It's a Chevrolet Blazer and it's worth remembering

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

Sacramento, California -- I've actually had conversations like the following when test-driving the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle:

He/She: "Hey, that's a nice-looking vehicle. What is it?"

Me: "It's a Chevrolet Blazer."

He/She: "A Phaser, huh? Do you like it?"

Me: "That's Blazer, and yeah, I like it a lot."

He/She: "Is the ride pretty good?"

Me: "Sure is."

He/She: "Looks pretty loaded. How safe is it?"

Me: "It gets a maximum five stars from federal government crash testers."

He/She: "What's the name of it again?"

Me: "It's a Chevrolet Blazer."

He/She: "Great. Maybe I'll have to take a closer look at the Pacer."

I suppose this is what you get when you have to compete in the same pool with popular vehicles such as the Subaru Outback, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

And that's too bad, because the Blazer holds up well against all of those models.

I tooled a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS AWD around the California Wine Country last year, and not only was I impressed with it, my passengers were likewise chatting it up.

The recently tested 2022 Chevy Blazer RS AWD provided an even better experience for me this time around.

Maybe my opinion was influenced by its appearance.  Striking is the word.

The exterior paint job was a darn-near-glow-in-the-dark "Nitro Yellow Metallic," a dramatic contrast from the "Jet Black" interior.

It also helped that the tester was positively loaded with top-tier comfort, convenience and safety/security features.  With plentiful options thrown in, that swelled the bottom line to $50,585 ... or about what you expect these days in the high-level midsize crossover market.

Some midsize SUVs have plenty of flash, but manufacturers save on the dash with some tepid four-cylinder engines.  That's not part of the deal with this Blazer.

The tester was driven by a 3.6-liter V-6 rated at 308 horsepower.  The engine was a more-than-willing Muscle Beacher, enthusiastically digging into paved surfaces uphill and downhill in the Sierra Nevada.

You pay just a bit of a price on gasoline. Still, given the V-6 power, 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway is pretty fair.

Given everything, I'd call this Blazer an alluring choice for the California family that likes the occasional long road trip or the more regular weekend outdoor adventure.

For those folks, it's a name worth remembering.

Ford's hybrid Escape SUV pleases in multiple ways

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

Sacramento, California -- Ford Motor Co. has a long history of "give-'em-what-they-want."

In modern terms, the recently tested Ford Escape SE PHEV FWD does all that in one vehicle.

The compact crossover SUV is attractive, one of the more sportier-looking SUVs on the market -- sleek and smooth in profile, finely sculpted on the front end.

And it handles well.  Auto-reviewing colleagues call it "sedan-like," and they're spot on.  I was able to wheel the tester around with secure, impressive ease.  Never did I feel out of touch with the vehicle, even when I put it into sharp corners at high speed.

Power was not neck-snapping but more than adequate given the hybrid package.  The 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4 power plant is rated at 200 horsepower.  The big payoff there is a gas-electric fuel mileage rating/equivalent of 105 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.

Yes, that's a very big deal given the currently sky-high price of gasoline.

Critics have thrown stones at the interior of the Escape, but I found it entirely comfortable and functional.  Controls are easy to understand and use (multiple trips to review the owner's manual are not necessary).

My tester was made for those who want more than all this.  Pleasing options included a power liftgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 10-way power driver's seat.

One small gripe: As I've noticed in past Escapes, upon braking, the hybrid power plant emits a soft whine that sounds like the approach of a siren.  It's not a deal-breaker, but it takes some getting used to.

For a reasonable price of $35,305, the tester also was loaded with a generous suite of standard safety/security features.

And the good cargo-carrying ability is the cherry on top.

In sum, the tested Escape shaped up as the near-perfect SUV choice for the careful shopper looking for a practically-priced vehicle that has it all.

'Cute' Hyundai pickup draws an admiring crowd

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

Sacramento, California -- Never have I seen so many people drool over a pickup truck.

"Oh my goodness, what is that and where can I get one?"

"I've never seen this before.  It's beautiful.  So cute!"

"I'm not a truck person, but I love this truck."

And on and on it went, no matter where I parked it.  Was it the latest Ford F-Series brute?  Or maybe a Chevrolet Silverado with a tailgate that does everything but make coffee?  Or how about a super-rugged Ram pickup?

No, it was an all-new-for-2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup, the automaker's first four-door pickup sold in the U.S. market.  Specifically, mine was the loaded Limited edition with all-wheel drive, wearing a relatively hefty sticker price of $41,500.

For that price, it was generously equipped, with leather-trimmed seats (heated/ventilated in the front), a power sunroof, a surround-view monitor and plentiful state-of-the-art safety technology.

Movement was no problem with a robust 2.5-liter, 281-horsepower turbo 4 muscling the little truck around with serious authority.  Steering was midsize-sedan easy. Fuel mileage was OK at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

If a small pickup can be called sporty, this Hyundai Santa Cruz fits the niche.  The tester rode on 20-inch alloy wheels and featured Hyundai's multi-jeweled grille. A sharply raked windshield added to the sporty look.

Cargo beds that seemingly have everything are all the rage in today's pickup segment, and the Santa Cruz does not disappoint there. The functional rear area features secure, lockable in-bed storage, integrated corner bumper steps and a lockable tonneau cover.  That last feature is particularly nice when you take the Santa Cruz out to load up on groceries or other necessities that you want to hide from prying eyes.

Hyundai makes special mention of the California design team that pieced much of this Santa Cruz together.

And yet, with all this, the thing that makes the Santa Cruz stand out is its curb appeal. Folks who ignored many trucks that I've tested in the past came to this one like bees to honey.  They seemed to like the "cuteness" of the truck, the fact that it was not the approximate size of North Dakota and that it was easy to drive and handle.  I'm sure truck fans will like it, but I'm also guessing that, in some ways, the Santa Cruz is going to be a truck option for people who don't necessarily lust for trucks.

As if the zero in on that market, Hyundai calls the Santa Cruz its "Sport Adventure Vehicle."

Sure, I'll buy that. I'm guessing other motorists will do the same.

Lexus coupe mixes strong dose of luxury, performance

This review first appeared in the December 2021 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- Quad exhausts.  Sporty-styling.  Super-bright "Flare Yellow" paint. And a 472-horsepower V-8.

What's not to like?

My week in the Lexus RC F coupe was an enjoyable romp in a $90,705 joy ride.

I suppose there's something to be said about spending time in a car normally out of range of your budget. As for me, I discounted the dollars and simply enjoyed the rush.

The tester was a growling, press-me-to-the-seat beast off the line, and it darted with eyebrow-raising authority amid freeway traffic. The handling was firm enough that I felt entirely comfortable darting into traffic holes that I'd ordinarily avoid.

Auto reviewers spend a lot of time pondering driving "dynamics" these days, and that works for them.  All I can tell you is that this RC F coupe zipped past most everything on the roadways.  And it did so while the driver sat in the lap of luxury.

Besides the specialized leather "F Spec" trim on the seats, standard features on the tester included full-color gauges, "Siri" voice-command systems and silver fiber interior trim.  Safety equipment is state-of-the-art.  Brembo disc brakes are part of the deal. Driving enhancements include launch control.

I should note that the sticker price on my ride was swelled with a gaudy list of options -- everything from carbon fiber materials to torque control.

Fuel mileage came in at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

This might not be the ultimate Lexus hot rod toy, but it's right up there.

Obviously, the RC F coupe is marketed to a decidedly upscale audience.  And if you can afford the fare, the accompanying pleasures are well worth the expense.