Newly reworked Elantra has the look, and lots more

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 the busy lineup of compact sedans -- including such heavyweights as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta -- the Hyundai Elantra did not necessarily stand out in its comparatively conservative skin.

That has changed for the 2021 model year.  Big time.

In fact, when the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Limited rolled up to my driveway, I wasn't sure it was an Elantra.  I'm sure the longer wheelbase, lower roofline and wider stance had something to do with that.

But there was more. There was the expansive checkerboard grille, saucy side sculpting and sporty 17-inch alloy wheels.

Hyundai calls all this "Sensuous Sportiness." OK, I'll buy that and approve the raise of the marketing guru who came up with it.

So, the seventh-generation Elantra has an attractive outer baseline for starters.  Inside, the happy news is that the Elantra remains loaded with standard amenities that have made it a must-test-drive vehicle among compact sedan shoppers.

Compact in this case does not mean stripped.  Standard fare on the tester included leather trimmed seating, heated front seats, a premium Bose audio system, a sunroof, LED headlights with high beam assist, hands-free smart trunk release, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators and a wireless charging pad.

That's a pretty exotic list for a compact car.  And on the tester, it all came in with a reasonable sticker price of $26,600.

Power comes from a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 147 horsepower.  Some reviewers have found the power plant lacking.  I can't say that I totally disagree with that but, again, it's a capable engine in this segment.

The engine on the tester bailed me out of a couple of tight spots on the freeway, and when asked, power was always sufficient to get the job done.  Handling was exceptional for a small car, and I never felt that I was pushing the Elantra beyond its limits.  I can't say that for other compact sedans I've tested.

Another bonus: Extraordinary gas mileage at 31 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.  For those who want advanced gas savings, there's a hybrid version of the Elantra, which pushes combined fuel economy to more than 50 mpg.

Overall, this new-generation Elantra moves up in the compact class.  Think of it as the entry-level sedan with more-than-midsize appeal.

 

Genesis G80 midsize sedan features luxury for less

 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 just six years, the Genesis nameplate has rung up major awards and extensive kudos in the automotive world.  It has been quite a run since Genesis was positioned under Hyundai as a stand-alone brand.

So when Genesis introduced its new-for-2021 G80 midsize luxury sedan, I expected the usual round of rave reviews.

That has not been the case.  Reviews of the G80 have been wildly varying.  In fact, I'm not sure I can recall the last time a specific model drew such polarizing evaluations.

You name it, I've seen it: it's nice inside, the exterior is a dud, the engines are strong, the engines are not as strong as those in competitor vehicles, it should be better than (I don't know; insert the name of a car you like here).

I don't get it.  The only guess I have is that any model that has the "luxury" label is held to a different standard.

Sure, why not?  My take is that this ride -- mine was the 2021 Hyundai G80 2.5T RWD -- is easily an 8 out of 10 ... maybe 8.5 out of 10.

While there's lot to like, here's the one thing that stood out the most: a sticker of $49,125 on the tester.  That included the $1,025 destination charge.

You're stealing the vehicle at that price.  There's no debate on this point. Look up the competition and compare.

So, what do you get?  Let's start with an elegant, sleek exterior with just the right touch of body sculpting and an eye-catching mesh grille that's not over-the-top ridiculous.  The tested G80 wore "Porto Red Paint."  Think of a glass of fine red wine on a window sill.

Several passersby commented on the attractiveness of my test vehicle; that's not necessarily a common occurrence.

Inside the G80, five adults can find comfort on leatherette seating surfaces, with plenty of space for elbows and knees.

The 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine with 300 horsepower -- the engine that some fellow reviewers have found wanting -- was sufficiently powerful and responsive under my command.  The tester actually seemed reluctant to poke along on surface streets, dishing up much more enthusiasm on brisk freeway runs and uphill dashes in the Sierra Nevada.

As one would expect from a luxury brand, interior perks are plentiful.  Particularly pleasing was the 14.5-inch HD screen mounted above the center dash.  Its crystal-clear image was easy to see; its exceptional width took me back to the CinemaScope days of movies.

Gripes?  Yes, I have a few.

Selfishly, I prefer a center console-placed, T-shaped shifter as opposed to the robotic rotary knob gear shifter.

The rotary controller for infotainment navigation was touchy and hard to master, and I was challenged by the button/controller sequence to lock in my radio station choices.  I'm sure my advanced age and latter-day high-tech experience played a role, but there you have it.

So, is 8.5 out of 10 enough to prompt you to reach for your checkbook?  I'm guessing for most folks, that's sufficient.

But given the varying opinions on this G80, I recommend extensive homework and a thoughtful test drive.

 

Awaiting Autorama's return, get to know your lingo

 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 -- Another recent victim of the COVID crisis was the 71st Sacramento Autorama, the annual Cal Expo gathering featuring some of the West’s top automotive detailers and customizers. The Autorama website shows the rescheduled dates set for April 22-24, 2022.

That's a big move from the usual February date, and it means a 26-month drought before the expected 400 custom cars, hot rods, classics, motorcycles and specialty vehicles will again be displayed by some of the most talented folks ever to lay a hand on sheet metal.

They will be missed, and I'm already counting the days until they return. I'm feeling especially nostalgic because customizing is becoming less understood in an era of look-alike motor vehicles.  We live in an era where a given auto's profile might be one of a dozen models.

That wasn't true back in the day. And beyond that, there were scores of Golden State wizards who could convert stock models into exquisite, one-of-a-kind creations. And the Sacramento area was one of hot spots of California’s post-World War II car-customizing era, when Sacramento became known as the “Kustom Capital of the World.”

Autorama was started by the late Sacramento businessman Harold Bagdasarian in 1950. While serving as president of the local Capitol City Auto Club Thunderbolts, he talked club members into hosting a show to settle friendly arguments over the merits of their customized cars. The initial show, held at a downtown Sacramento auto dealership, had 22 entries. Bagdasarian promoted subsequent shows, which steadily grew in participation and attendance. Show ownership changed hands over the years. Rancho Cucamonga businessman John Buck took over in 2005 and produces it and other automotive gatherings under the business name Rod Shows.

So, while I look forward to 2022 with hope in my heart, here's a glossary of custom car/hot rod terms that should be mastered by any self-respecting gearhead.  For young folks, these may be unfamiliar terms. But if you aim to continue the storied history of car customization in the Sacramento area -- or impress your wrench-wielding grandpa during a garage session -- commit them to memory:

Channeled: The body has been dropped over the chassis to lower the car.

Chopped: The top of the vehicle has been lowered from factory stock specifications for a sleeker look; this applies to all body styles.

Custom: A vehicle that has an altered physical appearance, with changes to the body, trim and height. The engine, however, may be stock issue.

Decked: The removal of all trunk trim.

Frenched: Headlights, taillamps or other exterior parts have been molded into the bodywork.

Hot rod: A modified car with mechanical improvements, including more horsepower and different wheels and tires.

Lengthened: The car body and/or wheelbase have been modified to be longer than factory stock specifications.

Nosed: Hood trim has been removed.

Pancaked: The hood has been modified with a lower profile.

Peaked: There is a molded accent seam on the hood.

Pinched: The forward chassis has been narrowed to match the grille shell.

Rolled: The bumper or gas tank have been removed and replaced with a custom panel.

Scooped: Scoop-like openings have been integrated with the bodywork; the customizer has the option to make scoops functional or not.

Sectioned: A horizontal strip has been cut out of the body to lower it without dropping it down over the frame.

Shaved: Door handles have been removed.

Shortened: The car body and/or wheelbase have been modified to be shorter than factory stock specifications.

Stretched: The wheelbase has been extended for a longer, leaner look.

 

Sleek LC 500 Convertible is Lexus to the max

This review first appeared in the February 2021 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California ­– The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible rolled up to my driveway,  and right away I was feeling excited and nervous.

Excited about unwinding the sleek machine on the open road. Nervous about not making a silly mistake and allowing even a scratch on a car wearing a sticker with a bottom line number of $111,325.

Turns out the exciting part stole the show. I returned the LC 500 without a scratch, but to be honest, I would have paid cash on the barrel head for one more hour in the luxury performance coupe.

There are some cars that sit on a mountaintop as elite.  The LC 500 is one of them.

The low-level sculpting and aerodynamic sweep of the car's profile -- sitting on 21-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels -- all but scream purpose-built race car.  The look is more than justified by the LC 500's performance.

Pushing the start button produces a profound roar, and the awakening of the 5-liter, 471 horsepower V-8 is felt with decidedly good vibrations in the seat of the pants.  First forward movements are somewhat balky, almost like the car is upset with such slow progress.

That all changed on the freeway entrance ramp.

A gentle nudge on the accelerator increased the roar and delivered a steady, heart-racing thrust.  In essence, time froze as I blazed down the ramp and whistled past cars traveling in the 70 miles per hour ballpark.

It was a smooth power burst, like controlled lightning.  A genuine, soul-pleasing rush of power.  What else do you expect from a member of the elite?

Even more remarkable to me is that performance was so robust with a car that is no lightweight. It has a curb weight of 4,540 pounds, fairly hefty in this segment.

It also had what appeared to be a back seat, which looked like it might take on a single suitcase.  I couldn't envision a passenger there, not even a contortionist.

Beyond all this, the tester was lavishly equipped, including radar-based cruise control, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and intelligent high beams.

One other thing: The show of the power rooftop disappearing into the back of the car, commenced with the push of a button, is worth the time invested in a test drive.

Obviously, given the cost, this LC 500 is marketed to a specific -- let's say financially fortunate -- audience.  For those of us lucky enough to have even a short time behind the wheel, the experience amounts to an appreciation of the pinnacle of car-building art.  This is the Lexus in full.

 

Peppy turbo Mazda3 reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

Check out my review of the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo in the latest, March 2021, 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.

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