Escalade is Cadillac’s halo vehicle bringing in the brand’s youngest and wealthiest buyers. For the first time ever it’s getting the V treatment, which means it goes faster and handles better. Can a 6,200 pound body-on-frame SUV be enjoyable to drive? Yes. And if you can’t stand your neighbors and leave home early in the morning, the exhaust note is sure send the message, loud and clear. Tom Voelk drives the Escalade-V hard and goes through copious amounts of premium gasoline. As tested, in optional Argent Silver Metallic paint and Super Cruise, you’re looking at $154,765.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is Loud, Proud, Surprisingly Nimble and Unsurprisingly Thirsty

New York Times contributor and Emmy Award-winning automotive journalist Tom Voelk looks at all things cars.

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The box is a mighty efficient package and not many vehicles are as square jawed as the new 3-row 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. With it’s “box-that-it-came-in” design, it swallows up passengers and cargo with maximum efficiency. And Hyundai is gone wild with the letter H (you’ll see). Tom Voelk travels to Franklin, TN to check out a fully loaded AWD Calligraphy model with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Wait for spring and there’ll be a more fuel-efficient hybrid. In the meantime, check out competitors Kia Sorento, Mazda CX90, Toyota Highlander, and Subaru Ascent. Tom Voelk attended a Hyundai press event for this review. Opinions remain his own.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy is Three Rows of Boxy Utility

It’s no unibody crossover. The capable body-on-frame Lexus GX 550 is all-new and ready to conquer tough terrain, tow up to 9,000 pounds or deliver a family of seven to the movies. The tough looking sheetmetal rides on a new fully boxed frame architecture that's shared with Tundra, Tacoma and big brother LX. The V8 is gone. Until the hybrid powertrain arrives, all GXs get their motivation from a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 that pumps out 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic. Tom Voelk travels to Tucson, AZ to drive a GX 550 Premium + model in Nightfall Mica.

2024 Lexus GX 550 is a Luxury SUV That Works Hard

To get the family over the river and through the woods, the 3-row Lexus TX will get the job done with a premium attitude. Available in three models (350, 500h Hybrid and 550h+ PHEV), it seats up to seven. And yes, adults can sit in the wayback. Built on the same platform as Toyota Grand Highlander, the TX is assembled in Indiana. Tom Voelk checks out the entire lineup in Austin, Texas and finds there are some key differences between each powertrain.   Lexus provided transportation and lodging for this TX event. Opinions remain purely Tom’s.

All New 2024 Lexus TX Is A Premium 3-Row Family Workhorse

For heading out into the wilderness (and making sure you come back) the GMC Canyon AT4X is ready to rumble right out of the box. It starts with extra ground clearance and underbody protection, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires, upgraded front and rear e-locker differentials plus Multimatic DSSV dampers. Add nearly every technology and feature GMC offers and you get a rugged truck that never makes its owner to walk out of the woods. This does come at a cost though. Tom Voelk takes a loaded AT4X on and off road.

GMC Canyon AT4X Is A Deep And Capable Machine

“Performance Corolla” is an oxymoron up there with “jumbo shrimp”, but the GR Corolla is not part of the Marvel alternative multiverse. It’s real, and loads of fun. Starting at just $36,995 with shipping from the specialized factory in Japan, the GR is a performance bargain. 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and structural improvements all help to make it the most potent Corolla to date. And the Gazoo Racing visuals get attention… not always welcome. Tom Voelk checks out a Circuit edition that MSRPs at around $44K.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is Loud, Proud, Surprisingly Nimble and Unsurprisingly Thirsty

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