BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST I’m very familiar with Volkswagen vehicles, going back to the Beetle models, long may they be revered. The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is quite an upgrade from Jetta’s of the past. The Jetta model driven recently was sporty with a six-speed stick shift with 1.5L 158 hp engine with turbocharging. Nothing like …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST The Lexus GX is a larger all-wheel drive SUV that is built on the same platform as the Toyota/4runner. The power train is driven by a powerful 4.0L /V8 engine that can move the SUV to 60 mph in 7 seconds. Track speed is clocked at 110 mph, and fuel economy …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST A “Dream Car” came my way this week with the arrival of a Mazda CX-9 Signature model that has to be the top of the Mazda line. It should be spectacular with a suggested manufacturer’s retail price of $47,210 and worth every penny. This “Soul Red Crystal Metallic” painted all-wheel drive …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST The RAV4 is one of the best-selling Toyota vehicles and there are many of the older rear-mounted tire models still purring down the highways with very satisfied owners. Toyota has a reputation for manufacturing long-lasting, dependable vehicles. Recently a 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup reached 1 million miles with almost every component …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST Mazda has come a long, long, way in production of amazing vehicles and one of the best came my way this past week in the Mazda 2022 CX-30 turbo premium AWD model. This “Machine Gray” metallic painted four-door sedan is a masterpiece of ingenuity, performance, and comfort. A complete package …
bY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST I’ve driven many Corolla’s in past years but the new 2022 Corolla Cross XLS is by far the best model ever tested. The all-wheel drive is affordable with a base price of $26,575. The test car has all the options raising the final price to $33,550, but still very competitive in …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST Test new vehicles, I just enjoyed the best model so far in 2022. The Lexus ES/300h.F Sport is outstanding and has the hybrid fuel economy of 44 mph along with 215 horsepower; that combined with the electric drive and eight-speed variable transmission is indeed a sport driving experience. The F Sport …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST Hyundai has produced another winning model in the Tucson all-wheel drive SUV. A 2.5L 4-cylinder 187 hp. engine, linked to an 8-speed “Shiftronic” versatile transmission. The Tucson is assembled in Ulsan, Korea with Korean engine and transmission with a power-train warranty of 10 years, or 100,000 miles. The Tucson is fully …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST A real automotive treat arrived this past week in the form of the 2022 Honda Civic SI sedan. This car was just voted by members of The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press “Car Of The Year.” I’m a founding member of this group that test drives new factory distributed vehicles. The Honda …
BY H. THROTTLEAUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST The Lexus NX 350 F-Sport has everything to like, including a turbo-charged 2.4L engine that produces 245 horsepower. The power-plant is linked to an 8-speed transmission with paddle shifters and all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the fast ride average 25 mpg. The NX 350 is small and compact riding on …
