Subcompact Hyundai Venue SUV is packed to please

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 automaker that brought you the Palisade sport-utility vehicle doesn't mind thinking small.

That's why we have the 2026 Hyundai Venue, a subcompact packed with a lot.  My tester was the SEL trim level, with the extra bonus of a two-tone roof.

Upon receiving the vehicle, my eyes drifted toward the sticker's bottom line, where I saw the number $24,440. Now there's a price I can live with these days.

And while we're talking subcompact here, there was plenty to like in my ride. Particularly plentiful were the safety technology features.  Among the perks were collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic collision warning and driver attention warning.

Combined with Hyundai's usual top-flight warranties, I felt about as secure as I could be in the little sport-ute.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with dual-port fuel injection (121 horsepower).  My Venue scooted admirably with those numbers and climbed hills with just a touch of noise increase reaching the interior cabin. Volunteer passengers liked the ride, noting that highway imperfections were not reaching their backsides.

Fuel mileage is good at 29 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Other standard surprises for the advertised price included a wireless phone charger, heated side mirrors and heated front seats.

And it looks sharp rolling on those 17-inch alloy wheels.

I could picture a satisfied buyer (for that price, yeah!) enjoying many a commute and numerous road trips in this Venue. Thinking small has its advantages.

Mazda3 has all the makings of an ideal motor 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 -- Practical, affordable, reliable.

You can sell a lot of cars with those traits. Take the Mazda3 sedan, for example.

My tester was the 2026 Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition AWD version, with a bottom line of $32,520.  That's an easy-on-the-eyes number in a world of numerous vehicles priced at $40,000 and up.

And for that price, a lot was included.

I particularly liked the power sliding glass moonroof, the 8.8-inch color center display and the grippy four-wheel disc brakes.

This being a Carbon Edition, the look is striking. The tester sedan was dressed up with Polymetal Gray Metallic premium paint, Jet Black Mica exterior touches and a red leather interior.  Art of the car, and nicely expressed.

The safety/security package on the tester included a generous number of features, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and radar cruise control.

The 2.5-liter engine, rated at 186 horsepower, is completely competent -- good off the line and responsive in traffic. Fuel mileage is pretty fair at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A full boat of max five-star federal government crash test ratings is a bonus.

So while this might come off as a laundry list of talking points, it all goes back to the beginning -- a practical, affordable, reliable sedan in an era of challenging household budgets and high prices.

That's pretty much transportation gold for value shoppers, first-time new-car buyers and maybe even households looking for a solid second car.

This Mazda3 meets all those needs.

 

Toyota's bright-blue Sequoia SUV makes some waves

This review first appeared in the May 2026 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 -- Toyota calls it Wave Maker.

It's the exterior paint color on the tested 2026 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid, a three-row sport-utility vehicle that demands attention.

And it does indeed make waves.

The color has been described as a vibrant blue-teal, but that doesn't really cut it.  Super blue works. Teal on steroids is closer to the truth.

Take it anywhere and heads snap around, eyes fixed on the vivid beauty. It's safe to say that you'll never have trouble finding it in a crowded parking lot, even if it's parked a quarter mile away.

Bottom line: I liked it.  And yeah, I liked the attention it drew.

But color is just the beginning.

The tester was a beast ... a bicep bulging, big-shouldered marvel with massive tires capable of taming seemingly any off-road terrain.

And it had the guts to back it up.

Power is provided by a 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 rated at 437 horsepower and a monster 583 foot-pounds of torque.  It rumbles upon start-up, and on the go it gobbles up space like a ravenous Pac-Man.

I can't imagine anything in the off-road world slowing it down.  A mountain, maybe.

For special terrain challenges, there's technology to help out. In addition to multi-terrain settings, the Crawl Control feature functions as a low-speed, off-road cruise control -- maintaining speed while the driver concentrates on steering.

Descent control is also part of the standard package.

The inside of the tester was appropriately macho, with rugged, black floor mats featuring raised, hard-rubber patterns -- sort of a mini-Grand Canyon of floor protection.

But for all its get-outta-my-way machismo, the tester was likewise equipped with civilized perks -- massaging seats and a sophisticated multimedia system among them.

Power folding rear seats are a plus, creating a sizable cargo-carrying space or comfort for three.

Fuel mileage comes in a 19 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

And the bottom line on the tester was a hefty $88,196. Pricey, but given the package, a fair number.

All in all, this is an off-road vehicle of your dreams with a paint job that draws a crowd.

A wave maker to be sure.

Luxurious BMW wagon reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the BMW M5 Touring hybrid wagon can be seen in the latest, June 2026, 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.