More to like in the reworked Chevrolet Traverse

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen on the Business page of The Sacramento Bee’s website – www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

Sacramento, California – One of the drawbacks of reviewing scores of new motor vehicles over a given time is that you can become jaded … Expectations are locked in, and that sets you up for the occasional jolting surprise.

Take the recently reviewed 2018 Chevrolet Traverse FWD Premier, a three-row crossover sport-utility vehicle.  I expected some typical SUV fare.

What I got was more … much more.

Reworked for the 2018 model year, the current Traverse is a feature-stuffed player that, in my view, reaches out to virtually every need an SUV buyer can name.

In short, the Traverse I tested was an impressive work wagon-daily driver-road trip dreamboat.

Styling is pretty classic SUV, and fuel mileage is fairly typical for this segment – 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Beyond that, things get pretty serious.

Safety and security features on the tested Premier – with a bottom line of $46,265 on the sticker – were what I’d expect from a $60,000 vehicle. Cameras all around, rear park assist, blind spot alert and surround vision were exceptional perks.

The interior features were likewise plentiful, including top-drawer leather surfaces, heated/ventilated seats, power tilt/telescoping steering column, multiple folding-seat configurations, a Bose sound system and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Best of all, the 3.6-liter V-6 engine – matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission, by the way – was an able performer in city traffic, on busy freeways and on twisty country roads.  Performance actually felt stronger than the advertised 310 horsepower.

Freeway cruises were smooth and quiet.  Even with three rows of seating, the Traverse was agile in slalom maneuvers.

The thought ran through my head that this would be the perfect vehicle for a prolonged road-trip vacation.  You could carry family and plenty of cargo, and frankly, I couldn’t imagine getting tired in the cockpit as everything was that comfortable … plus lots of entertainment options to keep everyone interested.

Kudos to Chevy.  Their improvements ended up being just that.

Toyota's new crossover SUV a strong addition to lineup

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen on the Business page of The Sacramento Bee’s website – www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

Sacramento, California – Calling a motor vehicle a “subcompact” can give a false impression … that maybe the car is so small that adults can’t fit into it.

The new-for-2018 Toyota C-HR is a subcompact crossover sport-utility vehicle, and I’m here to tell you that adults fit in it just fine. And beyond that, the C-HR is a comfortable, nice-handling piece of work that is delightfully useful for transporting humans or knocking off chores.

The recently tested 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium was the latest in a series of small crossover SUVs I sampled last year, and while it’s a close call, I think it’s my favorite.

For starters, it’s nicely sculpted on the front end and in profile, offering up a pleasing look that goes way beyond SUV-basic.

The 18-inch alloy wheels look decidedly sharp.

Inside, the interior cabin is surprisingly spacious and versatile.  From the cockpit seat, controls are easy to reach and understand.  A generous list of standard safety features on the tester was impressive, including a lane-departure alert and radar-assisted cruise control.

Convenience features were likewise plentiful for this segment, with automatic high beams and a spot-on dual-zone climate-control system leading the way.

Fuel mileage was very good at 27 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

I thought the 2-liter, four-cylinder power plant might struggle, but I was wrong.  The 144-horsepower engine was more than adequate across the range of driving conditions.  It was pretty robust off the line as well.

Passengers commented on how smooth the ride was on the freeways.

In essence, Toyota has given fans of small SUVs another option below the automaker’s RAV4, and it’s an entirely functional option, not a trade-down.  Even with a few extras, the bottom line on the tester was a reasonable $25,945.

The C-HR is an easy-to-like daily driver and would be equally useful as a second, chore-running vehicle in suburbia.  For those who want to send their kids off to college in something more than a compact sedan or coupe, the C-HR is worth a look.

And I know you’re dying to know: What does C-HR stand for?

Answer: Coupe-High Rider. Yes, I know.  It's confusing, but catchy.

Fast and flashy, Z Roadster lives up to the brand

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo reviews of the latest motor vehicle models also can be seen on The Sacramento Bee’s website at www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

This review first appeared in the December 2017 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – Some cars need only a single name to project an image … Mustang and Camaro, for example.

Other cars need only a single letter: Z.

I had not been behind the wheel of a Nissan roadster for too long a time, so I was grateful for the recent offer to put a 2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster through its paces.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, it was like I had never left.  The car radiated its familiar personality, all flash and very fast on the draw.  And very well equipped, I might add.

I first drove a Z up the California coast back in 1984, and I’ll never forget the thrill of its acceleration or the throaty exhaust note it presented when my right foot dropped down on the accelerator.  I was pretty much hooked right away.

The current-generation Z droptop with a 3.7-liter V-6 and 332 horsepower represents a serious evolution from that Z of years ago.  The tested Z moved with impressive authority that far exceeded the Zs of my memory.

Even more impressive, it was monorail-solid in high-speed maneuvers on a twisty Sierra Nevada roadway.  It felt glued to the driving line, yet so comfortable that I felt like I could have one-handed it through the corners.

With the top down, you draw lots of stares, approving looks and thumbs-up signs.  The 370Z Roadster’s classic, sleek lines are accentuated with the roof safely tucked away.  And yes, it feels great cutting through the air on the open road.

By the way, the 370Z Roadster’s fully automatic top slips out of sight in 20 seconds, a show that never gets old.

The four-wheel, vented disc brakes were exceptional and gave me a feeling of confidence even as I was pressing the car to challenge traction on a corner.

For the uninitiated, the Z’s finely tuned sport suspension is perfect for slalom runs, but you do feel road imperfections in your tailbone.

The tester’s interior included a nicely arranged package of perks, including a strong audio system and cupholders that actually do the job even when the 370Z is at full song.  Sometimes, the simple things are the most appreciated.

Fuel mileage was fair at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

 

Please note that you can move up to Z sportsters with more muscle, but for me, the V-6 with 332 horses provided plenty of rush for my taste.

One small gripe: My view out the back of the vehicle was somewhat limited, but that’s a minor complaint in this segment.

The starting price for the basic roadster is $41,820, and from there you can move up to the 370Z Roadster Touring Sport that starts at $49,400.  Please note that Nissan has made some modest upgrades in the 370Z lineup for the 2018 model year.

All in all, the tested 2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster provided a fun ride and a trip down Memory Lane that was a sporty blast.  The Z remains a classic and worth a look if you’re pondering the acquisition of a sporty model strictly as a guilty pleasure.

 

A wonderful wagon rolls on in Volvo's V90

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen on the Business page of The Sacramento Bee’s website – www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

Sacramento, California – Yes, it’s 2018, but I wanted to offer up one more 2017 ride for your inspection.

A recent week in the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6 AWD wagon was a revelation.  This vehicle was a new offering last year, and it pleased in every way: safety, performance, comfort/convenience features, technology and style.

Yes, style. From Volvo. That’s saying something.

Volvo rolled out the V90 wagons as state-of-the-art vehicles in the seldom-appreciated segment.  Plenty of auto reviewers agreed with Volvo's enthusiasm, with the V90 line pulling down numerous prestigious awards.

My initial impression was that the tested V90 Cross Country wagon oozed elegance and smooth styling. On the move, the air seemed to flow over the car without making a sound.  I rolled down the windows and double-checked, so there.

Power came from a 2-liter, supercharged/turbocharged engine dishing up a max 316 horsepower with silky, forceful authority.  I was blowing past cars on the freeway with barely the slightest pressure on the accelerator.  Yet acceleration was smooth and quiet.  A velvet hammer.

The eight-speed gearbox worked seamlessly with the willing power plant.

While I blazed past stragglers, I sat in cool comfort amid luxurious features that included 10-way power front seats (with heat), a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof with a power sunshade, leather all around and dark walnut wood inlays to set it off nicely.

Safety and security perks were plentiful, just what you expect in a Volvo-badged motor vehicle.

Fuel mileage was pretty fair at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The only thing that might give wagon buyers pause is the price – nearly $65,000 on the tested vehicle, but that included a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system and $1,200 for a primo air suspension set-up in the rear.

Bottom line: If you’re seeking a luxurious wagon for the long haul, the V90 is your starting point.  You might find all you want on your first test drive.  Kudos to Volvo for developing a wonderful wagon.