Willys Jeepster the first crossover? ... Everyone likes Jeeps and they were the real deal in leading the way to today’s SUVs and AWD vehicles. But did you know Jeep made a crossover, sort of? In 1948 the Jeepster debuted as a car that looked much like a Jeep/car/truck combo, with a convertible top. What... Continue Reading →
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited
Crosstrek sporty, practical, moderately priced ... Subaru takes a serious step forward with its new Crosstrek, a small crossover that mates sporty styling with practicality and moderate cost, a winning combo. While the former Crosstrek was sporty, it rode worse than most trucks with a choppy ride that spoiled its otherwise useful and economical underpinnings.... Continue Reading →
2018 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
New Rogue comfortable, roomy ... Rogue is Nissan’s top-selling vehicle, has been around awhile and proved itself reliable, and if you’re a Star Wars geek, its name appeals like none other on the market. What it has going for it in the small sport-utility/crossover market is that it’s not too small. It has good interior... Continue Reading →
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T quattro w/Prestige
New Audi Q5 remains smooth, luxurious … Evidently once a smooth operator, always a smooth operator. Audi’s new Q5 compact luxury crossover/sport-ute carries on its tradition of smooth, sporty performance with luxury ladled on for good measure. It’s a bit larger than its predecessor and slightly more fuel efficient too. This is an all-around winner.... Continue Reading →
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio AWD
Beautiful Stelvio puts in the crossover fast lane ... Even if Italian beauty were only skin deep, maybe that would be enough when it comes to cars and crossovers. The new Stelvio, Alfa Romeo’s first crossover or SUV, whichever you wish to label it, is a beauty. Its face is unique in today’s bland auto... Continue Reading →
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL w/4Motion
VW goes big into the SUV market with Atlas ... There are no awards for being late to the party, but VW is hoping sales are its consolation prize for finally creating a large SUV, the Atlas. It won’t win any styling awards (can you say big and boxy?), but it’s certainly stout and a... Continue Reading →
2017 Dodge Durango GT Blacktop AWD
Outlier Durango delivers function and style ... Dodge’s Durango is an outlier of sorts. It features function and style while many of the better selling large SUVs maintain a staid look, favoring square exteriors and overly manly interiors with oversized gauges, knobs and air vents. Durango though likes to spiff itself up, like it’s saying... Continue Reading →
2017 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription
New Volvo XC90 packs in a lot ... Honestly, the new Volvo XC90 is a bit overwhelming. It’s a big luxury crossover or ute, whichever you prefer. It looks buttoned-down collar sharp and has nearly every conceivable electronic doodad, safety device and feature one could expect. But there’s just so much here to enjoy and... Continue Reading →
2017 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD
New Nissan Pathfinder more civilized, comfy ... My Navy son had a Nissan Pathfinder years ago and it was a true sport-utility truck, built on a truck chassis and able to go off-roading with the other utes of the day. Pathfinder has been around now for 30 years, but those trucklike days are gone as more... Continue Reading →
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd. 4×4
Jeep's Grand Cherokee touts power, toughness and luxury ... What could be more patriotic than a Jeep? And the brand, now part of Fiat-Chrysler, is celebrating 75 years of Jeepdom, although the test model wasn’t specially adorned. This was a dark metallic gray Grand Cherokee Limited with 4-wheel-drive, starting at a relatively sane $39,895 and... Continue Reading →