Holiday Road Trip

November 1st, 2016

Is the Family Truckster on its last leg? In this issue of Bay Area Houston Magazine, we look at two, affordable crossovers that will help make the miles zoom by on your Thanksgiving trip to Aunt Mary’s.

Nissan Pathfinder
Sporting a smart-looking new grille and a boatload of updates, the 2017 Pathfinder brings the stylish, Nissan interpretation to the overcrowded CUV market.

The interior wins the “makes sense” award for its clean, straight-forward design and easy-to-use controls and readouts on the dash. When ordered with the Almond interior, either cloth or leather, a touch of sophisticated elegance is added to the ambiance.

The Pathfinder’s touchscreen is larger now and its brain is more powerful and easier to use than those from 2016.

Should you opt for the third row of seating, expect adults to complain, it’s a kid-only zone due to its tight quarters.

The revised engine delivers 284-horsepower to the front wheels through a CVT transmission that simulates shifts like a smooth 6-speed. Fuel mileage is now on-par with competitors, 20 MPG-city and 27-highway.

You’ll be able to haul a trailer-load of turkeys with the Pathfinder’s 3-ton towing capacity.

Ride quality has also been refined, or should we say redefined, with better handling and a nice, seat-of-the-pants feel.

Pricing gets good marks too, starting at $29,990.

2016 Dodge Journey CrossroadDodge Journey
Making its debut in 2009, you may say the Dodge Journey is one of the oldest models in the midsize category. But once you look a little closer, it may be just what the accountant ordered for budget conscious families.
If there were a “most-for-the-money” category, the 2017 Journey would probably win the “Major Award,” starting at $20,995. Do we have your attention now?

The Journey’s bold exterior styling sets it apart from most others. Front or all-wheel drive is available on most models.

2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus interiorNew this year is a GT trim level that heaps on the muscularity beginning with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine, 19-inch wheels, body-colored grille, sport-tuned suspension, perforated leather seating with red stitching, premium sound and the 8.4-inch U-Connect touch screen that we love.

The Dodge Journey’s 4-speed automatic transmission seems a bit antiquated in today’s world of 6, 8 or 10-speed automatics. V-6 mileage figures are 17-city and 25-highway.

Like others in this mid-size category, there is an available 3rd row of seats that bring total occupancy up to 7, but we’d keep it reserved as a kids-only zone.

 

Small SUV’s Capture Bay Area Crown

February 1st, 2016

Subaru Forrester

Subaru Forester

By Don Armstrong

Bigger isn’t always better and your friends and neighbors are proving it in area dealerships by grabbing the majority of small SUV’s on-hand. The definition of small really isn’t all that small, that’s just what the government classifies these sport ‘utes’ as, but they are smaller than the behemoths that started the SUV craze.

armstrong4Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester may not look like an SUV but it is.

Its lowered stance almost places it in the wagon category. Ask yourself, “How many times have I taken our SUV off-road?” Our guess is, not many, but around the Bay, you’ll see plenty of them pulling a pair of jet-ski’s or perhaps a small fishing boat.

Subaru is known for its on-road handling agility, compliments of its boxer-style engine. Coupled with a full-time all-wheel drive configuration and lower center of gravity this is the do-all’s do-all.

The 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine turns out 170-horsepower and delivers 24mpg-city and 32-highway.ew for 2016 is the Subaru Starlink multimedia system that provides entertainment and info through your smartphone.

The Forester garners an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ too. Be sure to check out the new EyeSight system that gets a superior rating for front crash protection.

Starts at $22,395.

Dodge Journey Crossroad

Dodge Journey Crossroad

Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey may be getting a little long in the tooth, since it hasn’t had a makeover in 7 years, but it is still relevant for those that appreciate good ol’ American iron.

Also classified as a small SUV, the Journey is a little larger than the Forester and has a taller ride height, yet third row seating is available here. That alone could sway growing families Dodge’s way.

2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus interiorWe are happy to report that the number of trim levels has been reduced to five, from seven, contributing to an easier selection process.

Our Crossroad Plus not only had the look of a sporty SUV but came with an array of features including the optional Pentastar V-6 with 173-horses. It’s matched to a capable 6-speed automatic transmission delivering mileage in line with other sixes; 17-city and 25-highway.

Despite having almost $5,500 in options, this upper-scale Journey is still priced within the ballpark of others in its class, starting at $26,095. Entry-level begins at $20,995.

Bay Area Houston Magazine