Author | Lightnews

Nissan Murano struggles to meet expecations of new decade

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 23h

"The Murano was absolutely overdue for a new generation. Apart from style, it’s hard to identify any area where the new one moves the ball, and in small ways, it’s lost some ground."
www.losaltosonline.com/auto/nissan-...

The Nissan Murano is all-new for 2025. That’s a very good thing, because, with only a handful of running updates, the 2024 Murano was the same as the 2015 Murano.

Impressions Confirmed: The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 2d

"The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is so gorgeous, so smooth, so good that if you told me it was close to $70,000, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm trying to think of a three-row SUV that's this impressive that comes in much under 75. Less than 60? Amazing." www.mikehagertycars.com/post/impress...

The real one is a real deal.

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 12d

"Open the door and step in, and all expectations are upended. There is no traditional instrument display. Instead, a curved 48-inch display divided into fourths runs across the bottom of the windshield."
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...

Price Pressure: The 2025 Kia Niro EV Wave

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 13d

"Since its 2023 redesign, the Prius is peppy and sleek. Acceleration is decent (0 to 60 takes 7.2 seconds), the ride is comfortable, and the handling borders on fun."
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 13d

"The tax credit was nice while it lasted, but now we're playing with strictly our own money."
www.mikehagertycars.com/post/price-p...

Money matters.

Blank Canvas: The 2025 RAM 2500 ProMaster Cargo

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Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 15d

Gonna have to dye the eybrows and buy some bow ties, but, yeah...

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Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 15d

If you're tempted by #vanlife, this is a great starting point:
www.mikehagertycars.com/post/blank-c...

Work or play---your choice.

And The Winners Are: Western Automotive Journalists Best of the Bay 2025

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 15d

The results are in.
www.mikehagertycars.com/post/and-the...

Every one's a winner. But we only have five trophies.

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 20d

"I’ve driven a couple of CX-70s, including the plug-in hybrid model that we review separately, and Mazda's two-row midsizer has generally left a positive impression."
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 21d

"All 14 vehicles will be eligible for Best Overall, and key elments of tech are competing for a Best Tech award.

I'll announce the winners here, along with my votes and my reasoning for them."
www.mikehagertycars.com/post/i-voted...

The Toughest Path: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 22d

Toyota brings us the first new 4Runner in 15 years:
www.mikehagertycars.com/post/the-tou...

How to modernize a classic.

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 28d

I was a TV reporter who traveled a lot from 1984-2000. Hertz had these (and even the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe) in a lot of cities. It was my first choice for years.

No Contest: The 2025 Lucid Air Touring

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · 29d

"My WAJ colleagues and I weren't kidding and we weren't mistaken when we named the Lucid Air Pure Best EV and Best Overall Vehicle [last year].

The Lucid Air Touring thoroughly justifies its slightly higher price tag. It's everything we loved---and more."
www.mikehagertycars.com/post/no-cont...

The old order, imperiled.

Boldly Going: The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD XRT

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Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Oct 1

"Seven inches of ground clearance, all-wheel-drive and all-terrain tires do not a Rubicon-conquering off-roader make, but the IONIQ 5 AWD XRT is a capable and credible light adventurer." www.mikehagertycars.com/post/boldly-...

Where few EVs have gone so far.

Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro offers rugged off-road option

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Oct 1

"...all-wheel drive is...standard on XRT PRO, which also gets an electronic limited-slip differential, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, 8.4 inches of ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles and front and rear recovery hooks." www.losaltosonline.com/auto/hyundai...

Last month, I brought you a first-drive review of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, the top of the seven trim lines of this three-row SUV entering an all-new second generation

2025 Subaru Forester strikes gold with best edition yet

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Oct 1

"A big change this year is the availability of a Forester Hybrid... Subaru says fuel economy is up 40% from the internal combustion Foresters – the EPA estimates are 26 city/33 highway/29 combined." www.losaltosonline.com/auto/2025-su...

So many cars, so little ink. Or pixels. Whatever.

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 24

I'll take an Elvis (Costello) Cadillac over an Elvis (Presley) Cadillac any day of the week.

Zoom-Zoom, Sip-Sip: The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 24

"Mazda took a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, added three electric motors, and came up with a package that the EPA says is good for 38 mpg combined city/highway. I managed 36.5 and that's pretty close." www.mikehagertycars.com/post/zoom-zo...

More MPG and more power compared to the CX-50 S.

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Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 20

Also the best soundtrack to the worst movie.

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Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 17

"The 2026 Toyota Crown is a hybrid car that struggles to make a case for itself when compared to the competition, including its own sibling, the Camry."
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 17

"The 2026 BMW X7 is a luxury large SUV that offers a posh interior, a choice of vibrant powertrains and a smooth ride. However, its second and third rows aren’t as spacious as what you’ll find in many rivals." cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...

The Electric Countryman: The 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4

Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 17

"Swapping the dead dinosaurs for electrons gets you 308 horsepower...zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds and...204 miles of range per charge...MINI says it is more than adequate for the driving needs and habits of the typical Countryman SE customer. www.mikehagertycars.com/post/the-ele...

Run silent, run fast.

Welcome Back: The 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

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Mike Hagerty @mjhagerty.bsky.social · Sep 10

"The Sonata Hybrid is dramatic without being overwrought. If this car had materialized out of nowhere ten years ago without badges, you'd have been trying to guess which Italian sports car maker had started doing sedans." www.mikehagertycars.com/post/welcome...

A long list of positives.