Wednesday, 30 April 2025
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As the appetite for SUVs continues to grow, lineups continue to expand. 

For Volkswagen, their latest entry slots in at the bottom of their lineup — a brand new subcompact SUV called the 2022 Volkswagen Taos.

It enters an expansive field of competitors including the Chevy Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Nissan Kicks, Jeep Renegade, Toyota C-HR and more.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 VW Taos, and I”m back with a full report.

This two-row, 5-passenger SUV impresses by being roomier than many of its rivals in terms of rear seat comfort and overall cargo space, the inclusion of solid tech and safety innovations, and an enjoyable driving experience courtesy of its turbocharged power plant.

Posted On Saturday, 19 November 2022 21:27 Written by
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Luxury SUV buyers have a bevy of strong options available today, but one name that’s always in the conversation is Audi.

For more than a century, the German automaker has delivered high-quality vehicles that can compete with the best that competitors such as BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Volvo, Cadillac and others have to offer.

In the world of SUVs, Audi’s smallest offering is the compact Q3, which I recently had the opportunity to test.

With elegant styling, responsive handling and a tech-savvy setup, it stands out in this class in many ways. It offers luxury car buyers a chance to break into the class without spending the big bucks required to take home larger Audi SUV options, which can cost up to twice as much.

Read on to learn more about how it measures up in a segment where anything less than excellence won’t be accepted.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2022 Audi Q3 
  • Price as tested $48,740 (starts around $37K)  
  • Best feature Superb handling, elegant design, strong tech and safety features
  • Rating 4 out of five stars    
  • Who will want this vehicle? Luxury SUV buyers who like Audi’s style and performance, but don’t want to shell out the bigger bucks for its larger models. 
Posted On Saturday, 19 November 2022 02:09 Written by
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As the reinvention of their SUV lineup continues, Mazda continues to introduce impressive new models.

The latest is the 2023 Mazda CX-50, a compact crossover that will battle with leading competitors in the segment including the Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape.

And just to clarify, the CX-50 is different from the already existing CX-5, another compact crossover currently in the Mazda lineup (which may or may not continue to coexist in coming years). The CX-50 shares a platform with the smaller CX-30, and upcoming models in the pipeline that are anticipated include the larger CX-70 and CX-90.

While the introduction of these new vehicles brings in some new designs, what doesn’t change is the quality of what’s under the hood, and that’s the excellent Mazda power plants that made this brand stand out in a bevy of SUV competitors, especially for driving enthusiasts who want to enjoy their daily drive.

I recently tested a 2023 Mazda CX-50, and I’m back with a full report on how the new offering measures up to Mazda’s lofty standards.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2023 Mazda CX-50 
  • Price as tested $44,170 (starts around $28K)
  • Best feature Mazda’s excellent drive quality, sleek design 
  • Rating 4.5 out of five stars   
  • Who will want this vehicle? SUV buyers wanting a rugged, classy and sporty compact SUV offering
Posted On Wednesday, 02 November 2022 22:00 Written by
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If you’re looking for a compact SUV these days, there is no shortage of options to consider. So to stand out, automakers must take new approaches. 

On that note, let me introduce the 2022 Subaru Forester, and its new Wilderness edition — a vehicle that definitely stands out among its competitors.

This all-wheel drive, 5-passenger vehicle with impressive ground clearance can operate confidently on city streets, but also step up when some light off-roading or rough weather presents itself. For the outdoorsy type of person, it serves as a welcome alternative to the usual suburban family ride, while keeping many of the qualities from those vehicles such as strong tech and safety features.

The WIlderness trim, new for 2022, comes with a redesigned bumper, grille and headlights, plus roof rails that can support more weight.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness, and I’m back with a full report.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2022 Subaru Forester 
  • Price as tested $35,795 (starts around $27K)
  • Best feature Rugged design, off-road capability   
  • Rating 4 out of five stars   
  • Who will want this vehicle? SUV buyers with an adventurous side     
Posted On Tuesday, 25 October 2022 22:27 Written by
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Mercedes-Benz is one of the leading contenders across the board in the luxury vehicle category, and one area where the luxury brands are battling for supremacy is in the flagship three-row SUV category.

The Benz offering here is the GLS class — which goes head-to-head with U.S. stalwarts like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, as well as global SUV offerings from BMW, Audi, Infiniti, Lexus and Range Rover.

A three-row luxury SUV with comfortable seating for seven people, the GLS pulls out all the stops in a bid for category supremacy. But is it enough?

I recently spent some time in a 2022 GLS 450, and I’m back with a full report.

Additional Info

  • Vehicle 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450
  • Price as tested $94,230 (starts around $78,000)
  • Best feature Classy design, smooth ride, top tech
  • Rating 4.5 out of five stars  
  • Who will want this vehicle? Buyers who want a beautiful, tech-savvy large luxury SUV
Posted On Saturday, 01 October 2022 22:05 Written by
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