Hot-rod Hyundai reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N AWD can be seen in the latest, August 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.

Venerable Ford Explorer cooks with turbo power plant

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 has been through ups and downs over the years, but here is the fact that commands respect for the Ford Explorer: It is America's all-time best-selling sport-utility vehicle.

And of all the Explorers I've test driven over the decades, the recently delivered 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum RWD was the best of the lot.

I'm sure I was influenced by the 3-liter, turbocharged engine with a pavement-scorching 400 horsepower. So strong and so responsive was the power plant that I had to patiently work my way into a comfortable driving pattern.  The first few attempts found me jumping off the line like a dragster.

Once mastered, I easily outperformed everything else on the road, bolstered by a seamless 10-speed transmission.  Silky freeway cruising and cargo carrying capability were once top priorities in my Explorer outings.  Performance bolted to the top spot this time around.

The tester also featured a sleek profile enhanced by 21-inch dark alloy aluminum wheels.

Inside, a comfortable and thoughtfully laid out interior made me (and passengers) feel secure from the get-go. The tester demonstrated admirable stability and agility in both urban and highway runs.

The tester was loaded with off-road chops that included hill start assist and a terrain management system. I also liked the moonroof and ambient lighting, two cool features on a long list of perks.

Fuel mileage clocked in at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.  My loaded version had a bottom line of $57,865 on the sticker.

Overall, the newest Explorer deservedly retains its spot on the Mount Rushmore of sport-utility vehicles.

K4 and CX-50: Two good things in compact packages

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 managed to grab some seat time in two different trim levels of models I recently reviewed. Here's my take ...

The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo compact sedan (pictured) gave me the turbo boost that I typically enjoy.

There is some turbo lag, but once revs are up, the K4 moves along with genuine muscular authority.  The horsepower curve from the 1.6-liter turbo-4 feels more powerful at full song then the advertised 190.

For a compact model, the interior is surprisingly roomy, and a very impressive list of comfort, convenience and safety features are close at hand.

I frankly was stunned to see a most-reasonable bottom line of $31,445 for this feature-loaded sedan. Fuel mileage also was impressive at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

I was pleased with the excellent all-around vision from the cockpit -- a happy departure from other compact models that make one feel vulnerable in dicey traffic.

Is this Kia offering worth a look?

Absolutely, especially in an era of seemingly endless $50,000 vehicles.

The same goes for the tested 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.  I've driven numerous versions of this compact crossover sport-utility vehicle, and it has consistently exceeded my expectations.

Whether I'm hauling a surprisingly large amount of cargo in the back end or managing the generous array of standard features, this CX-50 goes beyond the "compact" label to a decidedly reliable favorite.

My most recent CX-50 tester included a double-long list of perks -- including leather surfaces, a panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing wipers (with de-icer) -- for a bottom line of $40,060.  You might expect to pay around 50-grand for similarly equipped models from other manufacturers.

Bonus: A max five-star overall safety rating in federal crash tests.

Simply said: Another reliable vehicle for those carefully counting their dollars.

Feel-good 4Runner looks handsome in updated skin

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 -- Even now, I sometimes get nervous tooling around in a substantial sport-utility vehicle like the Toyota 4Runner.

You never know who is out there resenting you.

I've heard it before: "Hey, don't you know you're killing the planet?" ... Or: "Does that thing even get 20 miles per gallon?"

Awkward.

But in my recent week in the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited with four-wheel drive, I found nothing but love.

In a Raley's parking lot, a young couple approached, the woman offering, "That really looks nice. What is it?"  Two days later, another parking lot, a middle-age man: "That is a handsome vehicle, son. How much for it?"

Such was my all-around-charming week in the 4Runner dressed in "Heritage Blue" paint.

I'm sure that some of the good vibes radiating from the venerable sixth-generation SUV can be attributed to a 2025 restyling that offers an eye-catching, sporty, wide-shouldered look.  It's a look entirely suited to the bread-and-butter off-road reputation of the 4Runner.

For its part, Toyota refers to the 4Runner as "an icon in American off-road culture." Can't say that I can argue with that.

Even parked, the 4Runner looks ready to take on backwoods trails, and yet I'd feel perfectly comfortable handing the keys over to a valet at a country club.

Inside, a wealth of safety/comfort/convenience features are within easy ready and quickly mastered.  Freeway cruises with the 2.4-liter turbo-4 (278 horsepower) are decidedly smooth and quiet.

My ride was liberally loaded with extras that brought the bottom line to $62,785 -- actually a bit of a bargain considering all that's there.  Fuel mileage came in at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

In sum, Toyota has contemporary-tweaked the 4Runner to what is arguably its best version ever, dating back to its U.S. debut in 1983.

Kia Carnival combines best of multiple auto segments

This review first appeared in the June 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 -- One thing about the car-reviewing game ... You gotta speak the language. Know the lingo.

Take the Kia Carnival, for example. With that long body and sliding doors on either side, observers seeing it for the first time are likely to call it a full-on minivan in a New York minute.

Kia calls it a multi-purpose vehicle.

After a week in the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige, I call it a multi-tasker offering the best of multiple vehicle segments.

Let's start with the look.

Yes, there's a long minivan-like body, but the front end is a decidedly sport-utility vehicle piece of sculpture.

Inside, there's plentiful room for even jumbo-size adults.

Got cargo? The Carnival can be configured to carry a bunch of it, with a smart power liftgate to ease the loading process.

Driver comfort is enhanced by plentiful comfort/convenience features within easy reach ... very luxury passenger car-like.

Perks on the tester included tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch panoramic screen display and heated/ventilated front seats.

And I'll confess to liking those sliding side doors, great for long family road trips as the kids can easily move in and out of the vehicle (and yes, there are remote door triggers on the key fob).

The tester's road manners were good -- firm on the freeways and just a slight bit of expected sway in hard corners.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain rated at nearly 250 horsepower.  That proved to be more than adequate for virtually all driving conditions in the Sacramento Valley, but I did have to lean on the accelerator during steep hill climbs in the Sierra Nevada.

With the hybrid system, fuel mileage is an admirable 34 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The Carnival also excels in connectivity, including a thoughtful available feature for the rear seat crowd.

Kia’s Connected Car Rear Cockpit (ccRC) Rear Entertainment System features dual 14.6-inch monitors and full-HD resolution for streaming of multiple platforms. Cool.

Kia has made huge strides over a generation, giving motorists the kind of perk-laden vehicles they crave. This Carnival is a prime example of that.  Back in the day, I would have crawled on broken glass to have a substantial, long-haul vehicle (with entertainment for the kids) like this Carnival.

Just don't force it into the minivan category.

Lexus pleases the crowd with a versatile TX 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 -- With the goal of trying to please nearly everybody, Lexus offers up the TX model sport-utility vehicle.

How do you like your SUV?  Three rows of seating, plenty of interior space, a peppy turbo engine, loads of clever features.

That last item was particularly evident on my tester: a 2025 F Sport Handling grade, available only on the TX 350 AWD.

That new-for-2025 package comes with standard adaptive variable suspension, intuitive parking assist with automatic braking, panoramic glass roof, power-folding third-row seats and ventilated front seats.

Exterior touches included dark chrome window trim, black outside mirrors and 22-inch wheels with a matte black finish. Inside, I was happy to see second-row captain's chairs.

Translation: It looks good inside and out.  It's comfortable to ride in; it drives with buttery smooth freeway manners.

About that trying-to-please-everybody part: the TX can be had in seven different ways, including hybrid power plants.

You might figure on paying around $90,000 for such a vehicle produced by other manufacturers, but the bottom line on my ride was $69,430 -- a relative bargain in this segment.

Oddly, some critics have found fault with the TX exterior styling ... too vanilla for some, and too much like the recently reviewed Grand Highlander for others.  I am not among the critics.  It looks like a contemporary three-row SUV and is so loaded with excellently engineered features that I would guess even styling snobs would be happy owning one.

Kudos to Lexus for producing a wide-ranging crowd-pleaser.

Sporty Toyota Prius reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade can be seen in the latest, July 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.

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 -- Somehow, various versions of the Honda Odyssey minivan periodically show up in my driveway.

Not that I object, mind you.

The Odyssey is sort of the Rolls-Royce of minivans.  That's particularly true of the recently tested 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite.

It's absolutely loaded: state-of-the-art safety technology, five-star hotel comfort/convenience features and a roomy, cozy interior that's reassuring to passengers and a treat for drivers.

OK, I get it that minivans appeal to a specific segment of motorists.  But even sports car folks who inspected my ride came away impressed.

First off, it looks better than ever in 2025 with sportier lines and a nicely sculpted grille.  Inside, Honda has upgraded entertainment systems and bumped up the size of the high-resolution touchscreen.

For the long family road trip -- right in the minivan devotee's wheelhouse -- this Odyssey is a veritable rolling amusement park. The tested Odyssey featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Integration, SiriusXM audio and CabinTalk, the in-vehicle communication system that negates shouting to be heard.

And all of it can be enjoyed amid perfectly stitched leather surfaces, tri-zone climate control and a power moonroof with tilt feature.  The power, sliding side doors triggered by a key fob still provide a bit of a thrill for onlookers.  Ditto the hands-free power tailgate.

The tester's bottom line was a surprisingly reasonable $52,275.  Fuel mileage checked in at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, via a nicely responsive 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 280 horsepower.

In sum, the Odyssey is a minivan segment leader, and a fun-to-drive vehicle for all odysseys.

'Grander' Highlander has all the bells and whistles

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 me start by saying that I have always liked Toyota's Highlander sport-utility vehicle.

But now we have a Grand Highlander, which is, well ... grander.

My recent tester was a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade Hybrid, and it was a three-row, perk-laden luxury liner to be sure ... with a bottom line price of $56,818.

Some asked: "Isn't that a Lexus."  And the answer is, yeah, pretty much.  It seems that Toyota, as always, wants to have all customer desires covered.  And this Grand certainly goes a long way toward doing that.

My ride came with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 245 horsepower. It felt stronger than that and handled everything quite well. The hybrid system was rated at 36 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

But Toyota devotees have more options: the Grand Highlander also can be had with a gas-fueled 2.4-liter turbo-4 rated at 265 horsepower or a road-ripping "Hybrid MAX" power plant tipping the scales at 362 horses.

This being a near-Lexus, the long list of standard features on the tested Grand Highlander included cross-traffic alert, 3,500-pound towing capacity, all-wheel-drive "Trail Mode," a hands-free power liftgate, heated seats in the first and second rows, leather surfaces all around, three-zone climate control and so much more.

Add the Nightshade touches, the optional panoramic roof and panoramic view monitor and we're talking four-star hotel territory.  And yet, you might notice that a couple of those features are geared to taking the big-shouldered Grand Highlander off-road ... although I'm not sure I'd want to risk scratching the exquisitely painted surface with tree branch scratches.

The control-loaded interior is roomy and comfortable, I should mention.  And the exterior looks good riding on those 20-inch alloy wheels.

Overall, for those looking to spend wisely in this SUV segment, I'd says this Highlander is simply grand.

BMW's X3 SUV upholds automaker's stellar 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 was parked in a grocery store lot when I was reminded that BMW still matters to many.

In 10 minutes, no less than a half dozen folks walked up to my open driver's side window and commented on what a "lovely, beautiful, gorgeous, hot" vehicle I was occupying. And then most went over the top when they realized that the object of their affections was a BMW.

Like a dinner guest learning that your wife's pretty necklace was bought at Tiffany & Co.

OK, I'm convinced.

Sure, my ride was wearing rich "Vegas Red Metallic" paint, made even more striking by a fourth-generation restyling that is both sporty and classy.  But it was more than that.  Folks are still moved by a brand that bills itself as a builder of the "ultimate driving machine."

Priced at $72,225, the tested 2025 BMW X3 M50 xDrive certainly qualifies as a primo SUV in the luxury midsize segment.

For starters, the tester was absolutely loaded with customer-pleasing, high-tech features. What do you like?  My ride had it: adaptive suspension, variable sport steering, multiple infotainment options, Sky Lounge panoramic roof, wireless device charger and enough driving-enhancement/safety tech to soothe the soul of even the most nervous driver.

Seating for five is roomy and comfortable.

Besides the classic BMW grille, the automaker separates the X3 from the blizzard of crossover SUVs by calling its creation a Sports Activity Vehicle.  It's an apt label as the 3-liter, twin-turbo 6 (393 horsepower) dishes up power in aggressive, large helpings.  Once at freeway cruise speed, the ride is buttery soft and smooth.

The mild hybrid system on the tester was rated at 25 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

To be truthful, it will likely take an X3 buyer a month to figure out all the vehicle can do.  It will be time well-spent, a bonus from an automaker that still matters.

Kia's new K4 is a head-turning, fun compact sedan

This review first appeared in the May 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 -- When Kia introduces something new, I pay attention.

That goes naturally for a car company that went from making cheap machinery to producing some of the best motor vehicles rolling on our roadways.

My latest week was in a 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line, a head-turning compact sedan with a surprising amount of interior space.

It didn't just turn my head.  Other heads also were on a swivel, thanks to a sleek, aerodynamic design that seems to go on forever at the back end.

Can't say that about a lot of compacts these days.

But wait, there's more.

The nearly 73-inch width leads the compact sedan segment.

“By juxtaposing the K4’s fastback roofline and wide stance, we split the difference visually between the compact and midsize segments,” explained Tom Kearns, chief designer with Kia Design Center America. “The creative tension that the 'Opposites United' design language stresses allowed us to improvise on the traditional three-box form factor.”

Sure, okay.  Myself and a few volunteer passengers simply thought it looked cool. Oh, it's also fun to drive.

The standard 2-liter, four-cylinder engine on the tester was rated at 147 horsepower, enough to handle pretty much everything in this segment.  But please note, the 2025 K4 can be equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo that raises the horsepower curve to a power-packed 190.

Passengers remarked at the spacious interior for a compact model, and they were equally impressed by the generous perks that came with my ride, priced at an entirely reasonable $28,345 on the sticker's bottom line.

Standard features included driver-attention warning, smart cruise control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with myriad functions and a wireless phone charger.  Optional extras included heated front seats and a power sunroof with sunshade.

The special GT-Line package added more goodies: a primo Harman Kardon audio system, black exterior accents and a sport steering wheel (with paddle shifters) among them.

Yeah, all that for way less than 30-grand. Typical of Kia to stuff more in for less money than one would spend elsewhere for the same amount of features.

Fuel mileage is pretty good too at 29 miles per gallon in the city and 39 mpg on the highway for the 2-liter power plant.

Ordinarily, seasoned auto buyers recommend waiting until the second generation of a new model hits the market before writing a check for those wheels.

Frankly, I see no reason to wait with this K4.  It pleases varied tastes with multiple trim levels ... for a price that's easy on the checkbook.

All in all, an excellent new kid on the block.

Kia's Carnival reviewed in the latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige can be seen in the latest, June 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.

Bravo Alex: a masterful drive wins him Indy 500 crown

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

The Indianapolis 500 was run for the 109th time on May 25. Mark Glover attended for the 60th time.  Here's his take on a memorable race:

And so, after it was all over -- after the spins, the wall impacts, the car part-altering scandals, the racing team firings, the rookie pole position winner and 200 laps around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on a teeth-chattering cold Saturday -- the cream rose to the top.

Alex Palou, the 28-year-old Spanish sensation, won the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. The driver and car that have dominated the 2025 IndyCar season won the biggest jewel in the IndyCar crown. And frankly, looking back, they did it with ease.

I started closely watching Palou halfway into the race.  What I observed was a master at work, a master getting a lot of help from some of the smartest people in high-speed racing.

Palou seemed to be cruising along among the top five, apparently content to ride things out.  I realized that Palou was making very little effort to pass cars in front of him -- cars that I figured were far inferior to his.

A few laps later, I started doing the math and figured it out: he's trying to get home on just two more pit stops.  And he's saving fuel by following in the aerodynamic tow generated by the cars in front of him.

So simple, so brilliant.

It's part of a strategy that has worked for Indy 500 winners dating back to the 1920s.  Don't burn out your car, be patient, strike when it's go time at the finish.  Al Unser was a master at it. So was Rick Mears.  Both won the 500 four times.

I figured 35 laps to go was the maximum risk point to make a final pit stop.  Smarter to get a couple laps below that number.  Sure enough, Palou did just that.  When it was winning time with less than 20 laps to go, Palou blew past the last threat and sailed home with apparent ease.

Checkmate.  Lovely to watch.

And now, the question all the other drivers want answered is: Can anyone beat Palou?

Palou answered that on Sunday.  I'm guessing the answer will not change -- at least not dramatically -- through the remainder of the 2025 IndyCar season, with Palou nailing down his fourth IndyCar title well before his 30th birthday.

Bravo Alex. Bravo.

A remarkable rookie and four Indy 500 contenders

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

The Indianapolis 500 will be run for the 109th time on May 25, and Mark Glover will be attending his 60^th 500. Here's his take on the race to come:

Just when you think you've figured out the Indianapolis 500, a 25-year-old newcomer with no oval racing experience wins the pole position for the 109th running of the race.

Robert Shwartzman's incredible run to the pole -- averaging 232.790 miles per hour over four laps -- was, in my view, the most remarkable pole position storyline in the history of the race. Coming into last weekend, it looked like Spanish IndyCar star Alex Palou would continue his dominance.

Now, all of a sudden, he's surrounded by a crowd of contenders.

No matter, I still like his chances on Sunday.  The three-time IndyCar Series champ has been close previously, finishing second in his rookie Indy 500 run in 2021 and dominating in 2023 before his car was slammed in the pits, a mistake not of Palou's making.

This year, Palou has owned the IndyCar series, winning four of the first five races, and looking invincible doing it.  Yes, Shwartzman is fast, and there could be more chapters to come in his dazzling story, but I'll take Palou's experience in the rough and tumble, turbulent race day traffic.

Keeping in mind that anything can happen in a 500-mile race, I see three others with a good chance to win.

Six-time IndyCar series champ Scott Dixon, starting fourth, knows how to best drive the race more than anyone in the field.  The New Zealand native won the 500 in 2008 and has lost a couple of heartbreakers since then.  He's cool under fire, a master of fuel savings and always fast.  Indy win No. 2 could come Sunday.

Mexico's Pato O'Ward also knows Indy heartbreak, with two second-place finishes.  Last year, eventual winner Josef Newgarden passed O'Ward on the last lap, crushing O'Ward's normally buoyant spirits.  Nobody drives harder.  Fewer take as many chances in the heat of battle.  Will that pay off for O'Ward on Sunday?  Even bet, I'd say.

And finally, there's Newgarden, trying to do what has never been done at the historic racetrack -- win three Indianapolis 500s in a row.  Five times back-to-back race winners have had a chance to pull it off; five times it has not happened, although four of those five came very close.  Newgarden has Roger Penske power and a trophy-laden team going for him, along with his own considerable skills. He has a better than even chance of making history on Sunday.

Ram's pickup excellence shines in the 2500 Laramie

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 can go through 50 crossover sport-utes and nearly as many passenger cars, but there is nothing quite like the pickup truck segment.

It's brutally competitive, constantly innovating and populated by a relatively small group of competitors stuffed with mind-blowing features and technology.

So, it's saying something when the Ram 1500 wins Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year award for 2025.

And this wasn't Ram's first rodeo.  So, what makes these Ram trucks stand out?

A recent week in the 2025 Ram 2500 Laramie Sport Crew Cab 4X4 provided some answers.

Walking up to it, and wow, it's large!  You see that big-as-California grille coming in your rearview mirror and you just naturally get out of the way.

And yet the tester's road manners at 65 miles per hour were remarkably smooth and civilized.  Kudos to Ram engineers for the combination of power and velvet-glove handling.

Power is plentiful, thanks to a 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel in-line 6 engine rated at 430 horsepower and a best-in-class 1,075 foot-pounds of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

I found the Ram 2500 so strong that it felt restless at anything under 50 miles per hour.  It effortlessly cruised at 70 mph, and it was easy to touch 80 mph with a microscopic move of my right foot.

In the cabin, roominess was exceptional.  Ditto technology and comfort/convenience features.

Perks included adaptive cruise control, park assist, remote start, a surround-view camera system, pedestrian/cyclist emergency braking, a heated steering wheel and much more.

A boatload of options pushed the tester's bottom-line price to $89,590 ... very much in line with the contemporary world of loaded pickup trucks.

Overall, I can't think of anything the tested pickup did not have to please today's pickup motorist.  In this competitive class, Ram stands tall.

Venerable Sonata midsize sedan excels in hybrid skin

 This review first appeared in the April 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 -- I hereby confess that, over many years, I have recommended the Hyundai Sonata to folks who wanted my take on a midsize sedan purchase.

What made me do that with so many hot-selling Honda, Toyota and American-made models out there?

Usually, the tipping point was this: the Sonata gave you more for the price.

With the tested 2025 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid, the tradition continues. You get a lot, with the bonus of a hybrid system that gets you 44 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.

Another bonus: Styling.

The Sonata is now wrapped in sleek, sporty skin.  It has drawn mixed reviews, but I like it.  After all, it took some time for automakers to discover that you could make hot-looking hybrids, instead of glorified roller skates.

Per usual, the Hyundai tester was absolutely stuffed with features.  The super-long list included forward collision-avoidance assist, a panoramic sunroof, heated side mirrors, smart headlamps, leather-trimmed seats, a Bose audio system, a power trunklid, a head-up display and a heated steering wheel.

Bottom line on the tester's sticker: a reasonable $38,810.

Power comes from a 2-liter, four-cylinder hybrid system. The combined gas-electric systems pair up for a max 192 horsepower -- plenty for the open road or hill climbs in the Sierra Nevada.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all: the refined, smooth ride. The tester was buttery on the freeways and rock-solid on twisty slalom runs.  Other auto reviewers were likewise surprised at the Sonata's ride quality.

This being a Hyundai product, warranties are exceptional.

Overall, the tested Sonata upholds the model's respected tradition, which dates back 40 years now.

The buyer still gets reliability, excellent engineering and extraordinary value. And with the hybrid system, one can count on improvements in the annual fuel budget.

The competition in this segment remains brutal, but this hybrid Sonata stands strong in the crowd.

Cool Kia compact reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line compact sedan can be seen in the latest, May 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.

74th Sacramento Autorama showcases cars as art

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 -- Sacramento once again will be the focus of the customized car world this weekend as the 74th Sacramento Autorama kicks off its three-day run on Friday.

Some of the nation's top custom artists will show off their handiwork and celebrate the area's rich history of car customization on the Cal Expo grounds at 1600 Exposition Blvd.

Presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, this year's Autorama will feature more than 500 hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, and motorcycles from across the country competing to win numerous awards. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Event organizers are touting the Custom d'Elegance award presented by ARP (Automotive Racing Products) as a top honor in 2025. It will be awarded to "the best chopped, channeled or sectioned vehicle from 1936-64 that embodies the true spirit of a classic custom." The award includes a $5,000 prize and a custom trophy.

Major "Big B" awards honor world-famous customizers from the Sacramento area, including Joe "Candy Apple Red" Bailon, Dick Bertolucci and Sam Barris.  Another long-standing, prestigious award is the Harold Bagdasarian Memorial World's Most Beautiful Custom trophy.

The World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider award, recognizing the show’s most outstanding lowrider entry, includes a $5,000 prize from ARP.

Hundreds more vehicles are expected to participate in the 18th Annual Sacramento Autorama Drive-In, featuring more than 400 cars and trucks.

The Butch Gardner Club House will again be part of this year's show, with numerous car clubs showing off their prize wheels. The Club House is organized in memory of Butch Gardner, a long-time member of the storied Thunderbolts auto club in Sacramento and a dedicated Autorama volunteer and participant. Thunderbolts club members played a key role in organizing the first Sacramento Autorama in 1950.

General admission tickets for ages 13 and older are $25 each. Tickets for ages 6 to 12 are $10; children ages 5 and younger are admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://rodshows.com/sacramento-autorama or at the event. Discount tickets are available at participating local O'Reilly Auto Parts stores. Parking on the Cal Expo grounds is $10.

More information can be obtained at www.rodshows.com or by calling 877-763-7469.