2019 BMW 7 SeriesHandout / BMW On the last three Fridays of every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at deeply discounted luxury sedans with all-wheel-drive. The hot deals are on the 2019 BMW 750i xDrive and Mercedes-Bens S 450 along with the 2018 Lexus LS 500. BMW 7 Series 2019 BMW 7 Series Handout / BMW Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $117,750 Manufacturer Incentive*: $20,000 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $21,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $3,215 Total Before Tax: $99,465 — lick here for exclusive local pricing Seldom do you see a discount exceed $20,000, but that’s the case with the 2019 BMW 750i xDrive, as the revamped 2020 model is already sitting on dealer lots. As luxury cars go, the big 7 Series has always been one of the sharper — the secret is it blends a luxurious ride with some decidedly sportier undertones. As such, it can be almost anything to just about any prospective owner. The cabin is marked by its quality and lengthy amenity list. Key is the revamped iDrive infotainment system — it features a 10.2-inch touchscreen that recognizes hand gestures using a 3D camera. Twirling a finger counterclockwise reduces the audio volume; the opposite increases it. The driver can also accept or reject incoming calls with a hand swipe. It works with Apple CarPlay, but sadly not Android Auto. Once too complicated for its own good, iDrive is now much easier to use. The rear environment is as opulent as up front, boasting one of the largest back seats in the business with just about a metre of legroom. Behind is a 515-litre trunk. Blind-spot monitoring, front/rear sonar parking sensors and automatic high beams are standard. The Advanced Driver Assistance package ($2,200) adds lane-departure warning with keep assist, dynamic cruise control with stop/go functionality, park assist and forward cross-traffic alert. Given the 750i’s price tag, this should all be standard. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 is good for 445 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The upshot is a broad power curve that never leaves the driver wanting. It works with an eight-speed automatic and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Under normal circumstances the systems sends 40 per cent of the power to the front wheels and 60 to the rear. The split varies according to road conditions, and also uses the stability control system to quell under- and oversteer. It’s one of the better systems around. The combination sees the 750i xDrive run from rest to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, complete the 80-to-120 km/h passing move in 3.1 seconds, and it’s rated to deliver an average fuel economy of 11.5 L/100 kilometres. BMW’s self-leveling air suspension and adaptive dampers are standard. The air suspension adjusts the ride height to suit the drive, while the adaptive dampers control body roll and the steering obeys input with unerring accuracy. The result is a sharp-handling car that is not out of place on a racetrack, yet it is supremely comfortable when cruising the highway. The BMW 750i xDrive arrives with a staggering $21,500 combined Unhaggle discount and a sticker of $99,465. Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Handout / Mercedes-Benz Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $108,100 Manufacturer Incentive*: $10,000 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $11,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,810 Total Before Tax: $99,410 — lick here for exclusive local pricing After last year’s refresh and the introduction of the new S 450 model featured here, the 2019 S-Class remains unchanged. The cabin is slick with everything from heated 16-way front seats, and a choice of 64 colours for the cabin’s ambient lighting, to a 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester sound system. The highlights are two 12.3-inch screens for the instrumentation and infotainment system housed beneath a single pane of glass. The COMAND infotainment is operated through a central controller with a rotary knob and one-touch keys for major functions, including navigation. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Move rearward and the short-wheelbase S-Class has 947-millimetres of rear seat legroom and a 464-litre trunk. While blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beams and rain-sensing wipers, among other safety features, are standard, the S 450 requires the Intelligent Drive package ($2,300) to get adaptive cruise control, active/evasive steering assist, congestion emergency braking, active lane keep assist and active blind-spot monitoring among other things. The package gives the S 450 a Level 2 self-driving capability. Again, this should be standard fare considering the price tag. The S 450 is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that makes 362 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, anywhere between 1,600 and 4,000 rpm. The early entry of peak
Origin: Save up to $20,000 off these three luxury sedans
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Three sporty sedans with up to $5000 off the bottom line
Unhaggle has the scoop on tempting deals on the Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz CLA and Infiniti Q50.Handout / Lexus / Mercedes-Benz / Infiniti Every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at sports sedans with all-wheel-drive. The hot deals are on the 2019 Infiniti Q50T Luxe, Lexus IS 300 and Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. 2019 Infiniti Q50 2019 Infiniti Q50 Handout / Infiniti Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $44,995 Manufacturer Incentive*: $4,000 Unhaggle Savings: $500 Total Savings: $4,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,185 Total Before Tax: $42,680 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Infiniti Q50 model range has been streamlined — the 2.0L four-cylinder engine and hybrid model have been dropped. A well-equipped cabin supports the Q’s avant-garde looks with a dual-screen infotainment system dominating the centre stack. The eight-inch upper screen is accessed through steering wheel-mounted controls or central controller and looks after the driving information and navigation. The lower seven-inch screen is touch-sensitive and takes care of the infotainment and phone functions. It works nicely, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are conspicuous by their absence. The other letdown is the leatherette wrapping the power seats — it’s not great vinyl. The Q’s backseat has enough space for two adults to ride with headroom to spare and it has a roomy 382-litre trunk. While forward collision warning with auto braking is standard the rest of the desirable safety equipment is bundled up in the all-encompassing Sensory, ProAssist, ProActive package. It adds a whopping $7,800 to the Luxe’s sticker, which is regressive thinking and well behind the times. All Q50s get a derivative of Infiniti’s 3.0L twin-turbo V6. In the case of the Luxe it produces 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm (the same V6 produces 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque in the Red Sport 400!). The grunt reaches the road through a slick seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode and a good all-wheel-drive system. By monitoring an array of inputs the AWD system sends up to 50 percent of drive forward when needed. Once up to speed it reverts to rear-drive for fuel economy considerations. The combination delivers a 5.8 second run to 100 kilometres an hour and a posted average fuel economy of 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The Q50’s fun side is found in the quick steering, sporty suspension and P225/50R18 tires. The combination keeps the body flat through corners, which inspires driver confidence. It also hangs in well beyond expected limits. The Infiniti Q50T Luxe arrives with a generous combined Unhaggle discount of $4,500. It leaves a sticker of $42,680 after it’s applied. 2019 Lexus IS300 2019 Lexus IS 300 Handout / Lexus Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $43,550 Manufacturer Incentive*: $2,212 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $3,712 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,215 Total Before Tax: $42,053 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Lexus IS carries over. The confusion is found in the naming of the IS 300. The IS 300 rear drive model has a 2.0L turbo four while the IS 300 with all-wheel-drive featured here gets a 3.5L V6. The cabin is marked by its quality — the fit and finish is as good as anything offered. However, while IS 300 has many high-end amenities, including eight-way power front seats, a seven-inch infotainment system and an audio package with 10 speakers, many of the desirable features are missing. The notables include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a heated steering wheel. Finally, the NuLuxe vinyl upholstery is not up to much. Move rearward and there is room for two adults as long as the front seats are not moved all the way back and a 306L trunk. The IS 300 arrives with rain-sensing wipers and the Lexus Safety System+ as standard fare. The latter includes pre-collision with auto braking, dynamic cruise control, lane departure warning with keep assist and auto high beams. Unfortunately, to get blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert requires the $1,950 Premium package. As mentioned, the IS 300 with all-wheel-drive is powered by a 3.5L V6. It twists out 290 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque and drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. On dry roads the AWD system sends 30% of the power to the front wheels and 70% to the rear wheels. When the need arises it can send up to 50% of the power forward to help prevent wheelspin. It is seamless in operation under all driving conditions. The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 10.9 L/100 km. The IS 300 AWD blends ride comfort with agility nicely. The suspension cushions a rough road while keeping the body flat when pushed through a fast on-ramp. The steering
Origin: Three sporty sedans with up to $5000 off the bottom line
Three roomy hatchbacks under $25K with generous Unhaggle discounts
Unhaggle has the scoop on generous deals for the Kia Rio, Hyundai Veloster and Chevrolet Cruze.Handout / Kia / Hyundai / Chevrolet Every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at affordable hatchbacks. The hot deals are on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Hyundai Veloster 2.0 and Kia Rio EX Tech. Chevrolet Cruze 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Handout / Chevrolet Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $21,409 Manufacturer Incentive*: $3,000 Unhaggle Savings: $500 Total Savings: $3,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,840 Total Before Tax: $21,335 — lick here for exclusive local pricing This may just end up being the requiem for the Chevrolet Cruze — the last one rolled off the production line last March. That out of the way, the cabin is ringed with decent materials and there’s plenty of standard equipment, including Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system with its seven-inch touchscreen, plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a feature called Teen Driver. This kills the radio until the seat belts are buckled, prevents key safety items from being disabled, and gives a report card on how the car was driven. It’s a boon for a parent with a young driver. The rear seat accommodates two adult riders easily, however there is a faux pas — there are three rear seat belts, but only two headrests, which eliminates the middle seat position. This makes the Cruze more of a two-plus-two, and trunk capacity measures 394 litres. 2+2 proposition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors is listed as a $545 option, but it mandates purchasing the $1,450 True North package to get the items, as they magically become part of said package in spite of the stand-along price. That’s a less than smart, albeit moot point now. The Cruze sedan arrives with a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 153 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm, and paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s some turbo lag off the line, but the engine builds nicely through the mid-range. The Cruze also has a brisk 7.8-second run from zero to 100 km/h, and a posted average fuel economy of 7.3 L/100 kilometres. For those into better fuel economy, a turbodiesel is available. Ride and handling delivers what you’d expect — minimal body roll and crisp response to steering input when pushed through a series of corners, but the Cruze is far more at home on the highway. The Cruze arrives with a generous $3,500 combined Unhaggle discount, speaking to the fact it’s done. The discount leaves a $21,335 price tag. Hyundai Veloster 2019 Hyundai Veloster Handout / Hyundai Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $22,299 Manufacturer Incentive*: $1,250 Unhaggle Savings: $250 Total Savings: $1,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,845 Total Before Tax: $22,644 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has been reworked and is now offered in 2.0 and Turbo models, along with the frenetic, 275-horsepower Veloster N. The base Veloster, featured here, has sharper exterior styling and takes an intelligent approach to space utilization. The asymmetric door design puts a third portal on the passenger’s side of the car. While it eases entry to the back seat, the limited leg and headroom means it’s best viewed as space to augment the 565-litre trunk. Up front, the Veloster has supportive buckets and Hyundai’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen. The materials do take a step forward, although some of the plastic pieces are still hard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard, but that’s it for safety equipment. Strangely, a similarly priced Elantra has more available safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning with keep assist. The Veloster arrives with a new base engine — a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder that pushes 147 horsepower and 132-lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. While it’s quiet and unflustered for the most part, the performance it generates is anemic for a car with a nameplate that suggests velocity — the proof is in the 9.8-second zero-to-100 km/h sprint. A note about the turbocharged models: The Veloster Turbo, with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, has 201 horsepower and cuts the zero-to-100 km/h run to 7.2 seconds. The kicker is the 2.0L engine also uses more fuel than the 1.6 — the 2.0L has a posted average fuel economy of 8.2 L/100 kilometres, while the the 1.6 burns 7.8. No prizes for picking the preferred engine. The revised suspension balances the need for comfort with the ability to keep the body flat through a corner. The quick-ratio steering feels connected, with brake-based torque
Origin: Three roomy hatchbacks under $25K with generous Unhaggle discounts
Save up to $12,000 on these three full-size pickups
This weeks hot Unhaggle deal includes the Ford F-150, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500.Handout / Ford / GMC / Ram On the last three Fridays of every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at 44 pickup trucks from the Big Three. The hot deals are on the 2019 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew, GMC Sierra SLE Crew Cab and Ram 1500 Tradesmen Crew Cab. 2019 Ford F-150 2019 Ford F-150 Handout / Ford Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $48,799 Manufacturer Incentive*: $10,664 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $12,164 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,040 Total Before Tax: $38,675 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The thirteenth-generation of Canada’s best selling pick-up truck continues with some minor changes — the largest is the top-line Limited now shares the radical Raptor’s 450 horsepower high-output EcoBoost V6. The XLT featured here is more modest in all departments. It gets the usual power items plus FordPass Connect with a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices along with Sync3 with an eight-inch touchscreen. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the XLT arrives with a 5-feet 6-inch short box, the XLT still has the requisite capability — the rear seats fold up against the back of the cab, which opens up a large lockable storage area with a flat floor. The box also features the needed tie-downs and a payload rating of 762-kilograms. While pre-collision assist with auto braking is standard, blind spot monitoring is a $650 option, but only after adding the 302A package, which drives the total cost to $6,800. Myopic packaging at its best! The XLT’s 3.3-litre V6 twists out 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with Normal, Tow/Haul and Sport modes. The 44 system is part-time with two- and four-wheel-drive high as well as four-wheel-drive low. The 44 side should only be used on loose or slippery surfaces, as it winds-up when steering in dialed in on dry pavement. The combination delivers a posted average fuel economy of 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres, a run from rest to 100 kilometres an hour of 8.1 seconds and a tow capacity of 3,357-kg. The F150 takes a balanced approach to ride and handling. On smooth urban roads and on the highway it is comfortable. Again, on a smooth twisty road there is minimal body roll and the steering delivers decent feedback. However, when a rough section of road is encountered mid-corner the back-end has a tendency to washboard out of line. This is a common trait with trucks with a solid rear axle and leaf springs. The Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew has a generous combined Unhaggle discount of $12,164, which leaves a pre-tax sticker of $38,675. 2019 GMC Sierra 2019 GMC Sierra Handout / GMC Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $47,100 Manufacturer Incentive*: $6,050 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $7,550 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,035 Total Before Tax: $41,585 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The next-generation GMC Sierra is new for 2019. The restyled rig is handsome and the SLE featured here comes with the right amenities including an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming for two devices along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and OnStar. There is now a degree of cohesiveness to the layout. It also arrives with Teen Driver. It can limit certain vehicle features and automatically turn on safety systems meaning no more smoky burnouts. It also gives an anxious parent a report card gives on junior’s driving habits. One of the big improvements is the increased rear seat room in the crew-cab. Out back there’s a 5-feet 9-inch box that comes with the needed tie-downs and a payload rating of 940-kg. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and front/rear park assist are part of the Drive Alert I package. It is priced at $1,095, but requires upgrading to SLE Convenience package first. This bumps the combined cost to $3,960. Again, with these features rapidly becoming standard it is regressive thinking. The features SLE arrives with a 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder that was designed for truck use. It uses variable valve lift to produce 310 hp and 348 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. The featured model has a part-time single-speed 44 system. For those not intending to go off-road or visiting a construction sites on a frequent basis this system is enough. To get the set-and-forget system with a low-range gear set requires going to the larger 5.3L V8 engine and a package costing $3,745. The featured SLE with the 2.7L engine has a posted average fuel economy of 11.8 L/100 km, a run to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and a tow capacity of 3,000-kg. The latest Sierra is certainly more compliant than the outgoing model,
Origin: Save up to $12,000 on these three full-size pickups
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