Most important drive of the year: to the ballot box

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 -- Election Day has arrived.  Why should the typical motorist be focused on that?

Plenty of reasons.

There are myriad issues with direct impacts on the auto industry, and your vehicles.

And if you dig deep enough into where individual candidates stand on the issues, you'll find a blizzard of transportation beliefs that could become law in the near future.

Yeah, sure.  But will it really make a difference if I vote?

Ask that in the hot-button state of Michigan, where the auto industry is awash in concerns, everything from labor contracts to future growth.  If you are an auto worker in Michigan, you've already seen robotics take over some jobs.  How many more jobs are on the line as artificial intelligence continues to spread its wings?

And what about those high tariffs on Canadian products that end up in Detroit-built cars?

Yes, you say, but that's not California.

True, but California has been committed to development of electric vehicles and the all-important expansion of EV infrastructure.

Will California change course? I don't know.

But you do.  You have a say by showing up at the ballot box.  And for those of you who have already voted, thank you for weighing in.  The whole election process, as awkward as it sometimes seems, was created for you.

So please, get out and vote.  Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say.

Genesis 'Batmobile' sedan is a saucy vision in black

This review first appeared in the September 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 -- There's a Batmobile parked in my driveway.  A vision in black. Seriously.

It's a 2026 Genesis G90 3.5T E-SC MHEV Prestige Black AWD sedan. Yeah, Batmobile for short. Works for me.

For all its black motif menace, the interior of this sedan is awash in delicious features and opulent luxury.

Price on the tester: $107,895. Worth every penny, in my view.  I'm pretty sure you'd be paying $125,000 and up for the equivalent car from another automaker.

Power is generous, thanks to a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 matched with a 48-volt electric supercharger. It's rated at 409 horsepower, and when asked, the sedan delivers all those horses in a smooth, yet surprisingly quiet burst.

Accelerations off the line are strong, but the G90 is particularly impressive when the revs are up.  I found myself easily darting around pokes and stragglers on the highway.  In city traffic, the G90 moved with instant response and cat-like agility.

Even with the electric assist, fuel mileage reflects the power curve: 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Stepping into the driver's seat, I'm struck by the richness of my surroundings.

Leather seating surfaces are buttery smooth, massage functions are subtle and comforting, three-zone climate control pleased volunteer passengers and the surround-view monitor is extremely helpful.

There is so much to assist the driver and provide comfort to the passengers.  Genesis warranties, beyond generous, provide an extra layer of security.

The black touches are everywhere and a feast for the eyes.  They include 21-inch black alloy wheels with floating center caps, polished black door handles, black control buttons and black ash wood interior trim.

For those who like dark touches in their vehicles, I'm not sure you could do any better than this Genesis model.

But really, it's more than that.

For me, it's the car almost shouting superior craftsmanship.  There are those vehicles that draw people to your driveway. This is one of them.

Granted, this Genesis is marketed to a high-end audience, but again, it has been priced within range of consumers who simply want to move up in class.

Worth the investment, if you can swing it.

Toyota's C-HR combines value, perks, electric power

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 -- Affordability is the issue of the day ... Just check out the political ads on TV.

Naturally, motor vehicles are part of the mix, in an era where American motorists are keeping their autos for a dozen years or more.

So, let's say you're looking for a practical-size, affordable sport-utility vehicle that's not going to end up crushing your wallet at the gas pumps every week or so.

A nice fit would be this week's tested model: the the 2026 Toyota C-HR XSE AWD.

It's a subcompact with an easy-on-the-eyes price. Mine showed  $42,979 on the bottom line, a welcome relief amid the blizzard of $50,000, $60,000 and up sport-utes on the market.

Did I mention that my tester was electric?  For those still pondering the future of electrics, get a load of these numbers: 122 miles per gallon equivalent in the city and 102 mpg-e on the highway.

Tempting, yes?

While my C-HR was a relative bargain, it was not stripped.  It was generously appointed with perks that included traffic jam/lane-change assist, panoramic view monitor, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a power liftgate.

But the biggest surprise for me?  The power.

It might have helped if I'd read the sticker first, but the first time I really nailed the accelerator, I was mashed deep into the cockpit seat.

That's what a 338 horsepower rating on a small vehicle will do for you.

Not that I was upset.  I had a great time dusting off freeway stragglers and suburban pokes.

Charging was easy and efficient.

All in all, a fun week of motoring in a little vehicle that offers a lot to a wide range of motorists.

Kia's Telluride SUV appeals to rich and rugged tastes

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 -- Back in 2019, Kia created a sensation with the introduction of the Telluride sport-utility vehicle.

The former maker of cheap transportation rolled out a sizable, three-row, rugged sport-ute capable of competing with any of the big boys on the market.

Reviewers responded positively, and with a second generation introduction in 2026, more praise came Kia's way.

After a week in the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD model, I can tell you that things continue to be serene in the Telluride camp. It's rugged and cultured ... at home on a muddy trail or at a classy country club valet drive-through.

I particularly liked the saucy power plant, a 2.5-liter turbo rated at 274 horsepower and 311 foot-pounds of torque. It felt stronger than those numbers in my hands, particularly on sharp hill climbs in the Sierra Nevada.

News flash: The Telluride can be equipped with a 2.5-liter turbo hybrid with a fuel mileage rating of 35 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving. The numbers on my non-hybrid tester were 17/22.

I'd characterize the interior as the picture of western luxury, with LED ambient lighting and wood interior accents.  Volunteer passengers commented on seat comfort and a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere.

My ride was dressed up with a head-up display, all-terrain tires and numerous driving-enhancement/safety perks.  I was guessing a $70,000 package, but this being a Kia product, the bottom line was a decidedly reasonable $59,580.

All in all, this generation of Telluride is further evidence of Kia's remarkable transition from a producer of bargain-basement autos to its current status as a global player.

Bronco carries on with outdoorsy Outer Banks model

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 -- Another week, another Ford icon.

This time around, it's the Ford Bronco, dating back six generations and arriving on the scene when Lyndon Johnson was president.

My tester was a special edition: a 2026 Ford Bronco Outer Banks 4X4 model. And while this compact  had special touches and a fair amount of luxury for nearly $70,000, the Bronco in general holds a special place in my heart.

What would that be?

Well, it's a sport-utility vehicle that doesn't look like all the other SUVs.  Yeah, I like that, given that half the motoring public likely cannot name a specific SUV model when a dozen of them are lined up in a parking lot.

And the look has remained rugged.  Like that too.  Nothing like a vehicle that can drive up a mountain and split a few logs along the way.

Part of that is due to the current power structure, which was part of the tested vehicle.  It was loaded with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 rated at 330 horsepower and 415 foot-pounds of torque.

That power plant moved my ride around with eye-popping muscle, and I didn't mind the satisfying growl from the engine compartment.

For all that brute strength, today's Bronco is civilized and downright luxurious.  Roomy too.

My Bronco sported LED signature lighting, a 60th anniversary package, a Sasquatch package (think off-road muscle and meaty tires), a sound-deadening headliner, a tool kit for door/top removal and a 12-inch center/control display.

That's about as diverse a features package as I've ever experienced.

All that and distinct looks, a storied history and a boatload of off-road driving enhancements. No wonder the Bronco has lasted so long and has been loved so much by Ford enthusiasts.

Trailseeker SUV reviewed in the latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, October 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.

Explorer Tremor reaches out to outdoor enthusiasts

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's one of the original sport-utility vehicles, bowing in 1990 when SUVs were just catching the attention of American motorists.

It has been around so long that it has endured both criticism and high praise from a diverse group of consumers.

It is billed by its maker as "America's all-time best-selling SUV."

It's the Ford Explorer, and for the 2026 model year, Ford introduced a special version, and my test ride: the 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor 4WD.

In simple terms, it's a big, off-road-oriented version of Ford's classic sport-ute.  My loaded version was priced at $64,705.

I could write a book about all it had.  Suffice it to say that it is an upscale mix of rugged outdoor transportation and contemporary luxury and technology.

Yes, it is big-shouldered, and the fuel rating is 17 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, and yes, it scored a max five stars in federal government crash tests.

But it's so much more.

For starters, it was remarkably muscular for such a big guy, thanks to a 3-liter, turbo V-6 engine rated at 400 horsepower.  With that amount of oomph, you can tow virtually all of your outdoor adventure toys into the woods.

What a mix of outdoor perks and luxury features to be had here!: power liftgate, skid plates, leather-wrapped steering wheel (with heat), moonroof, power folding rear seats, off-road-tuned suspension, ambient lighting, 14-speaker primo audio, 18-inch all-terrain tires, 5G modem, underbody protection and ample ground clearance.

For all that the standard Explorer offers for the typical motorist, this Tremor is a substantial cut above, no matter where you plan on driving it.

I'm guessing it will prompt more than a few freeway commuters to sample the charms of the unpaved wilderness trails.