2021 LEXUS ES 250 F SPORT TEST DRIVE
My first go around in this current generation ES was 2 years ago when Lexus last redesigned it. I really embraced the changes but ultimately decided that the hybrid powertrain was simply not for me. Well now, Lexus is offering the ES with all-wheel drive for the first time but unfortunately they’ve paired it with the wrong engine.
Just to make it clear, I like the ES… but not like this. With the 4-cylinder engine, this has to be the slowest luxury car I’ve ever driven and I’m not one that believes everything has to be a sports sedan; far from it. I love cushy, smooth rides and quiet cabins. But this here is a mistake and putting the F SPORT badge on it is an insult to the letter F and the word Sport. So just make sure the numbers after your ES begin with a 3 and not a 2.
The ES F SPORT is an attractive, conservatively styled car with a little extra flair that when V6-powered can make for a worthy luxury companion.
2021 Acura TLX A-Spec TEST DRIVE
I really love this TLX. It is hands-down one of the most fun-to-drive cars I’ve tested this year. I don’t care if it’s front-wheel drive-based or not, this car is an absolute blast to take out on backroads. As the driver, you feel involved and excited to take on the next curve. It really is a beautiful sports sedan drive.
Two sedans, 2 SUVs and a supercar; that’s what Acura is producing these days. But the car portion has struggled to draw an audience in recent years as the utilities have taken center stage. Now enter the 2021 TLX – their premium sports sedan relaunched for its next act and this one is a blockbuster. A dedicated platform, double-wishbone suspension, turbocharged VTEC engine, super-handling all-wheel drive; these are the cast members that’ll have Acura devotees coming back to the showroom.
2021 Volvo V90 Inscription TEST DRIVE
I love Volvo’s pair of wagons but this is the first time I’ve driven the V90 without the Cross Country treatment which translates into a car that rides 2” lower. Coupled with the optional air suspension and upsized 20” wheels, the drive is refined and luxurious while at the same time agile and confident. It’s a beautiful blend of comfort and athleticism befitting a Volvo Inscription model. And though it sounds a little funky, Volvo’s T6 motor moves this wagon along quite nicely with a dynamic setting that puts that supercharger to work.
The V90 is Volvo’s flagship wagon. It’s elegantly long, svelte, and beautifully Scandinavian. But you don’t see many of them like this, and by that I mean without the Cross Country specification. This is the less rugged V90 and for the 2021 model year its appearance has been refreshed and it looks absolutely perfect. In Platinum gray with optional 20” wheels the V90 emits an air of estate gracefulness.
2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid TEST DRIVE
Toyota considers this XSE Hybrid the RAV4’s flagship model. It features a sport-tuned suspension, racier styling and a standard 2-tone paint scheme. So if you’re shopping for a small SUV that delivers fun and frugality, put the XSE Hybrid on your short list. The RAV4’s redesign has been a runaway success for Toyota, partially because they’ve done such a good job at offering it in multiple flavors. From a very capable TRD Off-Road model to plug-in hybrids and everything in between, there’s likely a RAV4 that’ll specifically fit your small SUV needs. And this one here is the sportiest one you can buy without a plug; the XSE Hybrid.
2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TEST DRIVE
If you want the biggest SUV on the market with better fuel efficiency than a Honda Pilot, the Suburban diesel is in a class of its own.
Here we are with the 2021 Suburban and indeed this aluminum, 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel is an attractive option for high-mileage drivers. Equipped with 4-wheel drive, this Suburban is rated at 20mpg city and 26mpg highway. And as is the case with these types of engines it’s all about the torque and this one produces the same 460 pound-feet as the mighty 6.2-liter V8 but does so beginning at only 1,500RPM. It’s even paired with start/stop engine technology that’s as smooth as butter. And you can barely even tell that it’s a diesel under the hood.