{"id":19943,"date":"2017-01-13T15:29:50","date_gmt":"2017-01-13T19:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=19943"},"modified":"2017-01-13T15:29:50","modified_gmt":"2017-01-13T19:29:50","slug":"auto-show-big-suvs-trucks-market-keeps-on-truckin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/auto-show-big-suvs-trucks-market-keeps-on-truckin","title":{"rendered":"Auto show big SUVs, trucks: Market keeps on truckin\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"2017-0110-dm-naias-consumer-guide0009\"<\/p>\n<\/div>

The pickup market just keeps on truckin\u2019 with Nissan joining the Big Three titans: F-series, Silverado\/Sierra, and Ram, with its own Titan. Meanwhile, the midsize segment is exploding with Chevy, GMC, Toyota, Honda and even (aged) Nissan gaining sales. Ford was a one-company news storm during the auto show as it unveiled a refreshed F-150 and announced that two icons \u2014 the Ranger and Bronco \u2014 would be returning to the small pickup fray in short order.<\/p>\n

Ford F-150<\/strong><\/p>\n

What it is:<\/strong> Ford\u2019s landmark, all-aluminum pickup gets a mid-cycle refresh with a new fascia and even more engine options. The three-bar grille goes away, replaced by the \u201cdouble I-beam\u201d found on big brother F-250 Super Duty. Around back, the big pickup gets \u201cF-150\u201d tattooed on its arse. A diesel engine is available for the first time \u2014 as well as a new 3.3-liter base engine. Rounding out the lineup is a 2.7-liter turbo, 3.5-liter turbo, and honkin\u2019 5.0-liter V-8. All but the 3.3-liter are powered by Ford\u2019s new 10-speed tranny.<\/p>\n

Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong> After selling more pickups than any other automaker for the 40th straight year in 2016, Ford rubs it in with a refreshed F-truck. The wider, two-bar grille spells the end of Ford\u2019s 10-year, three-bar signature grille that started with the 2006 Ford Fusion. Tough outside, the F-150 is a rolling living room inside (in fact, I think it\u2019s bigger than most living rooms).<\/p>\n

GMC Terrain<\/strong><\/p>\n

What it is:<\/strong> Following in the footsteps of its bigger sibling, the GMC Acadia, the Terrain gets an extreme makeover for 2018. Ditching its chunky pickup looks for sleeker styling (check out that floating roof and C-clamp headlight signature), the Terrain sheds almost 500 pounds. With available diesel, 1-5-liter turbo and 2.0-liter turbo engines, the Terrain aims to translate its diet into increased fuel efficiency and driveability.<\/p>\n

\"gmc_terrain\"<\/p>\n<\/div>

Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong> Previously big for a compact ute, the Terrain right-sizes to go after the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape in the industry\u2019s best-selling segment. With its good looks and nine-speed transmission, the GMC will be the more premium GM choice compared to its Chevy Equinox sibling.<\/p>\n

Chevrolet Traverse<\/strong><\/p>\n

What it is:<\/strong> Chevy\u2019s big midsize Traverse goes on a 350-pound diet without compromising its dimensions. Indeed, Chevy claims the three-row SUV gets more rear headroom and legroom. The Traverse gets a new fascia and new boxier sheet metal to match is sizable ambitions. A 3.6-liter V-6 is the volume engine and a 2.0-liter four-banger motivates the Traverse\u2019s sportier, front-wheel drive RS trim. A premium High Country will also be offered for the first time to compete with the Ford Explorer Platinum.<\/p>\n

\"chevy_traverse\"<\/p>\n<\/div>

Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong> Size matters. While sister GMC Acadia downsized in this segment last year, the Chevy boasts more room than its Honda Pilot and Explorer competitors. The Traverse, which shares its AWD skeleton with the Cadillac XT5 and Acadia, promises surprisingly nimble handling for something so big.<\/p>\n

Volkswagen Tiguan<\/strong><\/p>\n

What it is:<\/strong> VW\u2019s compact ute gets a major redo, gaining over 10 inches in length and adding a third-row seat, rare in this class. Powered by a peppy 184-horse turbo-4, the Tiggy offers AWD and a suite of tech toys, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity (U.S. market must-haves that many European manufacturers have been slow to adopt).<\/p>\n

\"vw_tiguan\"<\/p>\n<\/div>

Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong> The Tiguan is key to VW\u2019s reboot in the U.S. market, where it has missed the SUV mark. If priced competitively, the Tiguan\u2019s size, solid chassis and third-row seat option should get it noticed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The pickup market just keeps on truckin\u2019 with Nissan joining the Big Three titans: F-series, Silverado\/Sierra, and Ram, with its own Titan. Meanwhile, the midsize segment is exploding with Chevy, GMC, Toyota, Honda and even (aged) Nissan gaining sales. Ford was a one-company news storm during the auto show as it unveiled a refreshed F-150 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19943"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19943"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19944,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19943\/revisions\/19944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}