Here’s staff reviews of five autos featured in the Veteran’s Day special
2020 Volvo XC90: Welcome to luxury SUV supremacy with Volvo XC90
The search is over — the Volvo XC90 R-Design is here, and what an amazing SUV it is.
Among the perks of reviewing automobiles is the benefit of driving a lot of vehicles in a relatively short period of time. Some jump out you and grant you the “wow” factor, while others are just average.
The Volvo XC60 was one of those “wow” factor vehicles, and the larger XC90 delivers that same effect. The “wow” factor was so strong for me, we bought an XC60 and still to this day absolutely adore it.
The XC90 is the same vehicle, just longer and with more seats.
The R-Design, a luxury 7-passenger, all-wheel-drive SUV, provides a turbocharged 2.0-Liter 4-cylinder and 250 hp. The smooth and crisp motor package is the same in the XC60 and hits all the marks.
Road noise is nonexistent in the large people-mover while the sleek infotainment system in the Volvo’s fleet are easy to use and friendly to navigate around on the large 9.3 inch tablet-style touch screen.
Chinese manufacturer Geely purchased the Volvo Cars brand from Ford Motor Company in 2010 and has never looked back, even to the extent of manufacturing Volvos in its new South Carolina plant as of 2018, while still headquarters, product development and administrative functions operate in Gothenburg, Sweden.
I can’t say enough about the Volvo brand and their high quality, luxury vehicles. The XC90 is their prized possession as it competes with so many large luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5, the Audi Q7 and the Cadillac XT6, all of which are no real comparison. The XC90 is simply outstanding and requires no additional vehicles to be viewed when searching 7-passenger luxury.
Volkswagen Tiguan: VW adds nicely priced, competent contender to 3-row SUV battlefield
Sometimes you just need a basic three-row SUV that combines utility, frugality and good looks.
Enter the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SE.
Sporting a new engine — a 184-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder — mated to a smooth-shifting 8-speed transmission, the Tiguan may not be the fastest car on the road, but is a solid motoring citizen.
Although our tester was the nimble front-wheel-drive model, we recommend getting the 4Motion all-wheel-drive version for New Englanders without giving up any of the gas mileage — about 26 mpg on average.
Stretching out the body of the Tiguan in 2018 allowed for a third row of seating; it still has ample cargo space.
VW enthusiasts will recognize the SE’s interior. The classic two-gauge dash is updated with an 8-inch digital touch screen with a full array of popular interfaces such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With its squared-off sport steering wheel and short shifter, the Tiguan has the sporty airs of the Golf and Jetta. We’ve tested several VWs and always favor the cloth seats over the V-Tex leatherette upholstery, however the supportive seats get the job done with some flair.
Beyond the $27,690 price point is the excellent safety package VW offers, including front collision control, rear traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, anti-slip and emergency braking, and electronic stability controls.
There’s plenty of compact SUVs and crossovers to test, but with several Tiguan trim levels available, it is a nifty option in the segment.
Base MSRP – $26,622
As tested – $27,690
MPG city/highway – 22/29
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 14: 2019 VW Tiguan SUV, room for 7, on July 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
Nissan Altima: Nissan stays on track with Altima, an almost-perfect commuter car
Nissan Altima may be just the car for you with its snappy, aerodynamic body, sporty 2.5-liter engine, loads of legroom and a mammoth trunk. It’s a dream commuter’s car. The all-wheel-drive Altima is just what the doctor ordered for an everyday driver.
Our Platinum AWD tester was maxed out with a massive array of safety features making for a very safe ride. But the commuter’s key is the NissanConnect infotainment center rocking a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The dash mounted 8-inch touch screen handles all of today’s apps such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with the convenient Siri eyes free/Google-assist voice-activated services.
The peppy 182-hp, four-cylinder engine mated to a continuous variable transmission makes for quick starts and a seamless highway cruiser. Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels, the super-efficient engine rates at 25/35 mpg.
With 13 trim levels available, our fully rigged 2.5 SL AWD had an MSRP of $34,275, but you can create your car starting at just over $23,000. It competes in the competitive midsize segment that includes the Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata.
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - AUGUST 18: 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum sedan
on August 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
2019 Subaru Ascent: Subaru hits heights with Ascent
Best known for its all-wheel drive in economy-minded vehicles, Subaru broke the mold last year in introducing the burly seven-passenger Ascent. This season’s version continues to deliver on all fronts.
The full-sized SUV has ample interior room to comfortably move a household, doing it with a good fuel economy and some stylish touches. The highly maneuverable Ascent is an easy city creature while sitting tall on the highway. The peppy 2.4 L 260-horsepower boxer engine turns all four wheels through a CVT transmission while delivering 20/26 mpg. The torquey engine is quick off the line, so apply the gas smoothly to prevent your coffee from spilling.
Although it shares some styling cues from the smaller Forester, the simple exterior creases and folds, along with a power tailgate and roof rails, give the Ascent strong curb personality, while the nearly 9 inches of ground clearance allows for some medium off-roading. But more importantly, it’ll make tackling snow a snap and offers the benefit of easy in and out of the truck.
With the tested model tipping the scales at $42,920, Ascent offers many upscale features to make the driving experience pleasant. The panoramic sunroof gives a nice sense of roominess while the leather seating surfaces, cross-stitching and aluminum accent trim add a touch of elegance. But don’t forget that multiple cubbies, cup holders and a connectivity port also make the Ascent a nice workhorse. Captains chairs in the front and second row allow for ease of movement in the cabin while the second row enjoys a separate climate controller. Drop all the rear seats and you’ve got a proper deck for weekend warrior projects at the big box store.
From a tech perspective, the Ascent is loaded. The Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist includes blind-spot sensor, lane-drift correction and rear cross-traffic alerts, but works best on sensing forward collision warning that sounds an alert when you’re too close, braking the car. Add directional headlights along with Apple Carplay, Android Auto and My Subaru uplink and you’re clearly driving a well-equipped vehicle.
There’s a full array of seven-passenger SUVs on the market but the Subaru nameplate carries weight and is particularly popular in the Northeast. But take a peek at some of the competition such as the Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Volkswagen Atlas and Kia Sorento and see how the Ascent measures up.
MSRP: $38,995
As tested: $42,920
MPG: 20 city, 26 highway
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JANUARY 6: 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 passenger SUV on January 6, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/Boston Herald)
Honda Civic: Civics lesson continues with Honda’s reliable small sedan
Snazzy-looking and a fuel-sipper to boot, the Honda Civic Touring continues to be a crowd-pleaser.
With sharp sporty lines, alloy wheels and a leather-trimmed interior, the Civic remains one of the most popular compact sedans on the road — and for good reason.
This peppy 174-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter drives a CVT and makes a tidy average of 33 mpg. The Touring Edition has very comfortable seats. All the controls are at your fingertips and the lanekeeper assist may be the most aggressive we’ve tested. Well-equipped with the Honda-branded sensing package, it includes adaptive cruise control, a collision braking system, forward collision warning and lane-departure assist.
Honda has maintained two important aspects in the slick four-door — a massive trunk and plenty of legroom in the rear seats. Combine that with a solid 10-speaker premium sound system and you’ve got a daily driver that turns a few heads. The infotainment system features the newest in connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a simple touch screen to toggle through your selections.
The compact sedan category is still one of the most heavily contested because of the terrific selection of autos and excellent price points, so the base Civic starting at $20,350 offers dependability and performance making it a must test drive.
Base MSRP – $20,350
As tested – $27,400
MPG city/highway 32/42
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Tourning on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 21: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 21, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: Honda Civic Touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - JULY 24: 2019 Honda Civic touring on July 24, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Jim Mahoney/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)