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Hi there, it's your favorite staff writer! Okay, maybe I am embellishing this a bit. It has been about six months since I have announced that I would stepping away from my full-time role as a staff writer for a job with JATO Dynamics as a specs researcher. This past week marked six months at the new job and I thought it would be a good time to give an update of where I stand. To start, the new job has been working out very well. Most of my work deals with taking data from automakers on various vehicles and putting into our systems. That may seem tedious (and there makes and model where it is that), but I am oddly enjoying. I think a lot of comes from figuring out what automaker means by one feature and translating it to our nomenclature. Blind spot monitoring is a good example as a number of automakers have their own to name to make it seem exclusive, even though it is just sensors around the vehicle - see GM's Side Blind Zone Alert as an example. It doesn't hurt that writing a bunch of news and driving various new cars also helps out. The major downside has been traffic. Our illustrious Road Commission decided to start some extensive road construction along various parts of I-75, which makes up a majority of my commute. Instead of taking 20 minutes or so, it takes now around a hour because I want to avoid driving in gridlock. This means waking up a bit earlier than I want to and being quite tired at the end of day. I've been taking quick cat naps to help me not feel as tired. But what this has done is made me not do anything when I get home, such as writing or anything else. I know some of this construction is bound to wrap-up before winter and hopefully I'll be able to get back on track with other stuff. You may have notice that I'm not been here as much, in terms of commenting or writing much. Some of that is self-imposed to give my mind a break and hopefully allow the creative juices to come in. The past few months before starting the job, I could tell that I wasn't enjoying writing. Instead of words flowing out, it felt like I pulling them out. I've been getting stuff up here and there, mostly reviews (and I still have more incoming, the manilla folder of doom has around 10 or so vehicles). Right now, it feels somewhat easier to get stuff out. But it is taking a much longer time. Hopefully, I will be caught up towards the end of year. This also stinks because there are various opinion pieces I would like to get up such What's going on Cadillac and Is Mazda making the right call with Premium? These ideas are just in my head, but haven't gone much further than that. I should just write down the various bits somewhere that I could look back on whenever my mind is somewhat recovered. But it has been a nice break, to see stuff happening and not feel like I NEED TO GET THIS STORY UP RIGHT THIS SECOND. Breathers are a good thing. So it is a mix of good and bad, but that is a good metaphor on life. You have the ups and downs - how you deal with them is the question. One I still haven't come up with an answer.

For Buick specifically, there is room between Envision and Enclave. The Envision is tight inside, feels smaller than the Equinox and Terrain by a good bit. The Enclave is, of course, cavernous. That said, I think the contraction will mostly hit cars rather than SUVs. Expect to see the Regal canceled. In the event of a recession, Buick could be in the right spot for people who can't justify the cost of an Audi lease anymore. Buick is going to end up the brand of an SUV for every purse or pocket. 2 Encores (small and smaller), Envision, Envoy??, Enclave, and somewhere in there Enspire. What GM is doing with these SUVs is smart from a business perspective. If they make the Envoy the same shell as the XT6 but with Buick exterior panels and interior, they'll save a ton on development costs and still be able to market a lower price

DRIVEN: 2020 Subaru Ascent Premium (AWD 2.4 turbo) HIGHS: -Finally, what the market was looking for, a worthwhile Subaru entry into the 3 row crossover segment. And packaging, size wise, styling, just about perfect for Subaru -2.4 engine can snarl, nice go juice, and the CVT is actually fairly responsive. Moves out well, or at least feels like it does. Makes the Ascent feel sporty actually. -As mentioned above, packaging is just about perfect for Subaru. It might be considered a tweener, but it does not feel hulking or girthy...and it still will be garagable for many of those folks that would shop import brands. Cabin width not as wide as a Traverse, noticeably so...but conversely feels like a nice size upgrade from an Outback. Maybe if you try to have three in the second row its a concern but otherwise should be ok. Plenty of comfort remains and the third row is decent sized for leg room. This may be the sweet spot size of a 3 row for many customers. -Cloth seats were attractive and did feel nice at the bottom. -Simple clean dash layout, noticeably signature Subaru. Some interesting trim. -Open and airy feel inside the cabin, and likewise visibility out. In particular in front it doesn't feel significantly larger in front then a Forester or Outback. -Carlike ride and handling. At least in line with the sort of current expectations of a Subaru / Toyota / Honda type of customer. And reasonably quiet inside. -Nothing particularly egregious, and entirely in line with Subaru and Japanese car in general brand character. If you are a Subaru fan, this is your manna, this should EXCITE you. LOWS: ...all that said (above) -A few times I caught the CVT with its pants down and it went into slow response / rubber bandy mode. -Dash, to me, did feel plain and basic (and that also is entirely in character for a Subaru). I will go on record saying that a Traverse is nicer inside and much more interesting. -Steering felt light and numb enough that I can't say it was anything besides decent. All while being a huge upgrade in steering compared to other Subarus I have driven the last few years. It is very much improved compared to those. And the suspension was composed enough in the Ascent that it didn't bounce and bob and weave like I had when i drove a Forester before. -I didn't dissect the cargo area greatly but I do think maybe it is down a little bit in terms of usable dimensions compared to say, a Traverse or Atlas....probably as useful or more useful than an Acadia. -At the end of the day, apart from the kind of lively powertrain, the whole rest of the vehicle is MILQUETOAST. Which, if you are a Subaru fan, should EXCITE you. I mean, I think a Santa Fe may be more appealing emotionally. I was expecting something to feed the soul here, there is nothing. How they made it still feel lifeless while still miraculously making this vastly improved over other Subarus, must have required special skill. SUMMARY: At the end of the day, a perfectly innocuous but highly useful device that absolutely fulfills the Subaru brand character while at the same time borders on being something equal to the NPC version of an automobile. And some will absolutely love that. While superbly capable, I think I VASTLY prefer my GM's or even the VW Atlas. Seek those out instead if you want ANY personality in your 3 row family hauler.

At this point they could go for luxury scooters with the direction they are headed......

Hello, my name is irony. Have we met?

I havent looked much into this move, but I seriously question making a new brand, that looks like the old brand.

600 mile one day round trip in the Malibu yesterday. Likely the last big road trip in it. Also. Turned in a 50.9 mpg 25 mile best. Didn’t top my all time 25 mile best of 52.0 but it would have if I had two more miles before needing to exit. The 50 mile Best was 47.8 and just shy of my all time 50 mile best of 48.0. Nice mpg.

On another trip today in the pacifica after spending 600 miles in my malibu yesterday The adaptive cruise is a MUST HAVE! don’t want another car without. Totally missed having it in the Malibu yesterday on that trip . the mpg today. Even better. 270 mile sample.

Dfelt, ever the pessimist.

Contraction has been hitting cars for the better part of a decade already (volume-wise). But if the Envision is tight for its segment, dont intro a completely different SUV and leave the Envision deficient; fix the Envision!

Curious on the polecat 1 allotment volume, since it starts at $155K. Also curious on the subsequent 2 & 3 MSRPs; maybe $125K and $100K?

I assume so, but don't know.

Hopefully an appealing second gen Envision arrives before another model.

The rental company probably got a volume discount on ordering all the same color en masse...and silver has been Audi's signature hue for decades...

Droopy headliners was a GM thing in the late 70s and throughout the 80s IIRC. I've never had a vehicle w/ that issue.

FIFY ?

Nice review. I think one main thing Ascent has over many other three row crossovers is very good AWD system (unlike most other FWD based systems) and slightly higher ground clearance. Folks in Northeast and Pacific Northwest appreciate that due to their climate. I think it is basically similar in function to Mazda, I read somewhere what I think is an accurate description that CX-9 is a three row crossover for Miata owner with family (slightly less pracical but fun to drive and stylish), Ascent is for a Subaru loyalist that now needs something bigger than Forrester or Outback.

That's like a 15yr old worn out car, though. Not worth fixing.

The better question is why continue Infiniti (and Nissan) in the first place. Both are not doing well.

I think diesel trucks have quit a few hurrahs left in them before electrics take over. I like to see this kind of competition between the big three anyway.

Electric trucks are far too expensive, and after what that video showed on Tesla’s huge range degradation when towing, ‘electric trucks days’ as far as meaningful market presence are probably 50 years away.

DRIVEN: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 2.3 Ecoboost 4WD MSRP 39,770 HIGHS: -Complete redesign is sharp looking in the flesh, while still familiar and identifiable as an Explorer at the same time -Size was not sacrificed in the redesign, the Explorer is still a nice large vehicle in a time where EPA pressures are forcing smaller vehicles. -New RWD architecture dramatically improves space efficiency and driving feel all at the same time. That combination almost never has been able to exist before. Truly a complete beneficial ground up redesign. -2.3 Ecoboost now mated to new 10 speed automatic has nice pep and verve for most drivers, sounds good and smooth and refined enough. New 10 speed worked real well. -Wow, what a change in the view out the hood. Short front end (how did they do that with a RWD chassis?) and it drops away from line of sight such that your view out the front is open and airy and very easy to see what is going on; really quite awesome as far as that goes. Fairly good visibility back and sides for an SUV otherwise compared to some others. -LOTS of ergonomic and interior packaging improvements. The front seats are now farther apart and give a feel of a wider cabin, partially due to much thinner doors. The seats themselves, while a bit shy of support are typical Ford spacious for wide MUHRICAN bottoms. Even the base cloth feels of good quality. The new gauge cluster is very nice, big upgrade over typical Ford (and this the base cluster). The touch screen is nicely located and responsive and good looking. The climate controls are simple and nicely within reach. There is a nice wide console / armrest and a handy slot for phone or pens right below the touch screen. Easy and get in the rear two seats and move around the cabin. What a nice change overall in interior environment from past Fords, while still easily feeling like a Ford. -Trunk behind third row has neat flip up for a lower, flatter floor for your grocery bags (like other competitors do). Not as big behind row 3 as maybe some others, but overall cargo capacity seems just fine. -OK, RWD fans, yes this drives like a RWD vehicle...you feel pushed. I am not used to that anymore but the feel is such that those who like the feel of RWD, here you go. A big difference in feel between the 2019 and 2020. -Overall the chassis, ride, etc, the overall feel of the vehicle is that of a rugged, large, solid, sturdy ride. And decent steering feel. This does not feel completely like a truck or completely like a typical crossover SUV / car. It is something inbetween and I think drivers who have been looking forward to this new RWD chassis will like this. This vehicle feels like it would handle rural and rugged environments better than some other typical competitors. Perhaps this also partly why this is Ford's new police vehicle. LOWS: -These new Fords coming out this year its been discussed that they may have cheap interior bits. There is some of that going on here. The door and dash plastics seem like they might be very thin and the graining I think would come off more expensive looking if the quality of the plastic were better. We don't always expect much from Ford anyways for interior quality so this may not be terribly egregious anyways. If i compare it to the Traverse, I don't think you can say the Ford has better interior material quality. The Traverse IMO may still have the better interior. -The 2.3 engine while working for most people I think there will be plenty of folks drawn to the Explorer because of the RWD chassis, I might recommend they try the ST version with the high power v6....or the upcoming hybrid. If you like this vehicle and plan to invest in one long term you might see payback in owner satisfaction by upping for the more powerful options. I do think overall the feel of a six or even 8 cylinder motor would be more at home in this new ride. -While as i said above, that Ford did a good job with the design, it almost already feels old to me. It is so familiar looking that while still looking new is actually a bit tough for average people to pick out next to the 2019 (which i drove side by side before this). Color and model may help you get a unique looking Explorer, just keep that in mind. I guess the evolutionary styling works for Subaru etc. -Seats could have been more supportive IMO. I just think automakers are paring away so much at every gram of weight that items like the seats keep getting pared down so they don't feel as solid as maybe they could. -Notice I said above RWD fans will probably like the ride and handling of the Explorer. I think those that like something more carlike may not care for the somewhat trucky feel. This will be personal preference. In addition, the vehicle may feel too large to some. Also, personal preference. It felt heavy, not really agile or athletic. SUMMARY: A bellweather, a successful reinvention and repositioning of the Explorer more back to its roots and slightly a bit out of the mainstream of a crossover market segment it purposely worked to fit into with the previous generation. With its reinvention, it is a breath of fresh air into what has turned into a 'me too' segment. Still, apart from some typical Ford cheapness inside, this brand new design should sell like hotcakes and please old and new Explorer fans alike. I see this design carrying on for 8-10 years and being a big profit center for Ford. My own personal rating is a B+ for interior cheapness and as I prefer the carlike FWD feel of some of the competition, but overall I give big props to Ford for going back to what fits into the Explorer brand character in what will be a hugely successful new design.

How often is GM supposed to update its vehicles? Every single year? NOBODY Does that, not even Japan or Korea Inc. Cadillac has become a trim level. . . . . really? If true, then is a Yukon Denali better than an Escalade? What Cadillac does need is some significant distance between itself and GM corporate. Better engines and much better interiors exclusive to Cadillac come to mind. Cadillac does require a unique selling point to draw people away from Lexus and the Germans period.

Sigh... no it doesn't. IT smashes lesser cars "in the face".

I’m 5’10” and 210. It’s not so much my size as it is my bad back. Damn thing should come with KY lol! I agree about the visibility. The back window has very little viewing height to it. I liked everything else about the interior though but I get people’s gripe about the vents. They are not everyone’s cup of tea.

And yet, it is coming. There is supposed to be a vehicle in the works between the Envision and Enclave.