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The 2021 Infiniti QX80 Delivers V8 Powered Luxury for Families

We’ve always appreciated Infiniti’s full-size SUV, the QX80. The second generation of the brand’s flag ship SUV was launched for the 2011 model year and apart from a couple facelifts, has remained relatively unchanged. For 2021, Infiniti has added some new features and tech to enhance the family-friendly luxury vehicle but for the most part, the QX80 remains faithful to the big. powerful SUV we’re familiar with.

While it may not be the new kid on the block, Infiniti’s full-size SUV offers attractive design, a family-friendly cabin and a powerful V8 engine. Add in the SUV’s competitive pricing and broad range of standard features at a reasonable price and it is hard to find reasons not to add the QX80 to the “must consider” list when shopping for a luxury vehicle that can comfortably seat up to 8.

Infiniti offers the QX80 in three trim levels: Luxe, Premium Select and Sensory. All models are powered by a proven 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission. Thanks in part to the SUV’s 413 lb-ft of torque and body-on-frame construction, the QX80 can tow up to 8,500 pounds. That towing capacity matches or bests most vehicles in the segment.

The rear-wheel-drive QX80 achieves an EPA-estimated 14/20 mpg city/highway on premium unleaded fuel, while four-wheel-drive models achieve 13/19 mpg city/highway. Fuel economy numbers are in line with those of similar V8-powered full-size luxury SUVs.

The QX80 is surprisingly quick. Infiniti’s V8 is more than adequate to handle the SUV’s 5,800 lbs. Zero to sixty ticks by in six seconds (give or take). The QX80’s muscle takes the stress out of pulling onto the highway and makes passing a breeze. And while it’s not really a key factor for family SUV’s, the growl of the engine and exhaust makes us smile.

A Quick Look at the QX80’s Trim Levels

Starting at the TOP, the new “Sensory” model offers the most equipment and refinement of the bunch. Semi-aniline leather-appointed seats, charcoal burl trim and a new graphite tricot headliner wrap occupants with high quality materials. Twenty-two inch alloy wheels and chrome mirror caps help set the exterior apart. Not apparent from the photos, Infiniti’s “Hydraulic Body Motion Control System” offers enhanced cornering stability and a smoother ride.

The entry level “LUXE” model includes a long list of standard technology. Blind spot intervention, lane departure prevention, distance control assist, a rear seat belt reminder and intelligent cruise control are all included. The QX80 has a two touchscreen infotainment system and a Bose 13-speaker sound system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration complement the standard navigation, Bluetooth audio and satellite radio.

Our “PREMIUM SELECT” review vehicle included the tech features from the LUXE and adds exterior trim enhancements first seen on the limited-run 2020 QX80 ‘Edition 30.’ Dark chrome and black highlights the QX80’s front grille, Dark chrome 22-inch alloy wheels fender vents, door mirror caps and rear tailgate strip give the SUV a sporty appearance. Three interior trim colors are also available; Graphite, Truffle Brown and Sahara Stone.

Cabin and Cargo

The 10-way adjustable driver’s seat and tilt-telescopic wheel make finding a comfortable driving position easy work. We are fans of the thick cushion and shape of the QX80 front seats. They help make daily commutes palatable and long trips feel shorter.

Second-row captain’s chairs are standard, and these provide seven-passenger seating. An optional 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat is available for those who need seating for eight. All models come with a power-adjustable 60/40-split third-row bench seat that folds and reclines.

Infiniti’s QX80 offers 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, enough room for a handful of overnight bags. Families that can leave the third seat folded will find the 49.6 cubic feet of cargo space perfect for weekend out of town trips. With the second- and third-row seats folded, the QX80 provides 95.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

Pricing

The 2021 Infiniti QX80 Luxe starts at $69,050 plus a $1,395 destination fee. If you want to add all-wheel-drive, the AWD QX80 Luxe starts at $72,150.

Our review vehicle, the 2021 QX80 Premium Select, costs $73,350 with RWD or $76,450 with AWD (as tested). Infiniti’s top-trim QX80 Sensory model starts at $80,200 for a RWD and $83,300 with AWD. All in, ticking all option boxes, and a 2021 Infiniti QX80 Sensory costs about $90,000.

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The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer Shines with Camaro Spirit

“Is that a Camaro SUV? Oh, wait, it’s the new Blazer!”

At first blush the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer’s styling, especially with the RS badging, summons the most recent iteration of the brand’s pony car. When Chevy announced the Blazer’s return the general consensus was that General Motors would recreate the iconic 4×4’s design with a futuristic twist, much like how the 2010 Camaro borrowed heavily from the original 1967 model. Instead, Chevrolet designed a sporty crossover with aggressive styling that is entirely new and now, fitting nicely within the brand’s current lineup.

Spending a week with Chevy’s mid-size SUV proved General Motor’s styling choices. Every stop at the gas station was met with a stranger asking about the crossover, specifically wanting to know if “it drove as well as it looked.”

The answer? “Yes, indeed it does.”

A Family Friendly Crossover Imbued by Pony Car Spirit

Chevy’s base model 2021 Blazer is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque (L, 1LT). A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 230 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque is also available (2LT, 3LT).

Our review vehicle was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque (standard in RS and Premier; available in 2LT and 3LT). Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available on certain trims. All models use a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Blazer shines when it comes to fuel economy, especially with the base 2.5-liter engine. The front-wheel drive base model is rated at 22/39 mpg city/highway. Our all-wheel-drive V6-powered variant returns the worst of the lineup at 19/26 mpg city/highway, still noteworthy considering the size of the vehicle and the power.

Chevy’s sporty mid-size SUV offers better than average driving dynamics. Precise steering and a sporty suspension work with the 300 plus horsepower V6 engine to keep things interesting. It is easy to forget that you are behind the wheel of a mid-size SUV, perhaps the “crossover” term is more apt to describe the driving experience. In short, the Blazer drives like a sporty family sedan.

Take a Peek Inside

Front seat passengers will appreciate the legroom. The driver’s seat takes another page from the Camaro play book. The driver-centric controls are thoughtfully placed. The vents in the dash are adopted from the pony car. The center pair work as giant knobs to modulate the cabin’s climate control temperature. Rear seating is great for two adults or three children and adequate for three adults if the time spent is limited. Base Blazer models include fabric upholstery, higher trim levels get leather.

Cargo room measures 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. Those numbers equate to decent real-world utility. Consumers looking for more space, but hoping to stay in the Chevy family, might want to entertain moving to the 3-row Traverse. Other manufacturer offerings with additional cargo space include the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda Pilot.

Excellent Infotainment and Standard WiFi

We’ve been fans of Chevrolet’s infotainment for a while. Standard features include an 8-inch touch screen and six-speaker audio. Standard connectivity includes Bluetooth, four USB ports, a WiFi hot spot, and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The standard WiFi hotspot and OnStar system proved helpful, especially when our cell phone decided that we had wandered a little too far off the beaten path and lost service. Our guess is that the car’s antenna was a little happier with the situation as the WiFi never skipped a beat. That said, the debate will also rage over proprietary systems versus the power of today’s smartphones. For many the power of today’s phones, the ease of use and reliability are hard to beat. Never mind the familiarity and options, many of which are already bought and paid for.

Infotainment upgrades include navigation, wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a premium eight-speaker Bose sound system.

Pricing

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer starts at $28,800 plus fees. The RS model, with the V6 engine starts at $40,800 plus fees. Our RS AWD model costs $48,700 with fees included.

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2021 Roar Before the Rolex 24 Hyperlapse Video – From Our Official Photographer, Deremer Studios, LLC

First Coast Car Culture’s official photographer, Deremer Studios, was hired by BMW to cover the Rolex 24 at Daytona at the Daytona International Speedway. Their team traveled to the “Roar” event the preceding weekend and created this fantastic video:

“With just a week before the IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona and our race weekend work for BMW, I took my oldest down for a rare day as a spectator at the Roar Before the Rolex 24. But I still couldn’t resist… I took my camera… and 1,500 photos… which I have compressed into this short hyperlapse video. These are unedited – a gallery with the final products will come soon. Even with the competition bubble in place, some of my favorite general public shooting locations are still available and in my opinion, it’s still well worth the ticket price.” Nathan, Deremer Studios, LLC.

Check out Deremer Studios, LLC’s video:

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2021 Hyundai Veloster N: Hyundai’s Hatchback Turns Up the Heat

We love hot hatchbacks. For years we’ve been enamored by the likes of the Volkswagen GTI, Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R. Not only are they incredibly fun to drive, but they are entirely practical. So a few years ago when Hyundai announced a HOT version of the already attractive Veloster, we started paying attention. After a week behind the wheel of the revamped 2021 Hyundai Veloster N, we are smitten.

All photos property of First Coast Car Culture, LLC.

Powered by an absolutely high-strung turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine, the Veloster N pumps out 275 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That’s a fantastic amount of power, especially when it is sent to exclusively to the front wheels. A six-speed manual transmission with rev matching is standard, as it should be, and a very good 8-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission is available.

Choosing which transmission is actually a harder decision that we expected. Everything you’ll read on this website or see on our social media channels would point in the three-pedal direction, except the two-pedal version is faster. The automatic also makes the car a bit friendlier in bumper to bumper traffic, the grocery store parking lot and the Starbucks drive through.

While we are on the topic of friendly, our weeklong review revealed the Veloster N to be a very useable daily driver. The hatchback’s 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 44.5 cubic feet when the rear seating is folded, is almost too good to believe. That equates to much more cargo space than the Hyundai Venue SUV. Those numbers are just about equal to the space found in the cargo hold of the 2021 Hyundai Kona.

Fuel economy is commendable for a hot hatchback. When equipped with the manual transmission the Veloster N is rated at 22/28/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Substitute the dual-clutch transmission and the Veloster N is rated at 20/27/22, which means that the stick shift is the better performer even if it takes a tiny bit longer to get to sixty miles per hour. Our fuel economy tests where right in line with the EPA ratings, if not a little better.

Hyundai has arguably made their best sports to date, but they’ve been offering a benchmark warranty for a while.

It is worth noting that the Veloster N comes with the same incredibly long warranty periods as its Hyundai brothers and sisters. That means a 5 years/60,000 miles “New Vehicle” and a 10 years/100,000 miles “Powertrain” limited warranty. Even the most cynical consumer should feel comforted with that kind of coverage. Additionally, the Veloster includes a 7 years/unlimited miles anti-perforation (rust and corrosion) and an incredible 5 years/unlimited miles 24/7 worth of roadside assistance. We might be getting accustomed to long warranty periods on passenger cars, but that kind of coverage on a hot hatchback built for performance is nothing to take for granted.

The front seating area of the Veloster N’s attractive, purpose-built cabin

Fun but Safe

For 2021, the Veloster N comes with a long list of standard active safety equipment. We are fans of the forward collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic collision warning. But the constant, often nagging, lane keep assist and driver attention warning seemed unnecessary on the local roads in our area where the safest non-pothole line is just off the prescribed path. We also have areas where the lines are painted and then painted again a foot to the right or left (they try to make the old line disappear, but they aren’t fooling anyone, not even the Hyundai robots). There were a couple of times we yelled at the car and asked why it felt the need to pick on us.

While the Veloster N is quite practical, even earning the “family friendly” tag on Firstcoastcarculture.com, inspired spirited driving is what tips the like/love scale to the latter for us. The engine and transmission combo, either the rev-matching manual or the new for 2021 wet dual-clutch, is a testament to Hyundai engineering. Sure, the 20-seconds of 278 lb-ft of overboost is enough to evoke unruly torque steer, but that only adds to the character of the car.

NOTE: We are fans of quirky vintage sports cars. The kind of cars  that require a quick crash course before speeding away behind the wheel. Even with technology in spades, the Veloster N somehow captures the essence of those wonderfully unruly vintage sports cars. A spirited drive leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment. The pops, gurgles and rumble from the exhaust adding a lovely sound track that just might keep you from ever turning on the radio.

Don’t let the quirky three passenger door configuration fool you, the Veloster N is built for grownups, albeit fun ones who like to giggle on occasion. The sport seats are comfortable and supportive, the infotainment system sounds fantastic and is easy to operate. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a long list of tech features are standard. The electronically controlled suspension provides a nice range of drive settings from somewhat comfortable to wonderfully aggressive.

Pricing

Pricing for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N starts at $32,250 plus freight charges, tax, title, and license fees. The 8-speed dual clutch automatic adds $1,500.

The N is essentially the top trim of the 2021 Hyundai Veloster, which starts at $18,900 plus fees. Which begs the question, is it worth paying almost twice as much for the Veloster N as the base 147-horsepower model Veloster 2.0?

In a word, YES.  

That’s a hot hatchback…also, how cool is that third passenger door?

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5th Annual Mopars on the Beach: A Myrtle Beach “Vacation for Mopar Enthusiasts”

Words and Photos by Erik Azar

Erik Azar is a motorsports enthusiast living in Northeast Florida. He is presently the VP of the Jacksonville Corvette Club and an active member of JAMS – Jacksonville Area Mopars where he enjoys attending motorsport events in his Jeep JK and Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye.

The 5th annual Mopars on the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC – tailored as a Vacation for Mopar Enthusiasts took place from November 10-15, 2020. Like so many other motorsport events this year, Mopars on the Beach was postponed from its usual June timeframe. 

Mopars on the Beach was founded in 2016 by Tommy and Cathy Bridges of the Coastal Carolina Mopars, and with the help of their club members pulled off a successful event as they had to be agile and creative dealing with the current Covid-19 climate. This year saw over 300 attendees from 17 states traveling from as far away as Nevada and Arizona.

The week’s activities consisted of various Cruise-ins, Dyno Day, Charity Ride, and a Car Show. It’s a great way for Mopar enthusiasts to meet other like-minded people from all over the United States and develop new friendships.

This year even the late season Hurricane Iota wouldn’t put a damper on the activities and fun. The rain stopped Thursday evening allowing Friday’s Charity Ride and Saturday’s car show to take place with beautiful weather. 

Friday’s charity ride to the small town of Georgetown, SC ended up having more than double the number of attendees expected. The organizers did an excellent job coordinating with the local police departments to arrange police escorts and blocking major intersections for more than 100 cars to travel from site to site. The evening ended at The Landing at the Boathouse for dinner and prizes.

The main event and largest generator of donation funds for the charities was Saturday’s car show that hosted over 300 cars on display. The cars ranged from classic 60s-70s Mopar muscle, to modern muscle and custom Mopars – which provided something for everybody to enjoy.

For 2020 the event raised $13,000 that was evenly divided between two local charities:

·      Quilts of Valor local chapter – provides volunteer handmade quilts to service members and veterans that have been touched by war.

·      Lowcountry Food Bank – provides both the education and nutritious options needed by partner agencies and schools that serve our community

Next year’s Mopars on the Beach is scheduled for Nov 2-6, 2021 and will move to Broadway at the Beach, a popular tourist destination with shopping and entertainment. There will also be Drag Strip day on Thursday, Nov 4, 2021 at Darlington Drag Strip.

For additional information for Mopars on the Beach 2021 visit their website at https://moparsatthebeach.org. Or directly contact Tommy and Cathy Bridges – Coastal Carolina Mopars – (864)325-9660        coastalcarolinamopars@gmail.com

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Twin Turbo V6 Excellence: The 2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 AWD

Infiniti knows how to build a twin turbo V6 engine, especially of the 3-liter variety. Much of my childhood was spent daydreaming about the then new second generation 300ZX. The top-tier version was powered by a glorious 3-liter twin turbo V6. A likely underrated 300-horsepower masterpiece that could be considered the grandfather of the engine that sits under the hood of our review vehicle today, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport AWD.

Unlike the 300zx, even the longer wheelbase four passenger version, the Q50 is an entirely practical car. With a premium interior that seats five adults and useable – if not spacious – trunk, Infiniti’s premium sports sedan is many things that the beloved sports coupe of my youth wasn’t.

All while shaving a half second or more off the 300zx’s zero to sixty time, depending on news outlet and driver.

Exterior design that has been around the block but still looks fresh

We remember when the Q50 first arrived for the 2014 model year. At the time there wasn’t much that could compete with the futuristic design. Matter of fact, the relatively unchanged exterior was so far advanced that it still looks fresh in 2021. However, in a line up with segment competitors the Q50’s curb appeal slightly wanes.

A well-made premium interior

There are more luxurious sedans in the segment, but no one can argue the Q50’s excellent fit and finish. Front legroom is plentiful and rear seat passengers will find the accommodations excellent for two adults or three youth.

In our experience, Infiniti makes one of the most comfortable seats found in any new car. The frame is padded just enough to be comfortable, but not so much that you lose support. Our Red Sport 400 arrived with semi-aniline quilted leather seats. We appreciated the red stitching throughout the cabin, which adds a nice contrast. The Red Sport also adds quilted side inserts on the seats and dashboard dials with dark chrome finish.

Cargo space is about average for the segment. With 13.5 cubic feet, the Q50 will work for most around town situations. You can fit quite a few groceries or backpacks for instance. But those looking for optimal cargo space and desire something in the Infiniti family will want to look at the QX50 SUV.

Two screens instead of one

The Q50 has not one, but two touch-capacitive color screens in the center console. Both screens work together to provide infotainment and control other vehicle functions. The top 8-inch screen displays Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or navigation and can be controlled using the touchscreen, steering wheel controls or a control knob. The lower 7-inch screen can display various apps depending on the user’s preferences. Infiniti’s “InTouch” system works well after you take time to configure the car and explore the features.

Driver Profiles are automatically implemented based on which key fob is used. Which allows the Q50 to feel like “your car” for everyone in the family with their own fob. The driver’s seat and steering wheel automatically adjust when you jump in and push the on/off button.

Options include a 16-speaker Bose sound system and advanced Climate Control System with “Plasmacluster” air purifier.

Available active safety technology includes an “around view” monitor with moving object detection, intelligent cruise control, forward emergency braking, distance control assist, blind spot monitors, backup collision and lane departure warning. Additional features include lane departure prevention with active lane control, adaptive front lighting, high beam assist and predictive forward collision warning.

A bit more about that incredible engine

Whether you opt for the 300 horsepower of 400 horsepower variant, the Q50’s 3-liter twinturbo engine is a work of mechanical art. Referred to the as VQ V6, the direct-injection system is tuned to provide an excellent balance of efficiency and power. While this is a new car, the tuner/home mechanic in me could easily see this lightweight aluminum engine swapped out into a long number of vintage Japanese sports cars creating the ultimate import restomod. I also think that it could be easily tuned to favor performance over efficiency if/when that time arrives.

The standard twin turbo, offered in the Q50 3.0t LUXE and Q50 3.0t SPORT models, produces 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque. The high-output version, like the one found in our Q50 RED SPORT 400, delivers 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines are matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The 2018 Q50 can be configured with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Thanks to the powerful engine and quick shifting automatic, the Q50 offers excellent acceleration. Entering the highway, even a short ramp that is about the equivalent of an aircraft carrier, is easy. Passing is a breeze. The plus-sized brakes on our Red Sport made quick work of stopping and resisted fading in stop and go traffic. While we aren’t the biggest fans of Infiniti’s drive-by-wire system, it has evolved over the years, After a few days behind the wheel the system almost feels somewhat natural, almost. Our guess is that most cars at some point in the future will feature a system that uses this technology over the conventional steering that we are accustomed to. It allows for user configuration that would be impossible in a traditional system.

Our Red Sport review vehicle also included Infiniti’s “Dynamic Digital Suspension.” The adjustable suspension system can be set for comfort or varying levels of sport. While we want to be heroes and say that we left the suspension dialed up to the sportiest mode, we found the comfort-biased settings worked the best for everyday driving.

Pricing

The base model Q50 Pure starts at $36,600 plus fees. The Q50 RED SPORT 400 includes leather-appointed seats, aluminum-accented pedals, dark chrome interior trim, dark metallic paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels and tires, custom exhaust tips, sport brakes with red painted calipers, a full range of safety and driver aid technologies. Our nicely equipped Red Sport with all-wheel-drive costs $62,065.

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FREE DOWNLOAD: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2021 Calendar from Deremer Studios Photography

Deremer Studios Photography – Automotive, Commercial & Fine Art, Jacksonville Car Culture’s official photographer, has created a stunning 2021 calendar showcasing the 25th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance that is FREE to download! FREE!

Deremer Studios offers incredible automotive photography packages for collectors and enthusiasts. If you’ve been looking for a wonderful way to showcase your ride online or in print, Deremer Studios is the way to go. Great photos can also help you sell you car if/when the time ever comes.

Here is a link to the 2021 Amelia at 25 Calendar:
https://www.deremerstudios.com/Freebies/Calendars/2021-The-Amelia-at-25-Calendar/

Deremer Studios 2021 Fine Art Desktop Wallpapers
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The Award-Winning 2021 Kia Telluride is an Upscale Family Friendly Flagship SUV

The first new car I ever bought wore a Kia badge. Our first child was born and we needed reliability, but on a budget. The Sephia worked out well. The tiny sedan was paid off in a few years and for us at least, was relatively trouble free.

Photos by author.

However you sliced it though, the Sephia was bare-bones transportation. No notable bells and whistles, performance was mediocre (at best) and the build quality made it feel like a “disposable” car versus one that you would repair once it was out of the long warranty period.

Fast forward twenty years. My firstborn is preparing to graduate from college. I’ve watched her grow up and she’s prepared for what lies ahead. She’s intelligent and isn’t afraid of hard work. Kia has also, somewhat ironically, matured over the same period of time into a manufacturer building vehicles ready to take on the world. Perhaps none more so than the recently-launched Telluride.

Kia’s mid-size SUV is everything that our humble Sephia was not. Thanks to the vehicle’s advanced technology, luxurious amenities and striking good looks, the 2021 Telluride is entirely compelling even before you get behind the wheel and experience the SUV’s refined engine and driving dynamics.

The Telluride is so good in fact that it became the first sport-utility vehicle to win the “Triple Crown” of the auto industry’s most prestigious accolades. Kia’s flagship SUV drove home with 2020’s North American Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY), MotorTrend SUV of the Year and a Car and Driver 10 Best trophy stashed behind the third-row seating.

Performance that is Ready for the Real World

Kia’s Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, the Telluride provides plenty of power for merging into traffic and high-speed highway passing. Front-wheel-drive is standard, Kia’s advanced all-wheel-drive is available.

Kia has provided four drive modes, Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort, allowing the driver to configure the SUV based on road conditions and preferences. Powertrain, drivetrain and steering effort are adjusted accordingly. Vehicles equipped with AWD can also be set to “Snow” and “AWD Lock” when encountering less-than-ideal driving conditions.

Fuel economy for front-wheel-drive models is rated up to 20/26/23 city/highway/combined miles per gallon. All-wheel-drive models achieve 19/24/21 city/highway/combined. It should be noted that the Telluride is happy to run on 87 octane unleaded, an important but often forgotten (or deliberately downplayed) factor when calculating real-world fuel costs.

Standard towing is rated up to 5,000 pounds. An impressive number for a mid-size SUV.

Attractive Styling and Family-Friendly Three-Row Seating

“That’s a Kia?”

A three-word question that speaks volumes. The Telluride is often compared to much more expensive British and German SUVs. The design is undoubtedly “Rover-inspired.” The wide grille with the TELLURIDE script boldly plastered across the hood is arguably a shout-out to the venerable Land Rover. The boxy cabin, marked by the upright windshield, whispers “Discovery” to passersby. Don’t take this as a complaint or that we are saying this with ill-will, we really like the design. And while it has hints of the all-time greats, Kia’s mid-size SUV holds its own visually. Where some vehicles may have a great characteristic or two, the Telluride presents as a complete package.     

At The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida

Inside the Telluride is a comfortable three-row SUV. The base model offers incredible value for families and even when fully optioned, Kia’s flagship is still a relative bargain when compared to many comparably-equipped offerings from segment competitors.

Unlike many mid-size three row vehicles, the second and third row are actually roomy enough for adults. The large greenhouse adds to the vehicle’s spaciousness, giving the driver and passengers excellent visibility.

Simulated leather seating is standard and double-stitched, quilted and extra-padded leather trim upholstery is available. Heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats can also be optioned. Additional Interior touches include simulated brushed metal and matte-finished wood trim and a leather-wrapped, tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

The 2021 Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. Fold the third row and that number increases to 46 cubic feet and 87 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Technology that Rivals the Best

Whether you opt for the base model’s 8-inch or the available 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment, Kia’s system is among the best. User friendly and responsive, even the base system includes extras like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and five USB ports. Audio reproduction is stellar thanks to the standard six-speaker audio.

Upgrades include navigation, wireless device charging and an intercom system that lets the driver communicate with third-row passengers without shouting. The available 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system provides loud, clear and entirely immersive audio.

The long (very long) list of standard safety features includes a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking help the driver avoid accidents. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and driver drowsiness monitoring provide an extra set of electronic eyes for the driver. The rear-seat alert senses when the back doors have been opened before you departed and sends a verbal and visual cue to help prevent kids and pets from being left inside the car.

Available advanced safety features include a surround-view camera, front parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights and a head-up display.

Pricing

The 2021 Kia Telluride starts at $31,990 plus fees. Our new-for-2021 SX AWD Nightfall Edition costs $50,180 all in. The Nightfall Edition package adds dark Kia badges, a blacked-out front grill and black 20-inch alloy wheels. The Nightfall edition also swaps out the standard chrome for, you guessed it, black exterior trim.

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The 2020 Fiat 124 Spider: Attractive Throwback Styling and Incredibly Nimble on the Road

It is almost impossible not to fall in love with, or at least have a crush on, the 2020 Fiat 124 Spider. The long hood, short rear deck and two-seat drop-top is a throwback to when cars were built for a single purpose. Trucks hauled stuff. Sedans and station wagons scooted families around town. Vans were for rock bands and florists. And…

Fiat 124 Spider Lusso. All photos courtesy of FIAT.

Sports cars were for driving. They lacked cupholders, had terrible aftermarket radios and had what felt like negative cargo space. Why? Because sports cars, especially roadsters, weren’t designed for commuting or runs to Costco or Home Depot. A sports car’s only job was to make the owner and lucky passenger(s) smile after-hours or on weekends. And while the new 124 has cupholders, well sort of, and a decent little trunk, it is about as close to the spirit of those roadsters of yesteryear as you can buy new at a dealership, minus the Italian’s not-so-distant Japanese cousin, the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Let’s start with Performance

You can write the Fiat 124’s performance review with a single word, “nimble.” (But since we always write more than one word see below)

Precise steering, sporty suspension and rigid design are the perfect recipe for excellent handling. Braking is excellent and it is almost impossible to get this car to feel out of control, even when pushed to the limits. On those rare times that the 124’s rear end does break loose correcting the roadster is as easy as letting up on the throttle and taking a beat.

A 1.4-liter turbocharge four-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque on Classica and Lusso and 164 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque on the Abarth trim. Purists will appreciate that you can still select your own gears thanks to the standard six-speed manual transmission, which we adore. Those who prefer to have a robot handle the changes can opt for a six-speed automatic transmission, which isn’t all that bad either.

Fiat 124 Spider Lusso

Straight-line acceleration is decent, the Fiat 124 goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.4 seconds. Not too shabby, but more than a half second slower than a late-model Toyota Camry TRD. Fuel economy is excellent. The fun little roadster may not be able to pass the Camry, but it can zip by a lot of gas stations with up to 26 city / 35 highway.

Throwback Styling with a Twist

Automotive historians, and visitors of Wikipedia, might find more than a hint of irony when assessing the 2020 Fiat 124 Spider.  Let’s time travel to the late 80’s, when roadster production had all but come to a halt. The designers and engineers at Mazda were able to draw inspiration from the once-beloved, but now sidelined, Fiat 124 to create a ground-breaking segment creating instantly popular roadster.

2019 Fiat 124 Spider and 1968 Fiat 124 Spider

Fast forward to 2020: Today’s Fiat 124 is based upon and built alongside the current Mazda Miata at the Mazda Hiroshima plant. In many ways the original Miata can be considered the 124’s reimagined spiritual grandchild – with a few steps along the way.

1968 Fiat 124 Spider and 2019 Fiat 124 Spider

More than 35 years after the last 124 Sport Spider rolled off the assembly line Fiat has revived the model from the underpinnings of the same car that once brought life into the flat-lined segment. The design is a lovely Italian, inspired by the sixties’ Fiat 124 Spider, take on the world’s best-selling roadster.

Bottom line: All of this equates to numerous thumbs up on the highway and copious appreciative nods from strangers in the parking lot.

1968 Fiat 124 Spider and 2019 Fiat 124 Spider

Purposeful interior with a decent trunk (by roadster standards)

The two-seater offers comfortable accommodations for the driver and passenger. At 5’10” I’m about average height and I find the Fiat’s interior to fit me quite well. Depending on trim, 124 sport seats can be wrapped in cloth, leather, leather with microfiber inserts or Recaro leather and Alcantara suede. Lusso and Abarth models include heated seats, which are a welcome addition for drop top motoring in cooler temps.

Fiat 124 Spider Lusso

Cargo space is tiny in the big scheme of things, but notable for a roadster at about 5 cubic feet. More than the number, Fiat has done a notable job designing the trunk to maximize usability.

Technology that Also Reminds You of the Old Days…

We’ve been incredibly kind to the 124 up to now, and rightfully so, the car is a blast to drive, is comfortable and looks great. That’s why we feel it is okay to be a little disappointed with the roadster’s technology offerings. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system features Bluetooth connectivity and by upgrading to the Bose nine-speaker audio, the unit equates to great sound. However, the system lacks fundamentals like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Fiat 124 Spider

The 124 Spider comes with a rearview camera. Optional safety features include rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights, blind spot monitors and rear cross traffic alert.

Pricing

The base model 2020 Fiat 124 Spider starts at $25,390 excluding destination, taxes, title and registration fees.

Fiat 124 Spider Lusso