“The fuel cell Tucson can go 420 kilometres on one tank of fuel, a range about which electric car manufacturers can only dream.”

2016 Acura RDX
2016 Ford Explorer Platinum Series with EcoBoost
2016 Honda Pilot
Hyundai Tucson fuel cell
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Coupe

Several new crossovers will be featured at this year’s Vancouver auto show.

Honda recently revealed for the first time at the Chicago and Toronto auto shows, the all-new Pilot. Gone is the boxy three-row vehicle, replaced by a sleeker, more stylish design. Now equipped with LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, along with available 20-inch wheels and panoramic sunroof, this is a modern take on family hauling. The Pilot is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission or an optional nine-speed unit. This new model will be sold with front or all wheel drive and because it is 135kg lighter than the last model it should be more efficient.

Mercedes is renaming the M-Class as the GLE. GL refers to an SUV/Crossover and the E is the “E-Class of SUVs”. To confuse things a bit more, the first debut is the GLE Coupe, a sportier coupe-like SUV designed to compete with the BMW X6. This Mercedes, with its sleeker silhouette and powerful 262-hp biturbo V6, looks great. It will range from comfort to all-out performance.

The Acura RDX has been a big hit for this premium brand. Based on the ever-popular Honda CR-V, this Acura is filled with lots of luxury touches for a modest price. The 2016 RDX showcases the latest look of the Acura family. The dual LED headlamps and improved interior design, including two screens in the centre of the dash, puts the RDX in line with the new TLX and recent MDX. Good news is that the trusty V6 engine will stay for 2016.

Hyundai has announced that they it will start leasing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tucson SUVs to Canadians this year, with the Vancouver area being the first market to receive these world-class vehicles. This is an electric SUV but instead of getting electricity from the grid it is produced using an onboard hydrogen fuel cell. The owner fills the fuel tank with hydrogen, not gasoline, and drives normally. The fuel cell Tucson can go 420 kilometres on one tank of fuel, a range about which electric car manufacturers can only dream.

Ford has one of the best selling SUVs of all time in the Explorer, with more than 350,000 sold in Canada so far. The all-new 2016 version made available a 2.3L EcoBoost engine on the base and XLT trim. The 290hp 3.5L V6 engine is carried over but the Sport trim and new Platinum trim will be fitted with the 365hp Ecoboost V6. The new Platinum model will be fitted with real aluminum and ash wood accents, plus leather will trim the steering wheel, instrument panel, armrests, doors and other trim.

Range Rover has two new versions of the Range Rover Sport. The most popular will be the all-new 3.0L diesel engine that produces a whopping 440 lb.-ft. of torque and better fuel consumption. In fact, Range Rover claims a 32 percent improvement over the regular V6 model. On the high performance end is the Range Rover SVR, capable of a run to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. This will be the first Range Rover to sport the new SVR (Special Vehicle Racing) badge.

Prices remain to be finalized on most of these vehicles at press time.

Contact: zack [dot] spencer [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

“The 2015 Honda Pilot is a reliable/spacious SUV and is a real joy to drive.”

Pack everything into the all-new 2015 Honda Pilot and there is still surprisingly enough room for eight people…

Looks

The vehicle was re-designed in 2009 yet it still fits today’s market and has a unique style to it. It rally resembles no other competitor which is more than can be said of many in this market segment,

In The Cab

There is plenty of room in this eight-passenger sport ute. The second row has an extra 25 millimetres, the third has 50 millimetres and there’s a slight an increase to the cargo area. The 60/40 second row and third row bench seats fold flat to give a good surface to transport larger items.

Another added improvement is the rear glass that can be opened independently from the hatch. If you go for the EX-L RES or Touring edition there is a power lift gate. A 229-watt audio system with seven speakers and a subwoofer is available on the LX, SE and EX-L RES model while the Touring comes with a 650-watt, AM/FM/CD Premium audio system with MP3/Windows media and 10 speakers including a 5.1 surround sound theater mode, also a 15 GB hard drive (HDD) audio storage. There is an available Honda DVD rear entertainment system with 9-inch display. An available Honda satellite-linked navigation system with trilingual voice recognition that responds to over 800 verbal commands, as I do at home.

Safety First

The 2015 Pilot’s standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist, commonly known as electronic stability control with traction control and ABS. There are three-row side curtain airbags with roll over sensor; dual stage front air bags, a driver’s front side air bag, and a passenger’s front side air bag with occupant position detection system. There is also hill start assist on all models. The VTM-4 system directs power to the front differential when extra traction is not required, helping with the fuel economy, when more traction is required, the system engages the rear differential.

Roadworthy

I had the opportunity to take the SE 4WD along some logging roads in Squamish. It was incredibly smooth as it glided over potholes and dodged ditches. Although they were not rough roads it is certainly nice to know that you could take your family camping knowing you can travel to most locations without experiencing problems because you left the pavement.

The Pilot has variable cylinder management (VCM), which shuts down two or three cylinders when not required. The five speed automatic transmission runs smoothly and very quietly when shifting. When the green ECO light comes on, I noticed the transmission was a little noisier as the engine decreased the number of cylinders in operation. The Pilot has a tow rating of 2045 kg (4500 lb).

Verdict

The 2015 Honda Pilot is a reliable/spacious SUV and is a real joy to drive.

Contact: ian [dot] harwood [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

**********

Power:

The 3.5 litre, 24 valve, SOHC i-VTEC V6 engine delivers 250 hp and 253 ft lbs of torque with variable cylinder management (VCM).

Pump frequency:

13.1 L/9.1 L/100 km (city/highway)

Warranty support:

36 month/ 60,000 km with 60 month/ 100,000 km power train warranty

Sticker price:

LX 2WD ……………… $35,100

LX 4WD ……………… $38,100

SE 4WD ……………. $42,500

RES 4WD …………. $44,500

TOURING ……………. $48,850

The 2014 Honda Pilot is a reliable/spacious SUV, easy to drive around town and a real joy to drive off-road…

2014 Honda Pilot

The 2014 Honda Pilot has enough space to get you, your family, and all your gear to the campsite and let’s not forget the family dog!

Looks:

Even though the vehicle was last re-designed as long ago as 2009, it still fits the market today and it has a unique style to it.

In The Cab:

Inside updates and improvements ensure there is plenty of room for eight in this large sport ute. The 60/40 second row and third row bench seats fold flat to give a good surface to transport larger items. Another added improvement is the rear glass that opens independently from the hatch. If you go for the EX-L or Touring edition there is a power lift gate. A 229-watt audio system with seven speakers and a subwoofer is available on the LX 2wd, LX, EX and EX-L model while the Touring comes with a 650-watt, AM/FM/CD Premium audio system with MP3/Windows media and 10 speakers including a 5.1 surround sound theater mode, also a 15 GB hard drive (HDD) audio storage. There is an available Honda DVD rear entertainment system with 9-inch display.  And check this out: there’s an optional Honda satellite-linked navigation system with trilingual voice recognition that responds to over 800 verbal commands

Safety first:

The 2014 Pilot’s standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist, commonly known as electronic stability control with traction control and ABS. There are three row-side curtain airbags with roll over sensors; dual stage front air bags, a driver’s front side air bag, and a passenger’s front side air bag with occupant position detection system. There’s also have hill start assist on all models. The VTM-4 system directs power to the front differential when extra traction is not required, helping with the fuel economy, when more traction is required, the system engages the rear differential.

Power:

The 3.5 litre, 24-valve, SOHC i-VTEC  V6 engine delivers 250 hp and 253 ft lbs of torque. Variable cylinder management (VCM) which shuts down two or three cylinders when not required. The five speed automatic transmission runs smoothly and very quiet when shifting. When the green ECO light comes on, I noticed the transmission was a little noisier as the engine decreased the number of cylinders in operation. The Pilot has a tow rating of 2045 kg (4500 lb)

Roadworthy:

I took the Touring edition up some logging roads in Squamish. It was incredibly smooth as it glided over potholes and dodged ditches.

Verdict:

The 2014 Honda Pilot is a reliable/spacious SUV, easy to drive around town and a real joy to drive off-road.

Pump frequency:

13.1 L/9.1 L/100 km (city/highway)

Warranty support:

36 month/ 60,000 km with 60 month/ 100,000 km power train warranty

Sticker price:

LX 2WD: $36,842

LX: $39,897

EX: $42,897

EX-L: $45,397

EX-L RES: $46,897

Touring (Test vehicle): $50,662

Contact: ian [dot] harwood [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

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