Kia's new Niro gets better in nearly every way

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- What's new with the Niro?  A lot, it turns out.

Kia's feisty compact crossover sport-utility vehicle received the "all-new" makeover treatment for the 2023 model year.

Most evident is the bolder, big-shouldered styling that's accented with a sleek roofline.  The "tiger nose" grille adds just the right touch of aggressiveness. While Kia designers were changing the look, they also made the vehicle bigger than its predecessor -- a definite plus.

Niro watchers know that the model offers pass-the-pump efficiency in all-electric form, or otherwise.  My tester was the 2023 Niro SX Touring model, which combines a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with a 62 kilowatt electric motor.

That combo generates a max 180 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque, and yes, those numbers translate to enthusiastic performance from the compact SUV.  I found myself bolting over the speed limit numerous times, with very little effort from my right foot.

Thankfully, my amateurish accelerations did not cost me much. The fuel ratings on the tester were an impressive 53 miles per gallon in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

For those looking at the all-electric Niro, Kia engineers expanded the range of that vehicle for 2023.  Full electric or not, the Niro is a top-ten environmental offering in my book.

For a vehicle priced at a very reasonable $36,435, my tester was generously equipped with customer-pleasing features.  That included the 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated/ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a power sunroof and a power liftgate.

Safety/driver-assist features also were plentiful. My ride included forward collision avoidance, lane-following assist and smart cruise control.

Keeping in mind that Kia America is headquartered in Irvine, California, it struck me all during my week in the Niro that this might be the ultimate Golden State motor vehicle ... all-electric option, hybrid version, built for the long haul, comfortable on twisty Sierra Nevada roads and maneuverable on traffic-choked city streets.

That makes for a sizable consumer win as those taste-of-California charms are offered on Niros sold coast to coast.

Bronco Everglades SUV radiates outdoor ambience

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- I have to hand it to Ford in its efforts to produce some unique motor vehicles.

I recently reviewed the Ford Bronco Raptor, which looked a bit like the devil's off-road vehicle of choice, all muscle and menace.

And then I subsequently took delivery of the Ford Bronco Everglades 4X4, a different animal and certainly unique in its own right.

I mean where else can you find a vehicle with body panels showing a topographic map of the famed wetlands, complete with reported Bigfoot sightings?

And the vehicle has a snorkel.  No, really, I'm serious.

It snakes up the passenger-side windshield edge. In a nutshell, the high-riding snorkel optimizes vehicle performance amid dust, snow and water by raising the engine air intake above the general level of the front wheels.  The snorkel inlet can be adjusted for various conditions

Ford says the Bronco can handle a run through three feet of water, thanks to its ride height and raised vents. With intimidating, seemingly rock crushing tires front and back, it's hard to imagine the vehicle ever getting stopped by mud or rushing water.  And yet, the tester's tires did not make much noise on the paved roads.

The Everglades edition of this Bronco also comes with a winch built into the front bumper. It features a 100-foot synthetic line with 10,000-pound capability. Gotta have that, right?

Jolanta Coffey, Bronco chief engineer, explains: “Bronco customers like to explore new places, but some want to go even further off the trail than others. Everglades is specially equipped to enable these customers to tackle even more challenging terrains and trails – and with the front bumper-mounted winch, they can help others out of trouble while they’re at it.”

But of course.

Power comes from a 2.3-liter EcoBoost^, four-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower and 325 foot-pounds of torque. It makes the Bronco Everglades an enthusiastic performer, on road and off.

Not surprisingly, fuel mileage is a tepid 18 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.  But I'm certain that fuel mileage is not even a consideration in the target audience for this vehicle.

The bottom line on the sticker of my tester was $56,835, or just about on the nose of expectations, given all the Bronco Everglades has to offer.

And for outdoors types, what it has to offer is hours and miles of hang-on-to-your-hat fun. I didn't come close to putting the Bronco Everglades through the kind of off-road workout it deserves, but I felt a touch of envy thinking of those who buy one and take it over fields, streams and mountain trails.

Everglades envy?  Yeah, that's a thing.

Rugged or soft, Jeep's Compass SUV has you covered

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- There's something about driving a Jeep product that works on your mind.

Like maybe I should have a three-day growth of beard ... or don a well-worn flannel shirt.  You know, something rugged and all that.

The folks at Jeep are not inclined to argue with me. After all, their Jeep Wrangler is one of the founding fathers of rugged transportation.  But Jeep also touts the urban virtues of its vehicles.

And Exhibit A is the recently tested 2023 Jeep Compass High Altitude 4X4 compact crossover sport-utility vehicle.  Does it cover all the bases? Yes, it does.  Ready for the rock-strewn road.  And just as ready for the freshly paved highway.

Here's the best thing: the addition of a 2-liter turbo-4 engine rated at 200 horsepower.  This positions the Compass much higher on the fun-to-drive scale than in previous years.  I found the power plant pleasantly responsive, and just noisy enough to bring a smile to my face.

On the outdoor side of things, it shaped up as an ideal camping trip vehicle -- not too big or intrusive, but capable of carrying what a family needs for an under-the-stars weekend.

The High Altitude Package on the tester included body-color fascias and wheel flares, 19-inch aluminum painted wheels, a full suite of exterior LED lighting, an easy-to-see touchscreen display and more.  Even more extras came with the "Elite Interior Group," including ventilated front seats and a power/foot-activated liftgate.

In essence, Jeep built a nearly ideal mix of indoor/outdoor perks into this model. And my ride came in at a reasonable $42,075, even after the generous list of extras.

Fuel mileage was pretty fair as well -- 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

So, how do you like it?  Rugged or city soft?  This Jeep has a wheel in both camps.

'Supercharger' G90 only adds to the Genesis legend

This review first appeared in the May 2023 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

To subscribe to the Cruisin' News, visit www.cruisinnews.com, call (916) 933-0949 or send an email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Sacramento, California -- At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the saga of Genesis Motor LLC is nothing short of remarkable.

What the luxury division of South Korea's Hyundai has accomplished in a little more than seven years is amazing. If this was an American car company, it would be the subject of a dozen best-selling books and a handful of award-winning documentaries.

Instead, recognition comes in quieter forms ... from the experts.

We're talking major awards here.

I was excited about receiving the 2023 Genesis G90 3.5T E-Supercharger AWD sedan.  It showed up as Motor Trend magazine's newly crowned 2023 Car of the Year.

And this was just the latest honor.  The Genesis GV70 was the magazine's 2022 SUV of the Year; the Genesis G70 pulled down MT's Car of the Year award in 2017.

So, why is this relative newcomer to the game leading the pack?

Let me count the ways.

Let's the start with styling. The G90 is the near-perfect mix of opulent elegance and broad-shouldered sportiness.  The headlights aren't just jewel-like; they wrap around the front wheels and edge into the front quarter panels.

How about luxury?  The G90 is soaked in it.  Attention to detail inside the sedan is exceptional.  Controls are precisely placed.  Luxury features abound.  From the driver's seat, you feel that you are in control of a rolling luxury hotel suite.

Performance? The twin-turbo V-6 teams up with an electric supercharger for a whopping 409 horsepower and 405 foot-pounds of torque.  This elevates the Genesis flagship sedan from a mere luxury liner to a luxo-sport monster.

The zero-to-60 trip takes only 5.1 seconds (not bad considering it weighs in at around 5,000 pounds), but the biggest blast for me was opening up the G90 on freeways.  It was like a wolf among sheep, devouring stragglers and breezing into tight spots with effortless ease.

Fun to drive?  To the max.

Genesis tends to price its cars a little less than what you'd pay for similarly equipped competitors.  Even so, the bottom line on the tester was $100,370.

If you have the coin to spring for the G90, I can assure you that the long-term enjoyment on your investment will be worth it.

Restyled Toyota Prius reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2023 Toyota Prius Limited sedan can be seen in the latest, June 2023, edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news and marketplace."

The "Hot Laps" reviews, along with my "Oil Drips" observations on anything with wheels, appear monthly in the publication.

To subscribe to the Cruisin' News, visit www.cruisinnews.com, call (916) 933-0949 or send an email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.