Woodsy, loaded Sienna stands out in minivan market

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 are some auto reviewers who won't go near a minivan.  Too 1980s and uncool, they say.

Not me.  Give me a spacious people carrier with multiple entertainment systems and a smooth cruising pace for the open road, and I'm hooked.

And just in time to deliver all of this in spades was the recently tested 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD, Woodland Edition.  The Woodland label delivers decidedly rugged, outdoor styling touches sure to please those who consider camping an experience to be something other than a motel.

First impression beyond the woodsy look: plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the ride, and the drive. If you're taking a long road trip, few vehicles provide this much space to relax and avoid muscle cramps.  A 500-mile travel day will pass much easier for passengers in this Sienna.

And there's lots to do.  My tester had the usual dozen JBL speakers and lineup of ports.  In addition, a $1,415 option included a 1080p HD rear seat entertainment center with an 11.6-inch display, HDMI input, remote and two wireless headphones.

Oh, where was this entertainment gem when my kids were small?

Beyond entertainment, the Sienna was stuffed with numerous safety/convenience features, including lane tracing assist, a pre-collision system and radar cruise control. On top of this: a maximum five-star overall rating in federal crash tests.

The highway manners of the tested Sienna were excellent.  River cruise comfort and just enough pop when needed from the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with Toyota Hybrid System II assist. The package produces 245 horsepower.

Perhaps more significant, fuel mileage is an exceptional 35 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Sound tempting?  I should say so.  Suburban chore doer or summer vacation dream vehicle. The Sienna checks both boxes.

Six figures gets you the Land Rover of your dreams

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 -- Can pure motoring happiness be found for $128,475?

I'm here to tell you that, yes, you can be made quite happy with a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover PHEV SE SWB wearing that sticker price.

Just the opulent luxury alone makes it a pleasure.

And while it might be beyond the household budgets of many, if you get the chance to simply sit in one -- or test drive it -- prepare to be made happy.

SWB designates the smaller, standard wheelbase version of the vehicle, and my tester did indeed have the plug-in electric helper. Rest assured that power is not a problem with the workhorse 3-liter turbo-6 handling the heavy chores. Rated at 434 horsepower, the power plant is a marvelous machine, propelling the solid SUV around with magnificent authority.

With electricity and gasoline working in tandem, the tester checks in at 51 miles per gallon in combined city/highway mileage.  The needle drops to 21 mpg on gasoline alone.

This is one of the rare cases where brute power was trumped by everything else on the vehicle.  For starters, the super-clean look built into the 2023 Land Rover is striking.  Everything is so precise and expertly fitted that the tester reminded me of a radar-defying aircraft.  Impressive.

For me, luxury stood out the most.  That six-figure price might make one swallow hard at first, but given all the features of the vehicle, it's totally justified.

Where to start?  There's the panoramic roof with power sunblind, deployable door handles, power tailgate, Windsor leather seating surfaces, the infotainment system with the 13.1-inch screen, three-zone climate control and on and on.  If you've ever been gifted a night at a five-star hotel's luxury suite, just put four wheels on it and you have the Land Rover I tested.

Very British. Very elegant. Very luxurious. Very pleasant.

Kia's subcompact Seltos SUV delivers in big ways

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 -- How to explain Kia's success in recent years?

Sure, the automaker tends to stuff its vehicles with standard features and price them well below similarly equipped autos.  Yes, the warranties are great.  Reliability has improved dramatically.

And then there's this: Kia delivers vehicles that the driving public wants (or should want).

A perfect example of this is the recently tested 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD subcompact sport-utility vehicle.

There is an enormous crowd of small SUVs to choose from, and yes, they tend to blur together at some point.  But for 2024, Kia revised the front and rear fascia for a more dynamic, sporty look. The Seltos stands out in a crowd.

Inside, the eyes are drawn to the 10.25-inch panoramic display screen for navigation and other purposes.  There is no squinting to make out the features of the large, helpful display.

Small does not translate to sluggish, thanks to the 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine rated at 195 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque. This power plant is the heart and soul of the SX version of the vehicle, and nearly 50 horses more than the standard engine offering for other trim levels.

I had enormous amounts of fun whipping the Seltos around, but given its ability to quickly get out of harm's way, I don't think I angered any of my fellow motorists. Fuel mileage on the tester was pretty fair: 25 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

I was frankly stunned at the features packed into the tested subcompact, much more than one would expect for a vehicle priced at $33,085 on the bottom line.  More-than-expected goodies included an SX Moonroof Package, a wireless charger and heated front seats.

Thinking small and exceptionally functional?  Kia has a vehicle that might just be a perfect fit.

Lexus RC 350 stands out with luxury, sportiness

This review first appeared in the December 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 -- Here's the sentence fragment you hear a lot when stepping out of the 2023 Lexus RC 350 F Sport AWD: "Say, isn't that a ... "

The last word never seems to find its way to daylight, because the speaker typically realizes that the car is not a Corvette ... or a Mustang ... or a McLaren ...

It that uniqueness that makes the RC 350 fun to drive, and I imagine, fun to own.  You don't notice that many of them on the road.  And being unique has its advantages.

First off, the sleek RC 350 just shouts sports car just sitting there.  The long hood line, muscular power grille and aerodynamic sweep of the roof turn heads.  The F Sport trim touches only add to the aggressive look.

Triple-beam LED headlights lend a saucy Star Wars touch.

Do you feel proud just knowing that people are looking at your eye-catching ride?  Of course.  That's part of the fun.

And then there's performance.  The tester was powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 311 horsepower. The power plant pushes torque at the low end and horsepower at the high end.  The result is robust sprints off the line and speedy moves on the freeways, with the bonus of a satisfying rumble from under the hood.

I found fellow motorists not only gawking at the car but -- amazingly in California -- kindly stepping aside and letting me pass. Again, looks mean everything, and motorists seemed to take it for granted that I could dust them off if I chose to do so.

Adding to all this driving pleasure was a stellar package of comfort, convenience and safety features.

Among my favorites: The lane departure alert with steering assist was helpful without being annoying.  And I liked the intelligent high beams with road sign recognition, a premium Lexus sound system and the F Sport suspension tuning. Added bonus: the super-luxurious feel of the cabin.

Please note: This RC 350 is billed as a four-seater, but two adults in the rear likely will feel pressed to the edges in those tight quarters.

Fuel mileage is fair at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Uniqueness and luxury come with a price: the $61,430 on the sticker puts this vehicle solidly in a segment of elite sporty machines.

But well worth the price if you are so fortunate.

Hyundai's Kona SUV reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, February 2024, 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.

Land Rover's Defender is a royal ride fit for a king

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 -- It had been some time since I felt like royalty.  And I certainly did feel that way after a week in the 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 SE sport-utility vehicle.

Sure, Land Rover is the choice of the British royals, and the Defender lineage dates back to the early days of Queen Elizabeth II.  History aside, I appreciated the small touches that make up the Defender.

There are the convenient slots and storage areas built into the back gate.  And yes, the thing feels like an armored tank on the move.  Yet there is little obnoxious noise that reaches the interior cabin. The 10.1-inch infotainment screen is easily mastered. There's three-zone climate control, of course.

Power comes from a 3-liter, six-cylinder engine rated at 395 horsepower and 406 foot-pounds of torque.

I don't remember past Land Rovers exhibiting that much muscle, but my ride was decidedly enthusiastic off the line and in freeway traffic.  For all of its big-shouldered bulk, the Defender at speed actually felt nimble and quick.  At no time did I feel like I was extending the vehicle's capabilities. In fact, if anything, I never let her loose at full song.

Simply put, this is a rugged sport-ute that you can muscle through busy freeway traffic and dicey downtown streets with full confidence.  Solid, strong.  Feels substantial but drives light.

Fuel mileage is so-so at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

One other thing about this Defender.  It apparently came off as unique to fellow motorists.  With virtually every stop I made, an individual or crowd gathered to ask questions about the vehicle.

I was only too glad to talk up its charms.  To boil it down, it's fit for a king.