Cars.com News

Dodge Widens Challenger Choices With Scat Pack Shaker and T/A 392 Widebodies

Brian Normile — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:01:35 -0500

Dodge’s usual answer to most questions has been “add horsepower,” but it does have another weapon in its arsenal besides just trotting out the ol’ horsepower thing: adding width. For 2021, that means two more Widebody variants joining the fold: the Challenger Scat Pack Shaker and T/A 392. That brings the Widebody Challenger count to six, with the R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Redeye and SRT Super Stock already available.

What Does the Widebody Add?

Width, obviously, but you knew that. To be specific, it makes the Challenger 3.5 inches wider and allows for the 20-inch wheels to be shod in 305-width tires at all four corners; without the Widebody package, 275-width tires were the widest buyers could get. Widebody Challengers get special chassis tuning and an adaptive suspension, too. It also adds steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters in models equipped with an automatic transmission, SRT Performance Pages to the infotainment system, and a line lock function to engage the front brakes while keeping the rear wheels free to do burnouts and improve drag-strip traction.

Dodge says that the package improves lap times (at an unspecified test track) by almost two seconds or “12 car lengths” over the “skinny” R/T Scat Pack while cutting two-tenths of a second off its quarter-mile time, bringing it down to 12.1 seconds.

Scat Pack Shaker Widebody

Both models begin life as Challenger R/T Scat Packs powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 making 485 horsepower and 475 pounds-feet of torque. Transmission choices are either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.

The Shaker package adds a special hood design with a Shaker air intake protruding from the center and feeding cold air to the engine. Since the Shaker is mounted directly to the engine, it moves and shakes with the engine’s vibrations and movements, thus the name. It also includes a cold-air intake, conical air filter and special “Shaker” underhood decal.

Pricing for the R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody starts at $49,185 (all prices include a $1,495 destination fee).

T/A 392 Widebody

There’s no Shaker with the T/A 392 package (T/A stands for Trans Am, a racing series that began in 1966), but there is a low-drag hood scoop, which feeds air to a “modified” Hellcat air box equipped with a Mopar conical air filter. There are also “air catcher” headlamps that allow more airflow into the engine while also providing illumination.

T/A 392 models get a host of appearance features, too, including available hood pins, a satin-black-painted hood and matching wraps on the roof and rear decklid, and various T/A and 392 accents around the exterior. Inside, black performance seats get houndstooth cloth inserts with black Nappa leather upholstery with gray stitching and embroidered T/A logo as an extra-cost option. The gauge cluster also gets a vintage look with white faces and black details inspired by the 1971 Challenger T/A’s “tic-toc-tach” gauges.

A 2021 Challenger T/A 392 Widebody will start at $50,585.

Release Date

Ordering for the R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody is open now, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2021. Ordering for the T/A 392 Widebody opens “later this year” and deliveries should begin in the spring.

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2019-2020 Ram 1500: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 07:23:31 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 160,200 model-year 2019-20 Ram 1500 Laramie and Big Horn pickup trucks equipped with adjustable pedals and Mopar All-Weather Floor Mat Kits sold as accessory equipment from 2018-20

The Problem: The adjustable pedals may be positioned in a location that affords insufficient clearance with all-weather floormats, interfering with the accelerator pedal while driving and increasing the risk of a crash.

Note that, while this is identical to a previous recall, the affected trucks may be different.

The Fix: Dealers will modify the driver’s floormat to remove the potential for pedal interference for free.

What Owners Should Do: FCA will begin notifying owners Oct. 16. Owners can call the automaker at 800-853-1403, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

Need to Find a Dealer for Service? Go to Cars.com Service & Repair to find your local dealer. To check for other recalls, and to schedule a free recall repair at your local dealership, click here: Ram 1500

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2020-2021 Mini SE Countryman and BMW 3 Series, X3, X5: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 05:32:22 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 700 model-year 2020 Mini SE Countryman plug-in hybrid hatchbacks, model-year 2020-21 BMW X3 PHEV SUVs and model-year 2021 BMW 330e PHEV sedans and X5 PHEV SUVs

The Problem: Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells, which could lead to a short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

The Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules for free.

What Owners Should Do: Mini manufacturer BMW will begin notifying owners Oct. 12. BMW and Mini owners can call the automaker at 800-525-7417, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

Need to Find a Dealer for Service? Go to Cars.com Service & Repair to find your local dealer. Click here to schedule a free recall repair at your local dealership.

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2020 Cadillac CT5: 7 Pros and 3 Cons

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 01:05:06 -0500

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 is a compact luxury sedan uniquely positioned between small luxury sedans (think Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series) and their larger, more expensive mid-size stablemates (Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class). Is the Cadillac CT5 the perfect fit for luxury car shoppers torn between big and small? Or does it end up getting lost in the middle?

The short answer is that the Cadillac CT5 offers a lot of luxury car for your money. Upgrading to the optional twin-turbo V-6 and all-wheel drive in the model we recently tested doesn’t mean the base price rockets upward; that’s something that can’t be said in German rivals like the C-Class and 3 Series, where more powerful six-cylinder engines are lumped in with pricey sport packages and stand-alone trims.

To get the complete story on the 2020 Cadillac CT5, you can read our Joe Bruzek’s review by clicking the link above. For a quicker recap on the pros and cons of the CT5 with the optional turbo six and all-wheel drive, keep reading below. (We also spent time with the hotter CT5-V model; insight into that sedan can be found in a separate review.)

Things We Like

1. The Turbo V-6 Engine

The standard engine in the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sends 237 horsepower to the rear wheels. Unlike some rival luxury sedans, adding the CT5’s optional 335-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 doesn’t mean automatically opting for a vastly sportier model. While firmer suspensions and heavily bolstered front seats can be fun, they’re not everyone’s cup of luxury sedan tea. Our Premium Luxury-trimmed test car came with the optional twin-turbo V-6 and all-wheel drive. Power is strong and the engine works nicely with the 10-speed automatic transmission. You won’t be blown away by the acceleration — Cadillac pegs the 0-60-mph time at 4.9 seconds — but it’s a significant upgrade from the urge provided by the base turbo four.

2. Lots of Legroom

The CT5 cabin is spacious whether you’re seated up front or relegated to the second row. In some rivals (we’re looking at you, BMW 3 Series), the amount of rear legroom is at a premium; for taller folks or anyone who travels with space-stealing child safety seats, the extra room in the CT5 is greatly appreciated.

3. Buttons Are Cool Again

The predecessor to the CT5, the CTS sedan, had an infotainment system that went heavy on touchscreen surfaces; it was hard to tell you’d pressed a control, and the screen surface felt flimsy. Behold! Some buttons are back in the cabin of the CT5. There are knobs for volume and tuning, along with a row of silver buttons below the infotainment screen to control heating and cooling functions. Thank you, Cadillac.

4. A Smooth and Quiet Ride

There’s no doubt about it, the CT5 delivers a smooth and quiet ride. There’s little wind or tire noise, making the cabin a refined and relaxing place to spend your time. While we wouldn’t call the CT5’s passive shock absorbers a sport suspension, it does keep you feeling in control without bouncing everyone around over rough pavement.

5. A Bargain Compared With Rivals

The CT5 has a base price approximately $10,000 less than the CTS it replaced. That’s a significant amount of money even to someone looking for a luxury sedan. The base CT5 with the turbo four in rear-drive format starts at $37,890 (destination included), and our test car came to $52,155 with all options and fees. That’s many thousands less than what it costs to upgrade to a six-cylinder and all-wheel drive in an A4, 3 Series or C-Class.

6. Cabin Quality

Cadillac has sometimes lagged behind the competition when it comes to putting together a no-excuses luxury interior. Not so with the CT5; the materials used in the cabin have a premium look and feel to them. There are soft-touch surfaces where you want them most of all, and Cadillac didn’t cheap out by skimping on finishes in the second row.

7. Tech Touches

Two tech items deserving an honorable mention in the CT5 are the high-resolution backup camera and Wi-Fi hot spot. The resolution of the camera is superb, and while Wi-Fi isn’t always the sexiest topic, the system in the Cadillac works well. It proved extremely handy during pandemic-related video conferences on the road even from the rear seat.

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Things We Don’t

1. Higher MPG Than Rivals

Adding the turbocharged V-6 and AWD ticks fuel economy downward, and this Caddy requires premium. Our test car’s EPA-estimated figures are 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the 3.0-liter engine. That’s thirstier than many of the CT5’s direct rivals.

2. Brake Feel Takes Getting Used To

The drive-by-wire braking system takes getting used to, and even then, it’s not as linear as we’d prefer. The feel is more like an on-off switch, which can make coming to a quick stop awkward.

3. Handling Lacks the Edge of Its Predecessor

The steering is still good, but the CT5 lacks some of the edge that made the outgoing CTS so special. The handling here feels lighter and a little less centered than before.

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Honda Civic Hatchback: Which Should You Buy, 2020 or 2021?

Brian Normile — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:50:56 -0500

Most significant changes: Unchanged, though there won’t be an EX-L model available right away

Price change: $250 increase; destination unchanged at $955

On sale: Now (except for the EX-L)

Which should you buy, 2020 or 2021? 2020, especially if you want an EX-L right now. Otherwise, with the lack of changes, saving $250 is worth it (and maybe a dealer will give you even more of a discount to move a 2020 off the lot to make room for a 2021).

When Honda announced the demise of the Civic coupe for the 2021 model year, it was quick to point out that the hatchback version of the Civic had grown to almost a quarter of all Civic sales while the coupe had dipped to only 6%. Now, for 2021, the Civic hatch gets a $250 price increase but no updates, and Honda is also holding off on including the EX-L, at least right away.

I See No Changes

According to a Honda spokesperson, “With the current market conditions and manufacturing challenges resulting from the pandemic, we have made some temporary moves to streamline certain product offerings, including hatch EX-L. The hatch EX-L is not discontinued, [and] once we see demand come back up we can offer it back into our lineup.”

Other than that, there are no changes to the Civic hatchback, which is still powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. In the LX and EX, it makes 174 horsepower, while in the Sport and Sport Touring it makes 180 hp (though both of the latter recommend premium gas instead of regular). The LX and EX use a continuously variable automatic transmission, while the Sport and Sport Touring come standard with a six-speed manual (the CVT is an $800 option). The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features is also standard on all Civics.

Pricing

The Civic hatch increases in price by $250 across the lineup. All prices below include an unchanged $955 destination fee.

LX (CVT only): $22,955
Sport (six-speed manual): $24,055
Sport (CVT): $24,855
EX (CVT only): $25,455
Sport Touring (six-speed manual): $29,355
Sport Touring (CVT): $30,155

If the EX-L does return to the 2021 lineup, expect it to cost approximately $1,200 more than the EX.

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Release Date

You can find the 2021 Civic hatchback on sale now, but without any changes, we think you should be on the lookout for 2020s that should be a bit more affordable.

Next-Gen Tucson, Primed to Be Latest Jewel in Hyundai’s Lineup, Debuts Sept. 14

Brian Normile — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:06:41 -0500

We’ve been fans of what Hyundai’s been doing lately: The Palisade (even if ours currently smells) is Cars.com’s reigning Best of 2020 winner, the new Sonata is a worthy challenger to the dominance of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and the upcoming 2021 Elantra has the looks and tech to take on a crowded field of compact sedans. Even one of Hyundai’s older designs, the Santa Fe, won our most recent mid-size SUV comparison test. Now, Hyundai is revealing teaser images of the next Tucson, with an out-there design that takes what we’ve seen on the new Elantra even further.

Exterior

It starts with the grille, which features a “jewel-like” design and integrated daytime running lights Hyundai is calling Parametric Hidden Lights. When not turned on, the lights blend into the grille’s design, but when illuminated, the triangular flanks of the grille become triangular groups of LEDs. Given that these are the daytime running lights, it seems Hyundai is sticking to the upper DRL/lower headlight design used elsewhere on vehicles like the Kona and Santa Fe. This sort of lighting element is very concept-like, but all indicators point to it being headed to production.

The rest of the body takes on what Hyundai calls “a slinky coupelike character,” with a forward-sloping cabin design. The body features a number of angular structures similar to the new Elantra’s look, and in back, the triangular theme continues with one LED light bar across the entire liftgate and taillights angled downward toward the SUV’s center point. Hyundai says the new Tucson is “bigger and wider” than the current one and will be available in “two different dimensions.” That usually means standard and long-wheelbase versions, though it’s not yet clear whether the U.S. will get both or just one.

Interior

Inside, Hyundai calls the front layout a “dual cockpit” design, with distinct areas for the driver and front passenger divided by a large center console that appears to have a storage compartment underneath.

It’s tougher to tell what the new Tucson will actually look like since all we have is a drawing. But we can draw (sorry!) a few conclusions, including that Hyundai looks to be adding the push-button gear selector to another vehicle. We can also see a large center infotainment screen and what appears to be a fully digital instrument cluster. What isn’t clear is whether the collection of buttons below the screen are actually part of the screen, physical controls or capacitive-touch buttons.

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We’ll know more about the new Tucson when it debuts Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. Korea Standard Time … which is, fortunately, 8:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 14, so we won’t have to pull an all-nighter. Stay tuned for more coverage once the Tucson is revealed.

2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 08:42:39 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 151,200 model-year 2013-15 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUVs

The Problem: Brake fluid may leak inside the antilock brake system module, possibly resulting in an electrical short and increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

The Fix: Dealers will inspect the antilock brake system module and replace it, as necessary, for free.

What Owners Should Do: Hyundai will begin notifying owners Oct. 23. Owners can call the autommaker at 855-371-9460, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

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2013-2015 Kia Optima, Sorento: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 08:39:45 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 440,400 model-year 2013-15 Kia Optima sedans and model-year 2014-15 Sorento SUVs

The Problem: The brake fluid may leak inside the hydraulic electronic control unit, possibly resulting in an electrical short and increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

The Fix: Dealers will inspect the control unit for leaking brake fluid and replace it, as necessary, for free.

What Owners Should Do: Kia will begin notifying owners Oct. 15. Owners can call the autommaker at 800-333-4542, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

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2020 Nissan Sentra: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 08:37:59 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 5,500 model-year 2020 Nissan Sentra sedans

The Problem: The right-hand LED headlight may have been misaligned during production, which can result in insufficient illumination of the road while driving at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

The Fix: Dealers will replace the headlight for free.

What Owners Should Do: Nissan will begin notifying owners Oct. 5. Owners can call the autommaker at 800-867-7669, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

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Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept: America’s Range Rover?

Aaron Bragman — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 03:02:22 -0500

Looks like: A Rivian R1S with a few Jeep styling cues thrown in

Defining characteristics: Seven-slot light-up grille, trapezoidal Jeep-style wheel arches, windows that have no upper trim

Ridiculous features: “Relax” modes that can show a fireplace on every screen of the interior simultaneously

Chance of being mass-produced: It’ll be here in summer 2021

You can’t really call the impending arrival of the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer a “rumor,” as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Jeep’s parent company, has made mention of a full-size sport utility vehicle in the Jeep lineup as part of its ongoing five-year product plans that are shared with the media every half-decade. But we now have our first look at what’s coming to showrooms next summer — due to arrive in mid-2021 in a couple different versions.

This is a concept version that Jeep is calling the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, but don’t be fooled — it’s more accurately described as a “noncept,” as what you see here is going to be extremely close to the SUV that arrives in Jeep showrooms. Just how close we’re not quite sure, for while the styling and equipment is surely very close to the finished product, much of the unusual lighting treatment and more eye-popping interior features are just close enough to being possible as to make us wonder if they’ll make it to the production Grand Wagoneer, too.

Exterior

But let’s start with the outside styling. The most obvious unusual features are the windows that have been very clearly separated by some brightwork chrome trim — but only on three sides, leaving the top part integrated into the darker roof panel. It’s an unusual look, and we’re not entirely sure it works, but there’s no denying that it’s something distinctive in a world of lookalike SUVs. And given how hard it is to make any two-box SUV design look different than others in the category, we’ll give it a tentative nod of approval for now, pending the final production model’s looks.

The rear-end styling is a bit more traditional, but the front includes a sweeping end-to-end light-up grille that combines elements of the original Wagoneer from the 1960s with some modern styling elements. The iconic seven-slot Jeep trademark grille is present, and a nod to the old-style Wagoneer’s kick-up style hood is evident, too. The one-piece clear lens sweeps across and encompasses projector-style lights that have treated wood in the lamp holders, an element that we suspect likely won’t make it to production.

Down the sides are 24-inch wheels with 3D-printed inserts. They look at home in the big trapezoidal wheel arches, a styling element seen on modern Jeep SUVs like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, though we’re not sure wheels that big will make it to production either — yet given what Cadillac is promising for the next Escalade, we’re not ready to rule it out.

One element of the exterior that’s sure to see a change for the production model is the door covering the charging port: Jeep says that the concept has an advanced electrified powertrain, but hasn’t provided many details on what it might be. The concept’s charging-port door is a video screen that displays some graphics and charging information, something that’s sure to be changed for production. We don’t know anything about what’s under the hood, aside from Jeep saying that it’s some sort of electric vehicle powertrain. We’d assume that means it’s a plug-in hybrid, but Jeep is mum on specifics, so your guess is as good as ours.

Interior

Inside, it’s a different story: Despite Jeep’s designers giving significant mention to the original Wagoneer as inspiration, there’s nothing retro or even remotely resembling the old, boxy interior on this Grand Wagoneer Concept. It’s big inside, clearly a full-size SUV that outshines the mid-size Grand Cherokee SUV, with three rows that are reportedly spacious enough for full-grown adults.

The dash stretches from door to door, and features a first: a touchscreen in the passenger instrument panel that can display all manner of infotainment and multimedia access. It can stream movies, control apps and even link up with the rest of the screens throughout the Grand Wagoneer’s interior to show the same image in something called Relax modes displaying ambient scenes like a calming fireplace or flying over the surface of the Earth from orbit. (We hasten to note, however, that when all the screens in the car are showing a calming fireplace, it does tend to have the effect of making the interior seem like it’s on fire.)

The upscale construction of the interior is the point Jeep wants to get across, however, with material quality and assembly techniques that the brand says represent a first for it in terms of premium fit and finish. Details down to the starter button, which sits in its own wood, black glass and aluminum bezel, or the real wood across the dash with an inlaid Grand Wagoneer logo, or the black glass and metal framing on the McIntosh concept audio system are all meant to evoke a strong luxury feel that Jeep says will enable it to compete with the likes of Land Rover’s Range Rover when the actual Grand Wagoneer arrives. The materials for the Grand Wagoneer should definitely help convey that message, given the beautiful treatments they’ve received.

So Many Screens

The idea that everything should be a touch panel, however, counterbalances those luxury leanings, if past customer sentiment is any indicator.

There are more than 44 inches of total diagonal screen area in the front row alone. The passenger display is a 10.25-inch display, but it isn’t actually viewable from the driver’s seat due to a special polarized film to prevent driver distraction. The new Driver Control Center is a screen with haptic feedback buttons for climate and seat controls, and articulates out of the way to reveal a hidden storage area in the console.

There’s another screen for the rear seats that does many of the same things. Hopefully the idea that all of the controls and switches will be touch-sensitive panels doesn’t make it to the production vehicle; both Lincoln and Cadillac learned the hard way that customers just don’t like interiors where nothing is an actual button and everything collects fingerprints, and we’re not big fans of the idea ourselves. It’s hard to convey “luxury” when the precision movement of a button or switch is eliminated.

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Pricing and Other Predictions

So how much of what we’re seeing here is likely to show up in the finished product? Well, aside from some of the more creative lighting effects on the outside, it’s a safe bet that this is really, really close to the Grand Wagoneer that’s heading to showrooms about a year from now as either a 2021 or 2022 model.

Jeep executives told the media that the strategy will center on two vehicles under the Wagoneer nameplate: The more basic Wagoneer will start around $60,000 and will target premium brands like GMC, while the fully loaded Grand Wagoneer like the one you see here in concept form will put Range Rover in its sights — and is sure to hit the $100,000 mark.

The vehicles will offer three different 4×4 systems and the Quadra-Lift air suspension, as well. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see exactly what Jeep delivers, likely sometime early next year.