These three sport-utes help make the season bright

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 -- Christmas season is here, and it's time to get things in order. Here's a trifecta of recently driven sport-utility vehicles, all of them appropriate gifts for the fortunate motorist:

+ 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium (pictured): The compact sport-utility vehicle is a reasonably-priced ride amid Mazda's impressive lineup of SUVs. Mine was loaded, stickered at $43,170 and rated at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

The lengthy list of standard features included leather seating surfaces, paddle shifters and a 10.25-inch color center display. The big screen was easy to read, and useful in many functions.

The CX-50 can be had as a fuel-efficient hybrid, but I savored the 2.5-liter turbo engine on the tester, rated at 227 horsepower.  This power plant turns the compact into a competitor.

The tester zipped around city streets and freeway stretches with aggressive, agile moves.

Fun to drive. A strong entry in a very crowded motor vehicle segment.

+ 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT 2.5T AWD: I've liked the Santa Fe for years, and I have some long-standing friends who feel the same way -- friends who bought their Santa Fe sport-utes upon my recommendation.

I had another 2.5-liter turbo power plant at my command in the Santa Fe, and yes, I again enjoyed the seat-pressing boost it provided.

Generously equipped with standard perks, my tester came in at $43,205 and was rated at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Hyundai touts the "next-level 3-row Santa Fe for next-level adventures." Nice way to put it, and I have to agree.  Bonus: World-class warranties.

+ 2024 Kia EV9 Land AWD (EV9 Long Range AWD): Previous outings in the EV9 convinced me that this particular vehicle ranks as one of the most sophisticated among the current electric vehicle offerings.

My tester wore a sticker of $74,230, but that included state-of-the-art electric tech; top-tier safety comfort, convenience features; and a fuel-equivalent rating of 91 mpg in the city and 75 mpg on the highway.

You say it's priced like a Mercedes-Benz? Darn right.  Because it's that good.