Pilgrim Motor Press - An Automotive Engineer's Point of View

2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited

+Exterior styling blends old-school grandness with modern chiseled LED lighting.

+Sophisticated-feeling interior with large singular trim pieces of gloss black plastic, padded leather, and natural wood.

+Hybrid power provides instantaneous and seamless acceleration with a confidence-inspiring low-end grunt.

+Fuel economy is on par with what is expected of large hybrid cars, meaning better than hybrid crossovers but not as good as smaller hybrid cars, like Toyota’s own Camry Hybrid.

The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid nails the modern sense of a large car. High tech, high efficiency, and fine details create a cool scene and leave a lasting upscale impression.

2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

Looking much more like a performance car than a roadster, the BMW Z4 seems to be able to play both roles quite effectively. And sure, it’s practical for most situations, but with just two seats and limited cargo space, it’s unlikely to be the sole car of the household. So focusing on the car’s intentions, does it impress as much as the $63k+ price tag?

2020 Toyota Corolla XSE

The 2020 Toyota Corolla is all new and boasts an updated, flashy chassis and powertrain that add to the sporty-ness of the Corolla. This particular top-of-the-line XSE is an impressive package, though against today’s in-demand crossovers, is it good enough to remain in the conversation?

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

The Golf Alltrack provides a true alternative to the sea of crossovers and sedans on the road. It’s A) a space-efficient wagon, B) only available in AWD, and C) offered with a manual transmission on all trim levels. Once beyond the sheet though, it is not all roses with a floaty ride and a mixed bag of features. Still, compared to many crossovers at this price, the Alltrack doesn’t disappoint with its solid structure, upscale looks, and attention to detail.

2019 Ford Raptor The photos that help tell the story

2019 Ford F-150 Raptor

It’s been 10 years and two generations since the Ford F-150 Raptor first busted through the pre-existing boundaries and never looked back and never stopped improving. This 2019 version is insanely good when put to task and also ridiculously fun to hustle around town. It’s not all fun and games though as the Raptor misses the mark in several “daily-life” scenarios.

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt The Photos that Tell a Story

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt

Click here for Slide Show (with commentary)

Whether or not you’ve seen the car chase scenes from the popular 60’s movie, Bullitt, where a special Ford Mustang flies through the streets of San Francisco, Ford’s 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is far more than a once-over movie (its 50th anniversary) tribute. Its sleeper looks act as a cloak over the rumble created from underneath. While the movie brings instant name recognition among certain crowds, its performance and everyday livability are so impressive that it earns respect, even from those who haven’t seen the movie (yet!).

2019 Nissan Pathfinder SL Rock Creek Edition

The Pathfinder nameplate earned legitimate off-road cred’ with continuous advances in technology until the market took a big turn and the resulting Nissan SUV “jumped the shark” and prioritized size and smoothness. The latest generation refresh of the 2019 Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition includes a toughened up appearance that adds several more adventure-themed touches and a sense of value.

2019 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X

Whether you consider the 2019 Nissan Frontier as being true to form or far outdated, its size, shape, and torquey powertrain bring a truckful of purposefulness that’s been lost on some newer competitors. There are several areas, though, that could have benefitted from a bit of continuous improvement. Are those areas a big deal? Maybe not in terms of truck function, but they detract from a sense of overall value and quality.