2024 promises to be an eventful year in the auto world

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 -- Another year is disappearing in the rearview mirror, and the road ahead is packed with adventures, challenges and change.

In 2024, we can expect a year of political storms at the presidential level.  In Paris, a summer Olympics awaits.  In America, a lot of people are making money.  Others are struggling amid lingering inflation.  And on the automotive front, great movements are occurring.

Electric cars continue to come off assembly lines in huge numbers.  And there are so many variations of hybrid vehicles now that it's hard to keep up with what is out there.

Will U.S. automakers be able to hold serve with increasing competition overseas? Will a breakthrough, smashing success of a vehicle debut next year?

American auto workers took action and won economic gains in 2023.  And yet, they're rightfully concerned about computerized machines and AI taking over what were once paid positions for human beings.

There's no shortage of incredible motor vehicles on the market.  The technology that provides enhanced security, safety, comfort and convenience is often mind-blowing.  It's evolving at a rate unprecedented in automotive history.

Simply said, 2024 promises to be an eventful year.  I'll do my best to keep pace with it and offer fair assessments of the vehicles that come my way.

Most of all, I want to thank all of those who have faithfully read my words, dating back years.  Your feedback has made me a better observer.

I wish everyone health, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.  I'll be seeing you down the road.

Expedition is ideal for those with big holiday plans

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 -- It's the holiday season and, well, I need some space in my test vehicles. I imagine Santa confronts this all the time.

Thankfully, I recently took delivery of a 2023 Ford Expedition Platinum 4X4, a full-size sport-ute with the cargo-carrying capacity of a mule train.  Ah, problem solved.

Over the years, the Expedition has taken its lumps as a big, gas-guzzling bruiser.  But let's face it, some households (and businesses) have the need for a vehicle of this size. You can't transport a soccer team and all of its equipment in a Honda Civic, after all.

And in numerous ways, the Expedition has a lot going for it.

For example, a suite of max five-start federal crash test ratings stands out.  That includes five stars on the overall score.

And while one might expect the fuel mileage on this three-row SUV to be horrendous, it actually comes in at a fairly surprising 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

Power comes from a 3.5-liter turbo V-6 rated at a salty 400 horsepower. Torque is equally saucy at 480 foot-pounds at a mere 2,250 revolutions per minute.  Simply put, power is not a problem.

The tester dug in hard off the line and quickly sprinted into tight spots on the freeway.  Steering was surprisingly light for such a large vehicle.  It can be one-handed in a crowded parking lot.

The biggest benefit, of course, is how much it can carry.  And carry with ease, I might add. Let's start with eight normal-size human beings.  Even packed to the max, there's room to stretch those legs.

Cargo volume behind the first row of seats far exceeds 100 cubic feet, so load those holiday gifts for everybody in one trip.  Need a sizable trailer for the out-of-town presents? The Expedition can be easily set up for that errand as well.

Throw in a monster-size list of functional/safety/comfort/convenience features -- which boosted the bottom line on the tester to $87,345 -- and you have the holiday season transporter of your dreams.

For busy lifestyles and hard-working folks, the Expedition can do large duty for them 52 weeks a year.  Speaking of which, hope all of you have a happy and prosperous year ahead in 2024.

Chevy's Colorado pickup is the boss of the roadways

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 -- Chevrolet reworked its midsize Colorado pickup from bumper to bumper for 2023.  The result: A better truck from front to back.

Better? How to count the ways.  Let's start with styling.

If it's possible for a midsize pickup to look like a muscular, full-size truck, Chevrolet somehow pulled it off.  The wrap-around, split-level grille convinces the eye that this is the work site warrior you've been looking for.  The compact bed reminds that it's ready for lighter suburban duty as well.

My tester, a 2023 Colorado 4WD Trail Boss Crew Cab, was particularly attractive in "Glacier Blue Metallic" paint.  Folks literally stopped in their tracks to remark on it.

Inside, a driver-friendly layout of controls goes above and beyond the usual truck fare.  Particularly striking is the 11.3-inch diagonal color LCD display.  It took me a little study time to master all that it does.  Once mastered, it's an easy-to-read and convenient-to-use touchscreen device.

On the fly, power was provided by a 2.7-liter "Turbo Plus" engine rated at 310 horsepower. Some pickups take their noisy time getting up to cruising speed.  Not this one.

Accelerations from a standstill pressed me pleasingly into my seat, and the tester was perfectly balanced even as I performed the hardest of standing starts.  In freeway traffic, the Colorado was nimble, and dare I say, light to the touch.  Kudos to Chevy engineers on the chassis/suspension set-up.

Fuel mileage was 17 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.  The bottom line on the sticker was $41,055 -- a fair number given the lengthy list of standard features on the truck.

I've discovered that size matters in the world of trucks.  Some neighbors felt that my tester was simply not big enough.  I'm guessing they are spoiled by the tons of monster-size trucks on the roads.

I get it.  But here's the thing:  Not everybody needs a big-as-a-building pickup priced at $65,000.  Maybe all they want is a functional pickup that is easy to handle, and capable of hauling the occasional big cargo load.

This Colorado -- named Motor Trend's 2024 Truck of the Year at this writing -- can do all that.  And look good doing it.

Sporty Lexus RC 350 reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2023 Lexus RC 350 F Sport AWD sports car can be seen in the latest, December 2023, 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.

BMW dishes up the luxury in this X7 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 -- I had not been behind the wheel of a BMW for some time, but my return to the automaker's cockpit could not have been any more pleasant.

Of course, that was probably helped along by my ride being a new power-laden, luxury-loaded 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i sport-utility vehicle priced at $95,745.

Yes, class counts.  But so do many other things on this full-size sport-ute.

The look is decidedly aggressive, especially on the front end, with beautifully cut, split headlights and a sculpted, big-mouth grille.  While most grilles today are just big, this one had some subtle curves and angles to make it stand apart -- in a positive way.

The interior was a five-star hotel room with exquisite, perfectly stitched white leather and a thoughtful layout of dash controls, all sort of aimed at the driver for his/her convenience.  Sitting in the cockpit gives one a feeling of security and complete control.

Ditto all the technology built into this X7.

Driving-assist and enhancement controls are helpful without being overly intrusive.  And it's really easy to command everything with that massaging driver's seat and the primo Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system filling the cabin with pleasant noises.

I will confess that, while the BMW in-vehicle technology is similar to that found in other makes/models, it is triggered in different ways.  I had to study the owner's manual to master things, but it was a short, quick study.  Like riding a bicycle again?  Yeah, pretty much.

Auto-reviewing colleagues generally raved about the 3-liter TwinPower Turbo 6 engine in their reviews, and I second their endorsements after a week in my tester. The 375-horsepower engine is muscular off the line and silky smooth on the cruise once the revs are up.  A pleasure to drive.

Fuel mileage is OK at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg.

Any gripes?: The third row seats are a bit of a tight fit.

Otherwise, this is likely the full-size luxury sport-ute that fans of the segment dream of owning.

More than a Toyota Highlander, it's simply Grand

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 -- You would think that Toyota would be perfectly happy with the highly successful Highlander midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle, positioned nicely above the compact RAV4 but smaller than those other sizable Toyota SUVs.

Instead, for 2024, the venerable automaker has rolled out a Grand Highlander, sort of a super Highlander.  Full size and proud of it.

My tester, the 2024 Grand Highlander 4WD Limited, showed up looking as big as a battleship to my eyes.  I chalked that up to my own biases and expectations, having tested numerous Highlanders over the years.

A little time together brought us to an understanding.  Yes, it's large.  But it doesn't drive that way. It's easy to maneuver, and I was pretty much accustomed to the vehicle's borders within five minutes.

Power on my Grand Highlander was provided by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system rated at 245 horsepower.  Frankly, the power plant felt stronger than that as I had to throttle back on aggressive starts, lest I catch the attention of the local peace officers.

Simply put: The Grand Highlander drives as easily as the good ol' midsize Highlander.

The hybrid system also offered pleasant fuel mileage numbers: 36 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

Per usual, everything else on the Toyota was spot-on: excellent fit and finish, good 360-degree vision from the cockpit and a generous list of standard features. Highlights included leather heated/ventilated/power front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, three-zone auto climate control and an exceedingly sharp 12.3-inch color multi-info display.

Did I mention that it looks good?  Yeah, it does, especially riding on those muscular 20-inch alloy wheels.  The angular cuts on the body raise it a notch above the standard big SUV look.

Priced at $53,238, the tester was wearing a sticker very much expected of a big-shouldered SUV. But in my view, worth the price for the Grand experience.

Hyundai's Tucson continues to please in numerous ways

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 -- Over the years, I've bragged a lot about the Hyundai Tucson. I considered it the perfect choice for a motorist looking to buy his/her first sport-utility vehicle.

I've even recommended the Tucson to some who ended up buying one. So, a recent opportunity to again climb into a Tucson cockpit offered me a chance to change my mind about things.

That did not happen. If anything, my confidence in the Tucson was boosted even further after a week in the 2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Limited AWD. How so?

In this era when seemingly everyone is talking about "checking the boxes," the Tucson checks so many boxes that they need to be continued on the next page.

For starters, it's perfectly sized as a compact crossover SUV ... especially for those looking to jump into the SUV market for the very first time.  No need to move things around to make room in the garage.  You feel comfortable behind the wheel within seconds of slipping it into Drive for the very first time.

It handles with midsize sedan ease. My Tucson had a 1.6-liter turbo-4 base power plant handling the chores. The engine is rated at 180 horsepower; the electric motor maxes at 90 horses. Strong enough, and then some.

In the tester, fuel cost concerns fell to the bottom of the list. My ride had a combined city-highway fuel rating of 35 miles per gallon. Throw in the electric factor, that jumped to a whopping 80 miles per gallon.

Right away, you feel like you're ahead of the game. Because you are.

So, now it's time to look around the interior cabin and appreciate what has been installed there.

There's admirable roominess for a small SUV, and beyond that, my tester was loaded with luxury and customer-pleasing perks. The lengthy list included leather seating surfaces/steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance system, surround-view monitor, rain-sensing windshield wipers and an excellent 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

My tester was essentially a $50,000 to $55,000 package, but Hyundai has a habit of offering its vehicles for thousands less than similarly equipped competitors. So, no surprise at the bottom line on the tested Tucson: $46,305.

Throw in Hyundai's generous warranties and ever-improving reliability ratings and one is hard-pressed to find a worthy compact crossover SUV segment rival.

Toyota's Crown features lifted look, hybrid power

This review first appeared in the October 2023 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 -- The names of venerable Toyota models roll effortlessly off the tongue: Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius ...

Toyota Crown.

Did that last one trip you up?  Perhaps. Yet that model name has been in the global marketplace since the mid-1950s.

Let me explain.

The Toyota Crown's arrival in the United States edges the long-standing Toyota Avalon sedan to the sidelines. In a nutshell, the Crown sedan hopes to lure a diverse group of buyers who have grown accustomed to crossover SUVs, fuel-sipping powertrains and distinctive styling.

To that end, all three Crown trim levels feature hybrid systems, a "lifted" sedan look and some saucy styling on the front and back ends.  All-wheel drive is part of the package as well.

So while the Crown label has been around for decades, it's a newbie name to most on our shores.

My 2023 Crown Limited sedan was a fetching number in "Supersonic Red" paint and eye-catching round/angular cuts on the front and rear bumpers. It rode high on 19-inch alloy wheels. It's certainly not a staid-looking four-door vehicle.

And I couldn't complain about a hybrid system getting 42 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The old-school part of the hybrid system was a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine.

On the move, the Crown was responsive and a few notches above peppy, rated at 236 horsepower. (Please note: The top-level Platinum model puts out 340 net horsepower.)

Accelerations in my tester were brisk, and the Crown demonstrated admirable darting ability when I wanted to get in and out of tight spots in a hurry.

The tester also doubled as a luxury liner with a strong list of standard features, including heated rear seats and a dazzling 12.3-inch multimedia control center that handled numerous chores.

Even with a nearly $3,000 Technology Package, the bottom line on the tested Crown's sticker came in at $50,648 ... or about $7,500 to $10,000 less than what one might expect in today's market.

All in all, a solid effort.

The zillion-dollar question: Will the changes/features found in the Crown prompt thousands of consumers to write checks for the car in the financial offices of dealerships nationwide?  Time will tell.

What I do know is that Toyota has a history of instituting shifts and making pivots that have proved lucrative.

It will be interesting to see if this Crown ends up being another jewel.

Luxurious Lexus SUV reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2023 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, November 2023, 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.

Mazda3 hatch shows its strengths in Lake Tahoe trip

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 late October trip to Lake Tahoe.  What is the best vehicle for the job?

Based on my recent trip, I nominate the 2024 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo hatchback, equipped with the Premium Plus package and all-wheel drive.

How so?  It covers all the bases.  Let me count the ways.

For starters, you need a vehicle capable of tackling the tricky Highway 50 run up to Daggett Pass in Nevada.  From the Sacramento Valley floor to the pass summit, that's a climb of nearly 7,500 feet.

The turbo-boosted Mazda3 handled it like a champ. The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 227 horsepower with 87 octane gas, but the power curve jumps to 250 horses with 93 octane.  Either way, the Mazda3 tester charged into hill climbs with muscular vigor.

In those short passing zones on Highway 50, the Mazda dusted off stragglers in quick order before zipping back into line with one quick twist of the wrists. Fuel mileage is pretty good at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Inside the hatch, there are more road trip advantages.  With the rear seats folded flat, two full-size suit cases fit perfectly side by side, still leaving plenty more room to haul additional gear.

With the Premium Plus package, I was treated to a nearly obscene amount of perks for a five-door hatch. That's in addition to a full boat of safety/security technology.

Among the long list of items, I was particularly impressed with the easy-to-use, easy-to-see 10.25-inch center color display, with touchscreen functionality.  On unfamiliar roads, the nav system kept me informed and secure in all situations.

So, what's the cost.  Figure $45,000, right?  Try $38,410 on the test vehicle ... a bargain to be sure.

Mazda never disappoints with performance and driving-enhancement technology, making short road trips or long cross-country drives a snap.  The Mazda3 I had was a vehicle I could trust in the high country, and fun to drive all the way around.

Venza Nightshade: It's Batman's ride and much more

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 efforts to please seemingly everybody in the sport-utility vehicle segment, Toyota offers the just-right-size Venza -- a five-passenger midsize that's bigger than the tiny travelers but smaller than the line's behemoths.

And my tester -- a 2023 Toyota Venza XLE Nightshade -- went a couple steps better than that, with a gas-sipping hybrid powertrain system and the Nightshade treatment.

If Batman wanted an SUV, this would be the one he'd drive.  The Nightshade touches include a black front grille with smoked chrome trim, black wheels, black roof rails and black mirror caps and rear badges. A bold look?  You bet.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine matched with a hybrid system. From the cockpit, it can be tuned to EV, Eco, Normal and Sport functions.  In Sport mode, the combined 219 horsepower package is pleasingly peppy.

The tester held its own with just about everything on the road, and quietly at that. Per usual, the Toyota was firm in the corners and balanced in all conditions.  A pleasure to drive.

The hybrid system produces admirable fuel mileage figures of 40 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

My ride, with a bottom line of $41,665 on the sticker, was packed with a long list of standard features, including a hands-free power liftgate, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control with rear vents.

A full suite of safety technology features made me feel secure, as did the max five-star federal government overall safety rating based on crash test results.

In sum, the Venza continues to be an excellent choice for SUV buyers who need a bit more than a RAV4 but don't want to break the bank purchasing a massive sport-ute.

Throw in the Nightshade look and, well, Batman certainly would be pleased.

Luxurious Lexus a versatile SUV with a hybrid bonus

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 -- You're looking for an SUV that stands out, with luxury and a feisty engine. Not too big, mind you.  With some good fuel mileage And not so pricey as to prompt that second mortgage campaign.

What fits that bill is the recently tested 2024 Lexus NX 350h Luxury sport-ute, a compact five-seater that plays the role of Swiss Army Knife in this segment.  It's versatile.  And there's a lot to like.

The tester had the classic SUV look and stance, with the now-expected massive grille.  Within the skin, the "Luxury" label was evident.

Notable features included a power moonroof, a power rear door with kick-open sensor, rain-sensing wipers, intuitive parking, heated/ventilated seats, head-up display and thematic ambient lighting.

The list of multimedia/technology features was equally long and impressive. I particularly liked the steering-assist system that was subtle and helpful. State-of-the-art connected technologies were extensive and diverse ... enough so that you might need to consult your favorite teenager to master all of them.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system pairs a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators to propel the sport-ute with vigor. The all-wheel-drive system operates seamlessly, and I found the NX rock-solid in cornering maneuvers.  The advertised zero-to-60-mph time is 7.2 seconds.

The hybrid powertrain produces a combined 240 horsepower, and it's essentially guilt-free with the hybrid technology equating to 41 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

For a loaded Lexus, I thought the $56,430 bottom line on the sticker was a relative bargain, especially with about $7,000 in options part of the deal.

Overall, this NX is another strong Lexus offering for the 2024 model year.

Sixth-generation Impreza is the best of the line

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 venerable Subaru Impreza rolls out its sixth-generation vehicle for the 2024 model year, and while some might scoff at even the thought of a hatchback, this new Impreza is the best in the compact hatchback universe.

When did five doors look so sleek and functional?

My tester was the 2024 Impreza RS with a peppy 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine rated at 182-horsepower and matched to continuously variable transmission. With near-perfect balance and increased torsional rigidity, the tester zipped off the line with nary a wiggle and accelerated smoothly up the road.

The Impreza was likewise balanced in hard corners and slalomed through freeway traffic with remarkable ease.  The handling alone would have been worth the price of admission: a most reasonable $28,975.

The tester's aerodynamic look was enhanced by a striking "Oasis Blue Pearl" paint job that stood out beautifully in parking lots.  Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark-gray finish added to the eye appeal.

This being a Subaru, it's loaded with the latest technology, which both enhances the driving experience and makes it safer.

That includes standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which enhances the range of vision, braking and trouble-spotting ... careless pedestrians or all-over-the-road bicyclists, for example. The Automatic Emergency Steering system is designed to avoid collisions at speeds of less than 50 miles per hour.

I will confess that these systems worked somewhat aggressively, making slight adjustments of the steering wheel in my hands as a I motored along.  The systems demand driving excellence. Given that, they are doing their jobs well.

Per usual, fuel mileage is good at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Another bonus: the back storage area is surprisingly roomy.

The Subaru Impreza holds a special place in my heart, given its sterling history of safety awards and development of all-wheel drive. It has been around for more than 30 years now, and it's never looked -- or performed -- better than right now.

Here's what to do with $100K and a need for speed

This review first appeared in the September 2023 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 turns heads just parked at the grocery store. It appears to have a lot of Corvette DNA in it. But it's pricier than a basic 'Vette ... six figures to get into the game, my friend.

It's the 2023 Lexus LC 500 coupe. And in circles where $100,000 is just the ante for one hand of poker, it's worth every penny.

My tester was wearing striking "Cadmium Orange" paint, which only enhanced the wow factor of the car's super sporty-sleek appearance.

It looks racetrack ready at the curb. Lexus says its LC 500 "represents the most passionate expression of the Lexus brand," and it's no brag.

Stepping into the cockpit and firing up the 5-liter V-8 rated at 471 horsepower produced a feel-it-from-head-to-toe rumble.  The neighbors positioned three lots away told me they could hear and feel it as well.  No one complained.

On the open road, the LC 500 makes you master of everything.  No traffic opening is too tight. You can dart out of harm's way with one quick blip on the accelerator. You can actually see that surrounding motorists don't want to challenge the car on any level, adding a certain serene security to an outing.

Fuel cost for the typical LC 500 buyer is likely not a concern. On the tested model, the numbers came in at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Even with its $106,885 sticker price seared into my brain, I was stunned at the numerous comfort, convenience and safety features included as standard.

The options list, which added about $12,000 more to the bottom line, took things even higher.  That included a head-up display (a particularly welcome feature on a high-performance vehicle), a 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, an intuitive parking system and carbon fiber roof and door scuff plates.

For those who need an extra rush on the move, the option list also included a speed-activated rear wing -- just what you need in a vehicle that makes the zero-to-60-mph run in just 4.4 seconds.

So, there you have it ... a genuine road warrior with Lexus-level luxuries and perfect fit and finish.

Kind of makes that $106K sticker look like a bargain.

Toyota Crown sedan reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2023 Toyota Crown Limited sedan can be seen in the latest, October 2023, 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.

Jeep's Grand Cherokee equipped to tackle roads, trails

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 -- With so many compact crossover sport-utility vehicles out there, one almost feels sorry for the old-school fan of the big sport-ute.

Still, there is sizable, quality SUV product to be had -- the recently tested 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve 4X4 for example. With three comfortable, roomy seating rows and packed with safety technology, pleasing comfort/convenience features and peppy performance, it's a capable crowd carrier.

As I've noted in the past, the Grand Cherokee and I have a history.  We go way back, back to Ronald Reagan's first presidential term. A test drive on the East Coast in a founding father SUV convinced me that this was the start of something big.  But I underestimated just how big that SUV wave would be.

The evolution of the sport-ute is on full display in the latest Grand Cherokee.  The boxy sculpting of decades ago has been replaced by downright alluring body work.  The long hoodline looks aggressively attractive in profile, and the grille is robust without being over the top.

The interior cabin is a smile-producing sight, with lots of room for long-legged passengers. Folding the rear seats transforms the SUV into a serious cargo carrier.  The standard hands-free power liftgate is a helpful tool for packing in large objects.

A kickin' audio system and multimedia options are a pleasure, but when you want calm, the Grand Cherokee cabin is surprisingly quiet, even with the engine at full song.

It's a most civilized urban traveler, but the Grand Cherokee also can handle the rough, unpaved roads.  To help that along, the SUV comes with hill-start assist, a trailer-tow package and other off-road systems for trail travelers.

The tester scooted along admirably with a 3.6-liter V-6 under the hood.  Rated at 293 horsepower, the engine actually felt stronger in my hands.  The vehicle tackled steep hill climbs with very little complaint.  Fuel mileage is 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

The Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve 4X4 earned a suite of max five-star ratings in federal government crash tests, including five stars in the overall score.

Please note, the bottom line on the tester was $73,515 ... or about what one expects in this era of luxurious, feature-loaded, three-row SUVs. 

 If you can afford the fare, you'll be getting a sizable, versatile sport-ute that has evolved admirably since the early days of the sport-utility vehicle segment.

Hyundai's Santa Cruz is a pickup for the rest of us

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 -- Fans of full-size pickups can get pretty snarky when it comes to compact trucks.

They drop words like "wimpy" and "weak" and "undersized" to describe the smaller models. But the bottom line is: not everyone wants a big, hulking pickup.  They want something more nimble, but still capable of carrying the occasional large cargo load.

Enter the tested 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD, a cleverly styled, peppy and utterly functional compact pickup for the rest of us.

Small in this case does not mean stripped.  I was stunned by the lengthy list of standard features packed into my tester.  That was particularly true of safety technology, which went far beyond the usual suspects.  My ride included blind spot collision-avoidance (with view monitor), driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist and forward collision avoidance.

The little pickup was further dressed up with 20-inch alloy wheels, LEDs all around, a power sunroof and heated/ventilated front seats.

Passersby routinely shouted that they liked the looks of the Santa Cruz.  Pickup devotees certainly would wince at the number of times it was called "cute."  To my eyes, it looked sporty with lean-into-the-wind sculpting on the front end.

For all this, the sticker's bottom line came in at $41,810 ... an alluring number in an age where buying a typical, new pickup truck can be a $60,000 transaction.

My tester had a 2.5-liter turbo-4 under the hood, which made it a muscular machine. Rated at 281 horsepower (or 90 horses more than the standard, non-turbo 2.5-liter engine), the power plant enthusiastically snapped the Santa Cruz forward from standing starts and gave more as the revs increased.

The Santa Cruz was rock-solid firm in corners and handled with midsize sedan ease.  It climbed with very little complaint ... with surprisingly little noise making its way into the cabin.

Four-door convenience and comfort added to the mix. Fuel mileage was pretty fair at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.  And no, the truck bed would not be ideal for a construction site, but it's entirely capable of carrying, say, a new washer or dryer back to the homestead.

Overall, the Santa Cruz is the little pickup that can do a lot ... with good value to boot.

Hybrid Corolla Cross delivers just about all you need

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 -- Cruising east on Interstate 80 just outside the community of Auburn, it dawned on me that the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross was a give-'em-all-you-got vehicle.

What you get is a lot: the venerable Corolla name with plentiful Corolla DNA within the vehicle, a sporty-looking compact crossover, plentiful safety/comfort/convenience features, Toyota's storied reliability and gas-saving hybrid technology.

That last part is new for 2023 and a highly touted feature on my tester: a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross HV XSE.  A 2-liter, four-cylinder engine anchors the hybrid system, which generates a combined net horsepower of 196.  Fuel mileage is a robust 45 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Hybrid does not equate to tepid performance, however.  The tester scooted along lustily, and Toyota boasts a zero-to-60-mph time of 8 seconds, pretty feisty for this segment.

My ride stood out visually, wearing a saucy yellow-green paint job that Toyota labeled Acidic Blast.  It worked nicely with a jet black interior.

The cabin on the tester was surprisingly roomy, and from the cockpit, everything was thoughtfully laid out -- a la Corolla-style excellence.

For a compact offering, the features list went far beyond typical.  Standard perks on my tester included pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane-departure alert, a wireless smartphone charger, rear seat vents and ambient lighting.

A full boat of options -- including a premium JBL audio system and an adaptive front lighting system -- brought the bottom line on the sticker to $36,694. Given the plentiful equipment, just about right, I'd say.

Overall, this vehicle appeals to a lot of customer desires.  You want a practical-size crossover SUV ... that's packed with solid tech tools and longed-for standard equipment ... that will save you money on gas over the long haul ... and won't crush you bank accounts?

Toyota has you covered with the Corolla Cross hybrid.

The heart races behind the wheel of Kia's EV wonder

This review first appeared in the August 2023 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 -- In the auto-reviewing game, you sometimes feel awash in a blizzard of motor vehicles. Models and their features start to blend together.  I guess, in some ways, you become jaded.

And then a vehicle like the 2023 Kia EV6 GT with all-wheel drive shows up at your door ... and gets your pulse racing.

I knew from the advance marketing that this all-electric compact crossover was something special. Kia showed the vehicle blazing around racetracks, noting that it was the most powerful production model in the history of the automaker.

But nothing prepared me for the reality that came with seat time.

This fire-breathing, 576-horsepower monster was neck-snapping performance in all its glory.

Over the years, I've driven only a few vehicles where I felt that I had to be extra careful not to let the machine get away from me.  This was one of them.

Just a nudge on the accelerator pressed me into the seat.  A hard hit from my right foot, and it was off to the races.

I'm talking about the kind of performance where you are rolling along amid 70 miles-per-hour traffic, and then suddenly everything around you is frozen to the spot as you blaze off into the distance. A serious rush.

For even well-known high-performance cars, that's the top end. But the EV6 GT takes it up a notch above that.

Positioned on the lower right side of the vehicle's steering wheel is a neon-green button that, if pushed, optimizes all key drive systems and essentially turns the vehicle into a low-level jet.

The GT button response is so strong that I recommend that a driver not push it until he/she is on a wide open stretch of freeway with few cars in sight.  And even then, get ready to hang on and keep that right foot ready to ease onto the brakes, lest you break into triple digits on the speedometer.

Those who have seen the NOS button in the "Fast and Furious" movie franchise (where special effects help produce a breathtaking visual of acceleration produced by a nitrous oxide blast) will appreciate the neon-green button in this KIA crossover.  It produces the same effect.

Naturally, with so much horsepower at hand, all vehicle systems have to be working at optimum levels.  And Kia did a super job with this. The dual electric motors, electronic suspension and electronic limited slip differential work seamlessly to produce eye-popping power and vehicle balance.

Because this is an EV, the over-the-top power production is guilt-free.  The fuel mileage equivalent is 85 miles per gallon in the city and 74 mpg on the highway.

Beyond the performance rush, the tested Kia had a generous lineup of interior comfort/convenience features and was comfortable throughout, with a bottom line on the sticker coming to $62,865.

Steven Center, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Kia America, probably says it best: “Moving toward our tailpipe zero-emissions goals has never been as exhilarating.”

Amen to that, brother.

Sporty Lexus coupe reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2023 Lexus LC 500 coupe can be seen in the latest, September 2023, 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.

Pretty penny: Reworked Lexus RX hits the right notes

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 rolled up with something new, and well, my first thought was that it looked like a giant penny.

The striking "Copper Crest" paint job certainly made an impression, and judging from the popular vote during my week in the vehicle, that impression was positive.  Not only did I like it, but multiple passersby and motorists stopped me in my tracks and told me how much they liked the paint job.

But there was much more to like in the 2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance, a seriously reworked five-seater marking the RX's fifth generation in 2023.

The redesign highlights a sleek profile riding on a sedan-based platform. The wide-mouth grille appears ready to devour anything in its path.  Lexus notes that the exterior redesign resulted in more interior space, particularly legroom.

From the cockpit, everything is within easy reach.  And the standard features on the tester -- priced at $70,830 on the sticker's bottom line -- included state-of-the-art multimedia, safety, driving-enhancement, comfort and convenience perks. Notable among the features were intuitive parking assist (with auto-braking), an easy-to-see 9.8-inch touchscreen display and a kickin' 12-speaker sound system.

Lexus apparently wanted "Performance" in the vehicle name, although it was obvious from the start that this SUV could cook.

The powertrain package is anchored by a turbocharged 2.4-liter in-line turbo 4 matched with an electric motor. An electric inverter/motor powering the rear wheels throws in to raise total horsepower to 366; torque maxes at 406 foot-pounds ... all of it orchestrated through a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system.

Power management makes the vehicle a pleasure to drive.  Brisk accelerations off the line turn into seat-pressing sprints with the AWD system seamlessly managing front and rear power demands. Excellent suspension balance on the front and rear delivered a monorail-solid ride, but without uncomfortable stiffness normally experienced with sport-tuned platforms.

Thanks to the hybrid assist, fuel mileage comes in at a pretty decent 27 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Overall, this RX is a flagship, show off, pretentious, bells-and-whistles-laden sport-ute made better than it has ever been with a thoughtful redesign and top-drawer engineering.