Watch the neighbors, a sparkling sedan is on-site

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 -- In my neighborhood, I'm generally known as "that guy who gets to drive all those new cars."

True enough.  Sometimes, the neighbors get vocal.  Upon taking delivery of the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 E-AWD R-Design sedan recently, a few spoke up right away:  "We want your car," they said.

This surprised me a bit, because the S60 had a straight-up white paint job.  But yes, the flowing, sporty lines, the eye-catching Volvo grille and the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlight design make this sedan a looker, to be sure.

But visitors to my driveway seemed to sense something deeper in the machine.  Something profound and powerful.

Turns out, they didn't know the half of it.

So, here's the thing.  The tested S60 is essentially a brilliantly engineered -- yes, it's a Volvo, for crying out loud -- luxury sedan stuffed with exceptional safety technology and enough comfort/convenience features to please the I-want-it-all driving enthusiast.  These things along justified the bottom line of nearly $62,000 on the tester's sticker.

But what's underneath the skin is the main event ... the showstopper, no less.

The tester was powered by a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, plus an electric motor offering a serious assist.  Together, combined horsepower maxes at a lofty 400.  Technically, it's a plug-in hybrid but with the performance DNA of a purpose-built sports car.

This package translates to serious scoot, particularly on freeways.  Cruising along at 60 miles per hour, I periodically asked for more and instantly received it with a heart-pleasing punch.  I easily zipped in and around pokes and inattentive pack drivers.  I've said it before: I love a car that can get out of harm's way in a hurry.

This Volvo does that and more.

Sitting in a comfortable cabin environment of "clean, Scandinavian design" -- those are Volvo's words, I just felt relaxed and cozy in the cockpit -- the tester provided endless fun with its performance-minded ways, dished up with very little noise filtering into the cabin.

Normally, you pay for such performance at the gas pump.  Not so here. The combined fuel mileage rating with gasoline only was a solid 30 miles per gallon.  With electricity and gas, fuel economy soars to 69 mpg.

Luxury, style, top-level technology, muscular performance and fuel-sipping tendencies ... No wonder the neighbors wanted my ride.

Honda's Pilot SUV shines in Black Edition

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've said it before: I like the Honda Pilot, with its good looks, spacious interior and excellent reliability.

For 2020, there's more to like with the addition of a special Black Edition.  My tester was an all-wheel driver priced at a somewhat hefty $50,715 on the bottom line.

The first thing you notice about this new version is the Black Edition trim.  Think of it as a Honda Pilot seriously dressed up for a night on the town ... a Pilot in a tux, or a little black dress.

The aerodynamic exterior is accentuated with head-turning, all-black wheel covers.  Can't miss those; they're 20-inch alloys.  The paint job is called "Crystal Black Pearl," and in this case the dazzling skin lives up to the fancy name.  Black Edition badges can be found on the grille and tailgate.

Inside, the best-in-black theme continues with black leather touches all around, more Black Edition logos and, yes, even special black floor mats.  All this is nicely enhanced by red accent lighting and red accent stitching on the front and second row captain's chairs.

Controls are thoughtfully laid out and within easy reach of the driver.  Study up on the owner's manual, because there are plentiful, contemporary controls to master.  Helpful technologies includes a multi-view rear camera, adaptive cruise control and cross-traffic alert.

The 360-degree view from the driver's seat is excellent, and a sense of security is enhanced with maximum five-star federal government safety ratings throughout.  Fuel mileage is OK for this midsize SUV class at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

So, how does it handle? The driving experience is very good, with the 3.5-liter, 280-horsepower V-6 laboring well in most situations.  You do have to plant your foot into the accelerator on steep hill climbs, but engine response to this is immediate and firm.

There is some slight body roll on hard turns taken at speed, but not much.  On freeways, the tester was a rock-solid, quiet cruiser.  I could take this SUV on many a 500-miles-a-day runs and be completely happy with it.

Some might gripe about the push-button gear shifter.  But a floor shifter does not a vehicle make.  Rest assured, this Black Edition is plenty good, a sound investment for the long run.

Hybrid sedan has luxury amenities, and packs a punch

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 -- The venerable Lexus ES sedans were reworked in major ways in 2019, and the good vibes carried over nicely for the current model year.

My recent tester was the 2020 Lexus ES 300h, featuring a hybrid system made more powerful and fuel-efficient.  Inside the cabin, drivers are transported to a luxurious environment that lives up to the Lexus badge.

Style-wise, the ES is a looker, with a dominant, swallow-me-in-one-bite grille and angular body cuts on the front and sides.  The 17-inch, five-spoke wheels looked flashy, and the rear spoiler on the tester was subtle enough to add a sporty touch without being gaudy.

The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid battery helper was advertised at a combined equivalent of 215 horsepower.  Frankly, I didn't believe it.  The power package felt much stronger than that.

Case in point: I'm winding down a steep, curvy portion of Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada foothills when I encounter an obviously nervous driver seemingly frozen in fear in the left-side blind spot of an 18-wheeler.  Not liking to ride in the blind spot of a heavy truck, I did a mild tap on the accelerator when the nervous pilot cleared the big hauler.  The Lexus blew around the poke like a top-flight NASCAR machine in a full-on Daytona draft.

Performance feels good.  Performance that gets you out of tight spots in a hurry feels even better.  This Lexus had plenty of both.

The tester was packed with perks that I believe would exceed the expectations of most  luxury sedan fans.  That included top-tier technology features to enhance safety and the driving experience.  Extras beyond the norm included specially illuminated door sills, triple-beam LED headlights and a blasting, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

Power, agile handling and plentiful standard features almost make you forget that this is a hybrid system.  The payoff for that: 43 miles per gallon in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.

Throw in a max five-star safety rating in federal government crash testing, and the $53,530 on the tester's bottom line almost felt like a steal.

A loaded luxury liner with excellent road manners, notable fuel-sipping qualities and good looks thrown in ... What's not to like?

Dream drive: cruising in a Lexus 'Batmobile'

This review first appeared in the December 2019 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – My recent review of the 2019 Lexus IS 350 sedan was the appetizer; the recently tested 2019 Lexus RC F coupe, a special 10th Anniversary Edition, is the main course.

And what a main course it is! ... an exotic, spectacular-looking, super-performing hunk of engineering priced at $84,560. (Photo below by Charles Glover)

If you can afford the fare, it's worth every penny.

My tester was wearing specialized "Matte Nebula Gray" skin, dry to the touch and head-turning for sure.  Special instructions from the manufacturer said soap should not be applied to the finish.  Water only.

The vehicle's unique gray appearance was set off dramatically with high-gloss black, 20-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping inside revealed blue leather accents on the sport front seats, shift knob and steering wheel.   

The numerous controls were well within reach of the driver.  The 360-degree view from the cockpit is not perfect, but multiple driver-assist features cancel out that concern.

How is this coupe on the fly?  A dream-come-true.

The 5-liter V-8 rated at 467 horsepower becomes a brute when called upon.  Moving along at 60 miles per hour in freeway traffic, a quick hit on the gas pedal produces a deep engine note and a jump to 80 mph in the time it takes to regain your breath.

Can you get in trouble in this car before you know it?  Yes, count on it.  Does it make your heart race nevertheless?  Also a yes.

The driver can adjust performance levels, by the way.  A mere turn of a knob adjusts transmission/damper settings from something resembling civilized to darn near racetrack mode.  Totally your call.

At one point, I remember thinking: This must be what it feels like to drive the Batmobile.

Not surprisingly, however, this Lexus machine drinks fuel at a fairly brisk rate -- 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

The tester was absolutely stuffed with comfort, convenience, safety and driving-enhancement features.  But this being a special "F" 10 Anniversary Edition, my ride also included perks that included triple-beam headlamps, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, top-flight Brembo brake calipers (in bright blue), a carbon fiber roof and a carbon-fiber, speed-activated rear wing that also can be controlled from the cockpit.

Full disclosure: This was a rare treat for yours truly.  According to Lexus, only 240 of these 10th Anniversary Edition models have been offered for sale in the United States.

So if you crave this limited-edition gem, now is the time to get in touch with your top Lexus contacts and hunt one down.  Take it from me, you won't be disappointed.