Quick Takes
2020 Mazda Mazda3 Quick Takes
The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 sedan is an elegant, front-wheel drive compact with bold styling, exhilarating driving dynamics and premium features.
The thoughtful touches and attention to detail continue to the interior of the Mazda3. Lush materials with a simplistic design are surrounded by intuitive technology features such as an 8.8-inch large center display with the latest Mazda Connect system that can be operated thru the commander control or voice command. A seven-inch digital gauge display maintains a timeless analog theme but is benefited by a reconfigurable display to provide the driver with more information. Dual USB ports, push button start, an electronic parking brake and ample storage are among its many high-quality standard features.
The 2020 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan returns its sophisticated styling and exhilarating driving experience with the goal of further separating itself from its class with enough premium features to rival luxury automakers’ offerings. Mazda engineers never settle, they are constantly finding ways to improve the vehicle. From making calculated adjustments to the suspension to being able to provide more safety features, there is a motivation to exceed expectations and create a premium experience that will help continue to elevate the brand.
2020 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA QUICK TAKES
2020 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA QUICK TAKES TESTDRIVENOW OVERVIEW
The 2020 MX-5 Miata offers more amenities while maintaining the necessary characteristics of a driver’s car: lightweight, nimble and most importantly, fun-to-drive.
Advancing from the MX-5 Sport, fans have the option of the harder-edged MX-5 Club or the luxurious MX-5 Grand Touring depending on what suits their lifestyle and interests. Both the MX-5 Club and MX-5 Grand Touring are offered in a soft top as well as in a RF – retractable fastback – configuration. The MX-5 RF can open or close its roof in a remarkable 13 seconds; providing the look and feel of both a sporty coupe and an iconic convertible. MX-5 Club and MX-5 Grand Touring are now available in Mazda’s new Polymetal Gray exterior color. Exclusive to MX-5 Club models with manual transmission, Mazda offers a Brembo/BBS Recaro Package that helps add a little more thrill to the nimble roadster. This package features Brembo front brakes, BBS 17-inch Dark Gunmetal forged wheels, heated Recaro Sports Seats and black aero kit that includes side sill extensions and rear bumper skirt. For the MX-5 Club RF, this package includes a hand-painted black roof.
Mazda maintains its commitment to captivating driving dynamics while providing the next generation of premium amenities and striking design.
The MX-5 Club enters 2020 with Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM as a new feature. When equipped with the Skyactiv-MT manual transmission, this trim level includes a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, front shock tower brace and sport-tuned suspension. This trim level includes all the i-Activsense safety features from the MX-5 Sport and enhances the driving experience with a Bose® nine-speaker audio system that includes passenger headrest speakers, SiriusXM® radio with three-month trial subscription and LED daytime running lights. The MX-5 Club is equipped with heated black cloth-trimmed seats with silver stitching, 17-inch Metallic Black aluminum alloy wheels, front black air dam, black rear lip spoiler and black interior accents and vinyl leather to help instill a sporty environment.
Exclusive to MX-5 Club models with manual transmission, Mazda offers a Brembo/BBS Recaro Package that helps add a little more thrill to the nimble roadster. This package features Brembo front brakes, BBS 17-inch Dark Gunmetal forged wheels, heated Recaro Sports Seats and black aero kit that includes side sill extensions and rear bumper skirt. For the MX-5 Club RF, this package includes a hand-painted black roof.
2020 LEXUS LS 500 QUICK TAKES
For more than three decades, the LS has helped define the flagship sedan segment.
The LS 500 and LS 500h return in 2020 with a few key updates, but the biggest news in the lineup is the addition of the new LS 500 Inspiration Series.
The 2020 LS 500 Inspiration Series will be offered in a unique Deep Garnet exterior paint and is outfitted with standard features such as 20-inch Black Vapor Chrome wheels, white semi-aniline leather interior and Kiriko glass trim, just to name a few. It will be limited to only 300 units.
Already equipped with one of the most technologically advanced safety systems in the industry, the 2020 LS also features the Lexus Safety System 2.0 as standard equipment. LSS+ 2.0 features daytime bicyclist detection and low-light pedestrian detection along with Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) to further expand the scenarios in which the LS is designed to help provide additional safety to the driver and passengers.
All LS models for 2020 come standard with Apple CarPlay® compatibility that allows guests to access the same familiar interface of their iPhone® through the LS’s 12.3-inch dashboard display.
The 2020 Lexus LS has a sleek and bold design with a coupe-like silhouette. Lexus designers took full advantage of the rear-wheel drive Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform to give the LS a stretched, ground-hugging appearance.
AS TESTED WITH LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM; FORGED ALLOY WHEELS; EXECUTIVE PACKAGE; PANORAMA GLASS ROOF; HAND PLEATED INTERIOR DOOR TRIM; MARK LEVINSON AUDIO SYSTEM; AND MUCH MORE….TOTAL VEHICLE PRICE: $115,970
2020 Toyota Tacoma Quick Takes
The Toyota Tacoma, America’s best-selling mid-size pickup for 13 years in a row, isn’t stopping to admire its trophy case. Instead, it looks to keep its place atop the pecking order with new tech, style, comfort and convenience features, making the 2020 Tacoma more compelling and more competitive than ever.
A perennial award winner for segment-leading value, the Tacoma line boosts its appeal for 2020 with revised styling, expanded multimedia tech, added comfort and convenience features and, for the TRD Pro, additional off-road tech. https://testdrivenow.com/2020-toyota-tacoma-quick-takes/
The third-generation Tacoma pickup, with a design inspired by Toyota’s legendary desert race trucks, continues the model’s tradition of working hard and playing hard. With more than 30 configurations in six model grades available, there’s a Tacoma for every need: work-ready SR; high-style, high-value SR5; athletic TRD Sport; adventurous TRD Off-Road; ultimate off-road TRD Pro; and top-of-the-line Limited.
Nearly all 2020 Tacomas debut a new front grille design and new or updated wheel, each tailored to the specific grade. Inside, a new 10-way power adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support adds comfort on all grades SR5 and up. A new multimedia system now includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The SR will feature an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, while SR5 grades and higher will feature a larger 8-inch touchscreen display. A new LED bed lamp is also available to brighten nighttime functionality while consuming less energy.
2020 JEEP WRANGLER QUICK TAKES
2020 JEEP WRANGLER QUICK TAKES. The iconic Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – delivers unmatched off-road capability and is produced with more than seven decades of 4×4 engineering experience. Powertrain options include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with engine stop-start (ESS), 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with ESS and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology. Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, solid axles, electronic lockers and is one of the few SUVs to offer a six-speed manual transmission in addition to its available eight-speed automatic.
For 2020, the Wrangler lineup consists of four models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara (four-door only), Rubicon
Available Exterior Colors: Bright White, Hella Yella, Granite Crystal, Billet Silver, Black, Firecracker Red, Punk’n Metallic, Mojito!, Sting, Gray, Ocean Blue Metallic, and Bikini.