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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

Watch What Happens The latest car technology isn’t in the car – it’s on your wrist. Here’s how the Apple Watch is bringing car owners into the future

Volkswagen’s Car-Net allows owners to check pinpoint the location of their parked care or check the battery charge of their electric vehicle.

aybe you forgot to lock your car doors. Or your hands are full and you can’t excavate for your keys. Or you simply forgot where you parked. All you have to do is swipe and tap on your watch and you’re set. It seems like something out of a James Bond film, but with the new Apple Watch, car-control connectivity is going writer to owners’. Here’s a look at some of the

automakers that are making drivers feel a little bit like 007.

VOLKSWAGEN Owners of late-model VW autos with Car-Net technology (available as a trim option of several 2014 and 2015 VW models) are able to control a several platforms features and functions via the Car-Net app for Apple Watch. Owners can lock and unlock doors and check the open-or-closed status of doors,

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE windows and the sunroof. Owners of the VW TDI and e-Golf can remotely check fuel levels or current charge and driving range. Climate-control options also are available for the e-Golf. There is vehicle-location mapping – don’t fret about remembering where you parked! – and parents can even receive alerts if their teens exceed the speed limit or drive too far out of range. (FYI: It’s worth noting that several of these features already were available through VW’s iOS app for iPhone, but now they can be done from the wrist).

navigation, temperature controls, door-lock status, etc.

PORSCHE For Porsche’s Car Connect system, the Apple Watch functions solely as a display and control element for the iOS app that still must run on a smartphone. The upside here is that if the app is running on your phone, you can manage setting via the watch without having to dig the phone out of your pocket to close windows or the sunroof or lock the car. And because the Car Connect iOS app runs on your mobile-phone network, you can use the Apple Watch to communicate with your car from any distance.

BMW Like VW’s Car-Net tech, BMW’s i Remote App – compatible with the company’s i3 and i8 autos – currently is a current iOS app that’s made its way from the iPhone to the Apple Watch. And it offers the same bevy of features – battery status, Advertisement

BMW’s iRemote app for the Apple Watch pairs with the company i3 and i8 models.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

3 Trends to Watch in 2016 Big trucks, small crossovers and ultra-fast cars are expected to dominate the year as hot tickets in the new car business BY JIM GORZELANY CTW FEATURES

ow things change. A few years ago car dealers were saddled with unsold inventories of powerful yet fuel-swilling cars and trucks following a brutal combination of skyrocketing gas prices, a slumping economy and changing consumer tastes. But with the nation’s financial situation solid, and gasoline prices staying well below $3/gallon, consumers’ preferences are turning once more. Big and burly pickup trucks are again becoming kings of the road, with high-performance cars capturing the imagination of enthusiasts and affluent car buyers alike. And what is perhaps the hottest segment of the new-car market these days – small upscale sport utility vehicles – literally did not exist until recently. Here’s a look at the three hottest trends that will help define the newvehicle market for the 2016 model year and beyond.

TRUCK SALES ARE BOOMING Pent-up demand, the flourishing construction and housing sectors and

CHEVROLET SILVERADO

low gas prices are bringing pickup trucks sales back to their pre-recession levels. The three most popular vehicles in the industry of all kinds are again fullsize pickup trucks, the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, respectively. While they’re still

RAM 1500

workhorses, top-of-the-line, four-door five-passenger crew-cab versions rival luxury cars with supple leather interiors and an array of top-shelf accommodations, at sticker prices that easily break the $50,000 barrier. The top selling full-size F-150 was completely redesigned for 2015 with

GMC CANYON

extensive use of aluminum as a weight-saving measure to help boost the truck’s performance and its fuel economy. Two new midsize pickups, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups, returned to the U.S. after a prolonged absence for 2015 and are drawing new buyers into the fold for whom a full-size model is too big or FORD F-150 expensive. For 2016, Nissan redesigns its Titan full-size truck with added muscle, while Toyota gives its sporty compact Tacoma pickup a major makeover.

SMALL CROSSOVERS ARE BIG Compact and midsize SUVs have long been popular for their adept combination of added utility and interior/cargo room over comparably

CHEVROLET COLORADO

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

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Turbocharged JEEP RENEGADE sized cars, with optional all-wheel-drive for improved traction over wet or snowy roads. Today, automakers are flowing the market with smaller crossovers that nonetheless offer a full range of top-shelf convenience features that appeal to up-and-comers and empty nesters alike. Recently added models in this burgeoning bracket include the Chevrolet Trax and Jeep Renegade, the luxuryminded Audi A3 and Lexus NX and the super-sporty Porsche Macan. The selection expands even further for 2016 with new models including the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.

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FAST. FASTER. FASTEST. While $4/gallon gasoline helped make fuel economy a prime carshopping concern, lower fuel costs have given many car buyers a renewed taste for speed, and auto engineers are responding with some of the quickest rides ever built. While one expects beefy sports cars like the 650-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to deliver the goods with scenery-blurring acceleration, what would be considered “family cars” are even packing the heat these days. Take, for example, the midsize Volvo S60 sedan, which comes powered by a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates a V8-like 302 horsepower,

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06

DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT

or the “Hellcat” version of the full-size Dodge Charger sedan that packs a 707-horsepower supercharged V8 punch. This fall, Mercedes-Benz adds a new limited production AMG C63 version of its compact CClass luxury sedan that burns up the pavement with a hand-built 469 horsepower bi-turbo V8 engine, or the even-faster AMG C3 S with 503 horsepower. What’s more, Cadillac introduces the high-performance ATS-V version of its smallest sedan for 2016 with a 464-hp twin-turbocharged V6 engine, and brings back the midsize CTS-V with a 640-horsepower version of the aforementioned Corvette Z06 supercharged V8 under the hood.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

THE HOT LIST 2016 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

THE FAST AND THE LUXURIOUS: 2016’ss HOTTEST 2016’ NEW CARS Sleek, sporty cars and posh luxury rides dominate the list of new models headed to dealers’ showrooms in 2016 BY JIM GORZELANY CTW FEATURES

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

CHEVROLET MALIBU Chevy relaunches the midsize Malibu sedan with added style and substance to help jump-start its ﬂagging fortunes in a highly competitive market segment.The car’s freshened exterior styling borrows cues from the larger Impala; a more spacious interior includes an additional 1.3 inches of rear-seat legroom. A 1.5-liter, 160-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard and promises an estimated 27 city/37 highway miles per gallon; a 250-horsepower, 2-liter turbo-four alternately is available. In addition, a revamped gas/electric Malibu Hybrid promises 48/45-mpg fuel economy. A new Teen Driver feature lets parents monitor vehicle speed, distance driven and other factors, mutes the audio system if front-seat occupants aren’t wearing their safety belts and warns the driver when the vehicle is traveling over a preset speed.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE MAZDA MX-5 MIATA Mazda’s low-slung two-seat convertible is redesigned for just the third time in its 25-year history and takes on nicely assertive exterior styling that replaces the former version’s “happy face” look. A new 2.0-liter engine is estimated to generate 155 horsepower and attain an estimated 27 city/36 highway mpg with the available six-speed automatic transmission (27/34 with the standard sixspeed manual). About 150 pounds lighter in than the previous edition, expect the MX-5 Miata to retain the precise go-kart-like handling abilities for which it’s known.

BUICK CASCADA Convertible sales have been dwindling in recent years, but Buick hopes to revive the ragtop with its curvaceous Cascada. The ﬁrst open-air Buick in a quarter century, the car seats four and comes protected by a fully insulated soft-top that drops in 17 seconds – and can do so while running at speeds up to 31 mph. A 1.6-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine is estimated to produce 200 horsepower, which should make the Cascada sufﬁciently energetic. A long list of standard and optional features include an onboard subscriptionbased Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting mobile devices to the Internet.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

SCION iA

SCION iM

Toyota’s youth-oriented division launches two new small cars for 2016, the subcompact iA sedan, which shares components with the Mazda2, and the compact iM hatchback, which essentially is a wagon-like version of the Corolla sedan.The sporty-handling iA comes powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that promises an estimated 42 mpg in highway driving and can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with a selectable sport mode. Meanwhile, the larger iM packs a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of a sixspeed stick shift or a gearless CVT automatic, also with a more-responsive sport setting in addition to a manual mode that emulates seven “shift points.”A standard Low-speed accident avoidance system helps a driver avoid or at least minimize the damage of collisions in around town driving. Both will come well equipped in a single-spec model each, with the iA expected to sell in the $16,000 range and the iM going for less than $20,000.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

CADILLAC CT6 General Motors’ storied luxury car division raises its profile for 2015 with the debut of this new full-size rear-drive flagship sedan. It’s designed to take on premium luxury sedans like the BMW 7 Series and MercedesBenz S-Class with its handsome big-car looks, spacious and richly styled interior and loads of technology. Power comes from a choice of a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that will likely appeal to rental fleets, with a better-suited 3.6-liter V6 and a new 3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 otherwise available that’s estimated to generate a powerful 400 horsepower; an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with all-wheel-drive included with V6 models.The CT6’s myriad performance and convenience features are too numerous to list in full but include a 360-degree, around-the-car monitor (with on-the-go recording capabilities), articulating heated/cooled and massaging rear seats and a 34-speaker Bose audio system.

MERCEDES-BENZ MAYBACH S600

The luxury automaker’s ﬂagship sedan adds a new over-the-top model for 2016, the Maybach S600. Starting at more than $185,000, it essentially ﬁlls the gap in the automaker’s model line created when it discontinued its underperforming Maybach line of ultra-luxury cars. It’s more than 8 inches longer than the standard S-Class models, with more interior room, richer accommodations and a 6-liter twinturbocharged V12 engine that puts 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of launchhappy torque to the pavement. We assume in many circles the Maybach S600 will be used as a chauffeur-driven executive car, and as such it offers many fanciful rearpassenger-focused features.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

THE HOT LIST

BIG ‘N’ BOLD: 2016’s HOTTEST NEW TRUCKS AND SUVs

Pickups get major makeovers, while crossovers add fun and flair to the burgeoning new segment BY JIM GORZELANY CTW FEATURES

NISSAN TITAN After a dozen years languishing in its current form, Nissan redesigns its full-size Titan pickup for 2016, and it follows what would seem to be a winning formula. It sports a more-imposing exterior treatment than before and comes in standard, extended King Cab and four-door Crew Cab body styles, with long- and short cargo beds and rear- or four-wheel-drive. Available engines include a new V6 and V8, along with a 5-liter turbodiesel V8 with an estimated stump-pulling 555-pound-feet of torque. Nissan claims the new Titan can tow a maximum 12,000 pounds of boat or trailer when properly equipped. Inside there’s Nissan’s comfy “zero gravity” seats and a large center console designed to double as a mobile workstation. Newly available locking in-bed storage compartments can be used for either tool storage or as onboard beverage coolers.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE TOYOTA TACOMA

Another pickup long in need of a makeover,Toyota redesigns its compact Tacoma with muscular exterior styling and a “handlebar” themed instrument panel inside that’s claimed to afford a driver-centric experience. Power comes from either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a new 3.5-liter direct-injected V6. A six-speed automatic transmission is offered across the line, with a six-speed manual gearbox available with the V6. Four-wheel-drive is optional, with TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road versions remaining in the lineup for sport-truck enthusiasts. Available amenities include push-button entry/start, leather seats and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-trafﬁc alert.

BMW X4 This new compact crossover SUV is a so-called “Gran Coupe” version of the automaker’s X3 with a sleeker coupe-like rooﬂine (in that regard it’s a smaller version of BMW’s X6). With BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system coming standard, the X4 offers a choice of turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines and promises tenacious cornering abilities thanks to a new Performance Control system helps quicken the vehicle’s steering by sending additional power to the outside rear wheel through the turns. An M Sport package is available that adds speciﬁc visual elements inside and out for an even more-athletic look.

LINCOLN MKX It’s hard to decide which features are the most exciting in the 2016 Lincoln MKX. Drivers will appreciate the 2.7 liter turbo EcoBoost engine, the 360-degree camera, along with the adaptive parking system that not only parallel parks for you, but automatically un-parks. Lincoln also shows off a classy approach detection system, which essentially puts out a welcome mat if you’re in the proximity by turning on the lights and displaying the Lincoln emblem. A Revel audio system with at least 13 speakers comes standard, but he ﬁnal treat is a multi-contoured driver’s seat with 22 different positions that also provides massages.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE FIAT 500X The Italian automaker extends its model line for 2016 to include this pert and perky subcompact four-door crossover SUV that’s mechanically related to the Jeep Renegade. Powertrain choices include a 1.4-liter 160-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.4-liter 180-hp four and a nine-speed automatic. Drivers can switch between “auto,”“sport” and “traction+” modes depending on their preference and road conditions. Uncommon among small crossovers, the 500X offers many of the latest accident-avoidance features, plus upscale amenities like keyless entry/start and heated front seats. Expect a starting asking price at around $20,000.

MAZDA CX-3 The compact CX-3 combines fun and practicality, featuring a forceful-looking exterior styling and a driver-focused interior that makes extensive use of highquality materials for a refined look and feel.The CX-3 comes powered by a peppy and fuel-efficient 2-liter 146-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission standard and all-wheel drive optional. Like its larger sibling the CX-5, the new crossover promises livelier handling performance than the norm among small SUVs. An array of available safety features – offered only on the top Grand Touring version, however – includes a low-speed auto-braking system to help avoid crashes in city traffic.

HONDA HR-V Based on the subcompact Honda Fit, this new small crossover features a stylish exterior and reasonably roomy interior, with second-row seats that fold flat into the floor for expansive cargo carrying abilities. Starting at about $20,000, it packs a 1.8-liter fourcylinder engine with a peppy 141 horsepower and an estimated 28 city/35 highway mpg; front-drive versions can be fitted with a sixspeed stick shift, with a gearless CVT automatic optional there and standard with all-wheel drive. Available top-shelf features include heated leather seats and a smartphone-compatible infotainment system with hands-free text messaging.

LEXUS RX “Bold” and “exciting” are two words being used to describe the 2016 Lexus RX. Veteran auto watchers know that these adjectives can often be overused. But with this new luxury vehicle, they’re spot-on. Lexus has updated the front end with a spindle grille, an aggressive bumper and triple L-shaped headlights, which combine to convey a blend of sophistication plus a healthy new dose of attitude. The advanced, chiseled styling also continues on the sides and rear, giving owners a sleek, rugged but still classy ride.The roomy interior cabin also has the same premium appearance.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

Front vs. Rear vs. All vs. Four Today’s cars have plenty of options when it comes to its wheel-drive configuration. Which one should you look for in your new car? BY JIM GORZELANY CTW FEATURES

ot all vehicles are created equal with regard to how they put their power to the pavement. While most mainstream cars today are front-wheel drive, many luxury and sports cars instead retain the traditional the rear-drive configuration, with vehicles of both kinds offering all-wheel drive for added traction in foul weather. Most pickup trucks offer a choice of either

rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, while sport utility vehicles run the gamut, being offered with rear-, front-, four-wheel- or all-wheel drive, depending on the model. Which configuration works best for a given motorist depends on any number of factors, including how and where one drives. Here’s a quick rundown of a new-car shopper’s options with regard to traction:

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE This is the standard configuration found on most cars and all minivans

and car-based crossover sport utility vehicles. It became popular in the 1980s as stricter fuel economy regulations dictated building smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Generally, front-drive cars fare better under wet and snowy conditions than rear-drive models, simply because they place more weight directly over the drive wheels. Unfortunately, high-powered, frontdrive models tend to suffer from the phenomenon known as torque steer, which tends to pull a vehicle to one side under heavy acceleration.

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE Driving enthusiasts have long preferred the traditional front engine/ rear differential layout, which affords a better front-to-rear weight balance that translates into superior ride and handling abilities. It also can better accommodate larger engines, which is why it’s favored in higherperformance vehicles and trucks. Fortunately, modern chassis control systems and improved tire technology help compensate for – though they don’t exactly eliminate – a rear-drive car’s inherent tendency

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE to fishtail on slick surfaces and in extreme handling situations. In lieu of installing a set of snow tires, those who endure a wintry climate may still need a hand pushing a rear-drive vehicle out of a snowbound parking space.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE Available with most reardrive passenger cars, all front-drive car-based crossover SUVs and one minivan (the Toyota Sienna), AWD automatically sends additional power to either the front or rear axle as necessary to counter wheel spin over wet or snowy roads. It’s the best choice for those living in snowy and/or remote areas. Under normal circumstances some AWD systems will ordinarily send 100 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels, while others will split the difference between front and rear on a 50/50 basis. Some AWD models will ordinarily send more power to

the rear wheels to maintain a sportier rear-drive feel.

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE Available on pickups and truckbased SUVs, today’s 4WD systems come in several varieties, each of which is skewed more toward either off- or on-road use.

A few low-cost trucks and SUVs still offer a basic part-time 4WD setup, in which the engine powers only the rear axle until the driver pushes a button or shifts a lever to additionally engage the front wheels. Full-time 4WD, also offered on many pickups and truck-based SUVs, allows a driver to choose between rear-drive, 4WD

and a safety-minded “automatic” mode that engages the front wheels as needed when sensors detect wheel slippage. Permanent 4WD is similar to AWD, with all wheels receiving some degree of power at all times. Generally, all types of four-wheel drive systems include “low range” gearing for times when maximum traction is needed, such as getting out of the deepest snow drifts or mud ruts – or engaging in extreme offroad adventures. It is important to note, however, that while AWD and 4WD help you “go in the snow” and may afford a bit of extra grip in other low-traction situations, neither system enables a driver to violate the laws of physics. Even the beefiest 4WD trucks can spin out of control on a patch of ice or through a slick curve if driven without regard to conditions. As always, safety first.

TOYOTA SIENNA AWD

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

Best Buys for Cheap Insurance Keeping auto insurance costs low starts on a dealer’s lot. Here’s how to choose a model that’s the least costly to cover BY JIM GORZELANY CTW FEATURES

comprehensive and collision coverage, which cover physical damage to the insured’s car when another driver is not at fault. And be sure you’re getting credit for all the rate discounts to which you may be entitled, including for bundling home, apartment and car coverage and/or for multiple autos, taking a defensive driving course and allowing an insurance company to monitor how the vehicle is being driven according to a wireless device that plugs into a diagnostics port under a car’s dashboard.

nsurance premiums are among the most substantial of a car’s longterm ownership costs, and though they’re based largely on a motorist’s driving record and other intractable factors, one can minimize the drain on a family’s budget by picking a model that’s inherently cheaper to insure in the first place. According to the annual survey of new-car premiums conducted by the website Insure.com in Foster City, California, family-minded minivans and SUVs/crossovers are the least costly types of cars to insure, with the roughand-tumble Jeep Wrangler being the most affordable model for 2015 in that regard, with average annual premiums at a modest $1,134. At the other end of the scale, pricey luxury models and racy sports cars tend to command the highest insurance premiums, with the riproaring Nissan GT-R sport coupe – nicknamed Godzilla for its monstrous performance – leading the pack with an average annual premium of $3,574. More expensive vehicles tend to trigger higher car insurance rates than cheaper ones, simply because they cost more to repair and have higher damage thresholds before becoming “totaled.” Beyond that, insurance companies base their rates on claims histories, including how much damage a given model incurs in a typical crash, the extent of injuries (and fatalities) suffered by

occupants and other parties, the cost of damage to other vehicles and property and which models are more or less likely to be stolen. “Insurance rates are all about claims – how many and how big,” explains Penny Gusner, at Insure.com consumer analyst. “Cars that are cheapest to insure typically are easy to repair or have fewer claims or both." It’s always a good idea to check with an insurance agent early on in the carshopping process to identify which models under consideration are less costly to insure than others on your list. Note that these rates often vary from one carrier to another, so be sure to shop around among insurance companies to find the best deals. Beyond that, the best way to minimize one’s car insurance rates is to maintain a clean driving record. According to data compiled by San Francisco-based InsuranceQuotes.com,

drivers receiving alcohol-related citations see their rates rise by an average of 92 percent; reckless driving and speeding at 31 mph or more over the posted limit will boosting premiums by an average 83 and 29 percent, respectively. Similarly, the website cautions that filing a single bodily injury or property damage claim of $2,000 or more will cause an average motorist’s car insurance premiums to skyrocket by around 41 percent. And hold onto your wallet if you have one or more kids at home about to get their licenses. According to InsuranceQuotes. com, adding a teen driver to a married couple’s auto insurance policy boosts rates by an average 79 percent. Another way to help cut costs is to raise the deductibles for

The Rides with the Cheapest Rates (2015 Model Automobiles) 1. Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD, $1,134 2. Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD, $1,136 3. Honda CR-V LX AWD, $1,160 4. Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus, $1,162 5. Honda Odyssey LX, $1,163 6. Jeep Compass Sport 2WD, $1,164 7. Subaru Outback 2.5i AWD, $1,176 8. Ford Edge SE 2WD, $1,176 9. Smart Fortwo Pure Coupe, $1,186 10. Ford Escape S 2WD, $1,190 Source: Quadrant Information Services via Insure. com. Rates are based on more than 1,500 car models quoted from the six largest carriers in 10 ZIP codes per state. Estimates are based on an unmarried 40-yearold male driver with good credit, a clean driving record and average policy limits, including a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22 , 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE

The Keys to a Low Rate A new ride means a new insurance policy. Here’s how to smartly shop around to make sure your auto protection is affordable BY MAHUSMITA BORA CTW FEATURES

hen it comes to auto insurance, loyalty to one company doesn’t pay off. So, consumers these days are heeding to the scores of ads nudging them to shop for quotes that promise a break on their wallet. According to the J.D. Power 2015

U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, 39 percent of insurance customers got new quotes last year. That’s a 32-percent jump compared to two years ago. The trend, of course, is triggered by rising rates. “Auto-insurance rates increased in 2013 and again in 2014,” says Valerie Monet, director of the insurance

practice at J.D. Power. “Those rate hikes have sent many consumers shopping for a new provider.” Consumers are shopping online and by phone; both are effective channels, Monet says. “Consumers often find online shopping to be faster and more convenience, while a phone call provides an opportunity to ask the

insurance provider questions,” she said. All that said, the marketplace can be very confusing for shoppers. Here are a few tips on cruising into a lucrative deal.

START EARLY Start getting insurance quotes when you begin car shopping, says Penny Gusner, a consumer analyst at

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review an S−R Media Company • spokesman.com • Sunday, November 22, 2015

2016 NEW CAR GUIDE Insure.com. Depending on the model, premiums may be high and make it difficult to meet your monthly car payment. “Narrow down two or three cars and shop for insurance the same time you test drive the car,” Gusner says.

COMPARE WISELY When shopping for insurance for an existing car, make sure you look for the same coverage as offered by your current policy. You might get attractive quotes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will get the same coverage.

LOOK AT CARS THAT FETCH CHEAP PREMIUMS The make and model of the vehicle has a significant effect on insurance premiums, Monet says. Vehicles that are more expensive to repair or replace, or are stolen more often, are likely to cost more,. Other factors that

affect insurance are: driving record, miles driven annually or daily, and where you live and work. According to Insure.com, the cheapest car to insure in 2015 is the Jeep Wrangler because that had the least number of claims, while the costliest to insure were the ones that were fast, powerful and expensive to repair such as the high-end Porsches, BMWs that sell for more than $100,000 and can go around 200 mph. The most-expensive model to insure is the Nissan GT-R Nismo at an average $3,574 per year. That's more than twice the $1,555 average for the 1,500-plus models that the site studied. “It basically comes down to claims history,” Gusner says. “Any car that’s expensive to fix would cost more on insurance.”

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON DISCOUNTS

They also should evaluate how well the insurer they are considering will manage the day-to-day interactions, and how well they handle claims processes, which is the ultimate moment of truth for the customer, she says.

There are many discounts offered by different companies. Learn what your options are, then ask for them. You get a break if you have multiple cars, clean driving record, a bundled policy for home and auto.There also are discounts for safety features, and certain professionals such as educators, scientists and engineers. Married couples with children can sometimes get lower rates.

CONSIDER DEDUCTIBLES Read up on deductible options. There’s a huge range of offerings from $250 to $2,500.The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be.

BUT DON’T FOCUS SOLELY ON PRICE “Customers should look for insurers that provide clear, effective communication about policy options throughout the shopping experience – whether through interactions with staff or using tools and information on the website – including guidance in the selection of a policy that meets their needs, any discounts they may be eligible to receive, and how their premium is calculated,” Monet says.

KEEP SHOPPING It’s good to look at your options every six months to a year, Gusner says. “The best time to switch is around your renewal time or whenever there are life changing events such as a move, a new car, marriage or retirement.”

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