Toyota and its luxury division (Lexus) have manufactured a lot of sport utility vehicles, a sizable list that features SUVs large and small. To Toyota’s credit, most of them are well regarded. And most importantly to the Japanese automaker, the fleet of SUVs does well in terms of sales in the U.S. market. The smallest […]
Serene setting at Lake Almanor Country Club course
When vacationing in scenic Lake Almanor, the focus naturally centers around what can be enjoyed on the eighth largest lake in California (28,257 acres). The list of water activities is immense, and includes boating, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing, wake boarding, tubing, sailing, fishing, and swimming. If looking for something to do on land, […]
Refreshed Ford F-250 truck
This is one heavy-duty pickup. And to make it a little more appealing for truck lovers, Ford has updated the popular F-250 this year. The 2020 Ford F-250 arrived this year with an updated front and rear styling, plus has a new optional off-road package. Oh, we buried the lede – it also offers a […]
Buick Encore GX debuts
In our humble opinion, this isn’t good marketing. Buick came out with a very different version of the Encore this year, so why not give the all-new sport utility vehicle its own unique name? Instead, General Motors decided to incorporate the existing name, hence the 2020 Buick Encore GX. It’s a confusing naming strategy because […]
What will this year’s ski season look like?
A question that may not be answered until this winter is lingering:” What will this year’s ski season look like? The Coronavirus pandemic ended the 2019-20 ski season prematurely. Tahoe ski resorts and ski resorts worldwide shut down resorts in mid-March and never reopened for skiing and snowboarding. If the 2020-21 ski season takes place, […]
BMW X3 adds new plug-in hybrid
There’s no guessing game regarding what the next decade will look like for BMW. The esteemed German automaker has made it perfectly clear the focus will be on going electric. Its ambitious plan starts with launching 25 new electrified models by 2023. BMW announced it will invest $563 million, taking a huge step to bolster […]
Kia Niro an appealing plug-in hybrid
Subcompact crossover sport utility vehicles continue to grow in numbers. Why? Two big reasons are car buyers love their fuel efficiency and the sticker price meets their budget. Introduced in 2017, the five-passenger Kia Niro has managed to wedge its way into a crowded field of subcompacts (note that some auto folks classify the Niro […]
What will Tahoe ski season look like next year?
Like any past ski offseason, season passes are on sale now for the upcoming season. Yet there’s a serious question that’s lingering: will there be a ski season? The coronavirus has impacted many businesses and the ski industry is no exception. The pandemic virus shut down all Lake Tahoe ski resorts by mid-March and none […]
Major improvements to 2020 Ford Expedition
Prior to delivery we were prepared to be unimpressed by the 2020 Ford Expedition. Were we excited at the prospect of testing the new model – the answer was an emphatic no. Our previous encounters with the Expedition were more than a decade ago. Etched in our memory was the image of a large, lumbering […]
Mercedes GLC delivers big time
Compact luxury sport utility vehicles must deliver in a variety of areas to warrant sizable sales numbers. Interior room and comfort, performance, attractive exterior, high-tech features, and reasonable pricing are among the criteria valued in this class. Built in Finland and Germany, the Mercedes GLC 300 is one of the finest compact luxury SUVs. It […]