Pilgrim Motor Press

Quick Drive: Subaru Forester Hybrid

The heart may want the brand to be about the rally-inspired WRX, but in reality, this new Forester Hybrid may be most deserving of the limelight.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota hits the reset button on the US-market Land Cruiser, after having dropped it from the lineup in 2021. Decades of more and more luxury had priced the Cruiser too far from anything else on the Toyota lot and, critically, too deep into Lexus territory. This new Land Cruiser marks a significant shift, where some could rightfully say, is a return to its senses.

Range Rover Velar

The Range Rover Velar is the newest nameplate of Land Rover’s premium sub-brand, and just a couple of years ago, the model received a thorough update. Its powertrain, exterior features, and interior design align with the rest of the Range Rover models. And while it is instantly recognizable as a Range Rover, it successfully wears a unique interpretation of the fashion and premium appeal that is core to the brand.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe receives a mid-generation refresh that brings updated exterior lighting with animated signals and a style update to the front fascia that is only noticeable to those profoundly familiar with last year’s design. Inside, it’s a different story.

Lexus GX 550

At long last! The Lexus GX has been completely redesigned. Yet, as different as the new model looks, its underlying chassis serves a familiar mission; one that puts a priority on off-road capability and durability. So what does that mean for us pavement-pounders? Well, the GX’s hardiness still brings several everyday compromises but at least they’re now easier to live with and justify.

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota’s bZ4X fills the EV role of the company’s current, Beyond Zero theme (hence the “bZ” in its name), and merges Toyota engineering with a dedicated EV platform – a recipe for something special, however, that’s not quite what we got.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

You’re not alone if you mistake the new Toyota Tacoma for its full-size brethren, the Tundra. Its tall front end, bulky body shapes, and wide stance deliver a big truck appearance but it remains notably more parking lot (and trail)-friendly. It continues to improve and even includes a more playful design, especially in one of the numerous bulked-up adventure-ready (like this TRD Off-Road) trims.

Lexus RX 350 F Sport & 450h+ PHEV

The Lexus RX expertly blends the brand’s practical roots with its typical full-on assault on noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), impressive fit and finish, and delightful use of premium touch surfaces. In this latest generation, the formula expands to include a wide range of powertrain options that achieve distinct experiences, and it is easy to see how this five-seater crossover continues to be one of the segment’s best-selling nameplates and is a sure bet for the years ahead.

2024 Mazda CX-70 and Mazda CX-90

First, we need to get past the fact that these two vehicles are effectively the same. They share dimensions, powertrains, and even features. The only notable difference is that the CX-70 provides two rows of seating while the CX-90 provides three rows. Confusing? Yes. From here on, we can call it the large Mazda.

Moving along…Mazda positions itself in the upper-mainstream / sub-premium space with a specific bent toward sporty performance (remember zoom-zoom?), simplicity in design, and focus on premium materials. It’s a unique space.

In this latest generation of the large Mazda, the stylists and design engineers were dealing with an entirely new vehicle, meaning a new body, a new company styling direction, and two new powertrains. Plus, the CX-70 and 90 are expected to compete with the likes of a new Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander—both of which dominate the segment with their practicality and are testing the waters by expanding into the sub-premium market.

Does the large Mazda stay true to its mission and provide the right balance of premium appeal and practical performance? A CX-70 and CX-90 were recently provided for a week-long evaluation.

2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

The TRD Pro is the most off-road capable model of the Tundra line-up – going beyond the lesser-but-still-capable TRD Off-Road Package (upgraded shocks, skid plates, and locking differential) with even beefier hardware such as forged 18-inch BBS wheels, redesigned front suspension arms for a 1.1-inch suspension lift, and Fox shocks with remote fluid reservoirs that enable consistent performance even during sustained off-road poundings.