Electric vehicle advances carry us into the new year

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- As we head down the road into another new year, change is in the air.  And that air is electric-charged.

The electric future of the automotive industry is everywhere, especially here in California. And there's plenty more to come.

What I'm experiencing now on my test drives is vastly different than what I experienced less than a decade ago.

New hybrid and electric vehicles are showing up on dealer lots -- and in my driveway -- in unprecedented numbers.  And the infrastructure to charge up those EVs is growing at a rapid rate.

I'll confess that this once-nervous electric vehicle driver has, over time, become entirely comfortable with the technology and the related infrastructure.  If I can adjust, well, I'm betting that most others will be fine as well.

The electric rush has worked its way into every crevice of automotive thought.  The Motor Trend magazine SUV of the Year -- the 2023 Inoiq 5 -- is an electric.  Remember when seeing an electric vehicle on the road was a rarity that prompted your heart to race?  No longer does that happen.

And how many parking lots did you pull into in 2022 and find numerous EVs lined up and taking on juice at charging stations? A fair number, I'd bet.

Rest assured, the electric wave will continue in 2023, big-time. The domestic and foreign pipeline is stuffed with new contenders, and some mind-blowing technology to boot.  Is it a good time to be alive and experience the incredible advancements in motor vehicle manufacturing?

You bet it is.  Hang on for a thrilling ride in 2023.

On the auto racing front, here are some things to watch for in three major series:

+ IndyCar: Helio Castroneves will seek a record-setting fifth Indy 500 win in May. He's one of four who have won the famous race four times, and the only one who remains active.

+ NASCAR: An army of young newcomers has come into the top tier of the stock car series, replacing the Jeff Gordons, Jimmie Johnnsons and others.  Expect a young gun to win the Cup Series next year, but whoever that is will have to take down former young gun Joey Logano, now a seasoned veteran with two NASCAR Cup Series championships under his belt.

+ Formula One: Here's hoping other teams -- backed by their many millions of dollars -- can somehow find a way to keep two-time F1 series champ Max Verstappen from winning virtually all the races. I crave more competition in this tech-laden series.

Given all this, I look forward to a year of exciting changes and competitive races. And my wish for you in 2023 is never changing: be safe, be happy, motor easy.

Mazda's CX-9 SUV feels right at home in luxo setting

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- I took the latest version of the Mazda CX-9 midsize sport-utility vehicle to a special event ... the kind of event where those in attendance are driving motor vehicles priced at $100,000 and up.

So, as you might imagine, I was feeling a bit insecure parking my 2023 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD among so many Cadillacs, Porsches and even a Lotus or Ferrari or two.

I was surprised right off the bat when an event attendee paused and asked: "Say, what is that you're driving?"

Here it comes, I thought.

Instead, he walked over the asked take a look inside my "sharp-looking" sport-ute.

His head emerged moments later with nothing but praise for the "very nice" interior.  And I'm not even sure he spotted the heated/ventilated front seats, the heated steering wheel and automatic LED headlights.

And well, he was right.  My tester had Nappa leather surfaces, passenger seating for six, paddle shifters and a full boat of high-tech safety features.

Sometimes, you don't know what you have until somebody else points it out. And then, after the event was over, it happened again. Another well-dressed gentleman was giving my tester a close look through the driver's window.  And he likewise wanted to take a look inside.

I asked him if he ran into another similarly interested gentleman during the event, and he looked at me like I was a dullard.  So, apparently, this guy's interest was totally independent of the other guy.

Go figure.

Throw in the peppy 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, smooth cruising characteristics, a max five-star safety rating in federal government crash tests and the CX-9's long list of standard features and buyers of this latest CX-9 might be feeling pretty good about things.

But what they really should feel good about is the price.  The bottom line on my loaded CX-9 was $50,330. For the math-challenged, that would be well short of 100-grand.

You can take that to the bank ... and park the CX-9 amid the high rollers with nary a worry.

Chevy's Bolt delivers an electric jolt to the heart

This review first appeared in the November 2022 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

To subscribe to the Cruisin' News, visit www.cruisinnews.com, call (916) 933-0949 or send an email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Sacramento, California -- It's electric, egg-shaped and energetic.

But most of all, the tested 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV 2LT hatchback is -- dare I say it -- an influencer.

It is so finely engineered, so fun to drive and so pleasingly peppy that it should convince most electric vehicle doubters that "this one is actually pretty cool."

Yes, cool.  That's the word.

At first glance, the subcompact hatchback Bolt's lines are definitely egg-shaped, but in an aerodynamic way.  The exterior badging and space-age look tell you that this is something different from the norm.

In this era of super-expensive gas, the biggest difference is the electric/gas mileage equivalent, using a formula that is beyond my brain power.  But the bottom-line numbers tell the tale: 131 mpg equivalent in the city and 109 mpg on the highway.

For the record, charging it up is as easy as grabbing a chocolate chip cookie out of the jar.

Range is good ... nearly 300 miles on a single charge if you're babying it along.

My ride was generously equipped with all the features you would expect in a vehicle powered with something other than electricity.  That included heated seats, LED lights all around and driver-assistance features.

But the best part is the driving.

The tester was exceedingly smooth, perhaps enhanced by the silence accompanying movement.  It takes some getting used to, but it doesn't take long.

Steering is top-tier.  The Bolt doesn't drive into spaces as much as quickly scoot into them.  And that is a heart-racing blast.

Response off the line is incredible.  Repeatedly, without smashing the accelerator to the floor, I zipped away from intersections and glanced at the rearview mirror to realize that I was 20 car lengths ahead of the vehicle that was beside me only seconds ago.

This "instant-go" feeling is habit-forming, and I found myself beating sports cars down the road with very little effort.

This is a universal smile-producer, no matter if you're driving an electric vehicle or a gas guzzler.

The bottom line on the tester was $36,165, hefty for a subcompact but totally justified by the technology under the skin.  One assumes Bolt buyers are in for the long haul.

And for those on the fence about electric vehicles, one test drive in this Bolt might put your feet firmly on the ground.

Sporty Toyota coupe reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2022 Toyota GR86 Premium coupe can be seen in the latest, December 2022, edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news and marketplace."

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 email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Lexus packs a lot into its compact hybrid NX sport-ute

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Lexus went all-out with its 2022 makeover of the NX, a compact luxury sport-utility vehicle that slugs it out in a very competitive segment.

For the most part, the changes hit the target. Critics have been brutally critical in some cases.  Too brutal, in my view.

My tester was the 2022 Lexus NX 350h Luxury model, priced $56,405. Let's start by saying: if I was the owner of this vehicle, I would be decidedly content.

How so?

Let's start with looks.  It's sleek and sporty and has the nearly mandatory swallow-me-whole grille. It looks luxury-laden parked at the country club or outside the liquor store in the strip mall parking lot.

Power is provided by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a battery and electric motors. That combo (239 horsepower) will take you from zero to 60 miles per hour in seven seconds flat.  In this segment, that's pretty peppy.

Handling is responsive. Steering is easy and precise. Freeway cruising is a walk in the park, and the tester was small enough to handle tight downtown parking lots with ease.

The payoff of the hybrid powertrain can be found on the sticker: 41 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The Lexus NX has an impressive list of state-of-the-art safety features.  And of all the comfort/convenience features stuffed into this sport-ute, the 14-inch touchscreen draws the most attention.

Some critics don't like it, saying it's too big.  Can there really be such a thing as too big?  Maybe my aging eyes affected my opinion, but I found the big screen easy to read and entirely functional.

Lexus touts the "longer, wider and taller" tweaks to the 2022 NX, and rightly so.  I found the interior space to be more than adequate in this compact class, a definite plus for a daily driver that commutes on weekdays and totes stuff on weekends.

Overall, the NX lives up to the Lexus name and reputation.  The automaker made a good vehicle better this time around.

Compact Hyundai Elantra sedan excels in hybrid mode

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- There's a lot to like about the Hyundai Elantra.

I should know.  I've driven quite a few of them over the years.

Consider the positives: compact size, affordability (that rare view of a sub-$30,000 starting price always prompts a double-take), good safety ratings, excellent reliability, top-tier warranties and a surprising number of standard features one does not expect in the affordable compact segment.

So, what could be better for the 2023 model year?  Fuel mileage ratings of 49 miles per gallon in the city and 52 mpg on the highway.

Those are the numbers standing out in the recently tested 2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV Limited.

Sure, I like driving the car.  But that smile on my face also was influenced by the knowledge that I would be blowing past gas stations for some time to come.

Even with the hybrid technology, the starting price comes in at $29,000 ... a head-turner on its own.

But wait, there's much, much more.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter GDI Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder engine/hybrid system with a combined engine/electric motor output of 139 horsepower.  That's not a giant number, but it's entirely sufficient for this particular model.

I was scooting the tester around with ease and enthusiasm. At no point did I feel like begging for more power.  Steering was nicely firm.  Interior comfort in the cockpit was good.  The back seat is a tight fit for large adults, but you can say that about most in the compact sedan class.

Per usual, this Hyundai won a bunch of max five-star ratings in federal government crash tests, including a solid five in the overall score.

The tester lived up to Hyundai's reputation for putting a lot into even its more-affordable models.

The list included heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, a wireless charging pad, collision-avoidance assist, LEDs front and rear, ventilated front seats and a power sunroof.

Simply said, buyers of this hybrid Elantra get a lot for their money, with long runs between gas station stops as an extra bonus.

The future is now in exceptional Ford F-150 Lightning

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- A generation ago, the idea that America's most popular pickup, the Ford F-150, would be produced in an all-electric version would have prompted cries of disbelief among many drivers devoted to rugged light-duty trucks.

And yet here we are.

After a week in the tested 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT 4X4 SuperCrew, I can tell you that the brave new world is a fine one.

Perhaps the best standard of evaluation: The tester did absolutely everything previous F-150s have done, and the electric power was instantly responsive.

And powerful. Projected peak numbers from the electric powertrain top 450 horses and nearly 800 foot-pounds of torque.  Frankly, I cannot remember any version of the F-150 more enthusiastic and powerful than this one.

Lightning indeed.

For the truck enthusiast -- particularly those who rely on their pickups for work -- this is good news. It means that a Lightning can be relied upon to power its way over all road surfaces with no problems whatsoever.  And carry plenty of cargo to boot.

All I need is a charging station, concerned truck pilots say.  Yup.  Those are being built, just like service stations blossomed in the early 20th century.

My ride was looking good with XLT packaging.  And there were plenty of helpful perks, including a handy tailgate step at the rear.

Generous lockable storage space was another bonus.

Interior comfort and convenience features were downright luxurious and made freeway cruising a pleasant experience.  I noted that other motorists were only too happy to get out of the way of a fast-moving pickup riding on 20-inch tires.

For all this, the bottom line on the tester's ticker was $75,814. In the current world of pickup trucks -- not to mention those with a sophisticated electric powertrain -- this is a price that most expect to pay.

And if you've been driving an internal combustion engine-powered truck for decades and wonder if you can make the transition to all-electric at some future date, rest assured, it's not going to be a problem.

I've driven the future. And it's a sweet ride.

Luxurious midsize Lexus sedan also has some pop

This review first appeared in the October 2022 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

To subscribe to the Cruisin' News, visit www.cruisinnews.com, call (916) 933-0949 or send an email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Sacramento, California -- Funny how your opinion of a car can change when it delivers surprising levels of performance.

Take the tested 2022 Lexus ES 300h F Sport for example.

Classic midsize luxury sedan, right?  Ranks right up there with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and the upper-end four-door models produced by Volvo and Audi.

For the 2022 model year, the ES was freshened for the better front and back.  I liked the mesh grille on the front, and the understated spoiler on the rear added to the sporty appearance.

So, horsepower on the tester was listed at a comparatively modest 215. Taking it out on the road, that number felt decidedly low.

Why?  The F Sport tuning made all the difference.

Climbing on Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada, I was impressed by how I dusted off a couple of coupes that I knew possessed many more horses than I was riding.  Then, in a tight spot, I did a monorail-like, 45-degree crossover move to shoot the gap between a poking 18-wheeler and a fast-closing gaggle of cars.

It wasn't even close to being a problem.  The sedan dug in and burst easily into safe open space without anyone having to hit their brakes in alarm.

Impressive from a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder power plant with electric assist.

And that battery/electric assist part is important, because the tester was rated at 43 miles per gallon in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.

Another bonus: a max five-star rating in federal government crash tests.

Happily, the expected level of Lexus luxury is part of the package.

Besides the F-Sport tuning and badging, the tested ES 300h was generously equipped with comfort, convenience, safety and driving-enhancement features.

Beyond that, optional extras on my ride included a hands-free open/close trunk, parking assist and a sizable head-up display.

All that brought the bottom line to $52,695.  I've seen similarly equipped models going for 60-grand.

Looking at the whole package, I was thinking: Who would want this car?  My guess is: Quite an eclectic bunch of folks.

That would be high-earning professionals ages 50 and up, young up-and-comers looking to show something for all those long hours they've been putting in and maybe some retired folks who like luxury and performance but don't want to shell out six figures for it.

With that broad-based appeal, Lexus still holds serve in the midsize luxury market.

Having myself a Grand time with an old acquaintance

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- The Jeep Grand Cherokee and I have a history.  We go way back.  Five generations now for the vehicle, more than a few decades for me.

But I have to confess: the JGC has shown a remarkable ability to change with the times.  As evidence, I give you the tested 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe.

Evolving from the original, rough and ready flagship SUV, the 4xe is a plug-in hybrid variant -- with a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine linked with two electric motors.  Combined, the systems are rated at 375 horsepower and a serious torque max of 470 foot-pounds.

Riding on 20-inch machined aluminum wheels and sporting a long roofline, the tested Grand Cherokee was an attractive machine and operated as a quiet, smooth freeway cruiser.

Naturally, Jeep engineers rave about the hybrid's off-road capabilities. It's a Jeep after all.  But in the case of the 4xe, there's the additional option of taking to the trails in virtually silent all-electric mode.

No matter what mode, the combined gas-electric fuel mileage equivalent is an alluring 56 miles per gallon.

The tested vehicle was priced at a hefty $74,210 on the sticker's bottom line, but hold the phone, there was a lot in the Jeep to justify that price.

Let's start with Nappa leather seats, with 12-way power adjustments in the front seats.  There was a wireless charging pad, four-zone climate control, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, a rear back-up camera washer and night vision with pedestrian/animal detection.  And much more.

Another bonus: a comfortable, roomy interior.

I grew sentimental driving the tester, remembering Grand Cherokees of days past, when the mere utility and convenience of owning and operating an SUV were the top selling points.

My, how times have changed.

And the changes in this Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe are well worth the price of admission.

Chevy's electric Bolt reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV 2LT electric vehicle can be seen in the latest, November 2022, edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news and marketplace."

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 email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Honda Passport TrailSport built to be a path tamer

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- In its never-ending efforts to please all American auto buyers, Honda offers up the midsize Passport sport-utility vehicle.

And for an extra shout-out to outdoors enthusiasts, there's my test ride: the 2022 Honda Passport AWD TrailSport.

As the name suggests, this TrailSport is designed to have fun off the paved surfaces.  If you like to play in the mud, the TrailSport happily obliges. It's specially equipped to do so.

It has a wide track for increased stability, prominent skid plates and rides on rock-crunching 18-inch tires.  You even get special "TrailSport" badging, lest anyone forget that you're the rugged outdoors type.

On the paved roads, the tester was strong and easy to drive, powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 280 horsepower.

I was impressed with the TrailSport's lack of sway in sharp corners taken at high speed ... a definite plus for an SUV touted as an off-roader.  Steering was just-right firm.

Interior cabin space was impressive (plus an under-floor storage area in the rear), and the comfort/convenience controls were happily easy to master and use.  Interior leather stitching was attractive and expertly done.

While Honda emphasizes the TrailSport's off-the-beaten-path characteristics, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of standard features of civilization.  That included voice recognition, a multi-view rear camera, a wireless phone charger, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats and adaptive cruise control.

Fuel mileage is so-so at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The Passport earned a max five stars in federal government crash test scoring.

The sticker on my ride came in at $44,090.

Overall, the Passport TrailSport is right at home in a country club parking lot or on a muddy California forest trail.

That's just Honda's way of reaching out to everybody.