I’ve long been a fan of the Nissan Pathfinder, a three-row SUV that has been around for nearly four decades and has often been ahead of the curve in terms of capability, design and technology. I have driven them on long road trips in the past and found them to be very comfortable and among the strongest 3-row SUVs for families traveling near or far.
But with its latest major updates coming in 2016, it was about time for a redesign. With an endless assault from rival SUVs unveiling their latest and greatest, you can’t stay stagnant that long in this business. So the 2022 model year brings us a brand new Pathfinder model — completely redesigned inside and out — that is more in tune with the current state of SUVs.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of this new Pathfinder, and I’m back with a full report. WIll this new version live up to its past, and does it measure up to the seemingly endless competition in the segment?
EVs and hybrids are increasingly becoming the norm, and Lexus has been a leader in that realm in the luxury sector, long having offerings to boost fuel economy and eco-friendliness.
Their RX model debuted its hybrid model way back in 2006, and it’s still going strong — even as new plug-in and electric models start to take off and grow in popularity.
To keep people on board with their 2021 model, Lexus adds more standard features — including safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and convenience items such as power folding mirrors.
Upscale but not over-the-top with its plushness, the RX450h walks a fine line in terms of blending a focus on sleek design with a tech-savvy approach that incorporates the latest technology — aiming for a best of all worlds when it comes to looks and utility.
I recently tested a 2021 Lexus RX 450h, and I’m back with a full report. Read on to see how it compares to its lofty competition in the luxury realm.
While there’s no doubt that SUVs are taking over the auto industry, with about half of overall sales going to the segment, there’s also battles for supremacy between automakers in niche segments within the SUV category.
Hybrids would be one of those battlegrounds, and if we’re talking about the three-row variety of SUV, there are a few key contenders aiming to attract SUV buyers who are seeking some extra fuel mileage but don’t want to make the jump all the way to a full EV.
Toyota has been a leader in the hybrid world, pioneering the segment 25 years ago with the debut of the Prius, so it’s no surprise they are a player here with the three-row HIghlander Hybrid SUV offering — which has been around for about 15 years and competes against vehicles including the Ford Explorer hybrid and Kia Sorento hybrid.
I recently tested a Highlander Hybrid Limited trim model, and I’m back with a full report.
For people seeking a three-row luxury vehicle, but who also want some eco-friendly options, the number of choices is limited but growing. One of the luxury brands that has been a leader in terms of green SUVs has been Volvo, whose offerings include the 2021 XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid.
Going up against competitors from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, LIncoln and more is a tall task, but Volvo holds its own.
I recently spent some time in a 2021 XC90 Recharge, and below is a full report on my experience.
Much of the talk in the realm of light-duty pickups revolves around the BIg 3 domestic offerings, but beneath all of that there are some hidden gems to be found.
The Nissan Titan can claim this distinction, as it remains as one of the two main options for fans of non-domestic trucks, along with the Toyota Tundra.
The Titan is way lower in the annual sales rankings than the top sellers (for perspective, about 30,000 Titans are sold annually, vs. almost 800,000 Ford F-Series trucks), but not everyone is enamored by the Ford/Chevy/GMC/RAM models, and they need options too, creating the niche market that the Titan can serve. Also of note: Titan trucks are assembled in the U.S. and have North American content, so like most of today’s vehicles it’s not even fully foreign.
I recently tested the 2021 Nissan Titan PRO-4X Crew Cab, and I’m back with a full report.
AutoTechReviews is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.