2022 Infiniti QX55 Sensory AWD

New QX55 a fun mix of fashion and luxury ... Mixing fashion and fun in a luxury SUV/crossover is about as commonplace as legislators agreeing on something. Yet Infiniti has done it with its new QX55 for 2022, and this comes after its launch of the near perfect QX50 for 2021. That SUV/crossover also slots... Continue Reading →

November 10, 2021 1

FALL RALLY DRIVES & Videos

MAMA Fall Rally: So many vehicles, so little time ... Once or twice a year, lately depending on the Covid threat, Midwest auto writers gather their helmets and egos before snagging seat time in the latest new machines from the top automakers. I use that term loosely because, to be honest, most of the vehicles... Continue Reading →

November 6, 2021 0

2022 MINI Cooper S Convertible

Wild paint, cool ragtop make MINI S an extrovert's dream ... Extroverts love MINI Coopers and they should, people chat you up when you’re driving a Zesty Yellow (looks like neon green) MINI Cooper S Convertible. Tony was one. He stepped right up in the Woodman’s parking lot to declare the near glowing MINI a... Continue Reading →

November 3, 2021 0

Ford’s Maverick hybrid pickup earns top EPA city MPG rating

New hybrid rated 42 MPG city, 37 MPG combined … A 2022 Ford Maverick at Road America, with Indy Lights racer on track. Last week a bunch of us Midwest auto writers got to give the new 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid pickup a spin up at Road America, and trust me Ford is gonna sell... Continue Reading →

October 21, 2021 0

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e

Smooth plug-in hybrid adds power, better fuel economy to SUV Luxury and power are as ubiquitous as peanut butter and chocolate. BMW knows that and blends the two with just a smidge of social consciousness in its latest X5 mid-size SUV/crossover. Its full name is X5 xDrive45e. What that means is that the power now... Continue Reading →

October 20, 2021 0

2022 Hyundai Kona Ltd. AWD

New Kona ups the power, yet remains cute high-value crossover ... Roughly three years had passed since I last tested Hyundai’s small crossover, the Kona. I’d almost forgotten just how much fun it is. That can’t be said for all the little crossovers, plus Kona offers AWD and remains friendly to your bank account. For... Continue Reading →

October 6, 2021 0

2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD

Sport luxury sedan goodness; if it ain't broke, don't fix it ... Sorry if this sounds like a broken record (remember those?), but Lexus refuses to mess with success when it comes to its IS 350 sports sedan. For instance, Lexus sticks with its trusted 3.5-liter V6, keeps the IS 350’s overall dimensions within an... Continue Reading →

September 29, 2021 0

Why I despise EV’s but am big on electric propulsion

Born into a car family I don't have blood, pretty sure I have motor oil in my veins. It started before I was even born. My mom's dad sold Pontiacs and Hudsons while my other grandpa was a Chevy guy. My dad worked for AMC/Chrysler for 27 years and I've been told that I was... Continue Reading →

September 24, 2021 0

2022 Volkswagen Taos SE

Taos another newcomer in expanding small crossover market ... Oh my, the burgeoning small crossover market just added another competitor, the Volkswagen Taos (rhymes with House), and if value is your main shopping criteria the Taos should be near the center of your bull’s-eye. Just in the last year I’ve reviewed the following tiny crossover... Continue Reading →

September 23, 2021 1

2022 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Advanced

Can a luxury sport sedan be a value leader? Yes, if it's a Genesis G70 ... In the olden days, 1980s and 1990s, there were a few grunty sport sedans that wouldn’t send a buyer to Uncle Guido for a small loan. That was then, this is now, and a loan is a near certainty.... Continue Reading →