In the subcompact crossover SUV class, the Hyundai Kona ranks as one of the standouts. And despite its success since debuting in 2018, Hyundai is not resting on its laurels. The 2024 Hyundai Kona is already out and is distinguished by a complete redesign that corrected some of its weaker points. What can one expect […]
Travel/Golf/Auto reviews
Does Lexus LX 600 match rivals?
Despite an upgraded, stronger engine, classy cabin, and modern technology, the 2023 Lexus LX 600 can still be matched or exceeded by many of its rivals. Lexus made all these upgrades to last year’s LX 600 and added new underpinnings (same as the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup) to make it a more capable SUV. In […]
Toyota introduces the Crown
It’s no secret that sedan sales are sliding in the wrong direction. So, why did Toyota get rid of the Avalon sedan and quickly replace it with another sedan? For the record, the Japanese automaker says the 2023 Toyota Crown is not a replacement for the Avalon, which debuted nearly 30 years ago. Discontinued after […]
Mazda CX-50 competes against CX-5
Coming off its third greatest sales year, the CX-5 now faces one more worthy rival. Oddly, it’s the 2024 Mazda CX-50. That’s right, Mazda has decided to manufacture another compact SUV that likely is competing against its older sibling. The popular Mazda CX-5 has been a staple in the company’s lineup since debuting 12 years […]
Ioniq 5 proficient all-electric SUV
What’s in a name? If it’s Ioniq, there’s lots to this moniker. Hyundai has created four different versions of the Ioniq. We test drove the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5, an attractive all-electric compact crossover SUV that the company unveiled late in 2021. It’s the first model developed on Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The […]
Once-popular Mazda3 has declining sales
When it comes to compact cars, the Mazda3 has historically been a good choice. So, what’s the deal with sales dramatically dropping in recent years? From 2007 to 2015, Mazda3 sales exceeded 100,000 or more eight of nine times. But sales of the popular compact sedan/hatchback sank to an all-time low of 27,767 in 2022 […]
Meet the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna
It wasn’t that long ago when minivans were the suburban vehicle of choice. But gradually, large car-based SUVs nudged them into the slow lane of oblivion. Toyota seemed to have an answer for its fading Sienna, bidding goodbye to its gas-powered model and offering a hybrid-only powertrain in 2021. The results were phenomenal, more than […]
Hyundai Santa Cruz makes case for small trucks
Want to purchase a truck, yet don’t care for a king-size one that’s expensive, horrible on gas, and the ride quality is poor? Then, perhaps it’s time to consider a compact pickup truck. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact four-door crew-cab truck that seats five passengers, has the driving dynamics of an SUV, […]
Lexus RX brand adds performance
Although we’ve always been a fan of the Lexus RX brand, the one aspect missing was performance. Looking for some thrills – there were none. It’s always been rather blasé to drive. It took more than two decades since the stylish midsize SUV was introduced in 1998, but Lexus has finally manufactured an RX with […]
New Mazda CX-90 replaces CX-9
Bid farewell to the popular Mazda CX-9, which is being replaced by the slightly larger CX-90. It’s not like there were major issues with the flagship CX-9, which successfully debuted in 2007 and had record sales of 34,580 in 2022. Mazda says 2023 will be the final year of production for the mid-size crossover SUV. […]