Maserati Making Big Changes in an Effort to Improve Sales

Whether you’re talking about a 458-swapped Scion FR-S or the Maserati Levante Trofeo, if you put a Ferrari-sourced engine in a car, it’s going to sound good. Guaranteed. But with questionable material quality and lots of parts sharing, it feels like Maserati lost its way over the last few years. The good news is, it sounds like Fiat Chrysler is ready to change that.

Autocar reports that with both sales and profits down over the last year, FCA CEO Mike Manley wants to take Maserati in a new direction. He recently put Harald Wester, who headed up Maserati from 2008 to 2016, back in charge of the brand, and he’s reportedly tasked him with bringing in a new management team. Once the new team is in place, it will be time to develop a plan to turn Maserati around.

Manley hasn’t been quiet about his desire to shake things up at Maserati. At an investor conference last year, he said, “With hindsight, when we put Maserati and Alfa together, it did two things. Firstly, it reduced the focus on Maserati the brand. Secondly, Maserati was treated for a period of time almost as if it were a mass-market brand, which it isn’t and shouldn’t be treated that way.”

And while it will take time to bring new products to market, it sounds like Manley expects to start moving quickly. “It will take at least two quarters to sort through some of the channel issues, but I’m expecting Harald and his team to make some significant progress beginning in the second half of 2019,” he said.

It’s not clear at the moment what Wester’s new plan will look like, but hopefully, we hear more by the end of the year.

Source: Autocar

The post Maserati Making Big Changes in an Effort to Improve Sales appeared first on Motortrend.

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Maserati Making Big Changes in an Effort to Improve Sales

Whether you’re talking about a 458-swapped Scion FR-S or the Maserati Levante Trofeo, if you put a Ferrari-sourced engine in a car, it’s going to sound good. Guaranteed. But with questionable material quality and lots of parts sharing, it feels like Maserati lost its way over the last few years. The good news is, it sounds like Fiat Chrysler is ready to change that.

Autocar reports that with both sales and profits down over the last year, FCA CEO Mike Manley wants to take Maserati in a new direction. He recently put Harald Wester, who headed up Maserati from 2008 to 2016, back in charge of the brand, and he’s reportedly tasked him with bringing in a new management team. Once the new team is in place, it will be time to develop a plan to turn Maserati around.

Manley hasn’t been quiet about his desire to shake things up at Maserati. At an investor conference last year, he said, “With hindsight, when we put Maserati and Alfa together, it did two things. Firstly, it reduced the focus on Maserati the brand. Secondly, Maserati was treated for a period of time almost as if it were a mass-market brand, which it isn’t and shouldn’t be treated that way.”

And while it will take time to bring new products to market, it sounds like Manley expects to start moving quickly. “It will take at least two quarters to sort through some of the channel issues, but I’m expecting Harald and his team to make some significant progress beginning in the second half of 2019,” he said.

It’s not clear at the moment what Wester’s new plan will look like, but hopefully, we hear more by the end of the year.

Source: Autocar

The post Maserati Making Big Changes in an Effort to Improve Sales appeared first on Motortrend.

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2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Limited First Test: Cruising Comfortably

2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Limited First Test: Cruising Comfortably

Lexus F performance SUV could be in the works

Filed under: Rumormill,Lexus,Toyota,SUV,Future,Performance

Whether it's on- or off-road performance is TBD.

Continue reading Lexus F performance SUV could be in the works

Lexus F performance SUV could be in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2019 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW was 2018's top-selling automaker — but

Filed under: Earnings/Financials,Mitsubishi,Nissan,Toyota,Volkswagen

When just counting light vehicles, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is tops.

Continue reading VW was 2018's top-selling automaker — but

VW was 2018's top-selling automaker — but originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2019 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2020 Toyota Yaris hatchback could return as a Mazda2 clone

Filed under: New York Auto Show,Mazda,Toyota,Hatchback

Move would copy the formula for the Yaris sedan.

Continue reading 2020 Toyota Yaris hatchback could return as a Mazda2 clone

2020 Toyota Yaris hatchback could return as a Mazda2 clone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2019 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda North American CEO Talks Diesels, EVs, and the Future of the Rotary

Mazda is transforming and maturing beyond “zoom zoom” with new styling and tech. The carmaker is keeping heritage alive with the rotary engine, which also serves as a nod to the future as a range generator for upcoming electric vehicles. We talked to North American CEO Masahiro Moro about the road ahead.

Where do you want to take the Mazda brand in North America?

We are moving away from a commodity discount brand to a more emotional and premium style. We strive to provide a great car with beautiful design, craftsmanship, driving dynamics. We are working with dealers to provide better customer experience, upgrading facilities, and we changed the marketing strategy, new campaign, digital focus, all to bring Mazda to an emotional brand rather than just a functional, rational brand.

Is the manual transmission still alive and well at Mazda?

Of course. We couple it with all-wheel drive on the new Mazda3 to provide the best driving experience.

Why does the Mazda3 get all-wheel drive for the first time?

To provide a very unique driving experience. We have four-wheel drive capability for crossovers but not sedans yet. But the new-generation architecture can accommodate four-wheel drive functionality for a small sedan; hatchback, as well.

Will you expand AWD across the lineup in the U.S.?

My intention is yes. It is much safer in all road conditions and is fun to drive.

That means adding it to the Mazda6 in the future, but not the MX-5?

Yes, everything but the MX-5. Probably Miata we’ll keep rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive doesn’t make sense.

Do you still see a place for cars today?

Absolutely. I understand people moving from sedan to crossover, but is the sedan market disappearing completely? I don’t think so. The customer who loves driving loves sedans.

What is your car/CUV mix right now, and will it change?

I think now in the U.S. it is close to 60 percent crossovers? I think it will grow to over 70 percent, especially as we are planning to build a new crossover at the Alabama plant from 2021. That crossover will be in addition to the current lineup. It will be very small, compact-ish.

How is that Mazda-Toyota plant coming?

Production starts in the middle of 2021. Capacity is split: 150,000 for each, so in total 300,000. It’s a big project. We established Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. We are investing $1.6 billion from two companies.

Just one Mazda vehicle will be built there?

Yes. It is a huge plant, plenty of space [to expand if necessary].

Will it have two separate body shops and one paint shop?

Yes. But the Toyota paint system and the Mazda paint system are different. So I think the discussion is about, not the layout, but what kind of paint system we’re going to use.

Are you still planning diesels for North America?

ARB gave us the official certificate in November.

When do we actually see engines?

In the not-distant future.

Will the Mazda3 have a diesel?

Globally. Not for North America.

Are there still plans to offer the Mazda6 with a diesel here?

We have been working on that, because we do have a very good diesel engine with the CX-5. We have to go through the same validation process.

 

Skyactiv-X compression-ignition engine will come later for North America?

I think the European market would take it first. It makes sense to start with countries where CO2 compliance is very tough. Right now, in the U.S., Mazda doesn’t need that kind of technology for the sake of CO2 compliance, so I have a little free hand to decide when we introduce that technology to the USA. It will not be in the 2019 model year; 2020 or later is in consideration right now.

Do you see turbos coming for other future products?

Right now, we have a CX-9, CX-5, Mazda 6.

No plans for a Mazdaspeed 3?

No. Our products are maturing. For example, we have a turbo for CX-5, so we did not make a Mazdaspeed 5.

When does the rotary engine come back?

We are using rotary capability for a range extender. Mazda is a technical party in an electric vehicle platform [with Toyota, Denso, and Subaru]. We provide our rotary engine as a generator. We are thinking of the introduction of Mazda’s electric vehicle in 2020. Generating electricity with a small gas tank so the customer is not concerned about not having a backup.

 

The post Mazda North American CEO Talks Diesels, EVs, and the Future of the Rotary appeared first on Motortrend.

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Mazda North American CEO Talks Diesels, EVs, and the Future of the Rotary

Mazda is transforming and maturing beyond “zoom zoom” with new styling and tech. The carmaker is keeping heritage alive with the rotary engine, which also serves as a nod to the future as a range generator for upcoming electric vehicles. We talked to North American CEO Masahiro Moro about the road ahead.

Where do you want to take the Mazda brand in North America?

We are moving away from a commodity discount brand to a more emotional and premium style. We strive to provide a great car with beautiful design, craftsmanship, driving dynamics. We are working with dealers to provide better customer experience, upgrading facilities, and we changed the marketing strategy, new campaign, digital focus, all to bring Mazda to an emotional brand rather than just a functional, rational brand.

Is the manual transmission still alive and well at Mazda?

Of course. We couple it with all-wheel drive on the new Mazda3 to provide the best driving experience.

Why does the Mazda3 get all-wheel drive for the first time?

To provide a very unique driving experience. We have four-wheel drive capability for crossovers but not sedans yet. But the new-generation architecture can accommodate four-wheel drive functionality for a small sedan; hatchback, as well.

Will you expand AWD across the lineup in the U.S.?

My intention is yes. It is much safer in all road conditions and is fun to drive.

That means adding it to the Mazda6 in the future, but not the MX-5?

Yes, everything but the MX-5. Probably Miata we’ll keep rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive doesn’t make sense.

Do you still see a place for cars today?

Absolutely. I understand people moving from sedan to crossover, but is the sedan market disappearing completely? I don’t think so. The customer who loves driving loves sedans.

What is your car/CUV mix right now, and will it change?

I think now in the U.S. it is close to 60 percent crossovers? I think it will grow to over 70 percent, especially as we are planning to build a new crossover at the Alabama plant from 2021. That crossover will be in addition to the current lineup. It will be very small, compact-ish.

How is that Mazda-Toyota plant coming?

Production starts in the middle of 2021. Capacity is split: 150,000 for each, so in total 300,000. It’s a big project. We established Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. We are investing $1.6 billion from two companies.

Just one Mazda vehicle will be built there?

Yes. It is a huge plant, plenty of space [to expand if necessary].

Will it have two separate body shops and one paint shop?

Yes. But the Toyota paint system and the Mazda paint system are different. So I think the discussion is about, not the layout, but what kind of paint system we’re going to use.

Are you still planning diesels for North America?

ARB gave us the official certificate in November.

When do we actually see engines?

In the not-distant future.

Will the Mazda3 have a diesel?

Globally. Not for North America.

Are there still plans to offer the Mazda6 with a diesel here?

We have been working on that, because we do have a very good diesel engine with the CX-5. We have to go through the same validation process.

 

Skyactiv-X compression-ignition engine will come later for North America?

I think the European market would take it first. It makes sense to start with countries where CO2 compliance is very tough. Right now, in the U.S., Mazda doesn’t need that kind of technology for the sake of CO2 compliance, so I have a little free hand to decide when we introduce that technology to the USA. It will not be in the 2019 model year; 2020 or later is in consideration right now.

Do you see turbos coming for other future products?

Right now, we have a CX-9, CX-5, Mazda 6.

No plans for a Mazdaspeed 3?

No. Our products are maturing. For example, we have a turbo for CX-5, so we did not make a Mazdaspeed 5.

When does the rotary engine come back?

We are using rotary capability for a range extender. Mazda is a technical party in an electric vehicle platform [with Toyota, Denso, and Subaru]. We provide our rotary engine as a generator. We are thinking of the introduction of Mazda’s electric vehicle in 2020. Generating electricity with a small gas tank so the customer is not concerned about not having a backup.

 

The post Mazda North American CEO Talks Diesels, EVs, and the Future of the Rotary appeared first on Motortrend.

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2020 Toyota Tacoma to be revealed at Chicago Auto Show

The emperor is getting new clothes.

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Q&A: what the reborn Toyota Supra means for Kiwi buyers

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Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ successor canceled?

Filed under: Green,Rumormill,Scion,Subaru,Toyota,Coupe,Electric,Future,Performance

Four-cylinder Supra and electric MR2 could take its place at Toyota.

Continue reading Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ successor canceled?

Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ successor canceled? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2020 Toyota Tacoma Headed to the Chicago Auto Show

Toyota is expected to debut an updated Tacoma at the Chicago auto show on February 7. Ahead of the reveal, the automaker released a teaser image showing part of the truck’s front end.

It appears as if the 2020 Toyota Tacoma receives new headlights. Other than this detail, it’s hard to tell exactly what changes we’ll see.

The current-generation Tacoma debuted for the 2016 model year. It comes standard with a 2.7-liter inline-four making 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.5-liter V-6 with 278 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque is also available, paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. When properly equipped, the Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds, putting it behind new competitors including the Ford Ranger and upcoming Jeep Gladiator.

We have praised the current Tacoma for its quality interior, off-road capabilities, and its quiet nature on the road. But we hope Toyota addresses a few issues including the steering feel that makes it seem like a larger vehicle than it is. We also have lamented that the six-speed automatic has a tendency to hunt for gears.

In addition to the updated Tacoma, we expect to see a variety of cars in Chicago including the Mazda Miata 30^th Anniversary Edition, 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, and Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Stay tuned for more info on these models next week.

Source: Toyota

The post 2020 Toyota Tacoma Headed to the Chicago Auto Show appeared first on Motortrend.

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2020 Toyota Tacoma teased ahead of Chicago Auto Show debut

Filed under: Toyota,Truck

It's facing new competition from the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator

Continue reading 2020 Toyota Tacoma teased ahead of Chicago Auto Show debut

2020 Toyota Tacoma teased ahead of Chicago Auto Show debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2019 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2019 Honda Passport vs. the competition: How they compare on paper

Filed under: Toyota,Truck

Honda is bringing the Passport name back, and given us a bunch of key specs to a full comparison between it and its competitors. Check out how they compare on paper.

Continue reading 2019 Honda Passport vs. the competition: How they compare on paper

2019 Honda Passport vs. the competition: How they compare on paper originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2019 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2020 Toyota Tacoma Headed to the Chicago Auto Show

Toyota is expected to debut an updated Tacoma at the Chicago auto show on February 7. Ahead of the reveal, the automaker released a teaser image showing part of the truck’s front end.

It appears as if the 2020 Toyota Tacoma receives new headlights. Other than this detail, it’s hard to tell exactly what changes we’ll see.

The current-generation Tacoma debuted for the 2016 model year. It comes standard with a 2.7-liter inline-four making 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.5-liter V-6 with 278 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque is also available, paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. When properly equipped, the Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds, putting it behind new competitors including the Ford Ranger and upcoming Jeep Gladiator.

We have praised the current Tacoma for its quality interior, off-road capabilities, and its quiet nature on the road. But we hope Toyota addresses a few issues including the steering feel that makes it seem like a larger vehicle than it is. We also have lamented that the six-speed automatic has a tendency to hunt for gears.

In addition to the updated Tacoma, we expect to see a variety of cars in Chicago including the Mazda Miata 30^th Anniversary Edition, 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, and Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Stay tuned for more info on these models next week.

Source: Toyota

The post 2020 Toyota Tacoma Headed to the Chicago Auto Show appeared first on Motortrend.

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Toyota Prius Buyers Are Defecting to Tesla

With its trucks gaining popularity and cars dropping off, Toyota had a flat sales year in 2018. One of the cars on the decline was the Prius, which fell 19 percent. And it turns out an unlikely culprit is stealing away customers.

Toyota has an overall defection rate to other brands of around 9 percent. According to Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor North America, about half of that is caused by Prius owners switching to Tesla.

Although the Prius is not a direct competitor to any Tesla vehicle, the American automaker has certainly created more green options on the market. To stave off the competition for the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, Toyota is sweetening the pot by adding an all-wheel-drive option. Also, Toyota Safety Sense is now standard across the Prius line.

“They like [technology] advancement, they like state-of-the-art,” Dan Abel, chairman of the Toyota National Dealer Council, told Automotive News. “That vehicle has that, and those are things that draw customers to continue to purchase the vehicle. Then, you add in that new e-all-wheel-drive system, and it makes it even better.”

Meanwhile, Toyota is looking to bolster Lexus with even higher-end vehicles. Carl Sewel III, outgoing chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Council, told AN: “We’ve got great product today, but in this type of market, we need to make sure that we’re not only solving one part of the equation, which is sub-$50,000. We’ve got to look for the future, in that more premium luxury utility-vehicle space.” Only time will tell what this means, as Lexus already has a pretty full and luxurious SUV lineup consisting of the UX, NX, RX, GX, and LX.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

The post Toyota Prius Buyers Are Defecting to Tesla appeared first on Motortrend.

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Toyota Prius Buyers Are Defecting to Tesla

With its trucks gaining popularity and cars dropping off, Toyota had a flat sales year in 2018. One of the cars on the decline was the Prius, which fell 19 percent. And it turns out an unlikely culprit is stealing away customers.

Toyota has an overall defection rate to other brands of around 9 percent. According to Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor North America, about half of that is caused by Prius owners switching to Tesla.

Although the Prius is not a direct competitor to any Tesla vehicle, the American automaker has certainly created more green options on the market. To stave off the competition for the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, Toyota is sweetening the pot by adding an all-wheel-drive option. Also, Toyota Safety Sense is now standard across the Prius line.

“They like [technology] advancement, they like state-of-the-art,” Dan Abel, chairman of the Toyota National Dealer Council, told Automotive News. “That vehicle has that, and those are things that draw customers to continue to purchase the vehicle. Then, you add in that new e-all-wheel-drive system, and it makes it even better.”

Meanwhile, Toyota is looking to bolster Lexus with even higher-end vehicles. Carl Sewel III, outgoing chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Council, told AN: “We’ve got great product today, but in this type of market, we need to make sure that we’re not only solving one part of the equation, which is sub-$50,000. We’ve got to look for the future, in that more premium luxury utility-vehicle space.” Only time will tell what this means, as Lexus already has a pretty full and luxurious SUV lineup consisting of the UX, NX, RX, GX, and LX.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

The post Toyota Prius Buyers Are Defecting to Tesla appeared first on Motortrend.

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FrankenSUV: Creating the Ultimate Compact CUV From the CX-5, CR-V, Cherokee, and Others

Although this Big Test comparison rightly ranks the entrants in the compact SUV segment, each vehicle that participated had some winning traits that stood out from all the rest. Which got the test judges thinking: What if someone took the very best elements from all these crossovers and mashed them into a single, perfect crossover? Well, likely it would cost well north of 40 grand and be impossible from an engineering standpoint. But we can dream, can’t we?

Behold, the MotorTrend FrankenSUV.

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Exterior Design: Mazda CX-5

The Mazda has no competition in this aspect. It easily wins the “Look back over your shoulder and smile” contest. Lexus and Acura designers should take note at what suave elegance looks like.

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Engine: Jeep Cherokee Latitude

Almost every vehicle in this class is about miles per dollar and savings at the pump. Sure, some accelerate acceptably, but only the Cherokee’s optional 270-hp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo-four delivers true thrills.

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Handling: Mazda CX-5

You get married, have a kid … so buh-bye sports car fun. With the CX-5, you get a semblance of driving exhilaration. It’s a jittery, baby-waking ride, but the trade-off is best-in-class handling by a country mile.

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Ride: Honda CR-V

With some compact SUVs, driving over a city’s lumps and bumps is a molar-rattling affair. The Honda CR-V’s suspension is supple and well damped regarding both up-and-down impacts and side-to-side sway.

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Brakes: Subaru Forester

The most confident stopper. Short pedal travel, good feedback, great bite.

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Advanced Driver Aids: Honda CR-V

Best lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and other assist tech. It rivals systems from Mercedes and Tesla yet comes standard on nearly every trim level.

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Fuel Economy: Honda CR-V

Honda has cracked the magic code that gives the CR-V peppy performance and great fuel economy.

 

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Interior Design/Craftsmanship: Toyota RAV4 Adventure

Great attention to detail, upscale styling, and colorful accents, which look and feel special in a bland sea of sameness.

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Packaging: Honda CR-V

Small outside, huge inside. Honda’s team always finds more space for people and cargo than any other brand.

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Visibility: Subaru Forester

An expansive, low-sitting front windshield, well-placed driver hip-point, and side windows that rival those of a school bus give the Forester almost zero blind spots.

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Front Seats: Jeep Cherokee Latitude

Plush like your favorite recliner yet reinforced so it doesn’t feel saggy, with firm side bolstering for cornering and adjustable four-way lumbar support for those long drives.

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Second-Row Seats: Nissan Rogue

Rare in this class, the Rogue’s rear seats slide fore and aft, good for either passenger legroom or bringing baby/Fido nearer to the front-seat occupants. Only Nissan attaches the middle belt to the seat, too.

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Seat-Back Pockets: Subaru Forester

Only Subaru offers three distinct pockets on each of the front seat backs. They’re sized to accommodate a laptop, a tablet, and a phone.

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Spare Tire: Toyota RAV4 Adventure

The RAV looks ready for off-roading and is ready for it with the biggest mini-spare, at T165/9018, larger than the Jeep’s T165/80D17.

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Rearview Camera: Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox’s rearview camera and 8.0-inch touchscreen resolution make “What’s behind me” look mighty important. Has 4K resolution come to reverse cams?

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Two-Screen Infotainment System: Subaru Forester

Should you display navigation or song title details? Subaru’s answer is “yes.” Great functionality.

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Infotainment Software: Hyundai/Chevrolet (tie)

Hyundai’s system has long been one of the most intuitive on the market, but Chevy’s shines for its responsiveness, intuitive layout, and crystal-clear graphics.

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Extra Features: Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson astounds with its exceptional feature content. On the $34,120 Ultimate AWD model, 18-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, a surround-view camera system, powered/heated/ventilated front leather seats, heated rear outboard seats, a stellar safety suite, and a thumping 315-watt Infinity stereo are all included. Plus, of course, a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

The post FrankenSUV: Creating the Ultimate Compact CUV From the CX-5, CR-V, Cherokee, and Others appeared first on Motortrend.

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