Award-winning Telluride is worthy of all that praise

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- Sometimes, when I review a newly introduced motor vehicle that goes on to win high acclaim, I ask myself: "Did I miss something the first time around?"

And so it was with the Kia Telluride, which I first tested as it was on its run to be Motor Trend magazine's SUV of the Year for 2020.  Sure, I liked it, but was I getting the whole picture?

Consequently, I was happy to have another go with the recently tested 2021 Kia Telluride SX V6 AWD sport-ute.  A car-reviewing colleague of mine suggested that I more closely examine the SUV's charms while it was sitting still, and keep the driving characteristics on the back burner.

It was good advice.

In a world of look-alike SUVs, the Telluride stands out as a stylish winner. A large, elegantly sculpted -- yet not over-the-top -- grille gives the Telluride an impressive front-on look.  And unlike other SUVs that seem squat and pressed in profile, the three-row midsize sport-ute actually has a pleasant stretched-out sedan stance.

My ride had an eye-catching color scheme of "Everlasting Silver" exterior paint, set off nicely with a black interior.

As for fit and finish, we're talking head of the class. I was looking for the most minor flaws and came away with nothing on that front.

Inside, the cabin is comfortable and spacious, with generous riding room for a crowd. A healthy helping of comfort/convenience controls are within easy reach and easy to master quickly.

It's not considered a luxury SUV, but I'd rate this midsize model within a baby step of that segment with standard features that include tri-zone climate control, a wireless phone charger, a rear sunroof, a surround-view monitor and a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system.

Even with a $795 towing package and a $2,300 "Prestige Package of extras (with head-up display, Nappa Leather seat trim and heated/ventilated second-row seats), the bottom line on the tester came to a reasonable $48,720.

Safety features were excellent, capped off by a max five-star federal government overall rating in crash tests.  Fuel mileage on the tester was fair at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

On the fly, the Telluride was just as a I remembered it -- smooth, quiet, comfortable and agile.  It's an excellent freeway cruiser, and colleagues who have taken it on more-challenging off-road adventures than I dared swear by its off-pavement excellence.

The 3.8-liter V-6 rated at 291-horsepower handles most conditions easily, although I found myself pressing the accelerator hard on steep uphill grades.

So, after a second test run, is this Telluride worthy of all the high praise it's getting?  Absolutely.

 

Feature-loaded Chevy Silverardo also has plenty of pep

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- Receiving the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab RST 4WD one week after testing the new Ford F-150 was unplanned.

Seriously!

But what better way to size up the two mega-competitors than back-to-back?  And yes, I concede that the Ram trucks have made serious progress, including an unprecedented three consecutive Truck of the Year awards from Motor Trend magazine.

Fine, but here's the truth: The Silverado is a very fine pickup.  Loaded.  Comfortable.  Solid.

With a sticker price more than $5,000 less than last week's mega-loaded Ford F-150 -- the tested Silverado weighed in at $56,950 -- the Chevy truck was generously equipped with highly appreciated features.

Standard fare included remote start, brake pad wear indicator, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjuster, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a corner step rear bumper, a tailgate with "EZ Lift" and power lock, LED lights all around and a heated bench across the front.

The "All Star Edition Plus" package of options -- a lengthy list of extras priced at $2,100 -- included a rear sliding power window, cargo bed outlets, wireless/voice-recognition technology, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels and much more.

So, this Silverado stands up well in an era where major truck builders stuff everything and the kitchen sink into their full-size offerings.

But where this Silverado stood out -- to my surprise -- was in the performance field.

The 3-liter, six-cylinder, Duramax Turbo-Diesel -- a $2,390 power plant -- produced a ear-pleasing roar and neck-snapping acceleration ... so much so that I found myself exceeding speed limits and squealing rubber off the line before adjusting to the engine's brute force.

The max horsepower rating on the engine is 277, but the key numbers can be found in the torque -- 460 foot-pounds at 1,500 RPM.  Yes, that will pull you out of a few mud holes and zip you down the freeway at heart-racing clip.

I was completely taken aback at the tested Silverado's ability to function as a road warrior, and yet the steering felt light and just-right firm.  Kudos to Chevy engineers on this sporty arrangement.

So, with two trucks reviewed in two weeks, the age-old questions arises: Would I choose the Ford or the Chevy?

Sorry, no way I'm getting into that argument.  And I've found that Ford and Chevrolet fans, respectively, swear by their loyalties and are not easily convinced otherwise.

Who can blame them?  Both parties are getting exceptional trucks in these 2021 models.

 

Ford turns its popular F-150 into a super truck

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- What can you do to improve a full-size pickup truck that is part of  a model group that has been the nation's top seller for more than 40 years?

You turn it into a super truck.

That's pretty much what Ford has done with the extensively updated 2021 Ford F-150.  My ride was the 4X4 SuperCrew Platinum -- part truck, part rolling power plant, part auxiliary work office and part temporary residence.

Yes, this new F-150 can be all that.  Believe me.  I lived it.

Let's cover the basics for starters.

The tester packed a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine rated at 400 horsepower.  This power plant moved the big truck around with comparatively quiet ease.  On-ramp accelerations were brisk affairs, and nobody wants to cut off a full-size pickup that gets up to 70 miles per hour in a hurry.

The F-150 was responsive and easily steered in all conditions.  It climbed steep hills with gusto. Bravo, I say.

About an hour in, I started fiddling with all the comfort/convenience features and found that there were so many that I had to periodically pull over to make sure I knew how to work them all.  And then I started finding things I'd never seen before.

One of those items included a button that folds the center console-mounted gear shifter flat into the console ... the better to make space to use your laptop computer.  A push of a button lifts the shifter back to vertical.

Then you have the standard on-board 120-volt outlet and auxiliary ports to charge your phone and other devices -- pickup truck staples in this day and age.

Oh, there's also a flat phone-charging pad in the center console.  This came in handy for me when a monster-wind winter storm shut off the power to my home for 48 hours.

By candlelight, I learned about one of the newly reworked F-150's most touted features -- the Pro Power Onboard system.  It's a vehicle-mounted power generator ... great for the work site I'm sure, but also a handy thing to have when you're temporarily separated from the power grid.

I was grateful for the Ford F-150's power-producing options being available to me at a time when I needed them.  The adjustable pedals (with memory) are nice.  Ditto the twin panel moonroof.  But heat and power were a godsend in my powerless period.

Ford is running a TV ad showing an outdoorsman basically using the new F-150's features to build a cabin in the woods.  Based on my week in the tester, I completely believe that the truck could handle this, no sweat, and function as the cabin builder's off-site home for a brief time.

Criticisms of the pickup have included shots that the new F-150 looks a lot like the old F-150.  OK.  Frankly, I thought the old F-150 looked just fine, so this didn't even enter my mind as a concern.

I will note that all of these F-150 features come at a price, which was $62,230 on my tester.

That's a lot of bucks, but worth it for the truck devotee who wants plentiful extras and plans on enjoying those extras for a long time.

Kia's Niro PHEV puts driving future in perspective

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- I have come to the conclusion that everyone should be required -- even for a brief period -- to drive a plug-in electric vehicle every year.

Why? Because it gives you perspective.

And arguably the best vehicle offering up this kind of perspective is the recently tested Kia Niro PHEV EX Premium, a hybrid subcompact crossover.

It's perfect because you can get the full electric-powered experience right off the bat.  And you skip the anxiety square because the gasoline-fueled engine seamlessly takes over for hundreds of miles to come once the electric battery power is used up.

Since we're heading toward a future with fewer and fewer internal-combustion engines, there's no better halfway house for making this adjustment than the Niro.

As halfway houses go, the tested Niro was a luxurious transporter.

My ride had leather seat trim, a heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, a top-flight Harman Kardon audio system, a power tilt/sliding sunroof, LED exterior lighting and much more.

Safety features were likewise generous, including a Forward Collision Avoidance system and smart cruise control.

All this and a sophisticated hybrid driving system for a bottom line of only $37,790 on the tester's sticker.  Pretty fair deal, I'd say.

But let's face it, the priority is the propulsion systems, anchored by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder gas engine; a 60 horsepower electric motor; and a workhorse lithium ion polymer battery.

You start the Niro, and you get a top-center dashboard reading of 24 to 26 miles of driving range on a full electric charge. Not surprisingly, the eyes stay glued to this readout as the e-miles count down to zero.

It takes longer than you might think.  I used my e-power bonus for a good hour or so at low and high speeds on surface streets and freeways.  Once used up, the gas engine kicked in with a readout indicating I could drive from Sacramento to Los Angeles before refilling the tank.

Let's put all that in perspective: The gas-electric combination equates to an equivalent rating of 105 miles per gallon.  If you count only the gasoline engine, the fuel mileage rating is a still-impressive 46 miles per gallon.

Have your attention now?  I'm sure.

For those who have never recharged a plug-in and might be nervous about it, fear not.  It's as simple as snap-snap on a power cord, which locks into place on the vehicle exterior and can only be removed by taps on your key fob.

Overall, I felt like I was driving a vehicle that millions of unborn children will consider commonplace in their lifetimes. From that perspective, I think the continually evolving electric vehicle technology will serve them well.

 

Pricey, sporty Lexus reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

Check out my review of the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible in the latest, February 2021, edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News, published out of Folsom, California, by John Sweeney and Evonne Sotelo.

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 e-mail request to cruisinnews@mac.com. Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin’ News, P.O. Box 1096, Folsom, CA 95763-1096.

Lexus GX 460 is a strong bet in luxury SUV segment

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- You desire to reward yourself with a luxury sport-utility vehicle, but you're hopelessly lost in the alphanumeric jungle of the segment -- a tangle of widely varying features and sticker prices.

I feel your pain.

But a recent week in the 2021 Lexus GX 460 Luxury convinced me that folks in your boat might be able to find contentment in this particular model.

Lexus fans might ask: How does the GX stand out among the Lexus SUV fleet?  It's right there in the name -- Luxury -- and lots more.

The look is classic Lexus luxury liner -- big-shouldered sport-ute stance, monster shark mouth grille and a comfortable riding height that gives the driver a good overview of everything going on around the vehicle.  Triple-beam headlamps sweeten the front-end appearance.

Inside, luxury is plentiful.  Just absorbing all the features in the major novel-length owner's manual is a blast.

All this, for me?  Of course, you deserve it.  On my tester, the long list included a power moonroof, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround-Sound audio system (it's concert hall quality, I assure you), heated second-row seats, power-folding third row seats, nicely placed wood trim and more leather surfaces than you'll find in a country club lobby.

Safety features are likewise maxed.  That includes a sophisticated pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control and a lane-departure warning system.  I'm sensitive to ultra-sensitive lane-departure warning systems, but they do keep you on your toes in the driver's seat.

For all this, you might expect to pay $80,000 or more, but the bottom line on my generously loaded tester came to $71,690.

Oh, it drives nicely as well.  Smooth as butter on the interstates.  Surprisingly quick and agile when maneuvering its way through downtown streets.  The 4.6-liter V-8 with 301 horsepower is an able power plant, although I did need to plant my foot in it during steep climbs in the Sierra Nevada.  Fuel mileage is tepid at only 15 miles per gallon in the city and 19 mpg on the open road.

How about taking it off-road? Lexus encourages it.

There's this from the automaker's marketing materials: "As a dual-purpose luxury vehicle, GX 460 can go from a short work commute to a long family vacation deep in the Rocky Mountains." On the Lexus website, these words are accompanied by a photograph of a GX climbing a bare rock surface in a high-mountain setting.

Well, I'm not sure I'd risk scratching my $72K beauty on those high country boulders, but that's up to you.

If all this helps you decide that the GX 460 is the luxury SUV of your dreams ... you're welcome.

 

Odyssey competes at minivan segment's top level

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- Is the Honda Odyssey the best minivan on the market?  Some auto reviewers certainly believe that to be true.

Others, including myself, have found the Chrysler Pacifica to be an exceptional people hauler.

In its "Ultimate Vehicle Rankings" for 2021 motor vehicles, Motor Trend put the Chrysler Pacifica at the top of its list, with the Odyssey No. 2.  So the good news is that, either way, you get a top-quality minivan whether you're signing a check at a Honda lot or a Chrysler dealership.

And for those looking elsewhere, the latest Toyota Sienna is being highly touted on the airwaves, on social media and in print.

I'm not inclined to rank these minivans.  All I know is that my recent week in the 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite proved to me that the Odyssey is a top-flight minivan that definitely competes for that much-debated top spot.

My tester was generously equipped, downright luxurious, loaded with safety features, comfortable, versatile and highly-ranked on the safety front (a max five stars overall from the federal government).

As such, it was priced about where I expected it: $49,335.

Best of all, the Odyssey in my hands felt like an old friend.  Controls and technology were easy to understand.  After two days, it felt like I'd had the vehicle for a year....a comfortable, enjoyable year.

The look is classic minivan with a conveniently comfortable step-in height.  Inside, soft leather surfaces are warm and welcoming.  Everything is within easy reach of the driver.  Honda Sensing, the exceptional suite of safety technology features, is standard on all Odysseys, adding an extra layer of confidence and security before the ignition is triggered.

And there are some extra-special features of note.

Removing the middle seat from the second row enabled me to slide the passenger-side seat left and right.  This drew raves from a passenger who said "it's great to see out the front of the vehicle from the middle, instead of just the back of the seat in front of me."

The "CabinWatch" camera enables the front seat passengers to keep an eye on what's going on in the rear seats -- a godsend for parents of restless children who might indulge in the occasional in-vehicle scrap.

The bird's-eye view monitor also is helpful, providing a fuller view of surroundings, a plus in busy neighborhoods and tight parking lots.

The Odyssey Elite was an easy driver, with just-right firm steering and a surprisingly agile turning radius.  It's particularly smooth on the freeway, and the 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 provides more-than-adequate power.

Fuel mileage is pretty fair at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

So, how does it rank among the minivan crowd?  High.  You want specifics?  I'll leave that to others, many of whom can be found on this thing called the internet.