November 27, 2017April 25, 2018

2017 GMC Canyon and the Chevy Colorado

Andrew Harwood

2017 GMC Canyon and the Chevy Colorado

November 27, 2017

Highly coveted as the pillars of mid-sized trucks, the 2017 Colorado and the 2017 Canyon are cut from the same cloth. Both developed by General Motors, the two are virtually identical

Both developed by General Motors, the two are virtually identical in specifications. However I am going to break them both down to give my opinion on which does pull out ahead. Now, this is going to be similar to deciding which one is better Pepsi or Coke, but it’s ultimately going to boil down to preferability.

Both offer a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine giving effective drivability and tow rating. Both have the capability of hauling 7700 pounds which is impressive for a mid-sized truck. This is ideal for buyers looking for a capable vehicle that is more practical to maneuver around. With a gracious amount of torque (369-lbs) and upgraded 8-speed transmission, there is no usually lag off the line when driving. The Duramax turbo-diesel and turbo-diesel featured in the Chevy Colorado both are surprisingly quiet. I was anticipating that there would be a louder than usual hum from the engine. However, both trucks feature an extra layer of paneling to lower the sound.

Edge: Tie

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The offered diesel engine capability makes the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon the most fuel-efficient trucks on the market. The Chevy Colorado offers a 13.6L/100km city and a 9.9L/100km highway. The Canyon edges out over Colorado. The GMC Canyon sports a 10.8L/100km city and 7.7L/100km highway capability. This may be only a slight improvement, but this could be costly since gas prices are sky-high at the moment.

Edge: GMC Canyon

Safety-wise General Motors has supplied both trucks with 6 standard airbags, lane departure warning, collision alert, traction control and StabiliTrak® stability control system. StabiliTrak® seamlessly detects unrecognizable or un-foreseeable road conditions like ice or hydroplaning. Both also offer a 5 years/160 000 km powertrain limited warranty.

Edge: Tie

The interior of both trucks is simple and lacks flare. It’s preferred for most people that don’t want too many complicated nobs and switches, but the lack of push start and keyless entry is a miss. There is seating for five, and is spacious for being mid-sized trucks. The display screen and technology are Apple car play compatible as well as a featured Wi-Fi hotspot. The seats are made of a higher quality material in the GMC Canyon which takes the edge in the category. Not to mention the GMC Canyon features the Denali® upgrade possibility.

Edge: GMC Canyon

The exterior is more of personal judgment and opinion. They both have similar features, both look nice but this comes down to the small features. Similar to the attraction of a person, you may find things that look nice in one, but the nose is a little off, compared to the bad eyebrows on another. This is where people will have to choose for themselves. The Chevy Colorado has a rugged look to the hood in the Zr2 class, giving it a meaner look. However, the GMC Canyon has additions of chrome in the grille and door handles. Now, personally feel the GMC Canyon grille is more appealing than the Colorado.

Edge: GMC Canyon

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Being two identical mid-sized trucks, it’s apparent upon dissecting that the GMC Canyon is suited more for the executive, business class while the Chevy Colorado is for the everyday blue collar worker. Styling wise is important to some, but functionality and performance are what it comes down to. Both mid-sized trucks will get the job done. However one surprisingly comes at a lower price. This brings me to my verdict being the Chevy Colorado is the better truck out of the two. The Price of the GMC Canyon is starting at $23 160, while the Chevy Colorado starts at $22 130. Regardless, it’s all about priorities. Some people are willing to shackle up more money for the slight increase in luxury. However, I am not. I am as cheap as they come.

Verdict: Chevy Colorado

Key Points:

GMC Canyon

Starting at: $23 160
8L/100km City and 7.7L/100km Highway
8-litre 4 cylinder Duramax® Eco-Diesel

Chevy Colorado

Starting at: $22 130
6L/100km City and 9.9L/100km Highway
8-litre 4 cylinder turbo-diesel

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November 27, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Honda Ridgeline – Review

Ian Harwood

2017 Honda Ridgeline – Review

November 27, 2017

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Touring edition is so versatile; it is like having a Swiss army knife that you can drive.

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Touring edition is so versatile; it is like having a Swiss army knife that you can drive. Open the tailgate down or swing it open sideways and you have access to a durable steel reinforced composite box that is dent and corrosion resistant. Push a button, and the hatch pops up to reveal an in bed trunk. Now if I could only figure out where they put the toothpick?

Looks:

I had the pleasure of driving the Touring model, which included a truck bed audio system, great for tailgate parties or just singing in the rain. The Ridgeline’s new molded design is not only aerodynamic but stylish, and the swept back headlights blend seamlessly into the front fenders.

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In the Cab:

There is seating for five, with lots of leg room in the back. The front seats are heated and are fully adjustable. The navigation system with its 8” touch screen is well positioned and is easy to reach and with the steering wheel mounted controls and voice recognition commands you should have no problem getting where you want to go.

Safety First:

The Ridgeline has many safety features including: side curtain airbags, front active head restraints, vehicle stability control, four-wheel anti-lock braking system with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, front and rear parking sensors, backup camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot alert, rear cross traffic alert and road departure warnings.

Power:

A 3.5 Litre V6 engine with 280 horses and 262 ft-lbs of torque power this truck. It also features variable valve timing and lifts electronic control (VTEC) technology as well as a dual-stage intake manifold. These systems work together to maximize torque and increase horsepower as your speed increases. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with grade logic control that locks in a lower gear when traveling down a hill. There is also an ECON button to help stretch your fuel budget a little further.

Pump Frequency:

Fuel economy numbers are impressive. 12.8/9.5 litres / 100 km (city/highway)

Warranty support:

Three years/ 60,000 km standard
Five years/ 100,000 km powertrain
Three years/ unlimited roadside assistance
Eight year/ 130,000 km emissions warranty

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Roadworthy:

Honda did nearly everything right with the Ridgeline. Car like traits are immediately noticeable, and the vehicle’s slightly heavy feel is mixed with considerable overall refinement. Performance is strong and confident, if not exactly blistering. The response is quick, easy and seamless from the engine and automatic transmission. The seats are firm and very supportive, and a large speedometer is easy to read.

The Ridgeline Baja Race truck made its debut this year. Strong finish considering a soccer mom was driving with three kids in the back screaming “are we there yet.”

Drivers can expect a smooth ride on good roads and a satisfying experience on rougher pavement. The Ridgeline stays reasonably flat in curves, but it’s not quite as surefooted as some SUVs on narrow twisty roads. It seems a little uncertain through some demanding turns.

Verdict:

Honda first introduced the Ridgeline to us in 2005 and had since improved, made changes, and listened to its customers on all aspects of this truck. Although not the first to offer this combination of an SUV and a pickup, they certainly stuck with it and cut out their own niche market

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October 17, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Mazda MX-5 RF – Review

Jared Syrenne

2017 Mazda MX-5 RF – Review

October 17, 2017

This 4th generation Mazda Miata was an impressive build on the quarter of a century of race-inspired driving. The MX-5 is Mazda’s only current sports car, and as always the only convertible in the lineup.

The MX-5 is Mazda’s only current sports car, and as always the only convertible in the lineup. Mazda pretty much has the small, lightweight and affordable droptop/sports car market all to itself. With a history of being the bestselling roadster, the new addition of the RF or retractable fastback just made sense. As always MX-5 or Miata as I keep wanting to call it has an excellent power to weight ratio, which has been heightened by the use of premium new aged materials. The use of aluminum and ultra‑high‑tensile steel has shed approximately 20% of the weight of its previous generation model.

Powered by the 2.0 Liter SKYACTIV-G, this naturally aspirated inline-four produces 155hp @6000 rpm. Now while those specs might not be as sexy on paper as the 205hp dished out by the BRZ/86 frankencar, or the 160hp from the very similar Fiat 124. That’s not what this car is about, top speed and acceleration come second to drivability and hugging tight corners. That being said it has an edge on the BRZ/86 by being the lightest in its class and can deliver power more smoothly and on a lower rpm band then its high revving turbo lagging Italian cousin.

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Now you don’t sit in a Miata so much as you wear it. As a shorter guy, I had the feeling that if you were taller than six and a half feet you might start feeling like you are in a clown car, and with the roof down, you probably would be more comfortable with your head looking over the windshield instead of through it. Another common complaint from passengers and our other drivers was it felt like your butt was dragging on the ground, and that feeling is justified with only just over a foot of clearance from your backside to the road. Throwing everything the Miata or sorry MX-5 had into some of our back road mountain twists and turns certainly brought a smile to my face, and it made the driving experience quite enjoyable, the small cramped interior threw a wrench into the whole daily driver/year round car plan. Creature comforts are kept to a bare minimum, while it had things like weirdly placed cup holders, and a minuscule space for items like keys and phone, there was a lack of space and places like door pockets or a traditional glove box were nowhere to be found.

The model we’re testing was the Mazda MX-5 RF, and with the whole “being a convertible” as a huge selling point, it was nice to have the option of a mechanically lowered hard top. Cruising around with some beautiful sunshine and warm weather, it was easy to see why people fall in love with a drop top. I expected the hardtop to insulate me better from typical road noises, but while driving the MX-5 around I found myself on more than one occasion checking to make sure the windows were closed due to an incredibly noisy cabin. Also, the RF suffered from some visibility issues due to the impossibly small rear window and thick B-pillars. Backing this small car up also threw me off as normally I would place my arm around the back of the passenger seat to assist in swiveling my body to get a better view out the rear window. However as the MX-5 cabin pretty much ends right behind the seat, this was quite impossible and had me accidentally punching the back window as I attempted to turn my body.

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So while the Mazda MX-5 was a fun car to cruise around in the sun, the size and functionality of the vehicle make it just another toy to play with during the summer. Starting at 30k this is one expensive cruiser that I would be fine doing without.

Key Features:

Starting from $31,900
Mazda Unlimited features unlimited mileage for our 3-YEAR New Vehicle, 3-YEAR Roadside Assistance, 5-YEAR Powertrain and 7-YEAR Anti-Perforation warranties
Fuel Efficiency
- City – 8.8 L/100 km
- Hwy – 6.9 L/100 km
4-Cyl 2.0 Liter SKYACTIV-G
Horsepower 155 @ 6000rpm
Torque 148 ft/lbs @ 4600rpm
RWD
Curb Weight 1,058 Kg

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October 10, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Brown Bros Racing – Ford F150

Ian Harwood

2017 Brown Bros Racing – Ford F150

October 10, 2017

2017 Ford SVT Raptor is in hot demand; customers are flocking to the dealers trying to get their hands on one of these. Brown Bros Ford racing division has the answer.

They have started a Raptor factory and are cranking out their own version of the Raptor, based on a 2017 F150 XLT Supercrew 4×4 FX4. The factory F150 starts out with a 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This motor produces 375 horsepower at 5750 rpm with 470-pound feet of torque. The 10-speed transmission allows you to save fuel for your everyday driving. Shifting more often means less time putting the twin turbos through their paces. Save that for the off-road.

Brown Bros Racing 2017 F150 XLT Interior

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Factory installed voice-activated navigation shown on a 4.2” productivity screen plots your desired drive route although does not work when you yell “get me out of this mud hole” unless you are talking about the one you created washing your truck outside your house.

The convenience package includes backup sensors, rearview camera, power sliding rear window, remote starter, 400w power inverter, LED box lighting. The truck is then customized by their in-house tech department.

Ford factory trained mechanics install a 4” Zone suspension lift with off-road shocks. This lift will enhance the truck’s abilities off-road, very similar to a Raptor the shocks will absorb the terrain without catapulting the truck in either direction; it will also give you a firm but smooth ride on-road. The exhaust is changed in favor of a Magnaflow performance system that not only improves performance but sounds great too. The grille is replaced with an aftermarket Raptor grille that looks right at home on this truck. Addictive desert design front bumper is added with Rigid LED lights all across the front. Night becomes day with this many lights.

Brown Bros Racing 2017 F150 XLT Front Bumper

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You can start to see the Baja race-inspired vehicle starting to claw its way out. Bushwacker flares provide ideal coverage for the new Toyo MT 35X12.5X18 tires with 18”x9 Fuel Maverick wheels. I personally have had a set of these tires and found them to be terrific on and off-road. The tires increase your ground clearance and give you much more ability to climb over obstacles such as rocks, falling trees or that futon bed your wife dragged to the curb. The interior is not overlooked, with the addition of Katzkin leather seats with custom stitching. Add that to the already great factory interior you have yourself a sweet ride.

The 5.5’ truck box is covered by a Bakflip matte black tonneau cover that can open in two sections to allow larger items to be transported.

This truck is ready to play and looks good doing so. Head down to Brown Bothers Ford and check them out.

Price $75,607

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September 18, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Lexus IS 350 – Review

Andrew Harwood

2017 Lexus IS 350 – Review

September 18, 2017

The new look of the 2017 IS models being that of the new rear-wheel-drive IS 200t, the all-wheel-drive IS 300, and the almighty IS 350 is that of both swagger and sleekness.

It’s almost as if Lexus has captured Denzel in Man on Fire with its fierceness. The IS 350 looks like it can casually leave a scene of fire chaos and look bold while doing so. The front end has a draped black “netting” outlined in a unique shape. Along with air intake ventilation accompanying the grille, the IS 350 also features a checkmark style LED lights underneath the existing headlights. It has a low stance look to the overall vehicle giving a more powerful look. From the backside, the IS 350 has sleek taillights sharply jagged and wrapping around the sides of the vehicle. The exhaust looks substantially larger and produces a decent roar.

The interior of the IS 350 gets upgraded with the F-Sport. Beginning with the bucket seating, you feel one with the vehicle. It also features nice trim accents along the vehicle which is always a nice touch. The display screen gets a sizable upgrade increasing to 10.3 inches, slopped into the dashboard. Features the standard mouse-type control button to operate the screen, which I found to be finicky due to the inconstant ability to click what you want to. Which is severely dangerous when you are driving due to frustration because you cannot scroll through your ABBA playlist.

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The Lexus IS 350 also brings forth the Lexus Safety System+, An innovation that pre-anticipates a collision with vehicles or pedestrians. The system uses the camera and millimeter-wave radar to analyze hazards in the wake of the vehicle. If your reaction is slow to vehicle slamming on the brakes in front of your IS 350, it will inflict visual alerts and brake assistance as needed. If no action is taken by the driver the IS 350 will take over from your unsafe hands, and automatically brake itself.

Powering the engine of the IS 350 is a V6 six-speed transmission that has been tuned to produce 306 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft of torque. This topping the IS 300 AWD’s 3.5L V6 engine and the IS 200t 2-litre turbocharged four cylinders respectively. Standard in all models is the three mode selection of Eco, Normal, and Sports adaptation, however, with the IS 350 it features a Sport Plus mode where it tightens the suspension, alters the throttle, and optimizes the driving experience. The fuel efficiency is standard amongst competitor sedans, with a 12.6L/100km City and 9.2L/100km Highway. This, however, can be improved by sacrificing performance and sticking to the Eco-mode option.

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The overall drive of the IS 350 was impressive. The handling was sharp around bends thanks to the all-wheel drive. The suspension firmly kept the vehicle tight around corners and minimized the body jolting of other vehicles gliding through corners along the Sea to Sky highway. The IS 350 is recommended for anyone that is a performance enthusiast at a very reasonable cost. This sedan is somewhat spacious but, head and legroom for rear passengers are disappointing. Selfishly the IS 350 is made for the driver’s enjoyment.

An innovative sedan that does nothing but, holds up to the title.

Key Points:

Sticker Price: $53,350
V6 engine with 6-speed transmission
Lexus Safety System+
10-year/100 000 km warranty

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September 12, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Jaguar XE S – Review

Jared Syrenne

2017 Jaguar XE S – Review

September 12, 2017

Takes the idea of “fun to drive” very seriously The Jaguar XE is a new addition to the Jaguar stable and is positioned as an entry to the impressive Jaguar lineup.

However, Top Motorist was able to test the pinnacle of XE power, with the Jaguar XE S. The XE is immediately recognizable and offers North American consumers a new choice in European sports cars. The English manufacturer is hoping to eke out some market share from the dominant and always impressive German powerhouses: Audi, Mercedes, and BMW.

Jaguar invested $2.5 billion in facilities to build the XE at its Solihull, U.K., plant. The focus of these upgrades was to build the XE’s with an aluminum body and components, that same technology is also a first for this class of car. These advancements leave the XE not only with sexy lines and curves, but sitting at a curb weight of 3787lb is quite a bit lighter than the Mercedes C43 AMG(3900 lb.), and the BMW 340i xDrive (3802 lb.)

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While there were five models of the XE to choose from, this review will focus on the more exciting XE S. This car uses the same engine as the F-type, with a 3.0L V6 and twin vortex supercharger. This machine gives a road-gripping 380hp, going 0-100 in 5.2 seconds. However, at the price point of $61,500, this premium trim has some explaining to do. Both the Mercedes C43 AMG (MSRP $56,600) and the BMW 340i xDrive (MSRP $56,200) are heavier and have less horsepower but will leave the Jaguar XE S fractions behind on the 0-100km, by up to ½ a second.

However, in the end, it’s not all about the numbers. The Jaguar XE S was a very fun car to drive. The almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution and the advanced double wishbone front suspension design that was based on the F-TYPE sports car, provide all the exciting car driving experience I could want. Also with four driving modes: Standard, Eco, Dynamic or Rain/Ice/Snow, the XE is good to go wherever the road may take you whether that might be the track or driving home from a day at the office.

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The inside is as impeccably designed as one would expect from a maker of often $100k+ vehicles. With a simple and pleasing atheistic the XE is sure to turn heads both inside and out. With a push of a button, the Jaguar lets out a deep growl and up pops the JaguarDrive Control which rises to greet your hand. The model we drove had an amazing 825-watt surround sound system delivered through 17 speakers, all designed by another excellent British manufacturer Meridian. My only complaint was similar to the rest of the internet, a disappointment in the laggy 10.2 touchscreens full of useless apps. The lack of physical button’s meant that you had to constantly reach out to make entertainment changes as you were driving. However, with the optional laser Head-Up Display and the high-definition 12.3” Virtual Instrument Display, it was easy to keep my attention on the enjoyment of the ride.

Key Features:

MSRP $61,500 CND
380 hp @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft torque @ 3,500 – 5,000 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/hr. in 5.2 seconds

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August 7, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Toyota 86 – Review

Jared Syrenne

2017 Toyota 86 – Review

August 7, 2017

The rebranded “86” is a refreshing addition to extremely limited Toyota RWD lineup. Born from the ashes of the now dead Scion brand, the 86 is the reincarnate of the FRS.

Starting as the groupthink project by Subaru and Scion, this small, affordable sports car makes a welcomed appearance in the Toyota brand. Being their only current two doors, rear wheel drive car, this addition is a clear nod to the past and the much loved Toyota Celica/Supra.

There wasn’t much that changed during the rebadge except for really the badge itself. You’ll see a few minor tweaks in places like the bumpers and lights. Toyota also did some tuning and re-gearing which is all that differentiates this from the nearly identical Subaru BRZ

The 86 is a sleek car with all the lines and shapes expected in a true sports car. It is a true back to the basics sports car. It’s a lightweight, rear wheel drive coupe, with Toyota focusing on the handling and driving experience. While it does give some much-needed choice to the entry-level sports car line, the “sports” is mostly external. The unique 2.0l flat 4 Boxer engine helps deliver a lower profile and center of gravity, making for a sportier feeling ride.

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However, to get the price tag to start at only $29,580, the Toyota scrapped everything that doesn’t fit the sports car image. Unfortunately, that might have meant giving up some raw off the line power. The Toyota 86 powerhouse pushes out a very unsatisfactory 200hp with 156ft. Lbs of torque. This pushes the almost 1300kg car from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. When compared to similarly priced but much more powerful Nissan 370z, a 332hp v6 that goes 0-60 in over a second faster, the Toyota 86 looks like less of a sports car and more of a daily driver. Except that even the 1.5L Honda Civic Si, puts out the same HP, but with much better fuel economy.

The interior is also quite minimalist. While I expect there only to be two seats in a coupe (who uses the backseat in a two-door??) the cockpit of this vehicle is severely lacking. Toyota drives home the back to basics look with a dash that would look more at home in a higher end car from 20 years ago. Many of the tech goodies found standard in cars that are half the price are missing in this vehicle. While if you’ve never had some of those features, I’m sure your driving experience wouldn’t suffer, drivers who have had the pleasure of using them may be turned off this vehicle just for that reason.

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In conclusion, the Toyota 86 is a welcomed addition to the lineup. It marks the re-entry of the Toyota brand into the RWD sports car market. At the under 30k starting point this is a perfect vehicle for a young adult to get their hands on a brand new driving machine. Toyota has ensured that the focus of this car is on the driving experience, especially if you enjoy drifting more so than speed. To keep the price on the lower end, the Toyota 86 cuts out all the frills and leaves you with a fun to drive RWD coupe good for the daily grind yet still suitable for the occasional rip around some winding backroads, or the hugging some curves on the track.

Key Features:

Starting at $29,580
2.0L flat 4 Boxer engine
205hp @ 7000rpm
156 ft. lbs. torque @ 6400rpm
0-60mph in 6.2 seconds
1252kg base curb weight
Seating for 4

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July 30, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 Toyota 4Runner – Review

Ian Harwood

2017 Toyota 4Runner – Review

July 30, 2017

Rugged, sporty, and bold are some of the words that come to mind when describing the 2017 Toyota 4runner.

Looks:

Toyota has a history in this province with a strong following making it an icon for the past thirty years. The large grille opening and molded headlights look like a big mouth bass coming up out of the water and biting down on your lure, how’s that for adventure? And the good thing is there is no limit on how many you can take.

In The Cab:

The 4Runner has two rows of seats, with an optional 3rd row, available on the upgrade and premium packages.

There’s an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable passenger seat, 40/20/40 split second-row seats, and 40/20/40 split third-row seats which include an optional one-touch walk-in feature to ease access to the back. All the knobs and dials have a rubber texture to emphasize the outdoor theme. The standard model comes with an eight-speaker, 160 watts AM/FM/CD system with an XM satellite-ready antenna. While the premium version receives a JBL AM/FM/CD/4 disc in dash changer that puts out 660 watts of power and includes; a sub-woofer, 15 speakers, iPod connectivity, steering wheel audio controls and Entune multimedia bundle. Entune includes destination search, iHeart radio, movie tickets.com, open table, Pandora, and Facebook. Great, now we’re going to hear “ honestly officer, I was just posting a picture of you walking towards my truck on Facebook.” There is a12-volt DC power outlet located in the center console, glove box, and cargo area. The Trail edition and limited models feature a 400 watt AC power outlet. An available sliding rear cargo tray holds up to 200 kg and comes in very handy when camping.

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Safety First:

Dual stage driver and passenger airbag, front seat-mounted side airbags, roll-sensing front and rear head/side curtain, driver and front passenger knee airbags and active front headrests with whiplash protection. Front and rear parking assist sonar.

Power:

Powering the 4Runner is a 4.0-litre V6 dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i ) V6 engine that produces an impressive 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque.

Pump Frequency:

12.6L/100km city
9.2L/100km highway

Warranty Support:

Basic 36 months/ 60,000 km
Powertrain 36 months/ 100,000 km
Corrosion perforation/ unlimited km
Roadside assistance 36 months / 60,000 km

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Roadworthy:

Whenever I have a chance to test drive a Toyota 4Runner, I always talk about its legendary off-road capabilities, especially here in BC. What I don’t always talk about is the great on-road driving capabilities. The Toyota 4Runner hugs the road, and the bucket seats hug you. It is very comfortable to drive, and you feel safe driving it. The suspension and shocks give you a firm ride but not enough to give you that washboard effect. Vision while driving is superb, with little to no blind spots. The thick steering wheel and responsive steering make you feel like you’re driving a car. Now, all we need is a Hybrid model.

Verdict:

The Toyota 4Runner is on just about everybody’s wish list. Time to put on the red sports coat and jump!

Sticker Price:

SR5 $34,210
SR5 Premium $36,040
TRD Off-road $37,335
TRD Off-road Premium $ 39,295

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June 19, 2017April 25, 2018

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2017 BMW 750i xDrive – Review

Andrew Harwood

2017 BMW 750i xDrive – Review

June 19, 2017

Adopting the phrase, “luxury reinvented” the BMW 750i xDrive is giving its drivers a taste of future. The most impressive aspects of this car aren’t even directed at the driver.

Adopting the phrase, “luxury reinvented” the BMW 750i xDrive is giving its drivers a taste of future. The most impressive aspects of this car aren’t even directed at the driver. You may want to hire someone to drive you while you enjoy the roof light show and entertainment screen. This vehicle lays out an LED carpet for you as you walk towards the door. BMW has flooded this car with features to make a statement against its biggest competitor the Mercedes S-Class. It has succeeded. Accompanied by a monumental list of features are a superb driving experience and enhanced performance.

With a 4.4L twin turbo engine, this BMW 750i bolsters 445 horsepower. The sound transmitting from the exhaust demonstrates the sheer power of this machine with the appropriate luxury sound level inside the vehicle. The frame is made from lightweight aluminum, accompanied with carbon fiber accents in the body making this luxury sedan incredibly light. These innovations will reduce your co2 emissions by 25%. Fuel efficiency is decent, using the stop and start feature; the BMW 750i has a fuel rating of 14.7/100km City and 9.7. Air vents and radiator grille automatically controls the air flow to the engine bay as well as providing aerodynamics and efficiency.

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Do yourself a favor and take a test drive of this BMW 750i xDrive, at night time. Wait, scratch that. Get a friend or loved one to drive this vehicle at night, while you kick back and enjoy the backseat. Like I said the most impressive aspect of this car is not directed at the person behind the wheel. BMW has put an onslaught on your senses. Beginning with smell, the 750i provides a fragrance ionizer. Its driver and passengers are treated to fermented scents all controlled by the display to increase or decrease the strength. The sense of touch; well, the display screens behind the seats, front display, and removable tablet-(yeah, removable!) all are touch screen activation. Allowing for controlling of entertainment and functionality to be conducted throughout. Did I also mention a key fob display that may be a bit unnecessary, but a unique feature that publishes a variety of vehicle information. Controlling some of the display screens can even be conducted by gestures. For your sight, an increased size of the heads up display is a subtle but valuable improvement. Taking a page from Rolls Royce, BMW has an interior light show cascading the entire roof and siding. Colors are changeable of course. Bower and Wilkens surround system will do any song justice and provides crisp quality for your hearing pleasure. This brings me to the last sense of taste. You are probably thinking to yourself; no way have they had something for that as well. Even though it isn’t highlighted anywhere in regards to this vehicle, nor have I tried it myself, but try giving the luscious leather a lick.

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The overall drive of this vehicle was fantastic. It does, however, have a minor jerk when pushing the gas to take off, however, resulting in a lag. The BMW 750i has new innovative engineering with the suspension adjustments. It contains a new adaptive mode that dynamically shifts looseness suspension as you are driving which I recommend should be the default. By default it drives in a comfort setting, giving it a balloon type feel. Overall though it is a technically advanced vehicle with a list of features longer than a Donald Trump’s bizarre tweeting record. (Maybe not.) My only critique of the vehicle would be the lack of innovation to the exterior of the vehicle. I can understand keeping the classic BMW look, but maybe something with the grill or rear to have slick appearance would be good. Never the less, it’s an inventive piece of German engineering well worth the sticker price, or a test drive if you aren’t high class.

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