2013 Family SUVs And Crossovers

2013 Family SUVs And Crossovers: Buyer’s Guide

Do you need to shuffle varied numbers of people and amounts of cargo from one place to another, daily? If you've done some shopping around you know that it can be tough finding just the right crossover or SUV to fit the bill, in terms of price, features, versatility, safety, and styling. For 2013, there are a number of redesigned vehicles to consider, ranging from compact family SUVs and crossovers all the way to full-size family-friendly haulers.

Compact

2013 Buick Encore

With the addition of the 2013 Buick Encore to the brand’s expanding lineup, Buick is targeting its all-new compact luxury crossover against the BMW X1  coming soon and the Audi Q3, which may not be far behind. One point worth noting, in terms of cargo capacity that’s important to family crossover buyers, is that the Encore has 48.4 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down, and 18.8 cubic feet with them up.

Inside the Encore, the “terrific looking” dashboard seems to flow into the door panels. A standard seven-inch color LCD display works with the available navigation system and Buick’s IntelliLink voice activated system, which will be standard.

But families will really appreciate the Buick QuietTuning or active noise cancellation feature. Whether on a long ride or during hops around town, the cabin of the Encore is supremely quiet. And QuietTuning is standard in all Encore models.

Safety-conscious families will note the ten standard airbags, cornering brake control, and brake assist. Optional safety technology includes rear vision camera, front and rear park assist, forward collision alert and lane departure warning.

2013 Ford Escape

The all-new 2013 Ford Escape compact crossover gets high marks from our editors, who rate it an 8 (out of 10), especially for its tight new styling, taut ride and handling, and high estimated gas mileage. “After eleven years, a changeup: the 2013 Ford Escape drops the faux-SUV pitch and reels off authentically athletic looks and performance.”

The new Escape also has more cargo space than the previous model and includes numerous clever spots for hiding and toting various family paraphernalia. These include umbrella holders on the seats, a hidden floor bin in the second row, and ticket holders in the sun visors. And the new hands-free tailgate option opens and closes the hatch with the swing of a foot.

Other stellar attributes of the Escape include best-in-class safety technology, from standard stability and curve control to optional rearview camera, parking sensors, active park assist and blind spot monitors with cross-traffic alerts.

2013 Mazda CX-5

The 2013 Mazda CX-5, Mazda’s first all-new crossover in some time, replaces the now-discontinued Tribute and is aiming to take on the likes of the new 2013 Ford Escape, the redesigned 2012 Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4 and the Chevrolet Equinox.

Our editors found the CX-5 to be one of the best-handling crossovers they’ve driven, while also lauding its smart, sporty styling, comfortable and well-bolstered front seats, and more-than-adequate room in the back seat for six-foot adults.

The load floor is long and flat and the 40/20/40 split rear seat has a clever folding arrangement. The only drawbacks seem to be somewhat sluggish acceleration and the fact that the CX-5 only has six airbags, when some competitors are offering up to ten. All in all, though, our editors rate the 2013 Mazda CX-5 an overall 7.4 (out of 10).

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Derived from its Impreza half-sibling, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek compact crossover is an all-new model name making its first appearance in the company’s product portfolio. As with nearly every Subaru, the XV Crosstrek will come with standard all-wheel drive, a feature increasingly popular with American consumers, and will arrive at dealerships sometime this summer.

But this is no Impreza clone. The XV Crosstrek achieves its separation by starting with larger 17-inch wheels and a higher 8.7-inch ground clearance than the 5.9 inches standard on the Impreza. The front disc brakes are also bigger.

Exterior styling notable in the XV Crosstrek includes the new front grille and fascia and new rear bumper design, along with a different rear spoiler, standard roof rails and tinted glass.

On the inside, the specs of the XV Crosstrek are not much changed from the Impreza. With the 60/40 split-rear folding seat down, there’s 52.4 cubic feet of cargo space. A removable rolling cargo cover, tie-down loops, grocery bag hooks and waterproof tray are other familiar Subaru features.

Available in well-equipped Premium and Limited models only (no base), the XV Crosstrek has optional power moonroof and a navigation system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen. The All-Weather package, including heated front seats and exterior mirrors and a wiper de-icer is optional on Premium and standard on Limited.

New 2013 Honda Accord

2013 Honda Accord: A napping giant awakens

Critics have accused Honda Motor Co. of losing its essential goodness — a design and engineering intelligence that traditionally has placed Honda above most other manufacturers of mass-market automobiles.

The critics are wrong. They are confusing overall change in the global automobile industry with alleged corporate slacking.

Over the past several months I’ve been going through Honda’s 2013 models, including those of its Acura luxury division. My conclusion: Honda remains Honda — a car manufacturer of impeccable quality, outstanding safety and common sense. If Honda now seems less able than its once highly acclaimed self, it is only because its rivals have greatly improved their game.

That, of course, means Honda must work even harder to maintain a high level of consumer esteem — a task at which the company has seemed to flounder in the last four years, especially in 2011, when its efforts were hampered by an earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

But “flounder,” in this case, does not mean Honda ever turned out poor products. It means the company continued developing and producing good cars, but automobiles that were not as attractive, in terms of styling or standard features, as those produced by its rivals.

My so-far-partial tour of Honda’s 2013 products, including this week’s subject car, the 2013 Honda Accord Sport sedan, tells me that Honda is ready to reclaim its top spot, in terms of quality design and engineering, in consumer share of mind in the mass market.

The Accord Sport is an exceptionally well-done front-wheel-drive midsize family sedan. “Sport” here indicates the car is one step above the base Accord LX. Both cars are powered by a gasoline-injected 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 181 foot-pounds of torque) expressly designed for people seeking economy in a midsize sedan.

“Economy” here does not mean “cheap” in exterior and interior design or materials; both are excellent. Nor does it mean meandering road performance, although drivers seeking more zip in their go would be better off getting an Acura ILX or a Honda Accord EX-L or with a 3.5-liter V-6 (278 horsepower, 252 foot-pounds of torque).

Choosing one over the other involves trade-offs in price, nearly $7,000 more for the EX-L V-6 over the Accord Sport, and fuel economy, a city-highway combined four miles per gallon less for the EX-L V-6.

It is a matter of consumer choice, but a choice that involves no trade-offs of safety, comfort or outstanding build quality. The Accord Sport comes standard with fabric seats, but they are high-quality, comfortable and easily cleanable (I spilled a milkshake) fabric seats.

The instrument panel is ergonomically sensible — easy to read and use. The interior itself is handsome, albeit conservative. Hint: Drivers seeking more oomph in the Accord Sport should refrain from using the green “Econ” button on the instrument panel, which reconfigures engine functions and slows things down a bit. Also, this column recommends buying the car with the standard six-speed manual transmission instead of the optional continuously variable automatic model.

Mahindra's new Business story

Mahindra 2 Wheelers to start export of motorbikes

Mumbai: Mahindra 2 Wheelers Ltd is planning to start export of its motorcycles before the end of this financial year, looking at neighbouring markets as well as Africa and Latin America for exports. “Seeding activity is on and we should start the exports of our motorcycles before the end of this financial year,” said Anoop Mathur, president (two-wheeler sector), and member of the group executive board, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M).

“We plan to use the existing distribution network of M&M for motorcycle exports and would look at creating a new network where M&M does not have a presence,” he added.

Currently, the company sells a miniscule number of its scooters to countries including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

On Friday, Mahindra 2 Wheelers unveiled two motorcycles—Centuro and Pantero—in the 110 cc segment, marking its re-entry into the motorcycle segment. It may be recalled that the company had launched its first motorcycle Stallio 110 cc two years back, but had to pull out the product from the market following technical issues.

The products will be made available in the market in another four-five weeks. Pantero, which is expected first, will have four variants. Powered by the MCi-5 engine manufactured at the plant at Pithampur, the two bikes have been designed at the company’s R&D Centre in Pune.

Mercedes

Report: Next C63 AMG to get Smaller, Modular V-8 Engine

The current Mercedes C63 AMG is powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 457 horsepower. Things will change significantly for the next-generation sports sedan, as Mercedes is planning to drop the current 6.2-liter engine in favor of a smaller, turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 powerplant, which is set to also see use in the upcoming SLC supercar.

The new AMG-built V-8 engine will share the same cylinder capacity, bore center spacing and other specific details with the upcoming turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine set to be used in the upcoming A45 AMG. This sharing of specifications allows this engine to carry a modular format, which can help save money too.

In its standard version the new 4.0-liter V-8 engine will deliver about 450 horsepower, but it could go as high as 600 horsepower in its high-output format. The latter of the two engines is rumored to replace the non-turbocharged 5.5-liter unit that Benz uses in the SLK55 AMG.

AMG boss Ola Kallenius all but confirmed the 4.0-liter powerplant at the recently closed L.A. Auto Show, but made sure not to let the cat completely out of the bag. We definitely got a glimpse of its paw though.

Stylish Car from Mercedes

First Official Images of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2014 Mercedes CLA will make its world debut in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show, but today the first images of the new baby sedan have surfaced on the Internet. As you can see from these leaked images, the production version CLA will retain the distinctive elements of the Concept Style Coupeunveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, but in the same time it retains the features of the CLS-Class - making it easy to recognize as a baby CLS.

The next CLA will be built on the same platform as the new A-Class and will be offered with a choice of three gasoline engines and four diesel ones. The gasoline engines include two 1.6-liter turbocharged engines – one with 121 horsepower and one with 154 horsepower – and a range-topping 2.0-liter engine with 207 horsepower. The diesel lineup will include a pair of 1.8-liter engines with 108 horsepower and 134 horsepower, plus 2.1-liter engines offered with 168 and 201 horsepower.

Full details will be unveiled during the car’s official debut in Detroit.

Magnificent Mercedes!!!

2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG "Rezonance ML" by RevoZport

High powered SUVs don’t come any better than Mercedes’ ML63 AMG. The German automaker’s resident sports utility vehicle has also become quite the appealing lot for aftermarket tuning companies, including RevoZport.

Adept at building aerodynamic kits as well as performance modifications, RevoZport’s program for the ML63 AMG, called the Rezonance ML, certainly fits into that mold. Aesthetically, the M63 AMG was treated to a new aero kit that includes a twin-deck carbon fiber front splitter to go with a roof spoiler, a finned diffuser section, and 30mm wheel arch extensions that enhances the visual appeal of the German SUV by giving it a more aggressive stance. Fittingly, those wheel arches also help in fitting a new set of 22" bespoke forged alloy wheels wrapped in 335-section tires.

RevoZport also gave the ML63 AMG a pretty sturdy engine modification, thanks to a remapped ECU software and the installation of a new carbon induction system and a complete titanium exhaust system, netting the SUV an output of 600 horsepower, an increase from the standard SUV’s output of 518 horsepower.

Inspiring Mercedes!!!

AMG to Expand to 30 Models by 2017

There’s nothing better than a luxury car with some oomph behind it, and few do better at this delicate combination than Mercedes-Benz and AMG. Working together, the two have produced some of the most desirable cars on the planet today. The only performance arm that rivals AMG is likely BMW’s M-Series, and maybe Audi’s RS line and Jag’s R-S line.

With this success, we have all watched AMG grow from an independent tuner of earlier Benzes to a subsidiary to Mercedes that touches dang near every Mercedes model that rolls off of the assembly line.

Well, AMG’s reach into Mercedes’ production line is going to expand greatly between now and 2017, as the luxury-performance arm is set to grow from 20,000 units to 30,000 units in that timeframe. That is rumored to translate out to a lineup of up to 30 models in the worldwide marketplace. So it looks like there will be plenty of AMG power to go around.

The latest AMG model to debut in the U.S. was the 2013 GL63 AMG, which is set to drop in dealers soon, so we have a full slate of AMG coverage in Mercedes lineup here. However with new models in the works for the U.S. market – CLA-Class and B-Class – we certainly anticipate some nice additions to the AMG’s U.S. family too.

Mercedes Wonder!!

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake By Lorinser

"There is nothing we can’ do!"

This is the motto of German tuners Lorinser, if you think that the jaw-dropping Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake can’t be further customized.

For those who are bored of the current AMG kit fitted to the sports wagon, Lorinser has just announced a new body kit and performance upgrades for it that injects even more sexiness into the already sexy wagon. Nice to keep more options for the customer...

Overall, Lorinser has done a great job offering a body kit that doesn’t make the CLS Shooting Brake look very pretentious while still keeping some of the sleek and sexy lines of the standard design. It will appeal to owners looking for a subtle yet impeccably stylish body-kit, though we think that there’s hardly anybody who’d go down that road.

Hit the jump to learn more about the updates offered by Lorinser for new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake.

WOW!!..My Mercedes

Rumormill: The 2014 Mercedes E63 AMG to Get a Power Boost and AWD

The facelifted version of the standard Mercedes E-Class will make its world debut in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show with the AMG version following shortly after. Until now, it has been rumored that the next E63 AMG will come with the same M157, twin-turbocharged, 5.5-liter V-8 engine, new details suggest that the V-8 engine will be updated to deliver a total of 540 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque.

Depending on the market, the next E63 AMG will be offered with either a rear-wheel-drive setup, orMercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive configuration. The bad news is that when equipped with the 4MATIC system, the E63 AMG will be about 132 pounds heavier. Despite that, the new 4MATIC system will make the E63 AMG a little bit quicker than the other version, as the 0-to-60 mph sprint time will be made in about 3.5 seconds.

Mercedes will also offer a Performance Pack that will deliver an additional 25 ponies and 26 pound-feet, and will increase top speed from 155 mph to 186 mph.

Expect to see the new Mercedes E63 AMG unveiled early next year.

Mercedes is always making me amazed!!!

2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Dark Fantasy by Mode Carbon

A few months after dressing up a BMW M3 in Snow White garb, Mode Carbon is back with another program for a German sports coupe. This time, though, the carbon fiber specialists have a Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe at its disposal, ready to be dressed up.

Taking the opposite end of the color palette from the powdery white M3, Mode Carbon decided to paint the C63 AMG Coupe Magno Night Black. The "Dark Fantasy" treatment continues with black finishes throughout the German sports car, including the grille, the window trim, and the badges, all of which have been blacked out to complete the overall - and admittedly, sinister - look of the C63 AMG Coupe.

Rounding out the modification for the Mercedes sports car is a trunk-lid spoiler in 2-by-2 twill weave carbon fiber along with a set of 590RS HRE wheels, completing the look of a stealthy vehicle that’s been dressed to impress.

Under its hood lies a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that delivers up to 487 horsepower with a 0-to-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Even if Mode Carbon didn’t spend time to modify the C63 AMG Coupe’s engine, the way they dressed up the sports car already merits some serious love from us.

Cadillac

Cadillac Super Cruise

One other tech surprise, one that might help your morning commute, is called Cadillac Super Cruise. The technology in the car uses semi-autonomous intelligence to monitor the side of the road and the car in front of you. You can take your hands off the wheel in traffic jams and lonely stretches of the road. Next year may be a little early to spot this one: GM has announced it is working on the technology and has shown how it works but hasn't yet set an exact date for launch. Shown to the left: the 2013 Cadillac ATS.