Drew Dowdell

I was unaware of that recall, but the one I recommend was a 2022 and has a newer battery design

Win for Genesis, then? At least for now until they follow suit.

I guess you and your wife have a standing date night on the same day each year? You are sooooo on track for a minivan. Keep the MKC and eventually pick up a Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid. That way, you can still have the MKC as a daily and then the mini-van for dad duty. Plus when you take the seats out, they have so much room. The Pacifica is also easily the most comfortable riding of all of the mini-vans. The Honda is the sportiest, the Kia is the most available luxury, the Toyota is somewhere in the middle. And you can get a 2022 Pacifica Hybrid Touring-L with adaptive cruise and rear entertainment for like $25k Two options: 1. Save up your order until its big enough to make sense for Lowes to deliver it, and they deliver for like $50, no size limit, often times next day. 2. How close is your local U-Haul? I've got two very close to me and I can go get a trailer for 4-hours for like $20. I'm sure either the MKC or Rover can tow it. Set up an online account for U-haul and the process can be super quick. In either case, the final cost will be lower than $100 weekly fillups from running around in a 150/1500 size truck. They have one of the best owner retention rates of any truck, still today. People keep them forever and then go out and buy another used one. But the newest ones are 11 years old now and there were only 17k of them built in the final year, so your chances of finding a decent one are dwindling by the day. I'm speaking from the heart here when I say this. I absolutely LOVE my Avalanche, but there are times when I really wish for something smaller. I'm seriously thinking of going with an R1T instead of the EValanche for myself when the time comes. I know you are doing construction, but it's just not worth the gasoline costs and hassle of wheeling around such a big vehicle day to day. If I had the space for a fourth (6th?) vehicle, I could see myself getting a final-gen Volt or ELR to run around in most days.

I just noticed something about the Aviator. That armrest flips up to a storage container underneath, a Lincoln-specific feature that dates back to the 80s Lincolns, Continental specifically. I loved that extra bit of storage in my Continental. It was a tidy and easy to reach place for me to store fuel and turnpike receipts to turn in for reimbursement without stuffing them in the glovebox or wallet. The car didn't have a center console, but even then, mine in the Avalanche can get messy with receipts.

Eh, $23k before tax for 36 months with the truck isn't a screaming deal. Plus, that's not even the long-range one he wants. So, if you want a truck, why look at the Aviator? (Genuine question, trying to sus out the desire here) What are the desired traits?

Hmm, I'm wrong then. That sounds like a significant reengineer. I really liked the current generation Aviator in Grand Touring trim. It's heavy because it's an AWD PHEV, but mountains of torque and it just wafts over road imperfections like they aren't even there. you can take railroad crossings at speed and not spill your latte

I'm not that picky. I'd go as new as 2017. After that, they get too sporty and not cushy enough for me. I just know I'd want either bronze/tan and look like a doctor, or black on black and look like a gangsta. The only thing is that I think they have the same suspension setup as their contemporary Explorer. I don't know if they're sprung any differently. The Explorer of those years wasn't a terrific riding vehicle.

Even if you find one that maybe has too many miles but is still in decent shape, you can go drive that to see if the layout and powertrain is to your liking enough to pursue it further.

I'm feeling the same way about the second. third, or fourth gen Lexus LS lately. There's so much noise in the world, and I just want to shut it all out. I don't want excitement, I want peace.

I don't think they're making a Meridian Hybrid just yet. They do have really nice interiors for not being a premium brand.

You know what? I can see it.... You could probably upgrade the stereo to a modern CarPlay unit pretty easily too.

Cadillac today unveiled the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade V. This visual refresh brings the look of the Escalade in line with the forthcoming Cadillac Escalade IQ EV. The driver of this styling change is the move from horizontally oriented front-end lighting style to a verticle one. The verticle lighting style is a historic signature look that reemerged on the Cadillac Lyriq and the refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5. Included in the front end detail and inspired by the Cadillac Celestiq, the Cadillac crest is illuminated on all Escalade models, while V-Series and Premium Luxury Platinum trims receive an illuminated grill surround. Power open and close doors are available along with new available 24-inch wheels, the largest ever offered on an Escalade. Three new exterior colors are on offer: Deep Sea Metallic a dark blue with a hint of gold, Latte Metallic a light bronze , and Agean Stone, a green-gray. Also imported from the Escalade IQ is much of the interior styling. A curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch screen graces the dashboard, featuring voice control, navigation, a built-in app store, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. SuperCruise is standard on all trims and comes with a 3-year OnStar SuperCruise plan. With the built-in 5G wireless hotspot, passengers can stream HD entertainment to the available 12.6-inch personal screens when opting for the Executive Second Row package that also include massaging seats, dual wireless phone charging pads, headrest speakers, stowable trays, and a rear command center. Audiophiles will enjoy the standard AKG Studio 19-speaker audio system or the optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system that increases to 40-speakers with the Executive Second Row option. Nightvision, a feature pioneered by Cadillac 24 years ago is available on all trims and standard on V-Series and Platinum. Most of the upper trims also come standard with a full-color heads-up display. Performance The 420 horsepower / 460 lb-ft 6.2-liter V8 and the 682 horsepower / 653 lb-ft Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 carry over for Escalade and Escalade V, respectively. Both engines route power through a 10-speed automatic to either the rear or all four wheels. Adaptive Air Ride Suspension is standard, while Premium Luxury, Sport, and higher trims come with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0. The diesel inline 6-cylinder has been dropped from the lineup. The 2025 Escalade will start production later this year at GM's Arlington Assembly Plant in Texas. View full article