So many hopes and challenges lie ahead in 2021

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- I want to thank all those who took the time in this most unusual year to read my AutoGlo blog ... and those who occasionally offered some much-appreciated feedback.

Needless to say, you had lots of choices on how to spend your in-home time, and if you picked up some helpful information in my blog along the way, so much the better.

But I'm sure you all join me in saying: LET'S MOVE ON TO 2021 NOW!!!

After the COVID-dominated year of 2020, the year 2021 is full of promise and enormous challenges in the motor vehicle world. Ditto the auto racing worldwide.

A medical solution to the COVID crisis is my biggest prayer in the new year. The first vaccines being administered globally are a positive sign. Beyond that, just think of all that has to be done.

Automakers need to ramp up production at some point.  How much pent-up demand is out there for consumers looking to purchase new motor vehicles?  I can only imagine how many people are waiting to hop into their motor vehicles and travel to parks, cities and beautiful rural settings.  Just going to a restaurant will be a thrill.

And what of California, as lawmakers and consumers grapple with the proposition of internal-combustion engines disappearing from dealer lots in the future?

As for auto racing, I'm longing for the day when I can hear the roar of the crowd above the engine sounds at racing venues around the world.

As we say adios to 2020, I hope that I have provided some enjoyment on those days when you might have been cooped up in the house ... or taking a break from your latest car project in the garage.

Here's wishing all of us well in 2021, and I hope we can return to something resembling the pre-COVID normal.  Personally, I can't wait to rub elbows with my motorhead friends on a regular basis.

Travel safe. Be seeing you up the road.

 

New Toyota Venza crossover is a singular sensation

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- Drive enough crossover sport-utility vehicles -- and believe me, I have driven plenty of them over the past few years -- and you start to look for the unique ... something to make them stand out in the ever-growing crowd.

The recently tested 2021 Toyota Venza Limited all but jumped out of the pack to get my attention.  Toyota accurately markets the new-for-2021 version of the Venza as a midsize crossover that "breaks the sameness barrier."

First off, it looks unique -- different from other Toyotas in the venerable automaker's lineup.

A long hoodline sweeps smoothly into an aerodynamic back end, with tight window sculpting that makes the Venza appear to be riding closer to the ground than it actually is. Nineteen-inch, multi-spoke wheels enhance the look, and for once, the grille is not over-the-top super large.

Inside, there is ample room for five folks ... and more that's unique.

The eye-popper is on the tester was the Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof. The "electrochromic glass technology" enables you to switch from transparent to frosted modes with the push of a button. In other words, you can have bright sunshine in the clear mode, or a more cozy cabin with less direct sunlight in frosted mode.

It's very clever, but note, it's a $1,400 option.

The interior is rounded out by an impressive grouping of comfort, convenience and safety features.

Arguably more impressive than all that is the new-generation Toyota Hybrid System that combines a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with three electric motors.  The sophisticated combo can generate up to 219 horsepower, with impressive fuel mileage numbers of 40 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid system is not wimpy or halting.  I found it satisfyingly responsive and powerful enough to make me feel secure in all driving situations. Drivers also have four operational options -- EV, ECO, NORMAL and SPORT.

Frankly, this Venza reminded more of a high-end Lexus than anything else.  If you had dropped me blindfolded into the vehicle, I would have guessed "Lexus" in a heartbeat, the kind of luxo vehicle meant to be savored as a daily driver instead of an off-road warrior.

Yet the price on the tester -- even with the Star Gaze option -- was $43,100, or about $7,000 less than I would have guessed.

Kudos to Toyota for this exceptional 2021 Venza rollout.

 

Lexus NX SUV offers up a little bit of luxury, zest

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- A little bit of Lexus goes a long way, especially in the luxury compact sport-utility vehicle wearing the NX label.

My tester was the 2021 Lexus NX 300 F Sport, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I had in the vehicle.  That was certainly helped along by a smooth, quiet cruising mode; a wealth of customer-pleasing comfort/convenience features and an F Sport package that added the right amount of zest to what otherwise might have been the typical crossover SUV experience.

The NX grabs attention with the now-familiar, monster-size grille, an aggressive feature that stands out from the otherwise smooth, aerodynamic shape of the vehicle.

Nice options included the heated/ventilated front seats, a power rear door with kick sensor, a power tilt/slide moonroof and a premium Mark Levinson audio system. Beyond-the-norm extras included Intuitive Parking Assist -- a most handy feature in tight parking lots with low-lying obstacles -- and triple-beam LED headlamps.

With the extras, the bottom line on the sticker was pushed to $50,215.

I was somewhat surprised to see other NX reviewers knock the "underpowered" drivetrains, because that was not my experience at all.  The 2-liter turbo-4 rated at 225 horsepower handled all the test driving chores I threw at it, and my ride easily snapped out of harm's way when asked.

The tester handled flawlessly, showing off a rock-solid frame even when steered hard into downhill turns. It was responsive and secure-feeling.

Fuel mileage was pretty fair at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Once again, I struggled with the touchpad-based infotainment system, but that's likely 50 percent my fault.  I never seem to get the hang of correctly swiping the pad lightly, and I end up three screens from where I want to be.

A generational thing?  Yeah, probably.

All in all, I liked the sporty experience of driving the NX, an experience that also found me in the lap of luxury while on the move.

If this is your kind of mix, this NX might be your kind of sport-ute.

Ten-hut! 4Runner 'battle wagon' commands attention

 This review first appeared in the November 2020 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – I've tested a bunch of crossover sport-utility vehicles this year ... many of them relatively small transporters that are sort of like small sedans pregnant with child.

The recently tested 2020 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 TRD Pro V6 is a midsize SUV, but it's no dainty flower.  It was more like a broad-shouldered battle wagon.

My tester looked particularly battlefield-ready dressed in "Army Green" paint, and riding on take-no-prisoners Nitto Terra Grappler Tires.

In fact, friends and neighbors were convinced that my ride was a U.S. Army-issued vehicle of some type.  I'll confess that I egged them on to some degree before coming clean.

And yet, the 4Runner was surprisingly civilized on the move.  The macho tires did not vibrate the vehicle, and it cruised along the interstates in a relatively smooth manner.  I never felt that the vehicle was lumbering out of my control ... not even a little bit.

Yes, the 4-liter V-6 rated at 270 horsepower did make a fair amount of noise during hill climbs, but it dug in and did the job without my right foot nailing the accelerator to the floor.

The 4Runner's interior was fairly basic and old-school, but more surprising sophistication could be found in the 15-speaker JBL audio system.  Multimedia features were numerous as well.

Among the extras on my ride, I particularly liked the sliding rear cargo deck and the under-floor storage compartment.  These little touches tend to make cargo transporting a less-challenging chore.

Alas, fuel mileage is dismal at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

The sticker price on the tested 4Runner was a hefty $52,147.

Toyota frankly admits that this 4Runner is no shrinking violet, and it's really not made for tight downtown spaces.  The automaker's website says up front: "The Toyota 4Runner is the family-hauling, boat-towing, hill-climbing SUV that’s been getting it done for five model generations since 1984."

No argument from me.  But I will say this: I thoroughly enjoyed my week in the big brute.

Venerable Mustang is reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

Check out my review of the 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium coupe in the latest, December 2020, edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News, published out of Folsom, California, by John Sweeney and Evonne Sotelo.

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 e-mail request to cruisinnews@mac.com. Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin’ News, P.O. Box 1096, Folsom, CA 95763-1096.

Trailhawk SUV makes off-road travel a happy option

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- Most sport-utility vehicles are marketed these days with emphasis on their ability to do urban and rural chores on the paved road surfaces.

Not so with the recently tested 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite 4X4.  It's an in-your-face off-roader.

And a capable one to boot.

The tester, which looked splendid in "Velvet Red Pearl-Coat" paint, was geared to the unpaved experience, taking in everything from ride height to interior/exterior features.

The list of shout outs to the off-road enthusiast was lengthy on my ride.  A short list included Jeep Active Drive, a Selec-Terrain system, Jeep Active Drive Lock, Hill-Descent Control and an off-road suspension.

Those were just the standard features.  The Trailhawk Elite Package of options included heated front seats, a windshield wiper de-icer and a special tow package.  Throw in a full sunroof with power in the front and fixed in the rear, and you're ready to venture into the wilderness.

OK, I confess that my off-road adventure in the tested Trailhawk was a modest gravel-and-dirt trail that did not take me far from the interstate.  Naturally, I envisioned myself driving on the wildest path to be found in the backcountry of Alaska.  The Trailhawk performed well in reality and in my dreams.

Back on the paved roads, I was impressed with the performance of the turbo-4 engine, which is rated at a max 270 horsepower.  I found it pleasingly robust, and I enjoyed the bass exhaust note that made its way into the cabin when I nailed the accelerator.

Interior comfort was fine -- for driver and volunteer passengers -- although some of my volunteer riders were hoping for more cargo space in the back.

Fuel mileage was only fair at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Auto-reviewing colleagues generally agree with me that the Cherokee Trailhawk is a stout and enjoyable off-road warrior, but they tended to like the offerings of other automakers for everyday use.

I disagree.

I could easily envision the Cherokee Trailhawk as a daily driver, commuter and urban jungle multitasker.

Can I see it as the possession of a suburban or urban dweller who toils during the week and looks forward to those weekend jaunts to wooded campsites or snowy mountain cabins? Absolutely.

Please note that the price on the tester -- which had numerous options -- was a fairly hefty $45,425.  But if you passions are split between the work-a-day world and road trips into the natural world, it's a fair price to pay.