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.