2017 Lexus RC 350: Some Style, Substance and Sportiness

With aggressive styling and impressive driving dynamics, the 2017 Lexus RC 350 is a sports car that offers refinement.
This four-seat coupe model was introduced in 2015 and helped spark a new direction for the design language of Lexus. Previously, the brand had been known for making high-quality, but somewhat non-descript looking vehicles that offered luxury without distinctive styling. With the RC, Lexus sought to begin breaking out of that mold. 
The RC 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 306 horsepower. It comes with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. 
As a new design element for 2017, the base grille features a new black finish. Also new for this model year, the rear-drive model RC 350 has Yamaha performance shocks to enhance driving dynamics. A new option that is offered is the triple-beam LED headlight package.
Driving modes on the featured RC 350 include Eco, Sport and Snow, for poor road conditions. While we mainly used Eco (because we're very responsible), we did kick it into Sport on a few occasions to have a little fun. And the RC 350 delivered nicely. It takes corners aggressively and maintains a stiffness that comes close to competing with some of its rivals. 
Fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway.
Pricing for the RC 350 starts at around $45,000 and ranges to just under $48,000.
Lexus makes some of the highest quality luxury cars on the market, and with this venture into the sports car segment, it has also shown it knows how to add a little fun and style, as well. 

2017 Toyota 4Runner: This SUV Keeps it Real

With the crossover SUV craze of the past few years, it seems hard to find traditional body-on-frame
SUVs anymore. But one of the remaining breed, the Toyota 4Runner, is still one of the best vehicles on the market in the 2017 model year.
It comes in six trim levels: the SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, and Limited. 
With its unmistakable truck styling, the 4Runner now actually stands out in the crowd, a fact that many of its fans appreciate. It has a sizable front grille, standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with wheels up to 20 inches available as an option. Other standard exterior features are fog lights, projector headlights and a power window in the liftgate. 
The 4Runner is powered by 4.0-liter V-6 that makes 270 horsepower and 278 pounds-feet of torque. It is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive optional. The 4Runner is rated at 17 mpg city, 21 highway. Toyota also offers several different suspension options and upgrades on the 4Runner, including a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension with greater wheel travel for off-roading and an X-REAS adaptive suspension. 
The spacious interior of the 4Runner seats five passengers on two rows of seats, with an optional third row available that can seat two more people. The truck-like styling extends to the interior, where you'll find large knobs for the climate control system and a rugged looking dashboard. Standard features on the inside include an Entune touchscreen audio system, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, HD radio, and a 40/20/40-split folding second row bench. Navigation system, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and heated/ventilated front seats are also available options. 
Pricing starts at around $35,000 and tops out at more than $48,000. 
If you want what could be considered the best traditional SUV on the market, look in the direction of the 4Runner. 

2017 Kia Soul: Keeping it Fun and Funky

The Kia Soul has, for a number of years, been one of those vehicles that can draw strong reactions from people based on their visual impressions. Many either love it or hate it. The 2017 model sticks largely to the styling of its predecessors, with some slight changes to the front end. 
With seating for five, the Soul comes in three trim levels: base, Plus and Exclaim.
The Soul's new front end has a bit more of a traditional look than that of the past version. The unusually formed sculpted motifs on the lower portion are gone. The Soul proudly retains its small, boxy look with rounded corners and edges. 
Standard features include power side mirrors and 16-inch wheels. Available features include HID headlights, LED front fog lights, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, a panoramic moonroof, a dual-tip exhaust and larger 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels. 
The Soul has a standard 130-hp, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct injection engine mated to 6-speed manual (6M) or automatic transmission. The Plus trim comes with a more powerful 161-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired to a 6-speed automatic, while the Exclamation trim is driven by a 201-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic that produces 195 pounds-feet of torque. Fuel economy ratings for the base model are an EPA-estimated 24/30 mpg city/highway (6M) and 25/30 mpg (6A). The Plus trim has a rating of 25/30 mpg. It slightly improves to a 26/31 mpg rating for the Exclaim trim.
On the interior, the Soul has standard cloth seating with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 61.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The center stack features a standard audio system that has CD/MP3 playblack, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio and a USB port. It can be upgraded to the updated UVO eServices multimedia system with a larger 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, an integrated navigation system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows/locks, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Available features include leather-trim upholstery, automatic climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, remote keyless entry, and push-button start.
Standard safety features include a backup camera and a tire pressure monitoring system. Forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a blindspot monitoring system, and rear cross-traffic alert are available as well.
The Soul starts at a little over $17,000 and ranges to about $24,000.
For a small, practical wagon that doesn't blend in with everything else, the Soul is worth a look. 

2017 Toyota Prius Prime: Ready for Prime Time

The standard bearer among hybrid vehicles has long been the Toyota Prius, and for the 2017 model year, this fuel-efficient car continues to show us why.
Our test model was a new plug-in version called the Prius Prime. It has a different front and rear end from the regular Prius models. It also comes with a larger 8.8 kW-hr. lithium ion battery.
The Prius was last redesigned in 2015, and it took on a new style while maintaining a distinctive look. Its intersecting lines and rounded side areas let you know this vehicle is a bit out of the ordinary, while still somehow staying true to Toyota's overall design language. The aerodynamics add to its fuel efficiency.
The narrow LED headlights and vertical LED tail lights of the Prius Prime help it stand out even more. There is also a distinctive bow-shaped tail light structure that spans the back end.
Fuel efficiency is the hallmark of any hybrid vehicle, and the Prius Prime's numbers are truly impressive. It is rated at 54 mpg city, 50 highway, with a range of 640 miles, thanks to the larger battery noted above. 
The interior is roomy and comfortable, even in the rear seats. Standard features include push-button start, remote keyless entry, cruise control and air conditioning. Options include power/heated front seats and a moonroof. 
Toyota also equips every Prius with its Safety Sense P, a raft of active safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, brake assist and lane-departure warning. 
The sticker price on the tested Prius Prime was right around $30,000. For all that this car includes, that's a pretty good deal.