'Bargain' Land Rover Defender is loaded to the max

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 -- After reviewing the $129,680 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV sport-utility vehicle last week, I felt it was time to sample something a little more affordable from the automaker.

So, I present the 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 X sport-ute, a mere $106,092 on the sticker's bottom line.

After two weeks of Land Rover motoring, I can understand why the brand has long been the choice of the British royal family. Sure, the royals have the means to afford a fleet of the vehicles, but Land Rover also appeals with sturdiness, strength and power in abundance.

The tested Defender represents all that, and more.

Power is decidedly enjoyable, dished up by a 3-liter six at the heart of the vehicle.  With 395 horsepower and 406 foot-pounds of torque at your command, the smooth-accelerating Defender moves through traffic like a wolf among sheep.

There's virtually no sway in corners taken at high speed, and I found the Defender to be a champ at speedy climbs up steep hills.

In the back, ample room for big loads of cargo (and humans) makes the Defender a versatile multitasker -- on city streets or woodsy backroads. Don't expect any complaints from third-row passengers; they have legroom to spare.

Per usual, the tester was loaded with useful features.  That included heated/cooled power front seats with lumbar support, a terrain-response system, hill descent control, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, configurable cabin lighting and a panoramic roof.

Overall, this stout Defender is an SUV that pleases the senses and the driving passions.  While some might ask why one would spend six figures on a Land Rover, maybe the better question is: If you had the finances, why wouldn't you?

This Range Rover is a six-figure stunner of an SUV

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 -- Auto reviewers don't like to admit being nervous behind the wheel of certain motor vehicles.

But when the bottom line on the sticker reads $129,680, you can't help it.  You don't want to put a single scratch on it.  You want to return it to the ownership in gleaming, perfect shape.

So it was in my week with the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV sport-utility vehicle.

Alas, I did settle down in the vehicle. And I was able to appreciate its numerous charms.  The overall experience is ... BIG.

They say everything is bigger in Texas.  The same can be said of this particular Land Rover.  The price is large and so is everything else. In a good way.

Take the powertrain, for example.  It's a 3-liter, six-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine rated at a whopping 542 horsepower and 590 foot-pounds of torque. One would expect that to behave like a brute on the open road.

Not quite.

The tester was remarkably smooth and quiet at 70 miles per hour.  Kudos to Land Rover engineers for a suspension that seemingly absorbed every wrinkle in the road, swallowing them before they reached the interior cabin.

But when you want to power up from calm to aggressive, there is ample oomph to be had ... darn near startling to be honest. Even at full song, the tester was remarkably stable, perfectly balanced.  I believe it could have taken on straight stretches of road with no hands on the steering wheel.

The PHEV system is capable of 53 miles of electric-only motoring. Gas-only driving nets you 21 mpg in combined city/highway travel.

Those favoring luxury will not be disappointed.

The tester was absolutely stuffed with passenger-spoiling comfort/convenience features and state-of-the-art safety/security technology.  The super-long list included  a power tailgate, leather surfaces, a front console refrigerator compartment, four-zone climate control, a power panoramic roof with power sunblind and power/heated/ventilated/massage front seats.

Overall, it's a remarkable piece of engineering. And worth all six figures.

Hybrid Honda Civic checks boxes, reaps awards

This review first appeared in the March 2025 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- Knowing the way my brain works -- although some might insist that I lack one -- I couldn't avoid the "four-H" aspect of my Honda Civic tester.

I considered it a Hot Honda Hybrid Hatchback. Yeah, strange, I know.

But a fifth H is true as true can be -- This hybrid Civic is going to make a lot of owners very Happy.

In fact, that's already happening.

My tester was the sleek 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring, recently named the 2025 North American Car of the Year and a finalist in Motor Trend magazine's ultra-competitive 2025 Car of the Year competition.

Pretty amazing for a car starting at less than $33,000.  How does this happen in a world of tech-loaded, ultra-luxury motor vehicles?

Simple: This Civic appeals on multiple levels, especially the levels that please car shoppers looking for a sanely priced car.

Evidence? Here's the rundown, the partial rundown:

Great quality for the sticker price.  Fit and finish on the tester was exceptional.  The same for driving dynamics.  Chassis rigidity and ride quality are nearly perfect.

The Civic Hybrid Sport Touring pairs a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine with two motors.  The result is a decidedly peppy sedan that darts into tight spaces with amazing ease.

In this particular passenger car segment, buyers have long felt that they're sacrificing performance for the money.  Not so with this Civic.  With a 200-horsepower gas-electric rating, it can stand up to all road conditions and deliver serious pop when desired.

But keep in mind, this is hybrid powertrain pop.  The tester was rated at 50 miles per gallon in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

The interior does not feel small-car cheap.  On the contrary, leather surfaces are evident, a primo Bose audio system dishes through 12 speakers and a driver-attention monitor keeps things safe.

Speaking of which, this Civic earned a suite of max five-star crash test scores from the federal government, including a five-spot in the overall vehicle score.

Given all of this, one could make the argument that this Civic hybrid is, pound for pound, the perfect passenger car for the American motoring public.

Can't say that I have much to say in opposition to that claim.

Lexus UX touts compact size, luxury, hybrid system

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 -- A Lexus level of luxury in a compact crossover package, and top-tier hybrid engineering thrown in on top.

What's not to like?

Good question after a recent week in the 2025 Lexus UX 300h F Sport Handling sport-utility vehicle.

Dressed in sparkling "Ultrasonic Blue Mica" paint, the tester was rated at 44 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Just so you know, the bottom line on the tester's sticker was $49,445.

Now that you've done the math -- incorporating long-term fuel cost savings and the initial outlay for purchase -- you can move on to other features.

Ride, for example.  The F Sport translated to sporty tuning that offered a rock-solid, no wavering ride on sharp corners. Freeway cruising was remarkably quiet, the 2-liter, four-cylinder power plant combining with hybrid technology to put out a max net combined horsepower of 196.

The power plant produced significant oomph when asked.

The UX hybrid system shares much DNA with that of the award-winning Toyota Prius.  Simply put, Toyota does hybrid right, being a pioneer in the technology.

The interior cabin back seats are a bit of a squeeze for adult-size humans, but the general comfort level is good.  Luxurious surroundings are excellent.

Among the standard features that stood out: leather trim, a heated steering wheel, a power steering column, adaptive variable suspension, intuitive parking assist, a power moonroof and a power rear door with kick sensor.

The UX 300h exists in a monster-competitive auto segment, but the vehicle's hybrid system gives it an edge among motorists seeking Lexus charms and class-leading luxury and features.

Hybrid Sonata sedan reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited sedan can be seen in the latest, April 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.