Septer 25, 2015
By Josie Moyer
There’s nothing quite like the smell of a new car. With 2016 fast approaching, new, redesigned, updated and upgraded cars will soon be rolling into Guam’s showrooms. Here’s our guide to the most compelling vehicles we can’t wait to drive.
BUICK VERANO
The 2016 Buick Verano is an affordable compact car with impressive standard features that distinguishes it from other competitively-priced sedans. The Verano comes equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, steering wheel controls, rearview camera, 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth and USB port. The Verano is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower, with front-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission. One of the Verano’s most notable features is its quiet cabin. Striving to isolate road and engine noise, Buick designed and outfitted the 2016 Verano with triple-sealed doors, laminated side glass and even an acoustic windshield. The result is a remarkably quiet interior. Add all that to the Verano’s uncluttered dashboard configuration and refined interior and it totals up to a compact sedan that is worthy of being compared to luxury cars of the same size.
MPG: Up to 21 city, 32 hwy
Horsepower: 180 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 15.6 gal
Engine: 2.0-2.4L 4-cylinder
GMC CANYON
The Canyon, GMC’s latest entry into the mid-size pickup truck segment, aims to provide buyers with versatility, ruggedness and a more fuel-efficient package. The Canyon comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 193 horsepower. It has more than 300 horsepower in V-6 form, and offers a bed up to six feet long. Properly equipped, the standard Canyon model can tow up to 6,700 pounds and haul a maximum of 1,450 pounds. Appealing to modern buyers, the Canyon offers tons of tech and convenience features including a power-adjustable driver’s seat, 4.2-inch color display screen, rearview camera, six-speaker audio system and USB port. Canyon’s cabin is exceptionally quiet and comfortable, and designed to the highest standards. Whether Extended Cab or Crew Cab, one look inside and it is clear that this truck was designed to refine and redefine and the mid-size pickup.
MPG: Up to 20 city, 27 hwy
Horsepower: 181-305 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 21 gal
Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder, 3.6L V6
FIAT 500X
The Fiat 500X is a car of many firsts. It’s the first Fiat to be produced and marketed as a worldwide product, the first Fiat all-wheel-drive ever and the first Fiat to offer a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Fiat 500X enters the growing class of small crossover SUVs with more space than its brother the Fiat 500, thrifty fuel economy, driver-centric amenities, and advanced safety and security features. The new Fiat 500X comes equipped with an impressive array of standard equipment including a four-speaker stereo system, USB port, auxiliary input jack and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. If you’re looking for a compact SUV that’s cute and stylish, the Fiat 500X will win you over with its classic Italian flair.
MPG: Up to 25 city, 34 hwy
Horsepower: 137 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 14 gal
Engine: 1.4L 4-cylinder, 2.4L 4-cylinder
TOYOTA SCION iM
Named one of Forbes’ Hottest New Cars for 2016, the Scion iM is a sporty and affordable four-door hatchback that comes loaded with features and equipment that are normally optional extras. Standard features in the iM include power folding mirrors, USB port with iPod connectivity, dual-zone automatic A/C, a Pioneer audio system with a 7-inch touch screen, a backup camera, hands-free phone capability and Bluetooth, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, and eight airbags. Along with versatility and affordability, one of the classic reasons to buy a compact hatchback is gas mileage, and the iM boasts 32mpg (combined city/hwy). The iM’s sporty flavor makes it fun car to drive and the perfect choice for the adventurous.
MPG: Up to 28 city, 37 hwy
Horsepower: 160 to 180 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gal
Engine: 1.8L 4-cylinder
NISSAN MAXIMA
After a one-year hiatus, the Nissan Maxima returns in 2016 and it is fully redesigned. The Maxima aims to set a new standard in the full sedan category with its sporty driving character, quiet and upscale interior, and long list of features. The Maxima’s new styling is fresh inside and out with flowing lines leading from the front to the very back of the car. A 3.5-liter V6 engine, a continuously variable (automatic) transmission and front-wheel drive are all standard. Nissan says the Maxima “challenges every conventional notion of what a 4-door sedan is.” With 300 horsepower, a performance tuned suspension, a luxurious driver’s cockpit loaded with technology, striking aerodynamic styling, and a Sport Mode setting that’ll get your heart racing, it really isn’t a sedan after all. It’s the 4-Door Sports Car.
MPG: Up to 22 city, 30 hwy
Horsepower: 300 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 18 gal
Engine: 3.5L 24-Valve V6
KIA SPORTAGE LX
The 2016 Kia Sportage features a stylish and sporty redesigned exterior and an updated interior with greater head and legroom. The LX model is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a height-adjustable driver seat, folding and reclining rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker sound system, an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port. Standard safety features of the Sportage include antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. With agile handling, a quieter, more refined ride, and a range of up-market features, the 2016 Kia Sportage is ready for whichever road you choose.
MPG: Up to 21 city, 28 hwy
Horsepower: 180-260 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 15.3 gal
Engine: 2.4L 4-cylinder
ELANTRA by HYUNDAI
Hyundai’s compact Elantra sedan and hatchback return in 2016 with new features and terrific value. Standard upscale features include keyless entry, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, aluminum-alloy wheels, and a 172-watt 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/ radio with USB/iPod inputs. All 2015 Elantra sedans are rated at five stars overall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and also named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Those 2015 ratings should carry over to the 2016 models, as the car is mechanically unchanged. If you’re in the market for a compact car that is affordable and practical yet sleek and stylish, check out the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.
MPG: Up to 28 city, 38 hwy
Horsepower: 145-173 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 12.8-13.2 gal
Engine: 1.8-2.0L 4-cylinder
CHEVROLET CAMARO
From the outside, the new model Camaro doesn’t appear drastically different from its predecessor, but it has undergone some radical changes on the inside. First off, it has drop major weight – some 390 pounds – and has bulked up on power and speed. At 455 horsepower, the SS coupe is the most powerful SS ever and can go from 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds and zoom through a quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds. Dual-mode active exhausts can be set to roar when you want to flex or to stealth mode when you want to creep. The new Camaro also offers a noticeable upgrade in interior design and quality, with new features like analog dials with a configurable gauge cluster, customizable ambient cabin lighting, 8-inch touchscreen media display, Bose premium audio system, and electronic parking brake. The new Camaro is like that friend who joined a crossfit gym and emerged three months later looking lean, toned, strong, and decked out in the best threads. #5 on Forbes Top 10 Hottest Luxurious Sports Cars for 2016.
MPG: Up to 30 hwy
Horsepower: 275-455 HP
Engine: 2.0L Turbo, 3.6L V6, 6.2L V8
MAZDA CX-5
The sporty crossover Mazda CX-5 has been lightly updated, retuned, and restyled for the new year, resulting in a balance of utility, efficiency, stylish good looks and pleasant driving dynamics. With 64.8 cubic feet of room, the Mazda CX-5 has more cargo space than most rivals in its class. Additional improvements have been made to the CX-5’s suspension and front seats, with more sound insulation resulting in a 10 percent reduction in interior sound levels. The car’s standard features include Bluetooth, push-button start, four-speaker stereo with voice commands, auxiliary input jack and USB port. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 earns great fuel economy and achieved high marks for safety. The CX-5 was named a ‘Top Safety Pick’ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, giving the CX-5 its highest rating for frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests, roof strength and rear crash protection.
MPG: Up to 26 city, 35 hwy
Horsepower: 155-184 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 14.8-15.3 gal
Engine: 2.0-2.5L 4-cylinder
INFINITI QX30
The bold styling of the new 2016 Infiniti QX30 luxury crossover is a mix of sharp angles and curves, meticulously crafted to set itself apart from the rest of its segment. Underneath the sculpted contours and swooping creases, the QX30 is really a Mercedes-Benz. Like the Q30, the QX30 has been primarily developed by Mercedes-Benz and is built on the same compact, front-drive architecture that forms the basis for the Mercedes A-Class hatchback. The QX30 is a vehicle that straddles the border between a sporty coupe and a small crossover, riding higher than the average hatchback owing to its emphasis on a little more ground clearance and muscular proportions. Other details include 21-inch wheels and larger-profile tires, along with blade-style roof racks. The luxurious interior includes a modern multi-functional dashboard with touchscreen color display, climate control unit, LED interior lighting, leather upholstery seats and leather inserts. The QX30 offers premium-class style that turns heads and promises effortless elegance whether you’re navigating traffic or exploring weekend getaways.
*Infiniti QX30 specs have not yet been officially released
