Jim Prueter

2023 Kia Sportage gets distinctive new looks and gains a hybrid powertrain



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 21, 2022) With a presence of over 20 years, the Sportage is Kia’s longest running nameplate in the U.S. and for 2023 it’s been completely redesigned inside and out. In addition to a distinct new design and built on Kia’s 7-inch longer N3 platform, the same used by the larger Kia Sorento, making for an overall larger Sportage. For the first time it’s being offered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants alongside the gas-only Sportage.

Impressive new Mercedes C-Class closely mimics S-Class luxury sedan



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 17, 2022) Seemingly with all the talk these days about all-electric cars dominating the new car automotive spotlight it isn’t surprising that Mercedes could launch one of the most important and best-selling cars in in the German automakers lineup and it seems no one knows about it.

2022 Lexus LC 500h — Luxuriously posh, visually stunning, now with a hybrid



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 14, 2022) First introduced for the 2018 model year, the LC 500 is offered as a sports coupe, a a gorgeous grand touring 2+2 power-retractable soft top convertible was added last year and there’s also a hybridized LC 500h tested here, the world’s first vehicle with Multi Stage hybrid capability.

2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone — The Lexus of Toyota pickups



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 1, 2022) In the world of super luxury pickup trucks Ford boasts the F-150 Limited, Chevrolet the Silverado High Country, RAM with its Limited and all-new for 2022 the Toyota Tundra Capstone driven here. Big expensive luxury trucks are a cultural awe in America, the very embodiment of an erotic fixation having magical potency with owners willfully throwing down $75 big and more eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect or devotion.

Excellent new Mazda CX-50 makes strong case for class leader



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 29, 2022) The CX-50 tested here is an all-new model for the 2023 Mazda brand in the hotly contested and crowded compact crossover utility vehicle segment. Competitors include such rivals as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue and others. The CX-50 is based on same platform as the smaller subcompact CX-30 and Mazda3. It’s also longer and wider than the CX-5 with more ground clearance yet a lower roof height and profile.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum — Nothing short of outstanding



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 27, 2022) With a dated lineup of utility vehicles that are well past their freshness date, Nissan has been rejuvenating its SUVs and the Pathfinder is the latest to receive a comprehensive and complete redesign for the 2022 model year. The previous Pathfinder was well out of its league and at the bottom of the segment against exceptionally good competitors like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

2023 Honda HR-V — Big changes, but performance, mpg's disappoint



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 24, 2022) The smallest of Honda’s utility vehicle offerings, the HR-V subcompact crossover, has been given a complete redo as its second-generation is launched for 2023. The outgoing first generation was popular finding homes for more than 700,000 units in the U.S. during its 2016 debut to 2022 run.

2022 Genesis G80 Sport Prestige — Suave, sporting, sybaritic



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 11, 2022) The Genesis G80 Sport is an adrenaline pump of automotive goodness albeit reflecting determined materialism at over $70,000, yet do I dear say it’s an incredible bang for the buck that easily competes with the likes of luxury German heritage brands — Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 — All-new retro futuristic crossover EV



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 6, 2022) The all-new all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the brand’s first purpose-built EV and has just arrived at dealerships – sort of. Hyundai cautions that availability is extremely limited at select, not all dealerships and as of this writing only available in 26 states.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV — Great if it’s not your only car



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 27, 2022) In 2017 Chevrolet first came out with the all-electric Bolt hatchback. Now for 2022 the Bolt has been redesigned and the brand expanded by introducing the Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) that is a bit larger and more practical.  Chevrolet is vaguely suggesting the Bolt EUV is a crossover vehicle, but it’s front-wheel drive only and its low ground clearance fails as a utility vehicle. The regular Bolt EV has a starting price of $31,500, the Bolt EUV is $2,000 more at $33,500.