Mazda packs in a little zoom-zoom for some fun-fun. Compact SUVs dominate the market with some models jockeying for best-seller status this year. Consumers love these vehicles, which explains why the 2017 CX-5 remains Mazda’s top model. If you’re looking for something that isn’t a Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Chevrolet or … Read more
Jeep strengthens the model line with an all-new compact SUV. The fast-growing Jeep product line has had the burden in recent years of carrying a pair of aging and underperforming models, namely the compact Patriot and Compass SUVs. Although sales for both have contributed significantly to the brand, neither model … Read more
A Land Rover Discovery with a supercharged gas engine. The hits keep coming. Or at least the weekly model or two I have had the privilege of driving in 2017. This past week it was the Land Rover Discovery, the second time in two months the keys to this model … Read more
Out and about with No. 2 of four models in the Range Rover collection. The Land Rover universe now encompasses six models — four Range Rovers and two Discovery series. There’s considerable overlap between some models, but there is enough distinctiveness present that each one has its own unique attributes, … Read more
Audi presents the latest iteration of its largest SUV. The second-generation Audi Q7 has arrived, bringing with it a more car-like look. At first glance, you may see a tall wagon as Audi lowered the hood and relaxed the roofline. Inch for inch, the dimensional changes are minimal for Audi’s … Read more
Straddling the space between subcompact and compact SUV. The Nissan Rogue Sport is an all-new model or at least it is new to North America. Not to confuse it with the Nissan Rogue, the Rogue Sport is smaller than the compact Rogue, yet larger than the tiny Juke. Thus, it … Read more
A subcompact SUV that’s big on style. The subcompact SUV market is hot and the 2017 Fiat 500X finds itself in the thick of things. Mechanically similar to the Jeep Renegade, the 500X is outsold 10-to-1 by its FCA cousin, underscoring the relative and enduring anonymity of the Fiat brand. … Read more
Return of the top-of-the-line Discovery series. Land Rover divides its universe between top-of-the-line Range Rover models (currently numbering four) and a pair of standard Discovery models. But there is nothing “regular” about the Discovery and Discovery Sport other than a base Discovery Sport SE is the only Land Rover with … Read more
SUV sales remain strong, but the GMC Acadia is in a stream of its own. For the first time in eight years, the US auto industry is experiencing declining sales. Fortunately, it isn’t a significant drop — just 1.5 percent year-to-date through April. The pullback isn’t entirely unexpected nor is … Read more
An attainable luxury model from Britain’s iconic SUV maker. Consider the Discovery Sport your cost-effective Land Rover, the SUV you’ll want until you can afford a Range Rover. This five-passenger, all-wheel-drive utility vehicle starts at under $40,000 and delivers a handsome product in an altogether tidy package. When you think … Read more
Toyota’s longest playing nameplate is also its most expensive model. The very first Toyota Land Cruiser was introduced in 1951, a Jeep-like vehicle built under contract to the US military for use in Korea. Based on the original Willys theme, the first “Toyota Jeep BJ” was larger and more powerful … Read more
Capable 2017 Armada is punctuated by the Platinum edition. For the second time in three months, Nissan delivered a 2017 Armada for my review. My earlier review offers a thorough inspection of this full-size sport utility vehicle, a model that competes with the likes of the Toyota Sequoia, Ford Expedition, … Read more
Compact NX is the smallest of four Lexus SUVs. Low fuel prices haven’t halted Lexus’ advance in all things hybrid. Piggybacking on Toyota Motors’ technology, Lexus’ gas-electric vehicles currently number five model lines and soon will be joined by two 2018 models: the LC 500h coupe and the LS 500h. … Read more
Limited initial availability for the competitively priced Rogue Hybrid. Pay just $26,240 for the 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid? That’s only $2,420 more than the starting price for the standard Rogue model. Perhaps more important, the Rogue Hybrid costs $2,790 less than the RAV4 Hybrid, the best-selling compact SUV. Talk about … Read more
Nissan’s roomy midsize Pathfinder receives numerous improvements. The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder has been refreshed, the first significant change since the current-generation model debuted in 2013. More forceful styling, enhanced safety and technology features, and an updated engine are among the changes evident in this three-row, midsize crossover SUV offering room … Read more
A compact crossover with a growing audience. The Nissan Rogue was a latecomer to the compact SUV segment, but has certainly made up for lost time. Introduced in 2008 and overhauled in 2014, the Nissan Rogue is now one of the top sellers in the segment, trailing only the Honda … Read more
The hot-selling Subaru Outback welcomes an all-new Touring edition. Long before crossovers became popular, the midsize Subaru Outback has established and maintained its own slice of the market. More wagon-like than SUV, the Outback brings in such utility attributes as an elevated suspension, standard all-wheel drive, and versatility — features … Read more
Now in its fourth year, the midsize Santa Fe Sport SUV has been mildly refreshed. Hyundai has the midsize SUV segment nailed down with two very similar models: the two-row, five-passenger Santa Fe Sport and the three-row, seven-passenger Santa Fe. The latter one is based entirely on the former with … Read more
Nissan’s seven-seat, midsize utility vehicle receives a significant overhaul. Nissan’s three-row Pathfinder crossover utility vehicle was fully redesigned in 2013, shedding its previous body-on-frame SUV roots to assume a car-like unibody layout. The transition has been a sales boon for a vehicle now in its fourth model year. But it … Read more