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2020 New Cars and Trucks2020 Subaru Legacy2020 Subaru Outback2021 Subaru Crosstrek SportAutomotiveAutotrader.comBest new carscarmax.comconsumerrports.orgcrossoverCrosstrekDecisive MediaDecisive Media NetworkNew CarsRandi PaytonResale valueSubaruSubcompact Luxury SUVUncategorized

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Reviews, Price and Features

by Randi Payton
written by Randi Payton

A recent test drive of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was my first invitation to a live automotive event since COVID-19 shuttered auto plans and forced automakers to cancel live vehicle launches. However, now that new sales are back up,  auto companies are eager to get realtime reviews from auto journalists. Some automakers and hotels have adopted safer practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at live events.

During the event, face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizing were reinforced, which is now the new normal.

Subaru, which has sold all of its 2020 vehicles, was eager to introduce the upgraded Crosstrek, its best selling vehicle. Launched in 2012, the Subaru Crosstrek also has the best resale value in the subcompact SUV class, according to Kelly Blue Book. The Crosstrek has a 50.4 percent resale value after five years of ownership and has been upgraded every year based on customer feedback.

A group of unaccompanied journalists, like myself, drove the paved and gravel backcountry roads around Middleburg, Virginia, in the new Sports versions of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, powered by Subaru’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 182 horsepower. It is paired with a six-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) with incline start assist.

The sumptuous feel inside the 2021 Crosstrek and its powerful on and off-road performance are characteristics that cannot be described by attending a virtual Zoom press launch.
It was fun and meticulous in navigating the narrow winding roads around Middleburg thanks to the CVT All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with an electronically controlled variable hydraulic transfer clutch, AWD stability traction control, and four-wheel independent suspension.
Subaru labels the Crosstrek subcompact crossover a Sport Utility Vehicle; however, the Sport model is new for 2021 and includes a dual function X mode, advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering, new wheels, and upgraded coil springs and dampers for improved ride comfort.

Most of the content inside included environmentally and pet-friendly materials. Except for the leather-wrapped steering wheel, there is no PVC or chlorine in the material. Yellow stitching alines the dashboard and smooth and comfortable seats made from recycled material that is softer than leather and doesn’t include any animal content.
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport starts around $26,495 MSRP and averages a best-in-class 27 mpg city and 34 highway.

You can find more new 2021 car and truck at www.randolphp.sg-host.com. Randi Payton
Decisive Media Network

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Why “Driving Matters” in Mazda’s 2020 Midsize CX-9 SUV

by Randi Payton
written by Randi Payton

The brains behind Mazda’s 2020 CX-9 is the SKYACTIV, a suite of technologies that improves handling, fuel efficiency, and performance. The tagline for the Mazda CX-9 is “Driving Matters,” to convey its comfort and roominess for moving large families around town in style, as a midsized SUV with three-rows and six to seven seats.

The largest vehicle in Mazda’s fleet, the 2020 CX-9, covers a full range of features and prices in the midsize SUV class. It starts with the base sports model from $33,890 MSRP, which competes with the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander; up to the near-luxury Signature CX-9 that starts around $46,215 and approaches the ride and feel of a premium luxury SUV.

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 is available in four trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. They are all powered by Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 227 horsepower and 310 bl-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft with premium gas. All models come with a six-speed automatic transmission that comes in either front- or four-wheel drive (AWD), except for the Signature, which only comes in AWD. The FWD version is about $2,000 less than AWD.

Mazda’s engine technology is called SKYACTIV-G and gets better fuel efficiency and more power out of the traditional aspirated gasoline combustion engine. The technology works by compressing the air-fuel mixture through the cylinders, which uses less fuel to generate more energy.

The turbo response from Mazda’s four-cylinder engine in the CX-9 Signature was quick and smooth, compared to many of its six-cylinder rivals in the midsize SUV class. Fuel savings also makes the CX-9 more competitive. The four-cylinder engine is robust and averages 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

The top-of-line 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD with the SKYACTIV-Drive handled superbly in the sports mode on the streets and highway. It includes the six-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission that also improves the fuel economy and the torque transmission by combining the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), dual-clutch automated manual transmission, and standard automatic transmission.

Mazda’s SKYACTIV-Drive system is continuously monitoring the road conditions, weather, acceleration, and steering to determine when to send power to the front or rear wheels or to engage AWD when more traction is needed. The AWD system also has an Off-Road mode.

Another component of SKYACTIV is Vehicle Dynamics. This integrated system monitors the behavior of the driver and road conditions to improve handling by applying the brakes and torque to the wheels when needed. It continuously monitors the engine, transmission, body, and chassis to provide more stability and response.

Luxury materials and equipment emanate inside the cabin. It has real Santos Rosewood inlays throughout the interior, high-quality Nappa leather trim, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain seats, a rear power liftgate, and an upgraded infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen display.

The exterior of the CX-9 Signature stands out, as well, against the other models with distinctive badging, more LED lights, and accent lighting on the grille. Rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic high beams are now standard on all 2020 Mazda CX-9 models.

Standard safety features include a 360-degree camera view, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and departure warning. Visit www.randolphp.sg-host.com for more consumer reviews on 2020 and 2021 new cars and trucks.

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Car Buying During COVID-19 and 2020 Reviews

by Randi Payton
written by Randi Payton

The fall season marks the end of the year for 2020 vehicles, the time period when the new 2021 model year vehicles start going on sale. Because dealerships are eager to offer big discounts to make room in their showrooms for the new vehicles, this is the best time to strike a good deal on the 2020 models.

This year, the COVID-19 health crisis has made car buying more convenient and less expensive. Initially, many believed the automotive industry would finally go bankrupt when new vehicle sales took a nosedive after shelter-in-place and stay-at-home declarations shuttered dealerships and forced manufacturing plants to close.

Instead, the pandemic forced dealerships to find new ways to sell vehicles and offer huge discounts and incentives. Dealerships were caught off guard with an oversupply of vehicles due to the shutdown, until they changed their strategies, making it easier and safer for consumers to purchase a new vehicle without leaving their homes.

Despite the current uncertainty with the pandemic and the economy, automobile manufacturing plants are back in production and consumers are catching up on their pent-up demand for new vehicles. Now that auto sales have picked back up, many dealers are still offering huge discounts, 0% financing, cash back, deferred payments, huge manufacturer incentives, and home deliveries.

 

The way we buy cars may have changed forever, making it easier to negotiate a better price and have vehicles delivered to your door.

To get the best vehicle for your taste and budget, begin your research online, or call one of the car buying services that either sells vehicles or works with a national network of dealerships to manage virtual sales and home deliveries.  Begin by visiting one of the consumer auto buying websites like www.consumerreports.org, www.edmunds.com, www.nadaguides.com, www.Carvana.com, www.autotrader.com, www.Carmax.com, www.Truecar.com, or www.Vroom.com.

Since test driving before you buy is limited in many areas, consider companies that offer a return policy, which gives you time to drive the vehicle before making a final decision.

To find dealer discounts and manufacturer incentives, visit their websites or go through a car buying service.  A few of the latest new or upgraded 2020 vehicles on my list include:

The New 2020 Subaru Outback

If you have good credit and are eligible to finance through Subaru Motors Finance (SMF), you can defer payments for up to 90 days and get 0% financing for 63 months when purchasing the redesigned 2020 Subaru Outback.

The new-generation Subaru Outback wagon improves on all the things that made it popular, including safety features like driver distraction monitoring, 11.6-inch touch-screen infotainment system, premium luxury materials, more roominess, and cargo capacity.

The 2020 Outback is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 182 horsepower and a forced induction 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that gets 260 horsepower. Both powerplants are paired with a variable automatic transmission.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on the base 2020 Outback starts at $27,655, including the destination charge of $1,010. The Premium model goes for $29,905, the Limited trim costs $34,455, and the Touring runs for $38,355 MSRP.

The 2020 Audi Q3

Some of the most popular selling SUVs like the 2020 Audi Q3 may not offer major incentives, but by going through one of the car buying services, you can still get one for thousands of dollars below the MSRP.

Redesigned last year, the 2020 Audi Q3 is a compact luxury SUV that looks and feels charming.  It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 228 horsepower. The Q3 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that executes seamlessly and is quick on adapting to changing road conditions.

The standard all-wheel drive system on the Q3 is responsive, firm, and comfortable. Advanced safety features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Other driver assist features such as blind spot, lane departure, and rear cross-traffic warnings are available. Prices start at $28,625 and end up around $35,100 MSRP.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator

One of the sharpest looking luxury SUVs on the streets, the new 2020 Lincoln Aviator, should be on your shopping list if you’re in the market for a premium midsize SUV. The Aviator combines style, technology, and luxury with a powerful performance.

The Aviator has three rows, which makes it roomy enough to carry up to seven passengers on long road trips. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine provides plenty of power, while a 10-speed automatic transmission produces a sporty and smooth ride on highway and city roads.

The new Lincoln Aviator is loaded with advanced technology and safety features, including a 360-degree camera, various drive modes, lane keeping assist, pre-collision assist, blind-spot detection, and more. The base model starts at $51,100 and tops out at $87,800 MSRP.

The 2020 Mazda6

The 2020 Mazda6, which was redesigned in 2014, continues to look and fell fresh and new. It received major upgrades each year, and in 2019, it took on new front and rear ends. The Mazda6 is more luxurious than its price suggests.

It offers five different trim levels that include the base Sport and the Touring, which are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 187 horsepower.  The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Reserve offer more upscale material and premium features, including a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 250 horsepower.

The Signature is the top-of-the-line model that comes fully loaded with a bigger information display, luxury trim, integrated navigation, and advanced safety technology. Additional features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, keyless entry, 11-speaker Bose sound system, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. Prices for the 2020 Mazda6 range from $25,045 to $36,345 MSRP.

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