Named anew Pacifica—ironically one of the first crossovers, but released before the market was ready for such machines—it has confident lines that don’t try to ape SUVs, a flexibly arrange, generally high quality interior, and class-leading driving dynamics (at least until the all-new Honda Odyssey). Obviously a low-end version based on the paucity of bling … Read more
Auto journalism can be like the movie business: often the best vehicle releases come out during the last two months of the year—sometimes two in the same week. 2016 was a good example of this; here are some of my favorites and a few honorable mentions. 2017 HONDA RIDGELINE (Pictured) EPA ratings: 18/25mpg; 21mpg combined 0-60mph: … Read more
The presidential election was in full fight mode while I was testing the Land Cruiser, and as the hyperbole approached escape velocity, with both sides claiming it would be the end of our Republic if the other candidate won, I began to ponder what the perfect vehicle to ride out the next four years might … Read more
Since the company combined the boxy American Escape and swoopy European Kuga crossovers under its “One Ford” program, our fellow countrymen and –women have had access to one of the most dynamically accomplished compact crossovers made. But four years are an eternity in the car business, and while the revised and updated Escape is still … Read more
The nebulous term “crossover” now defines today’s best-selling vehicles—aside from pickups. And just like trucks, which started life on the farm before morphing into daily drivers for all demographics, these off-roaders have subdivided into niches almost too numerous to name. Here is a sampling of some of the latest, as well as some sexy counterprogramming … Read more
With the CX-9, Mazda’s vehicles now fit snuggly in the near-prestige rank that Acura once defined. This seven-passenger crossover looks and feels incredibly upscale outside, with gorgeous paint finish and carefully crafted trim, emphasized by surprise-and-delight hidden LED strips bordering the grill. Its stunning interior features materials that match or exceed anything from Asia or … Read more
Kudos to Infiniti for putting resources into this car, especially when the whole world seemingly wants to “drive truck.” It’s almost a throwback: a low-slung sled that now makes even more of a statement, since crossovers have become so ubiquitous. The Infiniti has the striking impact of recent Lexus designs, with more coherence outside. The … Read more
Many have taken a swing at Subaru’s groundbreaking, genre-defying Outback. VW might be the first mainstream brand to crack its DNA code. As the German company seeks to reinvent itself post-dieselgate, crossovers and tall wagons like the Alltrack play a critical role. The Alltrack has the exterior accouterments down cold—faux skid plates, a 1.6-inch increase … Read more
I felt very relieved by how much I enjoyed the Titan Pro-4X. The older generation was a solid alternative to the domestic trucks for much of its long life, and its replacement is critical to Nissan’s domestic profits. Yet my first exposure, to the XD diesel version, was very off-putting. In contrast to that overwrought … Read more
The greatest significance of the new Prius isn’t in its 50mpg-plus fuel economy nor even its radical styling. It is that its knickers will form the basis for a huge number of forthcoming Toyota models—and that is a Very. Good. Thing. Called Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), this modular set of components and its highly … Read more
