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.