Kia Niro EV provides lessons in electric motoring

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- I've driven numerous electric vehicles in and around my Sacramento-area home base over the years, but taking one on the road far from familiar chargers and streets was a new experience.

Right away, I was nervous as I stared at the Kia Niro EV EX Premium subcompact crossover SUV in my driveway.

I imagine similar feelings will be felt by many Californians in the near future as we make the transition to more electrics on our roadways.

So, the facts of my trip were set in stone: The distance from my home to Windsor in the California Wine Country is about 120 miles ... ideally.  Ideally, because I was leaving on a Sunday, which meant the usual stopped traffic on westbound Interstate 80, stretching all the way to San Francisco.

What if I get stuck in an hours-long gridlock?  What if I have a nervous breakdown watching the Niro's battery range dropping while I'm hopelessly stuck in traffic.  To negate some of this worry, I took a route that avoided a 40-mile portion of I-80 but added about that much mileage to the trip.

The Niro EV advertises a 239-mile range on a full charge.  Just to be sure, I further "trickle charged" it -- that means exactly what it sounds like, a slow-motion charge -- on an external electrical outlet at my home.  Pressing the start button showed me a range of 272 miles. Wow!  That should get me home free, right?

Turns out, that's exactly what it did, even with the vehicle loaded up with three passengers and plentiful luggage.

The Niro performed flawlessly, even enthusiastically with its 150-kilowatt (201 horsepower equivalent) AC synchronous electric motor and 64 kilowatt-hour liquid-cooled lithium ion polymer battery.  The range drain was steady and sure, not a gut-wrenching plunge.

In fact, I started driving in "normal" mode, but quickly switched to "econ."  At first, it took some getting used to, as the regenerative braking action initiated the moment I took my foot off the accelerator.  However, it didn't take long for me to get the rhythm of it, and I found myself buzzing around pokes and zipping through interstate lane changes with ease.

I will say this: My right foot is much lighter on the gas when I'm in an EV.  Fewer hard accelerations, and getting up to freeway speed is a gradual climb.  So, am I a better, more cautious driver with an EV under me?  I would say so, without question.

As for charging, I quickly found multiple charging stations in and around Windsor, including four at the resort where I was staying.  I was frustrated when the charger did not take my ChargePoint card, but a quick toll-free phone call enabled me to put it on my own personal credit card.

Ten hours or charging cost me all of 22 bucks.  Given the price of gasoline right now, I'd say that's a pretty good deal.

My EX Premium version of the Niro EV was lavishly dressed up -- including ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, a wireless phone charger and a Harman Kardon audio system -- for a hefty sticker price of $45,990.

Bottom line: The Niro and the road trip significantly increased my confidence in operating an electric vehicle in the Golden State.  I'm hoping that fellow motorists gain similar confidence, especially as the electric vehicle charging infrastructure grows throughout California.

Hybrid Sienna has plentiful 'family room' features

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- If the goal of a minivan maker is to create the best version of a rolling family room, then Toyota is to be congratulated on the fourth-generation Sienna.

For a vehicle that was running in place for the past few years, the reworked-for-2021 Sienna has a blizzard of changes and upgrades sure to please devotees of the segment.

Most significant, a hybrid powertrain system is found across the entire Sienna lineup.  My tester was the 2021 Toyota Sienna Limited AWD, which touts a segment-first pairing of a hybrid system and all-wheel drive.

The Sienna powertrain combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, electric motors and a hybrid battery pack, generating a combined 245 horsepower.  No plug is needed as the Toyota Hybrid System II charges the battery on the fly.

Fuel mileage comes in at a strong 35 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Toyota touts the powertrain's efficiency and claims that the "2021 Sienna driver might not even notice" the hybrid functions.  I agree.

On the move, the sleek-looking Sienna was every bit as quiet and responsive as a V-6-equipped minivan.  Acceleration is good for this segment, and the tester responded with just a light touch from my hands on the steering wheel.

This being a minivan, you have to make it feel like a home on the road, right?

The Sienna does that with versatile seats that can slide and skate considerable distances into any number of comfortable formations to fit large adults and small kids.

Standard interior perks on the tested Sienna included a dozen JBL speakers, four-zone climate control, multiple media/charge ports, heated/ventilated front seats, second row captain's chairs and a wireless phone charger.

A highly sophisticated rear entertainment center, wireless headphones and a digital rearview mirror were part of a robust package of options.

Throw in a power liftgate, hands-free dual power sliding side doors and a power moonroof, and you get a bottom line of $52,152 on the sticker.

Is that a fair price?

Well, all things considered, Sienna fans have been asking for a major upgrade in their favorite minivan, the better to brag to Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey loyalists. They have that now in the newest Sienna.  So, yes, the price is fair for not only the bragging rights but for the many miles of daily driving and road trip adventures that this Sienna is built to tackle.

Venerable Santa Fe piles on the pleasing perks

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- The Hyundai Santa Fe has been around for 20 years now, and its popularity among American motorists is a major factor behind Hyundai's growth and success in the United States.

I can say, without shame, that I've been a long-time booster of the brand.  For years, I've recommended the Santa Fe to SUV shoppers as it consistently has been stuffed with customer-pleasing features for a bargain price.  It wasn't unusual for a loaded Santa Fe to be priced a good $5,000 a similarly loaded SUV from another automaker.

On top of that, Hyundai's generous warranties sealed the deal.

So, after a recent week in the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Limited AWD midsize SUV, here's a news flash: The current Santa Fe has much more to like.

So much more.

And this hybrid version is worth a look beyond the standard Santa Fe, which was rated Motor Trend magazine's No. 2 midsize SUV on the market, trailing only the Subaru Outback.

For me, it begins with a super-sporty look in this segment. The main course is the large, three-dimensional grille with a head-turning LED illumination feature.  Motor Trend called the "menacing maw" the centerpiece of "frightening front-end styling."

I call it cool.

Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels and wearing "Lagoon Blue" exterior paint, my ride stood out from the crowded SUV field.

The hybrid powertrain includes a turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine and permanent magnet synchronous motor, a system that generates around 225 horsepower.

On the fly, the tester was a silky smooth cruiser on freeways and an able slalom machine on city streets.  Climbing ability was good.  Interior cabin noise was minimal.

Interior room and cargo capacity are ideal for urban dwellers and rural residents.

Fuel mileage on the tester was a solid 33 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

This being a Hyundai, I was once again impressed by how well equipped it was, especially given the pricier, similarly equipped competition.

My Hyundai hybrid's standard equipment included heated front/rear seat (plus a heated steering wheel), power release second row seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, remote smart park assist and a panoramic sunroof.

Top-flight safety technology also was part of the standard deal.

That's a $50,000 package on other midsize SUVs.  The bottom line on my ride came to $41,290.

Tempting?  Yes.  Test drive-worthy?  Positively.

Genesis GV80 brings some heat to the SUV segment

This review first appeared in the June 2021 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin' News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California ­– In  just a little more than five years, Hyundai's luxury division, Genesis, has established itself as a major international player in the highly competitive luxo market.

It has done that with exceptional engineering, innovative designs and primo feature-loaded cars selling for a fair price.  And horsepower.

That last item was of particular interest for 2021 as Genesis introduced its first-ever sport-utility vehicle -- the midsize GV80. How would the GV80 stack up in a segment not necessarily known for robust performance?

Quite well, it turns out.

My week in the 2021 Genesis GV80 AWD 3.5T Advanced Plus -- pictured; photo by Charles Glover -- was a special experience. I enjoyed the exquisite. attractive interior and the luxury features that have blown away other auto reviewers.  But I also had a blast putting the GV80 through some very aggressive paces.

It was like having a Chevy Camaro and a Cadillac Escalade in the same week.

Power on the tester was generated by a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V-6 rated at 375 horsepower.  It makes the zero-to-60 miles per hour trip in six seconds flat.

Got your attention?  Yeah, it's one hot SUV.

Even better, it corners tight and sure.  Some have criticized what they called its less-than-smooth cruising characteristics.  I don't share that criticism.

There is a price to pay for the power curve; the GV80's fuel mileage ratings are a tepid 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

Inside the vehicle, it's a world of thoughtful luxury and wonderful design. The tester had matte finish wood trim, leather seating, heated front and second-row seats, a 14.5-inch high-definition screen and much, much more. That was backed by a full suite of state-of-the-art safety technology. Everything was enhanced by stylish touches, including beautiful stitching work on the seats.

All of it was standard, with a bottom line of $66,475 Expect to pay 80-grand and up for a similar package from another automaker.

And it looks racy from the outside, with another stylish feature: perfectly integrated quad lamps on the front end.

All that might be enough to sit back and relax for a car company that pulled down Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year award in 2019,  with the G70 sedan.  But more attention was focused on the GV80 in February, when golf superstar Tiger Woods violently crashed the one he was driving in Southern California. Excessive speed was blamed. That might have been the public relations kiss of death for some.  But the news turned positive for another reason: It was widely reported that the safety features of the GV80 likely saved Tiger's life in the horrendous rollover crash.

These and other factors are things to consider in a new-to-market SUV.  As for me, my only gripe was the lack of a floor-mounted  shifter as opposed to the console-mounted rotary gear changer. This GV80 is powerful enough to justify old-school floor shifter fun.

Sporty Cadillac sedan reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

Check out my review of the 2021 Cadillac CT4 V-Series compact luxury/sport sedan in the latest, August 2021, edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News, published out of Folsom, California, by John Sweeney and Evonne Sotelo.

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

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