The question had been asked for years – when is Toyota going to redesign the outdated 4Runner? Following a perplexing 14-year wait, the Japanese automaker finally decided it was time to give its midsize truck-based SUV a makeover, ushering in the sixth 4Runner generation. In our opinion, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is much improved over […]
Travel/Golf/Auto reviews
Lexus unveils LX 700h hybrid
Lexus has the distinction of being the first luxury brand to manufacture a hybrid, introducing the RX 400h in 2004. The company seemingly hasn’t slowed down ever since. Both Toyota and its luxury division are known for their hybrid production. So, it comes as no surprise that we see the new 2025 Lexus LX 700h […]
Hyundai Santa Cruz appealing small truck
This is small truck that’s worth considering. And not just because it happens to be the name of a Northern California beach town that we’ve enjoyed on multiple occasions. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a truck with a distinctive personality. It’s a compact four-door crew-cab that seats five passengers, possesses the driving dynamics of […]
Prius still competent compact hybrid
There was a time when this energetic hybrid was seemingly everywhere. Introduced to the U.S. market in July 2000, sales of the Toyota Prius took off almost immediately. Sales exceeded 181,000 by 2007 and climbed to a high of 236,655 in 2012 as the Prius eventually became the all-time, top-selling hybrid. The Prius was a true […]
New Volvo electric SUV perplexing
If you’re a car owner who loves a minimalist approach, the new 2025 Volvo EX30 will suit those needs. Since we had no prior knowledge concerning the EX30, it was a frustrating initial introduction for just turning on the electric vehicle and a true mystery on how to turn it off. It required a YouTube […]
Mazda3 losing its mass appeal
We’ve been fans of the Mazda3 for a long time. It’s considered a very good car that’s attractive, fun to drive, and delivers good handling, all factors that combine to make it a standout in the compact sedan class. So, why does the Mzda3 cost less this year than in 2024? In a move that […]
Fall fun events in Lake Tahoe
Many people view Lake Tahoe as a ski season destination with little to offer once ski season has concluded. However, the remainder of the year is traditionally packed with various events that make the Tahoe region a great place to visit any time of year. The VISIT LAKE TAHOE website lists numerous autumn trip-inspired deals […]
Heavenly summer activities move to weekends only
With kids going back to school as September arrives, the summer season has unofficially ended in the Lake Tahoe region. However, that doesn’t mean activities at ski resorts like Heavenly have concluded. After extending hours over the Labor Day holiday, Heavenly is transitioning back to weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) until summer operations close for […]
Does Hyundai Sonata deserve more appreciation?
The increased popularity of small SUVs and some stiff competition from two longtime rivals have combined to drastically minimize sales of the Hyundai Sonata over the past decade. Sonata sales were at a peak during a five-year period (2011-2015), with numbers ranging between 203,000 and 230,00. But the decline came quick with sales plummeting under […]
Lexus TX 350 has strong in-house rival
Introduced a year ago, the 2025 Lexus TX 350 delivers luxury, technology and practicality, making it a solid choice among the class of three-row midsize SUVs. However, because they resemble each other so much, we wonder if it’s smarter to go with the Toyota Grand Highlander. The luxury TX 350 and the Grand Highlander share […]