Pure electric vehicles don’t work for everyone. The Ford Escape plug-in hybrid does. The concept is simple enough, charge the 14.4 kWH battery and it’s fully electric for 37 miles. After that it defaults to a regular hybrid with an EPA rated average of 40 MPG. And the Escape PHEV is a useful crossover that does the chores well. Fun to drive too. But if you want all-wheel drive with your plug-in….  maybe visit a Toyota dealership for a RAV4 Prime or get Escape’s fancy sister, the Corsair Grand Touring. Tom Voelk takes a look at a fully loaded Titanium model to find out if it really goes 37 miles on a charge and what the real fuel economy is.  And while Ford calls the 4thgeneration Escape, I see it as the 3rd gen (the “2nd generation” is a heavy mid-cycle refresh IMHO).

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid Is The Perfect Electrified SUV. For Some.

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

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The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is available with two engines. The Sport model unlocks the more powerful 2.5-liter boxer powertrain that’s found in the more expensive Limited and Wilderness versions. $2,800 more expensive than the Premium model, Sport adds kit that people want, making it the smart choice. Tom Voelk lays down his case on why this is the Crosstrek to buy.    

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is the Sweet Spot

Cadillac’s XT4 has been around since 2018 and is one of the premium brand’s most popular vehicles. For 2024 it gets new front and rear facias and a massive 33-inch screen borrowed from its all-electric sister Lyriq. It all helps elevate the entry level crossover to a more Cadillac-like vibe. And the Google-based interface is quick and responsive. It’s a big improvement. But, is it enough to draw people from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Lincoln? Tom Voelk checks out a well-equipped AWD Sport model to find out.  

2024 Cadillac XT4 Sport AWD Gets a 33-Inch Upgrade

The biggest complaint about EVs is range. Volvo adds 31 miles of it to the 2024 version of the C40 Recharge. The trick? New more efficient motors. And for the first time in 25 years, Volvo offers a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the single motor version that’s rated to travel nearly 300 miles on a charge. Tom Voelk checks out an AWD twin motor Ultimate C40 Recharge dipped in Silver Lake paint with the optional Midnight Zinc wool blend upholstery (and no, it doesn’t itch). With Seattle temperatures in the low 30’s, it’s a great range and charge test.

2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Is A Swede EV With Added Range

Families have trusted the 3-row Honda Pilot to get groceries and shuttle the kids for over 20 years. Now it can take them farther into the wilderness. The Trailsport model gets the gear to tackle tough terrain- the suspension, tires, front stabilizer bar and Trail Torque Logic rear differential are all off-road oriented. Tom Voelk checks the Trailsport out off-road and, just as importantly, on paved roads (since that’s where this rig will spend most of its time). 

Honda Pilot Trailsport Will Get Families To The Woods (And Back Again)

When loyal Subaru owners outgrow their Foresters and Outbacks, they can always move up to Ascent.  It has the 3-rows of seating families crave, and being a Subaru, it comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The Onyx Edition Limited gets standard StarTex water-resistant seats, stitching that looks stolen from a Seahawks jersey and a very good Harmon/Kardon sound system. Tom Voelk checks out an Ascent in Ice Silver Metallic and finds it’s the right size for larger families, as long as tall people stay out of the third row.

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid Is The Perfect Electrified SUV. For Some.

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