Happy Holidays 2021/New Year 2022

Before I forget to post for this whole season - a very happy holidays to everyone out there, no matter where you are and what you celebrate! Enjoy and embrace this season with everyone important in your life!

-Adam (ARich)

My New Car: The 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD

This paint color is called "Wolf Grey"

It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to post some blog updates, but perhaps one of the biggest ones worth noting is that I got a new vehicle! My "realistic dream vehicle” actually: the 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD! I actually worked at Kia in product planning a few years back and performed market research that helped lead to the development of this car. Shoutout to Summit Place Kia in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Mr. David Lee for hooking me up with a cool car and great deal (again), especially during all of the chip-related supply shortages! 

This K5 replaces my 2018 Jeep Compass and my mother’s 2013 Buick Regal Turbo at the same time - so 2 cars for 1.

Also, this actually is a very key moment for me, as I now have completed my “dream garage” - and because was part of the market research and development process for the K5 among other products. I have the Kia I always wanted back in high school complete a with red interior and AWD, a 2004 Oldsmobile, and my first car, the Saturn Aura (which is mechanically similar to the Pontiac G6 I initially wanted too). So far, the K5 has been an awesome car and it attracts A TON of compliments when I’m out, just like my Telluride. It’s also not a bad car to drive. Its kinda sporty-ish around town and it gets great fuel economy - my highest record to date is 41.4 MPG.

I’ll be making more posts on the K5 (and also uploading older posts I haven’t had the time to get to), such as what upgrades I’ve made to it and my other cars as well as a K5 review. Life is busy, as I’m sure you all can imagine. But in the meantime, check out two YouTube videos on when I first got the car a few months back and also a 0-60 and 0-100 test video. Like, comment and subscribe - thanks!

YouTube Links:

K5 0-60 and 0-100

Kia K5 - Day 1 Video

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

My Latest YouTube Videos - Like, Comment and Subscribe!

Check out my latest YouTube videos on upgrades/maintenance on my vehicles, winter drives, reviews and more to come. I'm playing catch up with new content I haven't had a chance to post yet - life has been pretty busy the past couple of years... Remember to like, comment and subscribe! Thanks!

SN: Today is my birthday, and I'm thankful for all of my support, lessons, blessings and opportunities I've had in my life on this day!

-Adam (ARich)

Links:

• Saturn Aura Wheel Repair:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gyaHIaHJJ0&t=12s
• Kia Telluride Snow Drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsJYFXLEJg0
• My new car, the 2022 Kia K5 AWD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeOO7Sy8CeU
• 2019 Winter Drives, Jeep and Oldsmobile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFGeSJ4ITLs
• Vehicle Upgrades: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQO7Y26RaEg
• Kia Telluride Sights and Sounds, ACC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXYjFPdAwz4

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Show Me the Car Fact #FactFridays

2004-2007 Buick Rainier (pre-2006 facelift)

Did you know: The Buick Rainier (so far) is the only RWD-based Buick SUV to ever be released under the brand. 

I mean, let's think about it:

-Rendezvous: FWD or AWD -Terraza (not an SUV, but GM kinda wanted it to be): FWD or AWD -Enclave: FWD or AWD -Encore, Encore GX: FWD or AWD -Regal TourX (again, not really an SUV, but close enough): AWD only - but rides on a FWD platform -Envision: FWD or AWD It’s also worth noting that the Rainer was the only one of all these Buick SUVs to get an air suspension and one of only 3 vehicles in Buick’s 2000s lineup you could even get with a V8 - period (Lucerne Northstar V8, LaCrosse Super and Rainier). I think the Rainier will likely remain the ONLY V8-powered SUV since everything is going electric now. Given these facts, a V8 Rainer has a good shot at becoming at least a SLIGHT collectors item because they aren’t very common and they’re actually quite unique! Have you ever seen or taken a ride in one? Its basically a fancier Chevy Trailblazer and the successor to the Oldsmobile Bravada (Bravada never got the 5.3L V8).

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

New Cars Coming In Hot! Also: News & More

I haven't had a chance to post anything on my blog for awhile due to life being so WILD lately (pandemic, grad school stuff, family stuff, etc...). Honestly, it'll likely still be some time before I can REALLY jump big time back into blogging. But in the meantime - here's a quick list of cars on the horizon and some other news. A lot going on in the industry. Be sure to look back at some of my back-dated posts.

News and Other Updates

-Here's the upcoming Lexus NX! Long overdue for a redesign, the NX will be all-new for 2022 and feature 3 new powertrains, including a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a plug-in hybrid model with 36 miles of electric range. The new NX also will have an all-new infotainment system inside that no longer has the finicky Lexus touchpad interface. Expect the new Lexus NX to launch this fall.

-The 2022 Ford Maverick is a compact pickup that will slot under the Ranger. Similar to the upcoming Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Honda Ridgeline, the Maverick will be a unibody truck and it will share its platform with the Bronco Sport. Its base powertrain will be a hybrid setup - a 2.5L I4 engine paired with an electric motor. However, this version will only be available in FWD. If you want AWD, you'll have to opt for a higher trim level and a 2.0T engine making 250 HP. Hybrid models can tow up to 2,000 pounds and 2.0T models can tow a max of 4,000 pounds. I think the front end looks a little funky, but overall, this is a nice compact truck at a nice price. I think it'll be a hit.

-The 2021 Acura TLX Type-S is a return to form for Honda's luxury brand - an honest sports sedan following the ethos of Acura's "Precision Crafted Performance" tagline. Powering the TLX Type-S is a 3.0L turbo V6 making 355 HP and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Its 10-speed transmission has been retuned for more aggressive driving and you can get Brembo brakes and NSX-inspired wheels as well. Pricing starts at $53,325. Its possible we'll also be getting an MDX Type-S SUV according to some rumors and reports, so stay tuned. I'd like to drive them all.

-Cadillac is going all-in on electric vehicles from now on and its new 2023 Lyriq EV SUV is the first model in this renaissance. On a full charge, the Lyriq will have more than 300 miles of driving range and it comes with a 19.2-kW onboard charger. Inside, there's a 33-inch infotainment and vehicle display screen for essential information. GM's new battery electric platform that the Lyriq rides on is called "Ultium" and it also underpins the upcoming GMC Hummer EV truck and SUV. DC fast-charging capability will be included on the Lyriq and you can expect this EV luxury SUV to release in 2022 with a base price just under $60,000. (Reservations will open in 2021)

-In case you missed it, there were two supply shortages going on at the same time in the world! There was a gas shortage not long ago due to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown which caused panic buying among consumers mostly in southern U.S. states. People actually started storing gas in plastic bags - which is a major BAD IDEA by the way! How did they expect to get it out??? Not safely, obviously... This shortage was also compounded and made worse by a shortage of fuel truck drivers. And on top of this, I'm sure you're possibly at least somewhat aware of the ongoing microchip shortage plaguing the auto industry. The pandemic and associated material shortages has limited the supply of semiconductors needed for new vehicles. Where are they going instead? Many went into electronics, since the auto industry didn't expect new car sales to rebound so quickly following 2020 and didn't order enough microchips. And thus, you have a shortage that's expected to last into 2022. 

If you want a new car right now, good luck - you'll likely be waitlisted at least awhile AND may even face markups at the dealer (especially for high demand products, like the new Ford Bronco or the Kia Telluride). Almost all automakers, including GM, Ford, Jeep, Subaru and many more have had to cut production of key models just to wait for microchips to arrive and go in vehicles. In addition to this, there's also been rubber shortages as well. Yeah... A supply chain NIGHTMARE basically. If you're trying to get a good deal on a new car at this time, I suggest looking at some vehicles that are perhaps not as in high of demand right now (such as sedans) or a little more off the beaten path from the "usual picks" (such as a Mazda or Genesis).

A GMC Hummer EV SUV will also be made.

-Back to the GMC Hummer EV - the truck might be too heavy to be safe according to some safety experts. Now granted, let's think about the old gas-guzzler Hummers... They were always huge! The Hummer EV will weigh over 9,000 pounds, causing some concern about keeping that much mass under control. I mean... People controlled Hummers seemingly fine in the 2000s! But I guess they also didn't have "Watts to Freedom" mode with 1,000 HP and a 0-60 time of 3 seconds. The main thing is that a vehicle of this size could be a hazard to small pets or children in my mind since you wouldn't be able to see them as easy. However, the GMC Hummer EV will come with standard safety features such as pedestrian detection, forward collision alert, lane departure warning and blind spot alert. Its also worth noting that GMC says another EV truck will be coming to their portfolio. Since the Silverado EV was teased not long ago, I'm willing to be that the second GMC EV truck will be the Sierra EV. Time will tell.

Any new cars that you're excited for or big stories I missed? Let's talk about it!

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair AWD Review

The Lincoln Corsair is a compact luxury crossover meant to compete with the likes of the Cadillac XT4.

(*Note: Starting with this review, I’ll be abbreviating my stats on vehicles that I place at the end of my review. I’ll include links to crash test results. This will hopefully save your eyes some. Thanks as always!)

I had a chance to drive the all-new Lincoln Corsair compact luxury crossover SUV. This is a replacement for the MKC. I’m going to briefly share some of my thoughts on my time in the Corsair. My thanks goes out to Wilson Ford Lincoln in Saginaw for letting me drive this vehicle.

Overall, the Lincoln Corsair is a nice luxury crossover that I like. So much so until I’ve decided to seriously add it to my shopping list for 2021-2022 to replace my 2018 Jeep Compass with. I found the Corsair to be a solid improvement over the MKC and it feels like a major step up from the Escape with which it shares its platform with. On the exterior, it wears the Lincoln design language well, looking like a cross between a Bentley and a baby Aviator, which itself looks like a baby Navigator. The color of my tester was called “Iced Mocha” with a sandstone leather/leatherette interior. I liked this color combo, but I’d also pick “Artisan Blue” as an exterior color – it’s a no cost option. On the interior, everything feels premium to the touch and high quality. Harder plastics are regulated to the lower dashboard and doors. I had plenty of room in my driving position and sitting behind myself in the rear seat, which slides for and aft for more passenger or cargo space. Controls are mostly laid out well and I like the symphonic chimes at startup; they were recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. My tester did not have a panoramic sunroof, but it did have a power liftgate, heated/cooled front, heated rear seats and remote start - features which are always convenient.

A couple of minor complaints: Note that a “Black Label” trim is not offered on the Corsair unlike other Lincoln models. Also, the push button shifter (piano key shifter in Lincoln language) may take some getting used to. I found myself pulling on the wiper stalk trying to put the car into park instead of using the piano key shifter (thanks, Mercedes).

For 2022, the color pallet of the Corsair has been shifted around - Artisan Blue is no longer available and has been replaced with Elite Blue. Also, the Iced Mocha paint color appears to have been replaced by Bronze Smoke. Additionally, you can now get the Corsair Grand Touring Plug-In Hybrid for the 2022 model year. I've read in some other forums that a facelift for the Corsair is coming in 2023, with upgrades such as a larger interior touchscreen and a hybrid model.

Drive Time

The Corsair's interior is modern and luxurious, though the push-button shifter may confuse some.

On the road, the Corsair is a smooth operator. Standard is a 2.0L turbo inline 4-cylinder with 250 HP and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is also standard across the board. Note that the standard engine in the Corsair is the optional engine in the new Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. I found on throttle power to be more than adequate. 0 to 60 MPH takes around 6.5 to 7 seconds. The Corsair handles well, but I wouldn’t call it quite sporty per se – the word “lively” more so comes to mind. Drive modes in the Corsair have interesting names – they’re Normal, Excite, Conserve, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. I used Excite mode and Normal mode and the vehicle seemed to jump off the line slightly quicker in Excite mode and hold gears longer. If you crave more power out of your Corsair, you can upgrade to the Corsair Grand Touring Plug-In Hybrid which has 266 HP or you can opt for a 2.3L turbo inline 4-cylinder with 295 HP and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy with AWD and the 2.0T like I drove is 21 city/29 highway/24 combined. With the 2.3T AWD its 21/28/24.

I found there to be plenty of cargo space in the Corsair as well
as plenty of convenience features, such as smart entry.

This is where I have something else to note about the Corsair. While I’m sure the plug-in hybrid will offer some sort of gain in economy, power and even driving dynamics (due to the placement of the battery packs and added torque), I can’t say the same about the 2.3T from what I’ve researched. The 2.3T doesn’t seem to offer any substantial power gain over the 2.0T. Both do 0-60 in the same amount of time, both engines can tow 2,000 lbs. max and the 2.3T has slightly worse fuel economy. But yet, there's a price premium for picking the 2.3T vs. the 2.0T. I don’t often recommend skipping the stronger engine option, but in this case, I’d say don’t feel like you NEED to upgrade to the 2.3T. I think most buyers will be perfectly satisfied saving some money and with the overall performance of 2.0T. I’d consider the plug-in hybrid as well once its more widely available, however its starting price will be significantly higher than the 2.0T Corsair (2022 prices: $50,330 PHEV Corsair vs. $36,105 gas Corsair).

So in all, I feel the Lincoln Corsair is a well-rounded compact luxury SUV. Still, I’d be remiss to not mention that I’m disappointed that Lincoln’s sedans are all gone post-2020. I feel that the Continental is one of the most underrated luxury sedans on the market. I remember when the Continental concept was released at the Detroit Auto Show – it was a major hit. If the MKZ received a redesign and was renamed back to Zephyr (as it was in China), I feel Lincoln would be one of the toughest luxury brands to beat. Especially vs. its American competitors because Lincoln is already beating them in my opinion. Alas, times change, and any luxury buyer should put the Corsair on their shopping list if they want a stylish, modern and classy crossover. If you fancy driving something like a Lexus, Buick, or an Oldsmobile Bravada (like yours truly), a Lincoln Corsair might just be your style.

____________________

Other features included memory seats, heated front/rear seats,
and a power rear liftgate.

Pros: Nice styling, smooth and quiet ride, roomy and comfortable interior with high quality materials, base engine has good power, symphonic chimes are very unique, standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance tech

Cons: Doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense to get the 2.3T engine over the 2.0T, piano key shifter may confuse some drivers initially, driving dynamics favor comfort over sport unlike some competitors, no Black Label trim (yet) – but Reserve trim models with options can get as expensive as the Nautilus and Aviator, PHEV price premium

Grading:

Engine Power/Economy: B+ (8.5 points)

Quietness: B+ (8.5 points)

Interior Quality/Comfort: A- (9.5 points)

Driving Dynamics: B (8 points)

Cargo Capacity & Storage: B+ (8.5 points)

Overall: 43/50 (B)

Base Price Range (2021): $36,105-$43,050

Price as Tested: $43,055

 

Other Specs:

Engines Available: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (250 HP, 280 lb.-ft. of torque), 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (295 HP, 310 lb.-ft. of torque), Plug-In Hybrid (266 Combined HP)

Drives: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

Transmissions: 8-speed automatic

Fuel Economy Ratings (See Link):

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2021&year2=2021&make=Lincoln&baseModel=Corsair&srchtyp=ymm&pageno=1&rowLimit=50

Crash Test Results (See Links):

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/LINCOLN/CORSAIR/SUV/AWD#safety-ratings-frontal

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/lincoln/corsair-4-door-suv/2021

Trim Levels: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring (2022)

Key Competitors: All vehicles in the compact luxury SUV segment; Includes the BMW X3, Acura RDX, Infiniti QX50 and QX55, Buick Envision, Audi Q3, Cadillac XT4, Jaguar E-Pace, Tesla Model Y, Lexus NX, Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes-Benz GLB and GLC, Porsche Macan, Genesis GV70, Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Tonale (upcoming) and Volvo XC60

On the Adam’s Autos “Should You Buy It?” scale of “Drool, Cool, Meh, or BLEH: The 2020/2021 Corsair is “Cool” – I recommend leasing it.

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Coming Soon - More New Cars on the Horizon

This is the first time you'll be able to get a Grand Cherokee with a third row seat.

 

Time for another new cars coming soon dump! So here’s what we have this time…

Grand Cherokee L

First is the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. This vehicle represents the fifth-generation of the Grand Cherokee nameplate and offers third row seating. Underneath it all, the new Grand Cherokee rides on an independent multi-link suspension front and rear and powertrains will carry over from 2021, although a plug-in hybrid 4xe model is coming by the end of 2021. Level 2 self-driving capability will be offered by the end of the year, and of course since it’s a Jeep, a variety of off-road 4WD systems will be available. Pricing will start at just under $40,000 and expect the new Grand Cherokee to go on sale this spring.

New Frontier and Pathfinder

Next, we have the 2022 Nissan Frontier and Pathfinder. In particular, its big news we’re getting an all-new Frontier FINALLY because the current one dates back to 2005. The 2022 Frontier has a new 3.8L V6 that actually debuted in the last generation Frontier and it will come in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations. I really like how the new Frontier’s styling is both more rugged and modern – very reminiscent of the larger Nissan Titan. As for the new Pathfinder, it remains a unibody crossover, but it adopts a more rugged look itself. Perhaps more notably, the 2022 Pathfinder drops its old CVT for a conventional 9-speed automatic transmission from ZF – let’s hope it’s been tweaked from the transmissions used in modern Jeeps, since they’ve been problematic in those applications. Word is the new Infiniti QX60 will also get ZF’s 9-speed auto. Pathfinder’s old 3.5L V6 with 284 HP carries over and off-road performance is supposedly improved. I also think that the Pathfinder, inside and out, looks much improved.

Bolt EUV

Finally, we have the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. This vehicle offers more interior space than the Bolt hatchback, which will be resigned for 2022. The Bolt EUV will be powered by a 65-kWh battery pack making 200 HP with a 250-mile range. When using a DC fast charger, the Bolt EUV can charge up to 95 miles of range in 30 minutes. It’ll compete with the Hyundai Kona Electric and Tesla Model Y. AWD won’t be offered, but GM’s Super Cruise will be. Inside the Bolt EUV, drivers will find an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot with a 10.2-inch touchscreen which includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa connectivity. Driver assist features that will be standard on the Bolt EUV include lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist.

Looks like SUVs and trucks continue to reign supreme. What vehicle are you looking forward to the most?

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Leaked! Here’s the New Nissan 400Z

Nissan's sports coupe is due for a redesign and its coming very soon.

Images of the 2022 Nissan 400Z have been leaked online! What do you think? Word is that this new sports coupe will have 400 HP, hence its name.

Update 3/27/21: The Nissan 400Z might just be called the “Z” and start around $35,000. It’s primary competitor would be the Toyota Supra 3.0.

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

3 Different Parking Brakes

Here's an example of how technology has changed between 2000s and the present day -
the parking brakes on my vehicles.

Here’s something interesting I noticed: I have 3 different parking brakes in my vehicles. An electronic brake in my 2018 Jeep Compass, a hand brake in my 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, and a foot-pedal style brake in my 2008 Saturn Aura. The biggest adjustment switching between the cars isn’t the fact that some are bigger or smaller, but I’ve always felt that remembering that the older cars don’t have all of the modern technology of the Jeep (like push-button start and smart entry) is the biggest learning curve.

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

The 2021 Lexus IS and Toyota Venza are Growing On Me...

Sometimes Toyota and Lexus are hit or miss with styling I feel, but recent models have been better.
And you can always count on the fact that they'll be reliable.

I admit, I've been critical of Toyota and Lexus in the past. I've always felt like their cars are somewhat boring, but over-styled (especially Lexus). But I must say, I like the looks of the 2021 Lexus IS and Toyota Venza. They're quite interesting! If they make a Venza Prime in the future, I'd be all over that (all 2021 Venzas are hybrids with eAWD). I'd even consider a Lexus IS with AWD in the future. You know Toyota and Lexus always have made reliable vehicles, so if the styling fits as well, I say its an easy buy!

Update 2/23/20: Check out the 2022 Lexus IS500 F-Sport Performance, one of the last V8 sedans on the market in America! It'll have a 5.0L V8 with 472 HP under the hood when it goes on sale. Long live the V8!

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

My Green Vehicles

We used to have a green Oldsmobile Silhouette similar to this one. I'm trying to find
pictures we took of it...

My current green vehicles - 2018 Jeep Compass and 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

When I was a kid, my mother had a few Oldsmobile vehicles - 2 1995 Achievas, one red and one white, and a 1998 green Silhouette van. I drew a picture of her driving me around in a green van as a kid and went with her to pick out one. This phase of life sparked a good portion of my interest in cars as well as in Oldsmobile. We made many great memories in the Silhouette - from trips to car dealers, listening to Nelly CDs, field trips, soccer games, playing Pokémon and other Game Boy Advanced games in the rear with my friends and a lot more. As such, green vehicles are special to me even nowadays. The Silhouette in the picture above is actually a slightly lighter green than the one we had.

Fast forward to today and I’m fortunate to have TWO of my own green vehicles to make memories in with family and friends. And what’s even better is that one of them is an Oldsmobile, bringing back those fond memories of yesterday. I’ve always said I’d have three cars since I was a kid and that one would be one of the last 2004 Oldsmobiles made. Now that I've accomplished that, I’m ready for new adventures.

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Here's the 2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 V-Series Blackwing

A new era of Cadillac V-Series sedans is upon us just as the EV era takes off at the same time (Left: CT4-V Blackwing; Right: CT5-V Blackwing).

The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing have arrived! These performance sedans replace the outgoing ATS-V and CTS-V, respectively, and offer even more performance. Powering the CT4-V Blackwing is a 3.6L twin-turbo V6 making 472 HP and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. The ATS-V made 464 HP and 445 lb.-ft. of torque. The CT5-V Blackwing uses a supercharged 6.2L V8 that was also found in its predecessor, the CTS-V. In the new car, it makes 668 HP and 659 lb.-ft. of torque - a jump of 28 HP vs. the outgoing CTS-V. Did I mention that a six-speed manual transmission is standard in both these new Caddies? If you so desire, a 10-speed automatic is also optional. I find it interesting that the Blackwing V8 from the CT6-V Blackwing has never been used in another application, but perhaps it'll find its way into an Escalade-V Blackwing someday, you never know.

Both vehicles will offer GM's Magnetic Ride Control, which can adapt to road conditions live time. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are standard on both cars and rim sizes are 18s on the CT4-V Blackwing and 19s on the CT5-V Blackwing. On the inside, you'll find reconfigurable digital gauge clusters in both cars, suede and carbon fiber touches, sport steering wheels, and plenty of leather and along with more aggressive seats for track days. The CT4-V Blackwing starts at $58,995 where the CT5-V Blackwing starts at $83,995. If you want to read up more on the these hot Caddies, I've put links to their pages on Cadillac's website below.

Reservation books are open now. Get your money in if you truly want one! These will likely be the last gas-powered V-Series models we'll see in our lifetimes given that GM and Cadillac are going all EV.

• https://www.cadillac.com/future-vehicles/ct4-v-blackwing
• https://www.cadillac.com/future-vehicles/ct5-v-blackwing

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Is This "Rare"?

 

Let me ask you all - is a Lincoln Continental REALLY more rare than a Chevy Trailblazer SS? Personally, I think whoever made this posting on Autotrader was slightly confused...

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

The Kia Cadenza and K900 say Adios to the U.S. for 2021

Top: Cadenza
Bottom: K900

Kia has officially dropped its two most luxurious sedans in the United States for 2021, the K900 and Cadenza. Both sedans sought to be alternatives to vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse, Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES, Cadillac XTS/CT6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and BMW 5 and even 7 Series. Tall ambitions! 

This decision by Kia comes as no big surprise if you've followed sales figures for both of these models. They sell in very, very, very low numbers, and at least from my observations/travels, I've noticed that most of them seem to be sold in the southern United States. If you want some sales figures, the K900 sold a mere 305 units in the U.S. in 2020 while the Cadenza sold 1,265 units. For comparison sake, the Kia Stinger sold 12,556 units in 2020 - down from 13,884 in 2019. This would make both the Cadenza and K900 two of the most RARE new cars in North America with those sales numbers - even more rare than a Stinger, Genesis or Alfa Romeo product, which you already hardly ever see! I have a hunch that the K900 may even become a collector's item someday... You never know.

This is all not to say that the Kia K900 and Cadenza are bad cars. In fact, its the opposite - they were quite nice! But that's the problem too: outside of their home market of South Korea, they were too nice for their brand. People just don't hear "Kia" and associate "luxury" or "$50,000-$60,000+ executive sedan" with the brand. That's partially why Kia is updating their logo and other branding after all of these years. And of course, part of the blame can be attributed to the popularity of SUVs like the Kia Telluride, overlap with Genesis in the Hyundai-Kia-Genesis portfolio, plus the industry push towards electrification to a degree, too. When pressed with the question "do I want a $50,000 car or SUV", we now clearly see that consumers are far more likely to take the SUV or truck route these days - hey, they may even jump for an EV at that price if they're really bold! And that's before you even get to the whole Kia brand image issue I just mentioned... 

For those very same reasons, I speculate the Stinger may not be long for the U.S. market either. I mean, it faces all the same issues theoretically as the K900 and Cadenza in terms of being the "right car paired with the wrong brand". We'll revisit this topic in roughly five years and see where we stand. Until then, have you ever seen a K900 or Cadenza on the road? See below for how I'd buy my ideal Kia K900 and Cadenza while the build tool is still active on Kia's website for them. 

Farewell Kia luxury sedans. Perhaps we'll see a couple more of you on the road post-new car depreciation hit.

If you want to check out sales figures for these models and others, go to GoodCarBadCar.net. Lots of useful info there. Here's a link to the Cadenza's sales numbers: https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/kia-cadenza-sales-figures-usa-canada/

Here's how I'd get my K900 and Cadenza before they're all gone - top of the line and every option. Brown leather is a must.
I imagine there's serious incentives on these to bring the price down given their bad sales numbers.

__________________________________________________

Update 3/3/21: Images of the 2022 Kia K8 sedan have leaked on the internet! It features Kia's new logo and design language seen on vehicles such as the new Carnival MPV. While this is essentially the replacement for the Cadenza, and personally I like it, I wouldn't hold my breath about it coming to the U.S... Especially given the Cadenza's astoundingly low sales numbers for 2020 and the fact that when Hyundai pulled the Azera (their large 4-door sedan) out of the U.S. market, it never came back.

2022 Kia K8

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Here’s the 2021 Buick Envision, On Sale Now

The 2021 Buick Envision is out! The vehicle was shown last year, but wasn't released until this year. Overall I think this is a great improvement over the outgoing Envision at first glance. I looked inside these vehicles at Garber Buick and the interior looks more upscale as well. These appear to be Essence trim level Envisions with AWD. The Build Your Own tool is live on Buick's website if you want to envision your dream 2021 Envision. 

Speaking of trim levels and whatnot, pricing for the 2021 Buick Envision starts at $31,800. Trim levels for the Envision are Preferred, Essence and Avenir. Standard is a 2.0-liter turbo with 228 HP with 258 lb.-ft. of torque paired to a 9-speed automatic.

This is how I'd build my 2021 Envision: got to have it blacked out of course! This is the Preferred trim with AWD and the Sport Touring package. I also threw in the panoramic sunroof for $1,450.

 

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Throwback Thursday - Traffic JAMS

Aston... Martin... Muuusic... Muuusic...

We've all been at a complete standstill on the road before... Or just bored at work. Never fear, the weekend will soon be here! Until then, let's switch into memory lane and rock out while we roll on!

This week's jam (again): Aston Martin Music – Rick Ross feat. Chrisette Michelle & Drake (2010)

Rick Ross has lost considerable weight since this song was first out, but it still hits hard. Which is why I had to share it again. What’s more is that I still feel Drake’s verse on the extended version of this song has some of his best lines to date. Nothing like a song that references cars with solid verses and a classic beat. Takes me back to high school.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egj_OrW3Wqk

Welcome, Stellantis!

ICYMI: Stellantis is officially here! The new automaker is the fourth largest in the world and consists of the brands Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ram, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia, Abarth, Citroën, DS, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall. Maybe we'll see some Peugeot models come to the U.S. branded as Chryslers. In particular, I'm interested to see what the various brands' EV strategy will morph into after this merger.

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Opinion: Chrysler Doesn't Have to Die

There's been rumors swirling that Chrysler may be hanging on by a thread since really its hardly a full brand anymore. In the U.S., Chrysler only has the 300, which is extremely old now, and the Pacifica minivan, which Chrysler is milking into 3 different models: the Pacifica, Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid and Voyager. Considering how complete Chrysler's lineup was in the 2000s, this is sad... And the pending FCA merger with PSA as Stellantis is not helping Chrysler's future. Buick's lineup was in a similar position in 2009 - they made only the LaCrosse, Enclave and Lucerne. But Buick rebounded to have a full lineup just a few years later and is now focusing on SUVs in today's market. In my opinion, Chrysler doesn't have to die. Here's what I'm thinking...

Chrysler needs a new Aspen
with their current design language.

Chrysler's lineup is missing one key thing: CROSSOVERS! Its been several years since the 200 sedan left the lineup and sedans aren't even hot like that anymore. Clearly SUVs are the answer. And what I'm not quite sure about is that its not like FCA didn't have the platforms or vehicles to give Chrysler a crossover before now. They could've made a compact Chrysler crossover based off of the Jeep Cherokee's platform, or even a new midsize SUV based off of the Durango (which they already did in the 2000s - the Aspen... just revive the name!). In reality, Chrysler's future should be relatively bright, not bleak, because the Stellantis merger will give FCA access to even more global platforms to make new Chrysler vehicles. Imagine a Peugeot-based entry-level luxury crossover as a Chrysler! I think that'd be cool, and that's the demographic space I honestly believe Chrysler needs to be playing in to be playing in for success moving forward (along with a dose of electrification, for good measure).

I hate to hear about car brands potentially being on the chopping block. Its part of what has motivated me to become a market analyst in the automotive industry. I'm hoping that Chrysler and all of FCA's current brands, like Dodge as well, get a fair shake after the FCA-PSA merger is complete.

UPDATE 2/15/21: Stellantis says that all of the brands under its portfolio will get a shot at being successful. However, that must not include the SRT performance division, because word is that SRT has been disbanded by Stellantis.

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New Kia, Nissan and GM Logos

New logos for a new era to come.

In case you didn't realize it, GM, Nissan and Kia have all updated their logos. They follow behind Volkswagen and BMW who also recently updated their logos to look more "slim" and "modern". All of these companies are looking towards an electrified future, which is part of the reason why they've all decided now is the time for a change. Kia has been pressured by customers for several years now to update their logo - it'll make its official debut on the 2022 Kia Carnival MPV in the U.S.

In addition to this, GM and Kia both have new slogans to go along with their new logos. GM's new slogan is "EVerybody In" to go along with their aggressive EV strategy, and Kia's new slogan is "Movement That Inspires".

What do you think of these new logos? Who do you think has the best new logo so far? 

SN: For what its worth, Burger King also redesigned their logo recently too lol.

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Toyota News: Goodbye Crown and Land Cruiser, Hello 2022 Tundra

 

Toyota may drop some famous model names while redesigning a popular one.

Toyota is a company that plays it very safe with their cars. They rarely outright discontinue products I’ve noticed. However, it appears as if there a couple of models that are making an exit soon in Toyota’s portfolio. One is the Land Cruiser, which might exit the U.S. market after 2021. If this is true, this marks the end of one of the longest running nameplates in America. This is akin to the Chevrolet Suburban line ending production! Toyota sold its first Land Cruiser in America in 1958. Its worth noting that Lexus will continue to offer the LX, the Land Cruiser’s luxurious cousin.

Toyota may also drop the Crown sedan, which we don’t get in America, but is their longest-running model in their global portfolio. The Crown is a large, four-door RWD sedan used as a police car, taxi, personal vehicles and more in Japan. Think of it as Japan’s “Ford Crown Victoria”. As you can imagine, sales for the Crown these days are poor due to SUV demand, even in Japan. Rumor is that the Crown name might be reborn on a new crossover based on the Highlander. That ought to make fans of the Crown very, very happy I’m sure…

Finally, a new Tundra is on the way. We know this because it’s been spotted testing in camouflage. It seems like the 2022 Toyota Tundra will have a new interior design, front end design, and other new styling elements. Its rumored that the new Tundra will come with a twin-turbo V6 engine. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a hybrid model at some point with eAWD (or 4WD), since Toyota seems to be going big on this setup lately, like on the RAV4 Hybrid. Offering a twin-turbo V6 powertrain and an eAWD setup would allow Toyota to compete with the new 2021 F-150 Hybrid while potentially offering class-leading fuel economy figures.

Toyota seems to be more about slow innovation than groundbreaking statements in my opinion. Hate it or love it, this is a strategy that has worked well for them thus far. It’ll be interesting to see how dropping historic nameplates such as Land Cruiser and Crown while continuously innovating for an electrified future will shift the company.

Copyright © 2021 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

How I'd Buy It: 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S

Porsche throws its hat into the growing EV field with the all new Taycan.

Today, I’m going to do something I never do – build a car that’s totally unrealistic! Here’s a 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S, Porsche’s new EV sedan. It has a top speed of 161 MPH and can run 0-60 in 2.6 seconds! Overboost HP tops out at 750 HP but note that max range is just 201 miles in the Taycan Turbo S model. I see many people complaining about how expensive Teslas are, which isn’t an invalid complaint for some Teslas. But you haven’t seen anything until you price out a Taycan! Normally, I’m not one for super cars or even sports cars, honestly. But if I were to hit the lotto or something I guess, here’s how I’d buy my dream Taycan.

I won’t list out every feature I added, but rather my personal top 5. Because Porsche’s are infinitely customizable pretty much and get ridiculously expensive – I added $56,000+ worth of options, which is as much as another whole car costs… Just let that sink in.

2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S

Exterior Color: Neptune Blue (+$3,150)

Interior Color: Truffle Brown Leather (+$2,450)

Base Price: $185,000

Price: $242,520

My Top 5 Favorite Options: 21’ Taycan Exclusive Rims w/Carbon Fiber (+$4,510), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport - +$3,590), 19.2 kW AC On-Board Charger (+$1,680), Passenger Touchscreen Display (+$1,130), Seat Belts in Bordeaux Red (+$660)

You can’t have a car of this level without the adaptive suspension in my opinion, so I’d spring for PDDC Sport even though it costs $3,500. May as well have the best driving experience possible! I’d also want a more efficient charging experience, which is why I’d opt for the 19.2 kW AC On-Board Charger. The other features I feel are just part of the “Porsche experience” – the passenger touchscreen, which is unique, the carbon fiber rims, and red accents throughout the brown leather interior would add character to an already stunning vehicle.

Like I said, I’d probably never purchase one of these in real life! But would you? As configured, my monthly payments would be $4,500 per month… YIKES!!! Curiously, you’d actually pay less per month to finance the Taycan, not lease it I noticed. Personally - I’m good, man.

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Winter Drives – 2019 & 2020

2004 Oldsmobile Bravada and 2018 Jeep Compass

I’ve uploaded two new YouTube videos on winter drives of my vehicles. In the 2019 video, I drive the 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude 4x4 and 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada AWD in the snow and test their capability. I start up my 2008 Saturn Aura, but I can’t really drive it in the snow because it doesn’t perform well in bad weather and never has. However, I found the Jeep and Oldsmobile both capable in the snow and fun! You can drift very easy in them, although the Bravada lacks all of the modern safety features of the Compass (side airbags, ESC, traction control, etc.), so you have to use common sense while having fun on backroads and in the snow.

In the second video, I drive the 2020 Kia Telluride S AWD. I got this vehicle for my mother as my gift in June 2019. In this video didn’t have access to backroads while driving it. However, I found it to be capable in the snow on the roads and you can also pull donuts in it. You also have an AWD lock mode, which can come in handy.

2020 Kia Telluride

What are your winter cars? Check out my other posts on winter driving below and remember to always drive according to weather conditions and your experience level. Also remember – AWD will help you keep going, but it won’t help you stop! Stay safe!

2019 Winter Drive YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFGeSJ4ITLs

Kia Telluride Winter Drive YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsJYFXLEJg0

Past Winter Articles: https://www.adamsautos.org/search?q=winter

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Show Me the Car Fact – Chevy Blazer and Trailblazer #FactFridays

The "Trailblazer" name actually began as a trim level on the 2000s Blazer before becoming its own model.

Back with more car facts! Happy new year!

Did you know: In the late 1990s, the ‘Trailblazer’ name was introduced on the Chevrolet S-10-based Blazer as a more luxurious trim level (ditto the ‘Envoy’ name on GMC’s Jimmy). The S-10-based Blazer was more of a compact SUV in size than prior Blazer iterations. In 2002, the Trailblazer (and by extension the Envoy) became their own models and were midsize SUVs, riding on the GMT360 platform.

Top: new Trailblazer, a compact SUV; Bottom: new Blazer, a midsized SUV

Fast forward to 2021, the Blazer and Trailblazer are both back in Chevy’s lineup, but this time unlike the 90s, the Blazer is a midsized SUV and the Trailblazer is a compact SUV. Both are unibody crossovers now as well.

How the tables turn!

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