High-horse plug-in hybrid rekindles joy of driving a sedan ... Sedans are such a rarity now that it’s a special treat to drive one, especially when it’s a sophisticated looking, high-horse plug-in hybrid from Volvo. You may recall a time when Volvos were boxy and boring, but safe as the vault at Fort Knox, assuming... 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 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 →
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 →
Ford launches 2023 Escape, including hybrids, new ST-Line
ST-Line adds flare, hybrids stretch mileage, plus more electronics … Available early 2023, the hybrid Escape (left) and new ST-Line Elite Escape. Ford launched its refreshed Escape small SUV this morning touting new styling inside and out plus a sporty new ST-Line model and regular hybrid along with plug-in hybrid models. Naturally there are a... Continue Reading →
2021 Ford Escape Titanium PHEV FWD
Plug-in hybrid saves oodles of gas, I spent less than $5 in a week ... If Ford’s plug-in hybrid Escape was any more middle of the road it would have a white stripe painted down its centerline. Escape is a fine family of four crossover with sufficient power, easy handling and good passenger and cargo... Continue Reading →
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 →
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Caligraphy
Fourth gen Santa Fe grows into a sharp looker ... Time flies. Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV proves it. Santa Fe debuted 20 years ago as the South Korean automaker’s mid-size SUV. It was nothing special, just economical and reliable. Hmmm, reminds me of how Toyota, Honda and Nissan started out in this country, except with... 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 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 →