englewood

REVIEW: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4MATIC

Look familiar to you? That’s because it is. As part of Mercedes-Benz’s new naming convention, the GLE-Class positions itself in the middle of the SUV segment between the GLC and GLS-Classes (the former GLK and GL, respectively), similar to how the E-Class is positioned in relation to the C and S-Classes.

With the same underpinnings as the previous ML, the GLE  blends luxury, comfort and sportiness. Ours was outfitted with a Polar White exterior with Saddle Brown leather and Anthracite Poplar wood. Overall, our GLE350 was great to drive – much better than the outgoing ML350. The GLE350 was very smooth and didn’t feel like you were driving an SUV, however, when you need it to, the SUV capabilities are there. We were amazed by the tight steering and excellent turning radius, and the less-boat-like handling over the previous model was great also.  With a 3.5L V6 producing 302hp, the GLE350 4MATIC gets you to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, which is relatively quick for an almost 5,000lb sport utility vehicle. With an as-tested price of $60,385, the GLE350 is a great choice for a luxury SUV.

On the inside, standard features include heated front seats, power lift gate, power driver’s seat with memory and an 8-inch high-resolution color screen. Our GLE350 4MATIC came equipped with the Premium 1 package (a $3,830 option) which includes Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND hard-drive navigation, COMAND with touchpad controller, Blind Spot Assist, Rearview camera, Keyless-Go, household-style 115V power outlet and SiriusXM radio.

Loaded with a plethora of safety features, the GLE350 has adaptive braking technology, Agility Control Suspension, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Attention Assist, Pre-Safe, 11-way airbag protection, Mercedes-Benz mbrace, and Night Security Illumination.

Pros: Great safety features, Night Security Illumination is pretty neat, attention to detail, beautiful interior

Cons: Media interface/COMAND system takes time getting used to

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $51,100 || Price as Tested: $60,385

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive, five-passenger, 4-door sports utility vehicle

Engine: 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder, 302-hp,  273 lb-ft torque || Transmission: 7-speed automatic, with paddle shifters

Curb Weight:  4,751 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 189.1/84.3/70.7 inches

0-60:   7.5 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 17/22 MPG

 

Mercedes’ Night Security Illumination

 

RATING: 8.2/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 8

Braking: 9

Ride: 9

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 8

Value: 8

We’d like to thank Pamela Sieradzki at Benzel Busch Mercedes for getting us into a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4MATIC. For all of your luxury vehicle needs, go check out Benzel-Busch Mercedes in Englewood, NJ and online at www.benzelbusch.com/mercedes-nj. Make sure you tell them Greg sent you!

REVIEW: 2013 Lincoln MKS

When thinking of Lincoln’s largest family sedan, we would typically think of the Town Car. The MKS has revamped Lincoln’s lineup as their top sedan and has done it in style. With Lincoln’s MKS, they’ve expanded their market to appeal to a younger audience as well. We stopped at Town Motors in Englewood and picked up our Lincoln for the day and definitely left with all positive thoughts.

 

Our Lincoln MKS had a very smooth ride and felt very luxurious. For a big sedan it did not drive like a “boat” as one would expect. The non Ecoboost engine had plenty of power under the hood which made me think that the Ecoboost engine would be a great experience. If you are someone in search for a sedan with plenty of features and space, this is the one for you.

Pros: Spacious trunk and back seat, well powered even without the EcoBoost, great design, a lot of features for what you pay.

Cons: Navigating the entertainment system proved to have some challenges, similar to the MKZ.

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $42,870 || Price as Tested: $53, 565

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

Engine: 3.7L V6 || Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic w/ Paddle Activation

Curb Weight: 4391 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 205.6/85.5/61.6 inches

0-60: 6.2 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 18/27 mpg

RATING: 8.0/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 7

Braking: 8

Ride: 8

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 9

Value: 8

We’d like to thank Ted Siebold of Town Motors in Englewood, NJ for getting us into the 2013 Lincoln MKS! For all your Lincoln needs, go check out Town Lincoln in Englewood, NJ and online at http://www.townmotors.com. Make sure you tell them Greg and Dave sent you!

REVIEW: 2013 Lincoln MKZ
When you think of Lincoln, you probably think of the Town Car (commonly driven by the elderly) or the Navigator (commonly driven by soccer moms). With Lincoln’s new MKZ, they’ve expanded their market to appeal to a younger audience.We stopped at Town Motors in Englewood and picked up our Lincoln for the day, drove it around Northern New Jersey and simply put, we loved it.

Our MKZ came with the Ecoboost I4 which produced 240 horses and had a brutish 270 pound-feet of torque which propelled the car to 60 in just over 7 seconds. The MKZ came equipped with heated mirrors, LED headlamps and taillights, 10-way front driver’s and passenger’s seats, Ford Motor Company’s SYNC with MyTouch system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, power moonroof, keyless entry with external keypad, and push button start with push button gear selection as well. Our test vehicle also had Equipment Group 101A which includes the rear view video camera and reverse sensing system.

The finishings of the Special Edition vehicle include a silver exterior with charcoal leather interior and a walnut wood trim.

We thought that even though the car has a 4-cylinder engine, it accelerated like that of a 6-cylinder. (The MKZ is available with a V6 engine also). We LOVED that Lincoln brought back the push-button gear selection, reminiscent of cars from the 50s and 60s. The only thing we weren’t so fond of in the car was the entertainment system and dash controls — with the touch screen and the sliding your finger over the volume bar proving to be a little cumbersome, but a lot of the other features in the car made up for it. At a base price of just under $36,000, you get a great amount of equipment in a reliable, luxury American car.

Pros: The new style for 2013, acceleration with the Ecoboost, comfortable and spacious, individual buttons for gear selection, great audio system and had a lot of storage compartments.
Cons: Navigating the entertainment system proved to have some challenges.
QUICK FACTS:
Base Price: $35,925 || Price as Tested: $40,950
Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Engine: 2.0L, 240hp, 270 lb-ft., I-4 EcoBoost || Transmission: 6-speed SelectShift Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Curb Weight: 3874 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 194.1/83.3/58.1 inches
0-60: 7.1 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 18/26mpg  
RATING: 8.4/10
Exterior: 9
Interior: 8
Acceleration: 8 
Braking: 9
Ride: 9
Handling: 9 
Gearbox: 9
Audio: 8
Tech: 7
Value: 8
We’d like to thank Ted Siebold of Town Motors in Englewood, NJ for getting us into the 2013 Lincoln MKZ. For all your Lincoln needs, go check out Town Lincoln in Englewood, NJ and online at http://www.townmotors.com. Make sure you tell them Greg and Dave sent you!

Review: 2013 Volvo S60

When you think of Volvo, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Safety. Known for the incredible safety features, as well as their performance, style and quality, we got to drive the 2013 S60 thanks to Jay at Englewood Volvo.

Pushing out 250 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, we had the Volvo S60 T5 AWD. A turbocharged 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine powers the car from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. With a 6-speed automatic transmission with sport mode, the shifts in the car were quick and smooth.

The audio system in the car was great with a 4×40 Watt amplifier and 8 speakers with the 7″ Volvo Sensus screen and HD radio on all models. Other amenities included 8-way power drivers seat, push button start, leather & silk metal steering wheel and electric parking brake. Additionally, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with audio streaming and a 60/40 folding rear seat with pass-thru add to the list of features. The Premier package adds a power glass moonroof, leather seating surfaces, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power passenger seat and keyless drive. Our test vehicle also had the Climate Package which includes heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles and interior air quality system.

With a class-leading 20/29 city/highway fuel economy, the S60 is sure to please. Starting at $31,900, our car came out to an as-tested suggested MSRP of $39,444.

Oh, and did we mention the shift knob is LED backlit so it shines at night? We thought that was pretty cool too.

Pros: Acceleration and handling in the car was great. The trunk was very spacious and we liked that there were folding seats and a pass-through. Everything on the  center console was centrally-located and angled towards the driver which we thought was great. The audio system was top-notch, as well.

Cons: The center console storage was fairly minimal. To get a navigation system, you’re going to have to pony up $6,000 for the Platinum package.

QUICK FACTS: 

Base Price: $31,900 || Price as Tested: $39,444

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door car

Engine: 2.5L, 250-hp, 266-lb-ft. I5 || Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 3548 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 182.2/73.4/58.4 inches

0-60: 6.5 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 20/29mpg

RATING: 8.1/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 9

Braking: 9

Ride: 8

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 9

Tech: 7

Value: 7

We’d like to thank Jay Tobia and Englewood Volvo for getting us into an S60 — we thought the car was awesome! For all your Volvo needs, go check out Englewood Volvo in Englewood, NJ and online at www.EnglewoodVolvo.com. Make sure you tell them Greg and Dave sent you!