April 2019

2020 Mercedes GLE 450 — A technology tour de force

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 30, 2019) For 2020, Mercedes introduces its fourth-generation, mid-sized GLE with five trim levels: GLE 350, GLE 450, and the performance AMG GLE 43, GLE 63 and GLE 63 S. At this time, Mercedes has not indicated if a plug-in hybrid or diesel variant will come later. The new GLE is unquestionably the most technologically complex vehicle we’ve ever driven and tested.

Gas pricea have increased 63 cents since the beginning of the year

(April 30, 2019) One week after the U.S. State Department announced the end of waivers for countries to import oil from Iran, increasing crude oil prices and pump prices show no signs of slowing down. With a four-cent jump on the week, today’s national gas price average sets a new high for the year at $2.88, according to weekly statistics from AAA.

Autotrader names its Best New Cars for 2019 award winners

(April 29, 2019) ATLANTA — Finding your perfect automobile match can be difficult, and everyone is searching for that one vehicle that checks all the boxes. With more than 300 vehicle models available, this becomes a daunting task that leaves consumers with more questions than answers. The options are endless, examining vehicle technology, safety features, driving condition options, style, make, model and trim level.

2019 Cadillac XT4 — All-new small SUV is a sweetheart

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 28, 2019) There’s no disagreement that one of the fastest growing automotive segments is the compact luxury utility vehicle. It’s a field that’s growing more crowded by the day, which brings us to one of the latest additions, the compact Cadillac XT4 driven here.

Edmunds: Truck sales to prop up new-vehicle market in April

(April 26, 2019) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The car shopping experts at Edmunds forecast that 1,357,024 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in April for an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.8 million. This reflects a 16.2% decrease in sales from March but a 0.3% increase from April 2018. Despite this month-over-month dip, Edmunds experts note that pickup sales were a bright spot. According to Edmunds data, market share for pickup trucks is expected to reach 17%, the highest April level since 2005.

2019 Lexus GX 460 — Old school SUV

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 25, 2019) The 2019 Lexus GX 460 is part of a generation of mid-size SUVs that time has long since passed by. In a flood of lighter, car-based unibody crossover utility vehicles with independent suspensions and luxury sedan-like driving characteristics, the traditional truck-based body-on-frame GX looks, drives, and feels old school when compared to all-new editions of competitors like the Mercedes GLE, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and even its popular stablemate Lexus RX 350.

Death of brand loyalty: 80 percent of drivers unfaithful at the pump

(April 24, 2019) BOSTON — While consumers are passionate about their favorite coffee brand, they have no preference for the brand of gas that’s pumped into their vehicle. GasBuddy finds that gas station loyalty has declined in the past three years, with 5% fewer customers citing brand loyalty as a reason to choose a gas station.

In fact, data from GasBuddy’s Pay with GasBuddy program shows that more than 80% of consumers who fill up four times per month or more do so at multiple fuel and convenience brands in any given month.

Gas prices level off; smallest increase in eight weeks

(April 23, 2019) With only a penny increase on the week, the national gas price average saw the smallest one-week jump since mid-February. For the last eight weeks, weekly jumps ranged anywhere between a nickel and a nearly a quarter.

“On the week, 30 states saw pump price increases or decreases of three cents or less which helped keep the national average relatively steady, but motorists shouldn’t get their hopes up just yet,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.

Autotrader lists its top certified pre-owned deals for April

(April 22, 2019) ATLANTA — With extra money in the pockets of car shoppers from tax refunds, April typically kicks off one of the strongest selling months of the season. Many Americans are eager to use their refunds toward a vehicle they have been eyeing. Looking to get the most bang for their buck, consumers should look at a certified pre-owned vehicle.

2019 Lexus LX 570 — Old world luxury

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 22, 2019) The gargantuan LX 570 is Lexus’ flagship SUV, having been sold for more than two decades. The complete underpinnings of the LX 570 are essentially Toyota’s iconic Land Cruiser, extensively upgraded with sumptuous and gorgeous appointments both inside and out.