New models for 2019
These new models are right around the corner
Although we have not yet reached the midpoint of calendar 2018, it’s not too early to begin talking about some of the most important new-vehicle launches of the 2019 model year. Not surprisingly, the offerings are heavily weighted toward utility vehicles and pickups, and light on four-door sedans. But that’s how the market is going these days.
FORD RANGER
One of the reasons Ford Motor Co. made the shocking announcement that it’s basically abandoning making sedans is that it is so successful with trucks. And for 2019, Ford is bringing back the midsized Ranger pickup brand. Like the larger F-150, the Ranger will come in a variety of trim and cab configurations, with a plethora of options for on- and off-road driving. The Ranger might help everyone forget about the impending demise of the Taurus, Fusion and Fiesta.
VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON
While Volkswagen has done well in the utility market with the seven-passenger Atlas and the heavily revised (and improved) Tiguan, the company is not abandoning the sedan market. Quite the opposite. The new-for-2019 Arteon has four doors, is shaped like a slippery coupe and features premium appointments, especially in- side. Under the hood is a 268-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which is mated to an eightspeed automatic transmission. Handsome and well-equipped, the Arteon is proof that there’s still life in the sedan segment.
HONDA INSIGHT
When it goes on sale this summer, the 2019 Insight will be the newest electrified Honda, following the Accord Hybrid and the Claritysedan series. Unlike some hybrids on the market, the Insight is stylish and luxurious, instead of merely sensible and practical. In fact, Honda’s latest hybrid is downright elegant and with fuel prices rising, this could be the right car at the right time.
CADILLAC XT4
How bad does Cadillac need a winner? General Motors’ luxury brand bet on expensive sedans that drew great reviews in the automotive press but never really caught on in the marketplace. Perhaps not surprisingly, Cadillac’s president and chief marketing officer have left the company in the last six months. A bright spot is the XT4 compact utility vehicle, giving Cadillac a competitor in a segment where previously it had no product at all. Up to now, the freight has been almost entirely carried by one ride: the XT5 utility vehicle.
JAGUAR I-PACE
The first battery-electric vehicle to be offered by Jaguar, the I-Pace utility vehicle produces 394 horsepower through a pair of electric motors. With the right charging hardware, the I-Pace can get up to 80 per cent battery capacity in 40 minutes, instead of hours. And on a full charge, it has a claimed range of 290 miles (about 465 kilometres). It’s quick, too, reaching 60 mph (96 km/h) from a standing start in 4.5 seconds.
LEXUS UX
Compact utility vehicles are hot commodities these days, and the 2019 Lexus UX certainly checks all the right boxes with its funky-butchic styling and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which is available in the standard configuration or with electric-motor assist. This hybrid model adds all-wheel-drive, which is a bonus for drivers in northern regions and dealing with wintery climes. Amazon Alexa technology is integrated, allowing drivers to have Alexa play music, read books on Kindle, or control smart home devices from the cockpit.
LINCOLN AVIATOR
Lincoln caught Cadillac napping with the stunning reimaging of the 2018 Navigator, which is selling in record numbers despite a price tag that can reach six figures for the top-of-the-line models. Now comes the second Lincoln assault wave, led by the midsized Aviator, which looks like a slightly smaller Navigator but still has three rows of seats. The competing Cadillac XT5 only has two rows. A plug-in hybrid Aviator will also be available.
SUBARU ASCENT
With the new Ascent, Subaru finally has a proper seven-seat utility vehicle to flesh out its product line. The Ascent is built at Subaru’s facility in Lafeyette, Ind., where the automaker also produces the Outback wagon, Legacy sedan and Impreza compact sedan/hatchback models. To ramp up for production of the Ascent, Subaru added about 200 new jobs and invested about US $140 million in plant upgrades.