Two weeks following Toyota’s announcement it was killing off the Scion brand, a couple 2016 models, the iA sedan and iM hatchback, showed up at my home. They are new products from Scion, and I presume they’ll be continued into the 2017 model year as Toyota models.

The two Scions, priced at $16,470 and $19,594 respectively, are the cheapest cars I’ve driven in a couple of years, and, fittingly, came my way immediately following the lavish BMW flagship 750i xDrive sedan. I enjoyed getting back to more basic transportation.

Regarding the two Scions, the iA four-door is based on the Mazda2 and the iM in looks is a low-price copy of the Lexus CT200h hatch.

Scion was introduced in California in 2003 as a separate brand from Toyota, aimed at young drivers. It was sold nationally beginning in 2004.

The youth brand never reached the sales level anticipated by its Toyota bosses. Led by its sporty tC coupe, Scion peaked in 2006 with 173,034 sales. It then suffered five years of declining sales before a spurt in 2012, when its lineup included the tC, FR-S, xB, xD and iQ. Last year, it sold only 56,000 units.

The new iA, which rides on a wheelbase of only 101 inches, has a short turn circle of 32 feet. A glance at its downward-aimed grille from the front reminds me just a bit of an unpopular trash fish we would once in a while catch years ago fishing the trout stream at my boyhood home of Wray. Once past the grille, though, the sleek body is very stylish.

The iA produces super economy from its little 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission. It carries an EPA estimate of 31/41 miles per gallon, and my overall average was 37.5, aided by a 50-mile highway cruise. An optional 6-speed automatic transmission will push the sticker price $1,100 higher.

The iA’s low sticker price of $16,470 includes 7-inch touchscreen display for audio with Bluetooth and Pandora, push-button start, cruise control, backup camera and intermittent wipers.

The iM, on a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, is equipped with a bigger engine – a 137-hp, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and the 6-speed manual tranny. With its more powerful engine, the iM’s EPA status is 27/36, and I averaged only 26.5 with it in mostly town driving.

A dark, harsh interior in the iM I drove is rescued by a white padded faux-leather strip that slashes across the dash. Cargo space behind the rear seat in the iM is almost 21 cubic feet; that’s 4 more cubic feet than in the Honda Fit.

Both iA and iM are front-wheel-drive models

When Scion is shut down in August, the iA, iM and FR-S models are expected to be continued as Toyotas, while the tC coupe is expected to be discontinued after its long run.

Here are the specifications for the ’16 Scion iA four-door sedan:

• Capacity 4 passenger
• Wheelbase 101.2 inches
• Length 171.1 inches
• Width 66.7 inches
• Height 58.5 inches
• Curb Weight 2,385 pounds
• Track 58.9 inches front, 58.5 rear
• Ground Clearance 5.5 inches
• Turn Circle 32.2 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 1.5-liter 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 106/103
• Transmission 6-speed manual
• Steering electric power
• Suspension MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
  Fuel mileage estimate 31/41
• Fuel mileage average 37.5
• Fuel Tank 11.6 gallons, unleaded regular
• Wheels 16-inch
• Tires Toyo 185/60R16
• Cargo Volume 20.8 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa

Assembly Plant Salamanca, Mexico

Parts Content N.A.

Base Price of Lowest Model $15,700; Base Price of Review Model $15,700; Destination Charge $770; Sticker Price $16,470.

We weren’t sure Nissan would ever upgrade its dated Titan half-ton pickup. Finally, though, a new one arrives, and it quickly tows away those doubts of recent years.

The 2016 Titan is bigger – a bit larger than a half-ton, not yet as big, though, as a three-quarter-ton. A prime market, Nissan says, will be those seeking stronger tow capacity without stepping up into the heavy-duty 2500 field.

The big news for the Titan, besides its larger size, comes from beneath the hood – the new 310-horsepower, 5.0-liter Cummins V-8 turbodiesel engine, mated to a 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission and developing 555 lb.-ft. of torque. The Titan XD Platinum Reserve four-wheel-drive version boasts towing capacity of 10,610 pounds; tow capacity for the truck in rear-wheel-drive configuration (when properly equipped) jumps to 12,310 pounds.

The big Titan’s arrival in my driveway coincided with a 10-inch drop of blowing snow on our area, on top of 6 to 8 inches received over the preceding two weeks; the Nissan plowed head-on into the challenge. The footing situation required use of four-wheel drive almost continually, and a couple of times I engaged 4-Lo range. The Nissan system lets the driver shift between two-wheel and four-wheel drive instantaneously up to 60 miles per hour.

Below-average cold and all that white stuff to churn through, with some icy spots beneath, kept the big truck’s fuel mileage in town at an overall low average of 10.6 miles per gallon.

On Sunday morning, Jan and I headed west on U.S. 34 to the I-25 interchange, made a quick stop at Starbucks, then north on I-25 to Crossroads Boulevard, east to Windsor and back to Greeley for services at our downtown church.

The highways were clear and the opportunity to drive in rear-wheel-only mode resulted in fuel mileage of almost 18 mpg. For the entire week, the Titan averaged 13.3 mpg.

In seeking its own niche between the half-ton and three-quarter-ton trucks, the 2016 Titan XD’s wheelbase grew to 151.6 inches and its overall length has been stretched to over 20 feet (242.9 inches).

With the longer wheelbase and curb weight in the 7,000-pound range, the Titan XD appears bigger than most half-ton pickups. Its hood height of 55 inches is 3 inches taller than the hood on my personal four-door, 4-by-4, half-ton pickup.

The Platinum Reserve model is the most plush of five offerings for the Titan XD. Other grade levels are the S, SV, SL and the sporty PRO-4X with lots of offroad features, including Bilstein shocks. Standard engine for the XD is a 5.6-liter, V-8 gasoline engine making 390 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and downshift rev-matching.

The turbodiesel, though, is the lure Nissan is counting on to bring some decent sales back to its Titan. The Titan was introduced in the fall of 2003 and in its first full year sold 83,848 pickups. Sales totaled 87,000 in 2005, but began slipping in ’06 and by 2009 had declined to only 19,000. Nissan sold only 12,140 Titans last year.

Premium leather seats are heated and cooled in the front row and heated in the roomy back seat. The interior features fine stitching at the seats, across the dash and even on the leather-wrapped shift knob. The shifter is on the column, which frees up room for storage in the center console.

On the outside, easier access is provided to the pickup bed by the fact that step rails extend from beneath the front door to the back wheels. The Titan rides on General Grabber LT265/60R20 tires.

The diesel engine option and the many high-end amenities, including a 12-speaker premium audio and a bed liner with built-in storage, raised sticker price to $63,270.

Sales of new cars and trucks in Colorado in 2015 totaled 203,471, an 8 percent increase over the 188,416 sold the previous year.

Toyota/Scion was the sales winner with 26,580, followed by Ford 24,337; Subaru 23,784; Chevrolet 15,084; Honda 14,481; Jeep 14,304; Nissan 13,149; Ram 8,170; GMC 6,320; Hyundai 6,172; Volkswagen 5,949; Kia 5,739; Mazda 4,640; Dodge 4,505; Lexus 4,301; BMW 4,229; Audi 3,735; Mercedes-Benz 3,202; Acura 2,015; Buick 1,981; Chrysler 1,774; Infiniti 1,381; Cadillac 1,212; Mini 973; Land Rover 970; Volvo 916; Lincoln 903; Mitsubishi 821; Porsche 770; Tesla 521; Fiat 258; Jaguar 98; smart 74.

Subaru registered the biggest increase in number of sales, 2,974, going from 20,806 in 2014 to 23,784 last year. Others with sizable increases are Ford with 2,129, Toyota with 1,579, Jeep with 1,178 and Chevrolet with 1,144.

No severe losses were recorded by any make; Kia dropped by 326 sales, and Acura, Dodge, Fiat, Honda, Jaguar and smart also decreased slightly.

Interestingly, due to the rush of sales in recent years by Jeep, the former Chrysler Group of Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler (now part of FCA) outsold Ford Motor Co. and General Motors in Colorado last year, 28,753 to 25,240 to 24,597, respectively. Of annual sales in the U.S. over the past 90 years, more often than not it has been General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, in that order. Toyota/Scion and its luxury division, Lexus, combined for the highest total in the state last year, 30,881.

Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), said, “While the U.S. auto industry set sales records in 2015 with an increase of 5.7 percent over 2014, new car and light truck registrations in Colorado revved up for the year at 8 percent – one of our strongest years since the recession of 2008 and 2009. Pent-up consumer demand for new cars and trucks in Colorado continue to be driven by low fuel prices, affordable interest rates, readily available credit for most buyers and gains in employment.”

The state’s breakdown of sales for the year, according to CADA, showed lights trucks, including SUVs and crossovers, outsold cars by 132,910 to 70,561.

Lincoln, with the MKX Black Edition, gets a fresh-look start for 2016, a year promising so much new that bursts of enthusiasm are expected throughout the Ford luxury division in the coming months. That would be a rarity for the Lincoln brand.

The redesigned MKX, Lincoln’s premium midsize SUV crossover, showed up at my home with the 335-horsepower, 2.7-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine and an electronic push-button shift on its dash.

Its on-demand all-wheel-drive system handled the long-standing snow and ice with little slipping, instantly shifting much of available torque from front wheels to the rear as needed.

Heading north one afternoon on South Broadway in Denver, I made a quick turn to the right into Landmark Lincoln; I hadn’t been there since their major remodeling project was completed a year ago. What a bright, white showroom, with historic Lincoln photos decorating the walls.

Tom Daniels runs the place, and he seemed anxious to show me video of an updated MKZ sedan, which will arrive in April or May with a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that churns out 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. A brand-new grille will lend somewhat of a Jaguar look to the MKZ.

Then, expected in the fall, is the heralded Continental, replacing the MKS sedan. The Continental will feature disguised door handles, deep-pile carpet and silken headliner.

The new MKZ will be the most powerful Lincoln ever and the Continental will be the most luxurious ever for the brand.

“The Continental will be our flagship,” said Daniels. “Finally, we are really excited about the future.” A move toward brighter days began a year ago at Landmark; its sales of new Lincolns in 2015 totaled 442, a 62 percent jump over the ’14 total.

For the moment, the MKX Black Label carries the luxury crown. Adding elegance to the contrasting black and white interior is crimson stitching and piano black wood appliqués. Venetian leather seating offers perforated inserts, heated and cooled in the front row and heated in the second row. Thigh support in the front seats can be extended with the push of a button.

Doing away with the normal shifter created a better-looking center console, and by moving the electronic shift buttons to the dash it added room for two storage compartments in the console. Failure to connect on first touch for desired frequencies can be frustrating with MyLincoln Touch; the Revel Ultima 19-speaker surround sound audio, though, is mighty fine.

At night, when driver and passenger approach the MKX, a luminous mat of the Lincoln logo is cast upon the ground from beneath the sideview mirrors as a welcome.

The MKX’s 360-degree cameras, one in front, one in back and one on each side give views of the vehicle’s surroundings. The front lens emerges from beneath the Lincoln logo in the center of the grille.

Sharp slope of the roof at the back of the SUV and small windows cut some vision at the rear.

The 2.7 turbo, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters, kicks out with surprising power when called upon. Standard engine is a 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6. Fuel mileage average for the week with the 2.7 was 21.5 in a 50/50 split of city/highway travel. EPA estimate for the MKX is 17/24.

Sticker price for the Black Label Lincoln is $65,270.  A cheaper trim level is the Premiere, beginning at $38,100.

Among the Black Label’s many amenities are lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, automatic headlamps which dim for oncoming traffic, voice-activated navigation, adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel and 20-inch wheels.

The Lincoln Motor Company, founded by Henry Leland, was Ford Motor Co.’s first acquisition in 1922. Edsel Ford persuaded his father, Henry, to buy the company for $8 million and give Ford an entry into the luxury auto market.

Arthur Kumpf a few years later acquired the franchise for Kumpf Motor Co. at 12^th and Acoma in Denver. Landmark and Kumpf merged 15 years ago to create the large dealership on South Broadway.

Among notable Lincoln automobile designs through the years have been the streamlined Zephyr of the late 1930s, the Continental, the ’56 Continental Coupe, ’61 Continental Convertible, ’69 Mark III, Town Car and the new MKX SUV.

The original Continental, which went into production in 1940, is one of the all-time favorites of fanciers of the brand.

Here are the specifications for the ’16 Lincoln MKX Black Label SUV:

• Capacity 5-passenger
• Wheelbase 112.2 inches
• Length 190 inches
• Width 76.1 inches
• Height 66.2 inches
• Curb Weight 4,387 pounds
• Track 64.8 inches front, 64.7 rear
• Ground Clearance 7.8 inches
• Turn Circle 38.6 feet
• Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
• Engine 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6
• Horsepower/Torque 335/380
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering electric power-assist
• Suspension strut front, multilink rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 17/24
• Fuel mileage average 21.5
• Fuel Tank 18 gallons, premium unleaded
• Wheels 20-inch
• Tires Hankook 245/50R20
• Cargo Volume 37.2 cubic feet
• Warranty 4years/50,000 miles basic, 5/70,000 powertrain

Competitors Volvo XC90, Lexus RX350, Porsche Cayenne, Acura MDX, BMW X5, Range Rover Sport

Assembly Plant Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Parts Content N.A.

Base Price of Lowest Model $38,100; Base Price of Review Model $55,870; Destination Charge $925; Sticker Price $65,270.

Booming interest in trucks and SUVs, fueled by low gas prices, resulted in a record high 17.47 million light-vehicle sales in the U.S. last year.

The Ford F-series led truck sales for the 40^th consecutive year, Toyota Camry was atop car sales for the 19^th time in 20 years, the Honda CR-V for the fourth consecutive year was leader of SUV/crossover sales, and Toyota Sienna succeeded Chrysler Town & Country as minivan sales champ.

Sales of new Jeeps soared to 865,028 in 2015 from 692,348 the previous year, a rise of 25 percent.

The biggest jump in total sales by individual model during 2015 was 88,000 units by Nissan’s sharp-looking compact crossover, the Rogue, which increased from 199,199 the year before to 287,190 last year. Other big gains were 71,000 by the Chevy Silverado, 60,500 by the Chrysler 200, 48,000 by Toyota RAV4, 42,000 by Jeep Cherokee, 40,000 by Ford Mustang and 39,000 by Ford Explorer.

Following are sales of new cars, SUVs/crossovers, trucks and vans in the U.S. in 2015:

CARS

• Toyota Camry 429,355
• Toyota Corolla 363,332
• Honda Accord 355,557
• Honda Civic 335,384
• Nissan Altima             333,398
• Ford Fusion 300,170
• Hyundai Elantra 241,706
• Chevrolet Cruze 226,602
• Hyundai Sonata 213,303
• Nissan Sentra 203,509
• Ford Focus 202,478
• Chevrolet Malibu 194,854
• Toyota Prius 184,794
• Chrysler 200 177,889
• Kia Optima 159,414
• Kia Soul 147,133
• Nissan Versa 144,528
• BMW 3&4 series 140,609
• Volkswagen Jetta 131,109
• Ford Mustang 122,349
• Chevrolet Impala 116,825
• Mazda3 107,885
• Nissan Impreza 100,519
• Dodge Charger   94,725
• Dodge Dart   87,392
• Mercedes-Benz C class   86,080
• Kia Forte   78,919
• Volkswagen Passat  78,207
• Chevrolet Camaro   77,502
• Dodge Challenger   66,365
• Volkswagen Golf   65,308
• Lexus ES   64,969
• Chevrolet Sonic   64,775
• Ford Fiesta   64,458
• Hyundai Accent   61,486
• Nissan Legacy   60,447
• Toyota Avalon   60,063
• Mazda6   57,897
• Chrysler 300   53,109
• Honda Fit   52,724
• Mercedes-Benz E class   49,736
• Ford Taurus   48,816
• Acura TLX   47,080
• Lexus IS   46,430
• BMW 5 series   44,162
• Buick LaCrosse   42,035
• Mini Cooper S   41,828
• Nissan Maxima   40,359
• Audi A3   35,984
• Chevrolet Corvette   33,329
• Chevrolet Spark   32,853
• Buick Verano   31,886
• Hyundai Genesis   31,374
• Lincoln MKZ   30,901

SUVs

• Honda CR-V 345,647
• Toyota RAV4 315,412
• Ford Escape 306,482
• Nissan Rogue 287,190
• Chevrolet Equinox 277,589
• Ford Explorer 249,251
• Jeep Cherokee 220,260
• Jeep Wrangler 202,702
• Jeep Grand Cherokee 195,958
• Subaru Forester 175,192
• Toyota Highlander 158,915
• Subaru Outback 152,294
• Honda Pilot 136,212
• Ford Edge 124,120
• Chevrolet Traverse 119,945
• Jeep Patriot 118,464
• Hyundai Santa Fe 118,134
• Kia Sorento 116,249
• Mazda CX-5 111,450
• Dodge Journey 105,400
• Lexus RX 100,510
• Toyota 4Runner 97,034
• GMC Acadia 93,393
• Subaru XV Crosstrek 88,927
• Chevrolet Tahoe 88,342
• Nissan Pathfinder 82,041
• Cadillac SRX 68,850
• Buick Encore 67,549
• Jeep Compass 66,698
• Dodge Durango 64,186
• Hyundai Tucson 63,591
• Chevrolet Trax 63,030
• Nissan Murano 62,907
• Buick Enclave 62,081
• Jeep Renegade 60,946
• Acura MDX 58,208
• BMW X5 54,997
• Kia Sportage 53,739
• Audi Q5 52,006
• Acura RDX 51,026
• Chevrolet Suburban 50,866
• Lexus NX 43,764
• GMC Yukon 42,732
• Honda HR-V 41,969
• Infiniti QX60 41,770
• Ford Expedition 41,443
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 36,966
• Volkswagen Tiguan 35,843
• Mercedes-Benz M class 32,550
• GMC Yukon XL 31,334
• GMC Canyon 30,077
• Nissan Juke 27,121
• Volvo XC60 26,134
• Lexus GX 25,212
• Lincoln MKC 24,590
• Lincoln MKX 22,199

TRUCKS

• Ford F-Series 780,354
• Chevrolet Silverado 600,544
• Ram 451,116
• GMC Sierra 224,139
• Toyota Tacoma 179,562
• Toyota Tundra 118,880
• Chevrolet Colorado 84,430
• Nissan Frontier 62,817
• Nissan Titan 12,140

VANS

• Toyota Sienna 137,497
• Honda Odyssey 127,736
• Ford Transit 117,577
• Dodge Grand Caravan 97,141
• Chrysler Town & Country 93,848
• Chevrolet Express 63,382
• Ford Transit Connect 52,221
• Ford E-Series 50,541
• Ram ProMaster 39,469
• Kia Sedona 36,755
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 29,889
• GMC Savana 21,992
• Nissan NV200 17,317
• Nissan NV 16,958
• Nissan Quest 11,018

Two enjoyable drives in class-leading automobiles during the extended holiday season were those in the 2016 Honda Civic and 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic sedan.

The Civic, year after year, has been among the four or five best-selling cars in America, and the wonderfully finished S550 has long set the standard for luxury sedans. There is little to link the two, though – they’re separated by 2 feet in length and 100 grand in price.

The new Civic showed up with 3-inch-longer body (182.3 inches), a noticeably roomier interior, curb weight still under 3,000 pounds and, Honda said, its first-ever turboed engine in a U.S. Honda car. All that, and a window sticker of $27,335.

The grand four-door known as the Mercedes S550 stretches to 206.3 inches in length, weighs in at 4,773 pounds and gets its go from a twin-turbo, 449-horsepower V-8 engine. Its sticker price: $128,935.

As for the Honda compact, the 10^th-generation model is arguably the best-looking, most-stylish exterior ever seen on the Civic, with a bolder front end and a sleeker and sharply sloped roofline.

Its new look, roomier interior and better performing powertrain have already earned attention – the Civic was named  “car of the year” at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan. 11-24.

The Touring model I drove performed impressively with its 174-horsepower, 162 torque, 1.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. While it carries a high EPA rating of 31/42 miles per gallon, my overall average was 34.3. Honda said it is the most powerful engine ever offered on a non-Si Civic in the U.S.

The turbo 4 is mated to an improved continuously variable transmission (CVT); a switch of the Civic into Sport mode boosts the power level and eliminates much of the CVT whining associated with power trains of the past couple years.

Base models of the Civic are fitted with a 2-liter, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower; it can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The CVT is the only transmission available with the turboed engine.

Occupants of the Civic gain a smoother ride from a chassis featuring improved torsional rigidity, revamped strut front and new multilink rear suspensions.

Well-cushioned leather seats and lots of storage with a bin up front on the center console and one beneath the center stack are interior highlights. Trunk capacity is 14.7 cubic feet, narrowed a bit from base models by a trunk-mounted speaker.

The Civic Touring model’s $27k price tag included a sunroof and even heated rear seats. Added also are remote engine start, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and rain-sensing wipers. Its 7-inch display for the navigation setup also accommodated rearview camera and premium audio with 10 speakers including subwoofer, Bluetooth, USB audio interface, Pandora and SiriusXM satellite radio.

As for the German-built Mercedes S550 four-door, it is perhaps the finest of Colorado Drives in level of comfort. Most superlatives are used up long before the drive concludes.

The security of 4Matic all-wheel drive enhances the performance capability of a 4.7-liter biturbo V-8 (449-hp, 516 lb.-ft. torque) and 7-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles.

Let the sedan wander toward the side of the road, with the wheels touching the white line, and the Mercedes is instantly slowed and guided back into the driving lane. Remove one hand from the steering wheel during less-than-straight, down-the-road driving, and a safety-alert icon pops up on the display screen suggesting both hands on the wheel.

Night-vision assist lends a black-and-white view of the area in front of the car during nighttime driving; it identifies and highlights pedestrians along the road before the driver is able to spot them.

To open up access to a cigarette lighter and ashtray was a surprise to me; they were some years ago removed from most cars. It was interesting to see, though of no use, for I’ve not smoked since I was 12.

Did I mention the Nappa leather, softer than in the past, and so attractive with wood trim.

The big Mercedes carries an EPA estimate of 16/26 miles per gallon of premium fuel. My overall average was 19.5; it will cruise the highways at 22 or higher.

A few standouts among the long list of optional equipment that raised price from $97,400 to $128,935 are power rear side-window sunshades, front-seat massage, power outboard rear seats, power right-rear-seat footrest, ventilated front and rear seats, surround-view camera, heated steering wheel, head-up display and 20-inch wheels.

The S550 is one of the world’s best-built automobiles.

Here are the specifications for the ’16 Honda Civic Touring:

• Wheelbase 106.3 inches
• Length 182.3 inches
• Width 70.8 inches
• Height 55.7 inches
• Curb Weight 2,923 pounds
• Track 60.9 inches front, 61.5 rear
• Ground Clearance 6.7 inches
• Turn Circle 35.7 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 174/162
• Transmission continuously variable
• Steering electric power
  Fuel mileage estimate 31/423
• Fuel mileage average 34.3
• Fuel Tank 12.4 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 17-inch
• Tires Firestone 215/50R17
• Cargo Volume 14.7 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Nissan Sentra

Assembly Plant Greensburg, Ind.

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 70%

Base Price of Lowest Model $18,640; Base Price of Review Model $26,500; Destination Charge $835; Sticker Price $27,335.

Handling heavy-duty maneuvering in the deep snow and icy streets through the Christmas holidays was the 2015 Infiniti QX60 all-wheel-drive crossover.

The big and roomy QX60, in response to wheelspin and throttle position, can divert up to 50 percent of available power to the front wheels for improved traction and control in adverse situations. Under normal conditions, 100 percent of power goes to the rear wheels.

Though it is third in order of Infiniti’s alphanumeric SUV crossover designations – QX80, QX70, QX60 and QX50 – it is actually second largest. The QX60 is built upon an unusually wide track, 4 ½ inches wider in front track than the QX70. The QX60 is 5 inches longer than the QX70, 3 inches longer in wheelbase and 200 pounds heavier. The QX70, though, is sportier. Infiniti’s biggest SUV crossover is the huge, strong QX80; its smallest is the QX50.

Equipped with Bridgestone Dueler 235/55R20 tires, the QX60 provided lots of stability in the snow and cold.

The constant cold and the oftentimes deep snow in the streets took their toll in fuel mileage; the QX60 averaged only 18.1 miles per gallon and that included a highway drive to Flatirons Shopping Center at Broomfield. EPA estimate for the crossover is 19/26 mpg. My drive last spring of the QX70 was 17.6, a bit lower than the QX60; the QX70 operates with a 7-speed automatic transmission rather than the CVT of the QX60.

A 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine is beneath the hood of the 60. With the CVT, throttle response and shift points can be adjusted to driver preference with rotary dial control for standard, sport, snow or eco.

A small sunroof over the front-seat occupants adds appeal to the interior, with a large fixed-glass roof over the two rear rows.

For accesing the third row of seating, the second-row seats fold and slide forward; the third-row seatbacks lift up into place for somewhat limited seating space. This leaves a small cargo area of 15.8 cubic feet at the rear. Fold the third-row seatbacks down and the cargo space amounts to almost 41 cubic feet.

A base price of $43,800 for the QX60 swells to $56,090 with the addition of maple interior accents, backup collision intervention, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, intelligent cruise control, Bose Cabin surround-sound system, Infiniti hard-drive navigation with 8-inch touch-screen, heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, remote start and around-view monitor.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Infiniti QX60:

• Capacity 7-passenger crossover SUV
• Wheelbase 114.2 inches
• Length 196.4 inches
• Width 77.2 inches
• Height 68.6 inches
• Curb Weight 4,524 pounds
• Track 68.9 inches front, 65.7 rear
• Ground Clearance 6.5 inches
• Turn Circle 38.7 feet
• Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
• Engine 3.5-liter V-6
• Horsepower/Torque 265/248
• Transmission continuously variable
• Steering speed-sensitive power
• Suspension struts and coilds front, multilink rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 19/26
• Fuel mileage average 18.1
• Fuel Tank 19.5 gallons, premium
• Wheels 20-inch
• Tires Bridgestone Dueler 235/55R20
• Cargo Volume 15.8 cubic feet
• Warranty 4 years/60,000 miles basic, 6/70,000 powertrain

Competitors Lexus GX, Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Land Rover LR4

Assembly Plant Smyrna, Tenn.

Parts Content N.A.

Base Price of Lowest Model $43,800; Base Price of Review Model $43,800; Destination Charge $995; Sticker Price $56,090.

A Volvo V60 frequently beeping my iPhone, wherever I was, to message me with this or that, and the most powerful American production car ever built dumping a crankcase of oil as I quickly shut it down were memories of 2015 I’ll not soon forget.

There were other highlights – unveiling of the Bentley Bentayga, Ford’s aluminum-bodied pickup, the return of Alfa Romeo, and many more – but the Volvo and Dodge Charger Hellcat spiced the year for me.

On a cold, late night in January, I parked the Volvo V60, got out and helped push the wife of a Weld County commissioner in her front-wheel-drive Hyundai from deep snow along the side of the street. A VolvoOnCall app, downloaded earlier into my iPhone which was left at home with Jan, beeped the phone and showed her on a map where the V60 was parked. Walk away from the V60 without locking its doors and an alert will sound in the phone. The V60 can also be started with a signal from the phone’s app.

I dropped by McDonald Automotive Group dealerships one morning last week to visit with owner Doug McDonald about the amazing Volvo app. Doug had departed to warmer climes for a couple of weeks; Will Routon, general manager of the Volvo store, discussed with me the phone app’s many capabilities.

Doug McDonald 50 years ago got into the car business in Denver, opening a Volkswagen dealership. Today, with his sons’ involvement, he oversees the sales of five brands, having added Audi, Volvo, Mazda and Hyundai.

“Well, hell’s bells,” I muttered on an evening in April when my longed-for time in the Hellcat version of the Dodge Charger in reality lasted five hours. The ‘Cat is the powerful beast with a 707-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V-8 engine and 8-speed transmission.

Dale, Sandy, Jan and I were only 15 miles away from a Johnstown restaurant when prompting from the driver info center indicated an oil leak. I quickly shut down the engine as oil ran from the crankcase drain hole, which had lost its plug.

Chrysler execs reclaimed possession of the Hellcat, sent it to Detroit for a once-over, soon returned it, fine as could be, and I enjoyed an exciting few days in the awesome sedan.

Among other bests (and worsts) for my drives in 2015:

Car of the Year – The practical side of me will overlook the wonderful six-figured Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic sedan and Jaguar F-Type R convertible in favor of the made-over 2016 Honda Civic. The 10^th-generation Civic finally has some exterior style, along with roomy interior, well-cushioned seats, a small turboed engine and continuously variable transmission very responsive with not a lot of whining and slipping. It outperforms most other CVT transmissions.

Truck of the Year – The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Sport AWD crossover, with 175-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmsission. It climbed the hills around Vail in outstanding fashion.

Most powerful – That Hellcat with 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, followed by the 2015 BMW X6 M that develops 567 horsepower and 553 torque from a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V-8 with direct injection and variable valve control.

Lowest priced – The ’15 Nissan Versa Note at $19,180, including a backup camera. Another reasonable price was $20,810 for the ’15 Volkswagen Jetta TSI 1.8T SE.

Most expensive – The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic Sedan, driven just before Christmas, topped out at $128,935, just ahead of the 2016 Jaguar F-Type R Convertible at $121,345 and the ’15 Range Rover Supercharged LWB SUV at $118,501.

Best party – The annual Christmas gathering of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, at which David Muramoto was recognized as incoming president, succeeding Andre Smirnov. The gathering was in the Bud Wells Board Room of the Colorado Automobile Dealers’ Bill Barrow Building at Speer and Grant.

MPG – 36.3 by the Nissan Versa with 1.6-liter engine and CVT, and 34.3 by the new Civic.

Hybrids – 39.8 by the ’16 Hyundai Sonata and 38.5 by the Toyota Camry.

Diesels – 38.9 by the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen TDI; well, scratch that!

Guzzling – 14.4 mpg by the ’15 Nissan Titan, the same model which was lowest a year ago; the Titan is represented by a much-improved product for 2016.

Oh those e-mails! – I enjoyed your review of the Alfa 4C a lot and it brought back memories of the Alfa we owned in New Jersey for three years prior to 1992. The car was beautiful, and just the right size for my wife, Betty Sue, who came home with it one day and announced she had purchased a new ride for herself. Fun to drive, though odd things happened with it; horn fell out of the steering wheel, window crank fell off, trunk cable broke. I consider all the cars you reviewed, though, outclassed by my BMW Z4 Roadster – roomy cockpit, heated power seats, 27 mpg on 85 octane fuel, and a great combination of styling, comfort and functionality. – Ernie T. Harris, Broomfield.

Fresh face – Aleks Vekselberg, 27, new owner of Denver Bentley, Ferrari and Lotus. Three years ago he was a student at Yale University. His father, Viktor Vekselberg, has been called the richest man in Russia, with estimated worth of $18 billion.

Welcome back – The Italian-based Alfa Romeo is back in the U.S. after a 20-year absence, with the 4C Spider. Accessing and exiting the low-slung sports car are difficult.

Jan’s favorite – The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport sedan.

Best greeting – Happy New Year!