Motoring
TECH-LADEN 2022 Caddy Escalade IS A POWERHOUSE!
After a major transformation inside out last year, the fifth-gen Cadillac Escalade continues mostly as is for 2022.
A 6.2-liter V-8 Ecotec engine blasts off 420 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 460 pounds-feet of torque @ 4100 rpm. The 10-speed auto gearbox is quieter than most that we have driven recently in any luxury SUV. And the start-stop feature (automatic engine stop when the vehicle halts) ensures substantial savings in fuel and weight. The Dynamic Fuel Management system deactivates four of the eight cylinders for fuel savings. And if you need to haul a sailboat or another car, tow capacity is an astonishing 8,000 pounds.
You can identify an Escalade anywhere, thanks to its gigantic presence up front with the centered and traditional crest emblem in the Galvano chromed grille, flanked by horizontal HID headlights. The iconic full-size luxury SUV genuinely gleams in the cabin department with OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen technology, which basically is light produced in response to an electric current. Three screens: a 14.2-inch instrument display behind the steering wheel; to the left, a 7.2-inch touch screen for driver information center; and a 16.9-inch infotainment screen in the dashboard; all use OLED and boast twice the clarity of a 4K TV! Audiophiles will love the 36-speaker AKG sound miracle, which can be heard via the ceiling, headrests and even the center console! Add the navigation system with augmented reality to the mix and you are in business!
Other luxuries include tri-zone auto a/c, flip-down 12.6-inch DVD screens for rear passengers, panoramic sun roof, hands-free lift gate, heated/cooled front seats, suede headliner and attractive dark auburn with black accent interior. The stainless-steel speaker grilles throughout are eye-catching. Ingress and egress into the high-sitting vehicle is convenient, thanks to power retractable running boards (optional). The third-row seat folds via a power button in the cargo hold while the second-row seat moves fore and aft 5.5 inches.
Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for rear rows, stability, hill descent and traction controls, four-wheel antilock brakes, rearview camera, rear-cross traffic, forward-collision and side-blind zone alerts, lane keep assist with departure warning, front/rear park sensors, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights. Magnetic Ride Control adjusts the four-wheel independent suspension as per road conditions, resulting in a smooth but firm ride. It also keeps body roll to a minimum.
It may weigh almost 5,800 pounds but the Escalade has bountiful of power to result in a graceful, smooth and easy-riding companion as your passengers ride in luxury. All you need is an overblown bank balance to pamper yourself and the family.
ESCALADE SPORT (4WD)
Tires: P275/50R22 all season
Wheelbase: 120.9 inches
Length: 211 inches
Width: 81 inches
Height: 76.6 inches
Suspension: coil-over-shock front, independent rear
Steering: electric power rack-and-pinion
Fuel capacity: 24 gallons
City: 14 mpg
Highway: 19 mpg
Base price: $90,595
Price as tested: $106,515
Web site: www.cadillac.com
COMPACT BMW 240i COUPE IS A BLAST TO DRIVE!
The 3 Series may be a best-seller and most popular BMW ever but potential buyers are missing out on another stellar ride from the German automaker. You just cannot overlook the second-gen 2 Series, particularly the M240i, in the small luxury car segment. For 2022, BMW has boosted the width, length and wheelbase for the brisk car, which can zip off 0 to 60 in a mere 4.1 seconds with top speed of 155 mph. So what if it is now available only as a coupe and not a convertible anymore?
Under the hood of the stunningly handsome all-wheel-drive M240 resides a 3.0-liter twin-power turbo inline-6 cylinder gas engine cranking 382 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 369 pounds-feet of torque @ 5000 rpm. It is mated to a flawless 8-speed auto gearbox, which is even more exciting with moves via the steering paddle shifters. Suspension is handled capably via a two-joint spring strut front and a 5-link rear system. However, the standard adaptive M suspension is specially tuned to enhance nimbleness and poise when pushing pedal to the metal. And the electric power steering with variable sport has a solid and communicative feel, keeping the coupe straight and watchful on curvy roads.
A wide, slow-slung turbine-style kidney grille with vertical air flaps (open for increased cooling) is encircled by gorgeously contoured LED headlights while M sport brakes, blue calipers and the M logo will grab attention. Walk to the rear and you will notice trapezoidal tail pipe finishers and a clear black spoiler. An 8.8-inch infotainment touch screen operated via the iDrive controller and a 5.1-inch instrument cluster point to a well-appointed and classy cabin. Further adding to the rich ambiance are touches of high-gloss black trim on the dash. Other minutiae include tri-zone auto a/c, power moon roof, anthracite headliner, power front sport seats, three-spoke leather steering wheel, 40/20/40 rear seat, and more.
Dual front and side airbags, front knee and side curtain airbags are standard along with dynamic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution and brake assist, rearview camera, active braking assist (lane departure warning, blind spot monitor/detect, rear-cross traffic alert, city collision mitigation), daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring are standard.
Barring a small trunk and a modest rear seat, the sensational M240 is a cool sporty luxury coupe to toss around at sharp turns or go cruising on the highway. You can be rest assured it is German engineering at its finest on display!
BMW M240i xDRIVE
Tires: P225/40R19
Wheelbase: 107.9 inches
Length: 179.4 inches
Width: 72.4 inches
Height: 55.3 inches
Fuel capacity: 13.7 gallons
Mileage: 23 city, 32 highway
Weight: 3,871 pounds
Base price: $48,550
Price as tested: $57,295
Web site: www.bmw.com
FUEL-SIPPER KIA K5 IS ATTRACTIVE INSIDE AND OUT
It is undoubtedly one of the boldest-appearing midsize sedans today. After all, it replaced another sharp-looking car, Optima, that is now in the history books. The midsize K5 is not just an eye-pleaser but comes with a robust power train, solid chassis and desirable creature comforts.
Bigger than its predecessor in almost every respect (except height), under the hood of the K5 sits a 1.6-liter turbo gas inline-4 cylinder engine that produces a decent 180 horsepower @ 5500 rpm and 195 pounds-feet of torque @ 4500 rpm. Power reaches the front wheels via a crisp-shifting and accurate 8-speed automatic transmission.
Ensconced on the steel-unibody based car is a wide and thin front silver-metallic radiator grille that extends into its LED headlights and the hood. The cabin offers such helpful amenities as a 10-way power heated/cooled driver and 6-way manual passenger leatherette seats, 60/40 rear seat, manual tilt/telescopic steering column, panoramic sun roof, dual auto a/c with rear vents, push-button start, 4.2-inch LCD instrument display, power windows, door locks and outside mirrors. The previous 8-inch touch screen for infotainment has been replaced by a bigger 10.25-inch display. Satin chrome accents on the center console garnish, dash pad bezel and air vents convey elegance. Trunk volume is commendable at 16 cubic feet (compare that to the Camry at 15.1).
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability and traction control systems, forward and blind-spot collision avoidance assists, as well as lane-keep and lane-follow assists, rearview camera, front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, three-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.
The affordably priced K5 turbo exhibits admirable performance with lovely styling inside and out. And with gas prices hovering around $5 a gallon, this one’s a tremendous money saver with fuel economy at over 35 mpg in combined driving during our drive. Undoubtedly, it’s an impeccably tuned ride for the daily grind.
K5 (EX)
Tires: 236/45R18
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 193.1 inches
Width: 73.2 inches
Height: 56.9 inches
Suspension: MacPherson front, multilink rear
Steering: rack-and-pinion power
Weight: 3,228 pounds
Fuel capacity: 15.8 gallons
City: 27 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg
Base price: $28,590
Price as tested: $33,785
Web site: www.kiausa.com