2016 New Car Guide for Spokane and the surrounding area.
24
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 1 2016 2016 NEW CAR GUIDE NEW CAR GUIDE SWEET ’16 SWEET ’16 Big trucks, small crossovers and fast cars are the trends to watch this coming year 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata THE HOT LIST The best new and redesigned cars, trucks and SUVs THE CHEAPEST CARS TO INSURE + HOW TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE PLAN KNOW THE RIGHT DRIVE FOR YOU YOUR WATCH IS IN CONTROL
Transcript
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 1
20162016 NEW CAR GUIDENEW CAR GUIDE
SWEET ’16SWEET ’16Big trucks, small crossoversand fast cars are the trendsto watch this coming year
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
THE HOT LISTThe best new and redesigned cars, trucks and SUVs
THE CHEAPEST CARS TO INSURE +HOW TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE PLAN
KNOW THE RIGHT DRIVE FOR YOU
YOUR WATCH IS IN CONTROL
2 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
Coeur d’Alene HondaCoeur d’ Alene, ID
AutoNation HondaSpokane ValleySpokane, WA
Larry H. MillerDowntown Honda
Spokane, WA
Honda of Moses LakeMoses Lake, WA
AutoNation HondaNatSpokane ValleySpSpokane, WA
aree
Your Inland Northwest Honda Dealers are On It! Check out the line up of New Honda Vehicles—featuring fuel efficient
and All Wheel Drive vehicles for Northwest driving.
For dealership location, current specials, and product information go to
INLANDNORTHWESTHONDADEALERS.COM
2015 HondaCR-V EX-L AWD
2016 HondaPILOT EX-L 4WD
2016 HondaHR-V EX-L AWD
2016 HondaACCORD EX-L
2016 HondaCIVIC EX-L
2016 HondaFIT EX-L
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 3
WatchWhatHappens Maybe you forgot to lock
your car doors. Or your hands are full and you
can’t excavate for your keys. Or you simply forgot where you parked. All you have to do is swipe and tap on your watch and you’re set.
It seems like something out of a James Bond film, but with the new Apple Watch, car-control connectivity is going writer to owners’.
Here’s a look at some of the
automakers that are making drivers feel a little bit like 007.
VOLKSWAGENOwners of late-model VW autos
with Car-Net technology (available as a trim option of several 2014 and 2015 VW models) are able to control a several platforms features and functions via the Car-Net app for Apple Watch. Owners can lock and unlock doors and check the open-or-closed status of doors,
The latest car technology isn’t in the car – it’s on your wrist. Here’s how the Apple Watch is bringing car owners into the future
Volkswagen’s Car-Net allows owners to check pinpoint the location of their
parked care or check the battery charge of their electric vehicle.
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
4 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
windows and the sunroof. Owners of the VW TDI and e-Golf can remotely check fuel levels or current charge and driving range. Climate-control options also are available for the e-Golf. There is vehicle-location mapping – don’t fret about remembering where you parked! – and parents can even receive alerts if their teens exceed the speed limit or drive too far out of range. (FYI: It’s worth noting that several of these features already were available through VW’s iOS app for iPhone, but now they can be done from the wrist).
BMWLike VW’s Car-Net tech, BMW’s i
Remote App – compatible with the company’s i3 and i8 autos – currently is a current iOS app that’s made its way from the iPhone to the Apple Watch. And it offers the same bevy of features – battery status,
navigation, temperature controls, door-lock status, etc.
PORSCHEFor Porsche’s Car Connect system,
the Apple Watch functions solely as a display and control element for the iOS app that still must run on a smartphone. The upside here is that if the app is running on your phone, you can manage setting via the watch without having to dig the phone out of your pocket to close windows or the sunroof or lock the car. And because the Car Connect iOS app runs on your mobile-phone network, you can use the Apple Watch to communicate with your car from any distance.
BMW’s iRemote app for the Apple Watch pairs with the company i3 and i8 models.
BMW’s iRemote app for the Apple Watch pairs with the company i3 and i8 models.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 5
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
3 Trends to Watch in 2016BY JIM GORZELANYCTW FEATURES
How things change. A few years ago car dealers were saddled with unsold inventories of
powerful yet fuel-swilling cars and trucks following a brutal combination of skyrocketing gas prices, a slumping economy and changing consumer tastes.
But with the nation’s financial situation solid, and gasoline prices staying well below $3/gallon, consumers’ preferences are turning once more. Big and burly pickup trucks are again becoming kings of the road, with high-performance cars capturing the imagination of enthusiasts and affluent car buyers alike. And what is perhaps the hottest segment of the new-car market these days – small upscale sport utility vehicles – literally did not exist until recently.
Here’s a look at the three hottest trends that will help define the new-vehicle market for the 2016 model year and beyond.
TRUCK SALES ARE BOOMINGPent-up demand, the flourishing
construction and housing sectors and
low gas prices are bringing pickup trucks sales back to their pre-recession levels.
The three most popular vehicles in the industry of all kinds are again full-size pickup trucks, the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, respectively. While they’re still
workhorses, top-of-the-line, four-door five-passenger crew-cab versions rival luxury cars with supple leather interiors and an array of top-shelf accommodations, at sticker prices that easily break the $50,000 barrier.
The top selling full-size F-150 was completely redesigned for 2015 with
extensive use of aluminum as a weight-saving measure to help boost the truck’s performance and its fuel economy. Two new midsize pickups, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups, returned to the U.S. after a prolonged absence for 2015 and are drawing new buyers into the fold for whom a full-size model is too big or expensive. For 2016, Nissan redesigns its Titan full-size truck with added muscle, while Toyota gives its
sporty compact Tacoma pickup a major makeover.
SMALL CROSSOVERS ARE BIGCompact and midsize SUVs have
long been popular for their adept combination of added utility and interior/cargo room over comparably
FORD F-150
CHEVROLET SILVERADO GMC CANYON CHEVROLET COLORADORAM 1500
Big trucks, small crossovers and ultra-fast cars are expected to dominate the year as hot tickets in the new car business
6 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
sized cars, with optional all-wheel-drive for improved traction over wet or snowy roads. Today, automakers are flowing the market with smaller crossovers that nonetheless offer a full range of top-shelf convenience features that appeal to up-and-comers and empty nesters alike.
Recently added models in this burgeoning bracket include the Chevrolet Trax and Jeep Renegade, the luxury-minded Audi A3 and Lexus NX and the super-sporty Porsche Macan. The selection expands even further for 2016 with new models including the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.
FAST. FASTER. FASTEST. While $4/gallon gasoline helped
make fuel economy a prime car-shopping concern, lower fuel costs have given many car buyers a renewed taste for speed, and auto engineers are responding with some of the quickest rides ever built.
While one expects beefy sports cars like the 650-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to deliver the goods with scenery-blurring acceleration, what would be considered “family cars” are even packing the heat these days. Take, for example, the midsize Volvo S60 sedan, which comes powered by a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates a V8-like 302 horsepower,
JEEP RENEGADE
LEXUS LX
PORSCHE MACAN
FIAT 500X
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
* APR = annual percentage rate. The 2.24% APR applies to 2008-2016 model year vehicles. Rates and terms depend on individual creditworthiness of each borrower. Rates subject to change. Lowest possible rate assumes (1) automatic payment through an STCU checking account (2) ownership of a STCU credit card by the primary borrower; and (3) borrower’s creditworthiness. Your rate may be higher.
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 7
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
or the “Hellcat” version of the full-size Dodge Charger sedan that packs a 707-horsepower su-percharged V8 punch.
This fall, Mercedes-Benz adds a new limited production AMG C63 version of its compact C-Class luxury sedan that burns up the pavement with a hand-built 469 horsepower bi-turbo V8 engine, or the even-faster AMG C3 S with 503 horsepower. What’s more, Cadillac introduces the high-performance ATS-V version of its smallest se-dan for 2016 with a 464-hp twin-turbocharged V6 engine, and brings back the midsize CTS-V with a 640-horsepower version of the aforementioned Corvette Z06 supercharged V8 under the hood. DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT
CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
8 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
Sleek, sporty cars and posh luxury Sleek, sporty cars and posh luxury rides dominate the list of new rides dominate the list of new
models headed to dealers’ models headed to dealers’ showrooms in 2016showrooms in 2016
THE FAST ANDTHE FAST ANDTHE LUXURIOUS:THE LUXURIOUS:2016’2016’ss HOTTEST HOTTEST
NEW CARSNEW CARS
THE HOT LISTTHE HOT LIST
2016 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA2016 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA
BY JIM GORZELANYCTW FEATURES
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 9
Chevy relaunches the midsize Malibu sedan with added style and substance to help jump-start its fl agging fortunes in a highly competitive market segment. The car’s freshened exterior styling borrows cues from the larger Impala; a more spacious interior includes an additional 1.3 inches of rear-seat legroom. A 1.5-liter, 160-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard and promises an estimated 27 city/37 highway miles per gallon; a 250-horsepower, 2-liter turbo-four alternately is available. In addition, a revamped gas/electric Malibu Hybrid promises 48/45-mpg fuel economy. A new Teen Driver feature lets parents monitor vehicle speed, distance driven and other factors, mutes the audio system if front-seat occupants aren’t wearing their safety belts and warns the driver when the vehicle is traveling over a preset speed.
CHEVROLET MALIBU
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
10 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
Mazda’s low-slung two-seat convertible is redesigned for just the third time in its 25-year history and takes on nicely assertive exterior styling that replaces the former version’s “happy face” look. A new 2.0-liter engine is estimated to generate 155 horsepower and attain an estimated 27 city/36 highway mpg with the available six-speed automatic transmission (27/34 with the standard six-speed manual). About 150 pounds lighter in than the previous edition, expect the MX-5 Miata to retain the precise go-kart-like handling abilities for which it’s known.
MAZDA MX-5 MIATA
Convertible sales have been dwindling in recent years, but Buick hopes to revive the ragtop with its curvaceous Cascada. The fi rst open-air Buick in a quarter century, the car seats four and comes protected by a fully insulated soft-top that drops in 17 seconds – and can do so while running at speeds up to 31 mph. A 1.6-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine is estimated to produce 200 horsepower, which should make the Cascada suffi ciently energetic. A long list of standard and optional features include an onboard subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting mobile devices to the Internet.
BUICK CASCADA
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 11
12 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
Toyota’s youth-oriented division launches
two new small cars for 2016, the subcompact
iA sedan, which shares components with
the Mazda2, and the compact iM hatchback,
which essentially is a wagon-like version of
the Corolla sedan. The sporty-handling iA
comes powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder
engine that promises an estimated 42 mpg in
highway driving and can be mated to either a
six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed
automatic with a selectable sport mode.
Meanwhile, the larger iM packs a 1.8-liter
four-cylinder engine and a choice of a six-
speed stick shift or a gearless CVT automatic,
also with a more-responsive sport setting
in addition to a manual mode that emulates
seven “shift points.” A standard Low-speed
accident avoidance system helps a driver avoid
or at least minimize the damage of collisions
in around town driving. Both will come well
equipped in a single-spec model each, with the
iA expected to sell in the $16,000 range and
the iM going for less than $20,000.
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
SCION iM
SCION iA
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 13
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
General Motors’ storied luxury car division raises its profi le for 2015 with the debut of this new full-size rear-drive fl agship sedan. It’s designed to take on premium luxury sedans like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class with its handsome big-car looks, spacious and richly styled interior and loads of technology. Power comes from a choice of a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that will likely appeal to rental fl eets, with a better-suited 3.6-liter V6 and a new 3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 otherwise available that’s estimated to generate a powerful 400 horsepower; an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with all-wheel-drive included with V6 models. The CT6’s myriad performance and convenience features are too numerous to list in full but include a 360-degree, around-the-car monitor (with on-the-go recording capabilities), articulating heated/cooled and massaging rear seats and a 34-speaker Bose audio system.
CADILLAC CT6 MERCEDES-BENZMAYBACH S600
The luxury automaker’s fl agship sedan adds a new over-the-top model for 2016, the Maybach S600. Starting at more than
$185,000, it essentially fi lls the gap in the automaker’s model line created when
it discontinued its underperforming Maybach line of ultra-luxury cars. It’s more
than 8 inches longer than the standard S-Class models, with more interior room,
richer accommodations and a 6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine that puts 523
horsepower and 612 pound-feet of launch-happy torque to the pavement. We assume in many circles the Maybach S600 will be used as a chauffeur-driven executive car, and as such it offers many fanciful rear-
passenger-focused features.
14 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
BIG ‘N’ BOLD:2016’s HOTTEST NEW TRUCKS AND SUVs
THE HOT LIST
Pickups get major makeovers, while crossovers add fun and flair to the burgeoning new segment
After a dozen years languishing in its current form, Nissan redesigns its full-size Titan pickup for 2016, and it follows what would seem to be
a winning formula. It sports a more-imposing exterior treatment than before and comes in standard, extended King Cab and four-door Crew Cab
body styles, with long- and short cargo beds and rear- or four-wheel-drive. Available engines include a new V6 and V8, along with a 5-liter turbodiesel
V8 with an estimated stump-pulling 555-pound-feet of torque. Nissan claims the new Titan can tow a maximum 12,000 pounds of boat or trailer when
properly equipped. Inside there’s Nissan’s comfy “zero gravity” seats and a large center console designed to double as a mobile workstation. Newly available locking in-bed storage compartments can be used for either tool
storage or as onboard beverage coolers.
NISSAN TITANBY JIM GORZELANYCTW FEATURES
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 15
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16 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
Another pickup long in need of a makeover, Toyota redesigns its compact Tacoma with muscular exterior styling and a “handlebar” themed instrument panel inside that’s claimed to afford a driver-centric experience. Power comes from either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a new 3.5-liter direct-injected V6. A six-speed automatic transmission is offered across the line, with a six-speed manual gearbox available with the V6. Four-wheel-drive is optional, with TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road versions remaining in the lineup for sport-truck enthusiasts. Available amenities include push-button entry/start, leather seats and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffi c alert.
TOYOTA TACOMA
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
This new compact crossover SUV is a so-called “Gran Coupe” version of the automaker’s X3 with a sleeker coupe-like roofl ine (in that regard it’s a smaller version of BMW’s X6). With BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system coming standard, the X4 offers a choice of turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines and promises tenacious cornering abilities thanks to a new Performance Control system helps quicken the vehicle’s steering by sending additional power to the outside rear wheel through the turns. An M Sport package is available that adds specifi c visual elements inside and out for an even more-athletic look.
BMW X4
It’s hard to decide which features are the most exciting in the 2016 Lincoln MKX. Drivers will appreciate the 2.7 liter turbo EcoBoost engine, the 360-degree camera, along with the adaptive parking system that not only parallel parks for you, but automatically un-parks. Lincoln also shows off a classy approach detection system, which essentially puts out a welcome mat if you’re in the proximity by turning on the lights and displaying the Lincoln emblem. A Revel audio system with at least 13 speakers comes standard, but he fi nal treat is a multi-contoured driver’s seat with 22 different positions that also provides massages.
LINCOLN MKX
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 17
• SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY • Seating for Five • 35mpg • Available AWD • Starting at $21,210
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18 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
The compact CX-3 combines fun and practicality, featuring a forceful-looking exterior styling and a driver-focused interior that makes extensive use of high-quality materials for a refi ned look and feel. The CX-3 comes powered by a peppy and fuel-effi cient 2-liter 146-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission standard and all-wheel drive optional. Like its larger sibling the CX-5, the new crossover promises livelier handling performance than the norm among small SUVs. An array of available safety features – offered only on the top Grand Touring version, however – includes a low-speed auto-braking system to help avoid crashes in city traffi c.
“Bold” and “exciting” are two words being used to describe the 2016 Lexus RX. Veteran auto watchers know that these adjectives can often be overused. But with this new luxury vehicle, they’re spot-on. Lexus has updated the front end with a spindle grille, an aggressive bumper and triple L-shaped headlights, which combine to convey a blend of sophistication plus a healthy new dose of attitude. The advanced, chiseled styling also continues on the sides and rear, giving owners a sleek, rugged but still classy ride. The roomy interior cabin also has the same premium appearance.
Based on the subcompact Honda Fit, this new small crossover features a stylish exterior and reasonably roomy interior, with second-row seats that fold fl at into the fl oor for expansive cargo carrying abilities. Starting at about $20,000, it packs a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a peppy 141 horsepower and an estimated 28 city/35 highway mpg; front-drive versions can be fi tted with a six-speed stick shift, with a gearless CVT automatic optional there and standard with all-wheel drive. Available top-shelf features include heated leather seats and a smartphone-compatible infotainment system with hands-free text messaging.
HONDA HR-V
MAZDA CX-3
LEXUS RX
The Italian automaker extends its model line for 2016 to include this pert and perky subcompact four-door crossover SUV that’s mechanically related to the Jeep Renegade. Powertrain choices include a 1.4-liter 160-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.4-liter 180-hp four and a nine-speed automatic. Drivers can switch between “auto,” “sport” and “traction+” modes depending on their preference and road conditions. Uncommon among small crossovers, the 500X offers many of the latest accident-avoidance features, plus upscale amenities like keyless entry/start and heated front seats. Expect a starting asking price at around $20,000.
FIAT 500X
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 19
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
Front vs. Rear Front vs. Rear vs. All vs. Fourvs. All vs. Four
BY JIM GORZELANYCTW FEATURES
Not all vehicles are created equal with regard to how they put their power to the
pavement. While most mainstream cars today
are front-wheel drive, many luxury and sports cars instead retain the traditional the rear-drive configuration, with vehicles of both kinds offering all-wheel drive for added traction in foul weather. Most pickup trucks offer a choice of either
rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, while sport utility vehicles run the gamut, being offered with rear-, front-, four-wheel- or all-wheel drive, depending on the model.
Which configuration works best for a given motorist depends on any number of factors, including how and where one drives. Here’s a quick rundown of a new-car shopper’s options with regard to traction:
FRONT-WHEEL DRIVEThis is the standard configuration
found on most cars and all minivans
and car-based crossover sport utility vehicles. It became popular in the 1980s as stricter fuel economy regulations dictated building smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Generally, front-drive cars fare better under wet and snowy conditions than rear-drive models, simply because they place more weight directly over the drive wheels. Unfortunately, high-powered, front-drive models tend to suffer from the phenomenon known as torque steer, which tends to pull a vehicle to one side under heavy acceleration.
REAR-WHEEL DRIVEDriving enthusiasts have long
preferred the traditional front engine/rear differential layout, which affords a better front-to-rear weight balance that translates into superior ride and handling abilities. It also can better accommodate larger engines, which is why it’s favored in higher-performance vehicles and trucks.
Fortunately, modern chassis control systems and improved tire technology help compensate for – though they don’t exactly eliminate – a rear-drive car’s inherent tendency
Today’s cars have plenty of options when it comes to its wheel-drive configuration. Which one should you look for in your new car?
20 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
to fishtail on slick surfaces and in extreme handling situations. In lieu of installing a set of snow tires, those who endure a wintry climate may still need a hand pushing a rear-drive vehicle out of a snowbound parking space.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVEAvailable with most rear-
drive passenger cars, all front-drive car-based crossover SUVs and one minivan (the Toyota Sienna), AWD automatically sends additional power to either the front or rear axle as necessary to counter wheel spin over wet or snowy roads. It’s the best choice for those living in snowy and/or remote areas.
Under normal circumstances some AWD systems will ordinarily send 100 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels, while others will split the difference between front and rear on a 50/50 basis. Some AWD models will ordinarily send more power to
the rear wheels to maintain a sportier rear-drive feel.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVEAvailable on pickups and truck-
based SUVs, today’s 4WD systems come in several varieties, each of which is skewed more toward either off- or on-road use.
A few low-cost trucks and SUVs still offer a basic part-time 4WD setup, in which the engine powers only the rear axle until the driver pushes a button or shifts a lever to additionally engage the front wheels. Full-time 4WD, also offered on many pickups and truck-based SUVs, allows a driver to choose between rear-drive, 4WD
and a safety-minded “automatic” mode that engages the front wheels as needed when sensors detect wheel slippage. Permanent 4WD is similar to AWD, with all wheels receiving some degree of power at all times.
Generally, all types of four-wheel drive systems include “low range” gearing for times when maximum traction is needed, such as getting out of the deepest snow drifts or mud ruts – orengaging in extreme off-road adventures.
It is important to note, however, that while AWD and 4WD help you “go in
the snow” and may afford a bit of extra grip in other low-traction situations, neither system enables a driver to violate the laws of physics. Even the beefiest 4WD trucks can spin out of control on a patch of ice or through a slick curve if driven without regard to conditions.
As always, safety first.
TOYOTA SIENNA AWD
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 21
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
BY JIM GORZELANYCTW FEATURES
Insurance premiums are among the most substantial of a car’s long-term ownership costs, and though
they’re based largely on a motorist’s driving record and other intractable factors, one can minimize the drain on a family’s budget by picking a model that’s inherently cheaper to insure in the first place.
According to the annual survey of new-car premiums conducted by the website Insure.com in Foster City, California, family-minded minivans and SUVs/crossovers are the least costly types of cars to insure, with the rough-and-tumble Jeep Wrangler being the most affordable model for 2015 in that regard, with average annual premiums at a modest $1,134.
At the other end of the scale, pricey luxury models and racy sports cars tend to command the highest insurance premiums, with the rip-roaring Nissan GT-R sport coupe – nicknamed Godzilla for its monstrous performance – leading the pack with an average annual premium of $3,574.
More expensive vehicles tend to trigger higher car insurance rates than cheaper ones, simply because they cost more to repair and have higher damage thresholds before becoming “totaled.” Beyond that, insurance companies base their rates on claims histories, including how much damage a given model incurs in a typical crash, the extent of injuries (and fatalities) suffered by
occupants and other parties, the cost of damage to other vehicles and property and which models are more or less likely to be stolen.
“Insurance rates are all about claims – how many and how big,” explains Penny Gusner, at Insure.com consumer analyst. “Cars that are cheapest to insure typically are easy to repair or have fewer claims or both."
It’s always a good idea to check with an insurance agent early on in the car-shopping process to identify which models under consideration are less costly to insure than others on your list. Note that these rates often vary from one carrier to another, so be sure to shop around among insurance companies to find the best deals.
Beyond that, the best way to minimize one’s car insurance rates is to maintain a clean driving record. According to data compiled by San Francisco-based InsuranceQuotes.com,
drivers receiving alcohol-related citations see their rates rise by an average of 92 percent; reckless driving and speeding at 31 mph or more over the posted limit will boosting premiums by an average 83 and 29 percent, respectively. Similarly, the website cautions that filing a single bodily injury or property damage claim of $2,000 or more will cause an average motorist’s car insurance premiums to skyrocket by around 41 percent.
And hold onto your wallet if you have one or more kids at home about to get their licenses. According to InsuranceQuotes.com, adding a teen driver to a married couple’s auto insurance policy boosts rates by an average 79 percent.
Another way to help cut costs is to raise the deductibles for
comprehensive and collision coverage, which cover physical damage to the insured’s car when another driver is not at fault. And be sure you’re getting credit for all the rate discounts to which you may be entitled, including for bundling home, apartment and car coverage and/or for multiple autos, taking a defensive driving course and allowing an insurance company to monitor how the vehicle is being driven according to a wireless device that plugs into a diagnostics port under a car’s dashboard.
Keeping auto insurance costs low starts on a dealer’s lot.Here’s how to choose a model that’s the least costly to cover
The Rides with theCheapest Rates(2015 Model Automobiles)
1. Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD, $1,1342. Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD, $1,1363. Honda CR-V LX AWD, $1,1604. Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus, $1,1625. Honda Odyssey LX, $1,1636. Jeep Compass Sport 2WD, $1,1647. Subaru Outback 2.5i AWD, $1,1768. Ford Edge SE 2WD, $1,1769. Smart Fortwo Pure Coupe, $1,18610. Ford Escape S 2WD, $1,190
Source: Quadrant Information Services via Insure.com. Rates are based on more than 1,500 car models
quoted from the six largest carriers in 10 ZIP codes per state. Estimates are based on an unmarried 40-year-
old male driver with good credit, a clean driving record and average policy limits, including a $500 deductible
on collision and comprehensive coverage.
Best Buys for Cheap Insurance
22 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
The Keys to a Low RateBY MAHUSMITA BORACTW FEATURES
When it comes to auto insurance, loyalty to one company doesn’t pay off.
So, consumers these days are heeding to the scores of ads nudging them to shop for quotes that promise a break on their wallet.
According to the J.D. Power 2015
U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, 39 percent of insurance customers got new quotes last year. That’s a 32-percent jump compared to two years ago.
The trend, of course, is triggered by rising rates.
“Auto-insurance rates increased in 2013 and again in 2014,” says Valerie Monet, director of the insurance
practice at J.D. Power. “Those rate hikes have sent many consumers shopping for a new provider.”
Consumers are shopping online and by phone; both are effective channels, Monet says.
“Consumers often find online shopping to be faster and more convenience, while a phone call provides an opportunity to ask the
insurance provider questions,” she said. All that said, the marketplace can be very confusing for shoppers. Here are a few tips on cruising into a lucrative deal.
START EARLYStart getting insurance quotes when
you begin car shopping, says Penny Gusner, a consumer analyst at
A new ride means a new insurance policy. Here’s how to smartly shop around to make sure your auto protection is affordable
Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015 23
2016 NEW CAR GUIDE
Insure.com. Depending on the model, premiums may be high and make it difficult to meet your monthly car payment.
“Narrow down two or three cars and shop for insurance the same time you test drive the car,” Gusner says.
COMPARE WISELYWhen shopping for insurance for an
existing car, make sure you look for the same coverage as offered by your current policy. You might get attractive quotes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will get the same coverage.
LOOK AT CARS THAT FETCHCHEAP PREMIUMS
The make and model of the vehicle has a significant effect on insurance premiums, Monet says. Vehicles that are more expensive to repair or replace, or are stolen more often, are likely to cost more,. Other factors that
affect insurance are: driving record, miles driven annually or daily, and where you live and work.
According to Insure.com, the cheapest car to insure in 2015 is the Jeep Wrangler because that had the least number of claims, while the costliest to insure were the ones that were fast, powerful and expensive to repair such as the high-end Porsches, BMWs that sell for more than $100,000 and can go around 200 mph.
The most-expensive model to insure is the Nissan GT-R Nismo at an average $3,574 per year. That's more than twice the $1,555 average for the 1,500-plus models that the site studied. “It basically comes down to claims history,” Gusner says. “Any car that’s expensive to fix would cost more on insurance.”
EDUCATE YOURSELF ON DISCOUNTSThere are many discounts offered by different companies. Learn what your options are, then ask for them. You get a break if you have multiple cars, clean driving record, a bundled policy for home and auto. There also are discounts for safety features, and certain professionals such as educa-tors, scientists and engineers. Married couples with children can sometimes get lower rates.
BUT DON’T FOCUS SOLELY ON PRICE“Customers should look for insurers
that provide clear, effective communication about policy options throughout the shopping experience – whether through interactions with staff or using tools and information on the website – including guidance in the selection of a policy that meets their needs, any discounts they may be eligible to receive, and how their premium is calculated,” Monet says.
They also should evaluate how well the insurer they are considering will manage the day-to-day interactions, and how well they handle claims processes, which is the ultimate moment of truth for the customer, she says.
CONSIDER DEDUCTIBLES
Read up on deductible options. There’s a huge range of offerings from $250 to $2,500. The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be.
KEEP SHOPPINGIt’s good to look at your options
every six months to a year, Gusner says.
“The best time to switch is around your renewal time or whenever there are life changing events such as a move, a new car, marriage or retirement.”
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