(First posted 5/24/2017) (Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here)
I have faith in the American automobile industry. General Motors emerged from bankruptcy a leaner, more disciplined company, focussed more on profits than volume. Ford did one better and avoided bankruptcy completely, shedding anything that would weigh it down. As for FCA… If history has taught us anything, it’s to never count Chrysler out as the company has always operated on a boom/bust cycle. Now, there’s a fourth serious player out of the U.S. that’s shaking things up: Tesla. There’s a vast array of superb products coming out of the U.S., and here are a few that keep me loving American cars.
The Tesla Model S (#22) has disrupted both the electric car market and the luxury car market. While other automakers had always presented electric cars as sensible commuter cars, Tesla scoffed and went in a different direction – to great success – with the Model S luxury hatchback. Enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike have been captivated by this car and the technology and performance it offers. Count me as one of those enthusiasts.
The Big 3 know how to make good crossovers, particularly in the full-size field. I’ve always been more of a sedan fan as I don’t (yet?) need the space afforded by crossovers. So, while I can admire GM’s Lambda triplets and appreciate the capable Dodge Durango, I don’t long for those vehicles. I do, however, have a great regard for the Ford Flex (#23). Sadly, it’s not long for this world as most buyers prefer the more conventional Explorer. The polarizing Flex is, quite simply, a very large box. It’s awfully reminiscent of full-size station wagons of the past and yet it’s also trendy and modern. It also comes with an optional 365-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5 EcoBoost V6 that puts the “haul” in “family hauler”.
Chrysler shook up the market in the 2000s with the introduction of its rear-wheel-drive LX and LC-platform cars: the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger and Magnum (#24). This venerable Mercedes-derived platform has survived to the present day and with each year, these cars have gotten ever more impressive. The low-rent interiors and weak V6 engines of the early cars have been banished, although sadly so too has the rakish Magnum wagon.
More features have been added – including a sumptuous leather-wrapped interior option in the Chrysler 300 – and wilder and wilder performance editions have appeared. First came the SRT-8 editions of each car, then the shocking Charger and Challenger Hellcat of 2015 with a gobsmacking 707 hp. At this year’s New York International Auto Show, Dodge debuted the Challenger Demon with an astonishing 840 hp.
Even at the lower end, these RWD Mopars impress. The Pentastar V6 is sufficiently powerful, considering the hefty curb weights of these cars. It is also available with all-wheel-drive – even in the Challenger – although sadly the V8/AWD combo was discontinued due to slow sales. If you want an affordable, rear-wheel-drive sedan, you don’t have many options in North America anymore (and, distressingly, it will soon be the same here in Australia). The good news is you can get a Charger V6 for under $30k or spring for an R/T V8 for around $35k, or the price of a base model compact German. The even better news is FCA is reportedly preparing a replacement for the LX and LC platform that will retain rear-wheel-drive.
The blow of losing the RWD Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore here in Australia is being softened by the new Ford Mustang (#25). Ford’s latest generation of the evergreen pony car nameplate has gone global and is now available in Europe and Australia. It’s hardly as practical as a Falcon but it is also a much more refined vehicle than its predecessors thanks to the long-awaited introduction of independent rear suspension as standard fitment. There’s also a wide range of luxury and safety features available, but the feature that excites me the most is the optional 435-horsepower Coyote 5.0 V8 under the hood. It’s also competitively priced – more so in the US than here, mind you – and the sixth-generation Mustang is, in my eyes, the most beautiful Mustang since those of the late-1960s.
The 2018 model is even more of a stunner. This combination of looks and performance has already made the Mustang a smash-hit here in Australia, a market long starved of pony cars. The Mustang is more polished than ever without losing any of its character.
Speaking of classic American nameplates that are more polished and poised than ever, how about the C7 Corvette (#26)? The Corvette is now regarded as being a world-class sports car, even by the notoriously critical British automotive press. Automotive journalists from around the world have praised its razor-sharp handling and its pushrod V8 that reaches 60 mph in under 4 seconds—and that’s in the cheapest Corvette! Now, there’s finally a nice interior to go with it, plus some trick technology like magnetorheological dampers.
The Corvette is also eminently driveable in the real-world and, for those wanting more performance, the Z06 adds a supercharger and an extra 195 hp and 190 ft-lbs (to 650 and 650, respectively). I must also confess that, despite my fondness for C5 and C6 styling, I love that GM took a risk with the C7 and took the design in a new direction. It helps signal the Corvette has changed, that it’s now a world-class sports car without any caveats or qualifiers required.
It’s a fantastic time to be a fan of American luxury brands. Lincoln may still be employing its time-tested and profitable strategy of polishing Ford platforms and draping them in elegant sheetmetal. But they are becoming increasingly smarter about hiding their cars’ Ford origins and the new Black Label luxury series offers a breathtaking range of opulent interior schemes. But – and this should come as no surprise after Part II – Cadillac still remains my favorite American brand. And, instead of admiring from afar, I actually put my money where my mouth was and rented a Cadillac on my last trip to the U.S. That car was the current-generation CTS (#27).
I’m a firm believer that you can have it all. You can have a luxury car with a cossetting ride and capable handling. GM has long been able to engineer a capable chassis and the CTS’ Alpha platform offers a sublime ride/handling balance, without having to rely on adaptive suspension technology. I’ve driven some terrifically tortuous roads over the years but I’ll never forget my experience driving the CTS along Mulholland Drive at night.
The interior was a splendid place to be – I was even satisfied with the much-maligned CUE – and the car lived up to my expectations, and then some. On the same trip, I sat in an ATS and found the interior to be more comfortable than I’d heard. Perhaps on my next trip, I’ll get some seat-time in the new CT6.
It’s a terrific time to be a fan of American cars. Ford, GM and FCA all sell pony cars with heady performance and the latest in technology. Cadillac is matching and even beating the Germans in handling ability while Lincoln is resurging. Flagship sports cars like the Corvette and Ford GT surprise and delight. And, most importantly, the bread-and-butter products – the Cherokees, the Rams, the Fusions – are competitive and compelling—the only exceptions can be counted on one hand. So, tell us: what American cars of today keep you hopeful and enthusiastic about the U.S. auto industry?
Related Reading:
CC of the Future: 2013 Tesla Model S – Welcome to the 21st Century, Your Jetpack is Here
COAL: 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 – My Dream Car Is Another Dodge Station Wagon
Future Classic: 2015 Dodge Challenger V6 – The Rarest Challenger
CC Comparison Test: The Best And Wurst Alternatives – 1st Place, 2014 Cadillac CTS 2.0T Luxury
Google Cadillac CTS timing chain
Thanks, I needed that.
Interesting series. We’re probably a bit apart in our automotive loves, but I can appreciate your picks and the reasoning.
Regarding the Flex: I had an insight the other day, that the Flex might have been a fair amount more popular if it simply had been a few inches taller. Especially in today’s CUV/SUV world, it just looks oddly low, like it has been chopped and channeled.
I need to get someone to photoshop a taller Flex, so we can all ponder that issue.
I like them, always have, and my brother drives one. The issue is that it looks like a modern interpretation of a Country Squire. If you add the fake wood dinoc, then it is even moreso like a 60s-70s wagon of old. However, since wagons are not in fashion, the identical underneath Exploder/Edge sells more.
Heh, see with me I always felt the Flex never quite pulled off the retro station wagon vibe because it was too TALL. When I think of boxy old station wagons I think of the 80s Panthers and B-Bodies from my childhood, more so than the pre-longer/lower/wider designs of the 1950s and earlier. There’s definitely a Tri-Five vibe to the proportions of the Flex, but the squareness of it and the headlight/grille shapes are a confusing mix of modern and 80s for me(I can’t process retro mishmashes in my head) it just doesn’t fit any niche quite perfectly.
But this idea got me curious, and I have to admit, taller greenhouse does somewhat balance the look of it.
The taller greenhouse certainly gives the Flex that Range Rover-esque look Ford pull off so well on the current Explorer, albeit harking to an earlier model than the Explorer does.
My brother and family rented a 2016 Explorer on a recent trip to the Pacific Northwest (about which I’m decidedly green) He, my nephew and I uttered a collective “aha!” on reading that the Explorer’s development was led by Jim Holland, who’s ex Land Rover.
Back to the Flex I think you’ve absolutely nailed it – the subliminal cues from that taller top all pull in exactly the direction that modern crossover buyers are drawn.
That’s a good go at it. Part of the problem too was the fact that the Fairlane concept, which previewed the Flex, was shorter and IIRC, only a two-row vehicle. In order to get the third row in, they really stretched it, ruining the much better proportions of the concept. But your taller roof is a definite improvement.
The Flex was screaming for a wood Country Squire package which I never could figure out why Ford never offered the trim. Wasn’t the Flex a redesigned minivan with regular doors plus long hood? Also, why no 2-door pickup based on this? Notchback sedan anyone?
My thought from the start was that the proportions are right but it’s just too BIG for its’ style. If it were the size of, and a direct replacement for, the Focus wagon, it would’ve been seen as Ford’s response to both the Scion xB and the PT Cruiser/HHR without copying either, might’ve been a runaway hit, but at the very least would’ve paid off its’ tooling based on sales to fleet users who just wanted the space/MPG balance. But as a full-size it just fell between too many posts.
That take rings right with me. How much would that hurt the Escape sales?
It’s entirely possible that people don’t like the Flex because of its height, but from my experience car shoppers (mostly women) immediately disliked it because of its looks.
It does tend to appeal to guys more than women, from what I’ve seen, which is perhaps a mistake in the family crossover arena. I love it though–it does carry the old-school wagon flame very well. I may own one yet (and if I do, I’m going to look into whether anyone makes a high-quality dinoc trim kit for it, because it needs some woodgrain!).
The higher greenhouse photoshopped a couple posts up does look a little more balanced on the one hand, but it’s dangerously approaching minivan proportions on the other. The whole point of the Flex is that it’s Not A Minivan.
My own opinion, the biggest problem with the Flex has always been price. There are many other vehicles that are comparable for much less money.
That’s it exactly, my FIL sells Fords, and we can get the super family discount on a new or used Flex, but we have a Caravan because it is so much better value.
The Flex makes so much sense in its role as a family hauler, its not even funny…this thing is so completely honest about what it is, and that’s why I dig it. Basically its a giant family friendly Scion xB in a lot of ways. Its got the best attributes of a minivan and a station wagon with a little AWD from a CUV but isn’t really ANY of those things. And it actually looks pretty decent, especially after the refresh. These things sold pretty strong, right? Seems like Ford just milked this and never really updated it enough to keep the interest strong. Its the PT Cruiser and HHR all over again. They aren’t for me, since I’m not a family man. But I can absolutely appreciate how they avoid all the pitfalls of minivans and CUVs.
There were a few problems with the Flex. As already mentioned, price is a big one. But also efficiency and cramped front seats. It’s already fairly tall, deceivingly so. At 68″ it’s just .1″ shorter than a Highlander and 1.5″ taller than a CRV.
The Explorer gives you almost the same utility at a lower price with better efficiency and more mainstream styling.
You sit more upright in the Flex than the Explorer, a position I find tremendously more comfortable. Overall I find the Flex better packaged and easier to drive because it isn’t on steroids like the Explorer. Pricing wasn’t impossible – these are forever $4-5k off; you can do the SEL with leather and vista-roof for mid-30s…
Looking at the demographics for the Flex buyers (tend towards wealthier suburbs), I’m wondering since there’s been a shift in leadership at Ford if there will a reconsideration of the Flex’s eventual demise?
Dodge has my heart this decade, I don’t care about FCA’s woes and all the bla bla blah regarding quality or reliability. Challengers and Chargers always grab my discerning attention when I see one. The 300 I liked more upon its initial debut, but now I feel the refresh cycles that made Charger so much better looking have worked the opposite way with the Chrysler, it got too smoothed out and lost it’s character.
Love the C7, it’s the first Corvette in my lifetime (C4/C5/C6) that actually has looks worthy of the C2-C3s.
Mustang, eh, I really go hot and cold on this generation. Colors, angles and lighting absolutely make or break it and in the end I just don’t picture them aging well. I find the 2018 facelift hideous. *disclaimer* this isn’t a knuckle dragger “bring back retro” rant a lot of S550 detractors share, I just feel that this generation irreversibly cemented the Mustang as “Ford’s sports car” in the same way the Corvette is to GM. I’d rather have retro in the 3 bodystyle à la carte option list sense than retro heritage styling cues(I’m not a huge fan of the 05-14s if that says anything). The 5.0 Coyote is however the greatest V8 Ford has ever produced, no question about it.
FCA’s quality issues have to be put into perspective. EVERY manufacturer has defects. Every. Last. One. The facts are so skewed though, its pathetic. If the Bluetooth in your Charger doesn’t pair immediately, that’s weighted the same as the engine in a Hyundai grenading, depending on who’s doing the scoring. That’s total BS.
It would be delusional to think that any FCA product is going to rival a Honda tit for tat on build quality. But for comparable money, some whitewashed dumbed down fwd commuter pod offers nothing to raise my pulse or make me love it. I can forgive a plasticky interior (that still doesn’t squeak or fall apart either way, I might add) for that sweet Hemi engine, killer styling, great handling and mpgs that are MORE than reasonable for a 4000lb 370 hp car.
I disagree on the 300 though. The ’05-’10 is the best looking, I’m right with you there. The ’11-14 did lose a bit of its mojo but the ’15 refresh gained it right back. William’s picture with the red 300S and all its blacked out goodness plays to that. Reminds me a bit of some Audis or the AR Guilia and in a VERY good way. The chrome and bling aren’t my bag at all, but the strength of that car is that it can wear both hats and draw buyers with both tastes. The continued solid sales of the LX are proof that its a helluva strong platform.
I totally agree, it feels like I always have to preface that when discussing the cars I like in a social setting among the normals. It’s amazing how much they can obsess about the teeniest perceived factory defect yet treat their cars like trash cans. I’ll take a minuscule panel misalignment on a car that tugs my heartstrings than a coffee stained appliance with immaculate assembly quality.
The 15-current 300 is mostly detail changes in the grille and lights, I agree for the better, but the softened sides, sloped nose and wraparound headlights that I didn’t like about the 2011 update remain.
I share your enthusiasm for several of the cars on this list, including the Flex. Should I try replacing my Kia in the future, a Flex would be on my short list to check out. But then I like station wagons, too.
I owned two Caddy SRXs and my business partner drove an ATS. We’d read about how awful CUE was in the car magazines and laugh about how the writers must have been morons. We’d take people to lunch in his ATS and they seemed perfectly comfortable in the back seat, the same backseat described in the car magazines as some sort of torture chamber. To be clear, two of these rags just recommended the Alfa Romeo Guilia as THE car to buy. I’ve owned Alfas. Nope. Ain’t going down that road again.
That new Caddy looks nice we havent got that one here only the early model, no Flexes that Ive noticed but plenty of explorers though as a friend has found out they are unsaleable she is stuck with hers, Mustangs though not sold here new until recently are very very common the cool factor has evaporated mostly, Camaros are around in all models as are Chryslers, Tesla has arrived now.
William you live on the wrong side of the Tasman to indulge your passions, and twisty roads abound here.
I too like the look of many of the cars you have mentioned. However the problem I have with so many USA cars is that when you get inside and touch anything it just feels like a let down. Hopefully this is getting better.
The thing I cannot stand here in Australia is that now Falcons and Holdens and even locally produced large Toyotas are gone, police are starting to acquire Hyundai’s and even Kias. Here in Queensland the traffic cops (who now like to put “Road Policing Command” on their cars) seem to be getting Subarus and no longer a standard colour, they just get any colour and wack their striping all over it. It just looks all wrong when you see a 6′ 2″ copper lumbering out of a Kia!!
NZ cops were putting their dazzle kit on any colour Holdens ages ago as they come off lease and filter into private hands the cops now have Skodas in various colours and seem to be liking them if for nothing else they are reliable.
Excellent choices all here–right now there are so many good options out there from the American manufacturers. Personally I’d add the new Lincoln Continental–while understated, I’m absolutely in love with the design and the interior is fantastic. Not RWD, true, but it’s on my list to be sure.
I’ve got to agree about the continental, and I was really pessimistic about it when it was announced and even when I first saw it, but in person the proportions and overall presence are just excellent.
I too like the LX platform cars a lot, I’ve always wanted one as an eventual replacement. My dad was a big fan of the pre refresh Chargers and wanted one as a new car, but I personally never got it. Likewise, I’ve always wanted a first generation 300C, but wouldn’t touch the newer ones if given the chance. Even though I don’t doubt the newer ones have better interiors. I also always wanted a Challenger, but having lived with a two door, I can’t see another two door as a daily driver, even though the Challenger’s spacious backseat makes it more practical than most. I’ve been in rental Challenger’s and I will say, I like how surprisingly comfortable they are. It’s not like the old joke of the Ox Cart style suspension set up one thinks of when it comes to muscle cars, it’s near Cadillac levels of comfort but it can still turn a corner.
I also admit, while I’m not blown away and fawning over it, the C7 has grown on me overtime. When it first came out, I thought it looked miles ahead of the old C6, and while I don’t think it reaches Split Window C2 levels of greatness, I do think that after the C5 and C6, it’s the best looking Corvette Chevrolet has come out with in almost 20 years.
The Tesla leaves me cold, that’s all I’ll say about that. I’ve never liked Mustangs that much, and I like the Flex, but it’s more odd-ball curiosity appreciation than genuine love.
Why wouldn’t you touch a newer 300? Ive done seat time in most every LX variant, driven every available transmission and with every engine up to the 345 Hemi. While personally I like the looks of the first gen 300 the best (the ’11 refresh on the 300 and Chargers was a bit of a letdown) the ’15 up are damn fine looking cars and with the upgraded Hemi and the 8spd automatic…that would be the best all around 300 without going to an SRT. That new transmission is a total godsend. the Pentastar V6/TF8 combo is almost as fast as the first gen 345 Hemi cars with the 5spd automatic. Over time these cars have been refined and improved steadily. They get a lot of flack for being a 10 year old platform (which is FAR from a rare thing) yet are class leading or strongly competitive in every metric.
I don’t doubt that underneath the skin, it’s still a fine car. But I’m a very aesthetically oriented person, and I just think the newer ones lack that character that the first generation models had. I know that may seem shallow, but it’s just my way of looking at things. I don’t doubt the interior has been improved though. I had a Dodge Journey rental when my car was out of commission, and I was surprised that interior managed to be really nice. It wasn’t world beating by any means, but it at least felt nice and didn’t seem really retro grade and cheap in that base 95 Cavalier sort of way.
Plus, the newer ones have those stupid dial shifters, and I hate, dial shifters in any car. A standard console or column shifter has the advantage of being easy to accumulate to muscle memory, you can shift easily without physically looking at what you’re in. A dial shifter doesn’t offer that, it’s like trying to make very precise movements with an analog stick on a Nintendo 64 controller. There’s a certain sense of oversensitivity in dials that doesn’t lend itself well to smooth and precise shifting from reverse to drive and vice versa. It’s okay with HVAC controls and radio volume, it’s a little different when you need a specific mode for the vehicle to be in for it to move. If what I’m saying is making any sense.
Hey man, it’s your money. Any car that doesn’t ‘move you’ and make you immediately want it isn’t worth the money, PERIOD. If the look plays a big part of that (it does for me too, hence my dismissal of 99% of all 4-door sedans) then don’t let anyone tell you different. I think people would be much happier if they held their automotive purchases to a much higher standard and only invested in something that really seems worth the money. A car is usually your 2nd largest investment so why not really treat yourself?
I’ve been happier since I started buying what I like instead of what the media told me I should like.
What I agree with:
Tesla. Common as Priii here in California. Keep having to remind myself that there are millions of people in this country who’ve never actually seen one in person.
Flex. Very cool. Stay away from ones with first-gen SYNC infotainment systems, though.
Big Chryslers and Dodges: The Magnum was great if you were in the front seats. The rear slope caused my kids to call it “The MRI car”. Current-gen sedans are very nice.
Mustang and Vette: Yes. But there needs to be a logical car in between them ( I know they’re from competing manufacturers)—and there probably should be a less-cartoonish sports coupe to occupy the space the Mustang used to before it went full-on boy racer.
Cadillac? Not feelin’ it. Apart from Escalade buyers, it doesn’t look like too many people are.
The main issue that I have with Cadillac (and I think is the same feeling most of the folks who are not buying them) is that they are just a blatant attempt at a lower priced BMW. Now, BMWs are great, but they are not what Cadillac was famous for, which was size, power, and a ride that was more akin to riding your living room sofa to work, church, or shopping. Yes, most afficianados are going to want a sporty ride, but slightly older, conservative buyers tend to like comfy over sporty. And since I live in a retiree haven, and am not young myself, I can reliably let you know that if Cadillac went back to luxobarges, they would sell. A lot. Europe does not want, need, or like Cadillacs. That’s okay. If they want to do American luxury, it will sell to Americans pretty damned well so long as they option the cars reasonably and price them accordingly, aspirational but achievable. Let the people who want a BMW buy a BMW, and let the American Luxury market buy nice, large sedans from Cadillac. Oh, and fire Johan de Nysschen. See if Bob Lutz is interested, and see what happens.
I think that you are wrong. I would agree that the ATS and to some degree the CTS are not quite what a luxury buyer might want, but the CT6 in its basic trim is more or less what the Sedan DeVille was, big and comfortable. However, why I think you are wrong is that Mercedes has 16+% of the US luxury market, Lexus has 16%, BMW 15%, Audi 10%, Cadillac 8%, Acura nearly 8%, Infinity 7% and then Lincoln 5%. This numbers are for 2016. Lincoln is building more or less the cars you think would sell, and they are not.
A good point, but Lincoln is not really giving us a luxobarge in the new Continental, and that is the only Lincoln product that comes close. They are otherwise tarted up Fords, and it shows. Lexus was a copy of the MB products at $10-20K less at first, and is only recently creating their own style. Give us a big, RWD, 4 door on the order of the Ciel, the ElMiraj, or one of the concepts, not the inflated CTS that is the CT6, and it would sell. The CT6 comes standard with a 4. CTS and ATS are based on the platform for the Camaro, which is good but not a luxury car. Hell, the Impala clone XTS outsold the CTS and ATS, and it was a FWD Chevy, tarted up, but it was large and cushy. What I would like to see is Cadillac selling Cadillacs, not BMW wannabees.
The big sellers for Lexus are the SUV’s with more than half the sales. The big selling sedan for Lexus is the ES, a rebadged Camry. The biggest seller is the RX, an SUV.
Cadillac’s real problem is not having SUVs, mainly the crossover type. Buick is really more on top of where the market is than Cadillac is. The CT6 is not the same platform as the CTS, and is the base model on what could be the production Ciel or whatever. But what you are talking about will be an over $100,000 car, which will sell like the Eldorado Brougham did.
Just to be clear, I am not against Cadillac at all…really, it is more that I am a fan of what they were, and would love to see them succeed at being their own brand, not just a copy of another luxury brand. For a very, very long time, Cadillac was an aspirational brand. It was the car that you worked hard to have, and the day that you drove your first one was a proud day. I know my dad, a lifelong mechanic, was happiest with his 93 DeVille, and his one comment upon learning of his terminal cancer was “I guess I don’t get my new Cadillac now.” I hope you understand how much that broke my heart, and why my heart breaks over seeing JdN allowing Cadillac to just ape european sedans and not be a leader. I want Cadillac to be the roaring success it should be, and the market is telling us that the current lineup is not what the market wants.
The market wants Mercedes.
Cadillac’s time has passed. Taking advantage of their customers with shoddy product in the 70’s and 80’s killed their reputation as the standard of the world; meanwhile the ‘kids’ wanted something different than their parents, hence the rise of BMW, MB, Lexus and now Audi.
Plus the late timing of their CUV offerings….
The most recent Cadillac in the extended family (besides my cousin’s ’91 SDV) was my BIL’s SRX. He hated the cheap build and wearability. He drives and Audi now.
Cadillac’s basic problem with engines start with the 1981 8-6-4, then replaced with the 4100. While the 8-6-4 did not really fail, the variable displacement did not work well and required a lot of maintenance. Then we get the Northstar, which is reengineered for 2000 but is still failing. Cadillac engines, which used to have a very good reputation, have been failing for about 25 years. This is a legacy that cannot be undone.
Chrysler LX and LY are not Mercedes-derived. They are an evolution of the LH cars, which had longitudinally mounted engines even though they were front wheel drive, because the plan originally was to offer front, rear, and all wheel drive. The LH platform itself was an evolution of the Renault sedan (also longitudinally mounted front wheel drive PRV V6) that was also marketed as Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco due to contractual quotas as part of Chrysler’s purchase of AMC from Renault. Engineer Francois Castaing came to Chrysler from Renault, and worked on the LH cars, and was one of the Viper’s “FourFathers”. No Mercedes DNA anywhere in the platform itself.
However, after the DaimlerChryaler merger, the already-being-developed LX cars’ design was modified so that it would accept several different Mercedes subassemblies.
These subassemblies mainly include:
-rear suspension
-steering column
-front seat frames
-automatic transmission
-front driveline for all wheel drive models
This information is readily available from a few sources if you look, but the misconception of the LX cars as rebadged or reskinned E-Class Mercedes is unfortunately more subscribed to than the truth, probably at like an infinity:one ratio
Man, I can’t get over that interior on the CTS…beautiful! I can’t believe it…color again! And just enough wood accent. Very sharp.
Yes HeeeeyJake, the LX platform is NOT a Daimler derivative. The LX platform does however contain about 65% Daimler sourced parts. In addition to what you have mentioned,
-rear suspension
-steering column
-front seat frames
-automatic transmission
-front driveline for all wheel drive models
include also the front suspension, all the electronics, and the entire drive train.
The Hemi engines are manufactured in Mexico, the fore mentioned Daimler sourced parts (German), while the all of the LXs were assembled in Ontario, Canada. Not an SAE bolt any where on these vehicles. Can a person call the LX an American vehicle?
I know that this is an old thread, but as the current owner of a ’17 Flex, bought a couple of years ago. I thought that I would add my thoughts.
I can compare it to my previous two Chrysler minivans, my old ’97 V8 Explorer, as well as my current ’05 navigator.
I will start by saying that I liked the style when it debuted, (love wagons) but I couldn’t justify buying another car at the time. The Flex has five inches more wheelbase than the Explorer, it is lower and is very easy to enter and exit, the back seat is huge. It is really good for older folks to access. The second row is favored with more room, the third row is tight for foot room, but has lots of space beside that. The seats all fold flat, something that I like, I don’t like the second row consoles that stick up into the load floor. Until the stow and go seats of the Chryslers, removing the seats was a big headache. It is as convenient to load things into as my old two row Explorer.
The interior of the Flex is nice, mine is an SEL model with moonroof and extended glass roof panels. It is basically the same size inside as my Navigator, but the Nav favors the third row with more leg room, and a normal sized second row.
I wanted the simple base FWD V6, which has plenty of power, almost 300 hp. honestly how much more do you need than that? Eco Boost is available with AWD if you prefer. Fuel economy on long trips is between 22-24 mpg. driving at normal freeway speeds. I’m a feather foot in my Nav, keep it around 65 mph. and got 20.5 mpg. on my trip to Oregon. I’m disappointed in the headlights of the Flex, not too bright, my Navs got HIDs, and even my F150 and Mustang are better.
In conclusion, the Flex is great for carrying passengers, but can only tow a small U Haul trailer, the Nav can do everything, but you’ll spend more for gas.