Road-Trip Ready Family Hauler

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is not the flashiest three-row SUV on the market, but it might be one of the most confidence-inspiring.

After a week behind the wheel, it’s clear that Subaru’s biggest vehicle leans into what the brand does best: all-weather grip, smart packaging and safety features that make family duty a little easier.

The Ascent’s defining trait is its sure-footedness. Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive and well-tuned chassis give it a planted, predictable feel on the road.

In corners, it hangs on better than most rivals this size, with body motions kept in check without making the ride too stiff. It feels closer to the expensive German crossovers than mainstream competitors when it comes to handling composure, which is high praise for a vehicle starting under $40,000.

Under the hood, every Ascent comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four rated at 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. On paper, that might look small compared to the V6 engines many competitors still offer, but in practice it’s plenty. The Ascent doesn’t struggle to get up to speed even when fully loaded.

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers standard all-wheel drive and a sleek, upright SUV profile with blacked-out accents on Onyx trims.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a mixed bag. It helps fuel economy, rated at 19 mpg city and 25 highway, but it also makes the Ascent feel a little more lethargic than it really is. That rubber-band sensation is less bothersome in a family SUV than it is in a sporty car, but it still dulls driver engagement.

Practicality is where the Ascent shines. Thanks to a relatively low beltline and generous glass, visibility is excellent to the front and sides. It’s easier to place in tight parking lots than many rivals, despite being nearly 197 inches long.

Standard driver-assist tech — including Subaru’s latest EyeSight system, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, and even automatic emergency steering — adds another layer of reassurance.

Inside, the Ascent makes good use of space. Second-row passengers get USB-A, USB-C, and also a household outlet, so devices stay charged on long trips.

Inside, the Ascent features generous passenger space, modern tech and available Nappa leather for an upscale feel.

There’s an available Cabin Connect intercom system that projects the driver’s voice to the third row, a small but clever feature for families with chatty kids.

The Onyx Edition Touring trim adds blacked-out styling cues, ventilated front seats, Nappa leather with green stitching, and Harman Kardon audio. It’s an upscale take on the family hauler formula, though its $53,802 as-tested price edges close to premium-brand territory.

That said, you get a long list of standard equipment that rivals often charge extra for, including a panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel and power liftgate.

Not everything is perfect. Fuel economy is only average for the class, and the CVT’s feel will turn off some buyers. While Subaru’s cabin materials are generally solid, a few surfaces don’t match the near-luxury price tag of the Onyx Touring. And though the Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds, buyers needing frequent heavy towing might still prefer a body-on-frame SUV.

Overall, the Ascent is one of the more balanced and thoughtfully executed three-row crossovers. It doesn’t try to overwhelm with size or brute force but instead focuses on being easy to drive, safe and accommodating.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Touring ($52,050). Options: All weather floor mats ($176), cargo tray ($156). Price as tested (including $1,420 destination charge): $53,802

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 113.8 in.
Length: 196.8 in.
Width: 76 in.
Height: 71.6 in.
Engine: 2.4-liter four cylinder (260 hp, 277 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 19 city, 25 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 6
Handling: 7
Ride: 7
Comfort: 7
Quality: 8
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The Ascent combines Subaru’s trademark all-wheel-drive confidence with space, safety and family-friendly tech in a practical three-row SUV.

Posted in Subaru

Italian Flair, Compact Size

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

Alfa Romeo doesn’t sell many cars in the United States, but every one of them tries to stand out. The 2025 Tonale is no exception.

This is a small crossover, a category most automakers churn out in anonymous, cookie-cutter form, yet Alfa’s version feels like it has a pulse. After a week behind the wheel, I can say it’s one of the few compact SUVs that rewards you for taking the long way home.

The defining trait of the Tonale is firmness. The seats are firm, the steering is firm, and the suspension is firm. Not punishing, but purposeful.

Where many competitors float and isolate, the Alfa engages. On winding roads, the Tonale feels buttoned-down and quick to respond, more like a hot hatch than a small SUV. That’s not an easy trick to pull off in a tall, all-wheel-drive package.

Performance is stronger than expected at this price. The 2.0-liter turbo four makes 268 horsepower and gets the Tonale moving with real urgency, especially in the midrange.

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale’s exterior design delivers sharp Italian flair in a crowded compact SUV market.

The nine-speed automatic isn’t quite as polished as the best German gearboxes, sometimes hesitating when you’re creeping in traffic or lurching on a quick downshift, but once you’re up to speed it mostly fades into the background. Fuel economy is reasonable at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Alfa also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Tonale, with usable electric-only range, but my test car was the gas model. For enthusiasts, the turbo motor feels like the right match. For commuters, the hybrid might make more sense, especially if you can plug in at home.

Inside, the Tonale doesn’t quite deliver the luxury polish its badge suggests.

The layout is driver-centric, with big round gauges and a sporty seating position, but materials are more Dodge than Alfa.

That’s not just a figure of speech. The Tonale shares its bones, drivetrain and much of its interior with the Dodge Hornet, which sells for thousands less. The Alfa does look and feel a bit sharper, and the driving feel is more communicative than in the Dodge, but it’s hard to ignore the value gap.

Inside, the cabin emphasizes a driver-focused layout, though materials feel more mainstream than premium.

Technology is mostly a bright spot. The 10.25-inch touchscreen runs a modern system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It isn’t the quickest interface on the market, but it’s straightforward to use.

Driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise and lane-keeping are included, though Alfa’s calibration still leans toward sporty driving rather than intrusive corrections.

The Tonale’s personality is its best feature. In a segment where many buyers treat their SUV as an appliance, this one feels alive.

That also means it won’t be for everyone. The ride is firmer than some shoppers will want, interior space is only average, and for nearly $40,000 as tested, it doesn’t offer the interior polish of a Volvo XC40 or the sheer brand pull of a Mercedes GLA.

But for the buyer who values design, character and a sense of connection behind the wheel, the Tonale makes a strong case. It’s proof that not every crossover has to feel the same.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale ($36,495). Options: Customer Preferred Package 23M ($1,400), additional key fob ($40). Price as tested (including $1,995 destination charge): $39,930

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 103.8 in.
Length: 178.3 in.
Width: 82 in.
Height: 63.2 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder (268 hp, 295 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
MPG: 21 city, 29 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 8
Ride: 5
Comfort: 4
Quality: 5
Overall: 6

WHY BUY IT?

The Tonale stands out in style and driving feel, not just another practical box on wheels.

Posted in Alfa Romeo

Brawny Family Hauler

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Ford Explorer has been a household name for decades, and the 2025 update reminds you why. It’s not trying to be flashy or reinvent the segment.

It’s about delivering comfort, versatility and a confident presence on the road.

From the driver’s seat, the first impression is smoothness. Even in the base-level Active trim, the cabin is impressively quiet at highway speeds, filtering out the sort of wind and road noise you’d expect in this price class.

The ride feels tuned for comfort, with suspension compliance and plush, squishy seats that encourage long-haul road trips.

Power comes from a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower, a spec that feels plenty strong in practice.

Merging and passing require just a jab of the gas pedal, and the 10-speed automatic does a good job of keeping the engine in its sweet spot. The four-cylinder also helps the Explorer return respectable fuel economy for its size, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway, solid numbers for a three-row SUV with this much muscle.

The Explorer’s styling remains broad-shouldered and brawny, giving it the stance of a traditional SUV even though it drives more like a crossover.

The 2025 Ford Explorer wears broad shoulders and a bold grille that emphasize its traditional SUV stance.

Ford’s recent refresh brings a bigger grille and new lighting signatures, along with a handsome interior centerpiece: a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. The new infotainment software feels modern, with crisp graphics and straightforward menus that are easy to learn.

Space is another Explorer strength. The second row is generous for both legroom and headroom, while the third row is better suited for kids or short trips with adults.

Where it shines most is cargo versatility. The rear holds thoughtful storage cubbies built into the side walls and an underfloor compartment for stashing smaller items. Fold the seats flat and you get a cavernous, nearly van-like load space.

Still, not everything is perfect. Interior quality lags behind some rivals, with plastics and finishes that don’t quite measure up to the Honda Pilot or Hyundai Palisade.

Handling is competent but not particularly engaging, with some body lean when cornering. Yet those shortcomings don’t diminish the Explorer’s core mission: being an approachable, family-friendly SUV that delivers a lot of capability for the money.

A large 12.3-inch touchscreen and roomy seating highlight the Explorer’s modern, family-friendly cabin.

The tested Explorer Active 4WD rang in at $48,520 with options, including premium paint, 20-inch wheels and the Active comfort package.

That’s not bargain-basement territory, but it’s competitive given its size, power and features. If you want a three-row SUV that balances traditional SUV looks with modern-day efficiency, the Explorer remains a sensible choice.

In the end, the Explorer’s appeal is its breadth. It can commute quietly, haul the family with ease, tackle weekend projects thanks to its versatile cargo hold, and still project the tough SUV image many buyers want.

For shoppers who want big-SUV presence without big-SUV thirst, the 2025 Explorer makes a strong case.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Ford Explorer Active 4WD ($41,755). Options: Premium paint ($795), 20-inch wheels ($1,295), active comfort package ($3,080). Price as tested (including $1,595 destination charge): $48,520

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 119.1 in.
Length: 198.7 in.
Width: 78.9 in.
Height: 69.6 in.
Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged four cylinder (300 hp, 310 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
MPG: 20 city, 27 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 6
Ride: 8
Comfort: 9
Quality: 7
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The 2025 Ford Explorer offers big-SUV style, everyday versatility and comfortable refinement at a competitive price.

Posted in Ford

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