KBB:
Sharing a platform with the Japanese Mazda MX-5, the 2019 Fiat
124 Spider adds a big dose of Italian design, horsepower and handling, creating
a worthy successor to the legendary 124 name. In place of the normally
aspirated Mazda engine, the Fiat 124 Spider borrows the turbocharged 1.4-liter
engine from the 500 Abarth, giving the Spider a bit more bite without
sacrificing the near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution that makes the MX-5 such
a joy to drive. Inside, the cabin is steeped in high-grade materials a step
above what Mazda offers. Best of all, while priced in line with the Mini Cooper
Convertible, the 124 Spider offers a look and attitude more commonly associated
with expensive roadsters like the Porsche Boxster and Audi TT.
If you’re looking for a fun, affordable small convertible with
styling and attitude that far exceed its humble price, the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider
tops a very short list. Fiat’s turbocharged 4-cylinder delivers a different
driving experience than in a Mazda MX-5, as does the reworked cabin.
For 2019, the Fiat 124 Spider adds a rearview camera and 7-inch
touch screen with Fiat Connect 7.0 software. The 124 Abarth now offers a Record
Monza exhaust, while the Technology Group adds SiriusXM and proximity entry.
Some new exterior styling options and colors round out the changes.
Edmunds:
The 2019 Ford F-150 is one of the most popular trucks in the
United States. That it's also one of the most capable vehicles on the road today is no coincidence. Like other top-tier full-size pickup trucks, the F-150 is available in a wide variety of trim levels, comes with many available powertrains, and delivers big-time towing and hauling capabilities.
also versatile enough for family duty. The interior is modern and comfortable and has many high-class touches. Tech features such as the Sync 3 infotainment system give you easy access to your smartphone, while the latest in advanced driver safety aids give you added peace of mind. Notably, forward collision warning with automatic braking is now standard on every F-150.
Of course, if trailer-pulling power is what you're after, the
F-150 still has you covered. Six engines are available, ranging from a basic V6 all the way to a muscular 450-horsepower turbocharged V6. As part of that six-engine lineup, the F-150 is now available with a 3.0-liter diesel-powered V6 engine. It's likely the best pick of the group if you plan to do a lot of towing. Even without all these updates for 2019, the Ford F-150 was a class leader. And with everything that Ford has done to keep it relevant, this F-150
hasn't lost a step.
https://www.edmunds.com/ford/f-150/
We've been giving this generation Civic top marks since its
debut three years ago, and there's nothing else out this year that's going to
steal the car's title belt. But here we are anyway with an even better Civic.
For starters, the 2019 Honda Civic gets a restyled front end.
The new look is subtle and helps the car look a little sleeker and less
imposing. Inside, you get an updated infotainment interface that brings with it
the return of a volume knob for the Civic. This small addition addresses one of
the biggest complaints we had with the Civic last year.
What's more, all Civic trims also get additional features from
the Honda Sensing bundle, which is now standard. It includes adaptive cruise
control, forward collision mitigation, and lane departure warning with lane
keeping assist. The Civic already had several advantages over competitors, and
this addition of safety equipment is yet another.
https://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/
Slotting between the
best-selling Rogue and diminutive Kicks is the 2019 Nissan Rouge Sport, a
subcompact-crossover SUV offering the styling and features of the larger Rogue,
but with a cozier feel. Up against big names like the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona,
the Rogue Sport looks pretty good, offering more interior room than the Mazda
CX-3 and a better track record than the Jeep Renegade. The Rogue Sport isn’t
big on power or off-road ability, but it does have enough cargo space to haul a
weekend’s worth of gear, and in urban settings its smaller size makes it easy
to maneuver and park. The Rogue Sport also gains Nissan’s best driver-assist
and advance safety and infotainment features, making it a tempting choice.
If you like the versatility
and all-wheel drive capability of an SUV, but you’re not looking for something
big, bulky or fuel-thirsty, the subcompact 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport might
surprise you. A long list of advanced features helps bolster driver confidence,
and a reasonable price removes any fear of massive monthly payments.
Edmunds:
SUVs have been dominating the market recently to the point that
Ford recently announced it was going to largely give up on making sedans. But
there is one area where the traditional four-door holds an advantage: hybrid
efficiency. The latest hybrid sedans are posting truly impressive fuel economy,
and a great example is the fully redesigned 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid.
The Avalon Hybrid debuts alongside the conventionally powered
Avalon and is estimated by the EPA to return up to 44 mpg in combined driving.
That's almost 70 percent better than the gasoline-only Avalon, yet the Hybrid
costs only about $1,000 more. With what you'll save on gas, you could very well
recoup that added cost in just over a year and continue to reap the rewards
thereafter. From behind the wheel, the Hybrid's power deficit isn't as much of
a penalty as the numbers suggest, making it our pick in the Avalon lineup. The
hybrid batteries are mounted under the rear seats, maintaining the same trunk
capacity as the conventional Avalon while keeping the flat-folding rear
seatbacks for greater versatility. Both offer high levels of comfort and plenty
of features and blur the line between Toyota and its Lexus luxury brand.
If you're in the market for a large sedan, the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid should be among your top picks whether or not you're looking for a hybrid.
The 2019 Volkswagen Golf is fun, efficient, practical and more
sophisticated than its price suggests. Starting in the low-$20,000 range, it is
slightly pricier than rivals like the Honda Civic hatch but still among the
least expensive ways to get into a German-engineered car. The Golf lineup is
broad, spanning from the standard 4-door Golf hatchback to the sporty GTI and
the performance-oriented Golf R. There’s even the all-electric e-Golf, but its
range pales compared to rivals. The Golf family also extends to the larger
SportWagen and adventurous Alltrack, reviewed separately. For 2019, the VW Golf
hatchback gets a less powerful but more efficient new engine, plus new safety
features. The updates help keep the Golf an athletic, premium-feeling
alternative to mainstream rivals.
If you want a practical, handsome hatchback with the athletic
driving manners for which European cars are known, all at a digestible price,
the 2019 VW Golf was made for you. Driving enthusiasts will love the excellent
handling of the GTI, while the Golf R packs even more power and all-wheel
drive.
