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 […]
Weidel on Wheels
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 […]
Lexus GX 460 remains old school
Despite a mild facelift this year, the 2020 Lexus GX 460 still comes up lacking overall. The midsize luxury SUV is not all that different from 10 years ago when its last major redesign took place. While the GX has remained mostly stagnant, much of the competition has evolved over that past decade, pushing the […]
Acura RDX bargain luxury SUV
Introduced halfway through 2006, the Acura RDX luxury compact sport utility vehicle has gradually gained popularity over the years. In 2015, it exceeded the 51,000 mark for the first time in sales and those numbers were nearly identical the next two years. The RDX had record-sales of 63,580 in 2018 and last year nearly matched […]
Will new redesign bolster Hyundai Sonata?
A new redesign should be a boast for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. However, don’t expect the solid midsize sedan to gain much, if any ground on the two perennial class heavyweights. It’s unlikely to happen. For more than two decades, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have been far-outdistancing the other top midsize sedans when […]