Electrification perfectly fits luxurious G80 sedan ... From a marketing perspective luxury electrics make the most sense still, until battery prices come down and automakers can make mainstream cars at mainstream prices while turning a profit. Plus electric power systems naturally seem more high-end as they produce massive power yet as slippery smooth as freshly... Continue Reading →
2023 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro AWD
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 BMW X1 xDrive 28i
BMW delivers spunky small crossover starting below $40k ... Small crossovers are a dime a dozen, but spunky luxurious ones are a bit rarer. And spunky ones starting below $40,000 are as precious as that last hidden Easter egg found before the cat discovers it. BMW offers several luxury spunkmobiles, as do a couple of... Continue Reading →
2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature AWD
Perfect sized CX-5 Turbo continues to excel, remain a bargain ... Only a year separated me from my last review of Mazda’s top-seller the CX-5, a snazzy looking compact crossover, but only a week separated me from testing its new stablemate, the CX-50. There’s going to be confusion in the marketplace with such similar names,... 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 →
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB300 4Matic
EV puts a spark in new electric EQB wagon, er, crossover ... Automakers are doing buyers no favors with their insistence on introducing nonsensical alphabet soup when “naming” their vehicles. German automakers are among the leaders in blending alphanumerics and the latest electric-powered wagon, er crossover, is a prime example, the Mercedes-Benz EQB300. Rolls right... 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 →
2023 Genesis G90 3.5T E-Supercharger AWD
Trust me, Santa wants this new luxo-liner for his sleigh ... Stumped about what to get me (or anyone) as a gift for the holidays? Look no further than the new bauble-laden Genesis luxury sedan, the G90. Santa may want to trade in his sleigh! G90 is simply a show stopper, maybe a traffic stopper... Continue Reading →
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD
Crossover version another solid, reliable Corolla ... Many automotive brands have their own version of the golden goose, the go-to model moniker that virtually assures success due to long-term image and reputation. Ford has Mustang and F-150, while Toyota has Camry and Corolla. For nearly 50 years now in the U.S. market, Corolla has been... Continue Reading →