FIRST CHEVROLET HARDTOP CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE EVER
KIA SOUL 2020 QUICK TAKES
All-new and funkier than ever, the 2020 Soul is a completely new yet familiar version of Kia’s beloved and award-winning urban runabout. Taking everything that helped popularize the quirky, unconventionally styled subcompact, Kia Motors poured more of its soul into nearly every inch of the vehicle, resulting in a third-generation that continues to transcend unmatched style, peppy performance, thrilling technology, and urban practicality.
Proving the point that “there is a Soul for everyone,” the normally aspirated and optionally turbocharged Soul is available in five trim levels – LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX – plus the all-new Soul EV.
While the Soul stays true to its design heritage with its boxy silhouette and confident stance, its newly sculpted lines, cutting-edge details, and technical lighting elements present the most futuristic, youthful and innovative Soul yet.
2019 HONDA PASSPORT QUICK TAKES
The all-new 2019 Honda Passport is designed for adventure-seekers who want the superior off-road capability of Honda’s available i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the power and towing capability of its 3.5-liter i-VTEC® V6, and the more personal and rugged character of a five-passenger SUV. Within the Honda SUV lineup, in size and price, it slots between the refined and compact-size CR-V and the larger, three-row family-focused Pilot.
The 2019 Passport is based on Honda’s reinforced unibody midsize light-truck platform, featuring a fully-boxed floor structure, the latest generation of Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure along with a sophisticated fully independent suspension offering exceptional on- and off-road driving performance.
Passport’s rugged yet modern exterior styling comprises standard 20-inch wheels, aggressive black grille, and increased ride height with more athletic proportion and stance compared to the three-row Pilot. Inside, Passport offers best-in-class passenger space and total interior volume and features a large “basement” cargo area ideal for storing dirty gear or keeping valuables out of sight.
Powering the new Passport is a 3.5-liter SOHC direct-injected V6 engine with i-VTEC® valvetrain connected exclusively to a second-generation 9-speed automatic transmission. Opt for all-wheel drive and Passport gains Honda’s torque-vectoring Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4™) all-wheel drive system with Intelligent Traction Management – with Snow, Mud and Sand modes — allowing the driver to optimize Passport’s tractive and dynamic performance based on terrain and weather conditions. With 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, Passport offers top-class standard horsepower, brisk acceleration and up-to 5,000-pound towing capacity.
With Passport, drivers also benefit from the latest technology, including standard Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Additionally, all Passports come with a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera system, while EX-L, Touring and Elite models come with Honda’s blind spot information system. Additional premium technologies available on Passport include in-vehicle Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, an 8-inch Display Audio system, wireless phone charging and more.
2019 HONDA CIVIC SI QUICK TAKES
Available in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan body styles, the 2019 Civic Si benefits from a number of other changes to its interior. In addition to the updated Display Audio system, Civic Si receives larger cupholders, more intuitive steering wheel controls, an improved electronic parking brake switch, and physical buttons for fan speed. Additionally, Platinum White Pearl is added to Civic Si’s exterior color palette, while Si Coupe gets a new Tonic Yellow Pearl. While the summer tire package is no longer available as a factory trim, it remains available as a dealer-installed option.
2019 Kia Niro EV
It’s futuristic driving and I love it….As car propulsion evolves from gas engine to electric motor there are steps in between to bring customers along. And one of the recent trends employed by automakers is to build one car and offer it 3 ways – and that’s the Kia Niro – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and completing the trifecta – all-electric. https://testdrivenow.com/2019-kia-niro-ev/