The Toyota Corolla XSE that I was recently able to test came in a pleasing Blueprint blue metallic paint scheme and featured black SofTex seating surfaces. The Toyota Corolla, one of the best-selling nameplates of all time, has moved over 45 million cars onto driveways around the world (well, mostly driveways), and the car is in its twelfth generation configuration, having been around since 1966.

The 2021 front wheel drive Corolla sits on a 103.9” wheelbase, is 70.5” wide, 57.1” high, and weighs 3,060 lbs. The way that Greeley and Ft. Collins have grown, it seems you are always poking around looking for parking space, so with a car that’s 172 inches long, it is not too difficult with Toyota’s Corolla.

Acceleration, handling, visibility and guidance were all acceptable for the Corolla. The power was supplied by a 2 liter, 4 cylinder engine, putting out 168 horsepower through a continuously variable (CVT) transmission. Silver and gray ten-spoke alloy wheels were fitted with P225/40R18 all-season radials on the car.

The 5 passenger interior of the Corolla was comfortable and the seating was supportive and looked good. The car had a backup camera, 8″ touchscreen, cruise control, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt/telescope steering column, and keyless entry. M.S.R.P for my test Corolla came in at $29,289.00, including freight. The biggest item added to its $25,725.00 base price was a premium audio/navigation package ($1,715.00) consisting of a JBL stereo and dynamic navigation.

The Corolla did a super job for me during the test in Northern Colorado. The slick styling caught a lot of eyes, the car kept pace at the stoplights, and with the 38 mpg highway mileage rating, I spent a nominal amount of money on gas. I’d say it is a good value.

“Everything that Glitters – ” 2021 KIA Seltos SX Turbo AWD

On August 18, 2020August 24, 2020 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, KIALeave a comment

When the press fleet driver pulled up at my home with a new KIA, I immediately was pleased with the glittering gold paint job that I was seeing out the front door. When I pulled the window sticker out of the glove box, I was surprised to find the name of the paint was “Starbright Yellow”. It brought to mind for me the song by Dan Seals – “Everything that Glitters is Not Gold”, from 1986.

Dan Seals is one of my favorite all-time singers, and is often heard on K96.9 FM radio, including him performing the number one hit that he co-wrote. “Everything that Glitters is Not Gold” involves the song’s narrator and an estranged female lover, now popular on the livestock rodeo circuit. The rodeo star, with her flowing blond hair, is burnished in the singers’s brain and he struggles to deal with his little girl’s curiosity about the ex-lover riding on her horse “with the sunlight in her hair”.

So it is that I had a yellow KIA to test, and along with the distinctive paint, it featured terrific styling. KIA Motors, based in South Korea, is that country’s second largest auto manufacturer, trailing only Hyundai, its one-third owner. As recently as 1986, KIA only produced 26 automobiles, but the total was 658,000 in America last year.

The 2021 Seltos that was brought to me was an SX turbo upgraded all-wheel drive model. Total M.S.R.P. came to $29,485.00, including freight charges of $1,120.00. With the SX, a buyer gets heated front seats, cargo cover, heated outside mirrors, and a Bose stereo. The seating was black leather with room for five and luggage space came to 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat. Electronics included the navigation, backup camera, pushbutton starter, proximity keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, and power seats.

The 1.6 liter turbocharged gas engine produces 175 horsepower and 195 lb. ft. of torque. With its seven-speed automatic transmission the KIA reportedly accelerates from zero to 60 in 7.7 seconds. Fuel economy ratings are 25-city and 30-highway with a 27 combined reading. I averaged 28.8 mpg with the SX – the gas tank holds 16.4 gallons on this model.

The wheels were 18” ten spoke alloys with red center trim rings. Tires were Kumho 245/45R18 all-season radials. Dual exhausts peeked out from the rear of the SX, and brushed nickel door handles and window trim was on the car. Matching roof rails were on top and deep tint windows were all around the rear.

Ruth and I drove the SX to a Denver destination one afternoon; the KIA’s road manners were fine as were its guidance and road noise. Turning diameter (34.8′) is minimal, reducing stress on the narrow streets in parts of the Mile High City. And the perky turbo engine makes for a fast escape in city traffic after the visit.

The KIA test car turned out to be a bit of a favorite of mine with a generous amount of glitter and audacity.

2020 Honda CR-V 1.5T AWD Touring

On August 4, 2020August 5, 2020 By stuwright47In UncategorizedLeave a comment

Honda Motor Company started exporting motorcycles to America, from Japan, in the early 1960’s with a clever slogan, “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”. I became an early customer when I purchased a new 1964 Honda while in high school in Grant, Nebraska. All three Wright brothers eventually bought Hondas, and of course mine was the smallest, the Honda 50, a little machine I rolled past the Perkins County fairgrounds on thinking I would impress those patrons inside with my little exhaust report.

It was later, in the 1970’s, that Honda started exporting automobiles to the U.S., and in 1997 they sent their first in-house designed sport utility vehicle, the CR-V to our shores. The CR-V (compact recreational vehicle) is based on the Civic sedan and is currently in its fifth generation configuration. Sales of the CR-V started off at 67,000 in the first year and they have swelled to over 300,000 per year for the last seven years.

Recently, a 2020 Honda CR-V 1.5T Touring edition was loaned to me out of the press fleet, and I drove it for a week. The CR-V comes in a hybrid, LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring edition, which is the top model and the one I tested. For $35,845.00, including freight, the Touring edition has a leather interior, navigation system with backup camera, adaptive radar cruise control, heated steering wheel, lane departure warning, moon roof, and dual heated power bucket seats.

The driving experience when behind the wheel of the CR-V is excellent, with a somewhat quieter environment than the unit I drove in 2018 but with similar guidance, handling, and ride; all good. Visibility is top-notch, and real-world economy for this reviewer came in at 25.5 mpg, right on target with the EPA estimate.

The mid-sized Honda CR-V rolls on 19” ten spoke alloy wheels with Continental P235/55R19 Cross Contact all season radials. All CR-V’s were refreshed for 2020, and the power train is now a turbocharged 190 horsepower four with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

In high school I fantasized about someday driving an automobile with the quality and innovation of my little Honda 50. Never would I have imagined that sedans would become so unpopular (along with small motorcycles) and that “sport-utility” vehicles would basically take over the roads. Nonetheless, someday arrived after a fashion a week ago when I tested the very capable, American made Honda CR-V. And, I suspect, you still “Meet the Nicest People in a Honda”.

2023 Toyota Highlander AWD Limited

On May 11, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, ToyotaLeave a comment

George “Elvis” Gray of Pirate Radio 104.7 FM assisted in reviewing the Highlander AWD:

Cypress green tint coat metallic paint with black leather seating for 7 – heated front and rear outboard seats and air conditioned front seats – 16/48/84 cubic ft. of cargo space, weighs 4,529 lbs., has a 112.2” wheelbase 5,000 towing capacity – 194.9” long, 20” – Chrome finished aluminum spoke wheels and 235/55R20 Bridgestone all season radials, 12.3” multimedia infotainment screen, 12.3” LED gauge cluster, rear (and surround) vision camera setup, wireless flatbed phone charger, pushbutton and remote starter, power tilt/telescope steering column, navigation, power moonroof, heated steering wheel, 11 speaker JBL premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo, heated, folding exterior mirrors, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, power lift gate with hands-fee feature, 265 horsepower, 2.4 liter turbo four with 8 speed automatic transmission (torque is 309) – all wheel drive, zero to 60 in 7.2 seconds and 104 mph top speed, $50,210.00 list price – built in Princeton, Indiana, 28 MPG highway, 21 city and 24 combined rating – 17.9 gallon tank and 501 miles of range

2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition

On May 2, 2023 By stuwright47In *SPORT UTILITIES, ToyotaLeave a comment

George Gray of Pirate Radio 104.7 FM assisted in a review of the new 4Runner:

Barcelona red metallic paint with black SofTex seating for 5 – heated and power front buckets, and 47/89 cubic ft. of cargo space, weighs 4,525 lbs., 190.2” long and has 109.8” wheelbase with 9” of ground clearance and 5,0000 lb. towing capacity, 17” Bronze colored alloy wheels with 265/60R17 Bridgestone Dueler H/T radials, lane keep assist, forward and rear collision alert, radar cruise control, navigation, heated steering wheel, high definition rear camera system, 8” infotainment screen, flatbed smartphone charger, moon roof, and 8 speaker Toyota AM/FM/satellite premium stereo sound system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, 270 horsepower, 4.0 liter V-6 setup with 5 speed automatic transmission (torque is 278) – four wheel drive, zero to 60 in 7.75 seconds and 110 mph top speed, $47,085.00 list price – built in Tahara, Aichi, Japan, 19 MPG highway, 16 city and 17 combined rating – 23 gallon tank and 437 miles of range

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD

On April 20, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, HondaLeave a comment

The Honda was taken to Pirate Radio 104.7 FM where George Gray assisted in analyzing the CR-V:

Canyon blue metallic paint with black leather seating for 5, heated and air conditioned buckets plus heated second row seating, weighs 3,904 lbs., 184.8” long and has 106.3” wheelbase, 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space, 19” Black alloy wheels with 235/55R19 Continental ContiPro all-season radials, lane keep assist, forward and rear collision alert, radar cruise control, navigation, heated steering wheel, high definition rear camera system, 9” infotainment screen, flatbed smartphone charger, moon roof, power tailgate, and 12 speaker Bose AM/FM/satellite premium stereo sound system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, 204 horsepower, 2.0 liter four cylinder hybrid/electric drive with electronically controlled variable automatic transmission (torque is 247), all wheel drive, zero to 60 in 7.6 seconds and 112 mph top speed, $39,845.00 list price – built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, 34 MPG highway, 40 city and 37 combined rating – 14 gallon tank and 560 miles of range

2023 Lexus RX-350h Hybrid

On March 31, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, Lexus, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Lexus was driven to Pirate Radio (FM 104.7) for a review with the help of George “Elvis” Gray:

Matador red paint with gray and black leather seating for 5 – heated and air conditioned buckets plus heated and air conditioned power second row seating, weighs 4,450 lbs., 192.5” long and has 112.2” wheelbase – 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space, 21” multi – spoke dark alloy wheels 245/45R21 Goodyear Eagle all-season radials, lane keep assist, forward and rear collision alert, radar cruise control, navigation, heated steering wheel, high definition rear, side and frontal view camera system, 14” infotainment screen, flatbed smartphone charger, panoramic moon roof, power tailgate, and 12 speaker Mark Levinson AM/FM/satellite premium stereo sound system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto

246 horsepower, 2.5 liter four cylinder hybrid/electric drive with electronically controlled variable automatic transmission (torque is 317) – all wheel drive, zero to 60 in 7.4 seconds and 124 mph top speed, $65,090.00 list price – built in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, 34 MPG highway, 37 city and 36 combined rating – 18 gallon tank and over 600 miles of range

2023 Lexus GX-460 5-Door 4WD SUV

On March 20, 2023 By stuwright47In *SPORT UTILITIES, LexusLeave a comment

George Gray of Pirate Radio gave an assist in reviewing the Lexus GX-460: Nori Green pearl metallic paint with black and brown NuLuxe leather seating for 7 – heated front and rear seats and air conditioned front seats – 128 cubic ft. of cargo space, weighs 5,264 lbs., has a 109.8” wheelbase, 6,500 towing capacity – 192.1” long, 18” gloss black aluminum spoke wheels and 255/60R18 Michelin Latitude Tour HP all season radials, 10.25” multimedia infotainment screen, rear vision camera setup, wireless flatbed phone charger, pushbutton and remote starter, tilt and telescope steering column, navigation, heated steering wheel, 12 speaker Lexus premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo, heated exterior mirrors, swinging rear tailgate, 4.6 liter V-8 with 301 horsepower and six speed automatic transmission, 19 mpg highway mileage rating, 23 gallon tank, 437 miles of range, list price $62,460.00

2023 Infiniti QX-50 Sport AWD

On March 20, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, InfinitiLeave a comment

The Infiniti served as delightful transportation while in the Valley of the Sun, and the experience was discussed with George Gray at Pirate Radio 104.7:

SPECIFICATIONS – 184.7” length and 110.2” wheelbase 4,164 lb. weight — Graphite Shadow metallic paint – all-wheel drive – 2.0 liter turbo four with 268 horsepower and 20” alloy wheels with 255/45R20 Bridgestone Ecopia HL all season tires – CVT automatic with electronic floor shift – 9” infotainment screen – Bose studio 12 speaker stereo – wireless phone charging – black leather-trimmed interior with seating for five (two heated seats two air conditioned ) and fancy black trim 31 cubic ft. of cargo space – heated steering wheel – 16 gallon tank provides 448 miles of range with 28 MPG highway rating – panoramic moon roof – 5.3” head up display – $52,815.00 MSRP

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo AWD with Premium Plus Package

On March 15, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, MazdaLeave a comment

George Gray at Pirate Radio 104.7 helped review the 2023 Mazda:

Wind Chill pearl metallic paint with black and brown leather seating for 5 – heated front and rear seats and air conditioned front seats – 31 cubic ft. of cargo space, weighs 3,866 lbs., has a 110.8” wheelbase and is 185.8” long, 20” – gloss black aluminum spoke wheels and 245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle Touring all season radials, 10.25” multimedia infotainment screen, rear vision camera setup, wireless flatbed phone charger, pushbutton and remote starter, tilt and telescope steering column, navigation, heated steering wheel, 12 speaker Bose premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo, heated exterior folding mirrors, power tailgate, moon roof, and Android / Apple integration, radar cruise control, lane change alert and tracing assist, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot warning, 2.5 liter turbo four engine with 227 horsepower, 310 ft. lb. of torque, six speed automatic transmission, zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds, 142 mph top speed – all wheel drive, $43,970.00 list price – built Madison, Alabama, fuel economy (29 highway 25 combined 23 city), 15.9 gallon tank with 461 mi. range

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XSE

On February 19, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, ToyotaLeave a comment

The Toyota was analyzed with the help of George Gray, radio DJ at Pirate Radio KELS 104.7 FM:

Celestite gray (looks blue) metallic paint with black SofTex seating for 5 – heated front seats and 24 cubic ft. of cargo space, weighs 3,384 lbs., has a 103.9” wheelbase and is 175.6” long, 18” – gray and polished aluminum spoke wheels and 225/55R18 Goodyear Assurance Finesse all season radials, 8” multimedia infotainment screen, rear vision camera, wireless flatbed phone charger, pushbutton starter, tilt and telescope steering column, 9 speaker JBL premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo, heated exterior mirrors, power tailgate, moon roof, and Android / Apple integration, radar cruise control, lane change alert and tracing assist, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot warning, 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine with 169 horsepower, 150 ft. lb. of torque, CVT automatic transmission, zero to 60 in 9.2 seconds – all wheel drive, $33,550.00 list price – built Huntsville, Alabama, fuel economy (32 highway 39 combined 29 city), 13.5 gallon tank with 432 mi. range

2023 Mazda CX-5 Signature Turbo AWD

On February 11, 2023 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, MazdaLeave a comment

The Mazda was driven to Pirate Radio 104.7FM to get a review with the help of George “Elvis” Gray, the station manager:

Deep crystal blue mica paint with brown leather seating for 5 – heated front (a/c too) and rear seats and and 29.3 cubic ft. of cargo space behind the back seats, weighs 3,832 lbs., has a 106.2” wheelbase and is 180.1” long, 19” – Bright finished aluminum spoke wheels and 225/55R19 Toyo A36 all season radials, 10.25” multimedia infotainment screen, head up display, panoramic multi-view surround camera, wireless flatbed phone charger, heated steering wheel, moonroof, pushbutton starter, navigation, tilt and telescope steering column, 10 speaker Bose premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo, power folding exterior mirrors, power tailgate, and Android / Apple integration, radar cruise control, lane change alert and tracing assist, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot warning, 2.5 liter turbo four engine with 227 total horsepower, 310 ft. lb. of torque, 6 speed automatic transmission, dual exhausts, zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds – all wheel drive, $40,925.0000 list price – built in Hiroshima, fuel economy (27 highway 24 combined 22 city), 15.3 gallon tank with 413 mi. range

2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro 4WD

On February 8, 2023 By stuwright47In *PICKUPS, ToyotaLeave a comment

The Tundra pickup was looked over at Pirate Radio 104.7 with the help of George “Elvis” Gray:Solar Octane orange paint with black (camo-style) SofTex seating for 5 – heated front seats, 11,074 lb. towing capacity, and and 5.5’ bed with rubber mat, weighs 6,015 lbs., has a 145.6” wheelbase and is 233.1” long, 18” – Black finished BBS aluminum spoke wheels and 285/65R18 Falken WildPeak all season radials, 14” multimedia infotainment screen, head up display, panoramic multi-view surround camera, wireless flatbed phone charger, heated steering wheel, pushbutton starter, tilt and telescope steering column, 12 speaker JBL premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo, folding exterior mirrors, soft-drop tailgate, moon roof, and Android / Apple integration, radar cruise control, lane change alert and tracing assist, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot warning, 3.5 liter twin turbo V-6 hybrid engine with 437 total horsepower, 583 ft. lb. of torque, 10 speed automatic transmission, dual exhausts, zero to 60 in 5.7 seconds – four wheel drive, $69,185.00 list price – built in San Antonio, fuel economy (20 highway 19 combined 18 city), 32.2 gallon tank with 644 mi. range

Stu's Reviews

2021 Toyota Corolla XSE