The Infiniti QX line (X for Crossover) stands five deep with their SUVs numbered QX30, QX50, QX60 QX70 and QX80 and ranging in size and in an ascending scale and power from the QX30 at 174.2 inches long with a 2.0-liter, 208hp engine to the QX80 at 210.2 inches long with a 5.6-liter, 400hp engine.

Originally part of the Q30 line-up when it was a concept vehicle, Infiniti’s smallest crossover is targeted for younger drivers. The QX30 debuted last year with concept-car styling that is a step above a sporty hatchback, with the appeal of coupe architecture and crossover dimensions and capabilities. It also exhibited a sporty ride and soft-road abilities.

For this second year, QX30 has received only a few changes. Automatic emergency braking, previously optionally available only for the top two trim levels, is now standard on all trims; some upscale equipment has been shifted across the trims; and at mid-year, QX30’s trims were renamed, as the base model is now the Pure, Luxury is Luxe, Premium is Essential, and Sport is still Sport.

While I find QX30 as more of a soft-road than off-road vehicle, it is a luxurious compact SUV with a highly sculpted exterior, unique crossover stance and asymmetric cabin design that live up to Infiniti’s commitment to elegance.

The QX30 combines a balance of coupe sportiness, utility and 5-door versatility. It has a bold demeanor that is paid off with a confident drive and versatile attitude, aided by intelligent all-wheel drive intuitive technologies to enhance safety, comfort and convenience. QX30’s sculpted architecture delivers the look and feel of a luxury coupe with a lavish cabin and a smooth, coupe-like roofline. Constructed with a wide stance, QX30 is 174.2 inches long, 82.0 inches wide and 58.9 inches high on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. Its step-in height is 16.5 inches and minimum ground clearance is 6.8 inches. Curbweight is 4277 lbs. for the Luxe trim version in AWD.

The QX30 Luxe AWD I tested includes unique front and rear lower fascias, extended overfenders, trim-specific black mold-in color side sills, roof rails, distinctive 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a higher ride height than other trims.

The aggressive Infiniti design approach continues inside, with QX30 challenging traditional standards of symmetry through its expressive, modern and dynamic interior.
The asymmetric surfaces feature wave shapes and forceful lines that twist apart and flow away from the driver. These give an "in-motion" feel when natural light moves over the highly sculpted lines and contrasting materials in the cabin, and Premium cabin materials and high-tech infotainment are intuitive and upscale.

With seating for five, the QX30 cabin fits within the small crossover niche, with a tight fit for taller drivers and occupants. Front headroom with a moonroof is 38.4 inches, with rear headroom at 37.5 inches – restricting for anyone over 6-feet tall. Shoulder room is 54.8 inches in front and 53.1 in row two; and leg room is a comfortable 41.3 inches in the first row, but only child-accommodating 33.5 inches for rear-seat passengers. Outward sightlines are hindered, but the overall driving experience is quiet.

Power is delivered by the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged unit that is rated at 208 horsepower, with peak torque of 258 lbs.-ft. available from 1,200 – 4,400 rpm. Turbo pressure keeps the power sufficient when called upon, and the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission system provides seamless acceleration. Highway acceleration is reliable, and in track tests, I ran a zero-to-60mph dash in 6.6 seconds en route to a 15.1-second quarter-mile. EPA rated at 24mpg/city and 33mpg/highway, my week of tests yielded an average of 28.8mpg in mixed-use driving, some of which was on snow-covered roads.

Regarding the ride, QX30 delivers a comfortable, even indulgent experience. The MacPherson front struts and 23mm stabilizer bar work well with the multi-link independent rear and its stabilizer bar to level most pavement and soft-road inconsistencies.

From a safety perspective, QX30 is among the safest cars in its class owing to a range of active safety and hazard avoidance technologies that enhance the driving experience and provide a high level of safety to all occupants. And an Around View Monitor with moving object detection and Intelligent Parking Assist make the QX30 a maneuverable and easy-to-park vehicle.

The base 2018 QX30 Pure starts at $29,950; QX30 Luxe starts at $32.800; QX30 Essential starts at $367,700; QX30 Sport starts at $39,900; QX30 Luxe AWD starts at $34,800 and the QX30 Essential AWD starts at $41,200.

My test QX30 Luxe in AWD included all QX30 Luxe trim features plus Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD); 18-inch machine finished aluminum-alloy wheels; unique front and rear AWD styling; extended overfenders with unique sill panels; roof rails and a raised AWD suspension. Upgrades from the base QX30 included Nappa leather-appointed seating; 8-way power front seats; 4-way power front passenger lumbar; memory seats and mirrors; heated seats and Leatherette-appointed and stitched dash insert.

Loaded as a trim, few extras were needed. Splash guards added $215; all-season floor mats added $155; a reversible cargo protector mat added $120; Infiniti WiFi added $495; a Wireless Smartphone charger added $250, and Destination and Handling added $995 for a sticker-as-tested of $37,030.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

When Carlisle Events announced a new Corvette themed feature as part of Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, there was only one way to do it - go big! The group known around the world for Corvettes at Carlisle is pleased to announce a full buffet of Corvette options for enthusiasts of America’s Sports Car.

Winter AutoFest starts February 22 and spans three days at the SUN n’ FUN Campus in Lakeland. As part of the event, the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) hosts its winter regional meet, offering guests a look at some of the best Corvettes in and around the Sunshine State. In addition, Carlisle Events presents a Corvette Showfield with VIP and general parking options.

With some amazing Corvettes positioned in Lakeland, it makes sense that there’s a bevy of options available for those who show and those who go. Joining in the fun will be dozens of Corvette specific vendors, offering parts both new and classic. Stingray Chevrolet will be onsite too, showcasing new Corvettes, while Corvette guru Paul Koerner makes his Lakeland debut to host seminars and diagnose any and all issues for Corvette and all-Chevrolet owners. Koerner, based in Connecticut, is a GM certified master technician who can fix/identify any and all Corvette ailments. Throughout the weekend, he’ll be front and center with Corvette owners and their cars.

But wait...there’s more. Carlisle Auctions will run at least one all-Corvette themed hour as part of their two-day auction (February 22-23), giving those who want to buy their first or next Corvette a dedicated time slot to do so. Further, recently announced in conjunction with all the Corvette fun, a MiG 17 Russian Fighter Jet will be positioned near the Corvettes for photo opportunities. The photo ops are FREE, but guests are encouraged to bring their own cameras and snap their own pics.

“I’ve enjoyed the NCRS Winter Regional event for as long as I can remember. The event was always top-notch,” noted Corvettes at Carlisle event planner Lance Miller. “It’s really going to be fun hosting the NCRS Winter Regional event along with our Lakeland Auto Fest,” continued Miller. “We’re excited about this unique opportunity and feel confident every Corvette owner in Florida should attend this event. We’re focused on making this a ‘must attend’ for any car enthusiast but especially for those Corvette lovers like myself.” Miller concluded by noting “if you live in the cold parts of the country, what better time to escape than February and what better place than Lakeland, Florida? Come on down and enjoy the sun, the cars, the auction and the many vendors with us!”

In all, this will be the biggest and best Corvette gathering in the eastern time zone since Corvettes at Carlisle in August. Complete details on the Corvette showcase, plus the show itself can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Shaking hands with American car buyers, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra ranks as the No.7 top-selling sedan and No. 21 best-selling vehicle in America this year (up 6 percent) and two years into its sixth generation, Elantra has garnered more than 2.9 million sales since its launch in the U.S. That handshake refers back to Hyundai’s badge, its slanted, stylized “H” logo that Hyundai says, expresses two people shaking hands.

A favorite of those organizations who bestow awards to carmakers, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra has again been named a top compact family sedan in AutoPacific’s annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, and has once again earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ honors.

Last year, Elantra began its sixth edition with two trims (SE and Limited) and expanded during the year with Value Edition and Sport trims. In this sixth incarnation, Elantra’s demeanor has changed to an arguably more conservative design style from earlier looks, as the "fluidic sculpture" design that persisted across the Hyundai portfolio since 2011 is gone. The car is now more like a fastback, with its roofline sloped from the windshield to the rear of the car, and it has less curves overall with pentagonal head and tail lights, a hexagonal grille, and redesigned body panels and bumper emphasizing straight lines along the body.

And new for this year, Elantra’s trim lineup grows to six with the additions of the 35mpg ECO turbo and the tech-adding SEL. Also this year, the line-up adds a variety of improvements now available on most trims including; blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, four-wheel disc brakes, heated outside mirrors, auto headlamp control, 7-inch Display Audio system AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM with six speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tires, new machine gray exterior color choice and several trim-specific upgrades.

The 2018 Elantra is packed with a wealth of standard amenities including remote keyless entry; iPod®/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks; multifunction trip computer, six airbags: advanced dual front airbags with Occupant Classification System, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags; driver's blind spot mirror; dual-power and heated bodycolor side mirrors; motor-driven power steering; Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System and Anti-lock Braking System with Brake Assist.

Elantra’s sculpture is confident, elegant and rounded, from its chiseled front end, eye-slit headlights and prominent grillework to its sloping rear window and abrupt rear. That artistic aesthetic comes in a compact package that measures 179.9 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 56.5 inches high, on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 5.3 inches. The vehicle is confident, with a curbweight of 2976 lbs. for a sedan with an automatic transmission.

Elantra power comes from a Nu 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson Cycle DOHC 16-valve engine that puts out 147 horsepower and 132 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA estimate (automatic transmission) of 29mpg in the city driving and 38mpg on the highway. My week of mixed-use testing yielded a surprisingly high (for the niche) average of 32.0mpg.

Two0 Elantra trims offer other engines: the Eco trim employs a 40mpg, 128-hp turbo engine and the Sport trim utilizes a 201-hp turbo engine.

The Elantra ride is worthy of higher-segment comfort and quietness, but handling is vague and displays some challenging understeer during autocross maneuvers. Uphill grades are conquered with good acceleration in mid ranges, and my track tests showed an 8.4-second dash from zero to 60mph and a 16.5-second quarter-mile.

The Elantra Limited cabin is refined with intuitive design and lighting. Its standard leather seating surfaces offer a premium look and feel. Elantra provides adequate front headroom of 38.8 inches and 37.3 inches in row two. Front legroom is a comfortable 42.2 inches in row one, but a tighter 35.7 inches for second-row passengers. Shoulder room is generous throughout with 56.2 inches up front and 56.3 inches in the rear.

Available in six trims, The 2018 Hyundai Elantra in Base SE trim with a manual transmission starts at $16,950 – automatic is $1000 extra; the Elantra SEL starts at $18,850 (adding rear view camera, 7-inch touchscreen and Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay®); the Value Edition at $19,850 (with leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity key with push-button start and hand-free smart trunk); Eco starts at $20,550 (with the 40mpg 128-hp turbo engine); Sport starts at $21,600 (with its 201-hp turbo engine and LED lights); and the Elantra Limited, as was my test ride, started at $22,100 (and that includes an automatic transmission and the 147-hp engine, leather inside, HID headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels).

The Ultimate Package added $4350 for a Navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen, Infinity® Premium Audio with eight speakers including center channel and subwoofer; Clari-Fi™ Music Restoration Technology; 4.2-inch color TFT instrument cluster display; power sunroof; heated rear seats; Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection; Smart Cruise Control; Lane Keep Assist System and more. An Interior Light Kit was $250; Cargo net, tray and trunk hook added $185; mud guards added $95 and Freight added $885 for a final invoice of $27,865 before Hyundai promotional opportunities are deducted.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

The Nissan Sentra was launched in 1982 as a subcompact and was enlarged to a compact in 2000. In North America, Sentra serves as Nissan's compact car despite being rated as a mid-size by the EPA. The Sentra brand was created to “help consumers to understand that it was quite safe even though it was small, and the word Sentra is supposed to sound like central as well as sentry, which, according to Nissan, “evokes images of safety.”

For 2018, the Sentra adds automatic emergency braking as standard equipment. The Sentra S gains a rearview monitor and 5-inch color touchscreen, while the SV grade gets new 16-in aluminum wheels and dual-zone automatic climate control. Intelligent Cruise Control is standard on SR 1.8 and SL models, and the previous NISMO and SL Tech packages are made standard on those trims.

Outside, Sentra has a more sporty and refined demeanor than most people expect from a compact, and its exterior design reflects Nissan's design language, a look shared with the current generations of Maxima and Altima, featuring bold front and rear fascias, grille, fenders, hood and signature boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights. Sentra SR and SL grades offer LED low-beam headlights with LED signature accents.

Once Sentra was a sub-compact, but it is firmly entrenched as a midsize now, weighing in with a curb weight of 2880 lbs. and measuring 182.1 inches in length, 69.3 inches in width and 58.9 inches in height on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 6.4 inches.

The 2018 Sentra's fuel efficiency and power comes from an advanced 1.8-liter cast aluminum inline-four cylinder engine that puts out 124hp and 125 lbs.-ft. of torque. With sequential multi-point fuel injection coupled with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission as with my test Sentra, the system is EPA rated at 29mpg/city and 37mpg/highway and my week of mixed-use driving achieved an average of 33.9 mpg.

Sentra performs economically, with slow, steady acceleration that make uphill grades and passing at speed a challenge. On the track, a sprint from zero to 60mph took a lackluster 9.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile lasted 17.6 seconds. Handling was predictable, with vague steering and some body-waver during tight cornering at speed, but the independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar works well with the torsion beam rear suspension with integrated stabilizer bar for a smooth, compliant ride.

Inside, the 2018 Sentra features ample roominess, and the intuitive interior layout emphasizes driver control and upscale seat comfort for all occupants. The high-quality interior design features materials not usually found in compact vehicles, including soft-touch instrument panel and door armrests, and available leather-appointed seating.

Standard interior features include a 6-way manual driver's seat, 4-way manual front passenger's seat, front center console with padded armrest and cupholders, rear seat armrest with cupholders, air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter, tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows with driver's one-touch auto up/down with auto reverse, power door locks with auto-locking feature, remote keyless entry and remote trunk and fuel-filler door releases.

With seating for five, Sentra offers a roomy 42.5 inches of front legroom and a comfortable 37.4 inches or rear legroom. Headroom is average up front at 39.4 inches and tight in the rear at 36.7 inches. Shoulder room exceeds niche expectations at 54.7 in row one and 53.9 for row two.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2018 Nissan Sentra a “Top Safety Pick” vehicle safety rating, scoring it “Good” in all five of the “Top Safety Pick” categories. Sentra comes equipped with such inclusions as Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags equipped with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor. Above, standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags help protect front and rear passengers.

The 2018 Sentra starts at $16,990 for the base S trim model with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Sentra S with Xtronic CVT® trans starts at $18,275 and the S Midnight with spoiler and cosmetics starts at $18,770. My test SV trim Sentra based at $19,085, and added the Xtronic CVT® transmission, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, dual-zone automatic temperature control and Premium cloth seats. The SR trim comers in four variations ranging at bases of $20,500 to $22,985 for the Midnight Turbo edition. And Sentra offers an SL and two Nismo editions, maxing out at a base of $25,790.

My test SV, in Brilliant Silver over Charcoal premium cloth, added the SV Premium Package with the Nissan Navigation System, NissanConnect® Mobile Apps, SiriusXM® Traffic and Travel Link,Power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature and sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and extension, for $990. The All-Weather Package, for $300, added heated front seats and dual power heated outside mirrors, and a Rear Decklid Spoiler added $340. Fog lights added $315; four splash guards added $190; and a $500 Electronics Package added colorful interior accent lighting, improved night-time visibility, and an Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink® and Compass that reduces glare from following vehicles and helps drivers find their way with its built-in compass. Carpeted trunk and floormats added $200 and a trunk net added $70. With destination and handling charges of $885, my 2018 Nissan Sentra SV stickered at $22,875.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Many SUVs are soft-road capable and carlike on the road. Jeep Grand Cherokee is off-road capable and still pampers well on the highway and around town. An annual favorite of award-giving groups and organizations, Jeep calls Grand Cherokee “the most-awarded SUV ever.” In keeping with that theme, Jeep Grand Cherokee was named AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Award for the Mid-Size SUV segment for the eighth consecutive year. The award recognizes the changes owners desire in their vehicles based on 58,000 responses from a national survey by the automotive research and consulting firm. And one again, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 has earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA -- the highest single rating in NHTSA’s vehicle-evaluation program.

Awards often translate into sales and so far this year, that is the case here, as Grand Cherokee is ranked in the Top-20 in all vehicles sold in America this year and is the seventh top-selling SUV/Crossover,

The four-door sport-utility-vehicle is built at the Jefferson Avenue North Assembly Plant, Detroit, with steel uniframe construction, and is offered in either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. New for 2018 are three new models: a new 707-horsepower, 645 lb-ft. of torque Trackhawk trim; the Grand Cherokee Sterling Edition debuts, available on Limited models, marking Grand Cherokee’s 25th anniversary and features Platinum Chrome badging and lots of cosmetics; and Grand Cherokee High Altitude Edition returns for the 2018 model year, available on Overland models, with Low Gloss Granite Crystal badging, grille bezels, step pad, tail lamps, and 20-inch wheels.

Among the 2018 tweaks and augmentations are Jeep’s replacing its old 5-inch info screen with a larger 7-inch one, and the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen receives Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility to make integrating a Smartphone easier. And there are numerous trim-specific tweaks and additions. Linewide, Active Noise Cancellation is now standard with the available nine-speaker Alpine audio system.

Grand Cherokee continues on its theme as a Premium SUV with a rounded, elegant exterior design — complete with its signature seven-slot grille, key exterior features include front and rear LED lighting, and bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps that are outlined with signature LED running lamps. The front and rear feature unique lower fascias for every trim level and a large, aerodynamic rear spoiler.

I tested the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, which weighed in at 4746 lbs. (curbweight with the 3.6-liter engine), and measured 189.8 inches in length, 84.8 inches in width at the mirrors (body width is 76.5 inches), and 69.3 inches in height at the roof rails, on a 114.7-inch wheelbase, with a load floor height of 32.4 inches, sill step-in height of 20.5 inches and a minimum ground clearance of 8.6 inches.

Grand Cherokee offers five engine choices this year, including HEMIs, an Eco-Diesel and a 707-hp supercharged V-8. Standard on the Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland and Summit trims is the economical 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that provides 295 hp and 260 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA rating of 18mpg/city and 25mpg/highway in 4WD. My week of testing in the 3.6-powered Limited trim included some off-road, trackwork, town and highway driving, and averaged 20.9mpg.

A 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is also available with 360 hp and 390 lbs.-ft. of torque is optional, ass is a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V-6 with 240 hp and 420 lbs.-ft., and the SRT model comes standard with a 6.4-liter V-8 that powers up with 475 hp and 470 lbs.-ft. Also onboard this year for the Trackhawk model is a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that explodes out 707 horses and 645 lbs.-ft.

All of Jeep Grand Cherokee’s engines are mated to the ZF automatic eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers quick acceleration and precise, smooth shifting. While the engine noise that filled the cabin was greater than expected, acceleration was steady on the highway and toque provided good off-road power when called upon. At the track, a dash from zero-to-60mph was accomplished in 7.7 seconds during a 15.9-second (hand-timed) quarter-mile.

The cabin seats five and is well-crafted, technically enhanced and comfortable. Interior accommodations provide 39.9 inches of front headroom and 39.2 in row two; first row legroom is 40.3 inches with 38.6 in the second row with 4.3 inches of knee clearance, and shoulder room is 58.7 inches in front with 58 inches in row two.

Packed with tech, environment controls and infotainment, Grand Cherokee also includes more than 70 safety and security features as well as an array of advanced user-friendly technology

The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is offered in a dozen trim styles in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, beginning with the base Laredo 4x2 at $27,390 and moving through various models all the way up to the 707-hp Trackhawk at $86,200. My test ride in Limited trim is the fifth up the line-up and starts at $34,490 in 2WD. Four-wheel-drive starts at $36,490, and my 4WD Limited came with a standard 3.6-liter engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, and added Uconnect® 4C NAV with 8.4-Inch Display for $1395., a remote CD player for $495, a power sunroof for $1195, and Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection for $595. With Destination charges of $1495, my vehicle stickered at $41,665, but discounts of up to $1000 may be available in your area.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been
writing professionally for about 30 years.
options.