Sunday, 12 January 2025
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If you think you’ve been hearing about the Volkswagen ID.Buzz for a while, you would be correct.

First unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, it is finally available for sale in the U.S. after a long journey and first debuting in Europe.

First things first, what exactly is the ID.Buzz?

Is it a microbus? A minivan?

Whatever you want to call it, this nostalgia-inspired offering harkens back to VW’s 1960s microbus heritage (the kind you might have taken to Woodstock). Brought into the present, it is a wholly unique entry in the U.S. automotive landscape. There are just a few large fully electric SUVs that can be considered competition (Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Rivian R1S), and some minivans that are offered in hybrid versions that could be cross-shopped, but none of the alternatives are in the exact class of the ID.Buzz — it’s truly its own category in many ways. 

Doubters will be tempted to write off the ID.Buzz as a trendy offering, but there is plenty of capability and versatility offered by the vehicle that should silence them. It’s got plenty of power, lots of cargo space and room for 7 passengers, and a versatile design to accommodate various needs.

I recently got some time behind the wheel of this long-awaited VW revival, driving a 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Pro S Plus, and I’m back with a full report for all who may be interested in taking one home.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz microbus
  • Price as tested $66,040 
  • Best feature Extremely roomy, one-of-a-kind, blast-from-the-past vehicle reborn as an EV
  • Rating 4 out of five stars
  • Who will want this vehicle? Families seeking a large vehicle that’s an alternative to traditional SUVs and minivans; and fans of the nostalgic design 
Posted On Thursday, 02 January 2025 01:46 Written by
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The 2025 model year brings a new addition to the Mazda lineup … well, sort of new if we’re being honest.

The Mazda CX-70 is a five-passenger midsize SUV that is essentially the same as the CX-90 SUV, minus the third row of seats.

I recently tested a 2025 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus model, and below are the top 5 things you need to know when deciding if the CX-70 is a vehicle that will meet your needs.

Posted On Tuesday, 31 December 2024 02:54 Written by
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When it comes to taking the plunge in the electrification of their vehicle offerings, some car brands jumped into it head-first, while other brands are being more cautious.

Mazda is one of the brands taking a more reserved approach, having no full EVs yet (and none expected until 2027), and really just starting to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in its lineup.

One of those initial offerings is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV, a plug-in version of the brand’s largest, three-row SUV — featuring standard all-wheel drive, and room for up to 8 passengers. This is the second year the plug-in option has been offered on the CX-90.

There are few true competitors to this vehicle — though Volvo offers a plug-in hybrid of its XC90 (which is more expensive) and Kia offers a plug-in version of the Sorento (which is less powerful). Many leading three-row SUVs, including the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, have no plug-in hybrid offerings as of now.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus model, and I’m back with a full report on how it looks and drives, and who might want to take one home.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV
  • Price as tested $60,000 (starts around $51K)
  • Best feature Luxury-level design, fuel efficiency, sporty drive quality
  • Rating 4 out of five stars   
  • Who will want this vehicle? Drivers with shorter commutes who want a green SUV, but don’t want a full EV yet
Posted On Monday, 30 December 2024 01:33 Written by
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Boldly designed while simultaneously upscale, the Mazda CX-50 occupies a unique position in the realm of compact SUVs.

Introduced a couple years back as a curious addition to Mazda’s lineup, offering a more rugged design and adventurous nature than Mazda’s popular CX-5 offering, the CX-50 has proven itself to be a worthy contender in the busy compact SUV segment.

Between its sharp looks, upscale interior features, tremendous handling and overall driving experience, this relative newcomer has emerged as a leading contender to meet the needs of SUV buyers.

New for 2025 in the CX-50’s third year is the arrival of a hybrid powertrain offering, as well as upgrades to standard tech features on all trim levels. It does a balancing act between pushing boundaries and maintaining Mazda’s reputation as one of the more upscale non-luxury brands.

Read on for a full breakdown of the 2025 Mazda CX-50, where it shines, and where improvements can be made as Mazda takes on heavyweight competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

Posted On Saturday, 28 December 2024 03:19 Written by
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SUVs don't have to be boring. In fact, some are downright thrilling.

Case in point: I recently tested the 2025 Audi SQ7, a rare vehicle that checks all the boxes that both driving performance lovers and family-focused buyers are looking for in a car.

The regular Audi Q7 is already an excellent three-row luxury SUV, and by adding in a powerful V8 motor and 500 horsepower, the SQ7 takes that experience to new levels.

There are few true competitors to the SQ7, though BMW and Mercedes-Benz do offer powerful, 500+ horsepower versions of their larger SUVs.
Read on for a full breakdown of what the SQ7 has to offer.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2025 Audi SQ7
  • Price as tested $119,640 (starts at $91K)
  • Best feature Rare combination of powerful performance and family-friendly, luxurious design   
  • Rating 4.5 out of five stars    
  • Who will want this vehicle? Luxury SUV buyers seeking speed, looks, power and comfort 
Posted On Thursday, 26 December 2024 01:22 Written by
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