On November 12th, 2018, KBB.com announced the winners of their ‘Best Buy Awards‘ for 2019 model year vehicles. Kelley Blue Book experts curate top new model-year vehicles for the United States market. The idea is to aid new car buyers each year with an, “…emphasis on value-per-dollar in both purchase and ownership experience”.
Karl Brauer, executive publisher for Kelley Blue Book says, “The Best Buy Awards were designed to help consumers shop with confidence by doing the heavy lifting for them and providing clear guidance on which specific car, truck, minivan, and SUV models they should be prioritizing and considering for their next new-car purchase.”
Winning the award for ‘Full-size SUV- Best Buy’ is the 2019 Ford Expedition’
2019 Ford Expedition Full Size SUV, Photo: Ford
After a long wait, the Ford Expedition was completely renewed for the 2018 model year. Some of the reasons Kelley Blue Book experts chose the new Expedition was;
Towing capacity up to 9,300 lbs
Best in class fuel economy
Up to 400 hp
Lot’s of connectivity options
Roomy interior (seats up to 7 or 8 people depending on seat configuration)
2019 Ford Expedition towing capacity
When properly equipped (with towing packages) the Expedition 4×4 with a 3.73 rear axle (15,500 lbs GCWR), the maximum loaded trailer weight is 9,200 lbs. The Expedition MAX in the same spec is 9,000 lbs. Note that other than those specific builds, most other Expeditions towing capacity is around the 6,000 lb mark. Check out specific towing capacities in the Expedition Trailer Towing Guide.
Best in class fuel economy
The Ford Expedition does indeed have the best fuel economy in its class. According to EPA estimates, fuel economy for the 2019 Ford Expedition in AWD is 16 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway. The combined rating is 18 mpg. This is around 1-2 mpg more (combined) than the competitors, according to fueleconomy.gov.
2019 Ford Expedition interior, Photo: Ford
Up to 400 hp
Equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (turbocharged) engine, the Expedition XLT and Limited trims have 375hp, 470lb ft torque. The top of the range Platinum trim comes with the same engine but tuned. Power output is up to 400 hp with 480 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Auto Start-Stop Technology.
Connectivity
SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto is available as standard on selected trims or as an optional extra (connectivity package). 2 smart charging USB ports and wireless charging pads, and Wi-Fi connectivity are also available.
Roomy interior
KBB says, “There’s plenty of cargo space with the third row up; use the available power-fold seats to open up space for nearly 58 cubic feet of space, or up to 105 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded”.
2019 Ford Expedition Cargo Area, Photo: Ford
For more information on the all-new Expedition, check out Ford.com or talk with your local Ford dealership and take one for a drive.
Jeep Wranglers are a very popular choice of vehicle in Wyoming. Due to its practicality, ground clearance and 4 wheel drive system, it makes a good choice for the terrain and weather here. Fremont Motors is one of the biggest suppliers of custom Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Gladiators in the state.
The person responsible for most of the design and build of the custom Wrangler’s is veteran sales consultant Justin Sandbak.
The 2019 model year Escape has some tweaks and changes from the 2018 model year. The SUV is based on the 3rd generation 2013 model year.
Quick specs
Compact SUV
Available in FWD or with Intelligent 4WD
Seats 5
3 Engine choices; 2.5 L (4 cylinder), 1.5 L EcoBoost (4 cylinder turbo), and a 2.0 L EcoBoost (4 cylinder turbo) available in the Titanium trim only.
6-Speed SelectShift automatic transmission
Trim levels; S (FWD only), SE, SEL, Titanium
Safety
NHTSA Rating 5/5
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the 2019 Ford Escape with 5/5 stars. This is the maximum possible overall safety rating a vehicle can get from the NHTSA. Breaking the rating down into more detail, the frontal crash safety rating for the driver side gets 5/5. The passenger side front gets 4/5 stars and this results in an overall front crash rating of 5/5 stars. Of the 6 side crash tests, the Escape is awarded with 5/5 stars for all of them. Rollover rating 4/5 stars (which is what most vehicles get). The NHTSA does recommend some optional safety features available on the Escape. These are; Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning.
Safety features on the 2019 Ford Escape
Standard
AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, airbags, ABS, child safety rear door locks, and the LATCH system (for child car seats). Also standard is the SOS Post-Crash Alert System, torque vectoring control, brake assist, and traction control.
Optional
Ford Safe and Smart Packages which include safety features such as;
Driver-activated front rain-sensing windshield wipers
Blind-Sport Information System with Cross Traffic Alert
Sport Appearance packages, as well as trailer towing packages, are also optional.
New colors added
New colors added for the 2019 Escape are; Agate Black, Baltic Sea Green, Sedona Orange. Discontinued colors for 2019 are; Blue, Cinnamon Glaze, Shadow Black, and White Gold. Oxford White is not available on the top of the range trim, the Titanium.
Changes to the 2019 Escape?
SE and SEL trim levels will now get a push-button start with keyless entry. Sync3 infotainment standard on the SE trim.
The S trim is the entry-level model available only in FWD. Key features include the 2.5L engine with flex-fuel capability. 17″ steel wheels with Sparkle Silver-painted covers and halogen reflector headlamps. Cloth front bucket seats and SYNC infotainment is standard with a 4.2″ screen.
SE
SE trim levels are available in FWD or Intelligent 4WD and the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. This engine also has built-in auto start-stop technology. Other noteworthy standard features are the Dual-Zone climate control, 17″ aluminum wheels, fog lamps, privacy glass on the 2nd row and tailgate glass. Keyless entry, power adjustable cloth bucket seats, and SYNC3 are also included. SYNC3 has the 8″ color touchscreen with AppLink. This also includes compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This functionality effectively renders built-in navigation defunct, given you can plug in your smartphone and have it project on the touchscreen. Even apps such as WAZE are compatible.
SEL
Key features on the SEL include; a power liftgate, reverse sensing system, and LED signature lighting. 17″ aluminum wheels are standard with 18″ wheels an option. Front row heated bucket seats with 10-way power for the driver. The front passenger seat is manual with a 4-way power adjustment. SYNC3 and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are also standard. Remote start and roof rack side rails and hands-free foot-activated liftgate. are included too.
Titanium
Top of the range, the Titanium trim level has the 2.0L twin-scroll turbocharged engine. 19″ Machined Aluminum Wheels with Luster Nickel-Painted Spokes And Pockets are exclusive to the Titanium. A heated steering wheel, 4 power points, and a panoramic vista roof are added as standard. Enhanced Active Park Assist with Parallel Park is also exclusive. The Titanium also has the hands-free foot-activated liftgate.
2019 Ford Escape Titanium front seats, Photo: Ford
What is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a Volkswagen?
Photo: Volkswagen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are systems within a car or SUV that allows seamless smartphone integration. Apple smartphones can be plugged in directly to the vehicle via a USB cable and the system will automatically identify the phone. Android smartphones will require downloading the Android Auto app on your smartphone first. This eliminates complicated set-ups. It is much easier and more user-friendly to use than a Bluetooth system for hands-free calling.
Hands-free calling can be done without the need to ‘pair’ a phone. Contacts can be loaded from your phone to the vehicle and voice commands used to dial numbers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also allow the use of certain Apps (Applications) from your smartphone. The ability to view and use navigation is huge. This effectively wipes out the need for an expensive built-in navigation system in the vehicle.
Other apps compatible with the system include messaging. Text messages can be received and relayed through the cars sound system. Responses can also be made using voice commands through Siri or Google Assistant. Music can also be streamed through the system using apps such as Pandora, Spotify or music within the smartphone device itself.
There are hundreds of Android Auto compatible apps to choose from. Apple has a fair selection of frequently used apps available. Both systems allow integration with manufacturer apps too.
Colbey Day from Fremont Volkswagen in Casper, Wyoming gives a quick demonstration in this video.
Which Volkswagen models have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
At this time, Volkswagen has one of the most comprehensive lists of CarPlay and Android Auto compatible vehicles. In the US, these vehicles include most 2018 and newer models;
The History® Channel and Ford Motor Company have teamed up to collaborate on a new TV event. The programming event begins this Saturday, November 10th. It will also continue on Sunday the 11th.
Ford Tough Presents Truck Weekend in America.
The prime-time series consists of six hours of programming all about trucks, along with 60-second vignettes. The shows will include;
“Truck Night in America” Sat 6 p.m. MST
“Truck Hunters” Sat 7 p.m. MST
“Born Tough: Inside the Ford Factory” Sat 8 p.m. MST
“American Restoration: Truck Edition” Sun 7 p.m. MST
“Trucks Transformed: Custom Culture” Sun 8 p.m. MST
As America’s best selling truck, the Ford F-Series truck legacy will be included in the narrative of the event. In a press release from Ford, Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing, sales, and service says, ” More than a century ago Ford put America on wheels, and today our trucks are a vital part of the way people work, play and live,”
“‘Truck Weekend in America’ is a tribute to the passion of our engineers as well as our customers, and to both the history and the future of the pickup truck.”
Truck Weekend shows will include almost everything pickup truck related. There will be truck building and customization competitions, driving challenges and restoration projects. Rescue trucks and tales of survival from first responders are told in the Rescue Trucks episode. A one hour long special covers inside the Ford Rouge Complex factory and assembly line.
Here is a preview of what’s to come on the Truck Weekend shows.
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