Road Test – 2023 Infiniti QX60 Sensory AWD. We’re not usually a big fan of 3-row SUV’s simply because they have too many compromises and a van does the job so much better. Mid-size Luxury SUV it’s bordering on large.
We drove the Lincoln Aviator Reserve a couple of years ago and without a doubt it was our all-time favourite SUV – maybe even best vehicle ever! A couple of years have passed and quite by accident we got the keys to the 2022 version. This would be a good time to confirm our viewpoint or change it… Will we still love it and rave about it or will it be a one of those “it was terrific at the time, but now, not so much.” Let’s find out….
We’ve seen pictures of the Santa Cruz for years now and finally it’s arrived. Oddly enough, Ford also released the Maverick around the same time so we’ve now got two variations of the same theme: a Unibody pickup truck that is not a real truck, but is a truck in looks and utility. The Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s first pickup truck in North America and can I say…it’s long overdue. Having owned a Ranger for the past 10+ years I can honestly say I don’t know how I ever lived without a pickup truck.
We’ve seen pictures of the IONIC5 for a while now, but I’ve never actually seen one in the flesh, on the road. It’s a very rare beast and as of right now there’s a 1 year wait until people are going to be getting them…people want them, but dealerships can’t get them – it’s the typical story of 2022 from all manufacturers. Oh well, we’ve got one and we’ve got an entire week behind the wheel.
Last year we had a Mach-E Select and we liked it – it had lots of oomph, could corner like it was on rails and was a blast to drive. This time round we get the all-singing-all-dancing GT version. Don’t even get me started along the lines of this ain’t a Mustang – clearly you’ve never driven a Mach-E if those words even come out of your mouth…and I’d have to wonder if you’ve ever driven a Mustang at all. We know the Select was good, but is the GT better? Let’s find out…
Nissan (and Infiniti) went through a period in the mid-2000’s where a huge chunk of their vehicles were… to say it nicely – ugly. Thankfully they’ve turned the corner and the entire line-up is fantastic looking, gorgeous even. The new for 2022 Pathfinder is not only a looker, but Nissan videos show that it’s also a capable towing and off-roading vehicle. To our eyes the Pathfinder has always been a great-looking SUV – even when the original one came out in 1986. It’s changed considerably since then – as have more peoples’ needs and viewpoint on SUV’s. We spend a week with the 5th generation of this iconic SUV – let’s see how it fairs in 2022…
Last year we drove the fabulous Escape Hybrid and loved it. Ford have since added the PHEV version to their ever expanding electric lineup and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it. Oddly enough, it’s the same colour as last year’s hybrid – Antimatter Blue. What’s the difference between them? Well, the PHEV has a larger battery that you can plug in and charge. Depending on the distance you drive, potentially you’ll only visit the gas station once or twice per year.
Last week we saved some baby seals and dialed back “global warming”™ by driving the Escape PHEV. This week we’re chucking those baby seals and some dolphins on the barbie while burning down the rain forest in Brazil by driving around Ontario in the Bronco Wildtrack. Just kidding – we couldn’t find any dolphins. Anywho…
It’s been a while since we got some seat time behind the wheel of a Volvo… 10 year in fact!!! Wow – time flies. So what’s changed in the world of Volvo since the last time? Plenty has changed over the years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the Volvo of today is still as awesome as the Volvo of the past. This week’s test is a huge departure from the typical SUV infested roads of Canada – it’s a station wagon!!! It doesn’t have some newfangled label that the media people come up with – it’s a plain old station wagon – and damned if it isn’t still better than an SUV!
This week get some very limited seat time behind the wheel of the Maverick hybrid pickup truck – probably the hottest vehicle Ford have produced in decades. People have ordered their Maverick back in July 2021 and still haven’t received them yet – almost a year later. Due to the shortage of any available, we had to grab a quick test – courtesy of our local Ford dealership, (Grimsby Ford), so a big thanks to them. The order books closed for 2022 Maverick’s in February, so it looks like most people are going to be getting 2023’s…when they eventually arrive.
Road-Test.org 