regfootball

Just to elaborate: FIT- new one seems smaller than the old one. The interior seems a step back also. The lack of spaciousness to me, i had no interest in even seeing if it drove well. The last Fit I recall was loud and noisy and rode crappy. Enough of that crap. HRV- it's a good looking little rig, and it looks like it would be spacious, but once inside, it really doesn't seem all that more spacious than the Fit. The seat is a bit higher and it feels a touch wider. The rear seat cushion is actually very high (it has the Magic Seat too) and so for a tall guy like me the back row was comfy in that regard. But the headroom was tough. The front row is comfy and the console is pretty nice. The dash has a simple design that looks cheap in pictures. In the EX i sat in though, the lack of crap on the dash was a nice deal.. Just the radio and the lower control. It looked a bit contemporary. The stuff that is at high level and on the dash in the EX was good quality and the leather smell was nice. But bend down and look at the $h!ty cheap carpet and plastic trim and you see why this is just another version of the cheap ass Fit. The Encore is nicer inside all around and feels more comfy (even if it feels a bit narrower). No way I look at one of these. At least the expensive HRv's are a great way to upsell to Accords and CRv's. The new CRv interior is finally acceptable.

yup, in this case i think that is what hurts this car. there is no lunge.

I went in to test drive a new HRV and then decided, nah. I can't do this. I am sitting here drinking their free coffee now and eating their free cookies though at least Hondaphiles are all over this place and are like stink on sh-- all over the HRV. This thing will sell like hot cakes.

XTSes depreciate rapidly. you can get a certified pre owned one cheap beat me to the punch. i think some nice CPO XTS are out there now and not terribly priced.

Continental is a dud compared to these

it may seem strange, but i see hints of the Lincoln MKs in the greenhouse and flow into the rear quarter and trunk. Then, from other angles i see a hint of last gen Hyundai Genesis or one of those molten Infinitis that no one buys. Then from the rear at some pics just a hint of Accord. It actually looks better than I expected, but it still is not stunning. I think the CT6 will hold up pretty well in the exterior styling standoff. Overall I think the CT6 looks leaner. Its less expensive too. The badge shoppers will like this enough, I don't see Caddy stealing sales from the new 7, but overall the interest in the class of car should draw some new attention Caddy's way, and i think it will represent itself well.

and you thought GM and Ford had long cycles. I give Mits credit for this. 10/100 warranty + 5/60 BTB and not much else.

Regal is a great car, I'd love one, but here is what ruined it. 1-Regal name i think still carries old image, despite that it has lots of equity with the older demographic. Hard to envision a new Regal with a Euro personality when the old Regals reek of typical domestic. Should they have called it Insignia? 2-Heavy 3-Poor mpg in just about all configs, the base 2.4 non turbo in particular has no mpg benefit 4-Expensive MSRP, but GM has this issue in general. 5-The 2.4 was in a lot of the 2011, 2012 when they launched it and it has no performance in addition to the poor mpg 6-Verano is not significantly smaller but is noticeably cheaper 7-LaCrosse is larger in the back but not much more pricey 8-Malibu is possibly perceived as same car and is cheaper, hurts Regals ability to sell for more 9-tight back seat 10-melted styling 11-GS performs but is not bleeding edge in that regard 12-GS lets you have AWD or a stick, but not both 13-many/most Regal interiors are ALL BLACK, so much black its dreary and needs SOME brightwork or relief 14-Adding a coupe or wagon to the line may have helped 15-AWD late to the party there's more should i keep going. keep in mind, i love the car.....

sure, if you run full throttle all the time. Stoplight to stoplight it doesn't feel punchy.

Explorer plays more to the SUV folks....higher ride height, butch styling, etc. A new Flex should consider sliding doors. After having them in our new Town and Country, they are really handy as long as the auto closers are working. At least on our end, I sort of wanted to go with a Flex, but it was dated and didn't offer the room of the van.....neither did the Explorer. I looked for some used MKt's but decided the extra cost wasn't worth it.

My Taurus x was pretty similar to the MKT and flex. Mkt and flex both great vehicles but became dated. I would imagine mkt/aviator will be next explorer clones. Ford had to prove they could successfully take the truck based version and move it to a car chassis, which they did. That means since they plan a new one in the future, they just clone a Lincoln version off it. All he next mkt needs to be is a 3 row edge really. I would like to see them still do expedition and navigator. I would like to see a Flex replacement, but more of a cross between a minivan and wagon. Sounds strange but I think it could be done. Something not as lumpy as bloated as a van but not as boxy and strange as the flex. Really, just a three row Edge.

This is why CarPlay compatibility will be good for the entertainment and phone. Climate should hVe redundant physical buttons. Radios should have volume seek And scan bass treble and fade physical buttons.

they had so much equity in the Maxima name, good thing they kept it. The Altima is a driving dud and at least still having this in any form keeps Nissan on the map from not being Toyota, part deux. So the trend is going to go back to driver oriented interiors again now? instead of all the T shaped dashes that we may be all getting sick of now. Auroras and Bonnevilles had driver oriented dashes. If all Nissan does with this is put out a 'sporty altima alternative' it will have done its job. the interior is a big departure from the Altima. Overall there is still a huge number of buyers who want a FWD car due to winter and want something leaning to a sport sedan so they don't have to settle for a Camry or an Accord or an Avalon. Remember the Grand Prix and bonnevilles? The cvt has evolved but i still think one version of this car with a better auto trans would be a good idea. No need to offer a stick with this thing anymore. With all the crossovers being sold, i am amazed sedans are suriviving as much as they can.

its all about campaign and lobby money?

i never wanted to lease ever again but we leased our new town and country in January. I could not justify 500/mo for an explorer/traverse or sim that was 3 years old and had 50k on it on a 5 year loan. I chose to lease a new mostly loaded T/C for the same payment as to buy a 1-2 year old grand caravan with lesser kit and 30k on the odometer already. it comes down to stagnant wages vs. msrp's going way up, also in this instance, the residual after 3 years is far less than what the loan payoff would be at after 3 years on a traditional buy. If the value tanks, I walk away or by then with so many leases out there, they may offer them for sale to the lessee for a price cut at the end. I don't want own a van anyways. Sure I am left with nothing but i paid 6 years on my Taurus X, the tranny started going out, and it was only worth a small dimple in the down payment of a new one. Yes there is a huge bubble coming, or...... The automakers have succeeded in making a 'first market' where then they get the vehicle back after you paid most of the depreciation. Then they get to sell the vehicle again as a CPO with low miles and make money on a new loan and sell extended warranties..... The second cycle, people will trade it in at about the 6-7 year mark, 100k or so, and then the dealer will obtain that trade with you at a loss, roll your deficit into a new loan for someone else with low wage and bad credit......so they will be buying 6-7 year old vehicles at 12-18 percent and 5 years again and will be almost forced to get a warranty AGAIN. Then once the vehicle is 10-12 years old, the vehicle hits the cycle again and money is made again....... Think of how much $$$$ banks make off that one vehicle over its life. Think of how much states make off sales tax and vehicle tabs for that one car. I was all for paying off my cars but the last two i did, within less than a year, they had tranny issues and it was either put big bucks into them or take what i could get and put it into the new vehicle. Just paid off the cobalt and now its approaching 100k, the past tells me my trouble free car, something will start to go amok, so i should go look for a lease.....can't replace that 207 payment with a 5 year loan comparable car for less than 300-350 unless i lease.... and even then that's still almost impossible..... My last few weeks in my selling cars gig i recall the people at the sister Ford dealer had been starting the lease push back again (2012). The initial targets were like 30-33 percent lease and eventually over time if it hit 40% they said it was not impossible. You get people on the 3 year cycle, just like cell phones, get people on a cycle where their decision is forced otherwise they sit and do nothing and spend no cash.

nice write up, thanks

If GM wanted to, at any time, they could build a model S competitor, undercut Tesla, and offer real distribution. GM doesn't want to jump in with both feet just yet. I have a feeling there is a point they will. Some think GM is in lock step with oil, though. Volts only exist for some PR. GM should invest in developing supercharging solutions at gas station / convenience stores. Tesla only gets the buzz it does because its from California, and they like to think its all that out there.....'we invented silicon valley so now we can reinvent the car'. Tesla would be Fisker if not for Musk, when will they make $$$$$

What other vehicles currently have 21,000 or more pre-orders which require a substantial down payment? hellcats?lol

DRIVEN: 2015 Ford Escape SE FWD 1.6t Ecoboost, MSRP about 26,200 HIGHS: Not at all like the older Escapes we probably rode in or drove at one time in the past Fluid shape that many will like compared to boxier offerings A crossover can feel somewhat athletic on the road? This does... Because of nicely weighted and quick steering coupled with composed suspension and handling The engine joins in the fun, the 1.6t has a nice little torque burst, revs out nicely, and is quite smooth The transmission is well mated to the engine and kicks in quickly to help the fun Most cars in this price range these days don't even feel connected as much as this ....SUV VERY quiet on the road, and especially at highways speeds, one of the quieter crossovers The 1.6 apparently gets great real world highway mpg (if the sales talk is to be believed) Entry and exit, driving position, visibility, perfect; it's why crossovers are so popular Visibility part deux, lots of glass on this vehicle means good sightlines, unlike many CUV's now Nice gauges and driver controls / steering wheel. Good ergonomics for switches and things, and shifter Softer plastics in many places, great armrests and cupholders Fair amount of unexpected cabin width, and the second row seating position and footroom is good Second row seat folds low down to provide higher cargo height and still being close to flat. Lots of incentives right now, so actual prices are VERY good. 2.0 Ecoboost is available on a base SE FWD.....could be a sleeper at low cost for a CUV. All around, easy to drive and enjoy; doesn't pretend to be a truck. Perfect daily driver, the Edge is too big and soft compared to this LOWS: Some folks may think the shape and proportion is more minivan than SUV And some may think the styling, particularly the front end, is too busy Some folks have their opinions on the Ecoboosts and mpg or other issues The interior may be perceived as too monotone and lacking bling, and maybe looking cheaper in places The center stack, radio controls, screen and its whole relationship may be too roundish and too busy for some The center console and stack are a bit of a leg knocker A bit more second row leg room would be ok...why not a flexible seat like the Equinox? What else?........ SUMMARY: Wow, this has been out for awhile and I am a Ford fan and I had not yet driven one of these. I see them ALL OVER, though. Well, I see why. It drives great, the Ecoboost feels great, and is just enough size to be a great runaround. On trips this would excel also. The best price on the one i drove was under 22 grand and if its true that you really can get 34 mpg highway with it (EPA says 32), this is a nice blend of smaller size, larger space, good price, and great utility. Lots of other vehicles provide this of course, which is why crossovers are popular, but this struck me because of its carlike manners and refinement (with the 1.6). My bet is a base SE 2.0 would be quite the hot rod crossover for a lower price. Ford may have to do a good job with the coming refresh of the front end and hopefully the center stack of the dash. Even as it is now, I don't really have any issues with any of that. I heard my buddy complain all the time about the CRV they had leased (and after a Pilot and CRV they left Honda....for Toyota but that is another story). All the things I heard him complain about on that vehicle, I think he should have tried an Escape. This is fun and refined. For me this is one of the few times I have driven a crossover and thought, wow it really is just a nice taller car. A

DRIVEN: 2015 Ford Edge AWD Titanium 2.0 msrp around 43,500 HIGHS: Retains the spot on take of the large crossover segment it invented and takes it to a grand new place Exterior styling not a big departure from the past recipe but its still fresh and new, its 'Crossover 2015' Front row is a great place to be, lots of comfort, space, girth, and a great view out the living room window Perfect, and I do mean that, perfect seat height and location for a vehicle like this..... Solid and stable ride, its a grand chariot and you sit back, enjoy the view, and eat up a whole bunch of miles Lots of toys in that big MSRP......huge moonroof and cooled seats Lots of bling and detail on the interior, but its not overdone, like a Fusion crossover interior but nicer still Ford now has buttons in addition to the touchscreens Revised 2.0 motor is appropriately smooth and creamy and can deliver up a nice little burst, almost no lag 2.0 is available with AWD this time around Big trunk area, lots of space to put what you collected at the mall. Really does ride / handle perform better than the previous gen The large crossover like this will continue to erode away the status of the large sedan, why even Taurus anymore? Will really make you question thinking about vehicles like the Explorer, and how much you need the third row. LOWS: Some folks won't notice the design changes from 2014 to 2015 (may be intentional) Front end takes on a bit of Hyundai, Ford I don't think you want that It may be fair to suggest that a bit more grunt would not be unwelcome on a vehicle at this price (2.3??) Steering / handling is more laid back for cruise mode, this would be a good vehicle to introduce some sportiness and athleticism Even with the new climate and radio buttons, the center stack looks a bit blah and you need to study where the buttons are at The huge moonroof thing, not sure it makes sense, other than to make your A/C work hard in summer At this price, the trunk needs to be trimmed out nicer, or at least nice....... Rear seat row, the cushions are a bit soft and low and not really sculpted, JUST LIKE THE LAST EDGE..... A little bit more second row leg room would be ok I personally think the Edge and MKz are too pricey but I admit Ford gets their money for this thing. Driving this probably telegraphs that you live in a suburb You'll probably still get a German rig if you really want a German rig no matter how good this is. SUMMARY: If you don't need a third row, but still want a large vehicle, and don't want a sedan, I pretty much think the list begins and ends here, with this and the MKZ. Ford pretty much has built here a replica of what the market wants and where the market is at on these things. Seating position, ride, handling, packaging, options, Maybe its just not cheap enough for lots who will want it. I try to think who else in at least the US or Asian makes that can match this thing and I don't see it. GM's good crossovers are 3 rows. Toyota already gave up on the Venza. Murano might be the closest match here and it too is a success. But I have a hard time seeing how the new cheesy styling, cheaper interior, and CVT's will make that thing feel as solid as the Edge. If you want your Audi Q or BMW X, you are still going to get that anyways, because you're that way. Ford didn't really miss on anything here, aside from its pricing touches parts where some would expect a third row or a German badge. But its been successful before and there is no reason to believe it won't continue as such in a segment it pretty much created or helped create. Myself personally I would want quicker steering and a tish more power but thats about it. I would buy a less loaded one as well. Perhaps the FWD version covers a lot of that. You drive this and pretty much want to say, yeah, I think I am close to being done with sedans. A- for those who think twice due to price, but A for those who line up with credit aps and just say, get it done, its only money..

i took an escape out today and hope to get that review up and posted tonight if i can. it surprised me, i liked it a lot.

great review, it was fun to read that. thanks for posting.....awesome

http://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mazda-6

the mazda powertrains don't feel snappy. How's that.