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.