Archive for May, 2013

2014 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring AWD

Monday, May 13th, 2013

2014 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring AWD

Overview

The improved 2014, Mazda CX-5 has more power than last years model and now has (Zoom -Zoom) 184 HP. The new drive train is worth taking a test drive if you are in the market for a new CUV.

Safety

  • 4-wheel ABS
  • Front and rear head airbags
  • Dual front side-mounted airbags
  • Child seat anchors
  • Emergency braking assist
  • Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
  • Rear door child safety locks
  • Daytime running lights
  • Engine immobilizer
  • Auto delay off headlamps
  • 2 front headrests
  • 3 rear headrests
  • Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
  • Rear center 3-point belt
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners
  • Turn signal mirrors
  • Stability control
  • Traction control
  • Electronic brakeforce distribution
  • Front height adjustable headrests
  • Rear height adjustable headrests
  • Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
  • Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
  • Tire pressure monitoring

  • Rear Parking Sensors

Driving Impression

Handling and performance

The CX-5’s ride was firm  and  lets you feel the road. The steering was very responsive and handled turns with ease. From a dead stop I found the drive train adequate, and once you hit 30mph you have plenty of power at your disposal.

The new 184-horsepower SkyActiv engine supplies adequate power and torque and the 2.5-liter engine is powerful for the size of the CX5

Under the Hood

The 2.5-liter SkyActiv engine produces 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rating for the AWD model is 30 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city, averaging out to a combined 27 mpg. This drive train is very responsive in performance and adequate in fuel economy.

Inside

Inside the CX5 the instrument cluster is laid out and is easy to read. The CX5 comes equipped with the start button to the right of the steering wheel. The center stack has amber illuminated automatic climate controls, new touch-screen infotainment system and had the Navigation by Tom Tom, which is very easy to navigate.

The navigation had a neat option of showing current speed limit for an area and your current speed. I found the system easy to use and fairy accurate for directions. The navigation screen also compliments the CX-5 Grand Touring’s standard rearview camera.

Bose premium audio is featured as part of entertainment system and has the Mazda infotainment system. The system features a USB port for iPod and mass-storage connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, AM/FM tuning with HD Radio decoding, satellite radio provided by Sirius, a single-disc CD player with MP3 decoding,

Other standard comfort features at the Grand Touring power moon roof, heated leather front seats, power driver seat and a blind-spot monitoring system.

Outside

The CX5 has excellent styling for the segment, which shows you the new direction Mazda is taking for all their vehicles. This CX5 has large headlamps large black grille. The Cx5 definitely has its own unique styling that makes you recognize it when you see it traveling down the road. The overall design is pleasing and makes you think of their catch phrase “zoom-zoom”.

Summary

The CX-5 is worth going to the showroom for a test drive. The new technologies, that Mazda has integrated into the CX5 is definitely worth looking at.

Specifications

Exterior Measurements

WIDTH 6 ft. 0.4 in. (72.4 in.)

HEIGHT 5 ft. 7.3 in. (67.3 in.)

LENGTH 14 ft. 11.3 in. (179.3 in.)

GROUND CLEARANCE 0 ft. 8.5 in. (8.5 in.)

FRONT TRACK 5 ft. 2.4 in. (62.4 in.)

REAR TRACK 5 ft. 2.5 in. (62.5 in.)

WHEEL BASE 8 ft. 10.3 in. (106.3 in.)

Interior Measurements

FRONT HEAD ROOM 40.1 in.

FRONT HIP ROOM 55.2 in.

FRONT LEG ROOM 41.0 in.

FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 57.5 in.

REAR HIP ROOM 53.7 in.

REAR HEAD ROOM 39.0 in.

REAR LEG ROOM 39.3 in.

REAR SHOULDER ROOM 55.5 in.

Weights and Capacities

MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY** 2000 lbs.

MAXIMUM PAYLOAD** 1054 lbs.

EPA INTERIOR VOLUME 103.8 cu.ft.

GROSS WEIGHT 4248 lbs.

DRAG COEFFICIENT 0.33 Cd

CURB WEIGHT 3194 lbs.

CARGO CAPACITY, ALL SEATS IN PLACE 34.1 cu.ft.

MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY 64.8 cu.ft.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2014 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring AWD

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT

Monday, May 6th, 2013

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT

Overview

The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT is a mid size sedan that has a sports car flare with it’s aerodynamic body cladding. It is a roomy economy sedan that moderate fuel economy.

Safety Features

  • 4-wheel ABS
  • Front and rear head airbags
  • Dual front side-mounted airbags
  • Child seat anchors
  • Emergency braking assist
  • Ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes
  • Rear door child safety locks
  • Daytime running lights
  • Engine immobilizer
  • Auto delay off headlamps
  • 2 front headrests
  • 3 rear headrests
  • Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
  • Rear center 3-point belt
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners
  • Stability control
  • Traction control
  • Electronic brakeforce distribution
  • Emergency interior trunk release
  • Front height adjustable headrests
  • Rear height adjustable headrests
  • Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
  • Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
  • Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impression

The Lancer GT is not is not a performance car like its name or look implies.

The suspension is balanced and the GT features agility when driving on the road. The car lacks major get up and go when entering onto the expressway. The brakes are adequate and I find the ride was just boring.

Under the Hood

The 2.4 produces 167 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque and is rated by the EPA at 26-mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. My Lancer had the CVT transmission.

The pick up on the 2.4 is adequate, but it is not a great car off the line.

Inside

The materials, fit and finish are good, and the design is simple. The GT Touring package comes with a host of amenities

My test car had the heated leather seats, which were very comfortable & supported my body.

Rear seat room is very good and the backs fold 60/40.

Below is the list of amenities the GT Touring Package comes with:

  • Leather Seating Surfaces
  • 710-Watt (Max) Rockford-Fosgate® Punch Premium Sound System including 10” Subwoofer
  • SIRIUS® Satellite Radio w/ 3mo Service Provided by SIRIUS From Date of Sale
  • 6CD/MP3 In-Dash Head Unit
  • Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps
  • Rain Sensing Wipers
  • Auto On/Off Headlights Control
  • Heated Front Seats
  • Power Glass Sunroof
  • Auto Dimming Rear-view Mirror w/ Rear-view Camera System
  • Rear Lip Spoiler (replaces rear wing spoiler)

Outside

The exterior styling for the Lancer GT is bold. The GT has an aggressive stance, large grille, large rear wing and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Lancer has a sedan very sedate profile and I think it needs some updating to be a more desirable vehicle. One big drawback for many Mitsubishi vehicles I have test-driven is the tinny sound of the doors has when being closed.

Summary

The Lancer is fun to drive and is worth a trip to a dealer for a test drive.

Specifications

Exterior Measurements

WIDTH 5 ft. 9.4 in. (69.4 in.)

HEIGHT 4 ft. 10.3 in. (58.3 in.)

LENGTH 15 ft. 0 in. (180 in.)

GROUND CLEARANCE 0 ft. 5.5 in. (5.5 in.)

FRONT TRACK 5 ft. 0.2 in. (60.2 in.)

REAR TRACK 5 ft. 0.2 in. (60.2 in.)

WHEEL BASE 8 ft. 7.7 in. (103.7 in.)

Interior Measurements

FRONT HEAD ROOM 39.6 in.

FRONT HIP ROOM 53.3 in.

FRONT LEG ROOM 42.3 in.

FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 54.7 in.

REAR HIP ROOM 54.1 in.

REAR HEAD ROOM 36.9 in.

REAR LEG ROOM 36.1 in.

REAR SHOULDER ROOM 54.3 in.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT

2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV SE

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

–

2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV SE

Overview

The 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV SE is a functional commuter vehicle, but its design is one of the most unusual looks in the marketplace. Basic commuter transportation and no frills are the only words that can describe the I-MIEV.

Safety Features

  • 4-wheel ABS
  • Front and rear head airbags
  • Dual front side-mounted airbags
  • Child seat anchors
  • Remote anti-theft alarm system
  • Emergency braking assist
  • Ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes
  • Rear door child safety locks
  • Daytime running lights
  • Engine immobilizer
  • Front fog/driving lights
  • Dusk sensing headlamps
  • 2 front headrests
  • 2 rear headrests
  • Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners
  • Stability control
  • Traction control
  • Electronic brakeforce distribution
  • Front height adjustable headrests
  • Rear height adjustable headrests
  • Tire pressure monitoring

  • Accessory Rear Park Assist Sensors
  • Accessory Wheel Locks

Driving Impression

One of the I-MIEV attributes is the suspension system as it cushions the imperfections in the road.

This commuter vehicle is easy to park but the extreme front drop-off makes it difficult to judge how close you are to other cars in front of you.

The I-MIEV uses a regenerative brake system, which can extend the driving range

One of the positive attributes of the I-MIEV is not using any gas & the mileage equivalent of 112 MPG

Under the Hood

The I-MIEV uses a 16 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack, which gives it a range of 63 miles. The Electric Motor is rated at 63 hp, 133-lbf·ft permanent-magnet motor. The I-MIEV is rear-wheel-drive. Mitsubishi includes a 110-volt adapter cable, which takes 22.5 hours for a full charge, and offers an optional 240-volt charging system that owners can install in their garages. That 240-volt system only takes 7 hours to restore the charge.

Inside

My test drive had the optional Navigation system, which was easy to use. The interior is very plain and has very few amenities. The front seats are comfortable and the driver’s seat was heated. The best word to describe the interior is functional!

My test drive was a SE model which included the followings: a 360-watt, 8 speaker sound system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, silver accents on the seats, unique two-tone instrument panel and door panels, 15-inch alloy wheels and fog lamps with daytime running lights.

Outside

The design of the I-MIEV is quirky with its LED front and rear lamps, curved rear doors and 15-inch alloy wheels pushed out to all four corners.

Summary

If you are in the market for a commuter vehicle then take a test drive in the 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV.

Specifications

Exterior Measurements

WIDTH 5 ft. 2.4 in. (62.4 in.)

HEIGHT 5 ft. 3.6 in. (63.6 in.)

LENGTH 12 ft. 0.8 in. (144.8 in.)

FRONT TRACK 4 ft. 7.9 in. (55.9 in.)

REAR TRACK 4 ft. 6.3 in. (54.3 in.)

WHEEL BASE 8 ft. 4.4 in. (100.4 in.)

Interior Measurements

FRONT HEAD ROOM 35.6 in.

FRONT LEG ROOM 33.8 in.

FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 54.8 in.

REAR HEAD ROOM 34.3 in.

REAR LEG ROOM 30.0 in.

REAR SHOULDER ROOM 54.8 in.

Weights and Capacities

EPA INTERIOR VOLUME 97.9 cu.ft.

GROSS WEIGHT 3329 lbs.

DRAG COEFFICIENT 0.35 Cd

CURB WEIGHT 2579 lbs.

CARGO CAPACITY, ALL SEATS IN PLACE 13.2 cu.ft.

MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY 50.4 cu.ft.

DriveTrain

DRIVE TYPE Rear wheel drive

TRANSMISSION 1-speed direct drive

Tires and Wheels

  • Alloy wheels
  • 15 in. wheels
  • 175/60R15 81H tires
  • All season tires
  • Tire repair kit

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV SE