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Created to take its drivers and passengers on everyday adventures, the 2019 model adds to last year’s revamp with a new advanced safety group package that includes adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. The 2019 Wrangler also adds a new exterior color – Bikini, which is similar to Turquoise. Five trims are available this year, and for those looking for adventure, Wrangler is available in multiple off-road configurations with different axle ratios, differentials, and transfer cases among the trim levels. Looking ahead, it is believed that a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a diesel engine might be available in 2020, and a Wrangler pick-up is on the horizon.
Built in Toledo Supplier Park, Toledo, Ohio, the multipurpose vehicle is laid out with a longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive set-up on a ladder-type frame with an open steel and aluminum body. That body is Jeep-look all the way, from its seven-slot keystone-shaped grille in the manner of legendary Jeep® CJ models, to its trapezoid wheel flares, removable doors, exposed hinges with the Torx tool-bit size stamped into it, a fold-down windshield and innovative removable tops that allow the Wrangler to retain the brand’s iconic appearance and function.Since Honda Pilot was introduced to the public in 2002, as the first three-row, mainstream SUV to be developed on a car-like unit-body platform, it …
Since Honda Pilot was introduced to the public in 2002, as the first three-row, mainstream SUV to be developed on a car-like unit-body platform, it has been a favorite in America, as the 2 millionth Pilot was sold in North America in January, and its top sales year coming last year with 159,615 units sold in North America. Pilot also has garnered high brand loyalty, with approximately 63 percent of Pilot buyers returning to purchase another Honda vehicle.
Last re-engineered from the ground up for the 2016 model year, the family adventure vehicle gets a mid-generation freshening for 2019 with restyling, added tech capabilities and new features.
Borrowing inspiration from Honda’s Odyssey minivan, the 2019 Pilot restyles with an aggressive new grille featuring a bold interpretation of the Honda “flying wing” design, and sporty front fascia with standard LED low-beam headlights. The rear features new taillights, a new bumper, and chrome accents. Updates to the interior include a redesigned steering wheel, new trim around the vents and wider fold-down armrests for the driver and front passenger. Additionally, the clock-radio-style digital speedometer and analog tachometer have been replaced with a larger high-res central screen and enhanced infotainment system. The 2019 augmentations also include a number of refinements to the 9-speed automatic transmission available in Touring and Elite models, and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features is now standard for all trims.
The eight-person family utility vehicle is built with unit-body construction with angular architecture and a muscular demeanor. The 2019 Pilot measures 196.5 inches in length; 78.6 inches in width; and a wind-attracting at 70.6 inches in height on a 111.0-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 7.3 inches, and curbweight ranges from 4036 lbs. to 4306 lbs. depending in trim and extras.
Inside, Pilot is filled with soft-touch materials throughout the cabin and tech runs supreme throughout and now benefits from a variety of enhancements and upgrades to its audio/connectivity and driver convenience. Pilot's new instrument cluster now uses a 7-inch Thin Film Transistor with a wide range of information content and driver-selectable customizable features.
Standard in Pilot EX trims and above, its 8-inch touchscreen uses gestures common to smartphones and tablets, such as swipe, tap and pinch, to control the vehicle's audio system, display settings and other advanced features, while also adding a volume knob. Pilot LX, EX, and EX-L models get a 218-watt audio system with six speakers plus a subwoofer; and Touring and Elite models get an updated 10-speaker 590-watt system with a subwoofer.
The Pilot cabin is accommodating, with headroom for the EX-L I tested of 39.5 inches up front (some trim models reach 40.1 inches), 39.9 inches in row two and 38.9 in row three. Legroom is 40.9 inches in the front row, 38.4 inches in the middle row and a child-accommodating 31.9 inches in row three. Shoulder room comes in at a comfy 62.0, 62.0 and 57.6.
The 2019 Pilot powers up with a 280hp, 262 lb-ft of torque 3.5-liter V6 engine. Depending on the trim model, it is mated either to a 6-speed automatic or 9-speed automatic transmission. My EX-L trim was outfitted with a 6-speed and was EPA rated at 18 mpg/city, 26mpg/highway and 21mpg overall in AWD. My mixed-use tests showed an average of 21.1mpg.
My Pilot showed good road manners, a quiet cabin and a smooth, bump-resistant experience. The unit-body construction body and chassis are mated to a MacPherson Strut Front Suspension and a Multi-Link rear with front and rear stabilizer bars, resulting in a level and attentive experience. Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering is compliant and understeer is apparent only in the quickest of maneuvers.
Acceleration is better than expected for a 3-row family mover, and handling is a bit vague. But zero-to-60mph tests were accomplished in 6.6 seconds, with a quarter-mile dispatched in 15.2 seconds (hand-timed) in less-than-perfect road conditions.
Honda remains committed to safety, and for 2019, all Pilot models come standard with the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Honda Sensing® helps provide greater awareness of driving conditions around the vehicle, and in some cases helps drivers maintain lane position. Comprising the Honda Sensing® suite are Collision Mitigation Braking System™ with Forward Collision Warning; Road Departure Mitigation; Lane Keeping Assist System; and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The 2019 Honda Pilot is available in five trims, starting with the LX at $31.450 for 2WD; the EX starts at $34,330; the EX-L starts at $37,760; the Touring trim starts at $42,540 and the top-of-the-line Elite trim starts at $48,020. My Obsidian Blue Pearl test EX-L was loaded with standard items including a leather-trimmed interior, power tailgate, one-touch power moonroof, two-position memory for driver's seat, 4-way power passenger's seat, automatic-dimming rearview mirror, integrated 2nd-row sunshades, HomeLink® remote system and three USB charging ports. I always opt for 4WD and that added $1900 to the sticker. Body side molding added $225; crossbars with black roof rails added $750; low-profile hood air deflector added $100; black running boards added $450; my Gray leather interior added all-season floor mats for $208; and back-up sensors added $500. With destination and handling fees of $1045, my test 2019 Honda Pilot EX-L stickered at $42,438 (by comparison, that is only $8 above the similarly outfitted 2016 EX-L I tested for this column.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>
The original Toyota RAV4 arrived in the United States 22 years ago, casting the mold for a new industry segment, which evolved into the compact cro …
The original Toyota RAV4 arrived in the United States 22 years ago, casting the mold for a new industry segment, which evolved into the compact crossover SUV. The hip, sporty, small crossover was named for being a “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive” (RAV4), although not all RAV4s have four wheel drive.
Popular from the beginning and garnering 408,000 vehicle sales in the U.S. last year, RAV4’s detractors have said it was too small, too slow and not inspiring. Taking that to heart, the 2019 RAV4 has been re-imagined for its 5th generation and is being marketed as a perception shift. Keying on that in Toyota’s Super Bowl commercial, the ad focuses on 22-year-old (get the 22-year symbolism) Antoinette “Toni” Harris, a sophomore defensive back at East Los Angeles College. Harris is the first female football player to play a non-specialist position, and was the first woman to be offered a full scholarship as a non-specialist on defense. The key lines are: “They said she was too small … too slow …too weak. They said she would never get to the next level … never inspire a new generation. People have made a lot of assumptions …” Harris says: “I have never been a fan of assumptions.” And neither is Toyota, who says, “Let’s go places,” as they bring RAV4 to the next level.
To that end, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 gets a major update with a new look, a new chassis and upgraded standard connectivity and safety technology. Larger and sitting higher with greater ground clearance, the all-new RAV4 loses a bit of the old sportiness in favor of a rounded and bold SUV look, with a prominent grille, flat nose, brawny shoulders and sculpted character lines. Inside, the interior design of the 2019 RAV4 has a more premium look and feel compared to the 2018 version. Like the exterior, the look of the interior can change quite a bit based on your trim of choice. For example, the Adventure grade has a more rugged interior with orange trim, while the Limited model has a more premium, upscale interior.
Available in naturally aspirated and hybrid models, the new design is based on Toyota’s new Global Architecture platform for a solid foundation and improved driving dynamics, comfort, and safety. The all-new RAV4 keeps its compact dimensions with a 105.9-inch wheelbase (a gain of 1.2 inches over last-Gen), and a length of 180.9 inches (down 0.2 inches). Height gains 1.3 inches at 67.2 for my test model, while width is 0.4 inches wider at 73.0 Ground clearance has gained a soft-road worthy 2.3 inches to 8.4 inches, and RAV4 has lost about 100 pounds to a range of 3380 to 3490 pounds depending on trim.
Musclewise, non-hybrid RAV4 grades are powered by an efficient 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder engine that delivers 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, a gain of 27 horses and 12 lb-ft over last year. The AWD version is rated at 25mpg/city and 33mpg/hwy. The RAV4 Hybrid is also powered by a 2.5, assisted with an electric motor on the rear axle. The combined system output is 219 hp, and 400 lb-ft, and backed by an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, is rated at 41/37 with a combined average of 39mpg. My naturally aspirated test ride achieved an average of 29.7mpg in mixed-use town, highway and softroad driving in wintry conditions. RAV4 has always been favored as a pavement ride, but it can handle soft-road diligently and light off-road well.
In track tests on non-groomed pavement, not the best for timing trials, my RAV4 managed an 8-second-flat zero-to-60 run and a 16.2-second quarter-mile. The compact was attentive, steered well for the niche, exhibited only slight sway and top-wobble during quick-turning, and while noisy (engine noise) inside, offered a supple ride.
The RAV4 cabin is sporty and accommodating and filled with infotainment including a 6-speaker Entune™ Audio system with 6.1-inch touchscreen. Front headroom is a bit tight, but expected for the niche, at 39.5 inches (0.3 inches less than last year), with 39.5 also in row two (a gain of 0.6). Legroom is accommodating at 41.0 inches in row one (though a loss of 1.6 inches) with 37.8 inches (up 0.6) for second-seat passengers and there is a wide-body 57.8 inches of shoulder room in front (up 0.5) with an inch more room in this year’s row two, at 56.4 inches.
From a safety perspective, RAV4 is on point with the Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, which includes pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Alert, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, Lane Tracing Assist and Steering Assist. RAV4 also has Star Safety System™ with Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System and Smart Stop Technology. Eight standard airbags consist of dual stage advanced driver and front passenger airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; first and second row side curtain airbags; driver’s knee airbag and a front passenger seat cushion airbag.
The base RAV4 Hybrid starts at $27,385 plus a delivery fee of $930, and the RAV4 LE bases at $25,500, with the XLE at $27,300, the XLE Premium at $29,500, the sporty Adventure at $32,900 and the Limited at $33,500, loaded with standard tech, safety and cosmetics. My test RAV4 Limited added Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD for $1400; Ruby Flare Pearl (Deep Red) paint for $395 (mated to a Black Softex interior at no extra charge); Entune™ 3.0 premium audio with Dynamic Navigation added $580; all-weather floor and cargo liners added $169; mudguards added $129; a running board added $549; roof rack cross bars added $315; and delivery, processing and handling added $1095 for a sticker-as-tested of $38,232.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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