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.

Where have I been? Taking a decidedly lengthy detour

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 -- Those who follow me closely know that I have been out of the lineup for the past couple of weeks or so.

There's a reason for that.  Here it is:

On Dec. 22, I came home from a 3.5-mile jog and was feeling fine as I changed out of my sweats in my garage.  Suddenly, I experienced an overwhelming wave of vertigo ... something that has occasionally happened to me over more than 20 years.

Only this time, I woke up on the concrete floor of my garage with a golf ball-size knot on the left side of my forehead.  My son, Charles, transported me to the emergency room at nearby Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael.  Tests followed.  Conclusion: Nasty fall, probable concussion but, otherwise, no lasting damage. I went home that night.

On Jan. 7, I was overcome with intense pain and pressure in my head and was again rushed to the hospital.  Conclusion this time around: a brain bleed.  In technical terms, a stroke.  What followed was two weeks in the hospital, with more than half that time in intensive care.

After countless tests, readings and meds, I was finally cleared to go home on Monday, Jan. 22. The primary concern has been stabilizing my blood pressure, although the long-standing causes of my medical situation are likely more complex than just that.  Happily, I have no physical or mental handicaps as a result of all this.  For this, I'm most grateful.  And needless to say, the healing powers of being home have already made a difference as I baby step my way back to something like normal.

Some of you sent messages of encouragement my way during this ordeal.  For those, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  Just knowing that people care is a big deal.

And so, the immediate plan is to rebuild my strength -- I lost 20 pounds between Jan. 7 and Jan. 23 -- and get back out on the road again, although my initial car testing likely will be closer to home in the first quarter of the year.

Otherwise, thanks to all who read my words.  It's good to be on the comeback trail....MHG

Set to indulge yourself? Ultra Luxury Toyota is for you

This review first appeared in the November 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 -- Sometimes, you want to indulge yourself ... You've earned it, right?

Few vehicles fill this need better than the tested 2023 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury sport-utility vehicle. When you have a full-size, three-row Lexus SUV that has "Ultra Luxury" in the model name, well, you know you're in for some all-star pampering ... and state-of-the-art technology.

Let's start with the radar-based pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Intelligent cruise control is there, of course. Plus intelligent high beams. And you have a panoramic view monitor to go with your multi-terrain monitor.

Nearly a dozen multimedia/connectivity systems can entertain a platoon and keep you connected to up-to-the-minute data as you cruise along.

Driver and passengers are treated to exquisite leather-stitched seating with embossed headrests.  The second-row seats are captain's chair recliners with massage function.  There's four-zone climate control and a handy cool box in the center console to keep your beverages chilled on your journey.  Thematic ambient lighting is part of the deal, as is a Mark Levinson surround-sound system.

Yes, it's staggering.  And I've only scratched the surface.  Any buyer will need to devote serious time to the owner's manual to make sure he/she masters the myriad functions of the vehicle.

How does it drive?  Rock-solid smooth and surprisingly peppy off the line, thanks to a 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 rated at 409 horsepower.  Accelerations are quick; no need to wait for the revs to load up to feel the SUV's muscle.

I will say that the LX 600 Ultra Luxury looks very much like a shoulder-square SUV, although it rides high on 22-inch forged alloy wheels.

There's a price to pay for the power curve: fuel mileage is only 17 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

So, what's the bottom line on this rolling wonder?  On my tester, the sticker was $130,995. Yes, we're talking about a certain income bracket here.

But if you have the coin, this LX has the goods to make you happy, and then some.  So, set about indulging.