Month: October 2026

2026 Lexus RZ-550e Midsize Crossover

On By stuwright47In UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Lexus was reviewed at Pirate Radio 104.7 FM:

The Lexus proved to be an exceptionally smooth and comfortable ride, especially considering the big 20″ wheels it was sporting. The wheels were cleverly concealed beneath plastic hubcaps, with just a hint of the blue brake covers peeking through underneath, adding a subtle touch of color. Despite its size, this is a remarkably fast car with impressive performance and a wonderful sound that makes its presence known.

Inside, the Lexus is equally impressive, featuring a beautiful, well-appointed interior that feels every bit as luxurious as you’d expect. The combination of exhilarating speed, excellent ride quality, and upscale styling makes this a thoroughly enjoyable vehicle.

SPECS

“Wind” gray paint with black suede/softex seating for 5 – heated front and rear seats, air con – a/c front seats, weighs 5,000 lbs., 189.4” long, 112.9” wheelbase and cargo capacity is 36 cubic ft., 20” two toned black and silver finish aluminum multi spoke wheels with blue brake caliper covers and 245/40R20 Dunlop summer radials – 255 aspect on the rear, F Sport trim, 14” infotainment screen, rear vision and surround vision camera, radar cruise control, flatbed phone charger, pushbutton/remote electric on-off switch, power tilt/telescope steering column, leather wrapped heated steering wheel, panoramic fixed glass roof with variable tint, navigation, premium FM/AM-Satellite stereo with 12 speakers and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, 400 horsepower dual electric motor power, 396 lb.ft.torque, 77 kilowatt batter,  e – all wheel drive, 8 speed (faux) transmission with paddle shifters, zero to 60 in under 4 seconds and 103 mph top speed, $62,034.00 list price – built in Toyota, Aichi, Japan – 229 miles of range

2026 Toyota CH-R AWD EV

On By stuwright47In *HYBRIDS/ELECTRICS, Toyota, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Toyota EV was driven extensively in the Phoenix metropolitan area:

SPECS

Tandoori red paint with black/birch suede/softex seating for 5 – heated front and rear seats – a/c front seats, weighs 4,404 lbs., 184.4” long, 109.9” wheelbase and cargo capacity is 26.5 cubic ft., 20” two toned gunmetal gray finish aluminum multi spoke wheels and 235/50R20 Pirelli all season radials, XSE trim, 14” infotainment screen, rear vision and surround vision camera, radar cruise control, dual flatbed phone chargers, pushbutton/remote electric on-off switch, tilt/telescope steering column, leather wrapped heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, navigation, JBL FM/AM-Satellite stereo with 6 speakers and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, 338 horsepower dual electric motor power, 373 lb.ft.torque, 74.7 kilowatt batter,  all wheel drive, zero to 60 in under 5 seconds and 105 mph top speed, $42,979.00 list price – built in Toyota, Aichi, Japan, 275 miles of range

IMPRESSIONS

The Toyota C-HR makes a bold and memorable statement with its stunning red paint, drawing stares all over the Valley of the Sun. This all-electric vehicle really stands out from the crowd, offering a distinctive look that feels sporty, modern, and full of personality. The sculpted body lines and striking exterior styling give the C-HR a presence that is hard to miss, while the big wheels add to its athletic appearance. The black and polished spokes are a particularly nice touch, complementing the red paint and giving the vehicle an extra dose of visual appeal. Toyota has created an electric vehicle that doesn’t simply blend into the background; it makes a statement wherever it goes.

Behind the wheel, the C-HR proves that its appeal extends beyond its looks. The steering is exemplary, providing a satisfying sense of control, and the tight turning radius makes navigating parking lots, city streets, and tighter spaces easy and enjoyable. Despite the large wheels, the ride is comfortable and well-composed, striking a pleasing balance between sporty styling and everyday drivability. Its electric powertrain adds to the modern driving experience, making the C-HR an appealing option for drivers interested in moving to an electric vehicle without sacrificing style or an enjoyable time behind the wheel. With its head-turning red exterior, attractive wheel design, responsive handling, and comfortable ride, the Toyota C-HR is a distinctive addition to the electric vehicle market that manages to be both practical and fun.

2026 Toyota RAV-4 Limited AWD

On By stuwright47In UncategorizedLeave a comment

The RAV-4 was presented at Pirate Radio 104.7FM for review:

IMPRESSIONS:

Toyota’s RAV4 is one of America’s best-selling vehicles, and it’s certainly worthy of those lofty sales figures. After spending time behind the wheel, I kept wondering if anything would annoy me, but nothing ever developed. The RAV4 is comfortable, easy to drive, and well thought out, with a combination of practicality and everyday usability that makes it easy to appreciate. It doesn’t need to do anything particularly flashy to make its case; instead, it succeeds by doing so many things well. It’s the kind of vehicle that quickly feels familiar and makes daily driving a pleasant, uncomplicated experience.

The Storm Cloud paint color is very attractive, giving the RAV4 a distinctive look, and I don’t think it would become tiresome over time. Fuel economy was another highlight, averaging an impressive 45.1 miles per gallon while in my possession. That kind of efficiency makes the RAV4 especially appealing for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. Overall, it’s easy to understand why the RAV4 continues to be such a popular choice. It delivers a well-balanced package with few, if any, obvious shortcomings, and my time with it left me with little to complain about.

SPECS:

Storm Cloud (blue) metallic paint with black/beige Softex seating for 5 – heated and ventilated front seats, heated second row seats, weighs 4,030 lbs., 122.8” wheelbase, 185” long and cargo capacity is 37.8 cubic ft. (x 2 with all seats folded down), 18” black and silver finished aluminum multi spoke wheels and 225/55R18 Goodyear radials, Limited package trim, 12.9” infotainment screen, rear and surround vision camera, radar cruise control, rear window shades, dual flatbed phone charger, pushbutton/remote electric starter, power tilt/telescope steering column, leather wrapped heated steering wheel, panoramic glass roof, navigation, power folding side mirrors, Bose FM/AM-Satellite stereo with 12 speakers and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, 236 horsepower 4-cylinder 2.5 liter hybrid engine, 269 lb. ft. of torque, CVT automatic with all wheel drive, zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds and 105 mph top speed, $46,883.00 list price, built in Toyota, Aichi, Japan 41 mpg combined rating, 43 mpg city rating, 37 mpg highway 14.5 gallon gas tank with range of 537