2021

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid



MIAMI — Fully redesigned for 2021, the Kia Sorento gets a new look as it enters its fourth generation along with an upgraded, premium-like interior, and a new hybrid drivetrain for the fuel-conscious consumer. My model for the week, the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX, came packed with all kinds of features included in its $38,205 MSRP (including $1,170 for destination and delivery) while earning fuel mileage ratings of 39 miles-per-gallon city, 35 highway, and 37 combined.

Subaru Crosstrek — Now with more horsepower



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The compact Subaru Crosstrek CUV has been popular with shoppers since its inception in 2012. We've like it too, during test drives in 2013 and 2018. Very few complaints other than its performance — it didn't have quite enough urgency to suit our tastes. The big news for 2021 is that Subaru has alleviated that concern with a new 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder engine making 182 horsepower. It's the same engine used in he mid-sized Legacy sedan and the Outback crossover.

2021 AMG E63 S Wagon



MIAMI — Back in the day long before SUVs and minivans existed, the station wagon ruled when it came to family transportation. Often with wood-grained side panels and foldable seats in the far back that faced to the rear, the station wagon offered much-needed space to accommodate larger families and all the stuff they tended to pack for summer vacations.

Hyundai Veloster N — Performance personified


MotowayAmerica.com photo

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Last year Road and Track magazine named the Hyundai Veloster N one of the top 10 performance cars in its annual test. What? A Hyundai Veloster that started life in 2012 with a puny 138-horsepower 4-cylinder engine — hardly enough grunt to get out of its own way. We know that the Hyundai "N" designation signifies cutting-edge handling and performance — but not the kind of performance that puts the Veloster into the top 10 in a major auto magazine performance test.

2021 Cadillac Escalade



INDIANAOPLIS — My family has spent way too much time in our house during the last few months — because of COVID, winter temps, and admittedly, general laziness.  We needed to get away, to have a retreat.  With the completely redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade in the driveway and just two and a half hours between us in Indianapolis and the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park, we loaded up to go.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E



PHOENIX — There’s been quite a buzz about the new Mustang Mach-E, ever since it debuted at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. Fast forward through 12 months of presidential-election fever, a global pandemic, and we finally got a week of seat time behind the wheel of Ford’s first mass-market all-electric SUV, and it bears the legendary Mustang pony badge fore and aft.

Lexus IS350 F Sport — Outstanding curb appeal


MotorwayAmerica.com photo

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

After living with an "Infrared" copy for a week we came to the conclusion that the compact 2021 IS350 F Sport is the best looking and most well-proportioned vehicle in the Lexus lineup. Granted, the RC is pretty darn hot, and the high-dollar LC luxury sports coupe has some legitimate bragging rights for modern design. But for instant curb appeal our vote is for the IS350 Sport — particularly in this outstanding shade of red.

2021 Cadillac Escalade



INDIANAOPLIS — My family has spent way too much time in our house during the last few months — because of COVID, winter temps, and admittedly, general laziness.  We needed to get away, to have a retreat.  With the completely redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade in the driveway and just two and a half hours between us in Indianapolis and the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park, we loaded up to go.

Chrysler Pacifica — Family friendly people mover



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The minivan may be the greatest single invention for moving families and cargo from place to place. It was an instant success when it arrived in 1984 under Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth nameplates replacing the family station wagon as the most effective way to conduct the business of everyday living for dad, mom and the kids. And it remained the best-selling passenger-cargo friendly vehicle until the turn of the century. That's about the time the car-based sport utility crossover became America's new vehicular sweetheart.

Acura TLX — Bigger and better



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Acura merged the luxury-focused TL sedan with the slightly smaller sport-minded TSX in 2015 resulting in the TLX, a solid mid-sized addition to the near-luxury sedan segment, but falling short in terms of both performance and luxury compared to German competitors. Now comes the second generation TLX that goes a long way in correcting those shortcomings. The 2021 TLX is built on a new platform improving on virtually every aspect of the outgoing model.