Did you ever hear a Hellcat growl? The roar is most awesome at full throttle in the few seconds from 50 to triple-digit speeds.

Shut the Hellcat down with the help of its big Brembo brakes, open the hood and there you see from where the growling comes. A big silver supercharger cover sits atop die-cast aluminum rocker covers painted Hemi orange. The 6.2-liter engine is Chrysler’s first-ever supercharged Hemi V-8 and makes the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat the world’s most powerful production sedan.

It boasts an absolutely astounding 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, tied to a ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift capability.

I’ve not driven anything near that in power.

Among the highest horsepower performers of my past are the Bentley Continental Supersports AWD Coupe with 622, Chevy Camaro ZL1 580, BMW M6 Coupe 560, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 557, Cadillac CTS-V sedan 556, Cadillac CTS-V wagon 556, Jaguar F-Type R Coupe 550, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG 550, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 550, Nissan GT-R Premium 545, Jaguar XKR Convertible 510 and Lamborghini Gallardo 500.

The Bentley was a 12-cylinder, the Lamborghini a V-10 and the Nissan GT-R a 6; all the others were V-8s.

As I drove the Hellcat out east away from traffic on a Wednesday afternoon, clouds moved overhead and dropped rain, enough of it to create wet highway surfaces. The big, heavy, rear-wheel-drive four-door maintained excellent grip with its Pirelli P-Zero tires; oh, the limits it could have tested on dry pavement, for sure it could have exceeded those attained with one of the CTS-V’s several years ago.

Jan, in the front passenger seat, remarked how much better was the ride and the comfort level than she’d expected from a super-performance sedan. The Charger, designed as a family sedan, is spacious in its rear seating area, and has outstanding visibility for its driver. Those are differences in the Hellcat versions of the four-door Charger and the two-door Challenger.

Performance is nearly the same; the sporty Challenger, however, has been equipped with higher-tuned and stiffer Bilstein suspension. In either car, a launch control mode can be set to predetermined rpm for takeoffs. Red calipers draw attention to the Hellcat’s 15.4-inch brake discs.

After lots of testing, kickdowns and performance runs, and some cruising back to home base, the Hellcat averaged 17.7 miles per gallon; its EPA estimate is 13/22.

A base price of $62,295 for the Charger Hellcat jumps to $70,865 sticker with addition of Laguna ventilated leather performance front seats, Harmon Kardon audio with 19 speakers, power sunroof, UConnect 8.4-inch touchscreen navigation. It has an all-black interior, with a touch of chrome trim.

Would I drive it again? Well, hell’s bells, this was my second thrill in the Hellcat. The first ended five hours after delivery to my driveway in May with a leaking oil plug near Johnstown. This time, the growl was much longer-lasting.

The Charger Hellcat will run 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds, say company officials, and has a top speed up to 204 miles per hour. All the more impressive in the near-4,600-pounder.

Can anything top this? There is that V-10 sitting under the hood of the Dodge Viper. What might it develop, supercharged?

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat:

• Capacity 5-passenger four-door
• Wheelbase 120.2 inches
• Length 200.3 inches
• Width 75 inches
• Height 58.3 inches
• Curb Weight 4,575 pounds
• Track 65 inches front, rear
• Ground Clearance 4.3 inches
• Turn Circle 37.7 feet
• Drivetrain Rear-wheel-drive
• Engine 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V-8
• Horsepower/Torque 707/650
• Transmission 8-speed automatic
• Steering performance-tuned
• Suspension Bilstein performance
• Brakes Brembo 6-piston high-performance
• Fuel mileage estimate 13/22
• Fuel mileage average 17.7
• Fuel Tank 18.5 gallons, premium
• Wheels 20-inch
• Tires Pirelli P Zero 275/40ZR20
• Cargo Volume 16.2 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/100,000 powertrain

Competitors Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, BMW M6, Chevrolet SS

Assembly Plant Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 67%, Mexico 20%, Germany 5%

Base Price of Lowest Model $62,295; Base Price of Review Model $62.295; Destination Charge $995; Sticker Price $70,865.

Would you rather ride in a yellow sub or a yellow Sube?

Thoughts of a yellow submarine have faded some in recent years, as has the sounds of the Beatles which brought the matter to the forefront 45 years ago.

That hue of Subaru, though, has gained prominence this model year with the popularity of the 2015 XV Crosstrek, finished in sunrise yellow. It is very bright, and quite a standout.

The Subaru XV Crosstrek is a sensibly built, small crossover with all-wheel drive, based on the Impreza platform.

To see the ’15 model show up in my driveway with such bright exterior was no surprise. This is the third Crosstrek I’ve tested since it was introduced for the 2013 model year. The first was of tangerine orange color and the second, a Crosstrek hybrid, was splendid in plasma green.

The Crosstrek’s boxer engine is a 148-horsepower, 145 lb-ft. torque, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a mile-mannered continuously variable transmission. A new transmission for 2015 offers paddle shifters with gearlike settings.

In a 50-50 split of in-town and highway driving miles, the Crosstrek averaged 28.5 miles per gallon. Its EPA estimate is 26/34.

Front seats are comfortable and supportive. Once into the rear seating area, there is plenty of legroom and headroom; getting through the door opening is a bit tight, however.

It has seemed to me the Crosstrek is considerable car for the money. This one for a sticker price of $26,140 offers the fairly economical AWD powertrain with the CVT, push-button start, power moonroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, Starlink infotainment system, heated front seats, rearview camera, cruise control, power windows/locks/mirrors and tray and tonneau cover for the rear cargo area.

Four-cylinder, turbocharged engines are kicking up performance levels for competitors in the crowded luxury compact crossover field. Most of the 10 makes offer turbo or supercharged power.

Horsepower claims have reached as high as 400 for the Porsche Macan, 325 for Volvo V60, 302 for Mercedes-Benz GLK and 300 for the BMW X3.

Coming my way last week was the 2016 version of the Acura RDX all-wheel-drive model.

The stately looking RDX appears to be somewhat of an anomaly, for three years ago it dumped its 4-cylinder turbo in favor of a 3.5-liter V-6 engine.

And, in bucking the turbo craze, the RDX seems to be on track, lonely as it may be.

The RDX is best-seller among the 10 luxury compact crossovers, with 20,657 sales in the first five months of this year. Others, in order of sales, are Audi Q5 17,396; the new Lexus NX 16,546; Mercedes-Benz GLK 11,286; BMW X3 10,982; Volvo XC60 9,461; Lincoln MKC 9,385; Range Rover Evoque 5,845; Porsche Macan 5,183; Infiniti QX50 1,015.

The RDX’s 279-horsepower V-6 (6 more hp than last year) and 6-speed automatic transmission deliver smoothness ahead of performance, which fits the style and image of the second-generation Acura.

The V-6, which falls short of the turbo users in low-end acceleration, is designed with cylinder deactivation capability for highway use. It can cruise on three cylinders, with the other three deactivated until needed for an incline or increased pedal.

The RDX AWD carries an EPA estimate of 19/28 miles per gallon; my overall average was 21.6.

Twist of a dial on the center console engages Sport mode from Eco for a more responsive throttle, stiffer steering and delay in upshifts. Relatively short paddle shifters are well-designed on the steering wheel crosspiece; they’re easily touched for instant shifts.

Acura is the luxury division for Honda, and though the RDX shares its underpinnings with Honda’s CR-V, it has the appearance of a considerably larger vehicle. In reality, it is 4 inches longer.

Its sharp exterior styling and new jewel-eye headlamps lend it one of the best-looking finishes among all the luxury compact crossovers. It would look in place among Lincolns, Buicks and Cadillacs at the downtown theatre on Friday nights or the church parking lot on Sunday mornings.

Offroading; probably not. Its all-wheel-drive setup, however, has been retuned to the capability of sending more torque from front wheels to rear in perilous driving situations.

The interior is roomy, with perforated leather seats, fairly flat and very supportive. A dual-screen multi-information setup includes an 8-inch display at the top of the center stack. A large storage bin dominates the center console. Twenty-six cubic feet of cargo room is easily accessed from the rear liftgate; the space falls 5 feet short of that in the Volvo V60.

Sticker price climbed to $44,340 with the addition of an AcuraWatch package of adaptive cruise control, multiview camera, land-departure warning and expanded-view driver’s side mirror.

This is the fourth 2016 model I’ve driven; others are the Kia Sorento, Mazda6 and Fiat 500X.

Here are the specifications for the ’16 Acura RDX AWD:

• Capacity 5-passenger
• Wheelbase 105.7 inches
• Length 183.5 inches
• Width 73.7 inches
• Height 66.1 inches
• Curb Weight 3,902 pounds
• Track 63.1 inches front, 63.4 rear
• Ground Clearance 8.1 inches
• Turn Circle 38.9 feet
• Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
• Engine 3.5-liter V-6
• Horsepower/Torque 279/251
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering electric power rack-pinion
• Suspension MacPherson strut front, double-wishbone rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 19/28
• Fuel mileage average 22.4
• Fuel Tank 16 gallons, premium
• Wheels 18-inch
• Tires Michelin Primacy P235/60R18
• Cargo Volume 26.1 cubic feet
• Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, 6/70,000 powertrain

Competitors BMW X3, Audi Q5, Lincoln MKC, Range Rover Evoque

Assembly Plant East Liberty, Ohio

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 70%, Japan 15%

Base Price of Lowest Model $36,495; Base Price of Review Model $43,420; Destination Charge $920; Sticker Price $44,340.

I’ve taken a final drive in the outdated 2015 Nissan Titan 4X4 Pro-4X pickup, still operating with its 317-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 and 5-speed automatic transmission with gated shifter.

The tough Titan was a fine competitor 10 years ago; today its lack of updates is apparent and the lapse has been costly – in all of 2014, only 12,000 Titans were sold, less than 1 percent of the light-duty truck market.

The dismal sales totals will soon climb, say Nissan truck officials, who point to a total rebuild of the 2016 Titan for unveiling late this year.

The ’16 Titan XD will show up in the fall with renewed power from a Cummins 5.0-liter V-8 diesel engine and Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission. The crew cab will be joined a couple of months later by an extended-cab model, both units becoming available with V-8 or V-6 gasoline engines, in addition to the diesel.

A choice of three engines will be of good cheer to Nissan prospects, who to date have had available only the 5.6 V-8, which has a relatively low EPA fuel-mileage rating of 12/17. Only twice during the week did I turn the 4-by-4 dial from 2hi to 4hi, and then for short stretches of travel, and my overall average with the Titan was 14.4 mpg.

The crew cab, equipped with a 5-foot-7 box, carried a base price of $40,370. The addition of these options pushed sticker price to $46,365:

• Rockford Fosgate premium audio with 10 speakers,
• NissanConnect navigation,
• leather seating (heated in front),
• under-seat storage bin,
• sliding bed extender,
• rear-bumper step assist,
• spray-on bedliner,
• utili-bed track channel system with tiedown cleats,
• memory mirrors and pedals.

The bed extender flips over onto the tailgate.

With a big boost from its fuel-mileage-leading status, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickup has moved to the top of the auto industry’s light-duty diesel sales chart.

The Ram has raced past perennial leaders from Volkswagen – the Jetta, Golf and Passat TDI diesels.

Through the end of May, Ram has sold 24,608 ecodiesel pickups, followed by the VW Jetta with 9,840 car sales, VW Passat 9,257, VW Golf 4,034, BMW X5 2,843, VW SportWagen 2,434, Audi Q5 2,082, Porsche Cayenne 1,848, Mercedes-Benz GLK 1,821, Mercedes GL-Class 1,631, Chevrolet Cruze 1,570, BMW 3-series 1,553.

These are not to be confused with the sales of Cummins, Powerstroke and Duramax heavy-duty diesels; three-quarter and one-ton trucks of Ford, Chevy (GMC) and Ram stage their own competitive sales race in that bigger category.

The Ram 1500 delivered to me was the dressed-up Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab edition. Even in its four-wheel-drive configuration, it carries an EPA highway estimate of 27 miles per gallon (29 for rear-wheel drive), best among half-ton pickups.

We drove to Boulder, up and around the increasingly crowded University of Colorado campus and back to Greeley, averaging 24.2 mpg. Daily in-town drives and a bit of offroad maneuvering dropped the overall average to 22.7 mpg, which also included a drive to Parker to test the barbecued steaks of Daniel Hansen.

The Ram engine, also available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, is a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel built by VM Motori of Cento, Italy, developing 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. It performs with strong midrange torque and smooth shifts from the German-developed 8-speed automatic transmission, controlled from a dial on the dash. Just beneath that are buttons for the electric shift-on-the-fly transfer case between two-wheel, four-wheel and low-range settings. The half-ton crew cab offers 9,250 pounds of tow capacity.

The pickup provides a very comfortable, controlled ride, based on its coil springs at all four corners. Typically, half-tons use coils in front and stiffer leaf springs at the rear. The Ram offers an electronically controlled air suspension as an option, and parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles believes most truck buyers, if seeking best hauling capability, will opt for the company’s 2500 and 3500 units with strong leaf springs.

The Laramie Longhorn edition features wide, supportive front seats, heated and cooled, with lumbar support. The cattle tan interior is finished with lots of leather and trimmed with light wood atop the display screen and around the air/audio controls of the center stack. Dual glove boxes and a large center console bin boost storage possibilities.

The Ram’s short bed (5-foot-7 length) is complemented with Ram boxes for lockable cargo along the upper sides of the pickup bed. A step can be lowered from the left corner of the rear bumper for ease of access into the box; it seems not as handy as those steps built into the corners of both sides of the Chevy Silverado bumpers.

The ecodiesel engine and RamBox cargo compartments on both sides of the pickup bed boosted sticker price on the Ram 1500 to $55,970. Among the many amenities not aforementioned are deep cherry red exterior, Laramie Longhorn instrument cluster, remote start, backup camera, UConnect 8.4AM/FM/navigation and integrated voice command with Bluetooth, nine amplified speakers with subwoofer, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, rear power sliding window and heated second-row seats.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Ram 1500 Longhorn EcoDiesel Crew Cab 4X4:

• Capacity Half-ton diesel pickup, 5-passenger
• Wheelbase 140.5 inches
• Length 209 inches
• Width 79.4 inches
• Height 76.6 inches
• Curb Weight 5,895 pounds
• Track 68 inches front, 67.9 rear
• Ground Clearance 9.9 inches
• Turn Circle 45.1 feet
• Drivetrain Four-wheel-drive
• Engine 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel
• Horsepower/Torque 240/420
• Transmission 8-speed automatic
• Steering electric power rack-and-pinion
• Suspension independent coil front, multilink coils rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 19/27
• Fuel mileage average 22/7
• Fuel Tank 26 gallons, diesel
• Wheels 20-inch
• Tires Goodyear Wrangler P275/60R20
• Cargo Volume 5-foot-7 bed
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/100,000 powertrain

Competitors 2016 Nissan Titan XD diesel

Assembly Plant Warren, Mich.

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 61%, Mexico 23%, Germany 5%, Italy 5%

Base Price of Lowest Model $30,940; Base Price of Review Model $50,080; Destination Charge $1,195; Sticker Price $55,970.

Hustling into town on a recent morning, I was headed for one of the newer event venues, the Blanc, for a preview of one of the newer compact crossovers, the Fiat 500X.

The 2016 500X was shown to members of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press at a luncheon meeting at the Blanc, 3150 Walnut St., Denver.

Fiat executives expect the new little crossover will help chase away the blues brought on by slow sales in the U.S. of other versions of the 500 – the standard Fiat 500 since its introduction to the U.S. in 2012 and the lengthened 500L which was added last year. In particular, Fiat expects the 500X all-wheel-drive model to gain favor in Colorado.

The 500X, offered in front-drive or AWD, will compete with the new Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, Mazda CX-3, Mini Cooper Paceman and Chevrolet Trax.

Its stiffest competition, I believe, will come from a sister model off the same platform as the 500X, the Jeep Renegade. Nicole Longhini-McElroy, a Fiat representative, showed little interest in discussing that aspect of the 500X’s challenge in coming to Denver.

Rounded off with lots of Italian style, the 500X will be available in five trim levels – the Pop, Easy, Lounge, Trekking and Trekking Plus.

I teamed with friend Bob Sweeney, publisher of The Villager, in driving the little Trekking FWD model on a fairly short course about the streets in the vicinity of the Blanc, where it displayed excellent steering response and good suspension from its MacPherson struts and coils in front and Chapman struts and coils at the rear.

Performance was adequate from its 180-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and shifts were near-seamless, thanks to the 9-speed automatic transmission. Twelve-inch vented rotors up front came through with impressive stopping strength. In front-wheel-drive form, its EPA estimate is 22 in the city and 31 on the highway. The fuel-mileage rating goes even higher when the 500X is equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission.

The 500X Trekking review model, finished in rosso passion (red), carried a base price of $23,100. Boosting sticker price to $25,300 were options of power driver seat with lumbar adjust, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone temperature control, ambient lighting, cargo compartment cover and 18-inch aluminum wheels, as well as destination charge of $900.

The Fiat 500X, built in Melfi, Italy, is swinging into full sales at Fiat dealerships this month.

Rushing one morning along I-25 from the north, I felt somewhat out of place in the stretched Range Rover.

Normally, a Range Rover or Land Rover would be a wonderful means of travel for me – I appreciate the driving qualities of all, the Evoque/LR4/Discovery/Sport and the standard Range Rover.

In this one, though, the 2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB version, I can’t seem to get seated just right. Perhaps I should have worn my chauffeur’s cap. The LWB designation indicates it has been lengthened 8 inches, creating enormous legroom in the second row of seats. This was in answer to requests from wealthy in China and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for more comfortable space in the second row where they ride behind their chauffeurs. Even with the added length, it is only a four- or five-passenger, $118,000 model; it offers no third row.

With the added length, the rear door from front to back measures 51 inches; I can’t think of any rear door that compares to that size. Open with care when parked beside another vehicle, for the door swings out 8 to 10 inches wider than most car doors and may ding the one in the park space beside it.

To drive the Range Rover, of course, is opportunity to test the 510-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The power, of which delivery is very quick, is smooth as can be. The torque rating is 461 lb.-ft.

Not only does Range Rover offer its convenient shifter dial, it also is equipped with a smaller dial for selecting terrain settings, from normal to snow to mud to sand to rock crawl capability. Paddle shifters also lend quicker control of upshifts and downshifts. The paddles are positioned far out on the steering wheel crossmember and often are touched and unintentionally engaged when making a turn with the wheel.

The English-built LWB rides on a wheelbase of 123 inches, 7 inches beyond the regular full-size Range Rover. The powerful V-8 carries an EPA fuel-mileage estimate of 14/19; my driving resulted in an average of 18.8 mpg.

The Range Rover LWB’s sticker price of $118,501 includes, in addition to aforementioned amenities, voice-control navigation, 13-speaker Meridian audio with satellite and Bluetooth streaming, power blinds on rear side doors, panoramic roof, four-zone climate control, front massage seats, surround camera view, blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning, power split tailgate.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB SUV:

• Capacity 5-passenger SUV
• Wheelbase 122.9 inches
• Length 204.7 inches
• Width 78.1 inches
• Height 72.4 inches
• Curb Weight 5,320 pounds
• Track 66.5 inches front, 66.3 rear
• Ground Clearance 11.6 inches
• Turn Circle 42.7 feet
• Drivetrain Four-wheel-drive
• Engine 5.0-liter supercharged V-8
• Horsepower/Torque 510/461
• Transmission 8-speed automatic
• Steering power rack-and-pinion
• Suspension electronic air, automatic leveling
• Fuel mileage estimate 14/19
• Fuel mileage average 18.8
• Fuel Tank 27.7 gallons, premium
• Wheels 21-inch
• Tires Goodyear Eagle 275/45R21
• Cargo Volume 32.1 cubic feet
• Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, 4/50,000 powertrain

Competitors Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Lincoln Navigator L

Assembly Plant Solihull, England

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 1%, United Kingdom 74%, Germany 14%

Base Price of Lowest Model $106,995; Base Price of Review Model $106,995; Destination Charge $925; Sticker Price $118,501.

When a hermosa blue Infiniti QX80 rolled off an assembly line in Yukuhashi, Japan, a while back, it was pure conjecture among company officials as to what roads the luxurious, high-riding SUV might travel once it reached America.

Eventually to Denver, its destination papers indicated, and best guess beyond that might have been “west into the Rockies,” the route of my recent drive with a new pickup from Ford.

My turn in the QX driver’s seat, though, was a turn in opposite direction, based on my predilection for visiting the northeastern Colorado plains, particularly during the Memorial Day holidays. It was off to the pretty little town of Wray, Colo., for Jan, me and the 2015 Infiniti.

The QX80 draws notice wherever it goes for its big, tall, square-bodied stance on 22-inch wheels with Bridgestone P275/50R22 tires. The hood stands 4 ½ feet high and the SUV itself is almost 6 ½ feet tall. With all this size, an innovative body-motion control system which distributes variable pressure to the outer or inner suspensions increases its cornering capability.

Performance is at hand when needed from a 400-horsepower (413 lb.-ft. of torque), 5.6-liter V-8 engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The Infiniti is an excellent handler, impressive in its maneuverability, belying its oversize. It averaged 18.3 miles per gallon for the near-300-mile round-trip. Its EPA estimate is 14/20. Turn circle is among the widest in its class, more than 41 feet.

The QX, featuring three rows of seats, is one of most finely finished interiors among premium full-size sport utility vehicles. Push one button among the dozens of driver controls up front and a second-row seat flip-folds forward to clear a wide path for climbing in or out of the far-back third-row seating.

A wide center stack is trimmed in a bright new wood, stratford burl. A dial on the center console gives the driver a choice of four-wheel high or four-wheel low over the automatic 4WD system; snow mode and tow mode are added selections. In auto mode, as much as 50 percent of engine torque can be directed to front wheels when needed in adverse conditions.

Even with the huge, lengthy size of the QX80, it seems the fore and aft range of the driver seat is somewhat tight. Its comfort, though, is unquestionably among the best. Vision is good.

In addition to its voice-recognition navigation system, a highlight of long-range travel in the Infiniti is its premium 13-speaker sound from Bose, including Bluetooth and USB connection. Second-row passengers not only have heated seats, but also entertainment screens on the backs of the front-seat headrests.

A few among the long list of amenities in the QX80’s sticker price of $80,285 are self-leveling suspension, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, remote start and power liftgate.

The QX80 is the former Infiniti QX56. All Infiniti models have been renumbered; the cars carry designations of Q50, Q60 and Q70, and the crossovers and SUVs are now known as QX50, QX60, QX70 and QX80.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Infiniti QX80:

• Capacity 7-passenger SUV
• Wheelbase 121.1 inches
• Length 208.3 inches
• Width 79.9 inches
• Height 75.8 inches
• Curb Weight 5,878 pounds
• Track 67.5 inches front, 67.9 rear
• Ground Clearance 9.2 inches
• Turn Circle 41.6 feet
• Drivetrain Four-wheel-drive
• Engine 5.6-liter V-8
• Horsepower/Torque 400/413
• Transmission 7-speed automatic
• Steering power rack-and-pinion
• Suspension independent double-wishbone front and rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 14/20
• Fuel mileage average 18.3
• Fuel Tank 26 gallons, premium
• Wheels 22-inch
• Tires Bridgestone Dueler P275/50R22
• Cargo Volume 16.6 cubic feet
• Warranty 4 years/60,000 miles basic, 6/70,000 powertrain

Competitors Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GL450, GMC Yukon XL, Lexus LX570

Assembly Plant Yukuhashi, Japan

Parts Content N/A

Base Price of Lowest Model $66,350; Base Price of Review Model $66,350; Destination Charge $995; Sticker Price $80,285.

The distinct style of the Jeep Cherokee – its seven-slot grille and slit running lights which pass as headlights to most observers, as well as its high-riding rectangular taillights at the rear – makes it easy to notice the multitude of those models driving the roads of the Front Range.

The Cherokee 4X4, perhaps more than other popular compact crossovers Escape, CR-V, RAV4 and Forester, fills the pleasing role of smooth, comfy family cruiser in the one lane and with the push of a button or twist of a dial meets the demands of the rugged offroad bruiser in the other lane.

In its year and a half of sales in these parts, the Cherokee has made its presence known.

It outsells the bigger, more luxurious Grand Cherokee. Through the first four months of this year, Jeep has sold 67,285 Cherokees. Other totals for the make are Wrangler 60,967, Grand Cherokee 59,407, Patriot 39,162, Compass 18,530 and the new, small Renegade 5,157 in its first month.

In the Colorado market in the past year, the Jeep ranked sixth, outsold only by Toyota, Ford, Subaru, Honda and Chevrolet. A million Jeeps were sold worldwide last year, including 692,348 in the U.S.

On a recent warm afternoon following a previous week of 4 inches of rainfall, while on a soft, sticky trail of a road I chose the “sand and mud” setting of the Cherokee’s Selec-Terrain system. This adjusted the throttle and delayed shifts to keep the wheels spinning through the gooey surface. Other terrain sets, besides sand and mud and the normal automatic, are those for snow, sport and rock. These are dialed in, and 4wd Low can be engaged with push of a button.

The Cherokee performs somewhat brisk with its 271-horsepower, 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. It’s a smooth operation; shift points are nearly imperceptible. Base engine for the crossover is a 184-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, also mated to the 9-speed.

The Cherokee Limited review model averaged 22.7 miles per gallon for the full week; 18 months ago I averaged 21.7 with the more rugged Trailhawk edition using the same powertrain. The Cherokee Limited averaged in the 25s on an easy drive to Denver and back.

“Stop and remove hands from steering wheel” was the message when I tested Jeep’s ParkSense assist system for parallel parking. When I obeyed, the steering wheel turned slightly every couple of seconds as it guided the vehicle into the available space. I maintained control of the accelerator, shift lever and brakes during the maneuver. I’d prefer to do the full park myself, in most situations.

Pairing indigo blue and Jeep brown on the nappa leather seats, company officials say, “mirrors the evening hues of Italy’s Mt. Vesuvius.” A bit of zebrano wood trim is added to the interior’s doors. Handy are a 12-inch-deep glove box and a covered bin over the audio screen atop the dash.

Cheaper than the Limited and Trailhawk are Sport and Latitude versions of the Cherokee.

The Limited’s V-6 and 9-speed, adaptive cruise, park assist and UConnect with Bluetooth and navigation pushed sticker price to $39,505. Also included are a stop/start system, hill-descent control, lane-departure warning, power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, offroad suspension and rain-sensitive wipers.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4:

• Capacity 5-passenger compact crossover
• Wheelbase 106.3 inches
• Length 182 inches
• Width 73.2 inches
• Height 66.2 inches
• Curb Weight 3,985 pounds
• Track 62 inches front, 61.9 rear
• Ground Clearance 8.7 inches
• Turn Circle 37.6 feet
• Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
• Engine 3.2-liter V-6
• Horsepower/Torque 271/239
• Transmission 9-speed automatic
• Steering speed-sensitive electronic
• Suspension independent offroad
• Fuel mileage estimate 19/26
• Fuel mileage average 22.7
• Fuel Tank 15.9 gallons, regular
• Wheels 18-inch
• Tires Continental ProContact 225/60R18
• Cargo Volume 24.6 cubic feet
• Warranty 3years/36,000 miles basic, 5/100,000 powertrain

Competitors Ford Escape, Kia Sorento, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Chevrolet Equinox

Assembly Plant Toledo, Ohio

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 71%, Mexico 16%

Base Price of Lowest Model $24,500; Base Price of Review Model $30,395; Destination Charge $995; Sticker Price $39,505.

Our most recent jaunt was a very easy, carlike drive and quiet ride in the new aluminum-bodied Ford pickup. The 2015 F-150 Lariat SuperCab 4X4 carried Jan and me to Redstone for her birthday.

The new truck, even in its less-than-spectacular gray metallic finish, looked good parked outside the old Redstone Inn.

The F-150, you know, showed up this year with aluminum body panels in place of steel, initiating a great amount of buzz among supporters and skeptics. Many weigh the benefits of the lighter structure against the potential added cost of repairing aluminum over steel.

The aluminum body, weighing 4,800 pounds, is 700 pounds lighter than a comparable F-150 from a year ago.

So, in the F-150 review model I drove, the lesser weight allowed Ford to equip it with a 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine; that is the smallest-displacement V-6 engine in any half-ton pickup in the country. And don’t assume the small size equates to low power – the 2.7 is a twin-turbo producing 325 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque, with towing capability of 7,600 pounds.

Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, it performed with plenty of power, maintaining highway speeds on the climbs to Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass and maneuvered some sharp twists on narrower roads once we left I-70 at Glenwood Springs. Its road manners are excellent; its suspension of double-wishbone front and leaf springs rear soaked up the road imperfections, including the roughness on the eastbound descent of Vail Pass.

Redstone is on Colo. 133, 15 miles south of Carbondale. For the overall trip of 488 miles, the F-150 averaged 22.9 miles per gallon. The 4X4’s EPA estimate is 18/23; the two-wheel-drive version of the F-150 is rated at 26 mpg on the highway, topped only by a diesel.

For those pickup buyers who still like the feel and sound of V-8 power, the F-150 offers the 5.0-liter, as well as two other V-6s, the base 3.5 and a turboed 3.5 EcoBoost engine.

Our stay at the Redstone Inn lent opportunity to meet Bruce and Libby Yaple of Lakewood; Bruce is owner of Yaple Company Real Estate in Lakewood. He was reared in Michigan, so, of course, he has an interest in cars. Parked out front of their room at the Inn was a Lexus RX350.

Power lumbar front seats added comfort over the four-hour drive each day. Rear-seat access isn’t particularly handy with the SuperCab, as the doors are rear-hinged and can be opened only when a front door is open. An easy-drop tailgate can be lowered by double-clicking a button on the Ford’s key fob.

Among options on the F-150, which brought sticker price to $47,060, were remote start, 3.65-ratio rear axle, voice-activated navigation, 36-gallon fuel tank, integrated trailer-brake control, leather bucket seats and blind-spot detection.

The Ford F-150 is the runaway best seller among all cars and trucks in the U.S. For the past year, Ford has sold more V-6-powered F-150s than those with V-8s.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Ford F-150 4X4 SuperCab:

• Capacity 5-passenger pickup
• Wheelbase 145 inches
• Length 231.9 inches
• Width 79.9 inches
• Height 77.2 inches
• Curb Weight 4,795 pounds
• Track 67.6 inches front, 67.6 rear
• Ground Clearance 9.4 inches
• Turn Circle 47.2 feet
• Drivetrain Four-wheel-drive
• Engine 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6
• Horsepower/Torque 325/375
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering electric power-assisted
• Suspension Double-wishbone front, leaf springs rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 18/23
• Fuel mileage average 22.9
• Fuel Tank 36 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 18-inch
• Tires Goodyear Wrangler 275/65R18
• Cargo Volume 6-foot-6 bed
• Warranty 3years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Chevrolet Silverado, Ram, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra

Assembly Plant Dearborn, Mich.

Parts Content N.A.

Base Price of Lowest Model $30,395; Base Price of Review Model $42,500; Destination Charge $1,195; Sticker Price $47,060.