It’s rare to be a “first” or “only” anything in today’s automotive world.
But the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid can claim to be America’s first and only hybrid minivan, an impressive feat in and of itself.
Why go this route? For one thing, Chrysler has long been a leader in the minivan segment, and is smart to make moves like this to appeal to younger families looking for a roomy ride that is also eco-friendly.
Here’s a full report on what the Pacifica hybrid has to offer.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid
- Price as tested $50,375 (base price around $40K)
- Best feature Family-friendly setup and green credentials
- Rating 4.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Families looking for a versatile, roomy and eco-friendly ride
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.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 BMW X2 M35i
- Price as tested $55,020 (starts around $47K)
- Best feature Powerful engine, sporty drive
- Rating 3.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Luxury SUV buyers who want a sportier alternative
Many SUVs these days aim for a bit of flash.
Some razzle dazzle to get your attention amid a growing sea of offerings.
But not the Toyota Highlander.
It is what it is. No gimmicks.
It’s an SUV for families who want reliability and versatility. And it delivers.
Let's take a more in-depth look at how the 2019 Toyota Highlander measures up in a crowded SUV field.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 Toyota Highlander
- Price as tested $44,935 (base price starts around $32K)
- Best feature Versatile design for families, reliable, strong on safety
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Families seeking a versatile, reliable SUV who don't need flash
Electric vehicles will eventually be coming to a mass audience.
It’s just a matter of how fast they get here.
And while that timetable is debatable, what’s happening right now is automakers are each making their claim on this territory at the outset. Kia has jumped into the fray with the 2019 Kia Niro EV — a full-electric version of it’s Niro crossover, which is also offered as a hybrid.
How does the Niro EV compare to the growing field of EVs? Quite well actually, punctuated by a 239-mile range, roomy interior and high-tech offerings.
While other EVs may get more press, the Niro EV displays enough positive attributes to be a dark horse in the EV battlefield.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 Kia Niro EV
- Price as tested $47,155 (starts at $39,495)
- Best feature No gas required, strong tech features
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Electric car buyers looking for a non-luxury EV with a strong range
If you want to talk about categories that are exploding in the past few years, subcompact SUVs are probably at the top of the list. On the higher end of things, nearly every luxury automaker has one these days (BMW, Cadillac, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Infiniti, to name a few), so you need to do something to stand out.
Lexus’ entry in this segment is the UX, which stands out in a couple of ways.
First, new for 2019 is a hybrid version of the UX, which is unheard of in this segment.
Also, you can opt for an attractive F Sport package which spices up the exterior and the performance.
I recently spent some time in a 2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport, which featured both the hybrid engine and the F Sport package, and I’m back with a full report.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport
- Price as tested $40,910 (starts at $36K)
- Best feature Excellent fuel mileage, sharp design, safety features
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Luxury crossover buyers seeking a tech-savvy, fun ride with great fuel mileage
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