2014 Mazda 6 - Sedan with Soul

2014 Mazda 6 GT

2.5L 4 Cylinder 184 HP with 6 Speed SKYACTIV-Drive Automatic Transmission

Soul Red Mica with Black Leather Interior

The photo gallery/slide show of the Mazda 6

I don’t consider myself that old. I’m on the cusp of just turning 31. I mean most young men/kids like myself still love the same things that we loved 5 years ago. The odd video game, party, and especially cool cars. I have to admit the past couple of cars had me worried.

Time is ticking, meaning I will have to grow up, and mature at some point. That means, sell that sport bike. Start looking at necessities rather than luxuries, and probably have to get some form of a family sedan. Its making me cringe just typing that.

To add insult to injury, that past couple of cars, although...good cars, seemed to be missing something.. Perhaps The Colonel said it best when reviewing the Accord “Its competent value”

So that is what I have to look forward to. Cars that offer “value” no more coupes, V8’s, twin turbos, or a clutch pedal? Until I pull in the drive way and see this new 2014 Mazda 6 in Soul Red Mica. At first glance I think to myself perhaps there is hope for the future, as long as Mazda is still around.

Styling wise the car is more with KUDO design language is livelier, and aggressive than its predecessor, and you can see all the right fastback sedan cues. The long hood, and short trunk also give it somewhat of a sports car silhouette while the 19’ wheels just add to the package. Inside the same lines continue on the dash, and door panels. The fit and finish is good, and what you expect in this class. The power seats are comfortable, and offer plenty of support, and the red stitching is a nice touch that also sets it apart.  This tester is a GT version with everything that Mazda offers, from active xenons that steer, navigation, 11 speaker Bose sound system, active cruise control, push button start, just name a few. Like all cars in this class it also offers a compelling value proposition.

The rear seat is roomy, offering acceptable leg room for adults.

You  can configure your own Mazda 6.

Motivating this Mazda 6 is a 2.5L four cylinder with SKYACTIV technology that makes 184HP and 185lb-ft which is inline with most cars in this class with the 4 cylinder box checked. Power comes on smooth and is not peaky. The engine also makes quite the snarl above 3000rpm. The 6 speed auto is well calibrated to the engine with smooth shifts. In manual mode the car will blip the throttle, and shifting through the gears using the paddles adds to the sporty experience. The car is light on its feet, even with snow tires on, and is a more exciting to drive than other sedans. The brakes are strong, and provide good feedback, and the steering although electric is wheel weighted. One of their slogan is “if it’s not worth driving, it’s not worth building” and Mazda did stay true to that.

I don’t think there is a single car in this class that does not offers strong value. Most is not all manufacturers, will pour everything they have into their mid size sedans. Mazda gives this car something extra that you won’t find in a brochure or product description....a soul.

LPR 

The quick review

2013 Honda Accord - Competent Value

2013 Honda Accord V6 Touring

3.5L V6 278 HP with 6 Speed Automatic Transmission

Obsidian Blue Pearl with Grey Leather

The photo gallery / slide show of the Accord.

Its the Canadian Car of the Year...upholding the Honda tradition of holding a prominent position in the Canadian market with one or more of its vehicles. As you know, the mid size sedan segment is a battle ground fought primarily on value and features. This new Accord is not just a serious contender, but literally redefines the rules of engagement in the value equation. 

Our tester is the top of the line Touring version with a strong V6, and full featured at $35,290. its a ton of car for the money, and its a Honda! With the new Accord starting at $23,990. for the LX version...yes Honda is redefining the landscape, and the Accord sales figures since the beginning of this year confirm the impact of the new Accord on the segment.

You expect conservative middle of the road styling, and the Accord does not disappoint, while having a subdued street presence. The interior is well finished with attention to details, contrasting stitching to liven up the look, a good choice of materials to balance the price point. While all the features that you expect, from a sunroof, satellite radio, navigation, back up camera, prominent and well integrated center of dash displays are present. In addition to a novel right hand side camera when the turn signal is activated. 

Did we forget heated seats, push button start, a good sound system, to name a few more. The full complement of features is truly impressive, the trade off is a level of prominent black plastic.

The heated rear seat is roomy and  accommodating for adults.

Yes...the projector beam LED headlamps are very cool.

You can configure your Accord.

One of the constants of any Honda, is a superior driving experience. This new Accord immediately embarks on a mission to impress with the level of power, the well calibrated smooth shifting 6 speed transmission. The 278 horsepower is exuberant, well trained, feels like more, with a wonderful sound. Its a joy to depress the throttle by wire.

The car is reassuring, competent, with an enthusiastic level of sportiness. The electrically assisted rack and pinion steering provides adequate steering feel, while the brakes are very good for a sedan.   

The V6 has VCM (vehicle cylinder management) and a novel Eco Mode indicated with geen highlights on the circumference of the speedometer. You can elect to remain in the green, or enjoy the engine sound while turning the circumferene white.

You expect a Honda to provide a superior driving experience, and become impressed by its competence, and how good the driving experience really is. 

In a very competitive segment populated by ton pf great sedans, why should you consider the Accord? Its competent value, with a full complement of features that you expect, and several that will surprise you, while upholding the Honda tradition of being a great driving car. 

The quick review

2013 Toyota Avalon - Exceptional Value

2013 Toyota Avalon Limited 

3.5L V6 268 HP with 6 Speed Automatic Transmission w/Paddle Shift

Cypress Pearl with Almond Leather 

The photo gallery/slide show of the Avalon

The styling of the new Avalon appealed to us from the instant we saw the first photos. Yes the fast back sedan look captures our interest, while generating a compelling street presence. Compared to the previous Avalon this one exudes additional vigor and youthfulness. 

As usual Toyota is meticulous with their press vehicles ensuring that they have winter tires, which were very useful during the appreciable snowfall we experienced a few days after we picked up the car. We should mention that the Avalon is great in snow inspiring confidence negotiating streets and parking lots that were not well plowed due to the heavy snowfall. 

The interior is refreshing, and meticulously well finished with detail stitching on the dash that ads an additional touch of sophistication. All the features that you expect are present, from power seats, sunroof, heated and ventilated seats with lumbar, navigation. In addition our tester included the Premium package with a JBL sound system, rear seat climate control, heated rear seat, dynamic cruise control to name a few additional features. 

In typical Toyota philosophy the center dash display is conservative with a smaller than bigger touch screen. The rear seat leg room is generous. the rear climate control enhances the comfort of rear seat passengers; while the trunk is the size you would expect on a full size car. 

Sitting in the car, perusing the interior, the features, it quickly becomes apparent that its a lot of car for a starting price of $ 38,900. and obvious that being a Toyota the fit and finish is superlative, you would not expect anything less from Toyota.

You can configure your own Avalon.

How does it drive? 

We had an opportunity to experience the Avalon with a good amount of snow, the traction control, ABS, work well in snow conditions. We navigated streets and parking areas with appreciable snow, the Avalon was competent, inspired confidence, and never lost its composure to gain traction. We should mention that our speeds were in direct relation to the conditions.

Its a middle of the road competent full size sedan, with a good level of power from the V6, accompanied by a smooth shifting 6 speed transmission, acceptable steering feel and good brakes. Its not spectacular in any area, but does everything spectacularly well.

Be it travelling on surface streets, navigating parking lots, or on highways, its a reassuring car with an acceptable level of power for all situations. Its not a sport sedan, although if the car seems too sedate, selecting "sport mode" will immediately elevate the "vigor" of the car.

Why you should consider and experience the Avalon. You are focusing on a full size sedan for your needs, there are numerous choices offered by many manufacturers. Some have subdued styling, while other have the emerging fast back sedan look, either in a smaller or in many instance more expensive offerings. The Avalon is stylish, with a complement of features often found on more expensive sedans. 

Its a competent car, offering exceptional value...yes its a lot of car for the money!

The quick review

2013 Cadillac XTS - Elegant and Refined

2013 Cadillac XTS Premium AWD

3.6L V6 304 HP with 6 Speed Automatic Transmission

White Diamond with Jet Black Leather

The photo gallery/slide show of the XTS

We first saw the XTS concept a few years ago in Detroit as GM was emerging from some dark moments, and having had a conversation with Clay Dean from Cadillac Design the following year regarding the styling of the XTS. We were more than anxious to finally experience an XTS for a few days.

From the outset we had our reservations on the shortness of the hood, from the perspective that luxury cars have a longer hood than the one on the XTS. On the street the short hood blends in nicely with the styling of the car, yes our hood reservations have dissipated. Needless to mention that White Diamond is a stunning color on the car, raising the street presence to new levels.

Everyone notices a White Diamond fastback sedan with an authoritative Cadillac grille...the car makes a statement.

We experienced the car during the "cold snap" and travelled to areas that were appreciably colder than the GTA. The XTS started seamlessly, the heated steering wheel is instantly warm, the heated/ventilated seats are appreciated. Even CUE worked flawlessly with no gloves at cold temperatures.

Interiors are often a personal preference, GM for the past few years has paid considerable attention to interiors, this XTS has a meticulously crafted interior with great attention to details. The delicate stitching on the dash, the adjustable seat cushions, the immense panorama sunroof, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. We can keep on going, every feature that you expect in a luxury car is present, and functions seamlessly. 

Our tester was the Premium version with a simply awesome 14 speaker Bose surround sound system. You can configure your own XTS.

The rear seat is spacious with excellent leg room, easy to access, complemented with its own temperature controls. The trunk is a complete surprise, its huge, augmented by folding seat backs.

Our initial reservations of the short hood which were quickly dispelled seeing the car on the street, were also augmented by the fact that the concept was a front wheel drive car which is presumably not a desirable feature on a luxury car. As you know in Canada most cars in this segment are all wheel drive, our tester was the XTS4 version from our perspective should be the only version available in Canada similar to many of the German offerings.

How does it drive?

Phenomenal highway cruiser that immediately exudes and transmits the luxury car feel complemented by a sense of complete self assuredness, must be the Magnetic Ride Control suspension. Its a wow moment that there is something special about the car.

Easy to manoeuvre on surface streets, and what you cannot see there is a camera or sensor to warn you of impending obstructions, with the alert in the driver seat a cool feature.

Being an AWD the car is seamless on slippery surfaces with the ABS being the initial alert that its slippery.

The steering has a judicious amount of feels for a luxury sedan, the brakes once warm are authoritative. Its not a sport sedan while at all times communicating assuring driving dynamics.

The V6 with an authoritative growl in the higher ranges, provides adequate performance with good passing power, the automatic with subtle paddle shifts is well calibrated to the engine.

We came away from our few days with the XTS, our reservations dispelled, and if you are considering an AWD full size sedan make its point to experience the XTS, your hopefully your reservations will be dispelled.

The quick review

 

2013 Ford Fusion - Smooth and Handsome

2013 Ford Fusion SE Hybrid

2.0L Atkinson Cycle 4 cylinder 141 HP with CVT Transmission

Electric Motor rated at 118 HP with the Hybrid system rated at 188 HP

Ruby Red Tri Coat with Charcoal Black Cloth interior

The photo gallery / slide show of the 2013 Fusion.

We were anxious to spend a few days, and experience the new Fusion, yes we think its an appealing car, with styling that generates a strong street presence. 

The fact that its an hybrid is an added benefit, by now you know that we enjoy cars with electric motors. There is an undeniable cool factor in turning the key and simply having a green indicator telling you that the car is "ready".

Before we forget the Hybrid SE version starts at $29,999. which is exceptional value for a mid size hybrid sedan. 

While the styling, the 4 door fastback look grasps your initial attention, the spaciousness of the interior truly focuses your attention that its not only a good looking, but also a spacious, useful sedan.

The interior is well finished, in this version the cloth with the contrasting red stitching is appealing, complemented by navigation, satellite radio, a back up camera supported by rear parking sensors which are very useful. The power seats, automatic climate control are additional appreciated features. While rear seat leg room is for adults. We did notice a fair amount of black plastic under the center of the dash screen.

You expect a smaller trunk in an hybrid with space being used by the battery pack, which is the case with this car, the surprise is the folding seat backs which greatly enhance the versatility of the trunk.

How does it drive?

We had an opportunity to go for a road trip, while experiencing the Fusion on the highway for a few hours, its a wonderful highway cruiser, with an adequate level of power. The cruise control is enabled by technology which instead of accelerating the gasoline engine enlist the assistance of the electric motor when a slight increase in power is required.

On surface streets its the typical Ford hybrid system with a judicious blend of ICE / EV clearly visible on the dash, as well as the trademark leaves that grow with increased hybrid activity. A new feature is the scoring of the regenarative braking, which will score your brakes efficiency.

The steering feel is just right for a mid size sedan, the road holding inspires confidence, the regenerative brakes are aggressive until one get used to achieving a high regen score.  

Lets not forget that you can cover reasonable distances on just the electric motor, at lower speeds.

We agree that the mid size sedan segment is hyper competitive with formidable competitors. We are confident that the Fusion will not only hold its own, but certainly elbow some entrenched players in the segment.

If you are considering a mid size sedan, and perhaps the Fusion did not make your list, make it a point to experience the Fusion, the fastback styling is appealing, its surprisingly spacious, with exceptional performance within the parameters of the segment. 

The quick review.