Older vehicles WORTH A SECOND LOOK
On sale for at least a year in their current forms, these three are on display at the AutoShow
Given the emphasis placed on new products at auto shows, be it production cars or concepts, it can be hard for older vehicles to stand out, at least in terms of media coverage.
My colleagues and I are expected to focus on the new stuff, and we do. And it makes sense, as there is an expectation our audiences are familiar with older vehicles because we talked about them when they were new.
But this doesn’t mean older vehicles aren’t still deserving of attention. And when I say older, I’m referring to vehicles that have been on sale for at least a year in their current forms. Everything that isn’t new for 2019 or 2020 would be considered older in this context.
A lack of space keeps me from listing them all, so I’ll focus on three currently on display at the Canadian International AutoShow that aren’t new or refreshed for 2019 but are still worth checking out.
The AutoShow will open its doors this morning at 10 a.m. as well as tomorrow and Sunday. The doors will close for good on the 2019 show at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Acura TLX The mid-size TLX sedan received a significant facelift in 2017 for the 2018 model year that brought with it a slew of changes, including new front and rear-end styling, new headlights, tail lights and wheels. Interior updates included new available sport seating, along with a revised instrument cluster, centre console and infotainment system.
On the powertrain front, two engines and transmission combinations are available. The base powertrain is a 2.4-litre
four-cylinder (206 hp/182 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed automatic that drives the front wheels. The mid to upper end of the model range receives a 3.5litre V6 (290 hp/267 lb-ft) that is paired with a nine-speed automatic and Acura’s SuperHandling All-Wheel Drive system.
I’ve driven the TLX A-Spec a couple of times over the past 18 months and am impressed with the car’s excellent combination of sharp styling, engaging driving dynamics and high level of content for the money. If you’re in the executive sedan market, the TLX is worthy of consideration.
Eight TLX models are available for the 2019 model year that range from $36,190 to $51,190. Audi S5 Cabriolet I realize it’s February, but I’m including the Audi S5 Cabriolet anyway because the warm weather will eventually return (hopefully!) and this ragtop is an ideal vehicle for long drives on warm summer days and nights.
The S5 Cab (an S5 coupe is also available) is the sportier sibling of the mid-size A5 coupe A5 Cab and is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 (349 hp/369 lb-ft) paired with an eight-speed automatic and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. And while it may not be the fastest, it’s still fast enough: 0-100 km/h in five seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h.
Audi Canada was kind enough to loan me an S5 Cab last summer and it was an absolute delight. The power top operates with precision, and the combination of Audi’s gorgeous virtual cockpit display, nappa leather interior and powerful turbo V6 makes for an ideal warmweather cruiser.
If you’ve ever thought of treating yourself to a fun car that also has some built-in practicality (usable back seat, 263-litre trunk, AWD), you might want to add the S5 Cabriolet to your shopping list.
The 2019 S5 Cabriolet starts at $73,500. GMC Acadia The mid-size GMC Acadia SUV was all-new in 2017 when it came out seven inches shorter and almost 700 pounds lighter than its predecessor. The ’17 Acadia also received new exterior styling and an updated in- terior. Seating for up to seven passengers is available, depending on model.
The Acadia has two powertrains on offer. The base engine is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder (193 hp/188 lb-ft) and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that is available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The upper-grade engine is a 3.6-litre V6 (310 hp/217 lbft) mated to a six-speed automatic that is also available with front or all-wheel drive.
I reviewed the Acadia Denali shortly after it arrived in 2017 and was quite impressed with its comfortable ride, sharp styling and shorter dimensions that still yield a lot of interior space. It also has a 4,000-pound towing capacity which is impressive for a mid-size SUV. The Acadia has a lot of competitors, but it’s worth a look of you’re looking for a mid-size utility that delivers a lot of value for money.
The Acadia comes in five main grades for 2019. The base SLE-1 with the 2.5-litre engine and front-wheel drive has an MSRP of $34,300, while the rangetopping Denali with the 3.6-litre V6 and all-wheel drive checks in at $53,200.