2020 LEXUS RC 350 F SPORT AWD REVIEW

2020 LEXUS RC 350 F SPORT AWD REVIEW BY TESTDRIVENOW CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES. The RC possesses that unique blend of Lexus luxury in its ride quality with a spirited character that’ll have you seeking the long way home.  Coupe owners, obviously, crave fun and driving precision and the RC provides that without any white knuckle drama as it sticks to the road with all-wheel drive grip and the benefit of the F SPORT-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension.  Dial into the highest Sport S + drive mode and gear shifts happen faster, the steering is firmer, and the suspension less yielding.  But to get the most out of the experience, use the paddle shifters otherwise the 6-speed can feel tardy.  And even though from out here the RC doesn’t sound like much, Lexus has created a convincing soundtrack for those inside…it really works quite well.  All-season tires make sense on this trim I suppose, but a more aggressive set of rubber would help scrub out some of this understeer as you attack a corner.    

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2020 Genesis G90 Review

2020 Genesis G90 AWD 3.3T Premium Review By Car Critic Steve Hammes.
Though it left the Hyundai nest 4 years ago, the Genesis brand and its wing-type emblem are still a bit of an enigma. I can tell from the stares that people aren’t quite sure what they’re looking at. And with a thoroughly reworked body and head-turning wheels, the refreshed G90 is a curiosity worthy of attention.
Loaded with modern safety tech with some brief hands-off driving capability, everything on this Genesis G90 AWD 3.3T Premium is standard with a very becoming MSRP of $75,695, especially when you consider the no-cost valet services and Genesis’s 4th consecutive 1st place finish in JD Power’s Initial Quality Study.  If you’re not a slave to the badge, the G90 is a smart alternative to the expensive stalwarts.  

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2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER QUICK TAKES

2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER QUICK TAKES.
The fourth-generation Toyota Highlander brings a new level of bold, distinctive design to a foundation built on safety, comfort, quality, durability and reliability. The Highlander gas model and the Highlander hybrid are available at dealerships now!

Just as the first RAV4 launched the compact crossover SUV segment 22 years ago, the original Highlander redefined the midsize family SUV when it arrived in 2001. At a time when most midsize SUVs were truck-based, the Highlander’s unibody structure with four-wheel independent suspension quickly became the template for a new segment of more comfortable and family-friendly SUVs. After adding a third row, the Highlander not only grew in size, but is also now the best-selling retail model in the segment since 2016.

Now, the 2020 Highlander amplifies all qualities while taking on a dramatic new design direction that combines a powerful SUV presence with sophisticated detailing.

The new sophisticated SUV sits on a new vehicle platform called Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K). This robust new foundation, shared with other Toyota models, enables even greater capability, comfort and safety than before.

The fourth-generation Highlander offers the choice between a powerful V6 or new-generation hybrid powertrain, with the gas version offering up to a manufacturer-estimated 24 MPG combined fuel economy and the Hybrid offering up to a manufacturer-estimated 36 combined MPG.

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2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport AWD

2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport AWD Review By Car Critic Steve Hammes. Curiosity for the performance minded or a serious luxury competitor?  Now in its 3rd model year, the Stelvio receives a mild freshening for 2020 focusing improvements on the tech side. Though the Quadrofoglio is THE Stelvio to have, it’s understandably too much money for most but that’s OK because if you’re a road less traveled kind of person the mainstream Stelvio models still offer something pleasing and unique to drive. But the Stelvio remains more a curiosity for the performance minded than a serious luxury competitor.   

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2020 Mazda CX-30 Premium Package AWD

2020 Mazda CX-30 Premium Package AWD Review By TestDriveNow Auto Critic Steve Hammes.
If you’re in the market for a new car and it’s something SUV-ish you desire, there is a dizzying array of choices as automakers create new entries to fill every perceivable gap. So, slotted between the tiny CX-3 and the popular-sized CX-5 is the all-new CX-30 – the perfect tweener for Mazda’s premium push. With the CX-30 Mazda has crafted what this segment’s customer wants.  An affordable, easy to drive, quasi-SUV with decent gas mileage, configurable space and lots of comfort and convenience goodies in a package you’re proud to step out of. 
MSRP as-tested: $30,700.

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