Mark, Author at Maynards Garage

2020 Infiniti QX80 Review

by Mark | Apr 9, 2020 | 0 comments

A quiet place in turbulent times

The 2020 Infiniti QX80 is sold in Luxe and Limited trim levels. Starting prices range from $68,145 to $92,845. (Photos courtesy of Infiniti)

BY MARK MAYNARD

In this era of little houses and downsized lifestyles, the appeal of a big body-on-frame SUV is enduring. The major players in the mainstream segment are the Lincon Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, and today’s tester, the 2020 Infiniti QX80.

The QX80 might not be the most evolved big SUV, but I found an unexpected quiet place among its 17 1/2 feet of length and three tons of refined utility.

Part of the popularity of a truck-based SUV is a foundational sense of security on the road, a substantial towing capacity, and the potential for long-term ownership.

But the appeal is more than brawn, Infiniti says, the QX80 has a significant percentage of female buyers versus the segment average. Motivators, no doubt, are its cohesive exterior styling and an elegant interior design that looks and feels more carlike than a repurposed truck. And the QX80 can pull a boat, horse, or travel trailer weighing up to 8,500 pounds.

The new InTouch infotainment system with upper and lower twin screens

Infiniti QX80 Pricing

The Infiniti QX80 is sold in Luxe and Limited trim levels, in two- or four-wheel drive. All models have a powertrain of a 400-horsepower, direct-injected 5.6-liter V-8 and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Starting prices range from $68,145 (add $3,100 for 4WD) to $92,845, including the $1,395 freight charge from Kyushu, Japan. Today’s Limited tester with standard 4WD had one option package of all-season floor mats and cargo mat ($355) for an as-tested price of $93,200.

Check current Infiniti QX80 pricing and incentives here.

Infiniti QX80 Overview

The QX80 had a significant “facelift” redesign for 2018. And new for 2020 are a new generation InTouch infotainment system with upper and lower twin screens, 7-inch gauge display and a revised center stack of cabin controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard with standard technology systems of lane departure warning, backup collision intervention, and blind-spot warning.

Opting for the Limited model adds appreciable standard features. Among them, smart-key locking and push-button ignition, semi-aniline leather-trimmed upholstery, navigation system with lane guidance, 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support, eight-way power passenger’s seat with two-way power lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, 17-speaker Bose audio system, auto-leveling rear suspension, 22-inch wheels and all-season tires (275/50) and the Hydraulic Body Motion Control suspension system.

30-Years’ Package

Infiniti is celebrating 30 years in America with a special Edition 30 package. For $3,500, adds 22-inch, dark forged aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/50 all-season tires, black front grille mesh, dark chrome exterior trim and mirror caps and a graphite black headliner, sun visors, sun shades and pillars. Other features include EDITION 30 stainless steel kick plates, a smart rearview (video) mirror and driver-assist technologies of lane departure prevention, intelligent full-speed cruise control, distance control assist, blind spot intervention.

Keeping It Simple

For those who can resist the siren-song of overwhelming advanced technologies, the QX80 does not require higher education to learn and appreciate its ease of ownership.

The driver area could benefit from a redesign for more open-concept usability and, particularly, a larger rearview camera screen. But the systems in place will assist and inform without intrusion or frustration. And it might cost less to maintain when it’s out of warranty compared with its European counterparts, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS or BMW X7.

The machine-finished 22-inch forged aluminum wheels

QX80 Powertrain

With the Limited’s curb weight of 6,098 pounds (or 5,679 lbs. for 2WD) the V-8’s 413 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm are almost required for respectable performance. Acceleration can be quite brisk when needed, but the overall performance seems tuned for fuel economy.

The seven-speed automatic rolls easily through the gears and even has rev-matching downshifts, for those bold enough to attempt.

EPA mileage ratings are 13 mpg city, 19 highway and 15 mpg combined, on premium fuel. I worked up to 17.4 mpg on a long highway run. The 26-gallon fuel tank provides a decent vacation cruising range.

The Hydraulic Body Motion Control suspension system is a magic act in how it smooths, settles and balances the ride; a self-leveling rear suspension is standard. Braking force is reassuring from 13.78-inch vented four-wheel disc brakes, but I wasn’t hauling a travel trailer down a mountain grade in summer.

The back seat can be configured with captain’s chairs or a three-position bench

QX80 Cabin Features

While fuel economy is challenged, there are stronger selling points. Infiniti is masterful at interior finesse with refined materials — and the Limited, Infiniti says, is its best effort yet for luxurious surroundings. The enormity of the QX80 cabin is calmed with a wraparound instrument panel. The design is set off by matte silver ash wood trim, supple (semi-aniline) leather upholstery neatly stitched, and a black Ultrasuede headliner and roof pillars.

The QX80 is a high-riding SUV and the running boards and big grab handles at the windshield pillars are helpful when hoisting aboard. The front seats are full-bodied, elegantly designed, and not excessively bolstered but with perforated centers for breathability (ventilated) and heated.

A grand armrest console with deep storage separates the captain’s seats; and its well-padded console lid is also rear-hinged for an upper storage area for second-row occupants to use.

A wide shift console has covered cup holders and an e-bin, but with no wireless charging.

Sightlines are generally open, but the wide base of the side mirrors can complicate cornering views. The Around View camera system provides rear views and an overhead view to help with parking in tight quarters. It also alerts with tones to moving objects, front or rear. The front view is a huge asset when nosing into a parking slot.

The Limited has puddle lighting and illuminated kick plates.

Driver-Assist Technologies

While some SUVs can be a handful in small-space maneuverability, the Infiniti QX80 drives much smaller than might appear and it is not intimidating. The steering is light and its turning radius of 41.3 feet is reasonable, and not much wider than some midsize sedans.

Standard safety features include six air bags, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning and lane-departure prevention, predictive collision warning, and blind-spot warning and intervention.

The QX80 has supportive driver-assist technologies but not the complete Level 2 semi-autonomous drive mode that Nissan does so well. This system uses the intelligent cruise control navigation system, which integrates lane guidance, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection and predictive forward collision warning. And for 2020, the system adds blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, and backup collision intervention.

When activated, the system will steer and brake the vehicle, but two hands on the wheel are required. The system will let the Q80 wander over the highway Botts dots and road lines before making course corrections. But it will be a helpful support in heavy commuting traffic.

2nd-Row Seating

The back-seat area looks like a road-trip lounge with captain’s chairs that are almost as large as those in front. Legroom of 39.6 inches is a stretch, but not limo-like depending on who is sitting up front. The seatbacks recline a few inches, but there is no seat-track slide; grab handles at the B-pillars are a smart addition to ease entry.

Overhead side vents help with airflow that has controls for temp and fan speed. A large armrest console has deep storage for the video headphones. Amenities include heated seats, two charging USBs, and a 150-watt household plug.

Third Row and Cargo Space

Access to the third row is by a one-handle release to flip and tumble the second-row seats. The space is kid-class with short legroom of 28.8 inches, but the flat-folding seats make it more functional as expanded cargo space.

The cargo area has a wide 50-inch opening with an entry opening of 33 ½ inches, but it is a tall lift-up to the cargo floor. There is slim space of 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, but it is convenient to corral grocery bags.

Power fold the second-row seats for a square space of 49.6 cu. ft. or about 4 feet in length. Or fold both rows for about 7 feet to carry a surfboard, skis, or a ladder.

Why Buy the Infiniti QX80?

The $93K tester was a showpiece, but the $75K Luxe model brings all the hallmarks of the QX80. Its hushed cabin and sound-isolated ride communicate safety and security. The QX80 is a big ride ready to brave a pandemic or at least the natural elements of hail, hell, or high water.

2020 Infiniti QX80 Limited 4WD Specifications

Body style: large, 7-seat, body-on-frame SUV with 4WD

Engine: 400-hp, direct-injection 5.6-liter V-8; 413 lb.-ft. torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic, with rev-matching downshifts in sport mode; high- and low-range transfer case; hill-start assist, and snow and tow mode functions

Fuel economy: 13/19/15 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel

Tow capacity: 8,500 lbs., with 7-pin trailering harness

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 26 gallons

Cargo space: 16.6-49.6 cu. ft.

Front head/leg room: 39.9*/39.6 in. *w/sunroof

2^nd row head/leg room: 40/39.6 in.

3^rd row head/leg room: 36.8/28.8 in.

Length/wheelbase: 210.2/121.1 in.

Height/width: 75.8*/79.9 in. *w/roof rack

Curb weight: 6,098 lbs.

Turning circle: 41.3 ft.

FEATURES

Standard QX80 Limited equipment includes: smart-key locking and push-button ignition, semi-aniline leather-trimmed upholstery, navigation system with lane guidance, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, 8-way power passenger’s seat with 2-way power lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, 17-speaker Bose audio system, auto-leveling rear suspension, twin-tube shock absorbers, 22-inch all-season tires (275/50), high-beam headlight assist

Safety features include: 6 air bags, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning and lane-departure prevention, predictive collision warning, blind-spot warning, and intervention

PRICING

Infiniti QX80 Limited base price: $92,845, including $1,395 freight charge; price as tested $93,200

Options on test vehicle: all-season package, $355, of floor mats and cargo pad

Where assembled: Kyushu, Japan

Warranty: 4-years/60,000-miles with 24-hour roadside assistance; 6-years/70,000-miles powertrain

The Redesigned Volkswagen Logo

by Mark | Apr 9, 2020 | 0 comments

The new logo makes its debut on the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport. (Photos courtesy of Volkswagen)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Volkswagen revealed a new logo design today, April 9, as part of an international rollout that will include the transition of more than 70,000 logos globally. First up for the U.S. is on the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport. Last year, around 6.2 million vehicles were built worldwide with a VW on their grilles. Those two letters have come to represent one of the most recognizable brands on Earth.

The refreshed and digitally friendly design is a minimalist take on the classic logo, allowing for more flexibility and versatility when it comes to the signature symbol, VW said in a statement. It’s a modern and simpler version of the previous logo, which has identified the brand for over 70 years.

The ‘digital first’ redesign is intended to reduce the logo to essential elements.

‘Digital First’ Design

Led by Volkswagen Chief Designer Klaus Bischoff, the new design was intended to be versatile, “digital first” and to reduce the logo to essential elements, which now presents as flat and two-dimensional.

“My personal drive in this redesign was to make the W float, bringing a new lightness to the Volkswagen brand,” Bischoff said.

The reimagined logo will function on small scales like a smart watch or phone and also in big formats, such as factories and assembly facilities.

The new logo is a symbol and trademark.

“We have created a new holistic global brand experience on all channels and across all touchpoints,” Jochen Sengpiehl, chief marketing officer of Volkswagen, said in a statement. “As a general principle, our aim will not be to show a perfect advertising world; we want to become more human and livelier, to adopt the customer’s perspective to a greater extent, and to tell authentic stories.”

The redesign also brings other significant changes. The familiar blue and white colors of the predecessor have been refreshed with a new deep blue tone, allowing for additional color variants, Sengpiehl said in a statement.

By mid-2020, VW plans to complete the rollout of the rebrand across the 10,000 dealers in 171 markets in 154 countries.

The reimagined logo will function on small scales like a smart watch or phone or in big formats, such as on assembly facilities.

Vin Car Pic of the day

by Mark | Apr 9, 2020 | 0 comments

The 1937 Chevrolet Master Coach. (GM Archives)

Car Care

Toyo Tires introduces all-new Open Country A/T III

by Mark | Apr 8, 2020 | 0 comments

For drivers of pickup trucks, Jeeps, crossovers and SUVs, the Open Country’s new tread compound and design help provide confident wet braking and handling, cut-and-chip resistance, off-road grip and a quiet ride, Toyo says.

Toyo Tires designed and formulated its popular Open Country AT II for tough yet compliant grip whether off road or on for drivers of pickup trucks, Jeeps, crossovers and SUVs. And now the third-generation A/T III tire builds on its reputation with aggressive styling and confident performance in dry, wet and wintry conditions, Toyo says. The tire continues its ranking with the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association’s three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, for use in severe winter weather.
The tire is being made in 127 size, load, and sidewall combinations for wheel diameters ranging from 15- to 22-inches. More than 70 sizes are available now, 38 more were to be released April 1 and the remaining SKUs are expected to be available by summer.

The lineup will include 28 new sizes for specialty and popular fitments, such as for the Ford Raptor and Jeep Rubicon in Load Range C. Other lower-load and tire-ply options are available for soft-roaders and other lightweight vehicle applications.

Special tread features include:
• Increased tread block rigidity and a better worn appearance;
• Staggered shoulder lugs with biting edges;
• Increased lateral grooves to enhance traction;
• 3-D multi-wave sipes for enhanced traction in wet and snow and to reduce irregular wear;
• Stone ejecting blocks.

The tire’s all-terrain compound helps resist chipping and tearing, with a long wear life. The Open Country A/T III has a 65,000-mile warranty for metric sizes and a 50,000-mile warranty for LT and flotation sizes. The Open Country A/T III is also backed by a 500-mile trial offer.

“The new Toyo Open Country A/T III is built to be tough,” said Conrad Galamgam, senior director of product planning and technical services at Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Its durable construction is designed to get drivers to their destination, whether that’s a quiet weekend in the wilderness or their drive to work in tough winter weather, and back home again.”

The new tire has just been released and will soon be in tire stores, but pricing was not available at press time. As an example, the Open Country A/T II has pricing between $124 and $551 at Discount Tire.
Find the Open Country A/T III for your vehicle at www.toyotires.com/product/open-country-at3/

Car Reviews

Kia Niro PHEV Review

by Mark | Dec 7, 2018 | 0 comments

The 2018 Kia Niro PHEV is an urban runabout and a comfortable commuter — and it fulfills both jobs

The 2018 Kia Niro is available as a gasoline-electric hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or battery electric. (Photo courtesy of Kia America)

BY MARK MAYNARD

?T/dropcap]he beauty of the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid sneaks up on you. It’s not in its function-over-form body but in how easily this compact-class crossover wagon-hatchback fits into a busy lifestyle.

With around 26 miles of battery driving, it is quick to dispense with errand-running and with engine assist there are more than 500 miles of total driving range; it is an EV that doesn’t fiddle around.

The Niro PHEV is an urban runabout and a comfortable commuter — and it does both jobs well.

The Niro driver area is smartly designed as an intuitive command center with a tall 40 inches of front headroom.

A Family of Electrified Cars

The Niro is a family of electrified cars under Kia’s EcoDynamics sub-brand of alternative-fuel vehicles. It is now available as a gasoline-electric hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or battery electric.

Today’s tester is the Niro PHEV, sold in three trim levels with starting prices of $28,840-$35,440, including the freight charge from Hwasung, Korea. The top-line EX Premium tester had just one factory option of carpeted floor mats ($135) for a total of $35,575.

Cabin controls are neatly arranged in two tiers.

The Niro PHEV qualifies for a $4,543 federal tax rebate, $1,500 from the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate and San Diego Gas & Electric offers an annual credit of $200 to those who own or lease a plug-in vehicle. The credit is available to qualified customers through 2020. (Details at Cleanvehiclerebate.org.)

In case you’d not heard, Kia has earned the No. 1 ranking by J.D. Power among non-premium auto brands in its 2018 Initial Quality Study. The Korea-based carmaker has claimed the top spot in this category for the last four years and last year’s scoring was the same for 2018, a reported 72 problems per 100 vehicles. The Sorento midsize SUV and Rio small car are in the lead positions with the Optima midsize sedan, Sportage small SUV and Sedona minivan placing second and the Forte compact car in third, for their segments.

Unique Niro

Kia has a safe niche for Niro, so far, in the non-premium segment of small PHEVs. There is only about one true competitor in the Ford C-Max hybrid and PHEV and it is on its way out of production. There are luxury-class offerings in the Mercedes-Benz GLC350e, XC40,
A3 e-tron and Maserati Levante.

Back-seat legroom is generous at 37.4 inches.

The body styling has some compact cuteness that wraps around an upright format as tidy and functional as an American Tourister roller bag — ready to travel with a hard shell that feels secure and refined.

The Niro is a sturdy vehicle weighing 4,409 pounds (about a hundred pounds heavier than Kia’s midsize Sorento 4WD SUV), which makes its battery driving range all the more impressive. But there were many weight-saving tricks applied, such as using advanced high strength steel in more than half of the structure with aluminum for the hood, tailgate, brake calipers and many suspension pieces.

You can ID the Niro PHEV by its slightly modified front grille, hybrid blue exterior accents and the charge-port door on the left front fender.

The multifunction steering wheel in the Kia Niro.

Standard EX Premium features include a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and push-button ignition.

Kia Niro PHEV Performance

The performance is adequate for daily driving and there is a Sport mode that dips quicker into engine power. The hybrid powertrain is comprised of a 104-horsepower, 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 360-volt (60-hp) electric motor and a 59-kW lithium ion polymer battery with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The system has a total of 139 hp with fuel economy ratings of 48 mpg city, 44 highway and 46 mpg combined on 87 octane. The EPA gives the mileage a 105 mpg-e rating. The 11.4-gallon fuel tank is large for a plug-in and should allow 560 miles of range, but some drivers will get far more range.

A full charge takes about 2.5 hours using a 240-volt (Level 2) charger or around nine hours with the onboard 120-volt (Level 1) charger. I was able to drive mostly on battery power in a week of testing because I’d top off whenever I got home. Shame on me for not using off-peak electricity, but every time I got back into the car, the driving range was 500 miles. About the only time the engine kicked in is when I floored it for merging or evasive power.

Stopping force felt confident to control the weight with the four-wheel-disc regenerative brakes; 11-inch vented front rotors and 11.2-inch solid rotors rear.

The cargo area has a tall floor (because of the batteries), but fold the 60/40 back seats for 5 1/2 feet in length by 39 inches wide.

Interior Function

The interior plastics in Niro have an appealing appearance and are free of rough edges. The contemporary décor uses contrasting hues of shale and black plastics with (reserved) piano-black accents and the blue stitching (on the door trim, seats, steering wheel, and shift boot.

The driver area is smartly designed as an intuitive command center with a tall 40 inches of front headroom. Cabin controls are neatly arranged in two tiers for audio and AC-vent-fan with an 8-inch touch screen for navigation, phone, radio, apps. And there is a custom button to preset direct access for phone or Kia’s UVO subscription e-services.

The front seats have firm comfort but are short on thigh support for the big-and-tall driver. The EX Premium includes a six-way power driver’s seat with lumbar (but no separate seat-cushion tilt) and a four-way manual front passenger seat with height adjustment. Other useful features are a large driver’s footrest and large sliding visors with covered and lighted mirrors.

Sightlines are basically unimpeded but drivers will want to take a second look right where the wide base of the windshield pillar meets the broad base of the side mirror. The wide rearview camera with guidance is quite helpful.

Niro’s hybrid powertrain is comprised of a 104-horsepower, 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 60-hp electric motor, and a 59-kW lithium-ion polymer battery.

The shifter console is large with a charging bin that includes a charging pad, USB port, aux-in and two 180-watt 12-volt plugs. And there is another USB charging port in the armrest-console box.

The only low-tech oddity in this very electrified vehicle is the mechanical foot-pumper parking brake.

Back Seat and Cargo Capacity

There are no apparent budget cuts to the back seat and no weirdly tall seat height, even with the batteries below. The space is made roomier by a low exhaust tunnel, which will ease the occasional crunch of three-across seating. The center seat has a head restraint that can be lowered when not needed.

The cargo area does have a tall floor (because of the batteries), which lowers the load-in ceiling height to about 27 ½ inches. But fold the 60/40 back seats (nearly flat) and there is 5 1/2 feet of length by 39 inches wide. The aluminum liftgate is about the lightest I’ve experienced for one-handed opening and closing.

Why Buy the Kia Niro?

The detailed engineering that went into the Kia Niro has created a plug-and-play device that makes our daily lives a little easier, a little quieter and a little more efficient.

The Niro PHEV has around 26 miles of battery driving.

2018 Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium

Body style: compact, 5-seat, front-wheel-drive 5-door crossover

Engine: 104-hp, 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder with auto stop-start at idle; 109 lb.-ft. torque at 4,000 rpm

Electric motor: AC synchronous permanent magnet with 360-volts, 60-hp, 129 lb.-ft. torque

Battery: Lithium-ion polymer; 8.9 kWh, 59 kW, 24.7-amp hours

Total system power: 139-hp, 195 lb.-ft. torque

Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic

Electric driving range: up to 26 miles

Fuel economy: 48/44/46 mpg city/hwy/combined or 105 mpg-e; 87 octane

Total driving range: 560 miles