10 WAYS THE NEW 2016 CHRYSLER 200 IS BUILT TO COMPETE AND IMPRESS

The new 2016 Chrysler 200 is built to outshine the competition and to stand out in any crowd. Here are 10 ways this next-generation midsize sedan is setting a new standard for performance and luxury in its segment.

1. We start this list the same way we start the 2016 Chrysler 200 — with standard Keyless Enter ‘n Go™. With the key fob in the vehicle’s proximity, Keyless Enter ‘n Go automatically unlocks the driver’s door when you pull the handle.

2. When it comes to competition, few metrics are as powerful as horsepower, and the 2016 Chrysler 200 has that in spades, with an available best-in-class 295-horsepower1 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine.

3. There’s also plenty of room on our top 10 list for a spacious interior. The 2016 Chrysler 200 has the most interior storage space in its class, and was named among Ward’s 10 Best Interiors. It’s a first-class cabin in a midsize sedan that features sculpted, comfortable seats, two available sunroofs and a unique center console.

4. With a standard 36 hwy mpg, more than Fusion or Camry, the 2016 Chrysler 200’s 2.4L Tigershark® MultiAir® II four-cylinder engine is engineered to go the distance.

5. The Rotary E-shift with available paddle shifters and sport mode helps redefine the ergonomics and modern style of the center console. The standard nine-speed automatic transmission Rotary E-shift is intuitive to operate and takes up much less interior space than a traditional shifter.

6. This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all four wheels. The highly advanced available All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system is the most technologically advanced AWD system in its class1 and is a fully pre-emptive system that requires no driver input.

7. The seventh selection on this list is illuminating. The 2016 Chrysler 200 lights the way to luxurious, sleek style with standard bifunctional projector headlamps and contemporary LED taillamps. The available Premium Light Group adds High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps and LED fog lamps.

8. When you maximize your airflow, you quickly discover how aerodynamics can be about more than just aesthetics. The 2016 Chrysler 200’s active grille shutter system enhances aerodynamic performance by redirecting airflow around the front and down the sides of the vehicle.

9. As if the drive alone weren’t entertainment enough, the 2016 Chrysler 200 features an available Uconnect® 8.4 NAV system with premium 3-D navigation, a high-resolution 8.4-inch touchscreen display — the largest touchscreen in its class1 — and available SiriusXM® Satellite Radio. Turn up the volume, and enjoy the ride.

10. Safety is always our top priority, so we saved the best for last. The 2016 Chrysler 200 has up to 60 standard and available safety and security features, including eight standard airbags to help protect occupants in the event of a collision. Available safety features include Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, and the Blind Spot Monitoring System.

Read more at: https://blog.chrysler.com/uncategorized/10-ways-the-new-2016-chrysler-200-is-built-to-compete-and-impress/

Keeping your vehicle longer may save more money than you think

Once upon a time, buying a new car may have sounded like a dream come true, but keeping your car through the “Cinderella Era” can mean more gold at the end of the rainbow, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“The smartest way to get a solid return on your vehicle investment is to keep your car through what we call the ‘Cinderella Era.’ That’s the period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “With proper care, the typical vehicle should deliver at least 200,000 miles of safe, dependable performance, and that’s no fairy tale.”

By simply allocating the equivalent of just one new car payment, motorists can cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance and live happily ever after with their current vehicle. The most common maintenance procedures and repairs to keep a car operating safely and reliably while maintaining its long-term value involve checking the oil, filters and fluids, the belts and hoses, brakes, tires and air conditioning. The council also recommends an annual tune-up and wheel alignment.

“Whether it’s an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car,” said White. “The end of the story is that a properly maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2016/04/cinderella-era-vehicle-fairy-tale/

Four Symptoms of a Sick Cooling System

Knowing the symptoms of a sick cooling system are critical since cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns. The most noticeable symptoms are overheating, leaks, a sweet smell of antifreeze and repeatedly needing to add coolant, according to the Car Care Council.

“Neglecting your cooling system can result in serious damage and even complete engine failure, which would put a sudden end to your road trip,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “If the cooling system doesn’t receive regular maintenance, it’s not a question of whether it will fail, but rather when it will fail. Performing regular checkups of belts, hoses, the water pump and fluids will ensure your car remains properly cooled and healthy for many miles down the road.”

The primary job of the engine’s cooling system is to remove the heat that is generated during the combustion process. The coolant temperature can be well over 200 degrees and that heat has to go somewhere, otherwise engine components are going to start failing. The key parts of the cooling system remove the heat from the engine and automatic transmission and dispel it to the air outside. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated. The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for efficient engine operation.

A major factor that affects the replacement of cooling system parts is the frequency of regular maintenance, such as coolant changes. Motorists should consult their owner’s manual for specific recommendations about how often to change antifreeze and flush the coolant system. A coolant flush and fill is basic to cooling system maintenance as new antifreeze helps the engine run cooler and a flush removes dirt or sediment that could damage other cooling system parts.

The coolant level should be checked regularly at the reservoir and motorists are reminded to NEVER open a hot radiator cap. If the coolant is low, a 50/50 mix of approved antifreeze and distilled water should be added.

Motorists can also do a visual inspection of hoses, belts and the radiator to help identify cooling system problems before they escalate. Radiator leaks, bulging hoses or frayed and cracked belts are clues that the cooling system is in need of maintenance.

Additional signs of cooling system problems include the vehicle temperature gauge rising near the danger zone, coolant leaks, steam or hissing sounds under the hood or the district smell of an engine that’s running hot.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2014/06/four-symptoms-of-a-sick-cooling-system/

New 4×4 Holiday, New Jeep® Brand Snapchat, More Reasons to get Muddy

For true adventurers and Jeep® brand enthusiasts, April showers bring something even better than flowers — mud, and plenty of reasons to get dirty. This past April 4th the Jeep® brand celebrated 4×4 Day with Save the Dirt fan photos and the launch of the new official Jeep® brand Snapchat channel.

4×4 Day on April 4th

Get it? 4×4 on 4-4. It’s the new holiday that celebrates the wave goodbye to winter — when off-road enthusiasts finally drop the top for spring and take to the trails to splash around in the mud made by the melting snow. What could be better than going from season to season while you Go Anywhere, Do Anything®?

As with any good holiday, what really makes 4×4 Day special is the tradition and the memories. So for this inaugural celebration the Jeep® brand pulled out all the stops, leaving no trail unexplored, no puddle unsplashed, no chat unsnapped and no dirt unsaved. Take a look at the new tradition.

Jeep® Brand Snapchat

This year we marked the special April 4th 4×4 holiday with the launch of the official Jeep® Snapchat channel (username “Jeep”). The Snapchat launch included fan voting on the top Jeep® vehicles, and a national Snapchat filter. In addition, at 2,000 FCA dealerships across the country, Snapchat users will find a geo-targeted Jeep® filter through the end of June.

Off-roading, of course, is more than just one day or one snap — it’s a way of life. By using the #4x4ever hashtag, Jeep® enthusiasts can continue to show off their trail pics and videos beyond the holiday. Select lucky fans who use the hashtag may even receive a Jeep® branded keychain capsule that features the 4×4 Day 2016 logo.

Off-roaders know that few things feel better than showing up at the office on Monday in a freshly mud-caked Jeep® Wrangler. With that in mind, to coincide with the Snapchat campaign, the Jeep brand launched a #SaveTheDirt call to action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Instead of taking your Jeep® vehicle to the car wash after a weekend of trail riding, take a picture and post it as a badge of honor from your latest weekend adventure. Go ahead, give them something to talk about until the next 4×4 Day.

The spirit of the 4×4 Day lives on as a yearlong celebration of the Jeep® life. Keep posting your photos, and connect with Jeep® brand social channels at jeep.com.

Read more at: http://blog.jeep.com/news/new-4x4-holiday-new-jeep-snapchat-reasons-get-muddy/

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is pretty much good to go

We've been stalking the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for months, and now we're getting our best look yet at the devilishly powerful sport utility vehicle.

From a distance, the JGC looks almost stately in black. Look closer and you see the SRT badges and the big brakes. Look past the wrappings and you see large air intakes in the lower fascia. All of this reinforces the Trackhawk's performance pedigree, which will be anchored with the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi Hellcat V8. It's rated at 707 horsepower in the Charger and Challenger Hellcats. The Jeep will use four-wheel drive.

These up-close images show off the Trackhawk's simple design. Like the Dodge Hellcats, Jeep appears to be letting the power and capability stand on their own. Previously, we've only seen the Trackhawk from a distance or in blurry video.

The Trackhawk's arrival comes as Fiat Chrysler expands Jeep's global presence. The company is increasingly looking to its venerable off-road brand for sales volume, image building, and profits as it re-aligns its car business and looks for potential partners.

The Trackhawk looks nearly production ready, and we expect it to go on sale in 2017. Also, don't confuse it with the Trailhawk, which is a trim level you can buy on the 2017 Grand Cherokee.

Read more at: http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/22/jeep-grand-cherokee-trackhawk-spy-shots/?ncid=edlinkusauto00000016

What to do if your car is in a flood

Ten steps to assess and address the damage

Immersion in water can wreak havoc with a car, especially the engine, electrical system, and interior. If your car has been immersed in water more than halfway up its wheels, follow these ten steps to assess and address the damage.

1. Do not attempt to start the car! It's tempting to turn the key and see if the car still works, but if there is water in the engine, attempting to start it could damage it beyond repair. I've outlined a few basic checks below, but if in doubt, its best to have the car towed to a mechanic.

2. Determine how deep the car was submerged. Mud and debris usually leave a waterline on the car, inside as well as out. If the water didn't rise above bottom of the doors, your car will probably be fine. Most insurance companies will consider the car totaled (damaged beyond economically-reasonable repair) if water reaches the bottom of the dashboard.

3. Call your insurance company. Flood damage is generally covered by comprehensive (fire and theft) insurance, so even if you don't have collision coverage, you may be covered for repairs or replacement.

Your insurance company will probably be flooded (sorry) with claims, so it's a good idea to start the process early. (More about floods and car insurance)

4. Start drying the interior. If water got inside the car, mold will grow quickly. Start by opening the doors and windows and putting towels on the floor to soak up water, but you should plan on replacing anything that got wet, including carpets, floor mats, door panels, seat padding and upholstery. Remember, these repairs are likely to be covered by your comprehensive insurance.

5. Check the oil and the air cleaner. If you see droplets of water on the dipstick or the level of the oil is high, or if the air filter has water in it, do not attempt to start the engine. Have it towed to a mechanic to have the water cleared and the fluids changed. (Hard-core do-it-yourselfers can try changing the oil then removing the spark plugs and cranking the engine to blow out the water, but we still recommend leaving this to a mechanic.)

6. Check all the other fluids. Fuel systems on late-model cars are usually sealed, but older cars may need to have their fuel systems drained. Brake, clutch, power steering and coolant reservoirs should be checked for contamination.

7. Check all of the electrical systems. If the engine looks OK to start, check everything electrical: Headlights, turn signals, air conditioning, stereo, power locks, windows and seats, even the interior lights. If you note anything even slightly amiss -- including the way the car runs or the transmission shifts -- that could be a sign of electrical trouble. Take the car to a mechanic, and remember that the damage may be covered by insurance.

8. Check around the wheels and tires. Before attempting to move the car, look for debris lodged around the wheels, brakes and underbody. (Set the parking brake before crawling around the wheels!)

9. If in doubt, push to have the car totalled. A flood-damaged car can experience problems months or even years after the event. If your car is a borderline case, consider pushing your insurance company to declare the car a total loss. Replacing it will cost money, but you may save yourself from some major (and expensive) headaches down the road.

10. Beware of flood-damaged replacements. Many cars that are totaled due to flooding are simply cleaned up and re-sold. Before buying a used car, have the title checked; words like "salvage" and "flood damage" are giant red flags. Get a comprehensive history on the car -- if the car has been moved from another state and re-titled (especially a state that has been subject to flooding just before the title change), the seller may be trying to hide flood damage.

Read more at: http://cars.about.com/od/adviceforowners/a/What-To-Do-If-Your-Car-Is-In-A-Flood.htm

Under Pressure? TPMS Dashboard Light Lets You Know

Newer model vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to warn drivers that at least one of their tires is underinflated. The dashboard light looks like an exclamation point inside of a horseshoe and, if illuminated, should be addressed immediately, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“When the TPMS light goes on, it should not be ignored. Driving on underinflated tires can lead to an accident or cause damage to your vehicle,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “As part of a proactive auto care plan, tire pressure should be checked monthly, including the spare, as tires can lose pressure due to a number of factors, including seasonal temperature changes.”

All vehicles manufactured after September 2007 feature a tire pressure monitoring system. When the TPMS warning light comes on, it means pressure in at least one of the tires has fallen 25 percent under the recommended pressure. Low tire pressure can be due to a number of factors, including climate, road hazards and driving conditions. Once the tires are inflated to the correct pressure as outlined in the owner’s manual, the warning light should go off. However, some vehicles may require a professional service technician to reset the light.

According to the council’s free 80-page Car Care Guide, tires that are not properly inflated also add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. This can lead to lower gas mileage and potential damage to the vehicle.

“In addition to safety concerns, underinflated tires can cost you more at the pump,” said White. “Simply inflating tires to the proper level can improve gas mileage by 3.3 percent or 10 cents per gallon.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a free copy of the council’s popular Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2016/03/pressure-tpms-dashboard-light-lets-know/

It’s Pothole Season: You May Be In For A Bumpy Ride

As the weather gets warmer, motorists will see more potholes on the roadways and avoiding them can be a real challenge. If you hit a pothole, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends watching for three warning signs to determine if your vehicle has been damaged.

Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling.

Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear, are symptoms of an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the wheel rim will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible, as tires are the critical connection between your car and the road.

If you feel your vehicle has suffered damage from hitting a pothole, it is wise to have it inspected by a professional service technician. Potholes occur when water permeates the pavement – usually through a crack – and softens the soil beneath it, creating a depression in the surface of the street. Many potholes appear during winter and spring months because of freeze-thaw cycles. Potholes can also be prevalent in areas with excessive rainfall and flooding.

“Pothole season may last longer these days as many municipalities do not have the resources to fill potholes as fast as they should, leaving drivers to dodge them well into late spring and summer,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Because hitting a pothole can put a big dent in your wallet, making necessary repairs right away could save you from more costly ones down what could be a very bumpy road.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2016/03/pothole-season-may-bumpy-ride/

April is National Car Care Month: Time to Make Auto Care a Top Priority

Analytics are big these days in business, sports and politics. When it comes to auto care, the numbers tell a very revealing story as 80 percent of vehicles need service, a new part and/or repair, according to the non-profit Car Care Council.

“With so many vehicles in need of service, National Car Care Month in April serves as an important reminder to take action today so you can depend on your vehicle down the road,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s easy to postpone vehicle maintenance when things get busy, but don’t put it off. Addressing minor service needs before they become major will help you avoid unexpected car trouble and unplanned costly repairs.”

The Car Care Council reports that vehicles inspected at community car care events held throughout the country in 2015 failed one or more aspects of the inspection process. Some areas posting the highest failure rates include: low fluid levels (washer fluid 26 percent, engine oil 23 percent and coolant 19 percent); clogged or dirty air filters 19 percent; illuminated check engine light 13 percent; worn belts 13 percent; and needed battery service and wiper blade replacement 13 and 12 percent, respectively.

“Many maintenance needs are quick and inexpensive to resolve, so it’s easy to make auto care a priority during National Car Care Month,” continued White. “To help you ‘be car care aware,’ the Car Care Council has many free tools available at www.carcare.org, including the popular Car Care Guide and a customized service schedule with email remainders that makes it simple to follow a routine maintenance program.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2016/03/april-national-car-care-month-time-make-auto-care-top-priority/

The 2016 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards

Best Truck: Ram

- Base price: $26,605

- Towing capacity: 9,000-plus lb.

- EPA mileage: 17 mpg city/25 highway

Give it up for the Ram! Top to bottom, this is the model to beat. Chrysler is a perennial third-place finisher in the domestic-truck sales battles, which means that these new Rams are the product of a striver mentality. Chrysler knows that, unlike with a Ford or a Chevy, you probably won't buy its truck out of habit or hallowed family tradition. So it wants to give you other reasons, compelling technological reasons, for joining the Mopar crowd.

And there are certainly plenty of those. The Ram is the only pickup with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, a device so manifestly excellent that Rolls-Royce and Range Rover put the same one in their cars, too. That transmission can be bolted to a satisfying 305-hp V-6, a beastly Hemi V-8, or a 3.0-liter diesel, the only small diesel you can get in a full-size truck. The Ram EcoDiesel nets 29 mpg highway and can tow more than 9,000 pounds, which makes you wonder why it has, as yet, no direct competition.

The Rams also have the most ambitious suspension. The 1500- and 2500-series trucks come standard with a coil-spring rear end, so when you've got nothing in the bed (which is probably most of the time) they still manage a smooth ride with superior control, none of the rear-end hopscotch that leaf springs can give you on a bumpy road.

A coil-spring rear end would be revolutionary enough, but Chrysler also offers the industry's only available air suspension. Going off-roading? Hit a button and it's like you installed an instant lift kit. If you're loading cargo, drop the suspension and you can heave those bags of mulch into the bed without approximating the caber toss at the Scottish Highland Games. The truck even knows to drop the body closer to the pavement at highway speeds to improve fuel economy.

On the heavy-duty side, Ram's got the most torque (a downright silly 900 lb-ft from the high-output Cummins diesel) and the most powerful gas engine with the 410-hp 6.4-liter Hemi. The trucks with an HD badge also get optional rear air suspension, which means the bed stays level even when you've loaded it with two yards of gravel or your pet hippopotamus or a bunch of caber poles.

No, the Ram isn't perfect—the fancy Laramie Longhorn interiors exhibit the aesthetic sensibility of a Reno whorehouse circa 1895—but in terms of fearless ambition and overall goodness, the striver makes a compelling case. You ought to hear it out.

Read more at: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g2573/2016-popular-mechanics-automotive-excellence-awards/

Views from the Edge | 2016 Moab Easter Jeep Safari Highlights

The world is filled with adventure for those willing to live close enough to the edge … and there are plenty of edges in Moab, Utah. This year marked the 50th running of the Moab Easter Jeep Safari, as well as the Jeep brand’s 75th Anniversary. It was the perfect opportunity to honor the tradition of off-roading, to share stories on the trail and to look ahead to the future of Jeep 4×4 vehicles. But first, let’s take a look at the scenery from the desert. The views are spectacular.

Speaking of great views and sights to behold, the Jeep brand put out a call to owners of vintage Jeep vehicles to gather for a 75th Anniversary photo shoot at Moab. The photos feature a collection of iconic Jeep vehicles, along with some proud owners. We’ll be sure to share the photos soon. In the meantime, take a look at the Seven New Jeep Brand Concept Vehicles we brought to Utah.

http://blog.jeep.com/news/seven-new-jeep-concept-vehicles-roll-into-moab/ From vintage and concept vehicles to dizzying cliffs and desert landscapes, there’s plenty to show off from this year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari. Stay tuned for My Jeep Stories, personal experiences with Moab and the Jeep brand, and Trail Rated Rookies, where newbies take to the trail with seasoned off-road veterans to discover what 4×4 lifestyle is all about. The reactions are priceless.

And for the ultimate online off-road experience, check out these interactive 360-degree trail videos shot from a Jeep Wrangler as it covered the Moab terrain – it’s the next best thing to coming along for the ride.

Read more at: http://blog.jeep.com/news/views-from-the-edge-2016-moab-easter-jeep-safari-highlights/

Will the Pacifica be AWD?

For quite some time, there has been talk of an all wheel drive version of the Chrysler Pacifica.

All wheel drive was dropped from Chrysler minivans many years ago, due to lack of demand. Now that AWD is trending upwards, it has become more valuable, but installing a driveshaft to reach the rear wheels would kill storage space — a key selling point in the minivan with fold-in-floor seats. They could make two different floor pans, but that would dramatically increase the cost.

The hybrid turns out to be the answer. It doesn’t have second-row Stow ’n’ Go, but it does have both motors and a gasoline engine. While the current hybrid (not in production yet) is not all wheel drive, the technology allows a future one to be. Packaging might be difficult in back, with the motors possibly intruding on interior space, but it’s not impossible.

The concept has already been proven on other cars, and it’s may be a matter of time (at least a year) before it hits the Chrysler Pacifica at last. By then, the Pacifica-based crossover should be out, and for that, AWD seems to be more important.

There has been no official announcements on AWD either way, except that the currently made Pacifica is front wheel drive only.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/04/where-is-the-pacifica-awd-31589

2017 Pacifica vs the 2016 minivan world

Later this month, Chrysler will officially launch minivans at dealerships across the US and Canada. Still, much has been made of the extra cost of the Pacifica over the Caravan. It may be worth a closer look.

The base Pacifica LX is $29,590 (all prices include destination), versus the current Cavan AVP’s $23,090. That’s quite a hike, but the Caravan will continue — and is really selling well below what it should be. The cheapest minivan outside of Dodge is the Kia Sedona, at $27,295, and that’s barely moving.

Minivan buyers seem to be less price sensitive than many would think; there is higher demand from retail buyers for upper trim levels on Toyota and Honda minivans, and for middle to high trim on Chrysler minivans.

The biggest minivan sellers outside of FCA are Toyota and Honda; Toyota’s base model (with only around 1/20 of their sales) is the L, starting at $29,750. That’s above the Pacifica LS by $160. Over at Honda, the cheapest Odyssey — again, with around 1/20 of their sales — runs $30,300. For that matter, the cheapest Chrysler Town & Country today is the LX, with just 2% of sales, running $30,990.

At the top end, Chrysler is not even close to Honda or Toyota. The Pacifica Limited, with many more features than the Town & Country, is $43,490. The Toyota Sienna Limited Premium is $46,170; the Odyssey, $45,775. (The Sedona Limited is cheaper at $40,795).

The Pacifica does well in features, as well; unlike the Toyota and Honda, it has an optional surround-view camera, ventilated seats, automated parking (both parallel and perpendicular), 10-inch seatback screens, hands-free sliding doors and liftgates, LED fog lamps and headlamps, heated second row seats, and of course Stow ’n’ Go seating. (The Kia has a hands-free gate but not hands-free doors. The hands free feature will not be available until later in the model year; and buyers can choose to delete it and get $195 back.)

The Pacifica tops it off with better highway mileage than the Sienna (the same as the Odyssey), best in class horsepower, three more forward gears, active noise cancellation on every model, and the largest interior. The Pacifica, like the Caravan and Town & Country, will be able to haul up to 32 1/2-inch-thick 4×8 building materials.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/04/2017-pacifica-vs-the-2016-minivan-world-31576

2016 Ram 1500: Is the RamBox Worth Having?

As the owner of a Ram 1500 without RamBox or the in-bed cargo management system, I was eager to try out the 2016 Ram 1500 Limited with both features. I’d read both criticism and praise for the system on various forums, and was ready to give them a full trial. Would it be an answer to my needs — or would it take up valuable bed space?

Before getting into all of the upsides of the RamBox Cargo Management system, I should address the one key downside to the RamBox package. It is only available with the 5’7” or 6’4” cargo box, so you cannot get it with the eight foot bed.

People who do not like the RamBox will likely complain that you cannot carry a standard piece of plywood flat in the smaller beds with the tailgate up, as though everyone in the world hauls loads of plywood. I run a horse stable and I have only hauled plywood a few times in five years; and I did so with my 6 foot bed.

The vast majority of new trucks sold in America from every automaker are sold with 6.5 foot beds or something small, so in offering the RamBox Cargo Management system with the 5’7” and 6’4” bed – Ram is hitting most buyers.

The next bit of negativity with the RamBox Cargo Management system is the narrower bed, and that seemed like a valid enough complaint for me to conduct some tests. I found an oddly shaped piece of wood in my workshop that measured 48 inches at its widest point. I laid that piece of wood in the bed of my own Ram without the RamBox system with a tape measure to show the width of the bed. I then put that same piece of wood in the bed of the 2016 Ram 1500 with the RamBox system and, as you can see in the images below, it fit just as well. In fact, the bed with the Cargo Management System is about an inch wider than the area between the wheel humps in my bed.

RAMBOX

The big difference with the RamBox system is that the areas around the wheel humps are filled in, and that is where you technically lose space in the bed. When you are hauling large boxes or plywood, that space doesn’t make any difference, since those spots are typically empty when hauling large boxes, large pieces of wood, etc. However, I run a horse stable and I regularly haul hay in the back of my trucks.

In my own Ram without the RamBox, I can fit eleven 60-pound bales of hay on end – four across the back, three between the wheel humps and four against the back of the cab. Not surprisingly, with the entire bed of the 2016 Ram with the RamBox system being roughly the distance of the area between the humps in my RamBox-free bed, I can only fit three bales of hay in each of the three rows in the newer bed. So, if you haul lots of hay or a great deal of loose material, you do sacrifice some cargo space.

The upsides far exceed the loss of two bales of hay, and the Cargo Management System is helpful in all sorts of situations.

I love the RamBox system. It locks and unlocks with the key fob, the deep front and rear well help to keep things in place while you are driving and even when I drove the truck through thick mud, the contents of the RamBox remained clean and dry. Ram advertises the RamBox as being ideal for fishing rods or firearms, but I found that the RamBox is great for groceries – and we all buy groceries. I put the milk and taller items in the deeper portions, with the more delicate things in the raised center section. Once filled in, nothing shifted around during driving and if anything falls out of the bags, the front and rear lighting is very helpful in the dark.

When driving the new Ram, much of the random stuff that I would normally put in the back seat of my own truck went into the RamBox, and I love anything that cuts down on interior clutter.

Next up, we have the Cargo Management System in the bed of the 2016 Ram 1500. This setup includes the “ribs” in the walls of the bed and the unique locking barrier that operates with the simple twist of the central handle.

While driving the new Ram, I hauled a few different items that generally have to be tied down or they will slide around the bed while in transit. The first was my 3 ton floor jack, followed by three bales of hay, 400 pounds of bagged horse grain and a pair of 5 gallon diesel cans.

Anyone who has thrown a floor jack into the bed of their truck knows how it will roll around, banging against the sides of your bed and anything else that you might have back there. I moved the RamBox Cargo Management System barrier to the very back of the bed and locked it into place, which effectively pinned the jack between the barrier and the tailgate. With the three bales of hay, I packed them against the back of the cab on end and used the barrier to keep them in place and when I hauled the 8 bags (400 lbs) of horse feed, the barrier allowed me to keep them all at the back of the bed, whereas they will slide around in a bed without a barrier.

Finally, whenever I go to get diesel fuel for our tractor, I have to bungee cord the cans to the side of my bed and drive carefully so that they don’t fall over. With the RamBox Cargo Management System, I was able to pin both cans between the barrier and the tailgate, along with sticking my recycling bin in the middle so that they wouldn’t slide towards the middle. I was able to drive to the gas station with just those two cans and the recycling bin, and they didn’t move around at all.

In short, the Cargo Management System adjustable barrier makes the bed of the Ram 1500 far more functional and far more convenient. The video below shows how easily the barrier moves with a twist of the center handle.

When you consider that the RamBox Cargo Management System costs just $1,295, I would call this a must-have for any new Ram buyer. The slight loss of cargo space is more than offset by the functionality of the cargo barrier system and the RamBox, while eliminating the need for aftermarket bed boxes and the other items used to keep things from sliding around the bed.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/reviews/ram/rambox.php

Jeep winners, Patriot, and Compass

The Jeep Patriot managed to beat its successor in sales last month despite a 17% sales drop, logging 9,837 US sales vs Renegade’s 8,832. The comparison may be somewhat unfair, as some dealers said they were not getting ordered Renegades, and the latter is brought in from Italy while the Patriot is made in Illinois.

In any case, the Renegade easily beat the outgoing Compass, despite a huge 53% boost in Compass sales compared with March 2015. (There were practically no Renegades to be sold at that time so the latter’s 2,228% gain can be ignored.) This bodes well for the replacement-Compass, which will reportedly have much the same chassis as the Renegade but with mini-Grand-Cherokee styling.

Looking at the bigger Jeeps, the three-way sales race has been clearly won by the Cherokee, with 19,170 sales for the month — up just 1%. The Grand Cherokee hit the #2 spot with 18,506 sales, and Wrangler trailed at 17,710. The Wrangler may have the last laugh, though, with a production boost planned — and the most traditional Jeep will be kicking the Cherokee out of its factory and taking it over, most likely next year.

Jeep continues to be on a roll for 2016, with sales up by 17% year to date; the Compass has the biggest rise (up 43%) and lowest sales. The only other Jeep to lose sales year to date was the Wrangler, though only by 1%. The profit engine Grand Cherokee was up by 8%, and the Cherokee gained by 3%. So far, Jeep has sold 49,534 Jeep Cherokees in the US alone — a number larger than total Jeep sales in many of the Willys and Kaiser years.

Read more at:http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/04/jeep-winners-patriot-and-compass-31560