Better Great than Never

Auto journalism can be like the movie business: often the best vehicle releases come out during the last two months of the year—sometimes two in the same week. 2016 was a good example of this; here are some of my favorites and a few honorable mentions.

2017 HONDA RIDGELINE (Pictured)
EPA ratings: 18/25mpg; 21mpg combined
0-60mph: 6.6sec
Price as tested: $42,270

Simply put, the Honda Ridgeline is far and away the best driving midsize pickup made. It is powerful, refined and boasts a superb chassis whose independent suspension imbues it with ride quality that’s from a different planet than anything found in the Tacoma, Colorado or Canyon. Its handling inspires incredible confidence, meaning you can push much harder on challenging roads and through mixed weather. The unibody means the Ridgeline’s interior is roomy and functional. Built of high quality materials, it has supportive seats, loads of storage, and aside from lacking a volume knob for the audio system, an infotainment systems that is easy to use.

The only real annoyance is a transmission selector that easily drops into the wrong setting, “L,” which isn’t much use in the real world— nor is the “D4” button on the shift lever; Honda needs to add a true manual shift zone, which would make it much easier to access the smooth 3.5-liter V6’s 280 horses.

Regardless, the Honda is faster than the competition, more fuel efficient, and will still tow 5,000-pound loads. It complements its 1,500-pound payload with a tailgate that opens conventionally or swings to the side, making easy access to the useful under-floor compartment. Despite all these virtues, some will still be put off by its looks; in this regard it is like one of those art-house movies that’s a critical darling but hard to stomach for mainstream audiences. But those who sit for the show will leave awed by what Honda has accomplished.

2017 LEXUS GS F
0-60mph: 4.4sec
Price as tested: $86,875
EPA ratings: 16/24mpg; 19mpg combined

As early, rave reviews started coming in from respected auto writers I had to ask. Why? The current GS is a nice Lexus, but how could its hot-rodded F version be good as—or possibly better than—stalwarts like the M5, S6 and E63? No AWD. No turbos. But after experiencing it for myself, I’d have to agree that this is one of the most surprising cars of the year.

What makes the GS F so special is the way it moves. Clichéd comparison it may be, but this Lexus reminds me of BMWs like the E39 5-series and E46 and E90 3-series more than almost anything the Bavarians make today. The entire GS F body machine moves as one, and the firmest setting in the selectable driver control menu is in many circumstances the best for ride as well as for handling—a sign of well-tuned damping. The Lexus’ active rear differential, which can be set to Slalom and Track modes, contributes here as well, creating a rear end that adds alertness to proceedings without making the Lexus feel in any way unpredictable. The 467hp 5-liter may lack turbocharged torque, but revs sweetly with sonorous sounds and is more than fast enough to get one in big trouble. Lexus once again is teaching the masterclass in interior materials and quality. It is commodious, quiet and eminently practical (aside from the lack of AWD). The cohesiveness of the whole GS F package makes my mouth water for the outrageously gorgeous upcoming LC coupe and its new platform.

2016 NISSAN ARMADA
0-60mph: 5.9sec
Price as tested: $61,585
EPA ratings: 13/18mpg; 15mpg combined

The Armada combines most all the good- ness and luxury of the Infiniti QX80 with the U.N.-approved, 3rd World-toughness of the Nissan Patrol in a more affordable, better-looking package. A seven-speed transmission ably harnesses the 5.6-liter’s 390 horses, meaning raucous forward progress and towing power when needed and commendable refinement the rest of the time. Body control is on par with the newer GM and Ford fullsize rigs, though interior packaging is tighter and the infotainment system adrift the best. But the inherent integrity of the Armada and value of even the top-of-the-line Platinum model make it an excellent choice for those needing the talents of a classic, body-on- frame SUV.

2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 550
0-60mph: 5.6sec
Price as tested: $110,565
EPA ratings: 14/18mpg; 16mpg

Until Range Rover and BMW start offering full-size seven passenger rigs, the all-SUV S-class of Mercedes GLs is utterly unique. Yet this AMG-clad Benz doesn’t drive like a SUV; punch up Sport mode and it shrinks down to merely the size of a largish sedan and turns almost playful, with sharp responses, excellent body control, responsive steering, and neatly contained handling. It also hustles, with its 449hp 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8s 516lb-ft minced into nine nicely spaced chunks of forward lunge via the latest Benz transmission. While a full-fat 577hp GLS63 still exists for those seeking one-ups-manship, this is all the ski panzer one could ever wish for, with a generally great, air-sprung ride (those proportionally correct 21-inch wheels tend to crash into potholes), sumptuous interior fittings and beaucoup room. The latest COMAND infotainment is graphically rewarding and fast, offers multiple ways to interact, and controls a thoroughly modern suite of apps. While it lacks a heated steering wheel, massaging seats take the sting out of long hauls. It also offers the kind of left-lane clearing ability usually reserved for aggressively driven one-ton pickups.

2017 VOLVO S90
0-60mph: 5.2sec.
Price as tested: $66,105
EPA ratings: 22 /31mpg; 25mpg

After sweeping the SUV awards last year with the all-new XC90, Volvo continues its come- back with this all-new sedan. While the S90 will never match the size or sales numbers of the crossover, it’s styling is so lovely it inspires admiration from both hardcore car aficionados and auto-agnostics. This continues inside, where the S90 displays the most elegant cockpit sixty-odd thousand will get you; what the company is doing with wood and metallic trim can even teach Audi a thing or two. Seating front and back is luxurious and supportive, the vertically oriented Sensus Connect infotainment interface brilliant and the S90’s semi-autonomous driving and safety systems are amongst the best on sale today. The corporate “twin charged” two-liter four cylinder engine, with 316hp and 295lb-ft thanks to a supercharger and turbocharger, moves the Volvo along smarty no matter the altitude. If the S90’s low-speed ride is a bit choppy on the optional, polished 19-inch wheels, the aesthetic enhancement they provide is worth it. Dynamically, it’s not as honed as the Germans, but the undeniable value the S90 represents, priced as it is between the smaller 3-series and similarly sized 5-series BMW mean it represents excellent value.

2016 VW GOLF R
0-60mph: 4.5sec
Price as tested: $36,470
EPA ratings: 22 /31mpg; 25mpg

Is there a better real-world performance bargain? I doubt it. This is the ultimate People’s Car made unholy fast and adept in the corners—no matter the weather—with the refinement a Subaru WRX/STI could only fantasize about. Is $36,470 expensive for a small VW? Maybe, but it is the price of the average car in the USA. Is the Golf R merely a cut rate Audi S3? Most assuredly; while its interior is decent, it’s not the minimalist masterpiece of its platform mate, nor does it share the groovy “Virtual Cockpit” instruments. But it is $7,000 less, and comes in more useable hatchback form. Avoid the manual though, whose clutch take-up point is so high you can lick your knee; spring for the twin-clutcher and embarrass Mustang GTs, with sub-5 second acceleration. What one new car would I choose for the price? Probably this Golf R. It’s like one of those movies that, ever time it pops up on cable, you find yourself watching it again, even if you’ve seen it a dozen times already.

2017 INFINITI QX60
0-60mph: 7.1sec
Price as tested: $60,045
EPA ratings: 19/26mpg; 22mpg combined

This is the Director’s Cut of the originally re- leased QX60, a decent but forgettable large, seven-passenger crossover. It has a new face, updated electronics and a freshened interior. And, like some films that went from merely okay to really compelling in re-release, this Infiniti sticks with you. It looks classy, and the interior is better conceived for real-world usage than ostensibly more compelling machines. It handled an early winter storm with aplomb and its terrific balance of ride and handling might just be best in class. The 3.5-liter’s mating to a CVT isn’t my thing, but at least the Sport mode’s tuning kept it on pace. And if the test vehicle’s fully loaded price was encroaching on the well-guarded territory of establishment players, more thoughtfully specc’d QX60s are quite reasonable for the amount of talent on display.

Automotive Editor Isaac Bouchard is the owner of Englewood-based Bespoke Autos (303-475-1462). Read more of his writing at coloradoavidgolfer.com and bespokeautos.com. Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.