Hybrid Lexus NX mixes fuel economy, performance

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 -- In the blizzard of alphanumeric names for motor vehicles, you can sometimes wonder what you're getting into.

Take the recently tested 2023 Lexus NX 450h+ Luxury sport-utility vehicle. So, what to make of that?

Let me break it down for you: A luxury-laden compact crossover SUV teaming a gas-fueled engine with a substantial electric power source.  And it's not just a hybrid but a plug-in hybrid. Oh, and there's all-wheel drive to boot.

Got that? Good, because this vehicle is an extraordinary piece of engineering, and it's priced well below similarly marvelous hybrid machines.

The tester was a near-perfect blend of fuel economy and performance, especially in the small SUV segment.

The NX 450h+ has a 36-mile range on electric power alone.  When the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and hybrid system work in concert, the combined equivalent is 84 miles per gallon. The same power sources do the zero-to-60-mph trip in only six seconds flat.

This translated to serious fun for me, pushing the hybrid hard on freeways and on uphill runs in the Sierra Nevada.  On city streets, the tester was as agile as a deer at full gallop.  I never felt like I was straining the power train.  If this had been a horse, I would tell you that it eagerly took to the trail.

I also had the bonus of a "Cadmium Orange" paint job, which turned heads in parking lots and even when I was in motion.

This being a "Luxury" model, my ride was stuffed with Lexus-level technology and spoil-me-rotten perks. The helpful, enjoyable features included a kick-sensor rear gate, a power/tilt/sliding moonroof, intuitive parking assist and thematic ambient illumination.  That last feature wows passengers as you effortlessly change interior colors and moods like a 21st century wizard.

Safety features are state-of-the-art and cover virtually every potential emergency, whether parked or on the fly.

The tester, which had a fair number of options, checked in at $62,780.  A quick comparative analysis of similarly equipped models told me that $70,000 would be a more likely starting price. So, right away, prospective buyers are ahead of the game.

And once played behind the wheel of this hybrid NX, the game is highly enjoyable.

Electrified Genesis G80 gets my volt for feisty fun

This review first appeared in the March 2023 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 -- Does the sound of silence get the heart racing?

In the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD luxury sedan, it certainly does.

How to explain it?  Well, here goes ...

As the model name explains, the Electrified G80 is an all-electric vehicle, with front and rear electric motors dishing up 136 kilowatts each. That equates to 365 horsepower and a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

It feels faster than that, and I swear to you, it's the absence of a roaring engine that makes it feel that way.  Sure, I love the exhaust note of a growling internal-combustion engine, but with the tested G80, I had the pulse-quickening feeling of being driven forward by some silent, overpowering hand.  It's a rush.

It takes some getting used to. But once experienced, I was hooked, blasting the EV around town with a perpetual smile on my face.

Beyond the silent streaking, the tester's charms were numerous and enjoyable.

Hundreds of pages in the owner's manual were devoted to the advanced safety technologies, and the Genesis folks seemingly endeavored to put every available state-of-the-art system in the car.  That would be nearly 20 systems dedicated to crash avoidance, parking assistance and driving enhancement.

Extensive multimedia perks also are part of the deal.  And I had no trouble enduring Nappa leather surfaces, rich wood trim and heated/ventilated/power seats with multiple comfort settings.

Exterior styling is all-elegant, first team.  Also a bonus: An estimated 282 miles per charge, depending on driving conditions.

A small gripe: I would have loved a floor shifter, instead of the center console-mounted rotary dial gear changer.

The bottom line for all of this on the tested model: $81,495.  A lot, you say.  Yes, but I've tested similarly equipped cars going for six figures, so you do the math.

Luxury, top-tier technology and an electric volt jolt to the heart.  It's all good.

Ford Bronco Raptor reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the Ford Bronco Raptor Advanced 4X4 sport-utility vehicle can be seen in the latest, April 2023, 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.

There's more to like in Honda's 11th-generation Accord

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 -- Honda bills its 11th-generation Accord midsize sedan as "sleek, powerful and electrified."

Yeah, it's all that.  And you know what that means ... a few more years of monster sales for Honda's venerable, just-the-right-size passenger car.

The new look sparkles.  Let me count the ways that the remade-for-2023 Accord is a consumer magnet.

About that look: Honda extended the body lines to promote a trim, sleek look.  It works.  When I first saw my 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport tester for the first time, I was stunned how much bigger this model looked compared with previous Accords.

In my case, the sporty look was made even saucier by the "Radiant Red" paint job.  Would I feel good taking this car to park at the racetrack?  Yes indeed.

And my run to the track would be a spirited one.  The 2-liter four-cylinder engine combined with Honda's two-motor hybrid system generates a max 204 horsepower and 247 foot-pounds of torque.

I found myself enjoying those numbers to the fullest as a I sprinted the tested Accord around the suburban streets and on busy highways.  I couldn't help myself.  I was jetting everywhere, even on a quick run to the post office.

Kudos to Honda engineers for incorporating such a robust punch in a hybrid power plant.  And it's guilt-free: the fuel mileage numbers on the tester were an impressive 46 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the open road.

One significant note on the hybrid system: Honda says that 50 percent of Accord sales will be hybrid models.

For those who seek plentiful perks in their midsize transportation, Accord does not disappoint.  The list of standard features on the tester was lengthy and downright luxurious. The lineup includes at 12.3-inch color touchscreen, a multi-view rear camera, a driver-attention monitor, a power/tilt moonroof and a driver's 10-way power seat.

Craftsmanship is, frankly, exceptional.

Throw in a full boat of contemporary safety features, and you're talking about the ideal midsize model in full. And on the loaded tester, a very fair price of $33.445.

Best Accord ever?  You'll have to try it first. But my vote is YES.

Honda's hot-selling CR-V just gets better with age

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 -- If you're going to make over a top-selling vehicle, you better not mess it up.

Thankfully, Honda hit all the right buttons with its reworked-for-2023 Honda CR-V, the compact crossover the automaker proudly bills as "America’s best-selling SUV of the past quarter century."

After a week in the 2023 CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring model, I can say without equivocation that this is the best version of the CR-V produced to date.

For starters, it looks more sporty and rugged; it now stands out from the crowd of similar-looking SUVs -- a good thing in my book.

An upright grilled rolls back to a long hood line, a streamlined roof and rectangular exhaust finishers. By the way, this CR-V is nearly three inches longer than its predecessor.

Inside, the look is more refined and, well, more modern-looking in terms of materials and placement of controls.  Seating surfaces are precisely laid out and comfortable.  Volunteer passengers noted that they felt like they were riding in a purpose-built luxury SUV.  Also noted: plentiful interior space for a compact model.

The extraordinarily long list of standard features on the tester also leaned toward the luxury label. Beyond-the-norm perks included a power/tilt moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers and remote engine start.  No options were offered on the tester, which came in at a reasonable $39,845.

I enjoyed the CR-V's surprisingly feisty power plant: a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine matched to two electric motors. They combine for a max 204 horsepower and 247 foot-pounds of torque.

I couldn't get enough of zipping the CR-V tester around with complete, secure control on wet suburban streets, twisty rural highways and steep Sierra Nevada roadways.  The suspension was rock-solid; steering was just-right firm.

With the hybrid system, you get the additional bonus of exceptional fuel mileage: 40 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway in the tested CR-V.

Honda makes a point of saying you can take its CR-V anywhere, from the country club parking lot to the most rugged off-road trails.  That's a typical boast for an SUV, but in this case, I concur.

Overall, this is a textbook example of how to make the new generation of a popular vehicle even better.

Infiniti QX sport-ute continues to set luxury standard

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 remember driving a big Infiniti QX4 sport-ute back in 2000; I was particularly impressed with the luxurious look and feel of the vehicle, and the attention to detail within reach of the driver's seat.

All that remains in the tested 2023 Infiniti QX60 Sensory AWD sport-utility vehicle ... only about three times better.

The QX60 just drips with luxury, and it starts before you even step into the vehicle. Auto reviewers have praised the elegant lines and smoothly sculpted front of the QX60, and rightly so.  This SUV will turn heads in the fanciest country club driveway.

The 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels added to the classy look on my ride.

Inside, it's a five-star hotel suite.  Perfectly placed leather, wood and chrome touches make you feel at home.

Helpful comfort and convenience features can be found bumper to bumper.  The long list of standard perks on the tester included a power panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, power/folding/heated/auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a motion-activated rear liftgate, power/heated/ventilated/massaging front seats and rear door sunshades.

Shouldn't I be paying 80-grand for this vehicle?  And yet the bottom line on the tester's sticker was a mere $64,785.

The tested QX60 was silky smooth and quiet on the open road, with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine (295 horsepower) handling the chores with effortless ease. The QX60 was surprisingly robust off the line, which helped me negotiate inner city traffic with confidence.

There is some slight body roll on sharp corners taken at high speed, but nothing out of line for a vehicle of this size. Fuel mileage is OK at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Overall, luxury lovers should be pleased to step behind the wheel of the QX60, with the bonus of knowing that similarly equipped vehicles are priced at thousands of dollars more.

Sequoia with twin turbos is a genuine road warrior

This review first appeared in the February 2023 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'm rolling eastbound on an Interstate 80 entrance ramp just outside of downtown Sacramento.  My ride is a 2023 Toyota Sequoia, the automaker's big-brute, full-size sport-utility vehicle, 17.3 feet long and topping 6,200 pounds.

On my left, a sedan and an 18-wheeler have just zipped even with me at 70 miles an hour, leaving me only about 200 feet of entrance lane to work with.

So, I'm pinned against the right shoulder with no other option but to back way off and fall in behind the 18-wheeler, right?

Wrong.

That's because I'm in the cockpit of a Sequoia Capstone Hybrid 4WD powered by a twin-turbo V-6 hybrid powertrain rated at 437 horsepower and 583 foot-pounds of torque coming in at 2,400 revolutions per minute. And that changes everything.

Nailing the accelerator, I'm pressed into the seat as the massive SUV is pushed forward by what seems to be an impossibly sudden, strong force.  I easily clear the sedan and 18-wheeler, and I can only imagine the looks on the faces of the drivers in those vehicles.

Wow, that is fun!  And there's a big selling point for the Sequoia Capstone, an SUV that some might consider a dinosaur of the Gas Guzzling Era.

OK, sure, it gets only 19 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway, but I couldn't help but be impressed by the engineering that went into making such a feisty full-size sport-ute.

I'm sure there will come a day when electric car-driving motorists will look back on the Sequoia and its relatives as vehicles that needed to fade into history, what with environmental concerns and volatile gas prices.

For the record, I totally get that.  I truly do understand.

But if this Sequoia is among the last of its species, it is something to behold.

Besides its road-ripping performance characteristics, the tester was a smooth, spacious cruiser with a downright luxurious feel ... and loaded with perks.

The standard list included power running boards (extremely helpful for hopping up into the vehicle), a power tilt/slide panoramic roof, a monster-size touchscreen, three-zone climate control, heated/ventilated front/second-row seats, power folding/sliding third-row seats and a power liftgate.

All of this comes at a price; on the tester, the bottom line was $80,481.

Well, if the Sequoia represents the end of an era, let me just say that it's ending with style.  And heart-racing muscle to boot.

Not a bad way to go.