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Luxury and Power Unite in the Full-Size 2023 Nissan Armada SUV

by Randi
written by Randi

Premium luxury and power come together in Nissan’s full-size 2023 Armada Platinum. It’s a big SUV that is powerful, roomy, and loaded with advanced technology and features. And it returns in 2023 with only a few changes. The Nissan Armada, redesigned in 2021, retains its powerful V8 engine and adds a remote start, LED fog lights, and heated steering wheels.

The 2023 Nissan Armada is about more than just raw power in a full-size SUV. It also boasts various performance features that enhance the driving experience. The Armada is designed to handle any road condition with its advanced suspension systems to intelligent all-wheel drive. The Armada’s suspension remained stable whether I was driving on rough city streets or cruising on the highway.

Power: The 2023 Nissan Armada is powered by a 5.6-liter turbocharged V8 that produces 400 horsepower and 413 lb. ft. of torque and has a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. While a seven-speed transmission manages gear shifts, an intelligent all-wheel drive system continuously monitors road conditions. It adjusts its power distribution to each wheel for optimal traction and control.

Models/Price: The Armada has four trim levels, including the Armada S ($52,495), SV ($57,095), SL ($60,915), and Platinum ($69,165). The full-size, three-row Armada seats seven to eight passengers and comes in rear or four-wheel drive.

The 2023 Nissan Armada also has advanced technology and connectivity options that keep you connected and in control. The state-of-the-art infotainment system features a large 12.3 touchscreen display that provides easy access to navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. With voice recognition technology, you can control various functions with simple voice commands, keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Safety/Driver Assist: One of the standout safety features in the 2023 Armada is the Intelligent Around View Monitor. This system uses multiple cameras to give you a 360-degree view of your surroundings, making parking and maneuvering in tight spaces a breeze.

The Armada also features advanced driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. These systems use sensors and cameras to monitor your surroundings and help you maintain a safe distance from other vehicles while keeping you in the lane.

Fuel Economy: However, fuel economy is not one of its strong points. The EPA rates the rear-wheel-drive at 14 city/19 highway mpg and the four-wheel drive with one less mpg.

Visit www.decisivemedia.net for a complimentary subscription to my blog to get updated car-buying tips and reviews on the latest new cars, SUVs, and trucks. Randi Payton, Decisive Media Network.

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2024 Lincoln Nautilus SUV Shines at NY Global Debut

by Randi
written by Randi

“When it rains, it pours” was the scenic theme during the global debut of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus at Iron23 located in the heart of New York City. VIP guests, media, and dealers were serenaded by the uplifting vibes of musician Karriem Riggins as the stately SUV rolled onto the stage, simultaneously showered by waterfalls descending from the sky. The new Nautilus ranks third in Lincoln’s lineup after the Navigator and Aviator and is completely redesigned from the ground up, a first since 2016.

Referred to as a “Sanctuary for the Senses,” Lincoln is leading into an era that celebrates the work of human ingenuity with its mid-sized premium Nautilus SUV. At the introduction, Lincoln president Dianne Craig and global design director Kemal Curic reveled in the evening excitement as the American automaker’s Centennial momentum has continued with stellar product unveils and exciting digital technologies to appease your driving needs. Owners of the Nautilus will enjoy a light bar that runs across the front fascia and through the signature hand-crafted grille, available H2 Pixel headlamps as well as all-new LED taillamps with animation, integrated dual trapezoidal exhaust tips, over-the-air updates through 5G connectivity, and an 11.1l” center touchscreen that centralizes the elongated upper display which extends from the passenger door to the driver’s door.

“For more than a century, Lincoln has been recognized for its exquisite design and craftsmanship, and as we look ahead to the future, we reimagined the cabin experience and what the sanctuary can become for our clients,” said Dianne Craig, president of Lincoln. “The 2024 Nautilus will elevate our portfolio and offer our global clients an all-new, compelling SUV with connected experiences and features that make it just as fun to drive as it is to relax in.”

Reimagined and engineered for Lincoln’s younger customer base, the Nautilus will be offered with both a gas and hybrid powertrain. The standard 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine features 250-horsepower, 275 lb.-ft. of torque, and pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The hybrid setup incorporates a 310-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged hybrid engine (HEV) and connects with a continuously variable automatic transmission featuring a 100 kW electric motor. An adaptive suspension, sensors that constantly monitor vehicle motion, body movement, steering, acceleration, and braking activities, and five drive modes (normal, conserve, excite, slippery, and deep conditions) complete the performance aspects of the Nautilus.

Left to right: Lincoln North America Director, Michael Sprague; Karriem Riggings, Artist & Musician; Lincoln President, Dianne Craig; and Lincoln Global Design Director, Kemal Curic, at the reveal of the all-new Lincoln Nautilus in New York on April 17, 2023.

Whether behind the wheel or joining the journey as passengers, step inside the Nautilus and enjoy a moment of tranquility. The elegant cabin will enthuse guests with crystal-inspired details; a piano key shifter, instrument panel toggles, and audio knob; and an immersive digital experience from the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio package. Exclusive to Lincoln, the impressive system is where the art of luxury meets the science of sound.

To go along with the four signature exterior paint options — Red Carpet, Diamond Red, Chroma Caviar, and Blue Panther — the SUV can be paired with three interior decors: Black Onyx and Medium Light Space Gray, a two-tone Smoked Truffle, and Black Onyx and Allura Blue. For a sporty vibe, select the Jet Appearance Package which includes two-tone paint, black 22” rims, anodized black exterior elements, and a unique interior. Finally, choose the exclusive Lincoln Black Label for preeminence since it showcases a new Redwood persona as in the warmth and beauty of the redwood forest, including a tree-inspired motif.

Built and shipped from China, expect the Nautilus to arrive in the United States in early 2024 with a bevy of comforting innovations such as Lincoln BlueCruise 1.2 (hands-free highway driver-assist system) and a newfangled multisensory and in-cabin experience dubbed Lincoln Rejuvenate which features ambient lighting, seat massaging, various landscapes soundtracks, and digital scenting. Ordering is now open at www.Lincoln.com.

 

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Redesigned 2023 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid

by Decisive Media
written by Decisive Media

If you’re looking for a mega-size hybrid SUV that is stylish, tech-savvy, and powerful, you might want to put the redesigned 2023 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid on your shopping list!

How do I know? I had the opportunity to test drive it for a week and was impressed by the style, power, comfort, and array of new features. From its intelligent four-wheel drive with a multi-terrain select system to its 12” touchscreen display infused with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, this colossal SUV was remade to take you and your family to a whole new level!

This third-generation Sequoia, which rides on the same underpinnings as the new Tundra, Land Cruiser, and Lexus LX600, is only available as a hybrid and features a new look inside and out. It has a large touchscreen with the latest software and a three-row cabin with seating for up to eight passengers.

From plush, leather-trimmed seats to cutting-edge infotainment systems equipped with the latest advanced technologies, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia hybrid ride proved to be a truly indulgent experience. However, I was unsurprised that Toyota equipped the Sequoia with its latest advanced features, such as a heads-up display and voice command system. Gone were the days of tedious parking lot maneuvers; the intelligent parking assist made every spot fit like a glove. Inside the spacious cabin, the Sequoia hybrid offers an array of luxurious interior features designed to enhance comfort and convenience for all passengers.

Power:

Introduced last summer, it features a powerful twin-turbo 3.5-liter six-cylinder hybrid i-Force Max powertrain with 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.

While the modernization gives the Sequoia a better chance to compete with rivals such as the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition, the cargo capacity is limited.

Models/Pricing:

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offers five trim levels: The Sequoia SR5 ($59,960), Limited ($66,360), Platinum ($72,560), Capstone ($76,960), and TRD Pro ($77,660 MSRP).

Fuel Economy:

The new hybrid setup in the Sequoia makes it significantly more efficient than the outgoing model. The rear-wheel-drive models are EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Opting for four-wheel drive drops those numbers to 19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. For more information on its fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

If you want to stay updated with all the latest new cars and trucks, remember to get your complimentary subscription to my auto blog at www.decisivemedia.net today! By Randi Payton

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2023 Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L Extended to meet the Demands of Larger Families

by Decisive Media
written by Decisive Media

The 2023 Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L duo is no sheep in wolf’s clothing. Instead, they are extra-large in size, off-road capable, luxuriously laden (especially the Grand), powerfully impactful, and technologically loaded with every possible amenity. Moreover, as the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer continue increasing market share in the premium, full-size SUV market, the L models are competing with the Suburban and Escalade ESV for customers requiring additional storage in the rear of the third-row. The American SUVs have also been mechanically updated with a family of new Hurricane Twin Turbo engines for greater efficiency and performance.

The original Jeep Wagoneer was introduced in 1962 as a 1963 model, and today the second coming maintains some of the original DNA such as large glass openings and trapezoidal wheel wells. However, jeep stretched out the Ls because 30% of the segment uses the third row and prefers cargo capacity of at least 40 cubic feet behind row three. As a result, the Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L have been lengthened 12″ while the wheelbase was extended 7.” The increase gives owners of the Wagoneer L 42.1 cubic feet and Grand Wagoneer L owners 44 cubic feet of space behind the third row to pack up luggage for eight with no qualms. Problem solved!

Remember that parent company Stellantis is not branding the pair of legends as Jeeps but as standalone Luxury outliers of the brand. Customers have been pleasantly surprised with the American SUV’s refreshing touchpoints and level of sophistication. Think of them as the nomads of the family that ventured off for a lifetime of adventure but eventually returned home to share the excitement. My neighbor was so enthralled with the Grand Wagoneer after I brought one home for a week of evaluations last year that he threw out his Lincoln Navigator research and purchased the Jeep grandmaster. But he was happy to see that it also featured power-folding running boards, an original Navigator trait.

The Wagoneer drives big and heavy but moves fluidly. You know immediately that this massive SUV will garner ancillary attention on the road. For the launch of the L models, I headed to the mountainside of Boseman, Montana to extensively test drive and off-road the set. I started with a gorgeous Grand Wagoneer L Obsidian 4×4 with the 3-liter Hurricane 510 (equating to 510-horsepower) that pushes out 500 lb-ft of torque. This engine replaces the model’s previous 6.4-liter V8 that delivered 471-horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque. Consequently, acceleration was never an issue during highway passing, and quickly overtaking smaller vehicles was thrilling. On the other hand, the Wagoneer L receives the base Hurricane Twin Turbo with 420-horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque which swaps with the prior 392-horsepower and 404 lb-ft. of torque 5.7-liter V8 engine. Both Hurricanes matched with the respected TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission. Stellantis says the pair produces fewer emissions while delivering more power and exemplary performance as the company aims for 50% of the fleet to be electrified by 2030.

2023 Grand Wagoneer L features the pinnacle of premium SUV interiors with a modern American style and Uconnect 5 12-inch touchscreen radio.

Stylistically, the SUV’s unique physique is long, wide, tall, rounded in the front, and squared off towards the rear. Yet, the Wagoneer L will need to continue establishing its identity and disposition with US car buyers. Standard 20″ or 22” aluminum wheels featuring various finishes and textures come standard on the Grand L. However, I’m a massive fan of the 22″ tinted polished rims with black inserts outfitted on my ride. This setup corresponds with the black wheel well trim, Piano Black exterior accents, the sporty black roof, dark tow hooks, and Jeep’s familiar, darkened 7-slot grille. Most of these features, along with the premium 23-speaker 1,375-watt McIntosh MX1375 Reference Entertainment System and front console cooler, are part of the $5,495 Obsidian Appearance Package..

I felt pretty fancy when I climbed into the cockpit to take command of the two-spoke steering wheel. Looking around the “lounge on wheels” in amazement, I wondered how Stellantis could pull off this level of opulence and wizardry, especially the Grand Wagoneer L that exponentially advances utility and comfort. For example, the Grand features either Nappa leather or Palermo leather-trimmed and quilted seats, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, two 10.1″ touchscreens as part of the available $2,195 Rear Seat Entertainment system, a start button surrounded by a knurl-patterned bezel, and a 10.25″ rear comfort screen situated between the captain chairs with configurable controls including the seat back massage.

Additionally, the exquisite interior is set off by wood-like panels in the Wagoneer  L and genuine handcrafted Satin American Walnut in the Grand Wagoneer L, an aluminum rotary gear select dial, a digital rearview mirror, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof for sunshine to all passengers, and a fancier Uconnect 5 with a 10.1″ or 12″ touchscreen for operating everything from Apple CarPlay to navigation. I’m also thrilled that product planners kept the physical “volume” and “seek” knobs! Moreover, the 2023 Grand Wagoneer L receives a 10.25″ touchscreen on the dashboard of the front passenger with control capabilities for various situations. One is Co-Pilot (navigation, device management), the other is entertainment (via HDMI or Rear Seat Entertainment control), and the last is the ability to watch the vehicle’s exterior cameras.

When it’s time to hit the trails or go camping with the family, the Wagoneer L’s Selec-Terrain traction management system will certainly come in handy. You can set the SUV in Rock, Sand/Mud, Snow, Auto, and Sport modes, and manually raise or lower the Quadra-Lift air suspension. Three 4×4 systems include Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II with active low range and a rear electronic limited-slip differential. Your ride will be able to swim in 24″ of water, raise 10″ for more ground clearance, and tow up to 10,000 lbs. A few advanced safety technologies include Active Driving Assist, Night Vision with Pedestrian and Animal Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, Surround View Camera, Intersection Collision Assist, ParkSense Automated Parking System, and Drowsy Driver Detection.

In Montana, I also drove the new Wagoneer L Carbide 4×4 dictated by a slick black-out design theme. Of course, the Wagoneer L is subdued compared to the Grand Wagoneer L, but it is still prominent. Highlights of the $3,695 Carbide appearance package consist of 20″ Gloss-Black aluminum rims, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, Black Onyx grille rings, Gloss Black grille texture, Smoke accent interior stitching, and Global Blacks seats, instrument panel, and doors.

The premium American icon is reborn to excite the market with innovation and capability. Expect an MSRP of $71,080 for the 2023 Wagoneer L Carbide and $98,090 for the Grand Wagoneer L Obsidian 4×4. Keep in mind that options will increase both prices as a Grand Wagoneer L can tip the scale past $109,000.

2023 Grand Wagoneer L features the pinnacle of premium SUV interiors with a modern American style and Uconnect 5 12-inch touchscreen radio.

2023 Wagoneer L Carbide

 

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