Autos
Holiday haulers
Several spry rides have plenty of room and vroom
Look out the window. If thereās no brand-new car with a bright big bow in the driveway, itās time to be your own secret Santa. Question is, should you opt for something naughty or nice? Luckily, the vehicles below are a bit of both, with feisty engines, bad-boy handling and lots of options and storage space.
Audi A3 TDI
$31,000
Mpg: 30 city/42 highway
0-to-60 mph: 8.9 seconds
Cargo space: 39 cu. ft.
The A3 hatchback is fast, fun and frugal, at least when it comes to gas mileage. The regular-gas model posts a decent mpg of 21 city/30 highway. But the TDI diesel is 40 percent better. Evading D.C. potholes is a breeze, thanks to Audiās sport-tuned suspension. And the refined interior ā another Audi plus ā has upscale knobs, aluminum trim and firm seats that would make a chiropractor proud. There are a few misses, such as cramped rear seats (which fold down, but not flat) and a clunky nav system. Still, itās hard not to appreciate all the extras, including automatic wipers, 10-speaker Bose stereo and stellar crash-test scores. But act fast: while the A3 gets a complete makeover in 2014, only the new sedan will be coming to America.
Infiniti JX
$41,000
Mpg: 18 city/24highway
0-to-60 mph: 8.3 seconds
Cargo space: 76.5 cu. ft.
This is no QX 56, the oversized beast in Infinitiās lineup. Instead, the JX ā at $20,000 less than the QX ā seats seven but is nimbler and more fuel-friendly. It also has less power, though the V6 was just fine passing pokey semis and grandmas on a last-minute dash to IKEA. While styling is akin to a minivan (not a plus), it doesnāt feel that way inside the super-quiet cabin. Along with high-end materials, there is three-zone automatic climate control, rear-seat entertainment, panoramic sunroof, heated/cooled seats and 15-speaker surround-sound audio. Multi-taskers will love the remote start and power lift gate. And the JX has the latest safety gear, including blind-spot and lane-departure warning systems. When in reverse, the JX can even apply the brakes automatically if something is in its path.
Jeep Wrangler Sport
$24,000
Mpg: 17 city/21 highway
0-to-60 mph: 7.1 seconds
Cargo space: 55 cu. ft.
Why would anyone buy a Wrangler? Fuel-efficiency is lame. Styling is dated. And the ride is so noisy and jarring, you wonāt need caffeine to stay awake. Yet this retro icon is a blast to drive, especially in button-down Washington. With the two-door model ā way more fun than the four-door ā you can remove the roof, doors and windshield. There are some funky exterior colors, too, including fire-engine red, stop-light yellow and powder-puff blue. Surprisingly quick, the Wrangler is still a true off-road vehicle. But be careful ā itās easy to over-steer when cornering too fast. Of course, thatās exactly what driving purists love: a back-to-basics vehicle that requires complete attention and can take you anywhere.
Kia Sorento SX
$33,000
Mpg: 20 city/26 highway
0-to-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
Cargo space: 72.5 cu. ft.
It was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. But after a choppy flight into Chicago on a dark and stormy night, there was still a dreaded two-hour drive to the B&B. Yet any white-knuckle anxiety soon flitted away in the Sorento, which zipped past other cars pulled off to the side of the road with their emergency flashers on. Inside the Kiaās well-insulated cabin, you could almost forget the torrents of rain and high winds. This was the sporty SX model, with upgraded stereo, potent engine and heated steering wheel. Parking sensors and backup camera were a plus. So was the large touchscreen nav system, real-time traffic info and ā once the sun came out a few days later ā a super-sized panoramic sunroof. All in all, the SX was as steady and snazzy as a Lexus crossover, but costs about $10,000 less.
Dodge Igloo Kool Tunes Cooler
Mixing beats with brews, Dodge offers a combined cooler and boombox ($296), with two built-in speakers, LED status indicator, charging port and Bluetooth pairing. You can rock your tunes for up to 10 hours on a single charge. Capacity: 26 (12-ounce) cans.
Lexus Flask and Tumblers
Add some spiritāor spiritsāto the holidays with a Lexus High Camp Parkside Flask ($140). The stainless steel, vacuum-insulated container has a chic cypress-green finish and can hold the temperature of a full bottle of wine for up to 24 hours. Two tasteful tumblersāinspired by classic stemless wine glassesāfit on the top and bottom of the flask.
Ferrari Baby Romper Outfit
For swaddling any newborns in the family, thereās a festive Ferrari romper ($150). This outrĆ© outfitāmade of 100% cottonāhas the automakerās famous Prancing Horse emblem on the front and comes with matching baby bib. Expect plenty of pitstops ahead!
Ferrari Plush Pump Shoes
For more prancing, though this time as an adult, Ferrari has a pair of patent-leather pump shoes ($1,291). Available in black, red, or cream, these preening pumps are designed with a square toe, red lining and natty-looking red pull at the heel. Made in Italy, naturalmente!
Rolls-Royce Cufflinks
How to up your sartorial game even more? Spirit of Ecstasy cufflinks ($900) from Rolls-Royce are crafted in 925 sterling silver, with choice of either a rhodium-plated or dark-ruthenium finish. And pricing is a bargain, considering the average MSRP of a brand-new Rolls today is $500,000.
Kia Flashlight and Electric Lighter
For outdoor adventures, Kia has a waterproof, rechargeable LED flashlight with built-in electric lighter ($38). The compact flashlight is less than four inches long and come in three modes: full power, half power orāfor all of us disco queensāpulsing strobe. And the tail of the flashlight opens up into a windproof lighter. Lanyard and micro-USB cord included.
Cadillac Cabana Towel
Some automakers see everything in black and white ā literally. The Cadillac cabana towel ($37), with retro-groovy yarn-dyed stripes, is made of 100% microfiber polyester and measures 60×72 inches.
Cadillac Crew Socks
Cadillac also has a pair of sporty, fully knitted black-and-white crew socks ($59). Bonus: the classy cardboard presentation box.
Ford Warriors in Pink Mug
The Warriors in Pink Mug ($20) from Ford is part of the automakerās longtime initiative to help fight breast cancer. Both the Susan G. Komen and Pink Fund each receive 5% of the purchase price of the mug, as well as any other Warriors in Pink merchandise.
Maserati Aero Pen
Need some motivation to start writing holiday cards? Maserati has the Pininfarina Aero pen ($140), with a futuristic design that evokes the infinity symbol. Made of aerospace aluminum, this super cool pen comes with an attractive base in unrefined concrete, along with a customized box.
Dodge Dodgeball
Let off some steam and release your inner Ben Stiller or Vince Vaughn with this aptly named Dodge ball ($17). Made of performance rubber and measuring 8.5-inches wide, this red dodgeball comes with the automakerās logo emblazoned in white.
Bentley Napkin Rings
Ringing in the New Year just got a lot more la-di-da with a pair of Bentley napkin rings ($97). The diamond-shaped knurling pattern echoes the elegant design on the grillwork, console and upholstery of glam Bentleys. The automakerās emblem is laser-engraved on the underside of the napkin rings. Available in nickel-plated metal or gold-plated zinc alloy.
Iāve written before about my first car: a used-but-pristine sports coupe, bought by mom for my 16th birthday. Recent test drives in two cool coupes brought back a flood of fond memories from those gawky teenage years.
But while a two-door ride may not be the most practical vehicle for a decades-older me, itās easy to appreciate the fast-and-furious allure.
After all, buying a sports car is often associated with a midlife crisis. So who knows, there still may be roomāor vroom!āfor a sportster in my future.
FORD MUSTANG ECOBOOST
$33,000
MPG: 22 city/33 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Cargo space: 13.5 cubic feet
PROS: Muscle-car moxie. Surefire handling. Tech-laden cabin.
CONS: Snug backseat. Pricey options. Intra-model competition.
IN A NUTSHELL: Introduced in 1964, Ford hoped to sell 100,000 Mustangs annually. But by tapping into the Boomer zeitgeist, almost 700,000 units were sold the first model year. Mustang is now the automakerās longest running nameplate and the best-selling sports car in the world.
This was the original āpony car,ā with a high-test engine, long hood and affordable price tag. Luckily, the latest Mustang ā recently redesigned and in its seventh generation ā has stayed true to its roots.
So, too, has the EcoBoost engine. Developed 15 years ago as a more enviro-friendly powerplant, these turbos often have been used on base models. The latest EcoBoosts ā there are more than half a dozen ā are 20% more fuel efficient and produce 15% fewer emissions than other Ford engines. And while the original could barely eke out 122 horsepower, todayās four-cylinder EcoBoost in the Mustang delivers 315 horsepower.
The only bummer: no manual transmission. For that, you need to dig deeper into your wallet ā much deeper. The Mustang GT, with a 486-horsepower V6, costs $50,000. And the boffo Dark Horse trim level, boasting a 500-horsepower V8, is $62,000. These MSRPs are without any options, which add up quickly.
But the Mustang EcoBoost still offers plenty of features: LED headlights, keyless entry, smartphone integration and Wi-Fi hotspot. Various driving aidsāblind-spot monitor, rear-parking sensors, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic brakingāare all standard.
The stodgy interior has been replaced with a mod, techno cabin with better upholstery and soft-touch surfaces. Various configurations of the digital instrument panel can be viewed at the whim of the driver. And the larger, 13.2-inch infotainment screen is user-friendly.
Such upgrades remind me of the Mustang Mach-E. Though purists initially derided the use of the Mustang label on a four-door electric SUV, the Mach-E was the fourth best-selling EV last year. Similar in price and acceleration to a traditional gas-powered āStang, the Mach-E is arguably just as fun. But add in the retro-cool factor, and thereās no comparison.
SUBARU BRZ
$33,000
MPG: 20 city/27 highway
0 to 60 mph: 6.6 seconds
Cargo space: 6.3 cubic feet
PROS: Sporty. Zippy. Fits anywhere.
CONS: Low ground clearance. Bouncy. Tiny trunk.
IN A NUTSHELL: The Subaru BRZ may not have the aura of a Ford Mustang, but this compact coupe still checks plenty of boxes.
Porsche-like styling. Precision steering. Punchy power. Even pricing is a plus, with a top trim level less than $37,000.
Despite Lilliputian dimensions ā the BRZ is a third smaller than a Mustang ā thereās still more passenger room than in the rival Miata. As a tallish driver, I appreciated the unexpected amount of headroom and legroom in the front seats.
But trunk space is another matter. With less than half the stowage space of a Mustang, donāt expect to haul more than a few grocery bags. And while you literally have to climb into certain jumbo SUVs and pickups, the opposite is true with the low-slung BRZ. These seats are so close to the chassis that it feels like sitting in a go-kart. Luckily, once I scooched myself down into the cabin, it didnāt take long to get used to the seating position.
Three trim levels, all with rear-wheel drive, dual-zone climate control, push-button start and Subaruās renowned EyeSight package: adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning and automatic emergency braking. Step up to the Limited version for larger wheels, heated seats, fancier upholstery, extra safety gear and a better sound system. The performance-oriented tS comes with sport-tuned suspension, premium Brembo brakes, dark gray metallic wheels and sporty interior stitching.
Only one engine is available: a very capable 228-horsepower four cylinder. My test car also came with the six-speed manual transmission, which added more gusto.
With such a short wheelbase, the ride is firm but controlled. And keeping weight down on the BRZ must have meant installing less insulation. After all, thereās some noticeable road noise, especially on the freeway. But then, you also hear the constant purring and revving of the engine, which is music to the ears of sports-car aficionados.
Autos
Hauling sass: beauty and the beast
Reviewing Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 and Mercedes E-Class Wagon
Ritzy versus rugged: you choose.
Like forlorn lovers, two iconic vehicles showcase the strengthsāand weaknessesāof growing up on different sides of the track.
The revered Jeep Wrangler, first introduced in 1986, traces its roots to the rugged Jeeps of World War II. Believe it or not, one Jeepādubbed āOld Faithfulāāwas actually awarded a Purple Heart after surviving the Guadalcanal beach landing.
Then thereās the refined Mercedes E-Class wagon, a high-society hauler. The German automaker debuted its first modern station wagon in 1977 but can boast lineage dating back to Karl Benzās first patented car in 1886. Ritzy doesnāt begin to describe todayās sensuous ride.
So, beauty or the beast? Trust me, itās not an easy choice.
JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON 392 FINAL EDITION
$102,000
MPG: 13 city/16 highway
0-to-60 mph: 4.2 seconds
Cargo capacity: 72 cu. ft.
PROS: Kick-ass power. Butch cred. Collectorās edition.
CONS: High ground clearance. High price. Highly impractical.
IN A NUTSHELL: Wranglers are known for their all-terrain prowess, but the rough-and-tumble Rubicon trim is the most off-road-capable Jeep ever produced. This Wrangler arrived in 2003, the year Angelina Jolie drove a Rubicon in her second Lara Croft action flick, which led to a special-edition āTomb Raiderā model. Jeeps also played a role in āMASH,ā āCluelessā and āJurassic Park,ā as well as āGilmore Girls,ā āBand of Brothersā and āDukes of Hazzardā (cue Daisy Dukeās beloved āDixieā).
But now you can star in your own life with the most wicked Jeep of all: the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition. The renowned Hemi V8 engineāthe heart of muscle cars like the Dodge Charger and Challengerāis being phased out, and the Hemi-powered Rubicon is next on the chopping block. But instead of sunsetting later this year, the in-your-face Final Edition has proved so popular that its exit has been extended through 2025.
Itās easy to see why: Press the ignition button and a thunderous roar from the dual-mode exhaust system is enough to wake the dead. With 470 horsepower, this beast screeches from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.
Bronze 17-inch wheels are paired with thick 35-inch tires, boosting ground clearance to 13.3 inches. Thatās more than twice as high as most SUVs, which means climbingāand I do mean climbingāin and out of this vehicle can be a challenge. It was a source of pride to finally step up into this Jeep without looking like a complete klutz.
Inside the no-nonsense cabin are 12-way power seats with gold stitching and an exclusive medallion on the shifter. A commemorative plaque is on the Mopar swing gate, which has a built-in table for roadside picnics. Thereās also an 83-piece toolkit. And if you deflate the tires for heavy-duty off-roading, an optional on-board air compressor will inflate the tires back up again.
But my fave feature is the automatic retracting roof, which is just as classyābut much quicker to operateāthan fancy-schmancy tops on most high-end convertibles.
MERCEDES E-CLASS STATION WAGON
$76,000
MPG: 22 city/31 highway
0-to-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Cargo capacity: 64 cu. ft.
PROS: Sleek styling. Cushy cabin. Heavenly handling.
CONS: Lotsa SUV competitors. Irritating infotainment system.
IN A NUTSHELL: The Jeep Wrangler may be all brawn, but the Mercedes E-Class station wagon is a complete brainiac. Think ānerd chic,ā with loads of high-tech wizardry hidden beneath shapely sheet-metal.
Promoted as an all-terrain vehicle, with air suspension to raise and lower the chassis, this wagon deftly wends its way over rutted backroads or rolling meadows. And the 360-degree surround-view system includes a ātransparentā view, which relays images from various camera angles to the dashboard monitor so that you can see what youāre driving over in real time.
But the elegant E-Class is finest on city streets. A long wheelbaseāover 16 feetāensures smooth sailing in what is truly a land yacht, with plenty of legroom and rear cargo space. And the 375-horsepower V6 turbo is no slouch, proving to be almost as fast as the Hemi-infused Wrangler. The Mercedes engine positively purred during normal driving but growled when I stomped on the gas.
An exquisite cabin showcases the latest electronics, including a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and optional 12.3-inch front-passenger display. The 21-speaker Burmester stereo is mic-dropping amazing, putting concert-hall acoustics to shame. And this wagon can become a 5G wireless hotspot, which really boosts connectivity.
My only beef: The less-than-intuitive entertainment system, which left me struggling as I repeatedly swiped back and forth to try and land on my preferred Sirius stations. In the end, it was easier to use the very capable voice-activation system instead.
Overall, both the Mercedes wagon and Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 boast plenty of power and panache. They just haul your ass in very different ways.
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