Driven Car Reviews

Driven Car Reviews

Cadillac is finally pumping out the all-electric Lyriq in volume and it could be the vehicle that makes people forget about tailfins, chrome, floaty chassis dynamics and Cimarron. Lyriq is handsome, comfortable, roomy, powerful, quiet and packed with tech. Tom Voelk checks out an AWD Sport 3 with Super Cruise and finds it to be a solid value with room for five full sized adults. Now about that wobbly charge port door…

Driven Car Reviews

Hyundai’s all-electric Ioniq 6 has racked up dozens of awards and accolades. It’s fast, rides well, charges fast and sports daring Streamliner design. If you’re looking for a curvy EV with the most squares, this is your car. Tom Voelk snags one from Hyundai for a week for a full shakedown and finds it be one of the most enjoyable electric sedans on the market.

Driven Car Reviews

ant a practical vehicle with a serious fun streak? Say ciao to the new Alfa Romeo Tonale. Plug it in and it’ll go 33 miles on electric power (that an easy 10,000 miles annually). Quick and agile, Tonale can take on up to 50 cubic feet of cargo. But it will be might familiar if you’ve visited a Dodge showroom lately. Tom Voelk checks out a top spec Tonale Veloce with eAWD (because it’s the only way Alfa makes it).  

Driven Car Reviews

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is available with two engines. The Sport model unlocks the more powerful 2.5-liter boxer powertrain that’s found in the more expensive Limited and Wilderness versions. $2,800 more expensive than the Premium model, Sport adds kit that people want, making it the smart choice. Tom Voelk lays down his case on why this is the Crosstrek to buy.    

Driven Car Reviews

Cadillac’s XT4 has been around since 2018 and is one of the premium brand’s most popular vehicles. For 2024 it gets new front and rear facias and a massive 33-inch screen borrowed from its all-electric sister Lyriq. It all helps elevate the entry level crossover to a more Cadillac-like vibe. And the Google-based interface is quick and responsive. It’s a big improvement. But, is it enough to draw people from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Lincoln? Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped AWD Sport model to find out.  

Driven Car Reviews

The biggest complaint about EVs is range. Volvo adds 31 miles of it to the 2024 version of the C40 Recharge. The trick? New more efficient motors. And for the first time in 25 years, Volvo offers a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the single motor version that’s rated to travel nearly 300 miles on a charge. Tom Voelk checks out an AWD twin motor Ultimate C40 Recharge dipped in Silver Lake paint with the optional Midnight Zinc wool blend upholstery (and no, it doesn’t itch). With Seattle temperatures in the low 30’s, it’s a great range and charge test.

Driven Car Reviews

Families have trusted the 3-row Honda Pilot to get groceries and shuttle the kids for over 20 years. Now it can take them farther into the wilderness. The Trailsport model gets the gear to tackle tough terrain- the suspension, tires, front stabilizer bar and Trail Torque Logic rear differential are all off-road oriented. Tom Voelk checks the Trailsport out off-road and, just as importantly, on paved roads (since that’s where this rig will spend most of its time). 

Driven Car Reviews

When loyal Subaru owners outgrow their Foresters and Outbacks, they can always move up to Ascent.  It has the 3-rows of seating families crave, and being a Subaru, it comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The Onyx Edition Limited gets standard StarTex water-resistant seats, stitching that looks stolen from a Seahawks jersey and a very good Harmon/Kardon sound system. Tom Voelk checks out an Ascent in Ice Silver Metallic and finds it’s the right size for larger families, as long as tall people stay out of the third row.

Driven Car Reviews

When the Audi e-tron hit the market in 2019 it was one of the only electric EVs on the market. For 2024 it gets a significant refresh with extra range, faster charging speed, improved driving dynamics and the Q8 prefix. Good thing because the competition never rests. It’s now going up against BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Jaguar i-Pace, Lucid Gravity Mercedes EQE SUV, Rivian R1S and the aging Tesla Model X. Just how good is the redo? Tom Voelk checks out an Audi Q8 55 e-tron in Madeira Brown metallic paint and Black Optic package that MSRPs for $88,590 (before any tax incentives).

Driven Car Reviews

The box is a mighty efficient package and not many vehicles are as square jawed as the new 3-row 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. With it’s “box-that-it-came-in” design, it swallows up passengers and cargo with maximum efficiency. And Hyundai is gone wild with the letter H (you’ll see). Tom Voelk travels to Franklin, TN to check out a fully loaded AWD Calligraphy model with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Wait for spring and there’ll be a more fuel-efficient hybrid. In the meantime, check out competitors Kia Sorento, Mazda CX90, Toyota Highlander, and Subaru Ascent. Tom Voelk...