Recently, Cartrast got a chance to drive the 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan. Significantly updated for the 2020 model year, the Corolla has a new design, an available Hybrid version, as well as standard safety features such as a pre-collision system, radar cruise control, and lane departure alerting. We sampled the top-end XSE trim, which came with heated front sport seats, 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, blind spot monitoring, and LED headlamps.
Read MoreThe Cartrast team recently had the chance to spend a few hours with the 2019 Nissan Altima. For the 2019 model year, Nissan released a completely redesigned Altima, with a sharper-looking exterior and with an interior on par with entry-luxury sedans. A new available feature for those in slippery climates is an all-wheel-drive system, which our test car had. In addition, this Altima is more fuel-efficient, with EPA ratings of 26 miles per gallon in the city, 36 on the highway, and 30 combined, very impressive numbers for an all-wheel-drive midsize car without a hybrid powertrain.
Read MoreLast week, the Cartrast team got some seat time with the stylish 2019 Volkswagen Arteon. Finished in Chili Red Metallic with a two-tone Nappa leather interior, the German-built Arteon got plenty of looks wherever we drove by. As Volkswagen’s flagship vehicle in the U.S., the Arteon can accommodate tall people both in all seats, with rear-seat passengers getting their own climate control panel and heated seats.
Read MoreThe Genesis G70 is designed to compete directly with the BMW 3-Series. And boy does it succeed. Those who feel that the 2019 3-Series is too large and expensive for their needs should sample the G70. The G70 Dynamic Special Edition we sampled had the turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 making 365 horsepower paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission as well as all the sport-oriented options performance-oriented drivers cherish.
Read MoreDuring a short time with the Kia Stinger GTS, the Cartrast team was able to experience the attributes which has made it a vaunted alternative to cars like the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe and Dodge Charger. Our Stinger GTS had the D-AWD system, which is Kia’s all-wheel-drive system with a drift mode. This system is capable of sending 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels unlike up to 80 percent on the standard Stinger GT models.
Read MoreRecently, Cartrast had the chance to experience the off-road prowess of the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck at an obstacle course on the deck of the USS Hornet and at the off-road course of the Land Rover Experience Center in Carmel, California. We drove the off-road-optimized Gladiator Rubicon model, which comes standard with a Rock-Trac heavy-duty 4-wheel-drive system, 33-inch all-terrain tires, FOX shocks, and skid plates throughout the underbody.
Read MoreAcura’s RDX, redesigned for the 2019 model year, aims to capture more of the luxury compact SUV market, where the go-to vehicles have usually been the Lexus NX, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Audi Q5. Cartrast received some seat time with the SH-AWD A-Spec version of the RDX that had all-wheel-drive and sport-tuned suspension as well as sport-oriented exterior bits.
Read MoreEarlier this week, we managed to get some seat time in the new Ford Explorer ST. Ford’s popular three-row SUV has been completely redesigned for the 2020 model year, now based on a rear-wheel-drive platform. Even with features standard on the ST such as ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera view, our test vehicle had the Premium Technology Package that included front multicontour seats and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Read MoreKia’s Telluride is designed to shake up the large family crossover market and after Cartrast spent some time with the Telluride, we believe Kia accomplished its goal. The Telluride we drove was the top-end SX version with the $2,000 SX Prestige Package, which brought Nappa leather seats, a head-up display, and heated/ventilated second-row seats.
Read MoreThe 2020 Palisade was recently released by Hyundai to enter the large family crossover market, competing with vehicles such as the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia Denali, and Infiniti QX60. Our team managed to spend some time with a midrange SEL version of the Palisade that had all-wheel-drive and the 3-person bench seat to accommodate a maximum of 8 passengers.
Read MoreFor the 2020 model year, all Elantras get some high-tech safety features standard, such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. In addition, manual transmissions are no longer available on the Elantra. Click to learn more…
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