Monday, September 16, 2024
Test Drive: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe midsize SUV, in its fifth-generation, was introduced at the LA Auto Show in November of 2023 and went on sale in February 2024. Richard Saxton reviews the Santa Fe on a 184 miles test drive through the streets of Vancouver, Canada.
Monday, September 2, 2024
Test Drive: 2024 Toyota Sienna XSE Hybrid Minivan
The 2024 Toyota Sienna, now in its fourth-generation and third year as an all-hybrid model delivers 245 total system horsepower from a 189 horsepower 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder16-valve Dual Overhead engine and a 134 kW (180 horsepower) electric motor.
Richard Saxton reviews the Toyota Sienna XSE 7 Passenger hybrid minivan on a 375 mile city/highway test drive around Vancouver and to the Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort.
Friday, June 30, 2023
Test Drive: 2023 Hyundai Palisade
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV is powered by a responsive Atkinson-cycle 291 horsepower 3.8-liter V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter and offers both two-wheel and HTRAC® four-wheel-drive configurations. The Palisade is loaded with features including turn signal, front and rear cameras along with an overhead view monitor. The streamlined, non-distracting driver and center display is simple and easy to read. Second and third row passengers get pampered with reclining and heated seats. The ride is smooth, cabin is quiet and roomy. A key feature is the legroom trade off between second and third row passengers.
The list of safety features is long: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The Palisade looks like a large SUV but doesn't feel like it behind the wheel as this test drive review reveals. Pricing starts at $37,235 with this Canadian Urban Edition in the mid-$50,000 range.
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Test Drive: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, powered by a 169 horsepower four cylinder 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence engine paired with CVT for fuel efficiency, went on sale in the Fall of 2021. In this test drive, onlookers asked if it was a Subaru, another very popular selling Japanese brand which offers only all-wheel drive vehicles. All three Corolla Cross trim levels, the L, LE and XLE, are available in all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line XLE was test driven and reviewed in this video, which, with options, has an MSRP of about $32,000. The Corolla Cross is assembled at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, that has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 Corolla Cross vehicles per year. At first, it seemed that the Corolla Cross was under-powered with 169 horsepower, but after a 360 mile test drive that included high speed highway driving maneuvering through California rainstorms, it delivered impressive performance and good fuel economy that came in at about 30 MPG as published. Despite being the smaller sibling of the Rav4, it has significant space and cargo capacity. Definitely worth considering when shopping for a compact SUV.