2019 Ascent Puts Subaru Back in the SUV Game

It's finally here! After much anticipation Subaru has returned to the SUV segment with the all new 2019 Ascent. Packed with consumer friendly features, the Ascent is ready to take the fight to established SUVS such as the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander.

This is Subaru's first three-row SUV since the Tribeca was discontinued after the 2014 model year. For those who don't know, the Tribeca was a mid-size crossover sold from 2005 to 2014. At the time, it was the largest vehicle Subaru had ever made.

Widely considered a sales failure for the brand, criticism against the Tribeca was three sided. It was too small, too expensive, and too ugly for most consumers. The third row seat was too cramped for anyone larger than a small child. Base prices started in the mid 30Ks in 2005 which translates to about $45,000 in today's money. For comparison, a loaded Outback at the time maxed out around $32,000. Finally we have the styling which was controversial from the outset. Subaru claimed that the small triangular grille evoked parent company Fuji Heavy Industries' history in aviation. The design also found its way onto the Impreza and a few other Japanese domestic models before being scrapped. A comprehensive exterior design refresh took place only two model years after the Tribeca went on sale.

Fun fact: the Tribeca was supposed to be joined by a Saab companion model called the 9-6. However, the plan was cancelled when General Motors sold its stake in Fuji Heavy Industries. The Tribeca's 2008 refresh featured several of the design elements originally planned for the Saab.

The Ascent addresses several of the Tribeca's faults to create a well rounded competitor in the large crossover segment. Although it doesn't trump any one competitor in its class in all metrics, it is competent enough that it should be seriously considered against stalwarts in the segment.

Powering the Ascent is a 260 hp direct injection turbocharged flat four. This engine is brand new and unique to the Ascent for the time being. Torque is an adequate 277 lb-ft, and allows the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 lbs.

Those who are concerned about safety will be glad to hear that Subaru's Eyesight driver assist technology is standard on all Ascent models. EyeSight is a comprehensive array of safety features which includes pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure assist, blind spot detection, and rear cross traffic alert. Eight USB ports ensure that everyone's mobile devices can be charged and ready to go while traveling. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

Subaru is proud to point out that 98% of its vehicles sold in the last ten years are still on the road today. People who have come to appreciate Subaru's all wheel drive competency and longevity should find plenty to love in the new Ascent. The 2019 Subaru Ascent is on sale now with prices ranging from $30,000 to $45,000.

Pokemon Introduces Tag Team Pokemon-GX

The world Pokémon trading card game and video game championships in Nashville have wrapped up, but during the event, Pokémon revealed that big changes are coming to the TCG very soon in the form of Tag Team Pokémon-GX.

These cards feature two Pokémon of the same type and give up three prize cards when they are knocked out. So far the only card that has been revealed is Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, so we will have to wait and see which other pairs will be used to get a better idea of how these new cards will work.

One thing we can gather from the Pikachu & Zekrom card is that the GX attack is the first of its kind with a "+" energy requirement. By adding additional energy to the card, players can take advantage of a devastating secondary effect to the attack.

On its own, this seems like a decent card. 240 HP is ridiculous for a basic Pokémon-GX, and puts it at the same level as most Stage 2 Pokémon-GX such as Vikavolt, Decidueye, and Kommo-o. The first attack called Full Blitz requires three lightning energy cards, does 150 damage, and lets you search for three more lightning energy cards and attach them to one of your Pokémon.

The GX attack is where things get interesting. For three lightning energy cards, you can do 200 damage to your opponent's active Pokémon. But if you have three additional lightning energy cards attached to Pikachu & Zekrom, you can do 170 damage to one of your opponent's benched Pokémon.

These two attacks work well together. It may take a little while to set up this card's first attack, but once you do, you can use the attack to power up Pikachu & Zekrom's GX attack for your following turn. Using it should be able to knock out most basic Pokémon-GX and give you between two and four prize cards in one hit.

I would liken these cards to the old two-Pokémon LEGEND cards of the HeartGold & SoulSilver era. The difference being that those required getting two separate cards into play before you could think about adding the required energy. These Tag Team cards seem far less clunky and should have decent attacks.

With the introduction of this new, powerful basic Pokémon-GX that can hit for massive damage every turn, it appears that the power creep that has afflicted the Pokémon TCG won't be slowing down anytime soon. Pikachu & Zekrom-GX will be available in our February 2019 set, so stay tuned for more updates.

An Icon Reimagined: The 2018 Lexus LS

The LS is more than Lexus's flagship sedan. It is the car that launched the entire brand back in 1989 and caused people around the world to rethink their idea of luxury cars. Nearly thirty years later, the fifth generation LS is here to bring the fight back to the Germans it once sent scrambling to their drawing boards.

While previous generations of the LS were staid and reserved, the all new 2018 LS is confident in its own skin and ready to assert its place at the top of the luxury sedan market. It comes with its own angular design language which proudly shows off its Japanese heritage. The centerpiece of the car's design is undoubtedly its signature spindle grille. More than 5,000 individual surfaces are arranged by hand to create an intricate woven pattern unlike anything else. The overall silhouette of the new LS is far more streamlined than its predecessor. A gently sloping roof and a short trunk lid give the car a coupe-like appearance more similar to the Jaguar XJ and the Porsche Panamera than the upright designs of the Audi A8 and the Mercedes-Benz S-class.

Inside, the LS is as luxurious as ever. I mentioned in a previous post that the LS is among the quietest cars in the world. It's all part of a concept of hospitality called omotenashi in Japan. An Executive Package brings 22-way power adjustable rear seats with built-in massaging function. The right rear seat can even come equipped with a sliding ottoman. Adaptive variable air suspension raises and lowers the car to make entrance and egress easier for occupants. Other stylistic touches that draw inspiration from Japanese culture include magnesium accent lines along the dashboard meant to resemble a traditional koto harp, and ambient lighting said to mimic the warm glow of andon lanterns.

One optional feature worth mentioning is the kiriko glass set in the car's door panels. Kiriko is a unique Japanese tradition of hand-cutting patterns into glass to create stunning reflections of light. Each piece of glass requires up to 147 points of polishing, which can take up to two hours to complete. This feature can only be had on models equipped with the Executive Package and also comes bundled with hand-pleated interior door trim formed from a single piece of extra soft cloth and folded in traditional origami style.

All LS models are now called LS 500. The name signifies a change from the old 4.6 liter V-8 in favor of a new twin turbocharged 3.5 liter V-6. Rated at 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, it's good to get the big Lexus from zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds. Forced induction yields an improvement of 36 horsepower and 75 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing V-8 powerplant. Fuel economy is likewise higher at 19 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for the old car.

For those looking for even better fuel economy, there is also a new LS 500h hybrid. Unlike the previous generation LS hybrid which used a high output electric motor and nickel hydride battery packs, the 2018 model features two electric motors and a compact lithium ion battery. The engine is also different. Although still making 3.5 liters of displacement, the hybrid uses an Atkinson cycle unit without turbochargers. Lexus is proud to announce that this is the first multistage hybrid in its class, and its combined fuel economy gains of 5 mpg over the conventionally powered car will certainly leave you pleased.

We've seen Lexus recently dip its toes into the performance arena with F Sport models of several of its offerings. The trim debuted on the old LS during its midcycle refresh in 2013 and is offered from the outset with the 2018 model. It consists of several exterior and interior styling changes as well as sharper suspension and bigger brakes. But helping the car's sporting credentials this time around is a platform shared with the sublime LC 500 coupe. This switch gifts the LS with a lower ride height and an improved center of gravity.

You may specify additional handling improvements through an optional Performance Package. Checking this box on your F Sport order form grants you active rear steering, active stabilizers, and a nifty variable gear ratio steering system which changes the number of turns lock-to-lock you can perform with the steering wheel. A quicker ratio with fewer turns gives the vehicle a more nimble feel. Switching to a slower ratio with more turns imparts a better sense of stability, especially at high speeds.

Prices for the new LS start around $75,000 which is roughly $15,000 less than a Mercedes S-class and $8,000 less than a BMW 7-series. You also get several features as standard on the Lexus that are costly options on the Germans. Every LS leaves the factory with dual zone climate control, heated steering wheel, power moonroof, Lexus Safety System+, blind spot monitor, parking assist, a navigation system, and a 12 speaker audio system.

No longer content imitating the competition, the 2018 Lexus LS comes across as a distinctly Japanese entry in the full size luxury sedan segment. It's impeccable build quality, thoughtful design details, and improved dynamics should have more than a few German executives worried.

4 Best Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episodes

"The choices we make, the actions we take, moments both big and small shape us into forces of destiny."

This is the narration that appears at the beginning of every Star Wars: Forces of Destiny episode. Forces of Destiny is an animated micro-series stretching across all eras of the Star Wars universe. The stories told in each episode are considered part of the overall canon, and are broadcast through Disney's YouTube channel. Many episodes follow prominent female characters such as Leia Organa, Padme Amidala, Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, and Rey, but there are still some stories that I think will resonate with dedicated Star Wars fans of all ages as they provide some welcome context to themes and events from the main films and television shows. Listed below are four episodes that stand out for their significance to the greater story of Star Wars. 

Season 1 Episode 8: Bounty of Trouble

In this episode, Princess Leia is being escorted by a pair of stormtroopers when they are suddenly attacked by rebel fighter Sabine Wren. Sabine snatches Leia away, and traps the stormtroopers behind a door. Throughout the attack, Leia remains unfazed. In fact, the entire incident was planned so that Leia could secretly give Sabine a datatape containing several Imperial base locations. 

They are interrupted by the arrival of bounty hunter IG-88 who is also interested in the datatape. Sabine and Leia return to the spot they left the stormtroopers, who by now have managed to cut through the door. Sabine hides while Leia orders the troopers to attack IG-88. While the stormtroopers are occupied, Sabine leaves after Leia expresses her wishes to someday fight openly alongside the Rebellion.

This episode provides a window into Leia's difficult life of secretly aiding the growing Rebellion while still openly supporting the Galactic Empire. Many books and comics have depicted this aspect of her life, but this is a simple yet effective way for young Star Wars fans to learn what it means to serve two sides of a conflict.

Season 2 Episode 2: Unexpected Company

Anakin and Padme are about to board a Jedi shuttle for a mission when Ahsoka runs up to them. Ahsoka explains that Obi-Wan requested that she tag along. Anakin is not too happy about this change of plan. He was hoping that this mission would allow him and Padme to spend some precious time together by themselves. His mood soured, he changes the shuttle's flight path so that they will get to their destination sooner. Noticing what Anakin is doing, Ahsoka warns that their new trajectory will put them into an area where a Separatist fleet was recently spotted. 

Sure enough, they come out of hyperspace in front of several Separatist capital ships. Padme orders Anakin to fly while she and Ahsoka use the shuttle's cannons to take out the enemy weapons. A shot hits Padme's position, resulting in a cloud of smoke. Anakin jumps up to see if Padme is okay. When the smoke clears, Ahsoka sees Anakin and Padme in a loving embrace. Satisfied that they are okay, Ahsoka mans the ship's controls and flies them safely past the fleet. Once they land at their destination, Anakin says that he is glad Ahsoka came with them. Padme adds that Anakin and Ahsoka make a good team. Ahsoka remarks that Padme and Anakin make a good team, too.

I like this episode because it is the first time canonically that Ahsoka becomes aware of Anakin and Padme's romantic relationship. It retroactively adds weight to The Clone Wars season 5 finale when Ahsoka decides to leave the Jedi Order. Anakin begs her to stay, claiming that he understands what it feels like to want to leave the Jedi. Ahsoka replies simply that she knows, which is her way of saying that she knows about Anakin's feelings for Padme.

It is surprising how few people in either Anakin or Padme's circle of acquaintances can figure out that they're in love. Obi-Wan probably suspects it, but he doesn't want to believe it. Palpatine knows it, and uses it to his advantage to lure Anakin to the dark side. By the time of Revenge of the Sith, both Padme, who is now pregnant, and Anakin know that they can't keep their relationship a secret much longer. One can only wonder how the fate of the galaxy would be different if they divulged their secret relationship and retired from their professions to raise their children in peace.   

Season 2 Episode 6: Bounty Hunted

Seeking help to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt, Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 meet up with Han's old friend, Maz Kanata on the planet Ord Mantell. Leia is skeptical of how Maz can help, when the group is suddenly attacked by Boushh. It turns out that Maz's plan was to set a trap for Boushh so that Leia can steal the bounty hunter's armor for a disguise. They manage to overpower Boushh, and Leia takes the armor.

This episode is great backstory for casual fans who may have wondered where Leia got her disguise from in Return of the Jedi. Well, this episode provides the answer with a brief, easy to understand explanation. It also introduces Leia to Maz, further cementing Maz's connection with the Solo family in the years following the fall of the Empire.

Season 2 Episode 7: The Path Ahead

Deep in the swampy jungle of Dagobah, Luke Skywalker is practicing navigating along the tree branches several meters above the ground. Suddenly, Luke misses a branch and falls painfully to the ground. Yoda explains that Luke fell because his mind got ahead of his body. Instead, Luke's mind needs to work with his body to stay on the right path. Yoda tells Luke to go again, but this time he wants Luke to carry him in a backpack. Luke doesn't like the idea. He says that he can barely look after himself. Yoda retorts that in that case, Luke needs to concentrate extra hard. Once they ascend into the canopy, Luke asks Yoda which way he should go. Yoda puts his hands over Luke's eyes and tells him to see his surrounding through the Force. Luke takes off running again, making several impressive leaps from branch to branch.

It's unclear how long Luke trains with Yoda before leaving to face Darth Vader on Cloud City. What this episode is meant to show, is that Luke was able to learn a few things about the Force in a short amount of time. Also listening to 60 year old Mark Hamill attempt to voice his 30 year old self is quite funny, even if the result doesn't really work.

Those are my picks for best Forces of Destiny episodes aired thus far. Which ones stand out the most to you? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading this post, and I'll get back to you all soon.

Pokemon Sun and Moon Anime Impressions

The Pokémon Sun & Moon anime has started its second season. So far, I would say that the series has been a mixed bag trending more toward the negative. The mature tone of the previous series has been scrapped in favor of a more whimsical narrative with little direction or purpose. There's still plenty of time left for the series to improve, but I'm not expecting much to change. So without further ado, here is a list of things about the Sun & Moon series that bother me.

Art style

I began to suspect that things were in trouble when I first laid eyes on the Sun & Moon teaser poster. In the blink of an eye, we've gone from the confident and cool Ash who almost won the Kalos league, stopped Team Flare from destroying the world, and captured Serena's heart...to this.

Oh brother.

I remained hopeful that the new art style wouldn't detract too much from the viewing experience once I saw these designs in motion. Boy, was I wrong. Whereas the animation from the X and Y series was crisp, colorful, and modern, the Sun & Moon designs are extremely flat. Watching Sun & Moon is like watching an old Tex Avery cartoon. Look up clips from Sun & Moon and compare them with clips from X and Y to see what I mean. This is probably the most minor of my complaints. The quality of the animation shouldn't matter too much if the episodes themselves are enjoyable to watch. However...

Team Rocket

Look, I like Team Rocket as much as the next person, but it's time for them to go. The official Pokémon Twitter account shared a Monday Motivation gif of the Team Rocket trio with text stating that they haven't given up on trying to catch Ash's Pikachu no matter how many times they fail. Some people responded with Einstein's misattributed quote that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Let's forget how time in the anime series is measured for a moment. I've been watching Team Rocket try to steal other people's Pokémon for twenty years. They show up, cause trouble, and are ultimately defeated by Ash, his friends, and the character(s) of the day. They're not threatening anymore, and they're really just around because they're Team Rocket.

I'm not saying that Team Rocket needs to disappear, although I wouldn't object if they did. At the very least, they need to evolve (no pun intended) into something different and find a reason to exist other than just to cause trouble for the heroes. Jessie has an interest in Pokémon contests and showcases, and has competed in them with some success. Let her pursue that. James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet can be her support crew. We can alternate between episodes following Ash working toward a region's Pokémon league and episodes following Team Rocket trying to win Pokémon contests. It would be a good balance that I think would cater to boys and girls equally.

The Rotom Dex

The Pokedex has always been a way to connect the Pokémon anime with the video games. Each design is meant to resemble a Nintendo device from that era. In every series, the Pokedex has served as a handy way for the protagonists to identify new Pokémon.

Therefore, it is my opinion that whoever decided that the Pokedex should become an actual character needs to be fired. Advanced technology does exist in the Pokemon universe, but having what is essentially a floating robot following the characters around and constantly spouting its two cents is a bit much. If I were to liken the Rotom Dex to anything, it would be Navi from The Legend of Zelda. Cracked editor Tim Lovett describes Navi as a "nagging, clingy spouse" and I see the Rotom Dex in much the same way.

Story and Characters

I could probably overlook all of the previous problems I mentioned if not for this single overarching gripe. This story goes nowhere! I read this essay someone wrote about some of the problems with the Pokémon anime. The writer suggests that if Ash is never going to achieve his goal, he shouldn't declare a goal in the first place. Well, it appears that Pokémon has listened. Now, it seems like Ash is just goofing off in Alola until he gets bored and decides to go home.

I'm serious. He only came to Alola because his mom's Mr. Mime won a vacation. While there, Ash finds the Pokémon school and becomes friends with the other students. When it's time to head back to Kanto, Ash asks his mom if he can stay at the school. She agrees, and Ash ends up living with the school's teacher, Professor Kukui. (Don't even get me started on how weird that is.) He attends classes and has silly little adventures with the other students. And that's about it.

Alola doesn't have a Pokémon league. Instead, trainers need to complete trials on each of Alola's islands to earn Z-Crystals and become the Island Challenge Champion. So far, Ash has completed four trials. Although his last one was in episode 36 and we are now on episode 76 as I am writing this. But even if he does complete all the island trials, it doesn't seem like he gets anything special out of it. I see something like what happened during the Orange Island saga occurring again here. Ash will become the champion, but it ultimately doesn't mean much.

From left: Mallow, Lana, Sophocles, Kiawe, and Lillie

The supporting characters don't do much for me either, which is a shame, considering how good the XY protagonists were. First we have Mallow, who wants to make her family's restaurant the best in the world. Then we have Lana, who loves water Pokémon, but doesn't really have a specific goal. Next up is Sophocles who is basically Clemont from X and Y but far less endearing. He's actually voiced by the same actress who portrayed Clemont's sister, Bonnie, throughout the XY series.

Kiawe could have been the next badass rival for Ash, and the first few episodes establish that he is resentful of Ash receiving a Z-Ring right off the bat. However, there are several episodes that strip any manly cred he has accumulated completely away. For example, he totally freaks out when he sees a Dugtrio without hair. Chill out, dude.

Lillie is by far the most interesting character of the group, and the series' creators would have been wise to make her the main character and get rid of Ash altogether. A lot of the arcs in the anime focus on Lillie's character development, such as overcoming her fears of touching Pokémon, and improving her relationship with her mother. These stories are well written for the most part and enjoyable to watch. However, when we finish and return our attention to Ash, it's like everything takes a huge step backwards.

So, my complaints with Sun & Moon are many. Granted, maybe I'm getting too old for this. This is a kid's show after all. I just think that longtime fans' dedication to this series deserves to be rewarded in some way. Or, I could accept that I'm never going to see the series go the way I want it to and bail out. The way things are looking now, it seems like as good a time as any.

Ford Mustang Enters 2019 NASCAR Cup Series

Happy National Mustang Day! On this day in 1964, Ford unveiled the Mustang to the public at the New York World's Fair. It was billed as an everyday sports car that people of modest income could afford. It went on sale shortly thereafter as a 1965 model for a reasonable price of $2,500. Helping keep the cost down was architecture shared with the Falcon and the Fairlane. Several style, performance, and convenience features were offered too, providing abundant customization opportunities. It was the right car at the right time to take advantage of a youthful US population and a strong economy.

The rest as they say is history.

Initial estimates suggested that Ford would sell around 100,000 Mustangs during the car's first year on sale. In truth, they surpassed that number after three months. Ford sold an additional 318,000 units during its first model year, and built its one millionth Mustang after only 18 months. The success of the Mustang forced Chevrolet, Pontiac, Plymouth, Dodge, and AMC to create their own sporty coupes. While competitors have come and gone, the Mustang has soldiered on continuously to this day. It is among the most recognizable nameplates on the road and sells in 146 global markets.

Ford saw this day as the perfect time to announce that the Mustang will be taking over for the Fusion in the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. A short video posted by Ford Performance shows the new Mustang racer being prepped for competition.

In a separate announcement, Ford has revealed that the Mustang will replace the discontinued Falcon in the Australian Supercars Series. Looks like 2019 will be the year of the Mustang at the race track.

Toyota Storms New York with New Products

After two fairly quiet events in Detroit and Chicago, the 2018 New York International Auto Show features several new, important products from a variety of manufacturers. Toyota in particular has come out swinging with clean sheet redesigns of two of its most popular models.

First up is the all new fifth generation RAV4. Last year, the RAV4 overtook the Camry as Toyota's best selling vehicle in the US, and the best selling non-truck in America full stop. Facing stiff competition from recently redesigned rivals such as the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5, Toyota couldn't afford to mess things up. The new RAV4 features rugged styling cues evocative of several Jeep products. Ground clearance is up by half an inch, which further separates the new RAV4 from its rivals. Gasoline and hybrid powertrains will be offered as before, and a breadth of trim levels including the well equipped base LE, the luxurious Limited and Platinum, and the sporty Adventure ensures that consumers will be able to find the RAV4 that's right for them. Look for gasoline powered RAV4s to arrive in dealerships later this year, with the hybrid models coming sometime in 2019.

Also making its debut is the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. When Toyota announced the closure of the Scion brand, the iM hatchback was rechristened a Corolla for the remainder of its product cycle. Now, executives have given the iM another shot, and addressed some of that car's most glaring shortcomings with this redesign. The Corolla Hatchback is 1.5 inches longer than before, and all of that extra length is dedicated to the wheelbase. Ergonomics, fit and finish, and available features are all greatly improved. Every model gets a leather shift knob, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, and two USB ports. Other standard features include Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Siri Eyes Free.

Only SE and XSE trim levels will be offered, suggesting that Toyota sees the Corolla Hatchback as a companion piece to the 86 and upcoming Supra. Aiding the Corolla's performance credentials is the use of Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA). TNGA lowers the Corolla's center of gravity by 0.8 inches and improves torsional stiffness by 60 percent. Gone too is the ancient 1.8-liter four cylinder engine. It's been replaced with a new Dynamic Force 2.0-liter unit coupled to either a six speed manual transmission or a CVT with launch gear. Horsepower and performance figures haven't been revealed yet, but it seems safe to say that Toyota has a decent, warm hatch on their hands.

It's pleasing that Toyota is taking serious steps to improve the desirability of its products beyond reliability and value. So far, CEO Akio Toyoda's plan to inject a dose of passion into his products appears to be on track.