2013 Lexus LS460 4-DR Sedan

Lexus loaned me one of the most luxurious vehicles I have ever driven. Starfire Pearl exterior, upgraded semianiline leather trim interior and Alcantara headliner was complemented by the genuine wood/aluminum interior trim and Hollow Chamber 18” aluminum alloy wheels with liquid graphite finish. The Lexus style was prevalent from the signature front grill, LED headlamps with intelligent high-beams and washers, heated leather and wood steering wheel, climate comfort front seats, power rear sunshade, one touch open/close power tilt and slide moonroof, heated outboard rear seats and the style continued right through to the one touch open/close power trunk at the rear of the vehicle.

2013 Infiniti M35 Hybrid

This week’s test drive featured a Moonlight White exterior and Stone color interior with genuine silver powder accents enhancing the Japanese White Ash wood trim and suede-like headliner enabled an outstanding driving experience.

2013 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X A/T

“Tough Gear That Helps You Attack Life” is the tag line Nissan has associated with the 2013 Xterra Pro-4X. The gear basket within the air dam is located at the front of the roof rack with rails and crossbars for securely attaching a variety of camping or traveling gear is a great way to describe the Xterra’s tough gear that helps you attack life. Rear side bumper steps, splash guards, roof mounted off-road headlights and the black/sandblast aluminum front fascia are all features that give the Xterra a ready, willing and able appearance to conquer off-road challenges and wilderness adventures.

2014 Scion tC

What does the Kia Forte Koup, Honda Civic Coupe, Ford Mustang Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro Coupe and Scion tC all have in common? To be perfectly honest, I’m a little surprised that each of these cars are all in the same class of vehicles. The starting price range for this class is anywhere from $15,700 to $24,200. The base trim models of these affordable vehicles range from 140 horsepower to over 300 horsepower with the Mustang and Camaro V6 trims having the most power. The Mustang and Camaro also come with a V8 option and they both push over 420 horsepower, which puts these two cars into another vehicle class altogether.

2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Traveling with a family of six inside a seven-passenger vehicle with Stow ‘n Go is a genuine benefit of the Dodge Grand Caravan. Like a lot of families, summer is a great time to travel to a variety of destinations while the kids are free from school. One destination of choice was spending time with grandparents. My wife and kids were picked up and swept away from Logan by Grandpa and Grandma for an extended stay in Eastern Utah. While they were in the Basin area, they enjoyed their stay at nearby reservoirs, parks and recreational facilities. To save some drive time on the return trip, we decided to meet halfway to exchange family members and luggage. This is when I realized the literal meaning of “Stow ‘n Go”, thanks to the Dodge Caravan.

2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD

Just to cover a few frequently asked questions; Yes, the spare tire has been moved from the outside of the vehicle to the rear cargo area of the fourth generation RAV4- and no, a personal Genie did not come with this week’s all wheel drive SUV which Toyota loaned to me.

2013 Lexus ES 300h

With options like perforated semianiline piano black leather trim interior, heated and ventilated 10 way NuLuxe front seats, power rear and manual door sunshades, bamboo wood trim interior throughout, a leather trimmed shift knob, and a heated wood with leather trim electronic tilt/telescoping steering wheel and ambient lighting, a driver could forget that the ES 300 hybrid gets about 40 city miles per gallon.

2013 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 Dually

The phrase “Rollin’ Coal” is often used amongst diesel truck owners and enthusiasts alike. As I have owned a diesel-powered truck in the past, it was a great experience to test drive the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine. The dual rear tires and Longhorn trim topped off the heavy hauling experience with great stability, control and style.

2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line

This week’s test drive in an iron-gray, metallic CC R-Line with a black V-Tex leatherette interior and 18” alloy wheels took me from Northern Utah through the great state of Wyoming, all on the two-lane Highways of 89, 30, 189, 191 and 352 ended up in Cora, Wyoming at New Fork Lakes. On the way back, a road closure due to an accident extended the return trip through Idaho on Highways 30, 36- then finally the home stretch on Highway 91 back to the Logan area.

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo

Speed, control and design are all included in the turbocharged Juke NISMO that Nissan recently loaned to me. The Sapphire black with a hint of blue exterior paint is enhanced with signature red accent stripes on the outside and in the vehicle’s interior. The red mirror covers compliment the dome shaped turn signals that are slightly raised above the hood for an aerodynamic look.

2013 Nissan Rogue SV AWD

“Let’s go get a Coke.” A loaded phrase that often doesn't really have the result of actually procuring said Coke. In my case, the same phrase often leads to a fun-filled evening with friends test driving new cars across the Utah/ Idaho border into Franklin or Preston from Logan for some dinner, snacks, or maybe even a little scratch off excitement.

2013 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience

Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) made the 2013 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience (RMDE) a great success and an amazing experience for me and my guest.

I would like to thank Automotive Media Solutions (AMS) for allowing me to be a part of their media fleet program and all of the automaker representatives I had the great opportunity to meet and network with including Chrysler, Nissan, Audi, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, Fiat, Ford, and Chevrolet, just to name a few.

Check out a few of the cars I was able to drive on the track at High Plains Raceway in Deer Trail, Colorado.
2013 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience

2013 Lexus RX 350 F Sport | 2013 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4x4

I had the opportunity to attend this year’s Rocky Mountain Driving Experience, or RMDE, which was put on by Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) in Denver, Colorado. RMDE is a two day event that brings together automotive journalists and auto manufactures to test drive some of the newest vehicles on the market, as well as opportunities to network. I was able to connect with representatives from Nissan, Audi, Ford, Kia, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Mercedes and several other manufactures, as well as getting the chance drive cars they brought to the event on freeways, canyon roads and even a racetrack.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI

Seat time is important when investigating the driving benefits of any vehicle. Thanks to Volkswagen, I was able to get an abundant amount of seat time in a Denim Blue, Turbo Diesel Beetle as I drove from Northern Utah to the Boise Idaho area.

2013 Infiniti FX37 AWD

The look and design of Infiniti’s FX models have been compared to a “Bionic Cheetah” with the profile of a “giant scarab”. When the FX was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, it was described to have “shark-like sculpted headlights, a large trapezoidal grille filled with horizontal dark-chrome waves, and completely functional side air vents.” With this, I agree.

2013 Dodge Dart Limited

This week’s driving experience has come with the smell of new leather. The new Dart, which was loaned to me by Dodge, was introduced last summer. I could still smell the freshness- starting with the Diesel Gray and Ceramic White limited leather seating. Dodge has inserted a little luxury into their sporty-looking four door sedan.

2013 Lexus GX460 Premium

If rock crawling in a full size luxury SUV ever makes it on my bucket list, I can now check it off.

The GX460 comes with all of the luxury and comfort Lexus is known for and is built to go off-road as well. And I’m not talking about traveling on a few graded dirt roads through the countryside; I’m talking about being able to tackle some of the most extreme off-road mountainous or rocky terrain available. I was impressed with the variable speed 4-low crawl settings, adjustable shock absorbers and locking differentials. Options justifying a productive, four-wheeling Moab experience. These user-friendly off-road settings are conveniently located on the center console.

2013 Lexus GS450h

Dress for success. It’s my belief that if you want to be successful, you need to look successful and dress the part. Lexus has mastered this concept as it pertains to a successful looking car with the sleek and sporty exterior design packed with comfort, safety and luxury throughout the interior of the GS450h. Sitting in the Lexus luxury package with flaxen leather seats and matte bamboo trim while being wrapped in obsidian black as the exterior paint color is Lexus’ way of dressing for success, in my opinion.

2013 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 AWD Crew Cab

We live in a beautiful part of the West at the top of Utah that is often referred to as “Truck Country.” The rugged and mountainous terrain with the ever changing spring weather made for an interesting and adventurous test drive in this luxurious workhorse of a truck, the GMC Sierra Denali.

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Sedan

Living in a small community at the top of Utah offers many benefits including natural mountainous beauty, low crime rates and relatively short commutes. My four mile daily commute averages about 7 minutes. Comparing to larger metro areas where commutes within the same distance can take 3-4 times longer, I know my commute is a dream for big city life commuters.

2013 Lexus RX 350

Oh, the joy of finding hidden treasures. Have you every reached into a pocket of a coat or jacket that has been stored during the winter months and was surprised to pull out some money that was left behind from the previous winter season? Well, while test driving this week’s luxurious ride, I found many hidden, or not so obvious treasures inside the Lexus RX 350.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

Jeep is one vehicle that has kept an overall consistent and specific look throughout the decades of improvements and new technology. The three piece body match hard top is a convenient and great looking option to consider when shopping for a new 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I noticed a very tight seal around the four doors and hard top which eliminated any road or wind noise that can be apparent with other convertibles or vehicles with removable tops. It is a very quiet ride, even at highway speeds.

2013 Lexus RX450h

I have died and gone to luxury, specialty component and comfort heaven.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo LTZ

Anyone can list features of a nice car, but understanding the benefits can be the difference between buying a car and not bothering to share the test drive experience with friends.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

The Volkswagen Beetle’s slogan is “Practical Fun for Four.” According to dictionary.com, the definition of fun is: “Enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.” Driving the new 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, during the first few days that Northern Utah has been above 70 degrees this year, was definitely a fun driving experience by all definitions.

2013 Audi S5 Coupe Quattro S tronic

Audi has stated that the S5 Coupe has the same pace, yet more grace, with its renewed look for 2013, added technology, and a supercharged V6.

2013 Lexus ES350

The exterior of this classy 4-door sedan is painted Silver Lining Met, to enhance the tinted all glass panorama roof complete with a one-touch open/close, power tilt and slide moonroof above the driver and passenger. A second lookout position is located above the rear passenger section of the car. The sleek lines and curves start with the sporty grill which encases the High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, wrapping around the 17” split 10-spoke wheels with a Liquid Graphic finish and end up on all four Smart Access door handles.