2017 Mazda CX-9: Premium Style, Great Driving Dynamics

With style and great driving dynamics, the 2017 Mazda CX-9 is near the top of the pack among midsize crossover SUVs.
It comes in four trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature. With a third row of seating, it can hold up to seven passengers. 
Under the hood is a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Mazda's Skyactiv technology. It makes 250 horsepower, 310 pounds-feet of torque and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg city, 27 highway. 
Front wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional.
The sinewy styling of the CX-9 follows the "Kodo” design language that Mazda currently uses throughout its lineup. At the front-end you'll find sporty headlights, a bold, crest-shaped grille and a minimalistic lower fascia. 
The artistic body lines flow from front to rear with a subtle sense of motion. The CX-9 offers standard LED headlights, daytime running lamps and stylish taillights that give it an upscale look. 
Other standard features offered are power/heated side mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators, a dual-pipe exhaust system, a rear spoiler and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Options include adaptive headlights, LED fog lights, unique grille accent lighting, a power moonroof, a power liftgate and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
On the interior, the CX-9 has an upscale cloth interior standard, with a 60/40-split folding second-row seat and a 50/50-split folding third-row seat. 
Maximum cargo capacity is 71.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The standard Mazda Connect infotainment system is contained in the center stack and includes a 7-inch display, a Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio and a dual USB port. Optional is a larger 8-inch display, an integrated navigation system and a Bose premium audio system.
The only comfort issue we had with the CX-9 is with the center stack housing so much stuff, it cuts down on the leg room, width-wise, for driver and front passenger. 
Other standard features include tri-zone automatic climate control, power windows/locks, cruise control, remote keyless entry, push-button start and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Leather upholstery, unique rosewood inlay, aluminum trim and power/heated front seats are optional.
The CX-9 has standard safety features that include a backup camera and a tire pressure monitoring system. Available active safety features include blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, automatic high-beam headlights and forward collision warning with automatic braking.
The CX-9 is priced starting at about $33,000 and ranging to about $45,000.
So at its higher end, the CX-9 gets a little pricey. But when you think about all of the great standard features, the attractive styling and the fun driving dynamics, you are basically talking about a luxury, or at least premium, vehicle. For that, the price tag is surely worth it.

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Small yet Versatile

Competing in the popular compact SUV market, the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, with seating for five, offers an affordable option that is also fuel-efficient.

It comes in four trim levels: the ES, SE, SEL and GT. 
The Outlander Sport has two four-cylinder engines from which to choose. Standard is a 2.0-liter that makes 148 horsepower and is linked to a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic. That is found in the ES model. The SE and higher trim levels have a 2.4-liter that makes 168 horsepower and is linked to the CVT. 
Front wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel optional. 
Gas mileage is rated by the EPA at 24 mpg city, 30 highway for the manual model, and 23 and 29 for the CVT.  
Exterior styling for the Outlander Sport has a boldly designed front end with a vertical grille and air dam flanked by blacked out headlights that give it a little bit of an aggressive look. 
Two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels and LED tail lights are standard. Options include rear spoiler, front fog lights and a panoramic moon roof.
The interior of the Outlander Sport is roomier than you might think at first glance. The cloth interior is standard, with leather-trimmed seating optional. There is a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Cargo capacity is 45.5 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded down.
There is a standard multimedia system on the center stack that includes a color display, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio and a USB Port.
Standard features include remote keyless entry, automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. 
Optional features include a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a DVD player, an integrated navigation system with voice recognition, and a Rockford Fosgate premium audio system. 
The Outlander Sport was awarded a 4- out of 5-star overall crash test safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Standard safety features include an advance seven airbag system, antilock brakes, electronic stability system, hill start assist and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Optional features include a backup camera and rain-sensing wipers.
The Outlander Sport starts at around $21,000 and ranges to around $28,000.
With good gas mileage, appealing styling and a fairly roomy interior, it is ready to compete in the compact SUV market. 

2017 Toyota Corolla iM: Zippy Ride that Sips Fuel

When Toyota shut down its Scion brand of compact cars, it moved its iM hatchback over to the mother ship brand and called it the Corolla iM. The 2017 model year car is a zippy little ride that is great on gas and more comfortable than you might think.
It is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a continuously variable automatic transmission optional. Remote keyless entry and backup camera are also standard.
Fuel economy is rated at 27 mpg city, and 35 highway. But in mostly city driving, our gauge on the dashboard said we averaged about 34 mpg, which is great.
Leg room up front is just adequate for taller drivers and passengers, but because of its high stance, head room is more than adequate. The back seat is pretty snug.
Pricing is reasonable, in the $19,000-$20,000 range.
This is a great example of a car we would recommend to people who want a hybrid because they are concerned with fuel consumption, but don't want to pay the premium that automakers charge for such vehicles. If you just stick with a nice, compact vehicle that barely sips fuel, you come out just as well in the long run.

2017 Kia Cadenza: Smooth Sedan with a New Look

The 2017 Kia Cadenza has received a redesign that has it looking a little more luxurious, and with the smooth ride that it has, you'll be impressed by its overall package. 
This large sedan comes in three trims: Premium, Technology and Limited. 
The engine is a 3.3-liter V-6 that makes 290 horsepower and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. There is a Smart Shift and Drive feature that chooses from Eco, Normal or Sport mode depending on your driving style. 
Fuel economy is rated at an impressive 20 mpg city, 28 highway. 
The Cadenza has a more sinewy body style now, compared with its prior version. The segmented lower fascia and triangular headlights give it well-defined lines at the front end. The grille design is also stylish, with vertical slats on the Limited and Technology trims and a diamond mesh design on the Premium.
Options include a panoramic sun roof and smart power trunk lid.
 The Cadenza's interior is comfortable, with leather trim seating and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. On the center console you'll find Kia’s UVO multimedia system, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen, UVO eServices, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio and a USB port.
Options include an integrated navigation system and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. Dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows/locks, remote keyless entry, push-button start, an automatic dimming rearview mirror and power/heated front seats are all standard features. Napa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather shift knob, and a wireless phone charger are options as well. 
The Cadenza starts at around $33,000 and ranges to nearly $45,000.
The Cadenza is a large sedan that offers comfort, a smooth ride, lots of standard convenience features and attractive styling.