If your product launched a segment and still dominates it, how do you maintain that position? That’s a challenge Lexus faces with its midsize RX crossover, a model introduced in 1998. The RX has done exceedingly well for the brand, with a record 115,230 units sold in 2021. That means … Read more
The Chevrolet Corvette is America’s sports car and our love affair with this machine remains strong after nearly seven decades. Come 2023, an electrified version of the famed two-seater arrives, launching a sea change for this iconic model. Gas models will continue, but a hybrid will precede an all-electric version … Read more
The Peugeot 308 is a compact hatchback or station wagon first revealed in 2007. Foremost, the Peugeot 308 was aimed at the European market, which extended to select regions in Asia, Russia, and South America. A significant market for the 308 is China, where it is sold as a compact … Read more
Seven years is a long time between new models for an automotive brand. Then again, we are talking about Alfa Romeo, a niche Italian make from Fiat that is now under the auspices of Stellantis. The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale compact crossover is the first new model since the midsize … Read more
An all-new electric vehicle model is on the way, with a spring 2022 arrival set. Dubbed the Toyota bZ4X, the latest vehicle joins a long list of electrified Toyota models. It is the first of a new line of fully electric vehicles slated for the North American and global markets, … Read more
Electrification has come to the Hyundai Santa Fe line and that is a first for this midsize, five-passenger crossover sport utility vehicle. For 2021, the Santa Fe gains a conventional hybrid, followed by a plug-in hybrid for 2022. Together, the hybrids give customers much more to consider when comparing two-row … Read more
Mazda is seeking a larger stake in the automotive market and intends to do so with five new utility vehicles appearing over the next two years. The Japanese automaker will introduce three new models for the U.S. market, including a compact CX-50 and midsize CX-70 (two-row) and CX-90 (three-row) crossovers. … Read more
What 4xe means to the Jeep Wrangler. The electric vehicle revolution continues apace, with scores of new models available or planned. Most of the upcoming vehicles are based on new electric-dedicated platforms. But some are not, with the manufacturers choosing to electrify what they have. A case in point is … Read more
Rumor: A plug-in hybrid Lexus UC may be under development The rumors first surfaced in late June and only became stronger through the extended Independence Day weekend. When we learned that Lexus might develop a version of the Toyota 86, which itself is derived from the Subaru BRZ, that caught … Read more
Mazda outlines its plans for an electric future with Zoom Zoom. Earlier this month, we learned that Mazda will drop a pair of models from its U.S. portfolio this year. Both the small CX-3 crossover and the midsize Mazda6 sedan will no longer be sold in America. However, these vehicles … Read more
The Lincoln Corsair makes a bold statement. The Lincoln marque, also known as the Lincoln Motor Company, is the luxury brand for the Ford Motor Company. Founded in 1917, the company was acquired by Ford in 1922 and has survived its parent company’s many ups and downs through the intervening … Read more
Hyundai ups its game in the midsize crossover utility segment. From top to bottom, Hyundai’s product line is far different than the one we saw just five years ago. Updated and overhauled models, new segments, and a long list of powertrain, tech, and safety improvements are transforming this brand. There … Read more
The all-new Tucson adds a pair of hybrid variants. An all-new Hyundai Tucson arrives in the coming weeks, launching the fourth generation for this compact crossover utility vehicle. The new model is important to Hyundai as it helps the brand maintain a toehold in a hot segment. For 2022, the … Read more
The Wagoneer line will elevate Jeep’s profile. The long-awaited return of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is nearly complete. On Thursday, Fiat Chrysler revealed the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, a full-size SUV that blends the brand’s off-road credentials with luxury. The Grand Wagoneer represents one part of a Wagoneer sub-brand that … Read more
Updated Dec. 20., 2019, to include driving impressions and statistical corrections. The Escape was Ford’s first hybrid, introduced in 2005 and built through 2012. When the third-generation Ford Escape rolled out in 2013, no hybrid option was offered. But beginning with the release of the 2020 Escape this fall, two … Read more
The Ford Escape has been one of the best-selling small crossover utility vehicles since its 2001 debut. The earliest models shared the same architecture with the Mazda Tribute. There was also a Mercury Milan variant until Ford canceled the brand in 2011. The Fourth-Generation Ford Escape Ford rolled out the … Read more
Chevrolet’s Volt maintains its place in a niche segment. The 2019 Chevrolet Volt operates in a limited, but important segment. As a compact plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Volt supplies sufficient electrification range for local drivers, then backs it up with a small generator (engine) for longer trips. The original … Read more
New Aviator SUV strengthens the Lincoln marque. The Lincoln Aviator is back, an all-new SUV set to take flight next year. Notwithstanding the obvious aviation references, the 2019 Aviator may very well enable the Lincoln brand to recapture at least some of its past glory, particularly as the preeminent American … Read more
The 740e is BMW’s big PHEV. Certain dreams of mine were recently fulfilled when a handsome, shiny BMW 7 Series arrived at my home one blustery March afternoon. The new conveyance completed my quest to drive each of BMW’s numbered car models ranging from 3 to 7. Yes, “2” remains … Read more
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the Countryman line. The Mini brand hardly needs an introduction, the quintessential British automotive marque known for its ultra-small cars. Now owned by BMW, Mini has thrived since it was sold to the German company in the 1990s. Indeed, in 2017, Mini distributed 371,881 … Read more
T8 represents maximum power and efficiency. Certainly, Volvo doesn’t have the product reach or market sales of such luxury stalwarts as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Nevertheless, the Swedish automaker continues to make a name for itself with the vehicles it has. For example, the 2018 S90 is its midsize sedan, delivering … Read more
A Kent Island glimpse at a compact luxury PHEV sedan. The Mercedes-Benz brand has remained elusive among my press fleet vehicles, a situation I plan to amend by next year. You simply can’t properly evaluate the market without a steady dose of M-B models to compare with Audi, BMW, and … Read more
On the road with Kia’s newest model. The Kia Niro is a dedicated hybrid model, the first of its kind for this Korean brand. Yes, the Kia Optima Hybrid is the brand’s first hybrid electric vehicle, but it is a variant of a gas model. Not so with the Niro. … Read more
Scotland by motorcar — the only way to travel. Is it a book? A magazine? Or is it a catalog? I asked myself these questions when a copy of “Curves Scotland: Number 8” arrived at my home recently. “Curves” is actually a German magazine bound like a softcover book and … Read more
With fresh product in and more on the way, Volvo is enjoying record sales on a global scale. It wasn’t too long ago some analysts had suggested the Volvo Car Corporation might exit the US market, if not give up on the business of building passenger vehicles entirely. In 2014 … Read more
If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. CEO Sergio Marchionne’s overtures to GM and Ford have been rebuffed. Other … Read more
Going green on Earth Day, Honda style. Automakers like to time important news with key events, including Earth Day which is today. Earth Day isn’t when you want to introduce your big pickup truck or SUV, instead it is the ideal time to showcase your “green” models. Honda stole the … Read more
The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica arrives this spring. If you thought the minivan segment was in its death throes, you are not alone. Last year, segment sales fell by 8 percent in a market where overall sales climbed by more than 5 percent. However, much of that drop can be … Read more
Audi launches “e-tron,” its nascent line of hybrid electric vehicles. The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron name is a mouthful. Once you get beyond the lengthy moniker for this unusual plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), calling it “e-tron” or “A3 e-tron” seems entirely appropriate. The “e-tron” designation is an Audi registered … Read more
Korean manufacturer advances its green car initiative as consumer demand wanes. Kia Motors America has been relatively quiet in the hybrid electric vehicle arena, trailing most other major brands with only an Optima Hybrid to show for it. However, that’s all about to change as Kia introduced a trio of … Read more