To get the family over the river and through the woods, the 3-row Lexus TX will get the job done with a premium attitude. Available in three models (350, 500h Hybrid and 550h+ PHEV), it seats up to seven. And yes, adults can sit in the wayback. Built on the same platform as Toyota Grand Highlander, the TX is assembled in Indiana. Tom Voelk checks out the entire lineup in Austin, Texas and finds there are some key differences between each powertrain.   Lexus provided transportation and...

For heading out into the wilderness (and making sure you come back) the GMC Canyon AT4X is ready to rumble right out of the box. It starts with extra ground clearance and underbody protection, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires, upgraded front and rear e-locker differentials plus Multimatic DSSV dampers. Add nearly every technology and feature GMC offers and you get a rugged truck that never makes its owner to walk out of the woods. This does come at a cost though. Tom Voelk takes a loaded AT4X...

“Performance Corolla” is an oxymoron up there with “jumbo shrimp”, but the GR Corolla is not part of the Marvel alternative multiverse. It’s real, and loads of fun. Starting at just $36,995 with shipping from the specialized factory in Japan, the GR is a performance bargain. 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and structural improvements all help to make it the most potent Corolla to date. And the Gazoo Racing visuals get attention… not always welcome. Tom Voelk checks out a Circuit edition that...

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.

All-wheel drive grip doesn’t have to break the bank. The Subaru Impreza starts at just over $24,000 so there’s no need to skimp on Fido’s food. The new RS model gets a sport-tuned suspension, unique interior and most importantly, a more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Tom Voelk checks out a fully optioned model in Oasis Blue and finds it frisky and affordable fun, as long as you don’t crave a manual transmission.

Many Tacoma owners push their trucks in the wilderness. The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma Off Road has enhancements that make it a better trail companion. 33-inch off road-oriented tires on 17-inch wheels, large front brakes, Bilstein monotube remote reservoir shocks and an optional sway bar disconnect. Tom Voelk checks out a pre-production unit near Malibu, CA with off road driving instructor Matt Frohlich on a course that’s tougher than it looks (cameras never show how severe terrain is). ...

It's been a long since since there’s been an all-new Tacoma. Generation four is quite the change. It gets a choice of bed and cabin sizes, a fully-boxed frame, multi-link rear suspension on many models plus new i-FORCE turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. The segment’s 500-pound gorilla is a better truck in every way. But how does it stack up to Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier? Tom Voelk travels to Malibu, CA to check out a Tacoma SR5...

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 small Encore crossover has been Buick’s best-selling car for years now. The 2024 Encore GX (the smaller non-GX model is discontinued) gets the brand’s new face from the Wildcat concept vehicle, a new instrument panel and the reimagined Tri-Shield logo. Is this enough to temp buyers away from mainstream competitors like Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V or Kia Seltos (or even spendy rigs like Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA or Volvo XC 40)? Tom Voelk checks out a mid-level trim Sport Touring model...

Electrification is perfect for luxury vehicles. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV adds performance and exclusivity to the premium experience. Dual motor 4MATIC all-wheel drive provides the traction to handle up to 677 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. And if 3.4 second 0-60 sprints aren’t enough, the Hyperscreen dashboard impresses even standing still.  Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped model in Emerald Green Metallic and finds it’s a great way to move a family briskly if you don’t need to...

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...

If you believe in lucky numbers, the 7th 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...

On paper, the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is what people want these days. It’s three-row SUV that will travel 38 miles on electric power so many owners can get by on a single tank of gas a year (seriously, I’ve done it). It also has a sure-footed all-wheel drive system dubbed Super All-Wheel Control with a rear-drive performance bias. And it just took home multiple trophies at the Mudfest SUV Competition. But, how does it stack up in the real world? Tom Voelk checks out a SEL Premium...

The gas-powered GV70 is a well-regarded piece of transportation, but there are people that are still unaware of the Genesis brand.  Even those in-the-know might be surprised to find there’s a fully electric version. The Genesis Electrified GV70 doesn’t get the most elegant moniker. But its performance, handling, refinement and style deserve attention. Tom Voelk checks out a Prestige model in Savile Silver and finds it to be a compelling EV crossover. That’s if 236 miles of range works for...

People have an awful lot of questions about my trunk measurement metric. Here's how it's done, why it's done, and what I do with all that toilet paper once I'm done. And yes, I've heard every joke and comment imaginable while wheeling out all that bath tissue into the parking lot. Special thanks to all the fine folks at Costco that make it all possible. It's a great group of people.

Looking for the best SUV, crossover or pickup? 22 vehicles compete for the title in Mudfest 2023, a two-day battle royale put on by the Northwest Automotive Press Association. There are categories for 2-row, 3-row, luxury, extreme capability, value, and for the first time, electrified. So we have you covered, from the $30,000 Subaru Crosstrek to the $452,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Tom Voelk travels to The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA to drive pickups and SUVs on-pavement and off to...

With a new engine, transmission and suspension setup, the 2023 Jeep Compass is an improvement over the outgoing model. If you really, truly, honestly believe you’re going off-road, the more capable Trailhawk is the one to choose. It adds skid plates, a rock mode, some extra ground clearance and improved approach, breakover and departure angles. It’s more compact than competitors (positive for some, negative for others). But for taking on tough trails, Trailhawk is hard to beat in class.

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...

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...

It’s been a very long time since Toyota has introduced an all-new Tacoma. At a special sneak preview on the big island of Hawaii, Toyota offered up a first look at the all-new (and it really is all-new) 2024 Tacoma. Here’s your first look at TRD Pro, Limited, SR5 Sport and the new Trailhunter for those looking to overland. It will be available with two powertrains including the i-Force MAX hybrid. And Toyota has heard your requests for a better seating position. Sheldon Brown, the chief...

The 2024 Ford Ranger is coming this fall but you can check it out inside and out now. Tom Voelk offers a preview of the next-generation mid-sized pickup that gets a Raptor version for the first time in the US. In the XL, XLT and Lariat models, choose between a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder with 270 horsepower or the optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 315 HP. The Raptor gets a 3-liter V6 with 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque and a different advanced four-wheel-drive system. There’s all sort of...

It took time but Lexus has a new battery electric, the RZ 450e. Built on the e-TNGA platform found under the Bz4X, it’s strictly an all-wheel drive machine (that’s the DIRECT4 badge) with torque vectoring. It's stuffed with Lexus creature comforts and technology too. Electrification is perfect for the brand’s mission. How does it work in the real world? Tom Voelk checks out the driving dynamics, design, features and, of course range and charging speed. He drives a Premium model with the...

The Honda CR-V has always been a family favorite, the all-new 6th generation is ready to take the brood on their next adventure. The big news? There’s a new hybrid powertrain with more powerful electric motors that are mounted side-by-side now. Available in front or all-wheel drive, it’s EPA rated as high as 40 MPG average. Tom Voelk checks out the Sport Touring model to see if it can get that kind of efficiency.

If you think adding a hybrid powertrain to the Toyota Corolla Cross makes it even more of a slug, no. In fact, it shaves nearly 2 seconds off the 0-60 sprint. And then it adds significant efficiency, all-wheel drive and a smoother powertrain. In short, if Toyota’s small wagon-like crossover is on your shopping list, you’ll want the hybrid. Tom Voelk travels to Carlsberg, CA to get a first look at the new Corolla Cross Hybrid and chooses the base S model, because money is tight and this one...