Drew Dowdell

We're at a crossroads in terms of powertrain development right now.

This is a segment that really doesn't speak to me visually, so I'd just go with whichever one is faster and handles better.... one assumes that is the newer one.

I have a media demo drive in September and one in late October. These are events where most/all of the manufacturers show up with their newest stuff... so I'm hoping the F-150 attends at least one of them. I'll try to get video of the drive on that one.

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It's no Lacrosse... but compared to its segment competition, yes, it does feel more solid.

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I'm interested in trying out the 10-speed. With that many gears, it's gotta always be in the meat of the torque band.

He uses the Encore. I use the CR-V because I mostly work from home and use it for apartment maintenance.

The Sonic is still one of my favorites in the segment despite being a bit outdated (though it got a refresh for 2017). It just feels like more car than the Fiesta or Rio... more solid and rides like a bigger car. It also has the distinction of being one of the safest cars in the class. Going on a road trip in a Sonic is not a punishment on the ears and butt like it is in a Spark, Fiesta, or Rio.

I mean really... why bother with camo at that point.

We leased the Encore because it was a really good promo that Buick was running at the time on a 24 month lease. We got a loaded loaded Encore for $310 a month. We also were expecting a different set of life changes at the end of the 24 months (a move to a new city, specifically) so we felt that after the 24 months were up, we'd have to re-evaluate what kind of car we needed/wanted (no need for AWD if we ended up in Miami with the rest of my family, Albert likes the Volt, etc). Well, life did change. Albert's commute when from 6 miles each way to 35 miles each way, so that ended up killing us on mileage... so we bought out the Encore and we ended up staying put. I doubt we'll lease the next vehicle. We'll keep the Encore till the B2B warranty is up and then we'll trade it for a CPO something. Jeep GC is at the top of the list right now.

But you can get a twin-turbo V6 in the CT6 with more horsepower and torque and AWD for $1k less than the G90.... and that gets you the Premium Luxury package with Panaray, and all the exterior video upgrades. Plus, the TTV6 still has more torque than the V8, so for the price of the V8 G90 RWD, you can get a CT6 with Panary, AWD, 4-wheel steering, Magnetic ride control, active braking, plus a whole host of other stuff. The CT6 is still the better deal.

I was specifically thinking of the RLX interior which would feel right at home as a 2017 W-Body Impala. I actually put it far below an Accord in terms of quality of materials and build. The 2016 Lacrosse was much better than the RLX and the 2017 increases the distance. The ILX, even the new one, is behind even the outgoing Verano in that same measure. Had Buick decided to bring Der Neu Astra over from Germany, it would have been no contest. 2016 MDX v. 2017* Encore? I'd put them about even in material and build. I haven't seen a production 2017 MDX yet to be able to compare. *Note the year.

Looks smaller

It's a wagon... just like all the others.

It's not just that. They didn't put the work into the suspension that is really needed for something with that amount of power. I don't see the CTS-V on that list, but I bet it would wipe the floor with a Hellcat because of all the work Cadillac put into the suspension. There's only 200lbs difference between the two in curb weight.

Handling. Trying to get that thing around a corner without wiping out is a challenge, so they probably had to slow it down.

No, but I may lease one if there is enough incentive in it.

A V6 Camaro is 0.5 seconds behind a Charger Hellcat?! A V8 Camaro is 8.7 seconds ahead of a Charger Hellcat?!

Depends on the Acura. I would say that no Acura currently built exceeds the 2017 Encore on interior quality, but there are more than a few Acuras that don't even measure up to it, including those priced well above the Encore's entry point.

It's overly simplistic to say it.... but a $35k loaded Encore is really just a $15k Sonic with about $10k in upgrades. GM's gotta be making lots of profit on these cars.

She'll want to wait till at least the 2017 model. The 2016s that are sitting on lots today don't have Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto. I think the Encore is taking a hit because it's about to get its refresh.

Things have come full circle.... Ford was accused of copying Audi when the Taurus first came out.

It's... Just another sedan...

It's a very tough choice for me as I can see myself in either the ATS or C300. What I think would way me to the Benz is the availability of Airmatic.