Three for the road: SUVs loaded with quality, perks

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 experienced some sport-utility vehicle overload as the summer wound down.

But in the interest of letting you know about three good ones -- as opposed to parking them for late autumn -- here's the scoop:

2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness (pictured) -- It has been around for a long time, winning hearts and minds ... especially among outdoor enthusiasts.

Think of the tested Wilderness as the ultimate outdoor vehicle for a new generation of Outbacks. Subaru's website shows it sloshing through mud and climbing over rocks, and given what I experienced, I can tell you that this SUV will win those battles every time.

My ride was priced just a touch beyond $50,000, and it was equipped with a long list of features to conquer the wild lands. Even the roof rails are raised and reinforced.

Fuel mileage is pretty fair at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

I know I've recommended various sport-utes for off-roading purposes, but if this Wilderness is not at the top of your test-drive list for off-pavement excursions, it should be.

2026 Subaru Uncharted GT -- Another Subaru, but a completely different vibe.  For starters, it's an electric vehicle.  And I should add: it moves with muscular authority from a standing start, courtesy of an electric power train rated at 338 horsepower.

The sporty performance is matched with a sleek, aerodynamic profile.  Absolutely an eye-catcher.

Some electrics have found me staring at the battery charge percentage and worrying away the day.  Not so in this five-passenger Uncharted.  Pure driving pleasure, with excellent road manners.

Oh yes, you can take this EV off-road.  And you will be worry-free with 8.2 inches of ground clearance.

My ride was priced at $46,215 and loaded with standard features.  Had I been forced to guess the price before reading the sticker, I would have estimated a bottom line of $55,000 to $60,000, so yes, a bargain to be had here.

2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus -- Mazda just keep churning out these quality sport-utes, and this compact crossover SUV is worth a look.

The starting price is a most reasonable $38,990, and even my loaded version was an easy-on-the-eyes $41,080.

For that you get a peppy 187 horsepower engine, leather trimmed seats, a marvelous 15.6-inch color center display and heated seats throughout ... and a full suite of driving-enhancement/safety features.

Fuel mileage is good at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the open road.

I know for a fact that some buyers are paying much more to obtain lesser vehicles in this segment ... when they should have made the Mazda lot their first stop.

Everything is just right with this Toyota Tacoma pickup

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 -- For my purposes, it's the Goldilocks pickup truck.

Not too big.  Not too complicated.  Not too expensive. Just right all the way down the line.

My tester was the 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4X2 Double Cab.  The extravagantly loaded midsize truck was priced at 50,544 ... significant coin to be sure, but a feel-good number in an era of $60,000-to-start pickups.

I understand that pickup purchases are based on need.  No construction pro worth his tools wants to be laughed off the job site showing up in a comparatively miniature model.

But for my suburban needs, the Tacoma works.

I like its agile footwork.  I don't feel like I'm about to cause a multi-car crash in a tight parking lot when I'm at the wheel of a Tacoma.

The bed is just right for trips to the garden center, and should I need a washing machine, that big box will fit just fine in the back end of the Tacoma.

Driving manners are excellent.  No rattles, roars or hard bumps enter the cabin.  Instead, the tester's 2.4-liter turbocharged engine dishes up impressive power and torque in smooth doses.  The tested Tacoma was surprisingly strong off the line, dusting off sedan stragglers with ease.

Fuel mileage was fair at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Would I take it off-road?  Absolutely.  Park it at the country club?  No problem.  The sleek lines and sculpted grille look at home wherever the Tacoma roams.

My ride was opulently dressed up, but a basic Tacoma double cab can be had for a just a few bucks more than 40,000 on the nose -- a bargain in this segment.

And given its history of reliability, the Tacoma is built for the long haul. Years of just-right service.  What a concept!

BMW sedan is the ultimate in luxury, perks, technology

This review first appeared in the August 2026 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- How much do you expect from a car? What makes you sit up and pay attention?

How about a BMW 760i xDrive sedan stickered at $174,725?

I have been reviewing motor vehicles for decades and climbed into hundreds of cockpits. But this one intimidated me from the start.

And no, not because of the price ... although the words HANDLE WITH CARE accompanied me from the moment I saw it.

What intimidated me was that the car was packed with so much ... and stood ready to take on more.  In a full week with the vehicle, I'm not sure I really scratched the surface.

Sure, the windshield wipers worked and the variable driving modes were spot-on.

But beyond that were dozens upon dozens of features to try out.  I eventually got to a lot of them, but only for a short time.  Those that I did get to and liked included voice head-up display, nearly head-to-toe massaging seats and a cool parking assist.

And there were other perks that were interesting, but I'm not sure I needed some of them, even at my advanced age.  That would include automatic soft-close doors.

Did I get a chance to program various functions into the vehicle?  How about software updates/upgrades? Nope.  Ran out of time.

Bottom line: This BMW is so packed with technology, electronic marvels and luxurious perks that one is inclined to ask if special permission is needed to drive it.

Oh, as for driving, it's amazing.  How to describe it?

Picture yourself in a rolling bank vault that doubles as a  presidential suite in a five-star hotel.  Yeah, solid and secure to the max, with super-spoiling luxury.

You want power?  Plenty of that too.

The 4.4-liter, TwinPower Turbo V-8 is rated at 536 horsepower.  Torque tops at 553 foot-pounds at a mere 1,800 revolutions per minute.

It's a different kind of power, however.

The vehicle is so solid and noise-reducing that hard accelerations feel like an easy jog in the park. You do get a realization of the power when you are quietly blowing past cars that seem glued to the pavement.

While it takes some juice to get this big-shouldered sedan moving, the fuel mileage rating is not terrible: 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

It's a superb highway cruiser.  Frankly, if it was mine to keep, I'd probably avoid taking it into tight city parking garages, lest a careless motorist would scratch the exquisite paint job.

So, there you have it: the ultimate luxury machine for the financially fortunate pleasure seeker.

A bit beyond my means.  But I enjoyed my week on Fantasy Island.

Hyundai has another EV triumph in its Ioniq 9 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 -- Hyundai has been bombing the U.S. market with one quality sport-utility vehicle after another ... after another ... after another.

Now comes a luxury-loaded, three-row, electric beauty that also features muscular performance.

Hyundai calls it the Ionic 9 ... or specifically in my case, the 2026 Hyundai Ionic 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy.

Hyundai's Ionic line was already getting praise in some corners as the best electrics on the market.  This Number 9 version only strengthens that argument.

Where to begin?  It looks good.  Solid and broad-shouldered, with nice cuts in profile.  The look is all SUV, with a big helping of class.

Maximum five-star federal government safety ratings are prominent on the sticker, with a bottom line of $77,335 on my ride.

The miles per gallon equivalent is a gaudy 91 mpg in the city and 79 mpg on the highway, enough to tempt even the most dedicated internal-combustion engine devotee.

Oh-so-loaded was my tester.  Safety technology alone is massive, including four collision-avoidance systems.  By my reckoning, you couldn't dent this thing if you tried.

Super-generous Hyundai warranties?  Naturally.

Dual electric motors provide a satisfying rush on hard accelerations.  Surrounding vehicles seem to freeze in time when the accelerator is pressed hard.  Freeway cruising is a quiet, silky pleasure.  Good range on a full charge ... up to 335 miles.

Overall, it's the contemporary EV in full.  For those still on the fence about EVs, this Ioniq 9 makes the case for a bright future of electric motoring.

Special Genesis sedan reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2026 Genesis G90 3.5T E-SC MHEV Prestige Black AWD sedan can be seen in the latest, September 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.

Lots to like in the latest generation of Toyota's RAV4

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 my favorites ... and definitely a favorite of millions of American motorists who have purchased it over six model generations.

It's the Toyota RAV4, or America's compact crossover SUV if you will.

Chief among the changes introduced for the 2026 model year is this: the RAV4 lineup is all hybrid.

My tester was the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD priced at $46,883.  Loaded with features -- so many that I had to make a list to make sure I did not overlook trying one out -- it was a standard equipment bonanza.

Other reviewers noted the same, especially impressed with numerous safety technologies.

JBL audio/multimedia was particularly impressive and two wireless chargers took me by surprise in this segment.

At the heart of the machine was a peppy hybrid powertrain anchored by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a gas-electric combined net horsepower rating of 236, up from previous models.  The hybrid payoff comes in gas mileage: 43 miles per gallon in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway for the tested RAV4.

The new generation offers multiple trim levels, and all of them are sportier-looking than RAV4s of days gone by.

Everything new and shiny pleased the heart, but frankly, the most enjoyable part of my week was the driving experience. 

As in past models, the roll was smooth and quiet.  A comfortable feel through the steering wheel all but begged one-handed driving.  A tight turning radius and instantly responsive manners in dicey traffic were greatly appreciated ... Toyota engineering remains top tier. Ditto fit and finish.

Overall, Toyota has wisely preserved and improved its SUV gem.  I have to believe it will remain a top pick among American motorists for years to come.

Normally reliable Hyundai Santa Fe doesn't disappoint

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've sung the praises of the Hyundai Santa Fe before.  No reason to change things this time around.

My recent tester was the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD. And it included the usual laundry list of Hyundai positives.

Where to start? How about a practical midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle that handles like an agile sedan?

There's that and a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine getting a healthy 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway.

Priced at $52,340, my ride was stuffed with safety, comfort and convenience features ... the amount and kind you pay $60,000 and up for in other makes/models.

Generous warranties of course.

In short, Hyundai's Santa Fe hits the target for all the primary desires of many American auto buyers ... in the hugely popular SUV segment no less.  If you were drawing up the American prototype for this very moment (including fuel savings) you probably could not do much better than this particular Hyundai.

Personally, I enjoyed its comfort and easy steering.  Volunteer passengers liked the interior, with several calling it "luxurious" -- not something you typically hear in a midsize SUV market.

Digital features are easy to reach, master and use.

Turning radius is tight, and just right for even the tightest parking lots.

Extra goodies -- like a heated steering wheel -- are a helpful surprise.

And did I want to hand it over at the end of my testing week? ... Absolutely not.

That probably says more than anything about this sport-ute.