Kia just keeps improving its luxurious, stylish SUV ... Even perfection can be improved upon, but often it’ll cost you. In Covid-crushing 2020 I selected Kia’s magnificent new mid-size SUV, the Telluride, as my Zoomie Vehicle of the Year. The tested top-level SX AWD version hit roughly $44,000 at the time and was as near... Continue Reading →
2023 Lexus GX 460
Big-nosed, 3-row SUV feels old school, but remains a fun drive ... I’m beginning to feel a smidge like Little Red Riding Hood when it comes to new car and truck designs. My, what big grilles you have! Lexus’ full-size SUV, the GX 460 was one of the first to glom onto the giant schnoz... Continue Reading →
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Plug-in hybrid smooths Wrangler power, boosts mpg ... Jeeps come in all sizes these days and with multiple powerplant choices, the latest of which provided the grunt for the tested 4-door Wrangler Rubicon. Here the power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 with plug-in hybrid system using a couple electric motors to help boost gas... Continue Reading →
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX AWD
New hybrid is larger, more efficient, family-priced SUV ... Kia’s Sportage just keeps getting bigger and better, and now with a hybrid power system it’s more efficient and still can boast of family-friendly pricing. That’s a lot! But Kia and its twin cousin Hyundai have always been about value, generous feature content, top-notch warranties, and... Continue Reading →
2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge AWD Ultimate: Bright Theme
Plug-in hybrid XC90 long on luxury, power, efficiency ... Apparently it’s time for me to adjust my thinking on where luxury SUV prices begin and end, especially end. Volvo, long the bastion of safe, solid wagons has made the transition to SUVs easily as it already knew how to make big family-haulers and so a... Continue Reading →
2023 Lexus RX 350 Limited
Restyled RX 350 still fills luxury SUV prescription, but ... Luxury and utility are ubiquitous with the Lexus RX 350, otherwise known as the unofficial soccer mom car of suburbia. This SUV that started out more as a tall wagon when introduced in the U.S. market in 1998 has been the best-selling luxury vehicle here... Continue Reading →
2022 Ford Expedition Limited 4×4
Expedition proves big is in for size, and price ... Remember when buying a large SUV didn’t cost as much as your first or second house? Then again, your house didn’t have smart cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, or even a fancy Bang & Olufsen stereo with 22 speakers. Heck, most of... Continue Reading →
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe
Electric hybrid adds cost, but boosts fuel efficiency, smooths power ... When Jeep launched the Grand Cherokee 30 years ago it was among the first luxury sport-utility vehicles on the market that still was affordable (not a Rover) and capable of off-roading. Jeep continues to make its Grand Cherokee as off-road worthy as anything, including... Continue Reading →
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone CrewMax
Tip-top Tundra a giant luxury pickup with a touch of hybrid help ... By definition Toyota can’t top its latest Tundra, dubbed the Capstone CrewMax, and it certainly would be difficult. First, Tundra Capstone simply can’t get any bigger like all full-size pickups. If it does it’ll likely require a commercial license and its own... Continue Reading →
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate
Fastback C40 puts a charge in electric SUV's look ... Volvo’s swoopy-tailed C40 Recharge, a small SUV, is the epitome of form over function when it comes to styling. Basically the C40 is identical mechanically with its XC40 Recharge, but instead of the traditional squared off crossover/SUV tail of the XC, the single C touts... Continue Reading →