carreviews

Suffering from the sticker shock? Maybe you’d really rather drive a Buick. Seriously. The new Envista has style, practicality, and a price tag that will impress.  It’s not a high-performance machine but for people looking for solid transportation without a budget brand badge, Buick offers a lot of value here. Tom Voelk drives a mid-tier Sport Touring model optioned up with sunroof, heated seats and steering wheel plus an upgraded rear suspension.

The new ­­2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is what happens when a Mach-E GT wants to play in the dirt. With extra shielding underneath and a new raised suspension that includes MagneRide shocks, the Rally should eat up your favorite forest service roads. Plus, it gets more sustained power, something that was a bit controversial with the GT. Tom Voelk previews the Rally that should start at around $65,000 when it arrives in early 2024.

The days of American brands falling short in the mid-sized pickup market are over and the new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is proof. It’s handsome, capable, comfortable and powerful. Plus, it’s affordable. The Trail Boss model with standard 4WD and off-road suspension is less than $40,000.  Tom Voelk takes The Boss on road, off road, camping and exploring. Midsized trucks do some things better than full-sized rigs.

Special thanks to Ryan Douthit for providing footage and opinions for this review. Visit Driving Sports for his take on the Colorado Trail Boss. https://www.drivingsports.com

If you believe in lucky numbers, the 7^th generation BMW 7-Series is a good omen. Available with three different drivetrains (including the all-electric i7) it’ll appeal to a wide number of buyers… so long as they’re wealthy. Tom Voelk checks out the 760i xDrive model that gets it’s oomph from a 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8, plus an electric motor embedded into the 8-speed transmission since ICE 7-Series are 48V mild hybrids now. And then there’s the Rear Executive Lounge Seating which just begs for a classical music montage.  

As the name implies, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is, well, grander than Highlander classic. There’s more room, crisper design and with the Hybrid MAX powertrain, significantly more oomph. There’s seating for up to 8, and for the first time, adults are okay to ride in the wayback. All that and the price premium is easy to swallow. Its strong competition to Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, Nissan Pathfinder and Volkswagen Atlas. Tom Voelk travels to the Big Island of Hawaii to check out all three powertrains.

People will either love the 2023 BMW XM or loath it. For sure, it’s a grin a minute from behind the wheel. It’s a dedicated M vehicle, not an M variant like M3 or M5. Plus it’s a plug-in hybrid SUV that can be kind to the environment. But the gas-side is a thirsty twin-turbocharged V8 and the lofty price tag will disappoint those who find the polarizing exterior appealing. Tom Voelk checks out the tech and performance of this high output PHEV and talks to the good folks of Seattle about the design… and finds some surprising responses.

It would seem that hybrid king Toyota has pushed back against battery electric vehicles. But it does make a BEV- the bZ4X. With a range of up to 252 miles, it’s available in front and all-wheel drive. How does it drive? Tom Voelk drives a front-wheel drive Limited model and finds it to be a solid performer with an excellent driving dynamic. Charging speed and curve? That might be the deal breaker for those that travel long distances.

I get to drive a lot of vehicles, some 80 in 2022. These 11 are the ones that I think are worth looking at, the cars and trucks that are a great combination of value, features, design and capability. The ground rules- each one needs to be less than $100K or so reasonably optioned (that means no GMC Hummer EV or Porsche Taycans, which are terrific in what they do). I choose from a wide variety of categories that people actually buy, so not everything is a performance car. Check it out and see if you agree.

The new Land Rover Defender 110 is rough, tough and leading man handsome. With the new 518 horsepower 5-liter supercharged V8 it adds power and a baritone voice that’s hard to resist. Tom Voelk drives a decked out 110 model because that’s the only way you can get buy one, fully loaded (it can be had in the 90 as well). Beware, it doesn’t come cheap, and it’s a thirsty machine.

The second-generation Kia Niro can be had as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid with 33 miles of electric range, and a full EV. The 2023 model is more efficient, more stylish and more tech savvy. And it starts at under $28,000 (yes, with shipping). Tom Voelk travels to San Diego, CA to check out the tech and find out why there’s wall paper inside the cabin.

The all-electric Genesis GV60 is the brand’s first electric vehicle built on a dedicated EV architecture. It has a completely different vibe than platform sharing Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Quick, quiet, nimble and packed with tech features, the Performance will get you where you’re going in unique Genesis style (that not everyone’s going to love). Tom tests a Performance model in Uyuni White and a Torrent Navy interior that retails for $69,560… if you can even buy it where you live. It's only available in Arizona, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Utah and Washington. Oh, and that Chrystal Sphere!

Americans (and the rest of the world) love the practicality of SUVs and crossovers. The 2023 Audi A6 Allroad has that plus the performance of a sport sedan since it’s a wagon. And since everyone and their mother is driving SUVs, the Allroad makes a style statement. Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped Prestige model that goes for nearly $82K. Pro tip- the base Premium model has nearly all the “Audiness” you need.

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV (which is kind of different from the Bolt EV) is affordable and packed with tech and features like Super Cruise handsfree driving. Now it comes with a significant price cut. Starting at $28,195, it’s one of the best deals in the electric vehicle world. Tom Voelk checks out a fully loaded Premier model with heated and vented seats, a punchy Bose sounds system and range of 247 miles.

Nissan has unveiled the production Ariya crossover and it looks every bit as good as the concept shown at the 2019 Tokyo Moto Show. It about the size of a Rogue, but inside has the space of a Murano. And, the battery is liquid cooled! Tom Voelk takes a first look at the Ariya, including the innovative e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system that can help your passenger with car sickness. Ariya will be available in the summer of 2021. Nissan provided the running footage and photos for this video. 

The all-new Kia EV6 is the first purpose-built electric car from the brand. Sharing its E-GMP platform with Hyundai Inoniq5 (but little else), the EV6 is available with two battery sizes in rear and all-wheel drive. The “Opposites Unite” design language turns heads, the cabin has unique styling featuring recycled materials and in moderate temperatures, it should easily hit it’s 309-mile range. Tom Voelk checks out a well equipped GT-Line rear wheel drive and finds it fun to drive and ready to take on Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 2, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo XC40 and C30 Recharge and Tesla Model Y and 3.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in such a wide variety of trims, powertrains and even sizes, there’s one for almost every want and need. From basic to luxurious, the Grand Cherokee covers all the bases. There’s even an audiophile McIntosh sound system. No wonder Jeep has sold over 7,000,000 of them over the years. Tom Voelk checks out a V6 Overland 4x4 with the Off-Road Package with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds and finds it to be a good choice for families that want to explore the wilderness in comfort.

For years, Cadillac V cars were a curiosity. Hotrod performance from the luxury brand was unexpected fun. But the Cadillac CT5 V-Series Blackwing is another best-in-class performer and it’s lofty performance is no longer an anomaly. It begs the question- Is Cadillac a better performance brand than a luxury marque? How does it compare to the CT4 V Blackwing? Does it compete with Audi RS5, BMW M5, Alfa Romeo Giulia Qudrafoglio, and Mercedes AMG C 63 S? Tom Voelk answers those questions and more. He checks out a well-optioned CT5 V Blackwing in Metallic Rift paint equipped with a 6-speed manual.   

Switching from gasoline to electric is an easy decision if you’re shopping the 2022 Audi e-tron GT. And the high-performance RS is an even easier sell, if you have the money. It looks great, has terrific range, excellent fast charging speed and looks, well, like an Audi. It’s based on the same architecture as Porsche’s Taycan and shares some of its goodness. But the e-tron GT has its own appeal and character. It competes with Tesla Model S, Lucid Air and Mercedes EQS. Tom Voelk takes a look at a fully loaded RS e-tron GT with the Year One package and finds a lot to like. Now to make more money…

The 2022 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing is what happens when a wallflower sedan gets infused with superpowers. The twin-turbo V6 belts out 472 horsepower. The Brembo brakes will stop a train. And when it’s not slicing up a track, the Blackwing is a docile grocery getter. All of that and it’s available with one of the best manual 6-speed transmissions on the planet (or choose a 10-speed automatic). Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped V Blackwing on an empty backroad and finds General Motors doesn’t get credit for it’s excellent chassis tuning.

Episode 6 is here! We have been driving the All New Mustang Mach-E, and we have the pleasure of introducing two all new segments: Fun With The Comment Section and Cars You Wish Your Dad Never Sold.