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
What the heck can anyone say in a review of the best selling vehicle there is? That question stays firmly planted in the back of my mind as I walk up to this gorgeous, $67k-plus luxury vehicle that bears little resemblance to the metal-lined, raw work trucks I grew up with on our farm back … Read more
To be competitive in sales you need crossovers, that ill-defined segment of pumped up wagon-like things that have replaced classic body-on-frame SUVs as hot class of vehicles. Kia’s Sportage is new for 2017 and has many of the attributes necessary to lead the charge towards big numbers for the Koreans. Firstly, it looks really good—at … Read more
In concept the plugin version of the BMW X5 is brilliant, but I may not be the best person to exploit the benefits that go with its electrification. I don’t have anywhere to charge it easily, and so I cant get remotely close to its rated combined electric EPA numbers. Other, independent tests don’t either … Read more
BMW started the trend towards midsize luxury liners powered by 2-liter, turbocharged engines. Aside from the EPA ratings benefit, does this make sense for real-world use? Two weeks in two models from Infiniti and Lexus gives insight. There are obvious differences between the Q50 2.0t and the GS200t; the former is smaller, and the test … Read more
Many of my clients have been asking what I think about so-called automated driving. Even though I had followed developments in the industry for many years, I decided to give automated driving some serious study. What I see should concern us all, and has a direct influence on how we should approach vehicle selection going … Read more
Smack into the superhot compact luxury crossover maelstrom Mercedes has airdropped its all new GLC300. Offering a compelling group of desirable attributes, it immediately moves to the front rank of vehicles in this segment. Styling is in the modern Mercedes idiom incorporating a fluidic—if slightly ill defined—profile, bookended by carefully detailed front and rear fascias. … Read more
Properly regarded as one of the toughest vehicles ever created by mankind, the Land Cruiser enters its golden years with a modest facelift and electronics makeover that address many of this generation’s weaknesses and better demonstrate its many commendable strengths. Exterior changes to the Toyota include a more prominent, tougher-looking grill and a bit more … Read more
This article appears in the August 2016 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer. Subscribe today! Bentley Bentayga Just when you thought the crossover had reached its apogee, along comes a game-changing off-roader that vividly illustrates the extraordinary levels one-upmanship can go. Completely sold out at a cool quarter mil each and blessed with a superbly engineered chassis … Read more
For each of the past three years I’ve been graced with a week behind the wheel of an F-Type R, and each time has shown me a different facet of this superb Jaguar. The first one was a rear-drive coupe, and I reveled in its crazy drift angle antics. The second was driven by all … Read more
