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.