Quick Takes

The Lexus LC 500 blends emotional design and high performance like few other cars on the road. The Lexus LC 500 represents the most passionate expression of the Lexus brand. The eye-catching coupe displays a unique mesh grille that spreads across the front of the car. It has a large glass panel and blacked-out rear pillars that creates a floating roof appearance. The LC emphasizes a balance between function and comfort, sporting intent and luxury. The low instrument panel position, hood line and narrow pillars give the driver a commanding view of the road. Upon startup, thundering through the variable Active Exhaust, the five-liter, naturally aspirated V8 issues a full-throated engine note as a call to driving enthusiasts. The LC 500 has an output of 471 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The LC is also capable of delivering a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and up to an estimated 26 mpg on the highway. The 2019 LC 500 is the ultimate luxury sports coupe. With a combination of supreme comfort and dynamic performance, Lexus designers and engineers created a grand touring vehicle that is sharper, smarter and faster than ever before.

The upper echelon for this midsize sedan is the Mazda6 Signature, an aspiration trim level brimming with premium amenities. One can’t help but notice the gunmetal front grille, that helps provide an aggressive appearance inviting all to step inside. The sophisticated interior is available in either Parchment or Deep Chestnut Nappa leather and adorned with authentic Japanese Sen wood and gilded UltraSuede interior accents. A 360º View Monitor with front and rear parking sensors, seven-inch TFT reconfigurable digital gauge display, Mazda navigation system and SiriusXM three-year Traffic and Travel Link subscription add to the convenient and safety features of the Mazda6. The black headliner, frameless rearview mirror, LED ambient lights and unique stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel complete the heightened look and feel. https://testdrivenow.com/2019-mazda-mazda6-signature-quick-takes/ AS SHOWN WITH SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT AND PARCHMENT NAPPA LEATHER. TOTAL PRICE $36,815.

As the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time, the MDX in 2018 posted a seventh straight year of sales exceeding 50,000 units, something no other 3-row model in segment can match, and continued to outsell key competitors in 2019. The 2020 MDX offers a dynamic driving experience with both a standard and Sport Hybrid version, an available A-Spec sport appearance variant and an extensive list of standard premium features and high-tech appointments on all grades, including AcuraWatch™ safety and driver-assistive technologies.

The 2020 MDX includes base, Tech and Advance package options, with optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) technology, which is one of the most capable and sophisticated torque-vectoring AWD systems in the marketplace. The popular MDX A-Spec, includes a comprehensive list of appearance upgrades, including unique exterior styling, high-contrast seat and door panel stitching and contrasting front seat side garnishes. Also featured on the 2020 MDX are front passenger seats with standard 4-way power lumbar adjustments, a “walk through” second-row seat configuration on Technology and Entertainment packages, and a trim-exclusive matching wood center console available on the MDX Advance Package.

The 2020 MDX is powered by a responsive 3.5-liter direct-injected i-VTEC® 24-valve V6 engine with 290 peak horsepower (SAE net) and 267 lb.-ft. peak torque (SAE net), mated to a quick-shifting and highly refined 9-speed automatic transmission.  

The 2020 MDX with front-wheel drive has an EPA fuel economy rating of 20/27/23 mpg (city/highway/combined), A-Spec is rated at 19/25/21, and all other models with SH-AWD® have an EPA rating of 19/26/22 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Toyota shook up the midsize sedan ranks with the new-generation Camry, and now the compact sedan segment is in for a jolt with the 2020 Corolla sedan. From every angle, the new Corolla sedan looks lower and leaner, tauter and tighter. Powerful fender flares and generously curved fender top surfaces accent its sculpted, athletic core.
The design team called its working concept “shooting robust,” because they were shooting for a robust, confidence-inspiring stance. Yet, they had to maintain ample space for practical, real-world use. That’s why people buy sedans, after all.

The NX 300 F SPORT grabs the senses with its detailed design, handling performance and sound. The F SPORT option exterior includes a unique honeycomb front end with a more aggressive grille, optional Premium Triple-Beam LED headlights and a lower bumper with elegant chrome treatment. The front-end of the NX 300 F Sport achieves an even more aggressive appearance thanks to a lower bumper, rear lower bumper and taillamps, an addition of laser fog light housing, larger exhaust opening and an optional 18-inch F SPORT alloy wheels with All-Season or Summer tires.

Enjoy the sound of an engine revving? The Lexus NX 300 F SPORT obliges with Active Sound Control (ASC), which brings some of the engine note through the speakers and enhances it, with volume adjustable by the driver.

Body-hugging, quilted NuLuxe® sport seat surfaces are exclusive to the F SPORT, which also offers an exclusive interior color, Circuit Red. The driver grips a perforated leather-trimmed F SPORT steering wheel and brushed metallic gearshift. 

The F SPORT’s unique instrumentation is inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar. The driver can view real-time performance with the Lexus-first G-Force meter “G-ball” in the Multi Information Display. The G-ball moves in response to the vehicle’s lateral and longitudinal forces. The MID displays the peak force in each direction. Display bars indicate the steering angle, throttle opening angle and brake pressure. The MID also provides a turbo-boost display.