Iconic Ioniq showcases Hyundai's electric mastery

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 -- Hyundai's mastery of the electronic vehicle was on full display during my week in the 2026 Ioniq 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy.

Three rows of luxury and power in a sport-utility vehicle priced at $77,040.  I can't adequately describe the performance characteristics ... Smoothly blasting through a cloud, the vehicle eating up distance with silent, powerful strokes.  Maybe that comes close.

I suppose it's no surprise that Hyundai keeps churning out these remarkable Ioniqs.  After all, the automaker is on record saying it wants to produce more than 20 electric vehicles by 2030.

For now, there's plenty to enjoy.

The electric package on the tester had a fuel mileage-equivalent rating of 91 miles per gallon in the city and 79 mpg on the highway.  It does take some time to recharge this midsize with a standard charger, but once fully powered up, it's worth the wait.

The response from the tester was so instantaneous that I found myself repeatedly darting from a standstill to 50 miles per hour or higher, just to savor the effortless, buttery feel of acceleration.  I was startled by the length of separation I was getting from other cars, including high-horsepower vehicles.

And sure, I could go on and on about the numerous, state-of-the-art comfort, convenience, safety and driving-enhancement features, but there are plenty of basic charms as well.

For starters, there's plenty of room for cargo and passengers.  Volunteer passengers raved about the legroom.  Comfortable seating surfaces also prompted positive reviews.  Some passengers said they didn't want to leave.  I don't think they were joking.

A fine-tuned suspension was a pleasure to experience.  The vehicle softened seemingly every imperfection on the roads.

As we continue to rocket toward an electric vehicle universe, this Ioniq 9 represents a small group of EVs that are carrying the ball, giving motorists a glimpse of what is possible ... and what works well.

Hybrid Forester sport-ute scores with its versatility

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 recently had some seat time in a Subaru Forester Wilderness sport-utility vehicle, and if Subaru was determined to instill an outdoorsy feel in a venerable model, mission accomplished.

So, a separate week in a 2025 Subaru Forester Sport Hybrid probably felt like a plate of leftovers, right?

Not even close.

I'm not sure I've ever experienced two genetically linked models that were so distinctly different in ambience, feel and ... well ... just about everything.

While I am sure that the Forester Sport Hybrid would do just fine on an off-road excursion, it had all the personality of the do-everything vehicle.

Motor Trend magazine summed up the 2025 Forester redesign in one sentence: "The Forester needs to look like it can confidently conquer dirt, mud and asphalt, and it has that down pat."

I couldn't agree more.

Sure, I'd take it to the country club -- yeah, like I'm part of that crowd in my dreams -- after a jaunt in the woods.  Naturally, I'd wash it first.  But the point is that the vehicle has everyman/woman road manners.  A pleasure to drive and a highly functional machine in diverse environments.

And then there's the hybrid bonus -- a powertrain matching a 2.5-liter boxer-4 engine with two electric motor generators.  That will get you 35 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

But wait, there's more.  Some critics felt that the standard Forester power plant lacked sufficient oomph.  But the hybrid system kicks up the power rating to a combined output of 194 horsepower.  In the tester, that was more than enough to handle all driving encounters.

And from there, it's the usual goodies from the Forester formulators: world-class all-wheel drive, a roomy interior, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and top-tier driver-assist technology.

Freeway cruise? A roll in the mud? Family road trip?  The Forester handles all with ease.

And with the tester's price of $39,415, you're getting a feature-loaded SUV that might find you paying $45,000 to $50,000 at other lots not named Subaru.

Kia produces another winner with the Sportage SUV

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 -- You can get lost in the blizzard of compact crossover sport-utility vehicles available at dealerships across the United States.

If you get lost, it's good to know that you'll find contentment if you find yourself behind the wheel of the recently tested 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD.

For the new model year, Kia is offering the latest version of the reliable Sportage with three powertrain choices, two of them hybrid.  For my purposes, I had the internal combustion engine version -- a 2.5-liter in-line 4 rated at 187 horsepower.

The power plant proved smooth and surprisingly gutsy.  I was a nimble warrior in dicey urban traffic, and the engine showed admirable muscle on equally dicey freeways.  It easily darted me in and out of open spaces ... and powered me out of harm's way multiple times when asked.

As a freeway cruiser, it was top-notch. Mileage was pretty fair as well, at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Per usual with Kia, the $42,055 tester was absolutely stuffed with amenities -- enough to keep one's nose buried in the owner's manual for a solid week.

I particularly liked the advance-warning technologies (the kind you might find on Cadillac or Lincoln models at a higher price), the easy-to-master 12.3-inch panoramic display screen and the smart power liftgate.

Also per usual with Kia, top-of-the-line warranties are part of the deal.

Oh, it looked nice as well.  Smooth and tastefully sculpted and wearing handsome "Wolf Gray" paint.

I have become spoiled by Kia's ability to churn out quality motor vehicles, and the automaker has been rightfully awarded for its conversion from a maker of cheap autos to a producer of some of the best autos on the market.

Overall, this Sportage is another quality offering from Kia.

Forester Wilderness reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, December 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.

This Land Rover Range Rover SUV is long on luxury

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 -- In the land of luxury, you want to be careful.

Having tested hundreds upon hundreds of vehicles over the years, there's a tendency to just let it rip when you get a new auto to sample.

But Land Rover gives one pause ... especially taking delivery of the latest Land Rover Range Rover SE 7 LWB (as in "long wheelbase").  After all, you don't want to be making dents in a vehicle that STARTS at $120,700, right?

Precisely.  So, I can say after a week of taking extreme care in the tested Range Rover, it's worth every penny.  Yes, it is, seriously.

The seven-seater radiates luxury.  The white interior surfaces on the tester were perfectly placed and stitched.  And incredibly comfortable.

Surrounded by prime wood and metal materials -- polished to perfection -- I felt like the casual tourist walking into a five-star suite in Manhattan. I'm thinking: "Do I really belong here? I mean my name is not Rockefeller."

I could go through the long, long list of state-of-the-art comfort/convenience/safety features, but rest assured, this particular luxury liner is loaded with only the best, only the most sophisticated, only the most opulent features.  A demanding luxury lover is not going to be disappointed.

The most basic features are exceptional as well.

The 3-liter, in-line 6 engine is rated at 400 horsepower, and it responds instantly with muscular, yet amazingly quiet power.  An iron fist in a velvet glove.

I packed the tester with an exceptional amount of cargo and found it capable of carrying full-size truck levels of stuff.

The long wheelbase takes some time to master, especially in tight parking spots, but the advantages gained in the cargo area make it totally worth it.

Overall, it's a luxury lover's dream.  For those who can afford the fare, enjoy it with care.

Updates on Genesis GV70 sport-ute win over motorists

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 -- You know you are doing something right when former critics of your motor vehicle are now heaping praise upon it.

That was my experience with the tested 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle.  I received multiple online and face-to-face communications from former GV70 haters who now loved the vehicle.

Key reason: A very thoughtful redesign, inside and out.

On the front end, the new GV70 sports a "G-Matrix Crest Grille," which for our purposes means a large, exquisitely sculpted front end -- imposing but not monster-crazy like you see on other luxury sport-utes.

Double-level headlights, a wide-shouldered stance and extended air-intake grilles complete a sporty, aggressive look that combines muscularity and elegance.  A tough look to pull off, but Genesis does it.

A luxurious and highly functional interior look is loaded with useful tech. That includes sophisticated infotainment, adjustable ambient lighting and multiple safety/security systems designed to keep the distracted driver focused on safety.

Power is significant with a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V-6 (375 horsepower).  I found myself weaving effortlessly through downtown gridlock and dicey freeways.  For that purpose, steering was instantly responsive.  Balance was pretty much perfect, with no body sway.

This being a Genesis model, the bottom line of $72,225 is not only justified, but a bargain given the liberal doses of state-of-the-art perks.  To this day, I'm still amazed at all that Genesis gives the luxury buyer for a fair price.

Translation: You might expect to pay $10,000 or more for the same things at other dealerships.

Overall, an impressive reworking inside and out -- without downgrading the refinement one expects in a GV70.

BMW raises the bar in electronic transportation

This review first appeared in the October 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 -- Leave it to BMW to expand the horizons of electronic vehicles.

My recent week in the new-for-2026 BMW iX xDrive45 was a revelation ... a learning experience of what an EV can be.

Luxurious, beautifully styled and high performing with dual electric motors, it's the midsize luxury crossover sport-utility vehicle in full.

Per usual BMW calls it a Sports Activity Vehicle, but it's really so much more than that.

The redesign for 2026 includes eye-catching headlights and can't-miss daytime running lights and turn indicators. My ride was particularly fetching riding on 22-inch wheels.

Fit and finish were world-class.

Oomph was dished up smoothly to the tune of 402 horsepower, but even with my right foot nearly to the floor, I never had the feeling that the power plant was straining.

It took some time for me to get adjusted to the relative electronic silence as the tester cut through traffic with effortless ease.

Passengers commented on the quiet, and the lack of bumps.  The BMW seemed to swallow every imperfection in the road.

Interior space, by the way, was surprisingly roomy for this segment.

The starting price on the iX xDrive45 starts at a surprisingly moderate $75,150, but my tester was dressed up with extras to put the bottom line at $92,775.

It was worth it.

The highlights of several packages included an illuminated kidney grille, an interior camera, driving/parking assists and BMW's very own M Sport touches.

One of the concerns of electric vehicle doubters is range.  That's not a problem with this xDrive45, with a range of more than 300 miles.

For the record, the fuel equivalent mileage ratings are 85 miles per gallon in city driving and 82 mpg on the highway.

The list of standard features (most adding to the luxurious feel) is exceptionally long.  That includes a panoramic eclipsing roof, forward collision mitigation and soft-close automatic doors.

In sum, BMW can legitimately boast that it has constructed the "ultimate driving machine" in the electronic sport-utility vehicle field.