MAY 2013
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Motoring

OFFBEAT MAZDA CX-9 A USEFUL CARGO, PEOPLE HAULER

Test-drive stories by NITISH S. RELE, motoringtampabay@gmail.com

The Mazda flagship crossover SUV gets a refreshing in 2013 with updated headlights, grille, bumper, fog lamps and rear bumper/combination tail lights. But the powertrain maintains its status quo. Standard on both the front-wheel and all-wheel drive is a 3.7-liter DOHC V-6 engine pumping out a respectable 273 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 270 pounds-feet of torque at 4250 rpm. Once again, power is routed through a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission.

Suspension is handled via an independent MacPherson strut in the front and a multilink rear with stabilizer bars at both ends. The power rack-and-pinion steering is direct and precise. And the one-off CX-9 is available as Sport, Touring and Grand Touring to meet the needs of the diverse buyer.

The look of the revised dashboard along with the infotainment and navigation display is striking and clean. Chrome splashes on the instrument panel, air-conditioning control, automatic transmission lever and vent louver knobs, and inner door handles and trim are convincingly elegant. Lending further credence are piano-black inserts on the three-spoke tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The 60/40-split second-row seat, which can slide fore and aft 5 inches, as well as the 50/50-split third-row seat, will be useful if traveling with children. Essentially, you get 100.7 cubic feet of space with folded rear seats. Also standard are three-zone automatic climate control, 8-way heated driver and 4-way passenger power seats and rearview camera.

Safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Dynamic Stability Control and traction control, antiskid system with rollover sensor, front seat active-head restraints, three-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, blind spot alert, front and rear crumple zones and tire pressure monitoring system.

With the Mazda CX-9, you get exceptional performance, remarkable people- and cargo-hauling capabilities and an offbeat but eye-catching appearance. Our only qualms are poor gas mileage and a hefty price tag.

CX-9 GRAND TOURING FWD

Tires: P245/50R20

Wheelbase: 113.2 inches

Length: 200.6 inches

Weight: 4,317 pounds

Fuel capacity: 20.1 gallons

City: 17 mpg

Highway: 24 mpg

Base price: $34,785

Web site: www.mazdausa.com


OVERHAULED 2014 KIA FORTE IS A GREAT VALUE

THE RIDE: Four-door, five-passenger 2014 Kia Forte EX sedan.

DOWN THE ROAD: Slotted between the Rio and Optima, the totally redesigned third-generation compact ride is longer (1.2 inches), wider (0.2) and lower (0.6) than its predecessor. Plus, wheelbase gets a 2-inch boost. The result is an enjoyable car to drive, displaying superb agility, grip and response.

TECH & PERFORMANCE: Under the hood of the front-wheel-drive vehicle sits a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-4 cylinder engine developing a healthy 173 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 154 pounds-feet of torque @ 4700 rpm. It is mated to a standard and slick 6-speed auto gear box. A front MacPherson strut and a rear coupled torsion beam suspension soaks obstacles with dexterity, sure-footedness and poise. Out goes the hydraulic steering to be replaced by a sharper and accurate electric power assist.

LOOK & FEEL: Swept-back projector headlights surround a mesh grille to make for a handsome look up front. The interior is quite roomy cloth seats though the shifter knob and steering wheel are decked in fine-looking leather. A trunk capacity of 14.9 cubic feet translates into abundant space for luggage. Also standard are air-conditioning, rearview camera, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescopic steering column, six-way driver’s seat, rear center armrest and cooled glove box. Flex steering feature allows the driver to switch between normal, sport or comfort modes.

SAFETY FIRST: Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, stability/traction control as well as vehicle stability management, front seatbelt pretensioners, front and rear crumple zones and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.

OUT THE DOOR: $19,400, plus tax, tag, delivery and destination charges.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tires, P205/55R16; wheelbase, 106.3 inches; length, 179.5 inches; weight, 2,857 pounds; fuel capacity, 13.2 gallons; city, 24 mpg; highway, 36 mpg; Web site, www.kia.com

WHY DIG IT: Not only is the gas-sipper (we eked almost 29 mpg in city) fun, lively and well-balanced but also inexpensive, starting under $20,000. Kudos go to Kia for continuing to offer the impressive 10-year/100,000-mile power train and 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranties.


2014 SUBARU FORESTER IS A WISE PICK

Infiniti M If you were in awe of the previous Subaru Forester, you will be in even more admiration of the fourth-generation, redesigned compact SUV. The 2014 Forester is slightly bigger in its wheelbase by 0.9 inches, length by 1.4 inches and width by 0.6 inches. And that translates into 3.7 inches of extra legroom for rear-seat passengers from its predecessor.

Though available as a 2.5-liter inline-4 cylinder engine (170 horsepower), our test-drive Forester was equipped with the 2.0-liter inline-4 horizontally opposed boxer, intercooled and turbocharged, engine blasting off 250 hp @ 5600 rpm and 258 pounds-feet of torque @ 2000-4000 rpm. A Continuous Variable Transmission offers 6- and 8-speed manual shifts modes. The retuned suspension gets a MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear. Who can miss out on the confidence-boosting symmetrical all-wheel-drive in all Subarus? And then there’s the new Electric Power Steering, which returns a direct response to the driver. Motoring enthusiasts who cherish some excitement in their ride will embrace the SI-Drive of Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp modes.

The rugged Forester shows off a slightly taller hexagonal-shape and mesh grille flanked by hawk-eye headlights and chrome-trimmed fog lamp bezels. What is admirable about Subarus are the logically laid-out round instruments. Right under the 6.1-inch touch screen for navigation, audio, phone are circular climate control knobs. Atop the dash is a color LCD multifunction display for outside temperature, driver information center and clock. Ingress and egress for children or even adults is a breeze, thanks to wide-open rear doors. Furthermore, fold the 60/40 second-row seat and 68.5 cubic feet of space is aplenty for cargo.

Our average mixed driving clocked in at around a reasonable 25.2 mpg, which are official EPA estimates (23 city, 28 highway). A potent engine, first-rate cabin and best of all, standard all-wheel drive, make the Legacy a smart choice for any potential compact SUV buyer.

FORESTER XT TOURING

Tires: 225/55R18

Wheelbase: 103.9 inches

Length: 180.9 inches

Width: 70.7 inches

Height: 68.2 inches

Weight: 3,622 pounds

Fuel capacity: 15.9 gallons

Base price: $32,995

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