Honda Civic's legend grows with latest generation

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

Sacramento, California -- The all-new-for-2022 Honda Civic marks the 11th generation of the venerable model.  That adds up to more than 12 million Civics purchased by Americans since 1973.

And multiple reviews would have you believe that this latest generation might be the best Civic yet.

I can't say that I disagree after a week in the 2022 Honda Civic Sport sedan.

First, there's the redesign, which reviewers have described as refined.  I like that assessment, because some previous versions of the Civic stepped out of line and became quirky in appearance.  Not so now.  The look is smooth, clean and downright attractive.

My tester was equipped with a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, and it performed with much more authority than those numbers would indicate.

Accelerations were brisk, and passing power was plentiful when I pressed the accelerator to the near limit.  Paddle shifters?  Of course. The "Sport" designation is entirely correct with this package.

Steering was instantly responsive, with a just-right firmness.  It's one of the things that has long attracted me to the Civic -- top-flight steering in an affordable compact.  For 2022, it's maybe the best-steering compact on the market, in my view.

Upon stepping into the Civic, my first thought was: Where did the air vents go?  Wait, they're hidden behind a honeycomb strip that's as clever an interior styling touch as I've seen in recent years.

Yes, you can still adjust the airflow, but no vents-as-usual can be seen.

Fuel mileage is a tidy 30 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway -- a Civic trait that, standing alone, has likely sold millions of models over a couple of generations.

A generous list of safety, comfort and convenience features came with the tester, but the bottom line on the sticker came in at an entirely reasonable $24,095.

The Civic is packed with so many positives that it's no wonder it has been around for 11 generations.  It has something for everybody -- of all ages and tastes.

For 2022, the Civic is at the top of its storied game.

Corolla with hybrid system remains affordable option

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

Sacramento, California -- The popularity of the Toyota Corolla is set in the basics, so much so that you wonder why more automakers don't adopt the formula.

Reliable, affordable, nicely equipped and easy on the eyes.  What's not to like?

Throw in hybrid powertrain system that gets exceptional mileage, and you might have the perfect entry-level sedan.

And that's pretty much what you get in the tested 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE.

It looks somewhat sporty with the obligatory big grille and aerodynamic profile. Mine was riding on 15-inch alloy wheels, nicely sculpted.

Interior comfort was good, although large adults might feel a bit squeezed in the back seat.

A solid package of safety and convenience features was bolstered by a $1,525 option package that included heated front seats with leather trim.

Power was provided by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system that translated to 53 miles per gallon in the city and 52 mpg on the highway.

Given the current high price of gasoline, those are attention-grabbing numbers.

And to be truthful, the Corolla performed at a level well above the advertised 121 horsepower.  The tester was responsive and agile, and when asked, the engine made not too much noise to power out of harm's way. All in all, I felt comfortable and secure.

So, with all this, you might expect the entry-level price to swell into the $30,000 ballpark.

Not even close.

The bottom line on the tester's sticker was $26,949, an extremely attractive number for a gas station-passing Toyota sedan.

It's the kind of price that one might spend to get an off-to-college child a new car, instead of prowling the lots for a reasonable used model.

Or maybe a second car for a busy household.

Either way, Corolla's allure is understandable.  I'm going to guess this hybrid sedan will only boost the consistently strong sales numbers of this venerable model.

Toyota's Supra 'Lite' still delivers those racy thrills

This review first appeared in the October 2021 edition of the Cruisin' News published out of Folsom, California – mg 

Sacramento, California ­– I reviewed the Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium sports car a year ago, and the experience was a blast.  Not only did the two-seater deliver a solid punch with a 335-horsepower, 3-liter, in-line 6 dishing it out, I was waved over by a fellow motorist who wanted to take a photo of the car.

Special wheels?  I'd say so.

So, I awaited delivery of the 2021 Toyota GR Supra 2.0 with some edgy kid-on-Christmas-Eve enthusiasm.

Santa delivered again, with a gleaming piece of sports car sculpture wearing blinding "Nitro Yellow" paint.  It looked racetrack-ready.

On the move, I noticed some differences between last year's 3.0 and this year's 2.0. The 2.0 is powered by a 2-liter turbo-4 engine with 255 horsepower. Knowing that the Supra 3.0 now boasts a whopping 382 horses, it's a fair difference.

Consider the 2.0 "Supra Lite." But it still delivers significant thrills, just in a different way.

For example, starting the Supra 3.0 produces a sound not that far removed from a purpose-built, top-tier NASCAR machine.  Those standing nearby can feel the rumble in the soles of their feet.

The turbocharged Supra 2.0 is more of a muscular whine, with a promise of quick sprinting ability.  And it does just that on the open road.

There's no turbo lag as the Supra 2.0 jets from post to post.  And it can be zipped into tight spaces with complete confidence.  I found myself adjusting to the Supra 2.0's particular performance characteristics within minutes.

Simply put, the Supra 2.0 is a very pleasing premium performance coupe ... and there's a bonus to be had straight-up against its 3.0 sibling.

The Supra 3.0 I tested last year had a sticker price of $57,259.  My 2021 GR Supra 2.0 was priced at $48,040, which included more than four-thousand bucks in optional extras.

Yes, that's right: You can possess a primo sports car -- one that some automotive experts rank on near equal footing with the Corvette and Porsche 911 -- for less than $50,000.  In this segment, that's a big deal.

Just remember that for all its heart-racing, sporty charms, the Supra is not an extended road trip warrior.  Seating is for two, and cargo space is, uh, limited.

But if peppy performance and driving fun are your top priorities, the GR Supra 2.0 might be just what you need.

Electric Mustang reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

Check out my review of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD compact crossover sport-utility vehicle in the latest, November 2021, edition of the 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.

Hybrid system adds even more to the Lexus LS sedan

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

Sacramento, California -- Back in the day when a Lexus LS could be had for less than $40,000 -- think early in the administration of George H.W. Bush -- I was telling folks that the LS 400 sedan likely met every need of the discriminating luxury sedan buyer.

It was luxurious, smooth, powerful and good-looking.  And, oh yes, affordable.

Sure, you could go out and drop $75,000 on a Mercedes-Benz SEL sedan back then, but the Lexus had the market cornered on luxury/enjoyment for a discount price.

Over the years, I watched the LS engine size soar in size ... but that did not match the increase in cost.

Flash forward to today, and the recently tested  2021 Lexus LS 500h full-size sedan was wearing a sticker that read $104,965. Yes, times have changed.

But given the segment that the current-generation LS competes in, it's completely understandable.  The good news is that the tester still had everything a sedan devotee could desire, including a hybrid system that delivered very good fuel mileage ratings of 25 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.  The baseline of the powertrain is a 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 295 horsepower.  Total power of the hybrid system is rated at 354 horsepower.

This arrangement makes the Lexus powerful, but still buttery smooth at high speed.  Seventy miles per hour feels like 40 mph.  Five folks in the cabin barely hear the engine exertions amid their quiet conversations.

The interior layout is what it has always been -- a luxurious, comfort-laden dream.  Perfectly engineered seats seem to swallow you up, offering instant relaxation for the road ahead. Fine wood, leather and metal surfaces are expertly placed.  The interior is like walking into the presidential suite of a five-star hotel.  You know in one look that this is class and luxury in full.

A full boat of safety features is part of the deal.  Beyond-the-expected perks are everywhere: a 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, 28-way power front seats with multifunction massage and a power rear sunshade were among the blizzard of goodies on my tester.

As usual, I struggled with the touchy infotainment system.  But again, that might be a generational thing.

Oh, it looks good too.  The LS is sporty enough to avoid looking like a limo (thanks in part of 20-inch, split, five-spoke forged alloy wheels), but it's so luxurious that you wouldn't be surprised to see a chauffeur step out and open the door for a head of state.

Overall, the bargain Lexus sedan of years past has given way to the Lexus for the fiscally secure sedan shopper.  Nothing wrong with that.  Everything's relative.

And there is something to be said for having everything you want in a car for a long-term investment of a little more than $100,000.