Nissan Maxima Quick Take 2016

Our first encounter with the 2016 Nissan Maxima focused primarily on the sporty SR model and while we found it quite luxurious, it isn't quite the road carving "4 Door Sports Car" that the automaker would like to conjure up from the sedan's past. Still, it is an enjoyable car to drive and in our Platinum Edition, we have found Maxima's true strength: it's a luxury sedan with family car price positioning

Stickered at $39,850 plus $825 delivery (a modest $1,350 walk-up from the SR model), the 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum has all the luxury features you'd expect from a traditional luxury brand, from its quilted diamond patterned leather seats to the dual panel panoramic moonroof (a feature not offered on the SR). The Maxima is handsome inside and out, with a striking exterior that features a floating roof design-though that aspect of the look didn't stand out as much in our dark brown test model

Features galore

The Maxima is a good performer thanks to its stout 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). And with normal and sport modes, the latter is useful in making the acceleration a little less languid in stop and go traffic. But the real virtue of the Maxima Platinum is its comfort. The seats are supportive with a heated/ventilated function, the front cabin spacious and there's plenty of leather, soft touch surfaces and wood accents with a really subtle diamond pattern in the surface to mirror the sew pattern in the seats

Among the driver assist features we've come to appreciate from Nissan is the all-around view camera and the understated way the blind spot, lane departure and other warnings work- the Maxima's alerts are chimes and other telltales that are less jarring than some competitors' panic mode red lights and audio warnings that are just this side of a klaxon horn in their urgency

With the average price of a new car hovering in the low $30,000 range, stepping up to the Maxima Platinum isn't that big a stretch and in making the move, you'll be rewarded with a car that is distinctive in design, with good road matters and more than a modicum of comfort and luxury inside

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Mitsubishi Outlander First Review 2016

When it comes to the Outlander, Mitsubishi has a lot to be proud of. It is the most affordable SUV on the market with three standard rows of seats, has a stellar 10-year/100,000-mile warranty and offers an interesting alternative to models from powerhouses Honda and Toyota. Even better, all of that continues for 2016 as the Outlander receives a significant refresh with more than 100 improvements to the platform, drivetrain, interior and exterior. This makes it a more competitive, more compelling SUV

Redesigned inside and out

The new styling, called "Dynamic Shield," instantly sets the 2016 Outlander apart from the 2015 model, and makes a bold statement. The look may not be for everyone, but it stands out from the rest of the crowd, something that isn't easy to do in such a large, competitive segment. But the styling is far from the most significant change to the Outlander

While both the 2.4-liter I4 and 3.0-liter V6 engines have the same horsepower and torque as before, the 4-cylinder has been revised, and now works with a new continuously variable transmission, the same impressive CVT8 found in the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. There is little to no CVT whine and the transmission does an excellent job of matching the power output to what the driver wants. Acceleration is quite good, and the efficient transmission ensures fuel economy of 31 mpg on the highway. The updates to the engine, plus the use of the new transmission, make the I4 feel surprisingly spry, except when going uphill, where you feel the engine's limits. In comparison, even though the V6 has almost 60 more horsepower than the I4, it feels outdated and oddly underpowered. Output through the CVT isn't managed nearly as well as it is with the 4-cylinder. The I4 is going to be the engine that most people get (the V6 is only available on the GT model) and honestly, it's the better choice. Better response, better fuel economy and less expensive to buy, plus it doesn't require premium unleaded gas like the V6

Handling has been noticeably improved for 2016 thanks to reinforcements to the platform that increase rigidity, and new retuned shocks. The downside is the ride is too firm. The Outlander uses electric power steering for 2016, and while it's still numb on-center, steering feel is somewhat improved from last year

The interior is much quieter than before, and uses higher-quality materials, including an attractive accent on the dashboard that resembles tiny pieces of black bamboo. New stitching, nicer materials and an updated steering wheel and navigation system give the interior a fresh, modern feel. In addition, Mitsubishi made the second row much easier to fold flat, with a 1-2-3 strap and lever process (steps 1 and 2 are even labeled), which gives easy access to the tiny third row. The second row's bottom cushion is on the short side, but there's plenty of legroom. Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision mitigation, while seven airbags, hill start assist and more are standard. (The rearview camera is standard on all trims except the base ES

Outlander vs. the Competition

When it comes to the vehicle's size and usage, the Outlander is a bit of a tweener. It's smaller than the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Dodge Journey, but larger than the Nissan Rogue. It will likely compete against the Rogue and Journey, which have optional third rows, and perhaps the Kia Sorento

With this update, the Outlander is more competitive, but other SUVs provide better fuel economy, better handling and more power. What the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has to offer is a capable SUV with a generous cargo area (63.3 cubic feet behind the front row), plenty of standard equipment that's finally on par with the competition and impressive value. In fact, even though there is more standard equipment on the 2016 Outlander than there was in 2015, the base price is $200 lower, bringing the starting price down to $23,845. As a company, Mitsubishi is much smaller than Honda, Toyota and Nissan. Not only does that mean they are capable of making product changes faster, but also that the Outlander doesn't have to be a high-volume SUV to be a success. The improvement Mitsubishi has made to the Outlander is a step in the right direction for both the company and the consumer

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Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe First Drive: Two not of a kind 2016

The Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe could be considered fraternal twins. They have similar DNA, come from the same parent and have nearly identical names. Yet you look at the two side by side, and they are clearly different

The GLE is the new name for the former M-Class, Mercedes' boxy and muscular mid-size luxury SUV. Like other SUVs in the German automaker's lineup, its nomenclature is changing with the 2016 model year in an effort to align the lineup with its sedan siblings. In this case the "E" parallels the E-Series midsize sedan

With the new name, the SUV formerly known as the M-Class gets a freshening for 2016 that includes new front and rear fascias, lighting treatments, and interior upgrades such as a larger infotainment screen and more ergonomic Comand touchpad/rotary input module. The biggest news for the 2016 GLE is the addition of a plug-in hybrid that joins five other powerplant choices ranging from a small 4-cylinder diesel to a monstrous gasoline V8

The GLE Coupe, meanwhile, is all new. Meant to compete with the BMW X6, the highly contoured Coupe focuses on performance over utility and puts its individual style over everyday practicality. Mercedes-Benz invited us to preview both models over all manner of roads in Germany and Austria before they go on sale in mid-August. Here are our first blushes in each

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe first review

Unlike the regular GLE-Class, the GLE Coupe makes your choice of powertrain easy: there are only two. The GLE450 AMG Coupe uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that makes 362 horsepower, while the brawny AMG GLE63 S Coupe is endowed with a 5.5-liter turbocharged V8 that corrals 577 ponies. Both come with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system and have been blessed with styling and components from the brand's AMG performance division. But these two models, which are supposed to be the crossover SUV equivalent of the stylish E-Class Coupe, have a wide gap in price. Where the GLE450 AMG Coupe starts just over $66,000, the extra potency of the AMG GLE63 S comes at a price tag beginning over $110,000. (Pricing for the regular GLE will be announced in the coming weeks

If the 215-horsepower difference doesn't already jump out at you on paper, it will when you drive the two back to back. The V8-powered GLE Coupe may just give you a power trip. The growl of its engine is addicting, and its straight-line performance only gets better as you toggle up from Comfort to Sport then Sport+ mode. Step on the accelerator, make the AMG GLE63 S Coupe tick down a couple of its seven gears, and you'll cackle as the exhaust note crackles

This isn't to say the GLE450 AMG Coupe is a slug. Its 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds is nearly a second and a half behind its far more expensive brother, but swift nonetheless. It just doesn't provide the reservoir of power generated by the V8 GLE Coupe. One of the best surprises about this model was the smoothness of its 9-speed transmission. This kind of setup has felt unrefined in other vehicles, but in our exposure, Mercedes' 9-speed was surprisingly seamless. Another big surprise: Both GLE Coupe models clung to the road far better than you'd expect from a heavy, higher-riding quasi-SUV

The GLE Coupe's styling, decreased cargo capacity and compromised rear visibility will no doubt turn off some buyers, but for individualistic types looking to make their own statement in a luxury vehicle for all seasons, Mercedes' newest crossover is the best rival yet to the BMW X6

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class first review

We spent much less time in the 2016 GLE, and it was spread across three of the six available powertrains. Still, we came away mostly satisfied all the same

Our first exposure was in the GLE550e 4Matic plug-in hybrid, which combines a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine with an electric motor. This plug-in hybrid SUV can travel some 18 miles on battery power alone, and has a total output of 436 horsepower -- plenty for quick acceleration and passing. Transitions between the gasoline engine and electric motor were smooth, and the SUV has the added perk of sublime quiet when traveling on electricity alone. One downside of this green SUV is less space under the rear cargo deck, where the battery pack resides

A plug-in hybrid isn't the only way to go farther on your energy dollar. An alternative is a diesel engine, and Mercedes makes some of the best. The GLE300d uses the familiar 2.1-liter 4-cylidner turbodiesel that was found in the outgoing ML250. Though small it size, it packs a lot of grunt in the form of 369 lb-ft of torque -- good for towing up to 6,600 pounds. But the real pleasure of a diesel is its fuel economy. In highway driving, this engine is rated up to 29 mpg -- an impressive number that we've found conservative in past models. The GLE300d isn't particularly quick with a 0-60 mph time of nearly 9 seconds, but it's still an excellent choice for those seeking a diesel SUV

Finally, we had a chance to take a Mercedes GLE luxury SUV where few buyers will roam -- but nevertheless can -- off-road. Using a turbocharged V6 GLE400 with the optional Off-Road Engineering Package, we had got a taste of what Mercedes-Benz's midsize luxury SUV is capable of when the asphalt ends. Dressed in all-terrain tires and with hardcore off-road components like a 2-speed transfer case and locking differential, this off-road luxury vehicle easily ascended and descended extreme grades and clawed its way over various terrain

With this package comes the Offroad+ drive mode that optimizes traction and, with the optional air suspension, grants up to 11 inches of ground clearance so the GLE can hop obstacles and wade through nearly 2 feet of water. Admittedly few American buyers opt for this setup, but we're nonetheless glad it's available. It's also indicative of the new 2016 GLE-Class lineup as a whole: Whether had as a roaring, V8-powered 6-figure SUV/coupe amalgamation, plug-in hybrid SUV or diesel-powered luxury utility vehicle, the new GLE-Class has models for a diverse range of tastes

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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class unveiled 2016

The wraps have come off the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, and, as expected, the renamed GLK crossover SUV has made huge strides beyond its new look and features. Based on the latest C-Class platform, this 5-passenger compact has grown in scale and status. It now offers M-B's most advanced infotainment and safety technology to complement a far more refined dynamic character and enhanced off-road capability

Announced in Euro trims that include gasoline and turbodiesel models, AMG-spec variants and a plug-in hybrid, the GLC-Class will arrive here this November in rear-drive GLC 300 and GLC 300 4Matic guise. Both will be fitted with M-B's 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 241 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque from 1,300 to 4,000 revs. Regardless of driven wheels, the engine will be paired with a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission

A touch of elegant edge 

The GLC-Class boasts bolder yet smoother and more sophisticated exterior styling - a look dubbed "Sensual Purity" by its designers. Mercedes says it offers class-leading aero figures in Europe and with its bounty of wind-cheating details and a full underbody fairing it promises to remain near the head of the class here as well, where it will arrive wearing a larger standard wheel/tire package. All U.S. models also will be fitted with unique front/rear bumpers optimized for off-road use that can accommodate 28-degree approach/departure angles

Although the new GLC-Class is 4.7 inches longer, 2.0 inches wider and has a significantly broader track than the GLK-Class, it weighs 176 pounds less. A full 110 pounds of that reduction comes from an all-new, stiffer, stronger core that interweaves aluminum with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel. The mass-shedding formula for the new GLC-Class also includes using aluminum for the hood, roof and front fenders as well as most suspension components and magnesium for the transmission housing. The most notable gain in the GLC makeover involves a 4.6-inch stretch of its wheelbase, a change that adds to ride comfort and brings  2.2-inches of added leg room for those occupying its 40/20/40 flat-folding rear bench seat

Beyond the upgrades to overall people and cargo space, the cabin of the 2016 GLC-Class boasts a more sophisticated look and feel that recalls appearance of the new GLE-Class as well as other members of the M-B sedan family. The dash features a large fixed 7.0-inch center display while a console-mounted touchpad sits atop the rotary controller. U.S. models will come standard with brown linden wood trim and MB-Tex, but offer black open-pore ash, high-gloss brown burl walnut or a black piano-lacquer look as well as leather or Nappa leather options - including platinum pearl white in as part of the designo package. An internet-capable Audio 20 USB sound system with Frontbass is standard and Burmester premium upgrade will be offered. The new GLC-Class also benefits from extensive noise attenuation efforts that keep interior sound levels at freeway speeds equal to an E-Class sedan

Class-exclusive air suspension system

Underpinning the 2016 GLC-Class is an all-new suspension offered in two flavors that deliver superior performance compared to the GLK-Class. The standard Agility Control setup matches steel springs with adaptive dampers while the optional Air Body Control - the only full air suspension available in this category -- uses multi-chamber continuously adjustable shocks that serve up improved stability and comfort regardless of terrain. Both can be fine-tuned using the multi-mode Dynamic Select system that further tweaks the chassis, transmission, throttle and steering response. The 4Matic system also has been specifically redesigned for GLC-Class duty and features a new discrete single-stage transfer case that provides greater operating efficiency

On the driver-assist/safety front, the 2016 GLC-Class comes with standard features from the C-, E- and S-Class including Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist and Active Highbeam Assisted LED headlights. The Driver Assist Package includes Distronic Plus cruise control with Steering Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Pre-Safe Plus. A head-up display is optional

Buyers seeking to further personalize their new GLC-Class can choose from a noir-themed Night Package, two different design packages and an AMG Line trim group as well as single items like a panoramic glass roof with electric roller sunblind, rubber-studded aluminum-look running boards, an LED Intelligent Light System and the Easy Pack power tailgate with hands-free access. Pricing for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MAtic as well as EPA fuel economy numbers will be announced closer to their actual on-sale date

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Mazda MX-5 Miata First Review 2016

Although the 2016 MX-5 Miata isn't expected to hit U.S. showrooms until the third quarter of 2015, Mazda flew us to Barcelona, Spain to get some seat time behind the wheel of a few Japanese-spec prototypes. Aside from right-hand-drive and a 1.5-liter engine in lieu of the U.S. model's 2.0-liter mill, both cars share identical interiors, underpinnings, and feature content. With that out of the way, here's our early impressions of Mazda's forthcoming flagship roadster

Tighter packager, lighter weight

The prevailing development strategy behind the fourth-generation MX-5 came down to trimming excess mass. More extensive use of aluminum combined with tidier exterior dimensions and a wheelbase shorter by just over a half-inch amount to a near-220 lb. decrease in weight over the outgoing car. Combine that with a lower center of gravity and plunging hoodline, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say the MX-5 provides a driving experience akin to an open-wheel racer. Plus, unlike the first-generation NA model, this bite-sized package doesn't yield a claustrophobia-inducing cabin - more on that later

On the dynamics front, Mazda engineers left no stone unturned. Body lean has been reduced drastically without compromising overall ride quality. The responsiveness and feedback of the brakes could paint a Porsche Boxster green with envy. But the main attraction is unquestionably the new 6-speed manual transmission, whose short-yet-precise throws, predictable clutch, and natural ergonomics all but justify the price of admission. If our tester's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is any indication of what U.S. customers can expect from the new 2.0-liter engine, we're in for a treat. Because where Miatas of yore lacked usable low-end torque and fell flat on top, Mazda's new Skyactiv-G engines produce 90 percent of maximum torque at 2,000 rpm and continue to develop power in a smooth, linear fashion until 7,500 rpm. The only gripe we have with regards to dynamics is the new electromechanical steering. Although we are proponents of electric-assisted steering, Mazda has some work to do in the area of progressive weighting. As the steering angle increased effort remained virtually the same (conventional steering systems require more steering effort as wheel friction rises). On the bright side, Mazda engineers hinted at the fact that production cars would undergo a steering software update to help remedy the issue

Oxymoron no more: A sophisticated Miata

From standard LED headlights and taillights to a cabin laden with French stitching and high-quality materials, the 2016 MX-5 Miata is heads and shoulders above its predecessors when it comes to refinement. Everything placed in front of the driver is laid out symmetrically, including the pedal arrangement. And while the steering wheel doesn't offer a telescoping function, the driving position remains surprisingly neutral, even for taller drivers. The new Miata features just under a half-inch of additional headroom and greater adjustability for the driver's seat, including an adjustable seat bottom

Opening and closing the soft-top is a now an in-car, one-hand operation thanks to a lighter, more rigid structure. Wind control during open-top driving has been addressed as well. By moving the windshield rearward and slimming-down the quarter windows, air is channeled into the cabin through the side of the vehicle rather than over the top and into your face. Lastly - and for the first time ever - the MX-5 Miata can be equipped with an in-car navigation/infotainment system featuring a 7-inch touch-or-remote-controlled display

Break down the weight savings, sharper handling, and superior refinement, and what you're left with is a sportscar destined to reignite the world's love of driving. If that was indeed Mazda's prime objective in developing the fourth-generation MX-5, we say, Mission accomplished

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