Jerry Robbin

2018 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring

What’s New

What’s New for 2018

For 2018 the Mazda’s CX-9 has Smart City Brake Support, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring standard on every trim level. A revised 2nd-row seat, G-Vectoring Control and additional standard equipment for the Grand Touring trim are some of the new additions for the model year.  The exterior is mostly a carryover from the 2017.

Safety Features

2018 Mazda CX-9 Safety Features

• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag
• Front Head Air Bag
• Rear Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Traction Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Auto-Leveling Headlights
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Cross-Traffic Alert

Driving Impressions

Driving Impressions

The 2018 CX-9 has superior ride and handling for its size and weight. The CX-9 feels agile, has responsive steering and an amazing suspension that reacts to any road condition. Mazda’s G-Vectoring reduces torque (shifting more weight to the front wheels), which improves steering feel and traction. Acceleration is superlative in the city or on the highway.

Under the Hood

The 2018 Mazda CX-9 drive train has a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque. This motor is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The CX-9’s towing capacity is 3,500 pounds,
2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
227 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm (250 horsepower w/ 93-octane)
310 lb.-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg (FWD), 20/26 mpg (AWD)

Inside

The 2018 Mazda CX-9s has 3-row, 7-passenger seating. The front seats are supportive and comfortable. Highlighting the front seats is a wide console, that features a rotary dial and auxiliary buttons controlling the CX-9’s standard dash-mounted infotainment display. The  dash and controls are easy to read and acesable.

Notable Standard Equipment

3-zone climate control that includes a 2nd-row control panel, 7-inch color touch-screen display with rotary controller, Smart City Brake Support (active at speeds up to 19 mph), blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera and 18-inch wheels. However, unless you opt for a package, you’ll still have to manually adjust the front seats. Standard tech features include the Mazda Connect system with voice command, Internet radio streaming, Bluetooth connectivity, and AM/FM/HD Radio with an auxiliary input and two USB inputs.

Notable Optional Equipment on our Grand Touring model

heated and power-operated front seats, leather trim, power liftgate with adjustable height setting, a larger 8-inch command screen and four USB ports.: Smart City Brake Support (optional on the Sport). Grand Touring trims include navigation, 12-speaker Bose audio, a moonroof and more safety/driving aids such as radar cruise control, backup sensors and lane-keeping assist (optional on other trims). Signature models have all-wheel drive standard, Nappa leather trim, rosewood accents and LED accent lighting in the grille.

Exterior

The 2018 CX-9 with Mazda’s “Soul of Motion” design cues have sweeping forms and the signature large grille highlights the front. A pair of exhaust outlets further emphasizes this SUV’s rear end.

Summary

If you are in the market for a large premium SUV, that has room for 7 adults and children then visit your local Mazda dealer today for a test drive.

Specifications

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2018 Lexus RC F

What’s New

What’s New for 2018

For 2018, the RC F is still setting trends with its dynamic styling and now  has the Lexus Safety System+ as standard equipment. Also available for the 2018 model year are Dynamic Voice Recognition, Enform WIFI, App Suite 2.0, and a larger navigation screen (10.3”)

Safety Features

Driving Impression

The 2018 Lexus RC has an aggressive design with strong performance and a unique driving experience The RC F is quick, handles well in any driving condition and has a sport car feel. The RC F offers the ultimate Lexus performance with its 467-horsepower V8, which has a unique rumble and thrust. The acceleration is unreal when you floor the RC F and the responsive steering is pure magic.

Under the Hood

Lexus’ RC F coupe for 2018 has a 5.0-liter 467-horsepower V8 F, which is connected to an 8-speed automatic. High-compression 5.0-liter V8 produces 467 hp and 389 lb.-ft. of torque.

• Eight-speed Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission with Lexus G force Artificial Intelligence Shift control (G AI-SHIFT).
• Standard Torsen^® limited-slip differential.
• Available Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD) enhances dynamic performance by precisely controlling rear wheel torque, adjusting left-right distribution in 1/1000th of a second
• 0-liter V8 (RC F)
  467 horsepower @ 7,100 rpm
  389 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800-5,600 rpm
  EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25 mpg

Inside

The RC F has a stylistic instrumentation, which combines a digital speedometer with a larger center-mounted analog tachometer. Highlighting the center stack is a 10.3-inch infotainment screen. The seats are supportive and hold you in place when you accelerate at any speed.

Notable Standard Equipment

The 2018 Lexus RC comes equipped with standard automatic climate control, a self-dimming rearview mirror, and an infotainment system with a 10.3-inch display screen, Lexus Safety System+, rearview camera, Lexus Enform Service Connect service and onboard Wi-Fi. The 10-speaker audio system includes HD Radio, dual USB inputs and Bluetooth streaming with Eyes Free iPhone integration.  Also, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power-adjust steering wheel.

The luxury coupe features Scout^® GPS Link with a three-year trial. With the app on the driver’s paired phone, navigation maps and turn-by-turn directions appear on the vehicle’s central display screen. In addition, the 2018 RC F offers Enform Safety Connect that provides emergency calling capability to Lexus Enform response centers, available 24/7/365.  And with Enform Service Connect, the RC F can convey its maintenance needs. Using the Lexus Driver mobile app or the LexusDrivers.com website, customers can setup push reminders and alerts for maintenance and service issues.

 Outside

The RC F has the signature large Lexus “spindle” grille, which makes this vehicle look menacing and distinctive. The RC F proportions are perfect with the larger wheels and tires. The RC F model has uniquely stacked exhaust pipes and additional vents and flares.

The exterior has intake and outlet ducts that are both decorative and are functional. The air outlets on the hood and fenders not only exhaust hot air, but also help to smooth the airflow toward the rear of the vehicle.

Summary

If you are in the market for a luxury high performance coupe then go to your local Lexus dealer for a test drive today.

Specifications

2018 Kia Rio 5-Door (CNW Group/KIA Canada Inc.)

2018 Kia Rio 5-Door Ex

What’s New

Even though 2018 Kia Rio is classed as a subcompact it has the heart and sole of a larger vehicle. The Rio is simple yet sophisticated on the outside, but has an all-new look that is stylish and recognizable.

Safety Features

• Dual Front Advanced Airbags
• Dual Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags
• 3-Point Seat Belts for All Seating Positions
• Front Seat-Belt Pretensioners
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Side-Impact Door Beams
• Front and Rear Crumple Zones
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
• Rear Child-Safety Door Locks

Driving Impression

The ride in the Rio EX is firm, but never felt jarring on any road condition. The Rio took on any bump without any major body roll.

Acceleration was acceptable at 0-60 in a respectable 8.5 seconds, which is pretty good for a car this small. The motor for 2018 was tweaked it and made the Rio faster.

The Rio has good brakes with excellent feel and progression. Steering is responsive, and you have a good feel for the road.

Handling was great around and any turn steering was response

Under the Hood

1.6-liter naturally-aspirated engine is acceptable and can propel the Rio on the highway or in City.

The Rio has excellent fuel economy 28.3 mpg in combined driving.

Inside

The interior has an upscale feel highlighted with red accented leather seats and dash.

The Rio 5-Door is roomy and comfortable!

The Front Seats have enough room for six-footers with the right amount of cushioning, width, and bolstering.

The rear Seats are a little tight and adults will feel a tad cramped.

The interior quality is very good, and there were no rattles or squeaks.

The visibility is good, and the angle of the front hood enable you to place the car where you want it to go. Climate system is overall was pretty good and the controls are easy to access.

There is plenty of Storage Space in front of the shifter for keys and phone.

There is plenty of cargo room 17 cubic feet with the rear seat in place and 33 with the seat folded. The 60/40 split folding rear seat doesn’t fold totally flat,

Outside

The outside of the 2018 Kia Rio EX 5-Door is highlighted with a tiger-nose grille and gloss black plastic. Also, there are small round fog lights which highlight the Rio.

The rear has black plastic which gives the Rio 5 a taller look from the back rather than making it look shorter and wider.

Summary

If you are in the market for a small 5 door sedan then go to your local Kia dealer for a test drive today.

Specifications