Test Drive: 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV is powered by a responsive Atkinson-cycle 291 horsepower 3.8-liter V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter and offers both two-wheel and HTRAC® four-wheel-drive configurations. The Palisade is loaded with features including turn signal, front and rear cameras along with an overhead view monitor. The streamlined, non-distracting driver and center display is simple and easy to read. Second and third row passengers get pampered with reclining and heated seats. The ride is smooth, cabin is quiet and roomy. A key feature is the legroom trade off between second and third row passengers.

The list of safety features is long: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The Palisade looks like a large SUV but doesn't feel like it behind the wheel as this test drive review reveals. Pricing starts at $37,235 with this Canadian Urban Edition in the mid-$50,000 range.

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Test Drive: 2022 Toyota Rav4 Prime XSE

The Toyota Rav4 Prime plug-in hybrid was introduced at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show and went on sale in the summer of 2020 as a 2021 model. The RAV4 Prime has 302 combined net horsepower. The standard 6.6kW onboard charger takes approximately 2.5 hours to charge the battery and when fully charged, RAV4 Prime has an EPA-estimated range rating of 42 miles of EV-only driving. It seamlessly switches between hybrid and EV modes delivering an EPA-estimated combined 94 MPGe rating. On our 300 mile test drive, we remained in hybrid mode and achieved good fuel economy. The JBL® Premium Audio system has 800 watts of power to drive 11 speakers in nine locations, including front horn tweeters and a subwoofer.

Starting MSRP for the 2023 Rav4 Prime SE is $42,925 (including $1,335 delivery, processing and handling fee) and for the XSE is $46,795 going higher with options like the $3,350 Premium package with headup display, panoramic glass roof and more, the $1,620 premium audio package and the $375 weather package.

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Test Drive: 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige

The all-new 5th generation 2023 Kia Sportage subcompact SUV, which hit the roads in Spring 2022, has many driver assisted features and a slightly more powerful new 187 horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It's 7.1 inches longer than previous generation on a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. This 353 mile test drive, mainly on the highway, delivered 24MPG. This top-of-the-line X-Pro Prestige AWD, with 1.5-inch increased ground clearance, is priced at $38,815 (including $1,215 freight and handling charge). It was very impressive and the Lane Keeping Assist worked as well as it did on the previous generation. Operating the climate controls on the same knobs as the audio system took some getting used to, otherwise, intuitive function management. 

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Test Drive: 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is powered by a 187 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine with cylinder deactivation.

The CX-5 was first introduced at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show going on sale in 2012 and receiving a refresh in 2017. The CX-5 popularity continues and it remains Mazda's top selling vehicle. 

All my first impressions from a 2013 test drive were reaffirmed recently and the upgraded safety features along with standard all-wheel drive on all eight trim levels, make the CX-5 a top choice in the compact SUV category. 

This test drive was in the polymetal grey metallic Carbon Edition with red interior which fits in above the S, Select and Preferred trim levels with an MSRP of $31,775 (including $1,275 for destination and handling) and below the Premium, Premium Plus and more powerful Turbo and Turbo Signature grades. 

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Test Drive: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, powered by a 169 horsepower four cylinder 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence engine paired with CVT for fuel efficiency, went on sale in the Fall of 2021. In this test drive, onlookers asked if it was a Subaru, another very popular selling Japanese brand which offers only all-wheel drive vehicles. All three Corolla Cross trim levels, the L, LE and XLE, are available in all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line XLE was test driven and reviewed in this video, which, with options, has an MSRP of about $32,000. The Corolla Cross is assembled at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, that has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 Corolla Cross vehicles per year. At first, it seemed that the Corolla Cross was under-powered with 169 horsepower, but after a 360 mile test drive that included high speed highway driving maneuvering through California rainstorms, it delivered impressive performance and good fuel economy that came in at about 30 MPG as published. Despite being the smaller sibling of the Rav4, it has significant space and cargo capacity. Definitely worth considering when shopping for a compact SUV.

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