In the 1990s, Americans became enamored with the new rough and tumble sport utility vehicle. And none was more popular than the Ford Explorer. Introduced in 1990, Ford sold 159,626 that first year and by 1994 it was the ninth best-selling vehicle in the U.S. In a five-year period from 1998 to 2002, the Explorer […]
Weidel on Wheels
Mitsubishi Outlander gets cool makeover
Forget about the many negative things that might have been written in the past about the Mitsubishi Outlander. Thanks in part to Mitsubishi’s partnership with Nissan and Renault, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is probably as good as it gets since making its 2002 debut as a compact sport utility vehicle. There was no 2021 Outlander […]
Ford’s new plug-in hybrid Escape
Ford is now offering lots of diversity when it comes to purchasing the popular Escape. An SUV with a strong history of success, the Escape arrived in 2020 with a redesign and the addition of a hybrid version Ford was also supposed to add a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) last year, but for a variety of […]
Lexus RX 450 hybrid lacks performance
There are many positive aspects concerning the Lexus RX 450 hybrid, yet it’s unavoidable to not shine a light on the elephant in the room – performance. This luxury mid-size sport utility vehicle underperforms when compared to its speedier rivals like the hybrid version of the Acura MDX, BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. The […]
Fuel economy a plus for RAV4 Hybrid
It’s one of the biggest sport utility vehicles in the compact class. And every time we drive one, we swear it looks more like a midsize SUV. Make no mistake, the Toyota RAV4 is considered among the elite “big guys” in the compact SUV field. It’s been jockeying for supremacy with the Honda CR-V for […]
New Honda Civic hatchback spacious
Closing in on its 50th anniversary, the Honda Civic has a glorious history as one the standard-bearers for vehicles worldwide. It was introduced in 1973 with sales of 32,575 – still it’s worst sales year ever. The venerable Civic has recorded U.S. sales of 200,000-plus the past 32 years (1990-2021), including a high 377,286 in […]
Mazda Miata still offers fun ride
The Mazda Miata has been delivering fun as one of the standard bearers in the convertible category for more than three decades. The lightweight roadster debuted in 1989 and is the top-selling, U.S. two-passenger convertible of all time. Although not the ideal ride for all situations, when it comes to delivering a fun experience, the […]
Battery problems plaguing Kona EV
A battery issue is a major concern for the folks at Hyundai. The “issues” were not minor, a fire risk with its 64.0-kWh battery pack that led to a reduction in sales for the popular Kona Electric. That resulted in a massive battery recall that the South Korean automaker is hoping has eradicated the problem. […]
Genesis GV70 very competent SUV
When it comes to luxury compact sport utility vehicles, the list is impressive with at least a half dozen having plenty of merit. And there is one more to add to the list – the all-new 2022 Genesis GV70. It has good performance, a dazzling interior makeup, and combines a nice blend of comfort and […]
Lexus IS 350 getting overshadowed
When it comes to luxury vehicles, the bar resides in a high place. Mediocrity is not acceptable. And that might be a suitable synopsis of the 2021 Lexus IS 350. Judged by the lofty expectations luxury vehicles are under, the IS 350 has a difficult time matching the competition. A luxury midsize sedan that still […]