Car Reviews & News - Pilgrim Motor Press

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid – A good hybrid, but an akward Mazda.

Mazda partners up with Toyota to deliver the CX-50 Hybrid for 2026 and, as Mazda already produces the gas-only crossover at their joint-owned plant in Alabama, adopting the “plug-and-play” Toyota Hybrid System wasn’t a far-fetched concept. And indeed, the CX-50 Hybrid delivers the expected excellent fuel efficiency and around-town smoothness, but its battery capacity is only so great, and in the canyons, it can only deliver full power for a short period, leaving this CX-50 Hybrid feeling more practically-natured than engaging, or in Mazda terms, more scoot-scoot than zoom-zoom.

Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max – The practicality you need, the power you want

The Toyota Grand Highlander is undeniably practical, offering a large interior with three rows, crisp modern styling, and a strong value. Plus, it offers a gas-only and an (efficiency-focused) hybrid powertrain. This is what we’ve come to expect from the brand.

However, there is also a second hybrid on the menu called Hybrid Max, which combines the sustained power of a turbocharged engine and the instantaneous response of a large drive motor, for a notable performance boost. This was something not expected.

Buick Enclave – Searching for a formula that works

Buick sits within a narrow spectrum of GM’s wide range of brands, striving to deliver products that fall between its mainstream (Chevrolet) and premium (Cadillac) brands in terms of features, style, and power. And while the formula for its longevity often involves plenty of shared parts with its platformmates, the Buick Enclave still manages something unique and somewhat unexpected.

2025 BMW X5 xDrive40i – A superhero in disguise

The BMW X5’s 25th anniversary is celebrated with a number of premium finishes and features, one of which is the hefty xOffroad Package. This may sound like an odd inclusion, but when the going gets dirty, the BMW has turned to the X5 for four generations.

2025 RMAP 4xFall – Empire, CO

This year’s 4xFall event, presented by Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, takes us to Empire – a small town that many skiiers and downhill mountain bikers will pass through on their way to Winter Park/ Trestle Bike Park from I-70. If you haven’t already made a pit stop, it may be worth your time to take a pause in one of the coffee and food shops before heading up the pass or hitting the highway.

Our specific drive route included a mountain highway segment, followed by a relatively easy but rugged and steep off-road trail: Jones Pass. The varying terrain helped demonstrate where each of these vehicles landed on the off-roading vs. on-road vs. value spectrum, with each offering its own story for their adventurous-minded customers.

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.

2023 Kia EV6 GT

What is not to love with this Kia EV6 GT?

Well, the simple answer is not much…as long as you know what you’re getting into. In its most basic sense, the sloped-roof crossover/ coupe-hatchback design defies logical classification. The high-performance EV6 GT trim blurs the lines even more with an incredible boost in performance.

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The all-new 2023 Honda CR-V redefines the segment once again, and this time, it includes styling as one of its key attributes. Add in the hybrid powertrain, and the CR-V raises the performance bar even higher.

The styling of the CR-V has been thoroughly reworked starting with the silhouette. The A-pillar sits far more rearward to extend the length of the hood and create a more traditionally proportionate and balanced shape. Its curves along the sides are mostly horizontal, delivering a premium stance, and naturally flow into the front and rear ends.