2020 Ford Explorer has EVERYTHING for Everyone
Talk about a cool way to enjoy the beautiful views along the Columbia River!
We were in Portland, Oregon and nearby countryside recently, test driving the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer SUV that is due out this summer.
Following on its heritage, the Ford Explorer returns to a rear-wheel-drive platform, but that’s just the start of the changes. The model lineup includes a 4-cylinder EcoBoost, Hybrid, 6-cylinder Ltd and ST performance model as well. Available in two and four-wheel =-drive, the Explorer is designed to cater to all the needs of an active and adventurous family.
As we tried to figure out whether we were seeing Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, or Mt. Saint Helens in the distance, the new Explorer offered us luxuries unimaginable to the early explorers and residents of Columbia River Valley. As you can hear told by our intrepid Carguy, who tested the 2020 Explorer, this vehicle is loaded with, well EVERYTHING!
Including an innovative display system. On it, the mapping system quickly showed the answer to the mountain question. The view was of Mt. Hood.
#roadtriprewind
#FordExplorer
Longhorn Luxury Truck Rolls Thru Sierra Foothills
The 2019 Longhorn extended crew cab edition of the venerable V8 Ram from Dodge, features an eight-speed automatic transmission that seemed to almost be driving itself as it adjusted to rolling roads through the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range.
The truck wars are getting crazy with many pickups and SUVs vying to be the top picks for today’s big rig-loving consumer. The 2019 Ram 1500 is a standout due to its extra-large crew cab and multitude of features, including a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and panoramic sunroof.
Together, these features of the new Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab gave us what we can best describe as a luxury ride through the Gold Country foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
Nice Rear Graces New GMC Sierra AT4
The 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 is a full-size pickup truck that is built for four-wheeling in even the toughest terrain. But while the toughest terrain that most of us will face are the potholes in our neighborhood streets, the Sierra still provides plenty of utility for city dwellers.
The new Sierra is built to make life simpler and more comfortable for truck owners, whether on urban, suburban, rural, or wild adventures.
One highlight of the new Sierra is versatile, groundbreaking, GMC MultiPro, a 6-way tailgate, which is a truck bed accessibility bonanza that was created in secret by a high-school-educated GM technician with a penchant for hand-building cars. He called it his stairway to heaven.
We know you’ll enjoy a detailed story about how the gate was developed that was featured recently in The Detroit Free Press.
2019 VW Tiguan is habanero hot!
By Keith Turner
We drove it. And it was hot.
With a special habanero exterior color, the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is sure to gain attention wherever it travels.
The 2.0-liter TSI (turbo) engine is quick and powerful, and the interior is roomy and comfortable.
The Tiguan’s three rows of seats can be folded flat to allow for plenty of cargo space and the panoramic sunroof gives every row extra sunlight.
Kicks with Bose speakers behind each ear
When we first saw the 2019 Nissan Kicks introduced at the 2017 LA Auto Show, we were taken with its cute, sporty styling and proposed 30-plus mpg fuel efficiency.
Now that we’ve driven the Kicks we are even more impressed. There are lots of extras in the Kicks, geared specifically with the young in mind — as well as the young-at-heart.
Sporting numerous USB ports, Apple and Android connectivity, and even a full set of eight Bose speakers, including two stashed in the driver’s headrest, make this the perfect get-around and get-outta-town ride for active individuals.
Get your Kick for just north of $20,000 fully loaded.
Sportwagen from VW is fast and flexible
The 2019 Golf SportWagen is available in three trims—S, S 4Motion, and SE. We tested the SE version and were pleasantly surprised to find the interior cargo space to be plentiful.
2019 S and S 4Motion models offer an available Driver Assistance package including Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist), Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert.
SE models add 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, LED headlights with the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), fog lights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping System, (Lane Assist), and High Beam Control (Light Assist). Good things do come in small packages.
Watch the entire video for a surprise at the end. TheFamilyCar.com/GreenFamilyCar.com
The 500
They have built themselves up, slowly but steadily, ’til now, when they, the 500, have become something deserving notice. We are talking about none other than our first 500 subscribers to The Family Car YouTube channel.
We thank you for joining alongside us in our journey together, toward the future of ground transportation, by way of our regular video examinations of new vehicle efficiency, comfort, safety, and aesthetics. We encourage members of our community of 500 subscribers to communicate with us about all things automotive.
We’re on a family road trip with you and your family! Destination TBD, tomorrow and beyond. And we’re happy you are along with us for the ride.
Carguy Keith Turner
Wayback Dean Adams Curtis
Speaking of “way back” we share below one of the images from the opening animation of our genesis video The Family Car, created for broadcast and cable distribution fifteen years ago. Since then, we, and our family cartoon characters “The Rubbernecks” have gone online, with 500 subscribers now following our fun and informative vehicle videos.
