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2013-2018 Nissan Altima: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 04:27:12 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1.8 million model-year 2013-18 Nissan Altima sedans

The Problem: The secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch isn’t engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan said these cars were included in two previous recalls from 2014 and 2015, but the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk.

The Fix: Dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one for free.

What Owners Should Do: Nissan will begin notifying owners June 22. It will also provide an interim notice instructing owners how to properly maintain the latch and include a reminder to fully close the hood and engage the primary hood latch each time before driving. Owners can call Nissan 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.

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: Nissan Altima

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Editor’s note: This story was updated June 5, 2020, to include additional information on newly affected cars.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Brings Buyers Taste of 2021 With AWD Launch Edition

Aaron Bragman — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 02:01:47 -0500

It’s game on at your local Chrysler dealer as the brand has announced that ordering has begun for something special: the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Launch Edition. What is it? It’s the 2020 Pacifica that we’re already familiar with, but with the powertrain of the new 2021 model, which the company plans to build for a few months until the new model comes online.

It’s similar to what Nissan’s just done with the 2020 Frontier pickup truck, which has the engine and transmission of the next-generation 2021 model nestled into the body and interior of the old 2020 model. Why do it? Chrysler says that the demand for an all-wheel-drive minivan that also features stowable, folding second-row seating is real, and it wants to get such a van into customers’ hands as quickly as possible.

That being the case, ordering begins today at your local Chrysler dealer. The 2020 AWD Launch Edition will only be available in the top Touring L model with the S Appearance Package. That includes a Black Noise AWD badge, Black Noise Pacifica and Chrysler wing badges, and 18-inch dark painted wheels running Michelin Premier self-sealing tires. The S package also blacks out the rest of the trim, with gloss-black paint on the headlight surrounds, grille and window trim.

Inside, the S Appearance Package interior comes in a monochrome black trim with McKinley leather seats sporting Light Diesel Grey stitching, while the dash and doors get brushed metal trim. An 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia system is standard, while significant options include Uconnect navigation, the Uconnect Theater entertainment system, a tri-pane panoramic moonroof, a trailer towing package, a Premium Group equipment package and more.

Pricing for the new 2020 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Launch Edition will begin at $41,735 (includes $1,495 destination fee), a sum which already includes the AWD Launch Edition package price of $3,095, according to Chrysler. While ordering is open now, deliveries are not expected until sometime in the summer.

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4 Ways Nissan’s e-4orce Technology Tries to Help EV Drivers

Brian Normile — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 11:34:18 -0500

Nissan’s e-4orce “electric vehicle all-wheel control technology” may have a name that sounds like a team of superheroes fighting crime via Zoom meetings in this age of social distancing, but it might offer tangible benefits to drivers and passengers of future Nissan EVs like the Ariya, an all-electric SUV seemingly destined for production.

Here are some claimed benefits of e-4orce (pronounced “e-Force”):

1. All-Electric Responsiveness

This isn’t a new invention from Nissan, but one chief advantage of an all-electric powertrain is its responsiveness to accelerator input both from a stop and in situations requiring immediate driver reaction.

“This technology offers a new level of control,” said Ryozo Hiraku, head of Nissan’s powertrain and EV engineering division, in a statement. “New for Nissan, new for EVs. E-4orce control technology is the combination of our know-how of all-wheel drive and chassis control technology, and our EV development expertise. E-4orce is not a successor of one, but an evolution of many.”

2. Improved Handling

The dual-motor technology combines with individual wheel-brake modulation to create what Nissan calls a “pleasant, smooth, predictable experience” when cornering. The system defaults to a 50/50 front/rear power distribution, but it can alter that to 100% front or rear, or a variation between, to maximize cornering grip.

3. Ride Comfort

The system also aims to improve occupant comfort by using the electric motors for chassis control. The motors can respond to braking input to reduce the pitch and dive of the vehicle, which Nissan hopes will reduce instances of motion sickness, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.

4. Enhanced Grip in Low-Traction Scenarios

Similar to how e-4orce tries to improve traction in normal conditions, Nissan aims to have it do the same when the road is slippery by directing power toward the wheels with the most grip and balancing the chassis to keep the vehicle settled. Nissan also says e-4orce will manage instances where the driver accelerates too hard for a given situation to prevent a loss of control.

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5 Lamborghini Models You’re Pronouncing Wrong

Aaron Bragman — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 09:29:01 -0500

Let’s review: So far, we’ve helped our fellow Americans understand how to pronounce a few different foreign automotive brand names, like Audi (“OW-dee”), Porsche (“POR-shuh”), and Jaguar (“JAG-you-are”). You’d think that a name like Lamborghini would be tricky — but most Americans actually get it right, so we won’t bother going into detail about the founding father Ferruccio Lamborghini and his quest to piss off Enzo Ferrari and beat him at his own game, leading to the creation of the company in 1963 (but the history behind it is definitely entertaining, if you’re looking for a Google rabbit hole).

These days, Lamborghini is actually owned by Volkswagen Group through its Audi (say it again with us … OW-deeeee) subsidiary, which is why if you look closely at some Lambo models from 10 years ago, you’ll spot common multimedia systems, switches and controls from Audi models of the same era.

Pronouncing Lamborghini isn’t the difficult part (it’s “LAM-bor-GEE-nee”). But pronouncing some of Lamborghini’s vehicle names can be decidedly tricky. First of all, know that despite Lamborghini being an Italian brand, almost all of the company’s vehicle names are actually Spanish words and proper names. Most of those are either the names of famous Spanish bulls used in bullfighting contests or breeds of bulls used for that purpose. There are a few exceptions to this rule, and we’ll point them out as we go.

Below is a quick rundown on how to pronounce some of Lamborghini’s more popular vehicle names.

1. Murciélago

Pronounced “moor-SYELL-ago,” it was built from 2001-10 as a successor to the Diablo and named after a bull that survived 24 sword strokes in an 1879 fight in which it performed so admirably, its life was spared. Fun fact: The word “murciélago” actually means “bat” in Spanish.

2. Gallardo

Pronounced “gah-YAR-doh” and made from 2003-13, the V-10-powered Gallardo is named after a breed of fighting bull. The double “L” in the name is pronounced as a “Y” in Spanish, so it’s not “gah-LAR-doh” … doh!

3. Huracán

Pronounced “oo-ra-KAHN,” it replaced the Gallardo for the 2015 model year and is the Spanish word for hurricane. It’s also named after a bull that fought in 1879.

4. Urus

Pronounced “OO-rooss,” Lamborghini’s second SUV (remember the LM002?) is named after a breed that is the wild ancestor of the domestic cattle we know today.

5. Countach

Pronounced “KOON-tosh” and one of the few Lamborghinis that is not named after a bull or breed, it’s actually a derivative of a Piedmontese-dialect word used by those Northern Italian people as an expression of surprise or alarm, or even “Wow!”

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Of course, there plenty of other cars from Lamborghini’s history that we could look at, all of which use names related to bullfighting (Jalpa, Urraco, Miura, Islero, Jarama, Veneno, Diablo, Reventón), but there are a few that aren’t related to bullfighting at all (Sesto Elemento, Centenario, Sián), yet are still in Spanish.

Got an idea for an automotive-related word, phrase, brand or vehicle that you’d like to know how to properly pronounce? Drop us a line and let us know!

How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2020 Volvo V60?

Jennifer Geiger — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 01:02:44 -0500

Editor’s note: This Car Seat Check was written in January 2019 about the 2019 Volvo V60. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. See what’s new for 2020 or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

The verdict: Volvo is redesigning its 60 line of vehicles — the XC60 SUV was first — and its 2019 S60 and V60 sedan and wagon counterparts are next. We tested the V60 wagon for its car-seat accommodation and found a lot to like. Easy-access lower Latch anchors and a roomy backseat helped earn it high grades in our latest Car Seat Check.

Does it fit three car seats? No

Take a look at how the Latch system and each car seat scored below in our Car Seat Check of the 2019 Volvo V60.

Related: Search Car Seat Checks

A Grade

Latch: The two sets of anchors are exposed and easy to use. The three top tether anchors on the seatback are clearly marked for easy access and connection.
Infant: The seat was easy to install and our 5-foot, 6-inch-tall front passenger had ample legroom.
Rear-facing convertible: Again, the install was trouble free and the seat had plenty of space.
Forward-facing convertible: Installation was easy and the V60’s fixed head restraint sits high enough on the seat that it didn’t interfere with the convertible.
Booster: Again, the fixed head restraint didn’t get in the way with how the booster sat on the seatback. The V60’s buckles are on stable bases, which should make them easier for kids to use independently.

B Grade

None

C Grade

None

Grading Scale

A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn’t impact driver or front-passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.

B: One room, fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing the third row when available.

C: Marginal room plus one fit or connection issue. Difficult to access the third row when available.

D: Insufficient room, plus multiple fit or connection issues.

F: Does not fit or is unsafe.

About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks

Editors Jennifer Geiger, Jennifer Newman and Matt Schmitz are certified child safety seat installation technicians.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 30 infant-safety seat, a Britax Marathon convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.

We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks.

Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.

2020 Hyundai Palisade: Testing the USB Ports — and Charging Pad

Joe Wiesenfelder — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:56:46 -0500

If testing a car’s USB ports seems like a weird idea, there are a few things you don’t know. First, the power level of such ports varies widely between cars, and it often varies between different ports within the same vehicle, as well. Second, we tend to dive deeply into many aspects of our top Best Of award winner, and the all-new Hyundai Palisade, our Best of 2020 vehicle, has an impressive seven USB ports serving all three rows of seats. Finally, I’ve personally been obsessed with the subject of USB power for almost a decade since I navigated from Illinois to Wisconsin’s Road America racetrack in a Hyundai Elantra Touring using Google Maps on my phone, only to arrive with its battery charge lower than when I departed even though it was plugged into the USB port.

As you’ll see below, the difference in charging times between sources in a vehicle can be counted in hours.

For the Palisade testing, I used my nearly depleted Samsung Galaxy S10 phone, which displays the time left to charge in hours and minutes, connected with the supplied Samsung cable. (Do not miss our report about how important cord choice is if you want your smartphone to charge quickly and communicate effectively with your phone.)

Note that the only margins that matter are those between the pad and the data port, and then between that port and all the dedicated charging ports. The small differences between the charging ports are merely because the phone would quickly add charge with each test (as shown in the Battery Level column) and decrease the remaining charging time. For what it’s worth, the Palisade’s charging ports are admirably consistent; it’s not always this uniform elsewhere.

The differences in charging times we see in the Palisade are pretty typical. The wireless charging pad was the slowest with my phone, which is new and capable of faster wireless charging than we see here. The data port would take the second longest, which is frustrating because that’s the port you must use to enjoy Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, both of which make your phone work pretty hard. We’ve come a long way since the Elantra Touring, but data ports usually remain weaker than dedicated charging ports. My testing isn’t extensive, but these variances do seem to be evening out in the market: In five other 2020 models I tested recently, two had data ports that measured roughly the same as the charging ports, and one was a bit faster.

We don’t put too much stock into charging times versus other vehicles on a head-to-head basis because many factors are at play — and my phone isn’t always at the same state of charge while testing — but the Palisade’s charge ports seem particularly robust for regular USB-A outlets limited to 5 volts and 2.4 amps. Samsung phones and their supplied chargers are capable of voltages higher than 5 volts, yet when I plugged mine into a wall socket at home, the charging rate was no faster than it had been using the Hyundai’s ports, which always registered on the display as “fast charging.”

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Depending on what you drive, the fastest charging option may not be a port at all, especially if the car is older. As noted above, the Samsung charger gave the same results in the Palisade as the car’s charging ports, but a 12-volt outlet and adapter or a household outlet (which our Palisade also offers), along with the supplied charger, might be the best way for you to add minutes.

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS Adds Dual Info Screens, Crash Avoidance and More

Brian Normile — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:28:27 -0500

The Mercedes-Benz CLS and its AMG-tuned CLS53 variant received a redesign for the 2019 model year, and two model years later, the cars are now gaining the latest in Mercedes’ interior and driver assistance technologies.

Now standard are two side-by-side 12.3-inch digital displays, one for the instrument panel and one for the infotainment system. That system is the latest version of MBUX — Mercedes-Benz User Experience — which uses artificial intelligence and can feature optional augmented-reality-enhanced navigation and optional gesture control.

Also added to the CLS are new driver-assistance technologies. In addition to standard automatic emergency braking with city-speed pedestrian detection, the CLS can be equipped with a cross-traffic collision detection system that can help prevent a crash when turning across oncoming traffic.

Other available features include Active Speed Limit Assist that can adjust the CLS’ speed in response to changes in the speed limit as well as curves, an upcoming exit ramp or a toll booth. Active Stop-and-Go Assist also works to keep the CLS in its lane and at a safe following distance at speeds up to 37 mph.

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Pricing is not yet available for the CLS450 or AMG CLS53, but both are expected to arrive at dealerships “by late 2020,” according to Mercedes-Benz.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Adds Class, Sass to Family SUV

Jennifer Geiger — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:35:04 -0500

Hyundai announced its redesigned mid-size SUV will be debuting soon and set the bar high for the forthcoming 2021 Santa Fe, calling it the automaker’s “ultimate family adventure” vehicle (despite our opinion that the larger Palisade owns that title). Today, Hyundai released more information about the new Santa Fe, including its striking exterior design and classy new interior.

Exterior

The new model’s more dramatic face is highlighted by a wider, bolder grille and T-shaped daytime running lights. The squared-off grille wears a geometric-patterned inlay and integrates the headlights. A new character line starts at the daytime running lights and connects to the taillights. The new grille and chiseled body, combined with larger wheel arches, gives the SUV a more rugged look.

Interior

Other details are slim, but Hyundai said the new SUV’s cabin will have more space, comfort and family-focused features, and added that the interior will have a classier feel thanks to more premium materials than the outgoing model.

Overall, the Santa Fe’s cabin looks more like the Palisade’s, with a higher center console and larger 12.25-inch central touchscreen. Other major changes inside include the gearshift moving to a push-button layout, which Hyundai says has an ergonomic placement for easy use.

Terrain Mode Selector

There’s also a new Terrain Mode Selector; the dial allows the driver to switch between different drive modes to optimize performance of the all-wheel-drive system. Modes include Sand, Snow, Mud, Eco, Sport, Comfort and Smart. Hyundai says the latter mode automatically recognizes the driving style of the person behind the wheel and selects the appropriate mode.

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Engine Specs, Release Date Unknown

No word yet on powertrains. The current Santa Fe uses a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 235-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. In Europe, the new model will offer hybrid and plug-in-hybrid powertrains. The automaker also said the new Santa Fe will be available in Europe starting September 2020; no word yet on U.S. powertrains or arrival. Hyundai said more details on the fourth-generation Santa Fe will be announced in the coming weeks.

Volkswagen Arteon Already on for an Update in 2021

Jennifer Geiger — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:30:46 -0500

After many delays, the Volkswagen Arteon finally went on sale in the U.S. in the spring of 2019, yet VW is already planning an update. The automaker announced an updated version will premiere in late June and published a teaser image of the new sedan as well as a new wagon version.

Inside, VW said, the sedan will have a new cockpit and use the newest version of Volkswagen’s multimedia system. The automaker also said the car will get new advanced driver assistance features under the Travel Assist umbrella.

“Designed particularly with long-distance journeys in mind, these Volkswagen models will take over steering, acceleration and braking up to speeds of 130 mph — under the control of the driver,” the automaker said in a statement.

No word yet on if this system will be approved for U.S. roads, however.

The other model announced is an Arteon wagon called the Shooting Brake; VW said it will go on sale in Europe. Check back for more details as the automaker reveals them.

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136,000 Acura and Honda Cars and SUVs: Recall Alert

Patrick Masterson — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 04:57:37 -0500

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 136,000 model-year 2018-19 Acura NSX sports cars and model-year 2019 RDX SUVs, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid sedans; model-year 2018-19 Honda Accord sedans, Civic cars, HR-V SUVs; model-year 2019 Fit hatchbacks; and model-year 2019-20 Insight hybrids

The Problem: The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which can cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly for free.

What Owners Should Do: Acura manufacturer Honda has not yet announced an owner-notification schedule. Owners can call the automaker at 888-234-2138, 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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