Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis spent a footloose week bopping around in the Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling edition and cheerfully reports back in this week’s podcast episode. Talk about attention grabbing… er, the vehicle, not our illustrious host. Seems that a white Bronco Sport emblazoned with alternating red, orange and yellow stripes running across the fenders, doors, hood and seat backs makes it nearly impossible to travel incognito. It was good fun, though. Be sure to listen in to this week’s episode for all the delightful details and a quick rundown of the specs.
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2024 Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling Edition
Featured Image Photo by Peter Ciani
“Bronco customers appreciate its heritage. After such a great response to the reimagined Bronco Sport Free Wheeling project vehicle in 2021, we decided to bring this special edition that ties Bronco Sport to its fun loving roots.”~ Jason Hyde, Bronco Sport Marketing Manager
There are few automakers who seriously embrace change as deliberately as Hyundai, and the redesigned Kona N Line makes this abundantly clear. Just look at the styling.
Here at RPM News Weekly, we took the model for a week-long test drive that not only proved this point to us, but also found us filling up at a gasoline pump and wondering whether an all-electric version would be a better choice.
No question. We enjoyed the ride in this model. For its $33,695 as-delivered price tag, it’s a great value and will compete well in the glutted marketplace for small sporty SUVs. It’s not a powerhouse by any stretch with its 190 horsepower, but it zips around neatly as long as you’re not too hard on the powertrain. It’s fuel consumption, however, is somewhat mid-ling, garnering a combined city/highway rating of just 26 mpg.
The all-electric version of the 2024 Kona manages 116 mpge. From an efficiency perspective, that’s obviously a lot better. But for a more useful dollar-for-dollar comparsion, calculate the true cost based on the costs of an equivalent amounts of gasoline and electric energy. You can do that easily with our EQ Factor calculator (see below).
Meanwhile, enjoy our slide show of the Kona N Line. Stylistically, Hyundai has created a vehicle that will no doubt turn heads, but more importantly they’ve designed an affordable car that scores above its price range in comfort, tech-savviness, and driving satisfaction.
RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber
2024 Hyundai Kona N Line AWD
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE$32,150.00
MSRP INCLUDING OPTIONS $32,360.00
INLAND FREIGHT AND HANDLING $1,335.00
TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE$33,695.00
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EQ Factor
The ratio of the cost of a gallon of gasoline to the cost of an equivalent amount of electrical energy, based on a gallon of gasoline having 115,000 BTUs which is equivalent to 33.7 kilowatt-hours. The eQ factor is used to determine how many miles one gets in an electric vehicle for the same dollars spent on a gallon of gasoline. This is different than MPGe which does not account for price differences between gasoline and electricity. To figure the eQ factor, first calculate the the cost of an equivalent amount of electrical energy in your locale by multiplying 33.7 KwH by the cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity (including delivery charges, if any). Call that the “Cost of a Gallon of Electricity”. Take the cost of a gallon of gasoline in your locale, and divide it by the “Cost of a Gallon of Electricity” to get the eQ factor. The eQ factor changes depending on the prices of gasoline and electricity in a particular location on any given day.
To figure out how economical that electric car really is for you, multiply the MPGe rating from the EPA by the eQ factor to see how many miles you’ll get for the same dollars you spend on a gallon of gasoline.
Long before every vehicle in every segment attempted to become an adventurous, off-road-ready SUV, the Subaru Crosstrek had been quietly and confidently filling that role.
For 2024, the Crosstrek gets a redesign, and while Subaru added new tech and sharpened the styling, they didn’t change the formula too much. And why would they? The Crosstrek was still a strong seller even before the update. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke… don’t fix it.
The Crosstrek debuted in 2012 as the XV Crosstrek, a slightly lifted spinoff of the Subaru Impreza Hatchback with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and more rugged styling cues. When it debuted, the Crosstrek reminded me a bit of the Subarus of old. Back in the day, my sister drove a Subaru GL 4×4 hatchback, which might not be a direct relation to the Crosstrek but certainly created the formula. That little car was a beast; I wish I still had it.
Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
RPM News Weekly Photos by Peter Ciani
These days, with adventure-ready vehicles all the rage among outdoorsy types, and models such as the Toyota Corolla Cross, RAV4 TRD, and the all-new Nissan Rogue vying for attention, the Crosstrek is no longer the sole option in the compact segment. However, Subaru has been paying attention — enter the Wilderness edition.
The Crosstrek is not the first Subaru to get a Wilderness edition badge. The automaker launched its first Wilderness Edition trim on the 2022 Subaru Outback, which is a bit ironic because, if you know your Subaru history, the Outback itself started as an off-road trim variant of the Legacy wagon before becoming a stand-alone model in 2000.
Then in 2023, the Forester Wilderness was revealed.
The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness builds on the already capable small crossover by adding a trim-exclusive suspension with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, which is a half-inch taller than the usual 8.7 inches found in most Subarus. The added lift comes from longer, specially tuned coil springs and shock absorbers. The long-travel shocks offer increased absorption on rough surfaces while maintaining a smooth, controlled ride on regular roads. The Crosstrek Wilderness also benefits from improved approach and departure angles, thanks to its trim-specific front and rear fascia design.
To complement the off-road-ready suspension, the Crosstrek Wilderness comes equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires for optimal performance in mud, gravel, or snow, and Subaru’s driver-selectable dual-function X-MODE, offering Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Each setting optimizes engine output and CVT ratios, boosts Active All-Wheel Drive engagement, and fine-tunes the Vehicle Dynamics Control with Traction Control System for maximum traction. X-MODE also includes Low Speed/Low Ratio Gradient Control. This system senses when the vehicle is traveling on a steep incline at low speed, shifting the CVT to its lowest ratio (4.066:1). All Crosstrek models include Active Torque Vectoring for enhanced handling stability.
Subaru Media photoSubaru Media photoSubaru Media photo
The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by a 2.5-liter BOXER engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Subaru engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT. Thanks to a trim-specific transmission cooler, the Crosstrek Wilderness boasts a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds — that’s 2,000 pounds more than other Crosstrek trims. If you need to tow equipment, the Wilderness is the Crosstrek trim you want.
You do pay a small MPG penalty for the lifted suspension and off-road tires, which is not unexpected. The Crosstrek Wilderness gets an EPA rating of 25 city / 29 highway, compared to 26 city / 33 highway for the Sport and Limited models with the same engine.
Beyond the mechanical differences, the Crosstrek Wilderness features exclusive styling, including all-new front and rear bumpers, a bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, a metal front skid plate, unique hex-design LED fog lights, raised ladder-type roof rails, and an anti-glare hood decal in a matte-black finish. Of course, you can’t have a Wilderness trim without the anodized copper-finish accents.
Inside the Crosstrek Wilderness, you’ll find many of the amenities you’d expect from a top-tier Crosstrek, including the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While it doesn’t have the leather-trimmed seating of the Crosstrek Limited, it does include StarTex water-repellent upholstery with copper-colored stitching and heated front seats, fitting the softroader theme perfectly.
All weather mats also come standard on the Crosstrek Wilderness, as does a removable water-resistant rear cargo tray.
The Subaru Crosstrek was already a capable small SUV, but the new Wilderness trim takes it to the next level without compromising road manners or aesthetics. With a starting price about $1,000 over the top-of-the-line Crosstrek Limited, it’s a bargain, especially considering the additional equipment, capability, and mechanical upgrades you get.
No, it won’t leap tall buildings; nor is it fast enough to evade a speeding bullet, but the superpowers that the all-wheel drive 2024 Dodge Hornet GT Plus Blacktop does possess cleverly reveal themselves through its animated performance, dynamic array of safety technology and everyday convenience.
We’re not talking about unrestrained power. It may be a sibling in the Brotherhood of Muscle, but it’s no Charger or Challenger. It doesn’t have that kind of standing or vibe. Even so, the 268 horsepower coming from its small 2-liter turbo engine is appropriately applied to make the drive swift when it needs to be and torque-ey enough for the light towing (2000 lbs.) one would expect from a compact SUV.
If there’s anything holding this little brother back, it’s that it just doesn’t feel pumped up. Not that that’s a bad thing, but it is a bit of a let down.
Nevertheless, there are other positives to consider. Notably, the arsenal of safety equipment. Name it, it’s there – full-speed forward-collision warning, pedestrian/cyclist emergency braking, blind spot and cross path detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive speed control, rear park-assist system, automatic high-beam headlight control…
Then there are the conveniences such as the remote start system, wireless charging pad, hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, and a bunch more. With destination charge, the total price on our test model came to $40,485 and that included $1,995 for the GT Blacktop Package which comes with gloss-black painted mirror caps and side window moldings, dark “Hornet” and “GT” badges, and 18-inch abyss finish wheels with all-season tires.
At that price the Dodge Hornet GT Plus Blacktop is very competitive and definitely a vehicle to test drive if you’re shopping in the compact SUV market.
TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE$40,485.00
RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber
Several months ago, the Dodge Hornet Plug-In Hybrid was featured on our weekly Tech Talk podcast. Check it out here and subscribe for all the RPM News Weekly updates.
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Recalling memories from another era, Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis revisits the classic “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick” refrain in his report on the 2024 Buick Envista Avenir. It may not look anything like one of its predecessors, but with its smaller turbocharged engine, the Envista certainly gets better fuel economy. Besides, in his weeklong test drive, Rick found the model to provide “a very smooth, competent ride.” Listen in for the full report.
Want to stay up to date with the every episode? We can deliver Tech Talk to your inbox every week. Just hit the subscribe button in the sidebar at RPM News Weekly. You can also plug Our Podcast Feed into your favorite reader.
Enjoy listening to your favorite episodes while you drive.
2024 Buick Envista Avenir
Featured Image Courtesy of Buick Media
“Buick helped define the small SUV segment in 2012, and we’ve continued to make our offerings even more competitive since. The all-new Envista is going to shake up that segment once again. When you consider all the Envista has to offer, from its stunning design, standard technology and premium affordability, it’s going to be hard to find a better package in that area of the market.” ~ Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick-GMC
A few weeks ago, we, here at RPM News Weekly, reported on the 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid. Other than the obvious hybrid distinction, it has a lot in common with the gasoline EcoBoost powered XLT model. Even so, the XLT FX4 variant of this compact pickup offers one particularly significant difference that’s not as apparent as the flashy FX4 decals adorning its hind quarters. You’ll have to get underneath the truck, or poke your head around the wheel wells to get a glimpse.
We’re talking about the suspension of course.
If you run down the spec sheets on the 2-liter EcoBoost equipped trims, there are no differences in output or transmission. Plus, you won’t find any notable differences in size, inside or out, unless you look at the Maverick Tremor (a different story we may get to in a few weeks). There are a few variances between FWD and AWD editions due to tire sidewall size (e.g. ground clearance, approach angle, etc.) and a Tow Package option for AWD equipped models. But that’s it.
Where you’ll stop short in your perusal, though, is under the Suspension heading. Where the other AWD Mavericks come with twin-tube dampers, the FX4 raises the off-road competence by employing mono-tube dampers with hydraulic rebound stop. If you’re planning to regularly go off-road, this is why you’ll want the FX4 AWD instead of one of its siblings (not counting the Tremor, of course).
What are the advantages? Typically, a mono-tube damper provides more damping force, offers better heat dissipation, reduces the potential for aeration of the fluid in the damper, and is generally considered more responsive. The trade off is in ride comfort.
Our FX4 test ride also featured the optional FX Luxury Package. Why not ride in style while kicking up some dust? Check out this slide show for a full look at the model we drove.
RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber
2024 Ford Maverick XLT FX4 AWD
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE$26,315.00
MSRP INCLUDING OPTIONS $33,140.00
INLAND FREIGHT AND HANDLING $1,595.00
TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE$34,735.00
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Here’s the video from our report on the 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid.
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