Big, bodacious Cadillac Escalade has power to spare

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 -- Attention!  Clear the streets!  Outta the way!

Here comes the motorcade or government-raid vehicle of choice -- a massive-shouldered 2022 Cadillac Escalade.  And yes, it looks imposing just resting there in a parking space.

My tester was the 4WD Platinum version wearing a sticker with a bottom line of $113,815.

If you're going to build a full-size, three-row luxury liner to compete with the likes of the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Mercedes-Benz GLS Class or the BMW X7, you might as well throw everything into the pot, right?

The tested Escalade had all that.  Every comfort/convenience perk and state-of-the-art safety/driving-enhancement device you can name was on-board.  Nobody is left out.  Passengers in the rear seats are just as comfortable as the front riders, and they get a bonus the driver does not, thanks to a rear seat entertainment system.

Riding on 22-inch, 10-spoke polished wheels and sporting a grille the approximate size of North Dakota, I found very few motorists willing to get in my way.  Guilty pleasure?  Yes, without question.

Best of all, the tester was equipped with a 6.2-liter V-8 rated at 420 horsepower.  The power plant is a bloody marvel.

Nailing the accelerator produced instant, enthusiastic response off the line.  Numerous times, the voice in my head shouted: "I can't believe this big brute is hitting high speed so quickly." And so effortlessly.

And yet, I never felt like I was dangerously overextending the vehicle's capabilities.  I always felt in control of physics, and the brakes brought instant sanity to the speeding sport-ute.  For the record, the Escalade also is equipped with automatic/emergency braking systems for those who might feel inclined to test the outer limits of adhesion.

What can I say?  It's a rolling five-star luxury hotel room.

Drawbacks?  Well, 14 miles per gallon in the city and 19 mpg on the open road are not impressive numbers, but I'm guessing that the typical Escalade buyer is not overly concerned about fuel costs, even in today's era of Putin-propelled gas prices.

The Escalade rightly owns its reputation as a luxury-laden giant in the SUV world.  It's difficult to float back to earth after a week in one.

Ford Edge nears finish line with a pleasing vehicle

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've always liked the Ford Edge.

Ever since it was introduced for the 2007 model year, I believed that the midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle was not getting the respect it deserved.  I always felt that it received a lot of backhanded compliments when it was being compared with other models, particularly foreign-made SUVs.

I mention all this because it was reported earlier this year that Ford would discontinue production of the Edge after the 2023 model year. It all boiled down to assembly plant retooling and electric vehicle production plans, and the Edge found itself the odd man out.

Sad.

But an opportunity as well. There are still Edge SUVs out there to be had ... recent models with spacious interiors and peppy engines.

Like the recently tested 2021 Ford Edge ST-Line FWD.  My lavishly loaded tester was dressed up with plentiful extras -- a panoramic vista roof among them -- to come in at $42,225.

But here's the thing: As current auto prices have been climbing and the Edge ultimately is destined to disappear from the scene, a shrewd car shopper might be in a strong position to deal on older Edges that dealers want off their lots.

Just saying.

And what do you get in the Edge?

As mentioned, a roomy interior easily accommodates five passengers.  My cockpit seat had 10-way power and a heating feature.

Also standard on the tested Edge was a power liftgate, heated mirrors and LEDs front and rear.

On the fly, the tester's 2.0-liter, turbo-4 engine rated at 250 horsepower was an enthusiastic performer.  I easily darted in and out of crowded freeway traffic, and the Edge dug in impressively on hill climbs.

Fuel mileage was pretty fair at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

A max five-star overall federal crash test safety rating topped a list of five-star scores.

So, if you can find an Edge and a dealer willing to bargain, you can enjoy the brand for years beyond the SUV's expiration date.

Familiar name, new vehicle enter crossover market

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've run into more than a few folks who are, well, mystified by the all-new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross compact crossover sport-utility vehicle.

Everyday motorists and auto industry experts end up asking the same question: What is it exactly?

It borrows the venerable Corolla name, but it's different from that monster-selling passenger car.  It's positioned between Toyota's C-HR and RAV4 models, but it has its own distinct charms. It competes in a brutally competitive vehicle segment and is priced attractively in the 20-thousands across all trim levels.

So, with so many small crossovers out there, why should you buy the Corolla Cross?  After a week in the primo 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD, I think I get where Toyota is going with this one.

First off, it's a Toyota, which has a loyal buyer base.  Add the Corolla name, and now you really have their attention.

My tester had a nice mix of rugged good looks and aerodynamic lines, so it feels fine parked in the driveway.  Interior spacing and comfort is good, and my loaded version presented a vehicle that's a long-haul dream.

Optional additions included a tilt/slide moonroof with a powered back door, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a primo JBL audio system and an auto-leveling adaptive front lighting system.

Excellent, standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a state-of-the-art tech package that includes adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection and emergency braking.

Power is supplied by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 169 horsepower.  This handles most of the typical driving chores easily, although you do have to put your foot in it on steep hill climbs.

Fuel mileage is very good at 29 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

The bottom line on my loaded Corolla Cross came to a still-reasonable $33,550.

So, there you have it.  Will the Corolla name, the vehicle's solid engineering and Toyota's reputation make it a hit?

I'm guessing that Toyota fans are sold already.  Luring those folks driving Hondas, Subarus, Kias and various American makes will tell the tale over the long term.

Hyundai's Ioniq 5 is the electric vehicle in full

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 -- Hyundai touts its Ionic 5 compact crossover sport-utility vehicle as the electric machine that can do just about everything.

And, well, they might actually have something there.

In my week with the tested 2022 Ioniq 5 Limited AWD, the vehicle kept checking so many boxes that I came around to thinking that the hefty $55,920 price on the sticker's bottom line was a bargain.

My overall impression: The Ioniq 5 is another step in the evolution of the electric vehicle.  Virtually everything is better than Step One.

For starters, it looks good.  Nicely rounded and more substantial looking than many EVs.  Stout even.  And the striking "Lucid Blue" paint job was easy on the eyes to boot.

Inside, top-notch technology is everywhere, and within easy reach.

The blizzard of safety technology included a driver attention/warning system, front/rear parking sensors, a parking collision-avoidance system and, essentially, surround-vehicle sensors to prevent even the slightest potential scratch from becoming reality.

Extra-special comfort/convenience features included a panoramic fixed-glass sunroof with a power sunshade, a hands-free smart liftgate and a primo head-up display.

Sounds like a luxury SUV from Mercedes-Benz or Lexus, right?  Oh, but here's your bonus: a fuel mileage equivalent rating of 110 in the city and 87 on the highway.  Stops for $7-a-gallon gasoline not necessary.

So, how does it drive?  Amazingly well.  Smooth, fun and responsive.

With the dual electric motor system grinding out the equivalent of 320 horsepower, accelerations and making moves in dicey traffic were not a problem.  Handling-wise, the tested Ioniq 5 felt more solid and stable than a typical compact crossover -- definitely a plus on both freeways and traffic-laden surface streets.

Did I mention the 300-plus miles driving range and its quick charge ability (10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes properly equipped)?  Those are eye-popping numbers, especially for EV skeptics who worry about the time it takes to find recharging stations ... and how much time it takes to charge up the batteries.

So, as we evolve toward that ever-nearer future of the electric vehicle in California, please note that Hyundai seems to be ahead of the game.  In its Ioniq 5, the automaker has produced a vehicle capable of making believers out of those who remain skeptical about that all-electric future.

Sporty Lexus coupe reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2022 Lexus LC 500h Coupe can be seen in the latest, July 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.

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