Toyota Tacoma pickup is just-right all the way around

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've always liked Toyota's Tacoma pickup -- practical size, nicely equipped, peppy powertrains.

What's not to like?

When Tacoma underwent major upgrades for 2024, I found even more reasons to be pleased with the pickup.

A recent week in the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4X4 Double Cab with a hybrid powertrain only enhanced my good feelings.

The hybrid system -- anchored by a 2.4-liter turbo-4 -- is a responsive chore-doer, with the fuel mileage bonus coming in at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

No, it's not a monster-size vehicle, but that's just the point.  Take your 80-grand to the big truck lot for that.  The bottom line on the tester was a somewhat hefty $67,125, but it was so loaded with features that I did not blink at the price.

That included optional equipment sure to please pickup devotees: a towing technology package with wireless camera system, a rear differential skid plate and a spray-on bed liner with mini tie-downs. Standard equipment included a moonroof, a stabilizer disconnect mechanism and a 10-speaker JBL audio system.

Another civilized pickup. My Kentucky farmer grandfather would not believe it.

As pickup technology and equipment continue to expand at a nuclear-fission pace, I can hardly believe it myself.

Alas, the best part is enjoying the ride. The current-generation Tacoma checks all the boxes in that department.

Variety, quality are staples of the Mazda CX lineup

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 -- Mazda has this sport-utility vehicle thing covered.

Besides its other SUV models, the CX compact crossover SUV lineup includes EIGHT trim levels, offering variety for the bargain hunter all the way up to the luxury enthusiast.

My recent tester was the 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium with all-wheel drive, priced at a nice mid-level $40,755.

For that price, one gets a lot.

My ride included standard 19-inch black alloy wheels (very handsome), all-season tires, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated power mirrors with embedded turn lamps, a power moonroof, heated/ventilated front seats, lane-keep assist and much more.

So much more that 50-grand would have been a fair sticker price.

Bonus: A suite of max five-star federal government crash test safety ratings, including five stars on the overall score.

On the fly, the 2.6-liter turbo engine (227 horsepower) is a responsive, enthusiastic performer. I was surprised how easily it took on steep hill climbs.

Cruising characteristics were smooth and quiet. Fuel mileage came in at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Mazda seems to have upped the SUV competition ante to levels that boosted the fortunes of Kia and Hyundai ... that is, put a lot of perks in the vehicles for a price that undercuts the competition.

Hard to argue with that formula, especially when it translates to an advantage for the consumer.

Overall, this CX-5 fits the formula, with a suite of customer-pleasing features that won't break the bank.

Given the blizzard of crossover SUVs on the market, that gives the CX-5 a step ahead in this ultra-competitive vehicle segment.

Long-time favorite vehicle still pleases, turns heads

This review first appeared in the September 2025 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 -- All these years, it has followed me around.

At the 1964 Indianapolis 500.

At the 1964 World's Fair in New York.

My mother's first car, a notable fact given that she grew up in poverty and did not get her first driver's license until she was 40 years old.

The car in which I learned to drive.

It's a Ford Mustang, of course ... and yeah, the name still has a romantic ring to it, right?

My recent week in a Mustang Premium coupe certainly proved the point.  In traffic, fellow motorists gave me a thumbs-up.  Parked in various lots around town, my beauty wearing "Carbonized Gray Metallic" paint drew admiring crowds.

I'm not sure that the creators of the Mustang envisioned all that would come when the model was introduced in the early days of Lyndon Johnson's presidency.

Naturally, a lot has happened since then to bring the Mustang into the modern age.

Most pleasant for me was the 2.3-liter turbocharged power plant rated at 315 horsepower.  There's a satisfying rumble when starting the car, and my tester felt strong and smooth when opened up on the highway. It felt more comfortable at 70 miles per hour than it did at 35 mph.

The tested Mustang -- stickered at $51,935 -- included a fair number of high-end components.  That list included Brembo brakes, a 13.2-inch center stack screen, specialized ambient lighting and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For all of its muscle, fuel mileage was pretty fair at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Back in the day, it was common for owners of specific sports cars to wave at each other on the highway.  You get a little bit of that feeling in the Mustang ... Call it the price (or reward) for being an icon.

There are so many sports cars on the market now -- and so much horsepower -- that it's easy to get lost in the blizzard of nicely shaped machines.

But the Mustang takes things a step further, with a strong sense of history behind the wheel, back to a time when American automakers were competing furiously ... and not quite hearing or seeing the wave of high-mileage, foreign-made cars on the horizon.

Philosophy and nostalgia aside, the current Mustang remains a pleasure to drive.

The fact that it's part of automotive history -- and still a head-turner among all ages -- is just a bonus.

BMW sport-ute reviewed in the latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45 sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, October 2025, 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.

Venerable Lexus RX sport-ute rolls onward in style

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 -- Lexus touts the RX as the world's first luxury crossover sport-utility vehicle, rolled out in America ion 1998  ... So, what do you get today for your $60,000?

Based on my week in the 2025 Lexus RX 350h AWD, the answer is: a whole bunch.

Where to start?  Well, yes, that lowercase "h" tells you that this is a hybrid machine. Given the cost of hybrid technology, $60,230 on the tester's bottom line (along with everything else on the vehicle) was pretty reasonable.

The power plant itself is a responsive one rated at 246 horsepower.  My ride actually felt stronger than that number, and a serenely quiet cabin even at full song spoke of typically excellent Lexus engineering.

The hybrid bonus is a healthy 37 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

Inside, one expects to dwell in the lap of luxury, and that's precisely what you get. I particularly liked the power moonroof (part of the F Sport package), elegant ambient lighting and butter-smooth seating surfaces.

Want more?  You get it with max five-star federal government crash test ratings, including five on the overall score.

Fit and finish?  Pretty much perfect.

The exterior look is classic SUV, with classy sculpting on the grille and back liftgate (powered, with kick sensor on the tested model).

Overall, a solid effort from an old reliable.

Considering that you can drop 75- or 80-grand for luxury sport-utes at various dealerships these days, I'd consider the five-seat RX a bargain offering in the high-end crossover SUV market.

Ioniq XRT EV SUV makes the grade in numerous 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 -- I admit it: I was spellbound during my recent week testing the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N AWD sport-utility vehicle.

With dual electric motors and 601 horsepower at my command, how could I not be transfixed?

A week in the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD XRT brought me to my senses, a chance to savor the luxury, engineering and -- wait for it -- off-roading capabilities of the vehicle.  There are reasons that auto reviewers consider the Ioniqs the best of the electric SUV lot, and they could be found in abundance in the tested XRT.

Don't get me wrong ... The XRT is not underpowered.  It too has dual electric motors punching out a healthy 320 horsepower and 446 foot-pounds of torque.  Those numbers produce a nearly silent, silky ride that can turn into a heart-racing thrill if one's right foot is so inclined.

My ride, wearing a sticker of $57,085, was dressed up with plenty of luxury (perhaps not fully appreciated by me in my time in the Ioniq 5 N).  Plenty of high-tech driving-assist features as well.

With a premium Bose audio system blasting away, any trip on the freeway is a pleasure in the XRT, and if you are a careful driver, you might wring a 300-mile range out of the vehicle.

I was surprised at Hyundai's aggressive efforts to tout the XRT's off-road prowess ... "ideal for venturing off the beaten path," as they put it.

And it's not just a claim.  The vehicle is well-equipped for off-pavement adventures.  XRT-exclusive equipment includes suspension lift, 18-inch all-terrain tires, black side sills, all-weather floor mats, camouflage cladding and much more.

I'm sure there are some who wonder why anyone would take their $60,000 SUV into the wilderness, where scratches and dents might await.  But motorists owning luxurious EV sport-utes should be free to have fun in the mud too, right?

All in all, this XRT is a versatile electric machine that appeals to a diverse crowd of motorists.

Sticker shock: How much do you want for that car?

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 -- People who know such things tell me that a sure sign of aging is when your conversations are dominated by your current health ... and constant complaining about the ever-rising price of seemingly everything.

I've been fighting these trends with old codger fury, but some things are hard to avoid.

Like the average price of a new car in the United States hovering right around $50,000. And if you're willing to settle for a used car, the average fare is $25,000 and change.

I've dated myself already, but I distinctly remember that you could get a 1965 Mustang (still craved today) wearing a sticker of less than $2,500.

Yeah, sure, I know .... those times are long gone, along with Mister Ed and The Beverly Hillbillies on the tube.

But I must admit, I don't know how today's wage earners (even decent wage earners) can afford to buy a car ... given the high price of everything else in their American lives.  OK, financing over 72 months might get you there, but that's assuming that you're eating chicken noodle soup six days a week.

I guess I am skewing the game by applying my 1960s-1980s memories/values in the modern age, where you can walk into a dealership and find a blizzard of pickups and sport-utility vehicles priced at $60,000, $70,000 and up.

And sure, the averages are dragged up by super cars.

Pulitzer Prize-winning auto reviewer Dan Neil recently evaluated the 2025 Cadillac Celestiq, a mind-blowing piece of style, performance and engineering.  Price as tested: $395,790.  Yeah, that number will swell your batting average.

So, as we swim through a period of ever-more-exotic exotics, tariffs and electronic vehicles, I expect we will see the average price of a new auto balloon somewhere near the cost of a two-bedroom bungalow on the waterfront in Santa Barbara.

The very thought makes my nerves tingle.  Think I'll grab a $20 latte and sit for a bit.

Another CX-50 ... just as pleasant as previous Mazdas

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 -- Me and the Mazda CX-50 have a thing going on.  We keep running into each other.

And while the compact crossover sport-utility vehicle can be had many ways -- and I've tested almost all of them -- I was fortunate enough this time around to sample the 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus version.

Call it the CX-50 with just about everything.

Up front, I admit that the CX-50 is one of my favorite SUVs for comfort, affordability and getting a lot for a fair price.  I've driven CX-50s all around the state of California and always found them checking a lot of positive boxes.

With the Premium Plus, everything from past experience was sort of amplified.  Not that I was complaining.

The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine rated at 227 horsepower is a definite highlight. It propels the compact SUV with press-to-the-seat authority.  I particularly enjoyed jetting it down a freeway on-ramp, easily slotting it into place and actually backing off from 70 miles power.

Premium Plus?  Maybe Power Plus is more accurate.

Inside, compact does not equate to cramped. And the vehicle can carry a surprising amount of cargo, as I've discovered in previous trips to the California Wine Country.

It looks good on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels and automatic power-folding side view mirrors.

It's not stripped.  Inside, ventilated power front seats are a comfort. A full boat of safety technology is likewise a comfort. 

All this for a bottom line of $44,720.

Will we be running into each other up the road in the near future?  Hope so.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N AWD: hot rod SUV of your dreams

This review first appeared in the August 2025 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 -- So, you have been reluctant to get an electric vehicle for multiple reasons ... including the painful prospect of missing out on the fun of blowing off various, classic sports cars.

Fear not, the tested 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N AWD exists to scratch your itch.

Consider dual electric motors rated at a road-ripping 601 horsepower. Wow, this thing scoots along with alarming intensity.

But wait, there's more.

That little red button placed at 3 o'clock on the steering wheel is called the N Grin Boost feature.  Think of it as what the IndyCar Series drivers call the "push to pass" button.

Push it and you get an additional 40 more horses for 10 seconds.  I should point out that the owner's manual informs one that great care should be exercised when pushing the button.

Wise advice, that. Because pushing the button delivers a press-you-into-the-seat wallop.  I'd advise using it on a wide open stretch of road, with both hands firmly on the steering wheel.

It's that serious a rush.  I felt like I was riding a streak of lightning. Yes, I was hooked.  It's one of the highest highs I've experienced behind the wheel in some time.

And it's essentially guilt-free, given the electric vehicle equivalent ratings of 84 miles per gallon in the city and 72 mpg on the highway.

While all of this is terrific, be advised that the Ioniq 5 is a full-on luxury liner.  My tester was priced at $67,685 and loaded up with plenty of perks to justify that number.

While I was blazing around Mustangs, Corvettes and other iconic sports cars, I also was enjoying heated/ventilated seats, highway driving assist, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a premium Bose audio system, metal pedals and ambient lighting.

The hands-free power liftgate and wireless phone charger also came in handy.

My tester looked particularly aggressive with an all-black interior and an exterior paint job of "Abyss Black."

But for me, it all comes back to performance.

Not only have Hyundai engineers filled up the horsepower tank, they have incorporated useful sports/performance car technologies to maximize driving enjoyment and precision.

Tech features include drift control, torque distribution, launch control and sway control.

Simply put, I can't remember when I've had so much fun driving a sport-utility vehicle.  And an electric one to boot.

Mustang reviewed in latest edition of Cruisin' News

My review of the Ford Mustang Premium coupe can be seen in the latest, September 2025, 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.

Dr. Boost or how I learned to love turbochargers

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'm in between test vehicles right now, which likely prompted a debate (argument) I had with several car-loving friends last week.

Well, it's not like we had anything else to do.

Anyway, my confession is: I love turbochargers.  There, I said it.

It has been a long-running love affair, dating back to some of the snake-like turbos of the 1980s

So sue me....I love that blast you get when the turbo kicks in, when I'm pressed into the driver's seat by invisible hands.  The rush of blazing past common stragglers.  The whine coming from under the hood.

Crazy?  My car-loving acquaintances think so.

They point to turbos causing a flood of problems: heat issues, the dreaded turbo lag and even driver laziness that can lead to losing control of the car.

Please, spare me.  Keep your hands on the steering wheel boys.

Of course, similar debates have blown up in the auto racing world.

I remember Mario Andretti struggling with turbo heat issues in his 1969 Indianapolis 500-winning Brawner Hawk racer.  The team tried putting a suitcase-sized cooler on the back of the car before the race, but Indy officials shot down that plan.

Andretti somehow nursed the car through 500 miles but wondered whether the famous Borg-Warner trophy would stick to the red-hot back of the car during the Victory Lane celebration.

Formula One dabbled in turbos during the "Turbo Era" running from 1977 to 1988. During that time, horsepower in its sleek racers soared from about 500 to more than 1,000.  Horses reportedly hovered near 1,500 in qualifying trim.  Alas, F1 legislated the super turbos out of existence by the end of the 1980s.

Ah, the memories.  Well, time to get back to reviewing cars.

Hope the next one has a turbo.

Ford's Maverick stands out from the pickup crowd

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 -- The dictionary defines maverick as an independent sort, differing from the norm. Separate from the crowd.

And those words are entirely appropriate for the tested 2025 Ford Maverick XLT AWD, a compact pickup that is easy to handle, just-the-right-size for many motorists and priced well below the $50,000 or $60,000 you expect to pay for a full-size pickup these days.

This Maverick can handle chores without taking up all the space in your driveway. That's likely the primary reason that Ford calls it "the truck (Americans) never knew they needed."

But wait, there's more.  The tester was equipped with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine getting 40 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

It's the pickup for the rest of us ... including an ever-growing group of budget-conscious buyers.  The bottom line on my ride was a reasonable $36,860. The starting price on a basic Maverick is less than 30-grand.

Discount, however, does not equate to bare bones.

The long list of standard amenities on my ride included under-seat storage, pre-collision assist and LED lighting all around. The tester's options included rear parking sensors and a 4,000-pound towing package.

The hybrid power plant was efficient and quiet, and passengers commented on the smooth ride in the back seats.

Side note: The gleaming "Velocity Blue" paint job on the tested pickup drew admiring crowds in parking lots and my driveway.

How many times have you wanted a vehicle to occasionally do pickup duty, but handle like a midsize passenger car?

You're talking Maverick's language.

This BMW might be the ultimate sport-utility vehicle

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 -- If you have been out there looking for the ultimate sport-utility vehicle, I think I might have found it.

The recently tested 2025 BMW X5 M Competition midsize crossover SUV has just about everything.

There is a cost. But we'll get to that in a minute.

Like horsepower? How about 617 horses from a 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8?  Yeah, I thought so.

The tested X5 didn't just drive from place to place.  It bolted in the desired direction. Amid a quiet cabin, I felt myself pushed deep into the driver's seat time after time.  On freeway runs, the X5 dispatched lowly speeders with a mere tap on the accelerator.

I quickly learned that I was master of just about everything on the road.  A cool feeling of power?  I confess: yes.

It looks pretty saucy too, with those quad tailpipes, exquisitely sculpted grille and high-riding spoked wheels.

Fuel mileage is a mere 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, but I'm guessing most X5 buyers won't be concerned about that.  There are enough perks stuffed into the vehicle to keep one happy for many a mile.

Where to start?  Besides the full suite of state-of-the-art safety technology features and driving enhancements, the tester was loaded up with crowd pleasers such as a panoramic "Sky Lounge" LED roof, heated/ventilated/massaging seats, carbon fiber trim, wireless device charging and so much more.

There are fancy extras, like BMW Gesture Control, a component that enables operation of the infotainment, navigation and other systems using hand gestures, as opposed to voice/touch prompts.

I think I mentioned earlier that there's a cost for all this.  On my ride, it was $140,175.

Yes, that's a bunch. But it's a fair price to pay for the ultimate SUV manufactured by the maker of ultimate driving machines.

In 'Mustard' skin, Toyota's Prius is one hot number

This review first appeared in the July 2025 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 -- Remember the first-generation Toyota Prius of the 1990s?

Yeah, me too.  Boxy appearance, albeit a car with a then-state-of-the-art hybrid system.

Owners tended to drive the Prius like they stole it.  But even among leadfoot motorists, respect for the brand was in short supply.

Then a couple of years ago, Toyota introduced a fifth-generation model that all but screamed hot sports car.  Motor Trend magazine called it "drop-dead gorgeous."

I was in complete agreement.

Then, a few weeks back, a 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade rolled into my driveway.

Not only did it have the dark, sporty touches of the Nightshade motif, the all-black interior was set off by a super-bright yellow "Mustard" paint job.

That did it for me.  That completed the Prius transition from gawky green machine to super-hot-looking sportster. Kudos to Toyota designers for adding just the right styling touches, without trying to make the car look like a faux Corvette.

And not only did the tested Prius look like a sporty sprinter, it drove like one as well.

With a hybrid system anchored by a 2-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve engine, net horsepower is just a whisper short of 200. From the driver's seat, that translates to smooth, impressive acceleration from standing starts ... and muscular in and out moves in dicey freeway traffic.

It's easy to forget that you're driving a hybrid.

As for passersby and fellow motorists, my yellow beauty drew crowds wherever it was parked.  Almost no one guessed that it was a Prius that drew their attention.

On top of the look and the ride quality, the interior of the Prius has been improved to look more like a performance sedan, as opposed to an energy-monitoring computer screen. A long list of standard controls are within easy reach and easy to use.

My Prius had a couple of worthy options: a 12.3-inch  auto/multimedia screen and a fixed glass roof.

Additional bonus: Max five-star ratings in federal government crash tests, including five on the overall score.

Among other good-news numbers: a combined city/highway rating of 52 miles per gallon.

All this brought the tested model's bottom line to a still-reasonable $36,308, a fair price considering what consumers are paying for hybrid technology these days.

Is it the best Prius ever?  In my view, by a mile.

Hot-rod Hyundai reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N AWD can be seen in the latest, August 2025, 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.

Venerable Ford Explorer cooks with turbo power plant

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 has been through ups and downs over the years, but here is the fact that commands respect for the Ford Explorer: It is America's all-time best-selling sport-utility vehicle.

And of all the Explorers I've test driven over the decades, the recently delivered 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum RWD was the best of the lot.

I'm sure I was influenced by the 3-liter, turbocharged engine with a pavement-scorching 400 horsepower. So strong and so responsive was the power plant that I had to patiently work my way into a comfortable driving pattern.  The first few attempts found me jumping off the line like a dragster.

Once mastered, I easily outperformed everything else on the road, bolstered by a seamless 10-speed transmission.  Silky freeway cruising and cargo carrying capability were once top priorities in my Explorer outings.  Performance bolted to the top spot this time around.

The tester also featured a sleek profile enhanced by 21-inch dark alloy aluminum wheels.

Inside, a comfortable and thoughtfully laid out interior made me (and passengers) feel secure from the get-go. The tester demonstrated admirable stability and agility in both urban and highway runs.

The tester was loaded with off-road chops that included hill start assist and a terrain management system. I also liked the moonroof and ambient lighting, two cool features on a long list of perks.

Fuel mileage clocked in at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.  My loaded version had a bottom line of $57,865 on the sticker.

Overall, the newest Explorer deservedly retains its spot on the Mount Rushmore of sport-utility vehicles.

K4 and CX-50: Two good things in compact packages

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 managed to grab some seat time in two different trim levels of models I recently reviewed. Here's my take ...

The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo compact sedan (pictured) gave me the turbo boost that I typically enjoy.

There is some turbo lag, but once revs are up, the K4 moves along with genuine muscular authority.  The horsepower curve from the 1.6-liter turbo-4 feels more powerful at full song then the advertised 190.

For a compact model, the interior is surprisingly roomy, and a very impressive list of comfort, convenience and safety features are close at hand.

I frankly was stunned to see a most-reasonable bottom line of $31,445 for this feature-loaded sedan. Fuel mileage also was impressive at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

I was pleased with the excellent all-around vision from the cockpit -- a happy departure from other compact models that make one feel vulnerable in dicey traffic.

Is this Kia offering worth a look?

Absolutely, especially in an era of seemingly endless $50,000 vehicles.

The same goes for the tested 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.  I've driven numerous versions of this compact crossover sport-utility vehicle, and it has consistently exceeded my expectations.

Whether I'm hauling a surprisingly large amount of cargo in the back end or managing the generous array of standard features, this CX-50 goes beyond the "compact" label to a decidedly reliable favorite.

My most recent CX-50 tester included a double-long list of perks -- including leather surfaces, a panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing wipers (with de-icer) -- for a bottom line of $40,060.  You might expect to pay around 50-grand for similarly equipped models from other manufacturers.

Bonus: A max five-star overall safety rating in federal crash tests.

Simply said: Another reliable vehicle for those carefully counting their dollars.

Feel-good 4Runner looks handsome in updated skin

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 -- Even now, I sometimes get nervous tooling around in a substantial sport-utility vehicle like the Toyota 4Runner.

You never know who is out there resenting you.

I've heard it before: "Hey, don't you know you're killing the planet?" ... Or: "Does that thing even get 20 miles per gallon?"

Awkward.

But in my recent week in the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited with four-wheel drive, I found nothing but love.

In a Raley's parking lot, a young couple approached, the woman offering, "That really looks nice. What is it?"  Two days later, another parking lot, a middle-age man: "That is a handsome vehicle, son. How much for it?"

Such was my all-around-charming week in the 4Runner dressed in "Heritage Blue" paint.

I'm sure that some of the good vibes radiating from the venerable sixth-generation SUV can be attributed to a 2025 restyling that offers an eye-catching, sporty, wide-shouldered look.  It's a look entirely suited to the bread-and-butter off-road reputation of the 4Runner.

For its part, Toyota refers to the 4Runner as "an icon in American off-road culture." Can't say that I can argue with that.

Even parked, the 4Runner looks ready to take on backwoods trails, and yet I'd feel perfectly comfortable handing the keys over to a valet at a country club.

Inside, a wealth of safety/comfort/convenience features are within easy ready and quickly mastered.  Freeway cruises with the 2.4-liter turbo-4 (278 horsepower) are decidedly smooth and quiet.

My ride was liberally loaded with extras that brought the bottom line to $62,785 -- actually a bit of a bargain considering all that's there.  Fuel mileage came in at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

In sum, Toyota has contemporary-tweaked the 4Runner to what is arguably its best version ever, dating back to its U.S. debut in 1983.