Autos
Cool picks from the Chicago Auto Show
A hot hybrid, sexy SUV and more highlights


The Chicago Auto Show was held earlier this month. (Photo courtesy Chicago Auto Show)
CHICAGO ā I attended the Chicago Auto Show media preview on Feb. 9-10 and got to hear from automobile manufacturers and sample vehicles ranging from family haulers to supercars. The nationās largest auto show was in the nationās largest convention center, McCormick Place, which boasts five indoor test tracks. The show ran from Feb. 11-20.
A cool hybrid, a fast and sexy SUV and an updated favorite were the highlights of the show.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan
Price: $41,995
Mpg: 84 MPGe
0 to 60 mph: Not available

Chrysler Pacifica left, Pacifica Hybrid right (Photo courtesy Fiat Chrysler)
Looking for a mini van for the kids, dogs, bikes and garden center trips? The Pacifica Hybrid is the worldās only 84-mpg equivalent mini van; and has a 30-mile electric-only range, great for running errands in the neighborhood. This seven-passenger mini van automatically switches over to the gas engine when the battery draws down to a predetermined level. The combined gas/electric range is a whopping 530 miles. No range anxiety here. Technically, Pacifica is a plug in hybrid. The battery pack requires less than two hours to charge using the available 240-volt charger. Regenerative braking extends battery life. The middle seats do notĀ āstow ānā goā because of the battery pack but the seats are easily removed to create a flat load floor.
Nearly every comfort and safety feature on the market is available including Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Hands Free lift gate and side doors and a built in vacuum system. Depending on your state, the Pacifica Hybrid may qualify for a tax credit up to $7,500. Is this the vehicle for your active lifestyle?
2017 Maserati Levante
Price: $73,250
Mpg:14 city/20 Highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.8 seconds
I drove a Maserati Levante in a massive, empty indoor space at McCormick Place. I could not put the vehicle through its paces because I was inside; but I had a āperma grinā the entire time I was behind the wheel. The interior is beautiful to see, touch and smell. The engine delivers a deep-throated snarl and wants to be unleashed to run on the open road.
Levante was created from engines, the Q4 all-wheel drive system and suspension components from the Ghibli sedan. The more powerful Levante S ($83,800) increases output from the 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine to 424 horsepower which is good for 0-60 times of 5.0 seconds. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on both models.
Maserati is a latecomer to the premium, high-performance SUV market. Porsche delivered the first Cayenne SUVs in 2002. A nicely optioned Levante S costs nearly $100,000, which puts it in Cayenne territory, along with Tesla Model X, BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Mercedes Benz GLE. Levante, āThe Maserati of SUVs,ā offers sexy styling and exclusivity that the more familiar brands do not.

The Maserati Levante (Photo courtesy Maserati)
2018 Subaru Legacy
Price: $23,00 (est.)
Mpg: 25 city/ 34 highway
0 to 60 mph: 8.8 seconds (est.)

The Subaru Legacy (Washington Blade photo by Marvin Bowser)
Subaru introduced a refreshed and refined 2018 Legacy at the Chicago Auto Show. A number of styling and engineering enhancements combine to improve the driving experience of this popular mid-sized sedan that goes on sale this summer.
Two models and four trim levels are offered. The 2.5i model has a 175-horsepower engine and is available in Base, Premium, Sport and Limited trims. The 3.6R model has a more powerful 256-horsepower engine and is only available in the luxurious Limited trim. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on all models.
Interior upgrades include premium materials, a redesigned center console, a sportier steering wheel and real stitching on the dash, seats and door panels of Premium and Limited trims.Ā STARLINK Multimedia system with Bluetooth wireless capability provides a more smartphone like look and feel and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Ā Ā
EyeSight Driver Assist technology is available on most trims and includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collsion Breaking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist among other features.
Legacy sales are up and the new model with its more elegant styling, upgraded interior and advanced multimedia options will likely continue the trend.

Electric vehicles are charging ahead, despite recent saber rattling by politicians. After testing a bevy of EVs, the rides below certainly got my motor running.
BMW iX (midsize SUV)

Price: $89,000-$113,000
Range: 288 to 324 miles
0 to 60 mph: 4.0 seconds
Cargo space: 35.5 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Fun styling. Funky steering wheel. Floating center console. Oh, and cameras, radar and other sensors hidden in the grille, which has a special coating to magically erase minor scratches and dings. I was blown away when the BMW iX debuted in 2022. Three years later, the thrill is still there. Acceleration, cornering and braking? All breathtaking, in both the base model xDrive50 and high-test M60. Gizmos now include eye-tracking software so you can change lanes simply by glancing toward one of the side-view mirrors. An expansive digital monitor above the dash holds both a 14.9-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. And many materials ā such as carpet and floor mats ā are recycled. A truly eclectic electric? You bet.
CADILLAC LYRIQ (midsize SUV)

Price: $60,000-$70,000
Range: 314 miles
0 to 60 mph: 5.7 seconds
Cargo space: 28.0 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: If a BMW iX is cutting edge (say, like āTransformers Oneā), then a Cadillac Lyriq is old-school cool (a la āDeadpool & Wolverineā). Handsome design. Familiar feel. Quiet cabin. Handling is more affable than athletic. Ditto the acceleration. The land-yacht aura extends to the seats, which are cushy instead of taut. For older ā er, more mature ā drivers, this is a plus. But thereās plenty of tech here, too: 33-inch digital display, tri-zone climate control, hands-free driving, wireless charging pad and so on. When first sliding behind the wheel, I wished the navigation/infotainment interface was more intuitive. But a stellar voice-assistant system more than made up for it.
KIA EV 9 (large SUV)
Price: $57,000-$76,000
Range: 230 to 304 miles
0 to 60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Cargo space: 20.2 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: A cyborg in the city? With Robocop styling and Tron-like finesse, the Kia EV9 looks and feels out of this world. Three-row seating, with scads of passenger room. Lowering all the rear seats expands cargo capacity to fit more than 15 suitcases. And unlike most EVs, the EV9 can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Yet the hulky hauler behaves like a nimble ninja, easily darting in and out of traffic. At almost 6,000 pounds, the King Kong Kia is three tons of fun āliterally. There are so many creature comforts ā self-leveling suspension, ambient lighting, massage seats, rear-window shades, 14-speaker Meridian audioāyou would think this was a Range Rover.
MERCEDES EQE (midsize SUV)
Price: $80,000-$110,000
Range: 265 to 307 miles
0 to 60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Cargo space: 14.0 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Luxury is as luxury does and Mercedes does luxury well. With a dashing design, silken ride and hushed interior, the EQE sets a high bar. Four trim levels, including the awe-inspiring AMG with 617 horsepower. Everything is state-of-the-art: powertrains, suspension, safety, multipixel headlights, cabin air purifier, Burmeister stereo and more. An augmented-reality nav system monitors traffic, weather and such, then conveys this info into graphic overlays on the head-up display. And the standard faux leather seats? They look and feel like the real thing. One downside: minimal cargo space. But then, thereās always a full-size EQS topping out at $180,000.
NISSAN ARIYA (compact SUV)
Price: $40,000-$56,000
Range: 205 to 289 miles
0 to 60 mph: 7.5 seconds
Cargo space: 22.8 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Cute, compact, comfy. Itās easy to like a Nissan Ariya, with its cheeky exterior, composed handling and low price. Choice of two battery packs, as well as two-wheel or all-wheel drive. Base-model pricing is hard to beat, but beware the tradeoffs: pokey acceleration and reduced range. Luckily, the other trim levels offer more oomph. All Ariyas come loaded: LED headlights, heated steering wheel, heated front/rear seats, nav system, head-up display and lots of safety gear. Notable options: panoramic sunroof, hands-free liftgate, limited hands-free cruise control, automated parking and illuminated kick plates. Overall, I found the ride smooth, though not sporty. Racing mavens may want to look elsewhere, but itāll cost you.
SUBARU SOLTERRA (compact SUV)

Price: $40,000-$47,000
Range: 222 to 227 miles
0 to 60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Cargo space: 27.7 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: The first EV from Subaru ā the Solterra ā boasts origami-like flair. Built in tandem with the quirkily named Toyota bZ4X, both SUVs fall a bit short in battery range āless than 230 miles. But the Solterra comes standard with all-wheel drive, roof rails and front cross-traffic alert. Plus, it now has faster charging times, as well as hands-free driving at up to 25 mph and an automatic lane-changing system used in conjunction with the turn signal. While not a true off-roader, this āSubieā has above-average ground clearance ā 8.3 inches ā to better tackle snow and potholes. And I liked all the storage compartments, along with dual-level cargo floor to fit extra luggage.
Autos
SUV rundown: ātis the season for traveling
6 standouts whether trekking home for the holidays or taking daily commutes

Here are six standout SUVs from which to choose if youāre looking for a new ride this holiday season.
BMW X5

Price range: $67,000-$90,000
MPG: 23 city/27 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.3 seconds
Cargo space: 72.3 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: With a base model nudging $70,000, the midsize BMW X5 costs a pretty penny. Yet this dream machine offers a choice of boffo engines, exciting handling and enticing features. Four trim levels, including a plug-in hybrid and gnarly M60i (a V8-powered ride that costsāyikes!ā$20,000 more but scoots from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds). Spacious, too, with oodles of room. And if youāre jonesing for glitz, thereās a glass-trimmed shifter that looks like real crystal, massaging seats, panoramic roof with embedded LED lighting, rear window shades and more. Thereās also the latest tech: 12.3-inch digital display, 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charger and 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Drive one and see.
BUICK ENCORE

Price range: $27,000-$34,000
MPG: 29 city/31 highway
0 to 60 mph: 8.8 seconds
Cargo space: 50.2 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Buick keeps hitting the high notes with its bravura designs, and the Encoreāa sassy subcompactāis no exception. Surprisingly spry, with comfy seats, concise handling and a classy cabin. Thereās beaucoup standard gear, including remote start, LED headlights, smartphone integration and the latest safety systems. Open your wallet a bit more to add larger wheels, 360-degree camera, hands-free liftgate, Bose audio and other niceties. A big plus: lotsa storage. Alas, not the peppiest engine, but capable enough to not feel sluggish. Compared to upscale divasāAudi Q3, BMW X1,Mercedes GLA 250āthe affordable Encore deserves, well, an encore.
GMC ACADIA

Price range: $44,000-$57,000
MPG: 20 city/27 highway
0 to 60 mph: 6.7 seconds
Cargo space: 97.5 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: The third-gen Acadia, redesigned for 2024, is the best yet. This full-sizer is now larger, more potent and full of gizmos, including hands-free driving assist, wireless charging, Wi-Fi and more. For off-roading, thereās a tighter suspension, all-terrain tires and even a steel skid plate. My only beef was with the automatic braking system, which scared me silly the first time I was backing into a garage. The driverās seat began vibrating and buzzing wildly, even though there was nothing nearby. Then the brakes slammed onāhard. Most vehicles only beep or apply the brakes when too close to an object. This, though, felt and sounded like a manic whoopee cushion. But yes, after driving the Acadia for a week, I missed having such a quirky alert on my next test vehicle.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Price range: $37,000-$69,000
MPG: 19 city/26 highway
0 to 60 mph: 7.4 seconds
Cargo space: 70.8 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: A glam ride on a gutsy chassis. Earlier this year I reviewed the mid-range Overland model. Now it was time for the top-of-the-line Summit Reserve. Mixing pizzazz, power and pampering, this gung-ho SUV spoiled me good. And at $69,000, it should. This is BMW X5 territory, yet the Jeep delivers virtually the same creature comforts and advanced safety monitors. The seats may not be as taut, but thatās a minor quibble. A trailer-tow package also canāt be beat: automatic headlight leveling, load-leveling rear suspension, and heavy-duty cooling and electrical systems.
LINCOLN NAUTILUS

Price range: $52,000-$75,000
MPG: 21 city/29 highway
0 to 60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Cargo space: 71.3 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Lincoln previously appealed mainly to Gramps and G-ma, but now the target is a younger crowd. For the midsize Nautlius, this means mod styling, a finely crafted interior and eye-popping features like a four-foot digital display. The ginormous screen is part of a sweeping dashboard that stretches onto the door panels. Handling and cornering are smooth yet sporty, especially in the new hybrid model. When the Nautilus was parked, I could indulge in some guilty pleasures with a multisensory setup that integrated the panoramic screen, surround-sound stereo, massaging seats and a fragrance diffuser into a truly spa-like ambiance. Nirvana, indeed.
SUBARU FORESTER

Base model: $29,000-$38,000
MPG: 26 city/33 highway
0 to 60 mph: 9.3 seconds
Cargo space: 74.2 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Solid, steady, a sure thing. Thanks to all-wheel drive, the Foresterās handling is excellentāespecially in rain or snow. And even though this is no speedsterāthe powerplant is a tad pokeyāthe fuel economy outshines most rivals. My test drive was the midrange Sport model, which boasted 18-inch black-painted wheels, raised roof rails, foglights, tinted rear windows and an all-weather package with a windshield-wiper de-icer. Best of all: the cargo room was big enough for all my holiday shopping, including a very wicked outfit for my husbandāmy own Prince Fiyero.

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.
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