SUVs & Minivans

Aaron Gold loves to drive, and I'm convinced that he loves SUVs and crossovers. Aaron is About.com's Guide to Cars, but whenever he's got a longer trip, he chooses an SUV.

Recently, Aaron spent some time traveling on the East Coast, from his hometown of Rochester down to New York City. Luckily for us, he took a Nissan Juke, and returned with this 2013 Nissan Juke Test Drive and Review.

Photo © Aaron Gold

If you have sharp eyes, you've probably noticed that the photo accompanying this blog entry features the rear end of the new Toyota RAV4 that I reviewed this week.

And you probably notice what's missing: the external spare tire holder. And there's something else missing, too -- the side hinges for the door. That's because the RAV4's door finally opens like a liftgate, hinged at the top instead of the side.

There are other discoveries to be made when you explore this 2013 Toyota RAV4 Photo Gallery. Happy hunting!

Photo © Jason Fogelson

Whenever we talk about the best compact SUVs, the discussion eventually narrows to two significant vehicles: the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. CR-V has taken the lead in sales, especially since its makeover for 2012. So, I was very eager to get my hands on the wheel of the all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4.

Toyota made some big changes in RAV4, but still remained very faithful to the heart of the vehicle and the segment. Did they make big enough leaps to overtake the CR-V?

Read my 2013 Toyota RAV4 Test Drive and Review to find out.

Photo © Jason Fogelson

I don't often plow through a manufacturer's entire SUV lineup in a row like I just did with Acura. Granted, it's only three vehicles, but it was enough to draw some conclusions about where Acura has been, and where it's going.

Acura has always been known for its willingness to package a whole lot of technology together in a vehicle, and that hasn't changed. Navigation, entertainment and safety all occupy prominent positions in the Acura arsenal. As the brand has evolved, it feels to me like the technology has become more integral to the vehicles, part of their character and function rather than acting as showpieces. Everything from Bluetooth audio streaming to all-wheel drive and blind spot monitoring fit seamlessly into the Acura experience, and that experience gets better all the time.

I just drove and reviewed the 2013 Acura MDX, and next month I'll be heading up to Portland, Oregon to drive the new MDX. I can't wait to see what's next for Acura.

Photo © Acura

I love taking pictures of cars and SUVS. It started out as a hobby, and now I'm a professional. But I still get an awful lot of pleasure out of finding the right angles, catching the right light, and placing a car in the right environment for a great photo.

The Acura ZDX is a great SUV to photograph. It looks great from every angle, but even better, it looks different from every angle. There are times when I think it looks menacing and aggressive; other times when it looks small and nimble. The interior is also a delight to shoot, with its variety of shapes, textures and finishes.

I really like the way the ZDX looks, and I'm proud of this 2013 Acura ZDX Photo Gallery. What do you think? Click on "comments" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © Jason Fogelson

Tastes change. Opinions shift. For most people, these shifts and changes are subtle, and pass almost unnoticed, casual curiosities. When you're a reviewer, though, your tastes and opinions are on display every day. And in this age of the Internet, those opinions are accessible virtually forever.

So, when I re-review a vehicle, I'm always a little wary. Has my taste changed? Do I still have the same opinion? Most of the time, I'm surprised at my own consistency and the continuity of my opinions. Sometimes, I shock myself at how much I change.

This week, I have just posted my 2013 Acura ZDX Test Drive and Review. In short, I loved this SUV. But I didn't remember loving it when I first drove it in 2010, when I wrote this 2010 Acura ZDX Test Drive and Review. But when I went back and re-read my review before writing my re-review, I realized that my tastes really haven't changed all that much, and that I can feel confident about my opinion.

What do you think? Click on "comment" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © Jason Fogelson

For some reason, when I think about luxury SUVs and crossover vehicles, Acura is never one of the brands that pops into my mind first. I'm not sure why that is. I'm part of the consumer culture, though, so I'll blame it on advertising and marketing -- Acura is just not grabbing my frontal cortex the way some other brands are latching on.

I'm making a conscious effort to put Acura at the front of my mind for a few weeks, as I'm driving all three of their luxury crossover vehicles, in preparation for a new version of the flagship MDX, which I'll be reviewing next month.

First up, here's my 2013 Acura RDX Test Drive and Review for your perusal. RDX has undergone a complete makeover for 2013, and it has driven itself right into my brain.

What's your opinion of Acura? Click on "comments" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © Jason Fogelson

Sometimes I have to just admit bias. I love luxury vehicles, and I love big SUVs. So when the two worlds collide, I have to struggle to remain objective. I get intoxicated by rich leather and real wood trim, and the air is a little thinner in the operator's perch of a tall cabin. I get giddy, and I drive around dreaming of around the world tours in my luxury sport utility vehicle.

Lately, though, I've found myself jolted back to Earth while driving big luxury yachts around my hometown of Los Angeles. I used to feel like I was swimming in a pack of like-minded vehicles, but now when I look around, I'm seeing the tops of the vehicles around me more than I'm looking across at other luxo pilots.

Still, I can't help but get a little light headed when I think about the Lexus GX. Please read my 2013 Lexus GX 460 Test Drive and Review, and then click on "comments" and let me know what you think.

Photo © Jason Fogelson

Every time I review a full-size SUV, I worry that I'm driving it for the last time. Let's face it -- full-size SUVs are the dinosaurs of the automotive world. They're too big, too thirsty and too conspicuous to survive the climate change. Their primary diet, cheap gas, has disappeared, and smaller, more nimble predators nip at their heels.

So, I relished my week behind the wheel of the Lexus LX. It's big, it's powerful, it's inefficient. Despite these attributes, Lexus put some money behind the LX this year, and gave it a facelift. The formerly benign, brontosaurus-like LX came out with a T-Rex sneer and a sharper attitude. But will these changes be enough to stave off extinction?

Read my 2013 Lexus LX 570 Test Drive and Review, then click on "comments" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © Lexus

I've got nothing against "cute," as long as it doesn't get in the way of "capable," especially when it comes to SUVs.

Take a look at this 2013 MINI Paceman Photo Gallery that Aaron Gold, About.com's Guide to Cars brought back from Puerto Rico. There's no denying that the new Paceman is cute -- but with seats that don't quite fold flat, is it capable?

Read Aaron's 2013 MINI Paceman Test Drive and Review, then click on "comments" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © Aaron Gold