Some vehicles look great, but suffer when it comes to performance.
Others drive great, but their design looks like the back side of a dog.
The best vehicles do both things just right.
One of that rare group is the redesigned 2019 Mazda CX-5, a vehicle which I recently spent some time in. Read on for a full rundown of how it compares to the sea of SUVs on the market.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 Mazda CX-5
- Price as tested $39,450 (starts around $24K)
- Best feature Beautiful design, responsive drive, strong tech options
- Rating 4.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Crossover buyers looking for a complete package
FCA has released a statement following the passing of auto executive Lee Iacocca, the man whose bold moves — including the introduction of the first minivans — helped lead the company through a period of crisis.
The statement reads as follows:
"The Company is saddened by the news of Lee Iacocca's passing. He played a historic role in steering Chrysler through crisis and making it a true competitive force. He was one of the great leaders of our company and the auto industry as a whole. He also played a profound and tireless role on the national stage as a business statesman and philanthropist.
Lee gave us a mindset that still drives us today – one that is characterized by hard work, dedication and grit. We are committed to ensuring that Chrysler, now FCA, is such a company, an example of commitment and respect, known for excellence as well as for its contribution to society. His legacy is the resiliency and unshakeable faith in the future that live on in the men and women of FCA who strive every day to live up to the high standards he set."
Iacocca spent nearly five decades in the industry, including stints about both Ford and FCA, and is arguably the most recognized auto executive of the past 50 years.
With so much focus on the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas and Penske Fords so far this year, Sunday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway was refreshing for fans to see.
New faces up front, struggles from the usual leaders, and some hope that maybe the battle for the Cup will not be a runaway for Joe Gibbs Racing and the killer duo of Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.
Alex Bowman, it seems has different thoughts about this season. So does Hendrick Motorsports. And Chevy isn’t dead yet.
A few thoughts on the day’s action:
* A big congratulations to Alex Bowman. He has been constantly questioned by many who follow the sport since taking over the 88 car from Dale Earnhardt Jr. But he is finally living up to his potential in this 2019 season and has emerged as a team leader in terms of performance. After a long string of 2ndplace finishes, he finally climbed up that one final spot to the summit, and it was not easy. Passing Kyle Larson back after being passed with a few laps remaining was a tough chore, but Bowman came through.
As an endless slew of entries continues to arrive in the subcompact crossover category, there are some mainstays that continue to stand tall, literally and figuratively.
One of those long-term entries is the Kia Soul, which gets a redesign for the 2020 model year. I recently spent some time in a 2020 Soul and I’m back with a full report on how the new version measures up in the category.
LOOKS
Despite the redesign, the heart of the 2020 Kia Soul remains the same. It’s still a five-passenger, four-door hatchback. The unique boxy shape remains, as does its short snub-nose design, and tall seating.
Among the changes are a 1.2-inch increase in the wheelbase and 2.2 extra inches in length.
The rear lighting encircling the back window is a look rarely seen. and is sharply designed. The Soul also offers plenty of great color options, including the Snow White Pearl exterior with black interior on my test vehicle.
Interior space is impressive, and the Soul’s back seat is roomy for the segment. There is adequate head space for the segment, and plenty of storage space with the back seats down (62 cubic feet to be exact).
The Interior has a pretty basic setup with cloth and plastic materials, not surprising given the price range. If you opt for the X Line trim level, you get upgraded exterior body cladding, front fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. All user controls are well-placed for the driver to manipulate, and easy for anyone to figure out.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2020 Kia Soul
- Price as tested $22,960 (starts under $18K)
- Best feature Attractive design, spacious, affordability
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Subcompact SUV buyers who want a quality ride with some design character
BROOKLYN, Mich.— It was a dreary day Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, and the fans who showed up held out hope of getting the race in, but it was not to be. Despite the track’s best efforts not to lose the track, and drivers Bubba Wallace and Corey Lajoie cheering up the fans with some football toss fun, Mother Nature would not cooperate and let us get a race in.
So here we are, on a Monday, awaiting a 5 p.m. start in Brooklyn, the start time delayed both by ongoing weather on Monday and FS1’s commitment to air Women’s World Cup matches.
Leading the field to green this afternoon/early evening will be Joey Logano of Team Penske, who led a strong qualifying effort by the Ford camp.
Logano said he anticipates teams will use different approaches throughout the race, but he’s happy to have the first pit stall.
“I am sure strategy will change things up. There will be two-tires, four-tires, no-tires and everything will get mixed up at some point, but I think being in that first pit stall is going to lessen that risk of getting back there and getting stuck. If you can kind of keep yourself up there I think it will be important for tomorrow's race,” he said.
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