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2019 Infiniti QX50 vs. compact luxury SUV rivals: How they compare

With apologies to the EX35, or whatever it was eventually renamed, Infiniti has been without a proper, competitive entry in the compact luxury SUV segment. You know, the segment that's growing faster in sales and entries than any other? To say the 2019 Infiniti QX50 is long awaited would therefore be an understatement. At first glance and drive, the new QX50 would indeed seem to be wildly more competitive than its predecessor, which come to think of it, was eventually called the QX50 as well. This one is based on an all-new front-wheel-drive platform, and although it lacks the inherent verve of the old, rear-drive- and 370Z-based one, the resulting increase in cabin space should be a welcome tradeoff. In fact, as you'll see below, the QX50 has gone from one of the smallest compact SUVs to the most spacious. How does it stack up in every other way? Say, against the segment's four best-selling entries last year: the 2018 Lexus NX 300, 2018 Acura RDX, 2018 Audi Q5 and 2018 BMW X3. On paper at least, really well as it turns out. Let's go to the spreadsheet! Discover and compare other luxury crossovers with our Car Finder and Compare tools. Comparing engines, drivetrains and transmissions With the exception of the Acura, all of the contenders come with 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. As you can see, the Infiniti is the heavyweight amongst the four-bangers, boasting the most horsepower and torque. The Acura V6 nips it by 11 hp, but the QX50 is still the overall torque champ. Plus, as we documented in the QX50 first drive, the Infiniti's new VC-Turbo engine is also the most technologically advanced. The Lexus is the wimp of the group and is also the second-heaviest, which isn't exactly the ideal scenario. The Infiniti is the only one in the group to feature a continuously variable transmission. That's not going to generate much applause around here. The BMW tops the gear count with eight, while the Audi is the only entry with a dual-clutch automated manual. The Acura and Lexus have only six gears, but they're good transmissions and it's not like their fuel economy is off the pace. The Audi and BMW come standard with all-wheel drive, while the others offer a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Comparing cargo and interior space The new front-wheel-drive platform is paying dividends inside for the 2019 QX50, as it now boasts the most maximum cargo space at 65.1 cubic feet.

Lexus resurrecting SC name for big, expensive coupe

Lexus is preparing the SC nomenclature for its third act, after the first bombshell SC coupe from 1991 and the second, Desperate Housewives hardtop convertible evolution from 2001. The brand is aiming again for something that makes a deep mark, with rumored specs pointing to a large, heavy, powerful coupe that will square its spindle grille up against the Mercedes SL and BMW 6 Series. It will be built on the frame of the next-generation LS sedan, and Automobile says internal combustion motivation will come in three flavors. The starter will be a juiced-up version of the company's 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated V8, the one that currently makes 467 horsepower in the RC F. Stepping up from there will be some kind of hybrid powertrain good for around 500 horsepower; last year Motor Trend wrote that the hybrid would be based around a V6 ICE with Toyota's coming "multi-hybrid" system. The top step will be a twin-turbo version of the V8 that could exceed 600 hp. Early reports of dimensions have it at 185 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 53 inches tall. It is expected to use the world's first application of a ten-speed automatic transmission. It'll also get the RC F's torque vectoring mechanism for the rear-wheel-drive setup, though Car and Driver says an all-wheel drive option "might be added later." Aluminum and carbon fiber components will help manage weight. Its design will be inspired by the LF-LC concept, and right now its pricing is as murky as its looks. C/D posits an MSRP from $80,000 to $95,000, Automobile figures it will go "past the $100,000 mark," and MT pegs the situation at $150,000. All agree, however, that it will join the retail pipeline as a 2017 model.

Toyota recalls 370k Sienna minivans, 10.5k Lexus GS models over separate issues

The year of the recall continues, but this time it isn't from General Motors. Toyota is announcing two, separate recalls affecting a pair of its models.
First, Toyota is recalling 370,000 Sienna minivans from the 2004 to 2011 model years that are registered or originally sold in cold-weather states. The problem is that the spare tire carrier assembly cable can be splashed by water contaminated with road salt and cause corrosion. There is a splashguard in place to prevent this, but it sometimes gets lost in "normal usage," according to the company. If the cable does break, then "the spare tire may separate from the vehicle."
This is actually the second repair for this problem for some of these vehicles. In 2010, Toyota issued a recall on 600,000 Siennas from the 1998 to 2010 model years. At the time, it installed a new splashguard and sprayed the area with an anti-rust chemical. However, according to Toyota spokesperson John Hanson speaking to Autoblog, the campaign worked for the 1998 to 2003 models but wasn't sufficient for the newer ones. For the latest recall, the vehicles are getting the entire cable replaced with a stainless steel unit and a new splashguard.