ELDEST YANKEE HYBRID SUV NAMEPLATE: There are several Johnny Come Lately's to the electric supplemented gas powered sports utility vehicle craze. However, Ford has been in the hybrid SUV game on and off since 2004. Okay, so the first two generation Ford Escape Hybrids were an after-thought for a...

OPTIMA -LLY -FOOTED: Whereas 2020 signaled major American carmakers parting ways with the venerable volume family sedan, 2021 marks the year that the most of those surviving sedan makers for the first time offering an all-wheel drive option. OPTIMA -L ANCESTRY: Korean automaker Kia, replete with a racy new "K"...

AGILE CUTE UTE TAKES ON PREMIUMS:  For those who haven't been paying close attention, Japanese automaker Mazda has developed a reputation as an over-achiever at delivering under-the-radar incremental improvements the kind that driving enthusiasts favor. Launched last year, the "Rider in Unity With Steed" CX-30 subcompact crossover utility has...

RADICAL RENEWABLE CHANGE: Five years ago there was a revolution in American automaking. For the first time a light truck maker boldly bodied its best selling half-ton pickup truck in weight shaving recyclable aircraft strength aluminum alloy. Though initially met with skepticism, Ford's  F-Series "Built Ford Tough" reputation has...

MISSION ACCENTUATE 3-ROW WITH PARSIMONY: Your Mission, Should you Choose to Accept it, is as follows: Take the most efficient version of the best selling 3-Row crossover SUV. Slap it onto a new modular platform Drape it 2020's modern, showing more leg Make it more useful, communicative, and entertaining Get...