2014 Jaguar XJL AWD Review

2014 Jaguar XJL AWD Review
2014 Kia Forte Koup Review
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Review

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Lucas Cooney Jun. 23, 2014 Photos by Jaguar

Because I'm cheap and didn't want to pony up the cash for airfare for me, my wife, and our two young daughters, we were doomed to drive down to Charleston, South Carolina from Toronto, Ontario for our annual trip to visit the southern arm of the Cooney family. The idea of spending two 15-hour days trapped in my 2010 Mazda5, however, seemed like a recipe for hours of crying and screaming – and the kids wouldn't like it either.

FAST FACTS

Engine: 3.0L supercharged V6 makes 340 hp, 332 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic.

Fuel economy: 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.

Price: Long wheelbase AWD models start at $85,625.

As luck would have it, the Editor in Chief of AutoGuide.com sits right behind me and I asked if he might be able to find a car to save my vacation – maybe even a really nice one? This is the part of the story where you readers might like to reach through your computer screen to poke me in the eye, but a couple of phone calls later and a 2014 Jaguar XJL was waiting for me.

I'd like to tell you it's the car I've always dreamed of, but I've never had such lofty goals when it came to car ownership. The idea a car tickling the $100,000 mark was so preposterous that I could scarcely fathom getting behind the wheel of one.

While I was excited about my chance to drive a true luxury car, I still had reservations about the trip. The only other time I've made the Toronto to Charleston cannonball run with children was two years ago in a fully kitted Toyota Sienna minivan. Only the sheer size of the Sienna made the trip tolerable (my youngest was just 10 months old and righteously pissed off about sitting in a rear-facing seat for an entire day). Square footage makes everything better, especially when it comes to the sounds (and smells) emanating from an ornery family of four.

Hello Gorgeous

In my near 40 years, I've had many thoughts and opinions that I'd later realize were dumb. The most recent example of this was the idea that even if I suddenly inherited a pile of money large enough to swim in Scrooge McDuck-style, I wouldn't needlessly spend it on an expensive car. Surely a nice BMW 3 Series would do the trick?

When I first laid eyes on the Jaguar XJL I was still pretty confident with this preconceived notion. It's a nice looking car from the outside (especially the optional 20-inch Kasuga wheels), but it didn't exactly make me feel all aflutter. It was when I opened the door, sat down in the black leather seat and basked in the interior that I quickly realized why rich people buy nice cars. And it only got better from there.

Embarrassment of Riches

Beyond adjustability like I've never seen before, all four seats (the test car included the premium rear seat executive package) offer both heating and cooling. I'd never sat in a cooled seat before and I now wish I never had to do without it again. South Carolina is freaking hot and having cool air circulate up to keep my bits and pieces temperate and funk-free is a luxury I'd happily pay for. A massage feature was much appreciated on the long drive, though it would have been nice if it was also offered on the bottom of the seat to sooth my aching trucker butt. One caveat about the massage – if you are holding your pee between gas stops, the rolling massage might make you wet your pants. I also liked how you could squeeze the sides of the seat into you at the push of a button – a reassuring hug from the car. I'd take a pay cut if I could replace my chair at work with one of these seats.

Big bonus points go to the sizeable LCD touch-screen monitor up front, which includes a GPS. Other niceties include paddle shifters on the steering wheel (encouraging you to use the more aggressive Sport mode) and a rotating gear shift knob that disappears into the center console when the car is turned off.

My daughters were treated to matching dual 10.2-inch LCD screens, which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because their zombie-like enchantment with an array of Disney movies and Backyardigans episodes meant they were too drunk on entertainment to complain about the long drive. If we were smart enough to pack headphones for the kids we could have put the movies on "limo mode" so we could listen to music in the front. A curse because kids will fight over who gets to pick the next show and complain (briefly, before the TV-inducing dopamine kicks in again) that they "hate that movie." Another issue is that even on short five-minute drives they demanded the TVs be turned on. I love the back-seat entertainment for long trips, but there's no way I'd want it in my daily driver.

Staying in the rear of the car, fold-down tables emerge from the back of the front seats, which is pretty damn cool. We didn't tell the girls about that feature, as the youngest is still in a proper car seat and wouldn't be able to use it. If you've got two kids of a similar age, any imbalance in the Force is best avoided.

While the benefit was lost on my small rear seat passengers, adults can really stretch out back there with 44.1 inches of legroom.

Trouble in Paradise?

One minor downside for the driver is that the rear window is rather small, leaving you with some substantial blind spots. Jaguar rectified this with a back-up camera and blind-spot detectors that go off in the appropriate side view mirror.

Another check in the minus column, and this is no fault of Jaguar's, is that people would come up to me and compliment me on the car. That has never happened to me before and I didn't know how to deal with it. When I'd get a compliment, I'd immediately feel guilty about having such a nice car and explain that it wasn't really mine – that I only got to drive it because of my job. That only made things worse, because now I've got an awesome car and I didn't have to pay for it! I'm not good at having nice things.

Homeward Bound

We decided to drive back to Toronto through the night, so the kids could sleep and we wouldn't have to hear Elsa sing "Let it Go" quite so often. It was wonderful cruising along the interstates with almost no traffic. The XJL is an incredibly smooth and quiet car to drive. My test car had the base 340-horsepower supercharged V6, though 470 and 550-horsepower V8 options are available. Despite its rather large size, it proved an adept handler. At one point when everybody else was asleep and I was cruising along at a good clip, I drove up on a deer standing in the middle of the highway. I swerved to the left and barely avoided contact, waking up my wife and almost having a heart attack. Good times.

I had never thought about the fact that would-be thieves and troublemakers might look at me differently now that I was driving a Jaguar. When we stopped for gas at a not-so-nice spot in West Virginia, I suddenly felt like a target for the first time. A lot of people were milling around and only one window was open for paying – nobody being allowed in the store was a red flag. Loud music was playing, alcohol was in the air, and a cast of characters you'd think I was making up was waiting in line in front of me, including one couple with a two-year old (pregnant mom chose to forgo shoes for fuzzy pink slippers) that ordered nothing but chocolate milk, Dr. Pepper and two types of cigarettes – all good reasons to keep a toddler up in the middle of the night. When I finally got to the front the young attendant asked if I was driving a Tesla…while I was paying for gas!

I didn't get back to the car for 20 minutes, where my panicked wife legitimately worried I'd been robbed and beaten. To top it all off, the station was out of premium gas and the fuel light was on. Fortunately, we found a much nicer place to buy fuel five minutes down the highway.

The Verdict

By the time I reluctantly gave the Jaguar XJL back I'd put about 2,300 miles on it. Its generous 21.7-gallon tank had no trouble going 500 miles between fuel stops. It is a dream to drive on the highway, though not ideal in the tight confines of city parking lots.

My oldest daughter was less than pleased that I'd returned home with our old Mazda5. So was I. Maybe after my kids are finished with college I can buy one.

LOVE IT

Luxurious interior
Smooth, quiet ride
Rear seat entertainment package

LEAVE IT

Small rear window
Large overall size makes it a chore to park

2014 Kia Forte Koup Review

Posted: 19 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Luke Vandezande Jun. 20, 2014 Photos by Kia

Most manufacturers used to sell an affordable compact coupe, but only a handful remain. Winding the clock back by about 15 years, you could have picked from the Ford Escort, the Dodge Neon, the Toyota Paseo, the Chevrolet Cavalier and Honda's ever-present Civic to name a few. Today, Honda is the only brand out of that list still offering a two-door compact.

FAST FACTS

Engine: 2.0L makes 173 hp, 154 lb-ft of torque. 1.6T makes 201 hp, 195 lb-ft.

Transmission: Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Fuel economy: 25 MPG city, 34 MPG highway and 28 MPG combined.

Price: $19,400 to start or $24,500 for fully-loaded 2.0L automatic.

In fact, other than Honda, your choices come from Hyundai, Scion and – you guessed it – Kia.

The Forte Koup is new for 2014 with curvier styling, more power and enhanced equipment. As you can see, the hard lines of earlier models are gone in favor of the company's current corporate design language. Honestly, I preferred how the 2014 model looked, but feel free to disagree.

Up until last year, the Forte Koup came with either a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter four cylinder that offered enough power to make the car passable, but not a lot else. For this year, Kia is pulling both of those powerplants in favor of a new 2.0-liter as the base engine and a more powerful 1.6-liter turbo to act as a range-topper.

The smaller engine makes 173 hp (as much as the old 2.4) and 154 lb-ft of torque while the 1.6-liter turbo unit pushes out 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. Both models can come with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

I spent a week driving the naturally aspirated model equipped with a slushbox and as is often the case with Kia vehicles, this car is a mixture of good and bad.

(Not As) Affordable

The starting price for a two-door Forte is $19,400 including delivery charges. For that you get 16-inch alloy wheels, the 2.0-liter engine and a six-speed manual. Tack on an extra grand for the luxury of not needing to change your own gears.

Paying that premium also gives you the privilege to specify other equipment upgrade packages. Specifically, there is the "Premium Package" for $2,100 that adds leather seat upholstery, 10-way power adjustability for the driver and heating for you and a sidekick. You also get a heated steering wheel, a cooled driver seat, push-button ignition and a few other items.

The test car Kia lent me was equipped with that, but there's also the "tech package" if you're willing to shell out another $2,000. The extra outlay gives you HID headlights, LED taillights and a 4.2-inch color display in the center console. It also tacks on navigation and dual-zone climate control.

All told, a loaded Forte Koup with the less exciting engine and an auto-box will run you $24,500. For the same equipment list with the 1.6-liter turbo, you're going to pay $26,000.

That's right. For 2014, the Forte Koup is suddenly sort of expensive. Kia ratcheted up its base pricing by $1,200 and understandably upped the tag for both the premium and tech packages because they both come with more content compared to the last time we went 'round the sun.

Both of the aforementioned engines play a key role in justifying the increased cost. Remember: the base car is now almost as powerful as the high-end model was last year.

Base Engine Has Plenty of Power

I haven't driven the turbocharged model and consequently can't comment on what it feels like, but the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter is no slouch. It doesn't sound very good at low RPM, but it has plenty of power.

Kia says it should average 25 MPG in the city, 34 on the highway and 28 MPG in general. Most of the miles I spent were driven hard and in heavy city traffic and that left me with an average of only 23 MPG.

Now, much as the engine won't leave you wanting for power, there are also better-handling products out there; namely the Honda Civic. Then again, that car doesn't make nearly as much power and costs virtually the same with a considerably less impressive options list.

Admittedly, the Civic Coupe handles with the all the precision of a dull pair of skates these days, but if Honda's blades need sharpening then Kia's "Koup" maneuvers like a sack of potatoes.

There are three selectable steering modes meant for normal, comfortable and sporty driving. Each impose a different weightiness to the wheels, but none offer improved handling. There also isn't any feeling of progressively sharper turning as you move farther off center and that can be disconcerting if you need to react quickly to something mid-turn. You just don't get a good sense of where the wheels are in relation what to your hands are doing.

For most people who would be buying a two-door compact, it will serve just fine. The trunk is reasonably spacious and the seats fold down to reveal a much bigger porthole than you get in the Honda Civic Coupe, which means this car is more capable of hauling occasional Ikea scores or rolled up mattresses taken from pullout couches.

Small Quality Flaws Are a Big Pain

Unfortunately, the split rear seats are a pain to lower because you need to pull two release cables in the trunk and either reach through or walk around to push or pull them down. Those cables are also poorly housed and prone to falling out; or so it seems based on my experience. It happened to me and I wound up needing to crawl into the trunk to fix it. You could chalk that up to chance and assume most other Kias are built better than the model I drove, but the point is that it shouldn't be so easy for it to come loose in the first place.

And that's probably the best way to describe the Forte Koup's cabin in general: acceptable but less than impressive. The seats are reasonably comfortable; it's hard to fault the cabin ergonomics although the interior design isn't particularly exciting.

Scion's tC is arguably the closest competitor also currently available in showrooms. It's available with either a six-speed automatic or manual with as many gears and pricing starts at $19,965. It also offers comparable output to the Forte's 2.0-liter engine. With optional equipment like the navigation system, bigger wheels and better brakes, the tC even stays relatively close to the Forte's price after adding equipment packages, but the Scion does so by adding performance parts and skimping on equipment. You can forget about a cooled driver seat and most of the other options that lend credence to Kia's "Koup."

The Verdict:

With so little to challenge it, the Kia Forte Koup almost sits at the top of its segment by default, even with its small quality flaws and mediocre maneuverability. There are more engaging options for the same price, but you'll sacrifice comfort, or power, to get them.

LOVE IT

Generous equipment
Powerful engines
Choice of manual or auto

LEAVE IT

Steering
New styling
Shoddy build quality

2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Review

Posted: 18 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Mike Schlee Jun. 19, 2014 Photos by Stephen Elmer

Like the Mazda Miata, the Wrangler is an unlimited fun machine. It's a vehicle everyone needs to drive at least once in their lives. Nothing on the market gives the same raw, utilitarian feeling. I've driven several versions of the Jeepiest Jeep and one thing is always true: I feel like a kid again within minutes of getting behind the wheel.

FAST FACTS

Engine: 3.6L V6 makes 285 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission: Six-speed manual.

Fuel economy: 17 MPG city, 21 MPG highway. 18.1 MPG observed average.

Price: Starts at $23,390 after destination charges. Our Sport S model came to $28,645 as tested.

It's a Jeep Thing

And it may be that youthful feeling that has given this Jeep one of the largest diehard fan bases in the entire automotive world. Owners of Wranglers live and breathe Jeeps. They're part of secret society that gives each other the "Jeep wave" as they pass by on the street.

Officially on sale since 1987 as a replacement to the Jeep CJ, the Wrangler's lineage dates back to World War II. Sticking to these roots, it is still equipped with solid axles and a low speed transfer case. Since owners love to modify and accessorize their Jeeps with a seemingly unlimited array of aftermarket accessories, lower trim models are popular.

Keep it Simple

Sure it's possible to outfit a Wrangler with navigation, an Alpine audio system and locking Dana differentials front and rear, but where's the fun and originality in that? For $23,390 after destination charges, a base 2015 Wrangler Sport can be purchased with a six-speed manual transmission and a 3.6-liter V6 making 285 hp and 260 lb-ft. of torque. This price point means puny 16-inch wheels and open differentials, but it's a blank canvas for the true Jeep enthusiast to begin adding items like lift kits, 32-inch mud tires, rugged locking differentials and winches.

The Sport comes standard with a soft top roof although you can pay $995 for the hardtop as a standalone option. With side windows that can be unzipped from the outside, a soft top Wrangler is as secure as sending your banking information through an email claiming you won an offshore lottery. This means valuables need to be removed from the Jeep at all times or kept in the lockable center console and/or glove box.

Power Options Need Not Apply

With no power windows, power locks and power mirrors, a Jeep owner's favorite pastime of removing the side doors is an easy task since there is no wiring to worry about. Rear seat passengers have ample space thanks to 35.6 inches rear legroom and unlimited headroom when the top is down. The rear seats can also be removed to offer 61.2 cubic feet of cargo space or 56.5 with them folded but still installed. With passengers in the back, that space diminishes to just over 17 cubic feet.

The Wrangler features a flat, high-mounted dash that puts all the controls well within reach of the driver. My test vehicle isn't the absolute base model as it's the Sport S version optioned with the connectivity group, a 3.73 rear axle ratio (3.21 is standard), the Mopar black appearance group and a more premium soft top roof. This brings the price up to $28,645 after destination charges, which is quite an increase from the base model, but a lot of these options could easily be left off of the build sheet.

Big Tires, Solid Axles

The Sport S model also upgrades the base 16-inch steel wheels to aluminum 17-wheels wearing wider 255/75R17 rubber. Although not much of a difference in performance is felt on road, these tires do give the Jeep a proper aggressive stance for those owners not ready to upgrade their Jeep into a mud bogger quite yet.

With two solid axles and a rugged off-road suspension, ride comfort is not a priority. The Wrangler bounces down the road with the suspension bounding and rebounding over the smallest of pavement imperfections. Particularly rough roads can get the vehicle sufficiently upset to start wagging its tail involuntarily.

Tractor Tranny

The current six-speed manual transmission is a much more refined unit than found in previous Wranglers, but still very agricultural in its operation. Throws are long, engagement rubbery and all actions need to be made slow and deliberately. Once in gear, the shift lever shakes like an addict in withdrawal. Sometimes when reaching for fifth gear, I'd push the lever over too far towards reverse.

The Wrangler has never been a pillar of fuel efficiency and the latest model is no different. Despite improvements made to bump up fuel economy, the Wrangler is still officially rated at 17 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. During my week with the vehicle I averaged an as expected 18.1 MPG.

For a 3,760-lb. vehicle as aerodynamic as an office building, that isn't too bad. Designed for tackling off-road trails, this Jeep is not at home on the highway. Wandering worse than a conversion with someone suffering from ADHD, the Wrangler requires full attention when piloting it at speed to keep it in a straight line. Wind noise also becomes excessive above 60 MPH as the air relentlessly slams into the flat front windshield.

The Verdict

The Wrangler is especially quirky and that's a big part of what makes it appealing. Jeep owners are proud to mount stickers on their rides declaring "it's a jeep thing you wouldn't understand". Even though I'm not an owner, I fully understand the affection people have for these unrefined off-roaders. They're unique vehicles with go anywhere capabilities that promise freedom and a good time.

LOVE IT

Off-road ability
Space
Unique driving experience

LEAVE IT

Wanders on the highway
Fuel economy

Car Reviews

Monday, 23 June 2014