So, what’s the issue with the Mazda3, formerly a darling among U.S. car buyers? Sales of the once popular compact sedan/hatchback took a dramatic dip in 2019. And this year it will likely be worse. Last year, sales slid to 50,741 (a 21.5 percent decline), by far its lowest sales totals since its inception 16 […]
auto reviews
Toyota C-HR needs more performance
Toyota and its luxury division (Lexus) have manufactured a lot of sport utility vehicles, a sizable list that features SUVs large and small. To Toyota’s credit, most of them are well regarded. And most importantly to the Japanese automaker, the fleet of SUVs does well in terms of sales in the U.S. market. The smallest […]
Refreshed Ford F-250 truck
This is one heavy-duty pickup. And to make it a little more appealing for truck lovers, Ford has updated the popular F-250 this year. The 2020 Ford F-250 arrived this year with an updated front and rear styling, plus has a new optional off-road package. Oh, we buried the lede – it also offers a […]
Buick Encore GX debuts
In our humble opinion, this isn’t good marketing. Buick came out with a very different version of the Encore this year, so why not give the all-new sport utility vehicle its own unique name? Instead, General Motors decided to incorporate the existing name, hence the 2020 Buick Encore GX. It’s a confusing naming strategy because […]
BMW X3 adds new plug-in hybrid
There’s no guessing game regarding what the next decade will look like for BMW. The esteemed German automaker has made it perfectly clear the focus will be on going electric. Its ambitious plan starts with launching 25 new electrified models by 2023. BMW announced it will invest $563 million, taking a huge step to bolster […]
Kia Niro an appealing plug-in hybrid
Subcompact crossover sport utility vehicles continue to grow in numbers. Why? Two big reasons are car buyers love their fuel efficiency and the sticker price meets their budget. Introduced in 2017, the five-passenger Kia Niro has managed to wedge its way into a crowded field of subcompacts (note that some auto folks classify the Niro […]
Major improvements to 2020 Ford Expedition
Prior to delivery we were prepared to be unimpressed by the 2020 Ford Expedition. Were we excited at the prospect of testing the new model – the answer was an emphatic no. Our previous encounters with the Expedition were more than a decade ago. Etched in our memory was the image of a large, lumbering […]
Mercedes GLC delivers big time
Compact luxury sport utility vehicles must deliver in a variety of areas to warrant sizable sales numbers. Interior room and comfort, performance, attractive exterior, high-tech features, and reasonable pricing are among the criteria valued in this class. Built in Finland and Germany, the Mercedes GLC 300 is one of the finest compact luxury SUVs. It […]
Honda CR-V remains mainstay SUV
Are you looking to purchase a refined, practical and efficient compact SUV? If so, be prepared to do some homework. The decision is difficult to make because the list of competent small SUVs continues to grow. When it debuted in 1997, the Honda CR-V was a trail blazer, a car-based sport utility vehicle that people […]
New Hyundai Venue budget-friendly SUV
Hyundai has this vehicle aimed squarely at youthful buyers and seniors looking for a modest sport utility vehicle. The all-new 2020 Hyundai Venue is a subcompact SUV with an extremely appealing sticker price. One can drive home with a new Venue for a budget-friendly $17,500. That ranks as one of the lowest starting prices in […]