“Is that a Bentley?,” Robert McKeigan hollered out the window of his pickup as I parked in a fueling lane at Stub’s Gas & Oil in Wiggins early afternoon on my way to Wray.

“No, it’s a Genesis,” I responded, “you know, from Hyundai’s new luxury division.”

More specifically, I was driving a 2022 Genesis GV70 all-wheel-drive SUV crossover, one that drew attention wherever I took it. It is a new luxury compact competing with the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLB and GLC and others.

McKeigan and his wife, Adriana, were impressed with the GV70’s sleek structural beauty, and the guess that it might be a Bentley was based on its winged emblem at the front of the hood. The Genesis wings have similarities to several other car logos, including Aston Martin and Chrysler.

The Genesis name was a Hyundai model for 10 years before launching a slow start toward its own division in 2017. Today it is a full-fledged division with five models, based in Ulsan, Korea. In addition to the GV70, the nameplate also rides on three sedans – G70, G80 and G90 – and a larger SUV crossover, the GV80. Famed golfer Tiger Woods was driving a GV80 when he was seriously injured in an auto accident in California in February.

The good-handling GV70 has the feel of a relatively heavy compact, and sizes up that direction when compared with the popular Audi Q5. The Genesis has longer wheelbase, is an inch longer overall and 200 pounds heavier than the Audi.

The top-trim-level GV Sport Prestige’s twin-turboed 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder engine is powerful and smooth, tied to an 8-speed automatic transmission (with paddleshifters) and standard all-wheel drive. The V-6 develops 375 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. It averaged 23.4 miles per gallon on drive to Wray and back. Available also is a turbocharged 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder of 300 horsepower.

It is a delight to drive; a complaint, though, is the closeness on the center console of two rotary dials, making it not unusual to grab and twist one for the other until the driver is more familiar with the setup.

The forward-placed dial controls infotainment on a large, 14.5-inch touchscreen. Directly behind it is the gearshift rotary.

In my first drive of the review vehicle, I wondered why a small “eye” kept looking up at me from its insertion into the dash; it is an eye for scanning the driver’s fingerprint, which allows activating the GV without a key.

The GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige model’s base price of $52,600 climbed to $64,045 with addition of a Sport Advantage package of nappa leather, heated steering wheel, remote smart parking assist (practice this before using it in downtown Denver) and Lexicon premium audio. Also a Sport Prestige package of 21-inch wheels, carbon fiber trim, heated rear seats, manual rear-side sunshades and head-up display.

Genesis models are currently sold at Hyundai stores; beginning in 2022 the company will open exclusive Genesis stores.

A bright position in a slumping automotive market category of minivans appears to be that of the Toyota Sienna and its maker’s decision a year ago to produce and sell only gas/electric hybrid models.

Contrasting that is FCA’s axing a bit earlier of the Dodge Grand Caravan, the greatest-selling minivan of all time.

Results through nine months of 2021 show the Toyota Sienna rising from fourth to first place in sales on the strength of an astounding 190% increase; the FCA minivan two-pack of Grand Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica which traditionally owned more than 50% of the market, has skidded to 24% by the Pacifica, alone without the Dodge’s presence.

In the face of worldwide chip shortages and pandemic slowdowns, it isn’t clear as to whether the Sienna sales surge will be of prolonged duration, and with the long-popular Grand Caravan gone, will loyal Dodge minivan buyers turn to stablemate Pacifica for replacement.

“The Toyota Sienna and its all-hybrid powertrain have surpassed customers’ expectations with a combined 36 miles per gallon, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard equipment at no extra cost and built-in quality, said Christine Henley, Western communications manager for Toyota North America. 

A strong selling point for the Toyota hybrid is the claim of much higher economy; on that basis of information, I requested and received one.

For testing the 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid XSE All-Wheel-Drive minivan, we drove from Greeley to Boulder to visit with James Colwell in a retirement community, on in to Denver to autograph a copy of “The 100-Year Deal” at the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, then on out southwest for dinner at the home of Kurt and Tammy Wells.

The Sienna performed smoothly, if not powerfully. Its hybrid engine is made up of a 190-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which is driven by two electric motors; total output is 245-hp. This is tied to an electronic continuous variable transmission.

For the 170-mile drive, the Sienna Hybrid averaged 34.9 miles per gallon, right at its EPA estimate of 35 in the city and 36 on the highway. Performance was a bit more satisfactory a year ago when I drove a gas-only Sienna Limited Premium AWD minivan equipped with 3.5-liter V-6 and 8-speed automatic transmission; its mpg, though, was 20.1.

The large ’22 Sienna is 17 feet long and weighs 4,610 pounds with sport-tuned suspension. The red-stitched SofTex (more durable than leather) front seats are very well-bolstered, the second-row captain’s chairs are of long-slide capability and third row seat is split and can be stowed in one motion.

Sticker price on the ’22 Sienna, including a full range of Toyota Safety Sense features, is $47,215.

Colwell, 95, English instructor for my freshman year at Sterling High School 70 years ago, enjoyed a distinguished career as an educator.

Jan and I were assisted at the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association by Kim Jackson and Savannah Hatcher. The book-signing was for John McCallan, whose family was associated in a Colorado dealership before moving to California, where John is involved in several large-scale automotive operations.
Minivans at the turn-of-the-century sold more than 1 million annually; the tally this year will be down around 310,000.

Jeep? Electrified?

I’ve seen it and driven it, a plug-in hybrid. For the Wrangler offroad star to be primed for the alternative power source probably means the entire automotive industry is making preparation.

In fact, Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis which is new name of the FiatChrysler/PSA merger, said recently, “we’re committed to an electric future and will not make any major future investments in internal combustion engines.” Jeep was FiatChrysler sales leader.

Delivered to me was a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4XE, a plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine and two electric motor-generator units and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Electricity is stored in a 400-volt, 17-kw lithium-ion battery pack beneath the rear seat for combined 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque.

Three choices of power source with buttons marked Hybrid/Electric/E-save. Hybrid, the default mode, combines torque from the turbocharged gas engine and electric motors as needed. It seems to favor electric use and, with limited range, this is expended fairly quickly. With moderate acceleration, speeds will reach into the low to mid-60s before the gas engine replaces the electric power. The Electric mode uses full electric power, as long as it is available, while the E-Save mode will preserve battery power.

Drove to Loveland, south on U.S. 287 to Longmont, west on Colo. 66 to Lyons and on to Estes Park. The red Wrangler drew interest, while most seemed impressed that Jeep has moved into the busy plug-in hybrid testing.

By the time we returned home, over two days we had driven 166 miles with two overnight charges providing 52 miles of electric range, resulting in an overall fuel mileage of 27.6 miles per gallon. The mpg peaked at 30.9 after Monday’s 26 electric miles had been expended. Then, under full gasoline power, it gradually dropped to 27.6.

It takes 12 hours to fully charge the 4xe with a Level 1 (120V) system plugged into a typical household outlet. A Level II (240V) charger can do it in approximately 2 hours.

Options worth $8,500 pushed the Jeep’s price past $60 grand at $61,265. Among those options are leather-trimmed and heated buckets, full-speed forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, advanced brake assist.

The two most recent Wranglers I’ve driven were higher-priced than the plug-in hybrid. They were the EcoDiesel at $64,380 and the 392 Hemi at $78,740.

The Rubicon trim level maintained the Wrangler’s offroad features, including Rock-Trac fulltime 4-wheel-drive, a 4:1 low-range gear ratio and electronic-locking front and rear differentials.

The SunRider One-Touch sliding roof opened most of the way back; it can be completely unbolted and removed, as can the four doors, and the windshield can be folded down.

Of the unveiling of the 4XE, Christian Meunier, Jeep brand chief executive officer, said, “We are committed to make Jeep the greenest and most exciting SUV brand. The electrification of the Jeep lineup will allow commuters to travel solely on electric power, delivering an efficient and fun on-road experience and offering an ability to enjoy even more off-road capability in nearly complete silence.”

A new Wilderness edition for the long-popular Outback wagon is being heavily promoted these fall days (2021) by Subaru.

A 260-horsepower, turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine with electronic high-torque continuously variable transmission, front skid plate and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels are highlights of the 2022 model.

Ground clearance has been elevated to 9.5 inches; 25 years ago, the 1996 Outback promoted the fact its clearance had been increased to 7.3 inches. It has been a steady increase since.

Subaru’s X-mode, which maintains lower gearing for stronger power when needed, becomes of more wheel-slip control in deep snow, sand and mud. Front and rear bumpers have been redesigned for improved approach and departure angles.

Wilderness anodized copper accents and logos inside and out identify the special edition.

The new Subaru Wilderness, by a mere $35, remained below 40-grand in sticker price. The addition of a package of navigation system with 11.6-inch touchscreen, power moonroof and reverse automatic braking brought the total to $39,965.

I suspect the turbo, so well-received as a performance boost, took a toll on fuel mileage. The Wilderness’ EPA estimate is 22 city/26 highway/24 combined; my overall average was 21.5 miles per gallon.

The Outback is built on Subaru’s Global Platform in Lafayette, Ind.

It wasn’t enough that I drove the Carnival 130 miles to Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs; the Pikes Peak road to its new Visitor Center was closed on a Saturday in August, and I would have to come back another day.

That was okay, for we had other reasons to be there – to see an early preview of the 2023 Nissan Z Car at the Broadmoor World Center and to enjoy lunch nearby with a friend, Nissan manager of corporate communications Steve Parrett.

Shape of the new Z, expected to arrive next spring, is a throwback to the Datsun 240Z of the 1970s, and a twin-turbocharged V-6 will generate 400 horsepower, replacing a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 of 332-hp. The Z will challenge the Toyota GR Supra.

The Carnival referenced in the opening sentence is a new Kia minivan replacing the Sedona; it shares a platform with the Kia Sorento crossover. Kia refers to the Carnival as a multipurpose vehicle, citing exterior styling changes which give it a bigger look.

The more distinctive upgrades, though, appear to be inside, with room for up to eight occupants and cargo space behind the third row of seats is 40.2 cubic feet. It offers comfortable, supportive seats, with small-item cubbies throughout and 11 cupholders. The middle seat of three in the second row can be folded down into a table between the two outboards.

Navigation is tied to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration and wireless phone charger. Its dual rear-seat entertainment system can play separate movies on the two screens mounted on the backs of the front-seat headrests.

It is of front-wheel-drive configuration, has no all-wheel-drive capability, nor does it offer a hybrid.

Its 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, somewhat slow in low-end acceleration, perform very well in midrange torque and shift smoothly.

The fairly heavy van (4,600 pounds), in the I-25 drive to Colorado Springs and back and some stop-and-go travel in Manitou and Colorado City, averaged 24.4 miles per gallon overall. Its EPA estimate is 19 in city and 26 highway. The Carnival can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Among driver-assist technology are forward-collision and blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and smart cruise with stop-and-go.

The Carnival SX review model carries a base price of $42,275, with $495 added for the ceramic silver paint for a sticker price of $42,770. Three lesser-priced trim levels are the EX, beginning at $38,775, the LX and LXS. A higher-priced trim is the SX Prestige.

The Carnival carries a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty.

The Carnival, built at Sohari, Korea, will compete with the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Minivan sales, like those of midsize sedans, have been on the decline in recent years.

Ford vs. Ferrari, it’s now on the shelf.

Ford may be stirring for another race – Ford vs. Jeep, subtitled Bronco against Wrangler Unlimited, 4-doors, of course.

Ford’s been without a Bronco since 1996 and for the past 15 years has watched Jeep sell thousands of Wrangler Unlimiteds.  So the Dearborn boys went back to the drawing board, got busy and created, first, the small Bronco Sport which we drove in May, and, now, the big, four-door Bronco.

Take a look at the Wrangler Unlimited; then another glance at the Bronco First Edition Sasquache. Yep, it’s a sales race in the making.

The big Bronco gets up and down the hills with power to spare from Ford’s optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission; it delivers 310 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard engine is a 275-hp turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder. Considering the Ford’s near-5,000-pound weigh-in, the EcoBoost V-6 is definitely a more satisfactory choice.

We climbed and twisted our way in the Bronco to Glen Haven on the Devil’s Gulch road between Drake and Estes Park. We stopped at the Glen Haven General Store, visited with Steve and Becky Childs, and shared one of her cinnamon rolls.

A switch on the shifter is used to engage manual-mode control of the 10-speed. Driver-selectable G.O.A.T. (goes over all types terrain) modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl for off-roading.

On our return drive back to the east, I stopped for 10 or 15 minutes, tossed a line into the North Fork of the Big Thompson River, and took home a brown trout.

Production of Ford’s previous generations of Bronco ended in 1996; it was a big, two-door model. One Denver Ford dealer purchased dozens of the final model, staged a big sale. Doug Freed and Karrie Mowen, working associates of mine, rushed out and bought one each; both were well-satisfied. Manual mode shifting is engaged with a switch on the shifter.

The all-new Bronco family includes a Bronco two-door, first-ever Bronco four-door model and all-new rugged, small SUV, Bronco Sport

The First Edition Sasquatch I drove is equipped with an advanced 4X4 system with automatic on-demand engagement between 2Hi and 4Hi. With the auto engagement, the 4WD setup will send torque to the front wheels for improved performance under all types of road conditions. The doors and roof panels are removable on the Bronco.

The review model averaged 18.2 miles per gallon; its EPA estimate is 17 in city, 17 on highway.

Sticker price on the 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition Sasquatch is $63,210. It is built in Wayne, Mich. It rides on Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT LT315/70R17 tires.

The precaution built into the Cadillac Escalade’s Super Cruise “hands-off” system was reassuring to me as I tested the large, luxurious SUV.

A highlight of the Super Cruise at this stage of its development is the opportunity for hands-free lane changes on Interstate highways.

Driving on I-25 north of Denver, the push of a button engaged the system, I pulled a lever down for a left turn and self-driving took over. My intention was to move from center lane to left lane and pass a slower-moving sedan. With its cameras and radar in effect, Super Cruise gradually started to move us to the left but detected at the same moment I caught sight in the side mirror a fast-moving vehicle approaching from behind in the left lane. The Cadillac returned to the center lane; after the speedster passed us and the gap returned, the system guided us into the left lane, I speeded up, then signaled right turn and, gaining clearance, the system guided us back into the center lane ahead of the slower-moving motorist. A task well-done, very safely.

A federal safety agency has told automakers it will begin investigating safety issues that could emerge in automated systems, such as Tesla’s Autopilot, General Motors’ Super Cruise and others.

The Cadillac seemed smooth and precise in its Super Cruise lane-changing. Though I prefer the traditional “hands-on” style of driving, as an auto reviewer I take seriously my role in testing the technological advancements so plentiful these days.

The lane-change feature, at this time, is usable in Colorado only on I-25, I-70 and I-76.

The Escalade, with Super Cruise, air-ride adaptive suspension, 6.2 V-8 power and 22-inch wheels, has softly though powerfully moved capably into the full-size luxury circle of SUVs, alongside the Mercedes GLS, BMW X7, Audi and Lincoln. It has followed the others also into six-figure pricing at $113,065.

The quilted-leather seats in the Cadillac are well-bolstered and well-cushioned, somewhat softer than a full-size GSL from Mercedes, which normally opts for a more-firm ride.

To that softness add strong performance from the Cadillac’s 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 with 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It handled the climbs and twists of County Road 64E from Livermore to Red Feather Lakes with ease.

At Red Feather Lakes, Jan and I got out in a nice, light summer rainfall, and walked into the Hill Top General Store and Antiques, where we enjoyed visiting with Linda Duque, who began work there this summer.

The redesigned Escalade offers three rows of comfortable seating and pleasant ride, an elegant interior and large cargo area. Approach the rear of the SUV at night with key in pocket, and the Cadillac emblem shines beneath the bumper; swing a foot at it and the liftgate will open.

Most of the miles of driving the Escalade were via highway, which resulted in an average of 19.1 miles per gallon overall. Its EPA estimate is 14/19.

When I reviewed the spirited Cadillac CTS-V at $68,445 in 2010, I wondered whether the prices could continue their  rapid rise; five years later the 2015 Escalade showed a sticker of $90,985. In the recent drive, the Cadillac and its Super Cruise burst through the $100,000 barrier.

The 1984 Nissan pickup, owned by Rick Kussman of Fort Lupton, rests beside the new Frontier.

Fans of the Nissan Frontier, you’ve waited patiently, some of you for years for a new-look truck.

It’s almost here – the all-new 2022 Frontier will arrive at Nissan dealerships in September.

It will be the first major overall redesign of the compact pickup since 2005. Its length has increased by 4 inches and height by 3 inches; it will greet you from a more rugged looking grille and front end.

There will be no lack of acceleration from the 310-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission with “shift-on-the-fly” 4-wheel-drive capability.

It’s been a treat for me to drive one of the first 2022 Frontier Pro-4X models.

As I enjoyed a drive west on Colo. 52 in the 2022 Nissan Frontier from coffee at the Pepper Pod in Hudson with Bob Smith, I was nearing Fort Lupton when this older-looking little pickup pulled onto the road out front of me. I recognized it as an old Nissan (or Datsun), got closer and, sure enough, it read NISSAN across the tailgate. I followed it into a shopping center on the east side of Fort Lupton, parked beside it and asked of the two men exiting the vehicle, “What year is the Nissan?” It is a 1984, said Rick Kussman, who was riding with his son, J.D. Lest I assume it was junk, Kussman added, “The 4-wheel-drive is still in working order.”

I’m not going to compare the new one with the ’84, when all the compact pickups were much smaller and noisier, underpowered and rough riding.

For the first time in several years, the new-generation Frontier will be a legitimate competitor of the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline among compact pickups in the U.S.

Nissan’s 310-hp, 3.8 V-6 is noticeably smoother and stronger than the old 4.0-liter V-6 of 261-hp, and the 9-speed tranny with its oft, quick shifts blows away the outdated 5-speed. Crawling about at the low speeds, though, the steering felt very heavy, seemingly lacking much power assist. The truck is equipped with Bilstein shocks.

A twist of a dial transfers the Frontier operation between 2-wheel-drive, 4-high and 4-low, and buttons for selecting hill-descent control and electronic locking rear differential. Low range exhibited sure, deliberate footing in a hill climb in offroad setting. Tow capacity for the Pro-4X is 6,290 pounds.

Back on the main road, the Frontier is very comfortable and especially quiet for a pickup with all-terrain tires. An interior highlight is its 9-inch color touchscreen with Intelligent Around-View Monitor. Its 5-foot bed is deeper by 1.4 inches for a bit more cargo area.

The ’22 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X review model’s base price of $38,390 climbed to $44,315 with addition of Fender Premium Audio, leather seats (heated in front), lane-departure warning, wireless charger, spray-in bedliner and other amenities.