Already a winner, new turbo elevates CX-30 to top tier ... Earlier this year I named Mazda’s slick new small crossover, the CX-30, as my Zoomie 2021 Car of the Year. Little did I know then that it was gonna get better. The original was sporty looking, featured responsive handling, a quiet near luxury interior... Continue Reading →
2021 Toyota GR Supra 2.0
Sporty Supra 2.0 a fun, less costly sports car … Back in the day, and it wasn’t all that long ago, Toyota marketed its sporty Celica and MR2 models as affordable sporty cars with the emphasis on affordable and sporty. Moderate cost, moderately sporty performance and more than moderately sexy styling made these fun... Continue Reading →
All-Electric Ford F-150 Lightning announced
Ford to reveal F-150 Lightning May 19 with livestreamed event ... DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford announced today it was launching an all-electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning. The new F-150 Lightning will be revealed May 19 at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn and livestreamed for millions to watch. This is Ford's hybrid F-150, which is already available.... Continue Reading →
2021 Nissan Rogue Platinum
New Rogue evolves back to top of market ... For the past century plus 20 or so years the auto market has seen fits and starts of revolution, but a whole lot of evolution. Electric cars seem revolutionary now, just as hybrids were 20+ years ago. But when a carmaker has a winner, it often... Continue Reading →
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD
Electric Mustang Mach-E a fine crossover, not a Mustang ... Marketing is an interesting and amusing craft and Ford’s marketers realize they really only have two ways to attract attention to their brand. First is the F-150, the longtime best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and second is Mustang, its iconic muscle car that has been... Continue Reading →
2021 Nissan Kicks SR
Cute new Nissan Kicks up a lot of value ... Car makers competing in the entry-level market, meaning less than $25,000, are working harder and harder to get some notice as value doesn’t sell as well as BIG anything does. We’re a nation that appreciates big, fast, and strong more than petite, nimble, and adequate,... Continue Reading →
2021 Ford F-150 4×4 Supercrew Lariat (hybrid)
Hybrid F-150 generates apocalypse-conquering power ... After 43 years as the best-selling vehicle in the United States I suppose nothing should surprise me about the latest Ford F-150. Ford hasn’t stayed atop this highly competitive money-making bonanza of a market for U.S. carmakers because it coasts. Nope, it keeps re-inventing the envelope. For 2021 Ford... Continue Reading →
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited
Pacifica minivan nears perfection with quiet plug-in hybrid ... Chrysler has been in the minivan business longer than anyone else and it stands to reason that after 35+ years they’re nearing perfection. It helps that Chrysler never stopped innovating and it still leads the way as the 2021 Pacifica is the only plug-in hybrid minivan... Continue Reading →
2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL
Elantra offers value with distinctive looks, spunky performance ... Surprises tend to hang out at the low end of the automotive market, where expectations may be lower because, well, prices are lower. That continues to be the case with Hyundai’s popular Elantra compact sedan, refined and upgraded for 2021. I had the SEL model, just... Continue Reading →
2021 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Inscription
Plug-in hybrid XC60 a looker and performer ... A few years back I tested Volvo’s smallish mid-size crossover, the XC60, and was swept clean out of my cross-trainers. At the time, most crossovers were blah lookers and ho-hum performers, but today’s market is moving, as they always seem to, toward performance, and yet smaller carbon... Continue Reading →