Thursday, 28 March 2024

 

Long a symbol of success and a favorite among those with the means to afford it, the Cadillac Escalade was about due for an update to keep up with growing competition in the luxury SUV realm; And that’s exactly what Cadillac did for 2021.

Completely redesigned to be longer than the previous model, with additional space for passengers and cargo and a bevy of new tech features including GM’s Super Cruise, the 2021 Escalade lives up to the hype and continues the legacy of this signature vehicle.

I recently spent some time in a 2021 Escalade Platinum with 4WD, so read on for my full assessment of the latest version of Cadillac’s esteemed land yacht.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

 

The Genesis name and reputation has been gaining steam in the auto industry over the past few years, starting with the introduction of its first luxury sedans. The upscale brand put out by Hyundai is quickly showing the competition how to get things done.

It was only a matter of time before Genesis put out SUVs. Enter their latest magnum opus, the GV80 midsize SUV — their new flagship vehicle that will no doubt put the competition even further on notice due to its sharp design and overall performance capabilities.

Attractive, powerful, and tech-savvy, it’s hard not to like what the GV80 offers. And few competitors offer as complete a package as you’ll find here.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

As SUVs have exploded in popularity over the past decade, there are many desirable vehicles available to consumers, especially in the luxury segment, and competitors from around the world are vying for those luxury consumers.

On the domestic front in the U.S., the name that tends to come to our minds first when we think of luxury is Cadillac, a brand with a long history of excellence. Their lineup of SUVs (XT4, XT5 and XT6) are battling with the best of Europe and Asia, and must come strong to compete.

I recently spent some time in a 2021 Cadillac XT5 Sport, and I’m back with a full report on the experience.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

For a newer vehicle to succeed, it must check multiple boxes.

For the 2020 Volvo XC40, one of those boxes is filling the demand on the smaller end of the SUV scale, a segment for which demand has grown tremendously in the past handful of years.

The other key box it checks is that, like all Volvo offerings, it offers an extremely impressive amount of safety features to luxury car buyers.

But in a crowded category with plenty of excellent offerings from multiple leading brands, is it enough to stand out? Read on for a full review.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

 

While mostly on hold for the time being due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the family road trip is an American tradition, and will be back very soon as families will be eager to get anywhere but home.

And once you are able to get back to enjoying this country, the question becomes: What vehicle is best to make that trip?

If you want to go in style, you can choose a luxury SUV, such as the 2020 Infiniti QX60 — a vehicle I was able to take a road trip in recently. Here is a full report of how it performed on the trip.

LOOKS  

First let’s talk about space. The 2020 QX60 features generally roomy seating for seven people (2 up front, 3 in the middle and 2 in the rear seats). The third row should be reserved for smaller children, due to limited leg room.

There’s easy access to the third row via a lever, and tons of storage room in the QX60, especially if you put down the third row (even more with both the third and middle rows down).

The sunroof is a great way to enjoy the open road, and you’ll also be able to appreciate a beautiful and classy interior design full of sharp wood highlights.    

The leather seats are extremely comfortable throughout the vehicle, even on long driving stints. All in all, the looks and design of the QX60 make it an ideal vehicle for an enjoyable road trip experience inside the ride.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

 

 

Volvo’s entry in the compact luxury SUV category, the XC60, is battling for buyers among the giants of the luxury world — from Acura and Audi to Benz and BMW — so the task it faces in finding an audience can be daunting.

The 2020 model maintains the look from the 2018 redesign, but the good news is this is still among the best-looking and top-performing vehicles in the class. 

Read on for my full take on how it measures up in the segment.

LOOKS
The 2020 Volvo XC60 features a unique and well-designed exterior for a luxury SUV, especially in the rear of the vehicle. Volvo doesn’t blend in with the crowd like so many competitors do.

Inside, the XC60 is extra comfy and well put-together. The brand isn’t the first nameplate most people think of when the term luxury is mentioned, but anyone who has sat in a Volvo in recent years knows that it should be top of mind.

Attractive driftwood touches highlight the front dashboard, and extremely cozy and warm Nappa Leather seating will support you even on longer rides. The XC60 makes you feel at home, like a luxury model should.

Second row seating is roomy compared to other options in the segment, and the driver and front passenger will be very comfortable.

Quality features available on the XC60 include a Panoramic Moonroof w/Power Sunshade, Keyless Entry w/ Hands Free Tailgate Opening, Rear Park Assist Camera, 4-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Heated Wiper blades with Integrated Washers, and heated rear and front seats.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

So you want a luxury SUV … but you also want it to be sporty and racy, not just the usual focus on comfort and a smooth ride?

While the options are not plentiful, I may have a solution for you: Meet the 2019 BMW X2 M35i.

In the category of compact luxury SUVs, options include: Volvo XC40, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus UX, Cadillac XT4 and Infiniti QX30. All of these vehicles have something to offer, but BMW was smart to also offer the X2, a more sporty version of its X1 compact.

The X2 comes in three trim levels, a regular front-wheel drive version (sDrive 28i), a regular all-wheel drive version (xDrive 28i), and finally the best (and really, the only) option to consider: The M35i.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS
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