Refreshed Toyota Camry commits to hybrid powertrain

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 -- Change is the theme for the ninth-generation Toyota Camry.

And while many motorists get nervous at the idea of change, relax. It's all good.

The tested 2025 front-drive Camry XSE upholds the standards of the much-beloved, monster-selling midsize sedan.

Most notable, all new Camrys have hybrid powertrain systems. The payoff for that on the tested Camry was 48 miles per gallon in the city and 47 mpg on the highway.

Hybrid does not mean anemic, however.  The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas-electric system on the tester (rated at 225 horsepower) was highly enthusiastic when asked.  Hill climbs in the Sierra Nevada were particularly, pleasingly brisk.

The tested XSE featured a sport-tuned suspension, which equated to a firm, comfortable ride and excellent handling.  Auto-reviewing colleagues of mine have likewise commented on the outstanding handling characteristics of the 2025 Camry.

It still looks like a Camry but a styling change has presented what Toyota calls "an athletic exterior style." Can't argue with that.  It's a sportier, more-muscular-looking skin on the 2025 model -- a head-turner to be sure.

The interior cabin also gets a makeover, with a stylish, contemporary look. Standard aluminum sport pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters were part of the look on my Camry XSE ride.

The sticker on the special black-roof tester was a somewhat hefty $42,195, but given everything that was on the vehicle, the price was right.

So, Camry rolls on with a new, exclusively hybrid era. I'm thinking Camry fans will be fine with that, because everything else about the latest-generation model is top drawer.

Mazda CX-90 PHEV competes well with the big boys

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 Mazda CX-90 sport-utility vehicle has saved my bacon a couple of times during our short history together, yet still giving me time to enjoy its numerous charms.

The recently tested 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus upheld the vehicle's standards, sans the bacon saving this time around.

The tester made its case in the first 10 minutes I was behind the wheel.

An interior motif featuring black Nappa leather was easy on the eyes and comfortable to the touch. The sticker read a hefty $60,000 -- courtesy of a super-loaded version -- and included a host of max five-star federal government crash test ratings.

Where to start with the standard equipment?  It was darn-near Mercedes-like.

The long list of included perks included paddle shifters, a power panoramic moonroof, heated power mirrors with embedded turn signals, lane-keeping assist, radar-assisted cruise control and a hands-free power liftgate.

The Premium Plus package included ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs and smart brake support.

All in all, a luxurious setting for 60 grand.

Other bonuses: plenty of room for seven passengers and a gas-electric fuel mileage equivalent of 56 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.

That power package translates to a robust 323 horsepower, giving the CX-90 a definite edge muscling into tight spots and out of harm's way.  At freeway cruising speed, the tester was smooth and pleasantly quiet.

Overall, this CX-90 stacks up as a player in a segment crowded with pricey SUVs with strong luxury reputations. If you're in the market for that kind of vehicle, the CX-90 should be on your test-drive list.

Genesis G80 upholds automaker's rising reputation

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 been fortunate to test drive a string of Genesis models of late, basking in the glow of luxury and high horsepower.

To understand why this relative newcomer to the scene -- the South Korean luxury/performance division of Hyundai was founded in 2015 -- has pulled down so many car/SUV of the year awards, you need only take a drive in, say, the 2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD sedan (pictured).

Let's start from the outside and work our way in.

The exterior look combines class with sleek styling, with an appropriately attractive front grille.  The tester was priced at just shy of $80,000.  Frankly, the look all but shouts $100,000 car.

You want the exterior to protect what's inside, and to that end, the G80 has pulled down the coveted Top Safety Pick award of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 rated at 375 horsepower.  On the fly, it feels stronger than that.  Power is dished up smoothly, firmly pressing you into your seat.  Suspension tuning is excellent.  Curves are hugged with monorail stability, even at high speeds.

Inside, luxury abounds.

Safety technology is state of the art, and the generous list of comfort/convenience features is pleasing to driver and passengers. Extra-special perks include a power cushion extension, three-zone climate control, rear-wheel steering, power door closure, remote start parking assist and an easy-to-see head-up display.

Fuel mileage is fair for a twin turbo at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Volunteer passengers did not want to get out of the car, noting the luxurious surroundings, comfortable roominess and super-smooth ride.

Frankly, this Genesis sedan is as good as anything else out there ... and priced less than much of the competition.

Everything one wants? Pretty darn close, I'd say.

Mini Countryman has Euro touches in a small package

This review first appeared in the February 2025 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 -- C'mon, admit it.  When you're out there shopping for a small sport-utility vehicle, your eyes can get weary wading through the blizzard of offerings on the market.

Maybe you want something different. Maybe you want something Euro.

And that's just what you get in the tested 2025 Mini Countryman S ALL4.

You want different?  How about rear lights that form a British Union Jack pattern? The centered screen display in the cabin is a large oval, about the size of a serious dinner plate. The gear shifter is about the size of a typical key ignition on a 1990s American model.

I could go on and on, but it would spoil the fun of opening these various Euro surprises.

And that Euro part is a little tricky.

Traditionally British Mini is now under the BMW ownership umbrella, which explains the tester's final assembly point of Leipzig, Germany.

Frankly, it doesn't matter who built it. It's an attractive, head-turning model with a fireball under the hood.

That would be the 2-liter turbo-4 rated at 241 horsepower.  That power plant is a joyful blast on the open road.  Blazing down freeway entrance ramps, the tester dug in and zipped into tight spots with ease. Accelerations from a standing start got my pulse racing.

The vehicle's tight wheelbase made for agile handling on crowded city streets. The tester darted in and out of small gaps with just a touch on the accelerator.  Definitely fun.

The fold-down seats provide a surprising amount of room for cargo. And fuel mileage is pretty fine at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

My tester was dressed up extra fancy -- including a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system -- bringing the bottom line to $44,295.

I should note that buyers have several styles -- Classic, Favoured, and John Cooper Works -- to choose from.  Each features brand-specific exterior/interior touches.

This Countryman was an enjoyable machine on several fronts.  In the end, I appreciated its versatility.  I saw it as a fun suburban workhorse, and just as much fun as a road trip rambler for those who like spur-of-the-moment adventures.

Either way, the Euro elements are a plus.

Civic hybrid hatch reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring hatchback can be seen in the latest, March 2025, 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.

Kia Sorento works for those on the go, on the snow

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 test driven a lot of Kia Sorento sport-utility vehicles -- all of them enjoyable.

So when I was handed the keys to the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX-Prestige 2.5T AWD, I figured the lengthy name alone would keep me busy with the owner's manual. The folks at Kia insisted that the Sorento was not only easy on the eyes, but easy to master. (They were right.)

They did have one other suggestion, however: Take it to the snow.

Good call.  Besides its rugged outdoor looks, the tester was equipped to tackle the wintry roadways with effortless ease.  Enjoyable?  Absolutely.

What makes it go in the snow?  Let me count the ways: ice-breaking all-terrain tires, all-wheel drive of course, a 4,500-pound towing capacity, big-boy bumpers, snow mode drive and a suite of off-road hardware inside and out -- all to be enjoyed from heated seats and a Bose premium audio system.

Kia rightfully touts the civilized off-pavement characteristics of this Sorento, but its everyday charms are evident on the paved surfaces.

Power is provided by a 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine rated at 281 horsepower and 311 foot-pounds of torque.  It's a more-than-willing engine, off-road and on. Handling on the tester was one-hand easy, and I found the turning radius tight in favor of the driver.

The sticker on the tested model was $49,400, and that included a long list of customer-pleasing features, including dual automatic climate control, an easy-to-see/use panoramic display screen, collision-avoidance assist, a smart power liftgate, smart cruise control, forward collision-avoidance and lane-keeping assist.

Fuel mileage is pretty fair at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Overall: Whether you're on snow or bone-dry pavement, this Sorento competes well in the midsize crossover SUV segment.

Fiat's 500e is just about perfect for city citizens

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 -- So, let's say you live in a big West Coast city ... maybe one with a bunch of famous bridges and a zig-zag street that they always show on televised sports events.

Wouldn't you want a small electric car that you can zip into barely there parking spaces, whip around gridlock and recharge fully on a nightly basis?

You have all of that in the recently tested 2024 Fiat 500e, which the automaker touts as the perfect vehicle for the dedicated city dweller.

And yes, I agree with all of that.

If you're not doing a crazy Sacramento-to-San Francisco commute every day and you're happy in your $3,500-a-month studio apartment in the big town, the Fiat 500e fits you with hand-in-glove perfection.

And it's a head turner, a shapely subcompact riding on 17-inch cast-aluminum, glossy black wheels.  Mine was the RED Edition, with a sparkling crimson paint job.

The electric power plant equates to a horsepower equivalent of 117, which is plenty to scoot the little car around with authority.  The tight wheelbase makes U-turns and turning radius challenges a snap.

Interior comfort from the cockpit is fine, and given the interior features and spot-on technology, the tester's price of $34,095 was just about right, by my reckoning.

For all its urban charms, I found the tested 500e to be a smooth operator on the freeways.  With the right planning, taking this electric out on a short road trip would certainly be a pleasure.

But make no mistake, this 500e is a child of the city, and I'm certain the targeted audience also will be pleased with its Euro charms.

Venerable Ford Explorer competes with the big boys

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 -- Let's say you have $50,000 and change to spend on a new sport-utility vehicle, and you're pondering the wide field of possibilities.

What to do, especially with all those luxury-laden, tempting sport-utes to be had?  There's Lexus and Mercedes-Benz and Genesis and, yes, Kia knows how to make a quality SUV.

But perhaps you should consider America's all-time best-selling SUV.

That would be the Ford Explorer. A week in the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum RWD offered up numerous reasons as to why it is a contender ... three rows of luxury wrapped in an attractive package and possessing a good amount of performance pep.

The updated lineup of Explorer models is arguably the best yet offered by the Blue Oval boys.

The tester was easy on the eyes, with classic robust SUV lines and a big-shouldered, nicely sculpted grille.  The Explorer looks ready for the long road, and particularly ready for off-road adventures.

Being off-road never felt so refined with interior ambient lighting, leather surfaces and a 13.2-inch digital touchscreen.  Off-the-pavement challenges are met with a host of features, including hill-start assist, side-wind stabilization and a terrain-management system.

My tester was equipped with the 3-liter, turbo V-6 rated at 400 horsepower, a delightful and enthusiastic power plant that made the Explorer handle like a purpose-built road warrior.

Given this combination of features, luxury, comfort and performance, this Explorer shapes up as a force to reckon with in its segment ... and a fair value for anyone's 50-grand and change.

Lexus RX 450h Luxury: Tops in class and classy to boot

This review first appeared in the December 2024 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 -- Having driven the Lexus RX sport-utility vehicle in its various forms over the years, I had a pretty good idea what to expect with the 2024 offering.

Turns out I underestimated the enjoyment factor.

The 2024 Lexus RX 450h Luxury is a technology-laden, rolling five-star hotel room, with a hybrid bonus.

Dressed in gleaming dark blue "Nightfall Mica" paint, the sleek tester radiated class.  Interior comfort was excellent.

It's the type of vehicle you don't want to get out of once your given driving chores are completed.

And yet, given what it has in the luxury segment, the tester was priced at a relatively reasonable $75,755.

If this is your purchase power point, I envy you.

My week in the sport-ute was completely enjoyable, a luxurious pleasure experience. It cruised down the freeway with butter smoothness, but it was remarkably agile when quick maneuvers were required.  The turning radius was surprisingly tight.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder plug-in hybrid/electric engine. The system, linked to a continuously variable transmission, is rated at 304 horsepower.

That's a fair amount of oomph, and a welcome power boost that rescued me a couple of times during tight entrance ramp maneuvers along Interstate 80.

In the vehicle rollout, Lexus touted the PHEV addition to the midsize crossover SUV, and in this case, the hype was entirely appropriate.  The power package is seamless, smooth and strong.

In practical terms, the PHEV system is good for 35 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving; that number swells to 83 mpg in gas-electric mode.

This being a Lexus, top technology features were plentiful ... ditto comfort/convenience perks.

I particularly enjoyed the panoramic glass moonroof, automatic road sign recognition/assist system, top-notch wood/leather trim, intuitive parking assist and wireless phone charger.

Something beyond the norm?  How about a curve speed management system?

I suppose one can get jaded driving so many vehicles in the $60,000-plus price range, but with the reputation Lexus has established over the years, I believe it's important to meet expectations in the luxury SUV segment.

This 2024 Lexus RX 450h Luxury sport-ute not only meets that threshold, but surpasses it.

Mini Countryman reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Mini Countryman S ALL4 sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, February 2025, 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's electric sedan excels on multiple levels

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 a BMW sedan with 21-inch wheels, a ton of state-of-the-art technology and electronic power rated at an equivalent of 97 miles per gallon in the city and 94 mpg on the highway.

So, naturally, there's an assumption of quality.

Thankfully, in the tested 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 sedan, you get that in the extreme.  So much so, you should feel totally pleased at the nearly $80,000 you have spent to make it yours.

That's how I feel, at least.

I've always been a bit confused by the way BMW names its cars, but confusion was swept aside five minutes into my test drive.  The sweeping was done by a buttery smooth all-electric motor that was likewise muscular and remarkably quiet.

You can see a million BMWs on the road and never take a second look.  That would be a mistake with this sedan.  It's electronic transportation at the head of the class in the sedan segment.

And sure, one's head can get turned by the standard Sky Lounge Roof, flexible fast charger and super-grabby blue caliper brakes.  But then you realize that you're in a machine equipped at a standard above most of the rest.

Shouldn't this be a $90,000 car?, I wondered.

Well, I've driven $90,000 cars that weren't as sophisticated as this tester.

Yes, this sedan is aimed at a high-end audience of electric car believers, but that does not take away from is bumper-to-bumper overall excellence.  Even internal-combustion devotees can appreciate outstanding engineering, right?

And this BMW is definitely worthy of appreciation.

This Bronco is equipped to run wild in the Badlands

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 have to hand it to the folks at Ford ... They really know how to stretch things out, adding touches to long-running vehicle models that make the old seem like new.

Take the Ford Bronco, which has been around for nearly 60 years.

You can have your Bronco as a Raptor, an Everglades model, a Sport, a Free Wheeling edition.

Or as the recently tested 2024 Ford Bronco Badlands 4-Door 4X4. With that name, you figure it's an off-road warrior.

Yes, it is, and Ford has gone to great lengths to equip the Badlands Bronco with features to warm the heart of the dedicated off-pavement motorist.

Where to begin?  The off-road suspension seems capable of driving up the side of a mountain.  All-terrain tires, of course. A sound-deadening headliner is a nice touch.  Muscular four-wheel disc brakes can stop it on a dime buried in the rocks. There's a front stabilizer bar disconnect. And on and on ...

But it's not all John Wayne macho. The tester had front row heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a wireless charging pad.

You could live comfortably in the woods or the high desert in this vehicle, with the bonus of state-of-the-art safety/driving-enhancement features -- all for a sticker price of $66,740 on the tester.

Fuel mileage is not so hot at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.  But the bonus on the other side of the coin is the enthusiastic performance of the 2.7-liter V-6 with more than 300 horses.  That makes this off-roader an imposing freeway roller as well.

Did I like it?  Absolutely, even with my urban dweller ways.

Land Rover Defender 90 rolls with two doors and 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 -- Land Rover buyers tend to be a detail-oriented bunch.

So, listen carefully when they say: I'd like to buy a crossover segment-defying vehicle with two doors and some luxury, but I don't want to pay a hundred-grand for it. I want it to be unique, in a way that you won't see many like it on the road.

Which turns us to the recently tested 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 S, which checks all of the boxes listed above. I must admit, it got my attention before I drove it 10 feet.

First off, plenty of first-row comfort and fun gadgets.  I didn't think it needed multi-zone climate control, but there it was.  Grained leather seats, of course. Must have hill descent control to take this vehicle off-road. Heated washer jets? Absolutely.

Fuel mileage is a buyer factor at only 18 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

The fun-to-drive factor is large with an enthusiastic 2-liter turbo-4 rated at 296 horsepower. This package was sprint-off-the-line worthy, and the tight wheelbase (thus the 90 designation) made the tester an agile figure skater on four wheels.  Lots of pep and enjoyment.

The look is decidedly euro/Land Rover, but it takes some time to adjust to only one door on each side of the vehicle. That doesn't spoil the look; it's just different.

I confess that I didn't spend a lot of time navigating the back of the vehicle, although its cargo-carrying space seemed more than adequate. Packing up for off-road jaunts appears to be a major segment of the target audience.

The bottom line on the tester's sticker was $70,683, so I guess I'd amend that target audience to: off-roaders who like to go first class.

Nothing wrong with that. Consider me envious.

Bronco 'Free Wheeler' turns heads, impresses others

This review first appeared in the November 2024 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 -- Loopy as it sounds, when the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling 4X4 sport-utility vehicle pulled into my driveway, I thought: Isn't that the vehicle they used to tour Jurassic Park in the 1993 movie of the same name?

Well, of course not.

But it gives you an idea of the impression a compact sport-utility vehicle can make wearing stripes of vivid colors.

Different?  Yes. Cool? Yes. Likeable? Absolutely.

In truth, I quickly liked pretty much everything about the vehicle right off the bat.  I was impressed -- and pleased -- with its basic simplicity and easy-to-use nature.  All that before giving a positive nod to the colorful graphics package.

Volunteer passengers felt the same way, going from "what is that?" to "I like this" in the blink of an eye.

The price was right too.  In a world of $50,000 and $60,000 sport-utes, the tester weighed in at $37,695 on the bottom line. That included a generous helping of options.

Other numbers to like: 25 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway ... plus a suite of max five-star federal government crash test ratings (including five on the overall score).

Veteran Ford fans will know that the "Free Wheeling" graphics package is a shout out to rainbow colors offered up in the 1970s.  And yes, there is a sentimental feeling climbing into a Bronco, the original SUV developed by Ford.

Sentimentality aside, the tester performed flawlessly in all conditions.   The 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine on the tester was rated at 181 horsepower, just the right amount to zip the Bronco around with enjoyable authority.

Loaded with five folks, there were no complaints about roominess, and 65 cubic feet of space behind the first row of seats translated to good volume for carrying cargo.

Ford rightly touts the Bronco's off-road charms, and I certainly agree.  But I found my tester to be a smooth-operating freeway runner as well.

The extensive comfort, convenience, safety and security features were easy to understand and use.  No long hours with my face buried in the owner's manual.

So there you have it: An OG of a sport-ute dressed up in a colorful, head-turning coat. Best of two worlds? You bet.