I drove from Casper Wyoming to Morrison Colorado eager to check out the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Driving 4+ hours in a Power Wagon ought to prepare me for the all-new pickup. After all, the Gladiator Rubicon is kind of a mini Power Wagon without the lift and winch (front bumper is winch ready though).
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There aren’t a whole lot of choices out there for stations wagon’s in the U.S. With sales in SUV’s skyrocketing, it seems wagons have been somewhat pushed to the side. This is changing with the arrival of a few more wagons hitting the market this year. One of the few manufacturers that continued to make wagons has the clue in their name… that’s right it’s Volkswagen. Since the late 90s Volkswagen has had the Jetta Wagon and since 2009 the Golf Sportwagon. (more…)
Update 3/28/2019: The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press announces the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt as 2019 Car of the Year.
![2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 [Video]](https://tap.fremontmotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ford-Mustang-Shelby-GT350-Final-1.jpg)
I’m just going to jump right into the nitty-gritty about this Mustang Shelby GT350 because let’s face it, if you’re looking at this car it’s not for the towing capacity, it’s about performance. 2018 model year didn’t change much from 2017 other than colors. The 2017 model year included the track pack which added an; engine cooler, transmission cooler, differential cooler, aluminum strut brace, the adaptive dampers and rear spoiler.
2018 Mustang Shelby GT350 in Sheridan Wyoming, Photo: L Baures.
First stop in the Shelby is to go get gas, and this is where the car lured me into a false sense of security. The gas station was less than 500 yards away so I potted along gently, easing on the accelerator and clutch not knowing what to expect. It drives just like a ‘normal’ car at slow speeds and through the town. The car is fairly low to the ground (helping aerodynamics and handling) which means care is to be taken on steeper inclines as to not scuff the front underside.
Opening up the car you are met with the meanest of growls from the exhaust, that will sometimes pop and cackle, which in my case, makes me giggle like a 2-year-old. Acceleration is worked for, if you want it, it’s there. You’ll get back what you put in.
Push it half-heartedly and you’ll be met with a normal car, push it hard and the car responds like you just gave it an energy drink. The exhaust is an ‘active valve exhaust’ with a switch in the center stack to make it louder or quieter.
I switched it to quieter briefly going through the town although didn’t notice a huge difference. This may differ on a track though and might be a handy feature not just for your neighbors but if end up at a track that noise tests. This car is after all meant for the track but can also be an everyday driver.
The GT350R is a more aggressive track version of the GT350 with no back seats, bigger front splitter, carbon fiber wheels, wing, and stiffer suspension. The GT500 is the straight-line version, Shelby.
Ford worked hard on the sound of the exhaust, in a press release they said, “Strum a chord on an acoustic guitar, and you get a clean, simple sound wave – that’s your quiet Brahms’ Lullaby kind of mood,” he said. “Plug that guitar into an amp and crank it up to 11, and that’s your aggressive, crackling sound that really rocks your soul. We call that track mode.”
Exclusively available with the TREMEC® 6-speed manual transmission, gear changes are short, easy, and satisfying. Especially considering the redline is 8250rpm. The clutch is not at all what you’d expect for a performance car. Usually, they are stiff with short travel and heavy. No need to be doing left leg squats for this Mustang. The clutch pedal has a lot of travel, sits high off the floor and soft enough to manage even in traffic. The downside to this is if your short like me (5’3″) my knee is up slightly higher than normal.
It is a muscle car, which to most people might bring up connotations of sloppy soft suspension, but the Shelby GT350 is meant to be taken to the track (you know, one that has corners) so, a soft suspension wouldn’t be much fun in that instance. It’s more like a cross, that I’d call a ‘toned muscle car’. It has the muscle and the grunt, yes, but it’s refined to where it can perform …on the corners.
There is a very distinct feeling of the rear wheels pushing the car around corners. I approached a corner that was initially a big wide sweeping corner. It turned into (no pun intended) a much tighter (from a left 5 to a left 3 tightens in rally driving terms). Feathering the throttle, with weight on the outside of the corner, the g-force takes my ponytail.
The car turns in tight and the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires grip beyond what you’d normally expect. This is very much a drivers car that could easily have potential to go wrong. To help get the most out of the car and hone in those driving skills, Ford performance offers a complimentary track day for GT350 owners.
The MagneRide® suspension is adaptable to both comfortable cruising and more aggressive driving between ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport ‘ modes. I did not have the opportunity to try out ‘Track Mode’ although I’d love to see what this car is capable of on the track.
The deep Recaro bucket seats are a lot more rigid than say the likes of the Challenger bucket seats. Challenger seats are softer and more ‘forgiving’. You can’t argue the Mustang seats do a great job of holding you in place.
Again, with me being smaller, I don’t have much room between the bolsters and my elbows. Mainly because my legs are short. I don’t think Ford really had in mind a small female when they were designing the car so not the cars fault. Other than the bolsters being too big for me to be comfortable turning the steering wheel, I prefer the more rigid Alcantara bucket seats in the Mustang. This reduces the chance of sliding around in the seat.
Also wrapped in Alcantara is the steering wheel which is beautiful. It is just the right size, with good feedback, ever so important flat bottom and the line at the top. In the center console at the bottom are toggle switches reminiscent of a race car with features embedded such as; launch control, line lock and active exhaust.
Don’t get too excited about the rear seats. Yes, they are there and yes you might fit a small human (unless I’m driving thus making more space in the back!). They are more of a glorified shelf in the form of rear bucket seats.
Apparently, if you fold them down, you hear the exhaust better or create more cargo room.
Some of the features included are;
How cool does this Mustang look in front of the Trail End Museum in Sheridan?
Now, all we need is a track to take it to!
2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6, Photo: L Baures
The XSE surprised me. Ok, it’s not the most clever rhyme ever, but it does pretty much sum up what my thoughts are on the 2018 Toyota Camry XSE. The Camry, of course, has been a best seller in the U.S. for a long time.
To some, it might be seen as a boring, bland, soulless sedan, but reliable and safe nonetheless. Toyota previously hasn’t been known for making drastic changes to vehicles, but the design of the new Camry might change one’s mind on that.
The sporty edges, defining lines, and angry-looking grill seems like a big step for Toyota. It’s different.
Such a photogenic car! Photo: L Baures
Fist, I want to explain the trim levels because there can be quite a difference between them. The FWD sedan starts at around $23k equipped with a 2.5L 4 cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission in the ‘L’ model.
Following that, comes the LE, SE, XLE, XSE, XLE V6, XSE V6. There are also 3 hybrid options available; Hybrid LE, Hybrid SE and Hybrid XLE. What do the letters mean? L is for the entry-level model, LE is the luxury edition, SE is for sport edition and X means executive.
2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6, Photo: L Baures
I was anticipating another regular run-of-the-mill sedan when I heard I was getting a Camry to test. What I didn’t realize is that the model is the XSE equipped with the 3.5 L V-6 (the bigger engine option) on the sporty trim. Pleasantly surprised when I entered the on-ramp approaching 80 mph speed limit on I-25. The 301 hp and 267 lb-ft torque gently pushed my head backward as I reached 80 mph in no time at all. “Huh”, I thought, “this car actually has some pep”.
My thoughts then shifted from ‘”practical family sedan” to “ok, is there a SPORT button, can this car do more!?”
(Side note: Is it weird that I talk to cars?)
Uh hu, the car can do more. I plant the accelerator, a wee delay followed by an angry purr from the exhaust, good acceleration, and torque steer! Power delivery is smooth and of course, being a naturally aspirated engine, there’s no turbo lag.
That’s right ladies and gents, torque steer from a Camry (torque steer is when the car accelerates so hard it can influence the steering). Entering into corners the Camry feels planted and stable thanks to the sport-tuned suspension that comes as standard. Handling is superb. The direct shift 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth once it gets going.
As a bonus, the ergonomic paddle shifter’s behind the steering wheel are fun to engage more with the car.
There are three drive mode options; ECO, NORMAL and SPORT. I’d tell you how ECO did on fuel consumption, but I was just having way too much in SPORT mode. Sorry. I did still average 23 mpg though, so not bad at all. EPA estimates are; 32 mpg on the highway, 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg combined.
Quad exhausts, spoiler and, diffuser-like rear lower panel give the car an even sportier look. Photo: L Baures
As with most all-new Toyota’s the Camry XSE V6 sedan comes with the latest safety technology as standard called TSS-P. This includes features such as; Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, ten airbags, and Brake Assist.
For parents of small children that need car seats, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers) are easy to access and car seats can be clicked in effortlessly. The NHTSA awards the car with a 5-star overall safety rating.
The instrument cluster has various menus. One of which shows the safety feature activation/deactivation.
Check out the cool camera. Not just a backup camera, but 360 with a birdseye view. This is how it looks as I was sitting in the car wash. This feature is available in the optional, ‘Driver Assistance’ Package which also includes a head-up display.
The Camry XSE V6 also features a Qi wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones. This is a great feature but one of my few complaints I have about this car. Because the car handles so good when cornering your phone can slide off the charging pad. Useful when you’re cruising through.
Entune 3.0 allows smartphone connectivity. The 8″ color touchscreen works well and has dynamic navigation along with App Suite. Premium JBL audio has 9 speakers and there are several USB ports. Also available and exclusive to the XSE is a two-tone Midnight Black Metallic roof, Midnight Black Metallic rear spoiler, and exterior mirror housing.
LED Daytime Running Lights
The Camry XSE V6 model starts around $35,100 MSRP as per the Toyota website. For more information, you can contact us or your preferred Toyota dealer.
Photo: L Baures
It’s Friday evening and I have an invite to go to Deadwood, South Dakota. Looking out the window and seeing my test vehicle for the week, a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, I think, yes why not. This will be the perfect opportunity to get a good feel for the car.
I decided to bring the family so all of us could test it as a family car. We packed up half the house (traveling with a 2yr old and 4yr old means leaving the house for any period of time is like packing for doomsday).
Would all of the luggage, a 6’4″ husband and 2 children fit in a ‘small’ sport utility vehicle? RAV4’s EPA class is a small SUV. The RAV4 is a traditional hybrid so does not need to be plugged in and also has a regular gasoline engine. Click to find out more about the different types of hybrids.
A pretty big suitcase, with a diaper bag and backpack camera bag, loaded easily in the trunk with more space to spare.
First off, it’s a traditional hybrid, which means it has a regular gasoline engine with a hybrid battery that does not need to be plugged in. The hybrid battery is recharged through driving and braking. The engine is a 2.5L 4 cylinder that puts out 194 hp (18 more horsepower than the non-hybrid RAV4). SE is the trim level of the vehicle, and this one is second highest trim level available out of the RAV4 Hybrid line up. The AWDi part means it’s All Wheel Drive with Intelligence. An AWD system that is partly powered by the hybrid battery. I can tell you that this AWD system works extremely well.
We have been driving for well over an hour now, It’s dark and a kid needed to have the absorbent padding of the derriere changed if you know what I mean. With no rest stop or nearby town in sight (remember it’s Wyoming), we decide to take the next exit and find a quiet spot.
Lo an behold, the next exit (that is not lit up) resembles a corner a rally navigator would refer to as a 2. That means, almost a hairpin! 70 mph to a hairpin exit off the highway resulted in me having to slam the brakes on (right before the corner) into almost an emergency stop to slow down enough.
Anticipating the car to squirm a little, the RAV4 did surprisingly great. It didn’t squirm, or even skid, it never lost traction at all. Not excited about the situation with my kids in my car, but there you have it, it happened and I can tell you the car did amazing.
It’s really not that different at all, other than these few parts that you’ll notice. It’s super quiet on start-up. You may think to yourself after pushing the start button, “did the car actually start?”. Yes, it did, it’s just so quiet because it starts on the battery, you can’t hear the engine revving.
You’ll see the lights and dash information pop up though which will reassure you, the car is running.
You will hear or feel the transfer when the car decides to switch from battery power to engine or vice versa. It’s not blatantly obvious if you have the radio blasting, but if not, you’ll go from almost silence to the hearing the engine.
It’s not something I found too obtrusive at all, just different. Had my kids not been in the car, the silence would actually be relaxing. When placing the car under load on battery power (accelerating hard) you will hear a slight whine. It’s pretty cool actually, reminded me of how modern and ‘green’ I was being.
It’s easy to forget you’re in a hybrid. You should have seen the look on my face when I was attempting to maneuver out of a parking spot. I thought I had the gear shifter in R for reverse, I’m busy looking around for other cars and looking at the backup camera. Attempting to move, I start pushing down the accelerator pedal, and nothing.
I can’t hear the engine revving, I’m not moving, what in the world is going on? Oh yeh, that would be me in Neutral running on battery power. The car has no rev counter either, momentarily forgetting I was in a hybrid and that revving in neutral on battery power produces no sound or revs (insert *silly me hand-over-face emoji).
An average of 30 mpg in an AWD SUV full of people and luggage
It only took just over half a tank of gas to make it from Casper, WY to Deadwood, SD. After some running around and visiting some tourist spots, like Bear Country, the fuel light came on at 343.4 miles. I might add that the Air Conditioning was constantly running.
Elevation was between approx 4500 ft and 5100ft.
EPA estimated fuel economy ratings for the hybrid RAV4 are;
We mainly did highway driving so it seems the EPA estimate is spot on. Notice how the city mpg is much higher. Normally you would expect this number to be the lowest of all the ratings. However, being a hybrid, in the city at slow speeds, the car can run more from the battery and not the engine, thus better fuel economy.
Better fuel economy means less money spent on gas and fewer emissions.
As we rolled through Bear country at less than 20 mph (so all on battery power), admiring the wildlife, the car wasn’t emitting the same amount of greenhouse gases as the one in front, or behind.
According to cars.com, hybrids will hold their value longer. “Autolist looked at data points for more than 95 million vehicles and Toyota models came out ahead, showing particular depreciation resistance over their gas-powered siblings”.
Looking at the Toyota website MSRP listings, there is just over a $3k difference between the SE AWD and SE Hybrid (which only comes in AWD).
All 4 of us fitted, including my 6’4″ passenger with 2 kids in the back. With the passenger seat all the way back, legs could be straightened. However, if there was a full-sized adult in the back behind my passenger and the seat had to be moved forward, the shape of the dash would be intrusive. As it was set up for us, it worked.
No one even complained about numbness on the bottom.
The SE has sport suspension tuning, which is noticeable. Handling is a lot stiffer than say a 4Runner. I was making nimble turns through the corners of the Deadwood mountain roads. I was quickly able to find the ‘sport’ mode button which allowed faster accelerator response.
My daughter did, however, spill her drink in the back. Thankfully the RAV4 Hybrid interior is a SofTex® material which is a leatherette, so, comfy and easy to clean.
If you require charging of lot’s of devices (like say, a phone and 2 tablets) make sure you bring 12v chargers. There are plenty of 12v outlets, but only one usb port. The sound system is great and yes we all did sing along to some Dis….can I say it? songs, through plugging in my smartphone and using the Pandora app.
Would you like to take rest?
Yes please, RAV4, I’d like to take a rest, but I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Wyoming? The message really did make me want to stop for coffee though.
Toyota includes most of its safety features (Toyota Safety Sense™ P) as standard with every trim level, which is not something a lot of manufacturers do. Included in this car is;
An overall 5-star safety rating is awarded to the 2018 RAV4 Hybrid by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you’d like to find out more about the RAV4 Hybrid, feel free to comment below or contact us or your preferred Toyota Dealership.
Further reading;
Toyota RAV4 Sales Reach 10 Million Globally
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