2015 Kia Sorento

Most of Kia's lineup has found its place in the market after being revamped in transformation ways—the brand's Optima and Forte sedans, for example—but the trajectory has been quite different for the Kia Sorento mid-size crossover. It's instead been on more of a constant-improvement plan, with almost every year bringing a new set of incremental changes that now make this one of the best-updated models in its class.

The 2015 Kia Sorento does get some minor changes, although admittedly it's not quite the extensive makeover inside and under the hood that the Sorento received last year, when this model got a much-upgraded interior, improved refinement, and new engines, with about 80 percent of the parts redesigned or new.

Inside, the classy cabin look and feel took a big step in an elegant new direction--one that's now been reiterated in the new Cadenza and K900 sedans. Although its sheetmetal looks essentially the same as it has for the past several years, the Sorento's interior feels fresh and contemporary. It's been relieved of most of the inexpensive-looking plastics that worked well enough for the past few years, and covered in finer, soft-touch materials, polished off with thin, spare metallic trim.

There are some exceptions on the outside. For 2015, the Sorento gets a somewhat different grille design, with either an anodized silver-metal or black mesh look; the lower valance also has been opened up and gets a cross-hatched look, while LED front lamps and projector headlamps have a new look and the available fog lamps have been pushed farther out to the corners.

Most 2015 Sorento models are powered by an all-aluminum 3.3-liter GDI V-6, making 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. A 191-hp, 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine is standard, but likely to be rare--and rightly so, since the V-6 almost matches it on gas mileage, and far outpoints it in pure power. The Sorento delivers its power to the road with the help of a well-sorted six-speed automatic transmission; it's either configured with front-wheel drive or with an enhanced torque-vectoring version of the all-wheel-drive system. The Sorento gets speed-sensitive electric power steering that on some trims is driver-adjustable through a range of three modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport), to nominal effect. With a more rigid body structure, a front strut-tower brace, and a new independent front suspension with an H-shaped sub-frame cradle--plus new bushings for the multi-link rear suspension--Kia made some major advances in ride quality and responsiveness with last year's revamp.

The 2015 Kia Sorento comes in four versions: LX, EX, SX, and SX-L. LX models are offered in four-cylinder or

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2015 Honda Accord Coupe

Like most approaching middle age, the entire Accord lineup, not just the coupe, have grown larger. Is it still a viable ride or one whose cool factor has dropped precipitously?

What is it?
Since we're car guys, we're interested in something a little more out-of-the-ordinary. That's tough to do with a hot-seller like an Accord, so we decided to take a peak at the shapely coupe instead of the bulgy mainstream sedan.

A four-seater coupe based on the four-door sedan older brother, which itself, is now entering its eighth generation and nearly 35th year, the Accord Coupe is definitely the looker of the pack. Packing four-cylinder power underhood it is one of the few non-sporty coupes that offers a manual transmission, but most will opt for the automatic.

What's it up against?
With a base price for the loss-leader LX model, in the mid-$22,000 range, there is lots of competition. The Accord is vaguely sporty, but not like a Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang or Hyundai Genesis Coupe, so we think most buyers will check out the Nissan Altima Coupe. 

Any breakthroughs?
This generation marks the first time Honda has added four-wheel disc brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and brake assist on all trim levels. Also, the Accord Coupe's Shift Hold Control manages to hold the gears longer for a smoother, more responsive line.

It's worth noting that the Accord gets a minor nip and tuck for the 2011 model year. Fuel economy is up just a touch thanks to some modest transmission revisions. As soon as they're available, we'll be sure to test one for comparison. 

How does it look?
The Accord Coupe appears to have many design influences ranging from the late 1980's-era Honda Prelude to even some current Mustang design cues. But it improves on prior Honda style with such features as the upswept rear windows, and the typical long nose, short tail GT styling that is prevalent in various sporty cars today.

It is stylized, without getting too wild. Honda customers like it that way. 

It does get a bit daring from a rear view, that makes it appear as though it is sporting ground effects around from the doors around to the back of the vehicle. Fender flares and a rear valance will do that to you. 

And on the inside?
That Honda builds a good interior is not lost on us with this Accord. The Coupe's interior is one of the better assembled out there, featuring good quality fit and finish, up to date features and nicely bolstered front seats that feel like they belong in a car twice this Accord's price. Rear seat legroom is adequate for around-town-touring. Long distance drives might be worthy of further consideration for more than two.

That's not to say the Accord Coupe is without flaws. 

There seems to be a current preoccupation with loading up the control panels, center stack and steering wheel with loads of small buttons to operate all the controls with. In the case of the Honda, many are differentiated by feel, but your eyes still leave the road to make sure you have the correct button under finger. BMW's iDrive is a bad solution. But so is this remote control-style. Balance - it can be found. 

But does it go?
The Accord EX-L Coupe and its four-door counterpart are equipped with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes 190 horsepower and 162 lb-ft. of torque. By itself, that's quite a feat considering the 3.0-liter V6 that used to power the Accord not too terribly long ago produced 200 horses. And that seemed like a lot back then. 

One of the better Honda engines we have tested, it is mated on the EX-L to a five-speed automatic transmission with the aforementioned Shift Hold Control which managed to hold the gears for a longer period of time by sensing when we lifted and applied braking. The system works quite well, but we still missed the standard-equipment five-speed manual. 

Using iVTEC, which is Hond's designation for variable valve timing, the lobes of the camshafts move allowing for a change in the valve opening timing. Step on the gas and the four-banger starts with a subtle sound of vitality. 

That is until you put your foot in it. 

Wind it up and the power eventually comes, but not without an audible protest. With most of this engine's torque residing in the top end of the powerband, you will most likely be in the second place column for those stoplight drag races that we all encounter on a daily basis. It doesn't seem as eager to please as the similarly sized direct-injection 2.4-liter four-banger found in the Hyundai Sonata.

The suspension, set up by a double wishbone kit in front and multi-link rear design, holds true around turns and actually instills confidence in the driver. The engine is now mounted lower under the standard-for-EX strut tower brace than in previous models, and along with a lowered fuel tank allow for more responsive turn-ins. Variable gear ratio steering is of the power and mechanically-assisted variety and it provided reasonable feel at most speeds, while feeling a little overboosted in parking lots.

Fuel economy? Well, it's up for '11, but our 2010 tester was rated at 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Those are hardly impressive numbers for a four-banger, but they're not far off of what we saw. For what it's worth, the '11 is rated at 23 mpg around town and 34 mpg on the highway. That's more like it. 

Why you would buy it:
You've had Honda automobiles for most of your driving life. You use it to go from house to work to store to house. Every day. You like it. You like its ability to hold value. " Nough said?

Why you wouldn't:
You like your grits with Tabasco sauce.

Leftlane's bottom line:
Though the Accord Coupe's base price starts in the mid-to-low 20s, stepping up to the EX-L with navigation jacks the price to nearly $30,000. At that point you'll find some entry-level versions of very competent near-luxury players. 

Driving the Accord Coupe is an experience that has us all over the road. Well-built, but using bland ingredients, it is the automotive equivalent of grits. It is probably the best serving of grits you'll ever have, but frankly despite its good looks, it needs a bit of spice.

2010 Honda Accord EX-L Navi Coupe base price, $28,880. As tested, $29,590.
Destination, $710. 

Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-buying/honda/accord-coupe/review/#ixzz3GuZwdiYz

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2015 Hyundai Elantra

After a slight facelift for 2014, the 2015 Hyundai Elantra compact gets only a few tweaks this year, mostly rearranging option packages. But that's OK, as its style, fuel economy, interior space, features, and warranty continue to make it a tough act to follow. Both its quality ratings and resale values are as good as the leading compact cars, and the Elantra's full lineup of sedan, coupeand GT hatchback models is a real threat to compact cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. Your practical side will appreciate the 38 mpg on the highway, or you can tickle your inner enthusiast with a sporty 173-horsepower engine. Both camps will appreciate the Elantra's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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2015 GMC Acadia

Auto critics say the 2015 GMC Acadia offers interior comfort and a compliant ride, but could be easier to maneuver.

The 2015 GMC Acadia is powered by a V6 engine that some reviewers think provides sufficient power, while others write that it struggles to accelerate when full of passengers and cargo. The Acadia comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, which some test drivers say can be slow to downshift at times. The 2015 Acadia gets up to an EPA-estimated 17/24 mpg city/highway, which is a bit low for the class. Automotive journalists say the Acadia has a quiet, controlled, car-like ride and secure handling. However, some critics feel that it can be difficult to maneuver the Acadia through small streets and busy parking lots. They add that the Acadia has well-weighted steering and strong brakes.

Auto writers are impressed with the 2015 GMC Acadia’s attractive and well-made interior. They say the Acadia’s front seats are spacious and comfortable, and that the third row is roomy enough room for adults, but some reviewers think the second-row seats are mounted slightly too low. They also mention that the Acadia has excellent cargo space for the class. While some reviewers think the optional infotainment system is intuitive, others say touch inputs can be slow to respond, and that the system can be complicated to master. Standard features in the 2015 Acadia include a USB port, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors and a touch-screen audio system with satellite radio. Available features include leather seats, a rear-seat entertainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Bose stereo system, navigation, leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, a dual-panel sunroof, GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, rear cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert.

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2015 Ford C-Max Energi

The 2015 Ford C-Max Energi is a plug-in hybrid that carries over without major changes this year.

The 2015 Ford C-Max Energi comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a battery-powered electric motor that together generate 188 horsepower. An automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive are standard. Fully charging the battery takes approximately 2.5 hours with a 240-volt outlet or seven hours with a 120-volt unit. The C-Max Energi can travel up to 19 miles on solely electric power. After that, the gasoline engine activates. The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi is 40/36 mpg city/highway. The C-Max is also available as the C-Max Hybrid, which is covered separately and does not have plug-in capabilities.

The 2015 Ford C-Max Energi seats five and comes standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, heated front seats, leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a six-speaker sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a USB port and an 8-inch MyFord touch-screen electronics interface with SYNC, which allows occupants to control audio, entertainment and smartphone functions using voice commands. Also standard is Ford’s MyKey technology, which enables parents to set audio volume and vehicle speed limits for younger drivers. Options include a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a nine-speaker Sony audio system, voice-controlled navigation, active park assist and Curve Control, which automatically slows the C-Max Energi if the driver takes a bend too fast.

The full review of the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi is coming soon. In the meantime, you can see pictures, research pricesor view and compare specs for the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. If you're considering the 2014 Ford C-Max Energi, which ranks 10 out of 10 Wagons, you can read our review.

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2015 Fiat 500

2015 FIAT 500 Review

The 2015 Fiat 500 is an affordable small car that has no major changes this

Three 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines are available in the 2015 Fiat 500 model lineup. The base engine makes 101 horsepower, while the 500 Turbo and Abarth models have turbocharged engines that produce 135 and 160 horsepower, respectively. All trims come standard with a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive.  A six-speed automatic transmission is optional. The base 2015 Fiat 500 returns an EPA-estimated 31/40 mpg city/highway with a manual transmission and 27/34 mpg with an automatic.

The four-seat 2015 Fiat 500 comes standard with a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, a USB port and a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with audio controls. Options include leather upholstery, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, rear park assist, a premium six-speaker Beats audio system, satellite radio and a navigation system with a 4.3-inch touch-screen display. The 2015 Fiat 500 starts at $16,645.

The full review of the 2015 FIAT 500 is coming soon. In the meantime, you can see pictures, research prices or view and compare specs for the 2015 FIAT 500. If you're considering the 2014 FIAT 500, which ranks 24 out of 40Affordable Small Cars, you can read our review.

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Class of 2015: New Vehicles Ready to Roll

Arriving Now: More than 50 new and redesigned cars for 2015

The 2013-14 auto show season is well behind us now, and along the way automakers unveiled a diverse bumper crop of new vehicles for 2015. Some of the cars here are already on sale, and most will be on dealer lots by the unofficial start of the next model year on October 1.

A review of the new model year lineups shows that this will be a big year for new truck launches and significant sedans leavened with some nifty niche players in the sporty segments. Perhaps the biggest launch of all, coming later this year, is the all-new Ford F150, as the Blue Oval looks to use an aluminum-intensive design to cut weight and save fuel on its perennial best seller. It's quite a gamble in the usually staid pickup market. Also, looking to stake out new territory in trucks, General Motors is launching its mid-size duo, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in a bid to attract a younger demographic. And Chevy is looking to counter Ford's light duty Transit Connect with its new Express minivan work truck sourced off the Nissan NV200.

The most significant 4-door launches of 2015 come from Chrysler with its new 200 line of mid-size sedans, while Hyundai remakes its Genesis rear-drive model and offers all-wheel drive for the first time in a car. Subaru is also upping its game with an all-new Legacy, while entry-level econobox intenders can choose between the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa Note SR for fun-to-drive practicality.

Performance enthusiasts will also have much to choose from as BMW introduces its new M3/M4 sedan/coupe duo, Lexus gets racy with the RC F Coupe, VW brings back the Golf R, Jaguar introduces a new F-Type coupe, Mini reinterprets the Cooper and Subaru launches its WRX/WRX STI.

Check out the changes, note that the introductions will be rolling out throughout the balance of the calendar year and get ready for more as the 2015 model year gets underway in earnest. We will be driving and reviewing each of these new vehicles as they debut.

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