powertrain that add to the sporty-ness of the Corolla. This particular top-of-the-line XSE is an impressive package, though against today’s in-demand crossovers, is it good enough to remain in the conversation?
Continue reading “2020 Toyota Corolla XSE”
The Golf Alltrack provides a true alternative to the sea of crossovers and sedans on the road. It’s A) a space-efficient wagon, B) only available in AWD, and C) offered with a manual transmission on all trim levels. Once beyond the sheet though, it is not all roses with a floaty ride and a mixed bag of features. Still, compared to many crossovers at this price, the Alltrack doesn’t disappoint with its solid structure, upscale looks, and attention to detail.
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It’s been 10 years and two generations since the Ford F-150 Raptor first busted through the pre-existing boundaries and never looked back and never stopped improving. This 2019 version is insanely good when put to task and also ridiculously fun to hustle around town. It’s not all fun and games though as the Raptor misses the mark in several “daily-life” scenarios.
