Bigger Than Life

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The first thing I noticed after a week with the 2026 Toyota Sequoia was how much space it occupied in my head even when I was not driving it.

This isn’t an SUV that fades into the background of daily life. It announces itself every time you fire it up, every time you thread it through a parking lot, and every time you climb down from the driver’s seat feeling like you just captained something industrial.

More than any vehicle I’ve driven recently, this one actually earns its name. Sequoia feels massive in a way that borders on cartoonish.

It is tall, wide, heavy and unapologetically brawny. There are moments when it feels more like a domestic truck than some domestic trucks do, which shouldn’t come as a surprise for a Toyota built in San Antonio. This thing has presence, and lots of it.

On the road, the hybrid powertrain is the star of the show. Toyota’s twin-turbo V6 paired with the electric assist delivers effortless shove at any speed. Merging is a non-event, and passing requires little thought.

The 2026 Sequoia’s towering stance and squared-off styling emphasize its full-size proportions.

Towing feels like exactly what this SUV was built to do. With a rating up to 9,520 pounds, the Sequoia backs up its look with real capability. The optional power tow mirrors and load-leveling air suspension on this tester made it feel ready for serious work, not just suburban posturing.

The way the powertrain delivers that muscle is what impressed me most. It is smooth, quiet and always on call. There is no drama, just a steady wave of torque that makes the Sequoia feel surprisingly quick for something this big.

Still, the fuel economy numbers tell the truth. This is a hybrid that prioritizes power over thrift, and if you are expecting miracle mileage, you will be disappointed. I also cannot help but wonder how these turbo engines will age compared to the old naturally aspirated V8s Toyota used to build its reputation on. Time will tell, but the concern is real.

Ride quality is pure body-on-frame SUV. On smooth highways it settles down nicely, but over broken pavement it can jiggle and fidget.

The Capstone cabin blends premium materials with rugged truck-based design.

Inside, the Capstone trim makes a strong case for itself. The materials feel richer than before, and the cabin finally leans into luxury rather than just size. The big screens are easy to use, and Toyota’s safety systems fade into the background the way good ones should.

Power-folding third-row seats being standard is a welcome update for 2026, even if the packaging still limits cargo space.

That packaging remains the Sequoia’s biggest compromise. Despite its exterior bulk, the third row and cargo area are tighter than rivals. The hybrid battery raises the load floor, making it harder to haul tall items.

After a week, though, I kept coming back to how much I liked living with it.

The Sequoia feels honest about what it is. It is big, bold, powerful and slightly excessive, and it does not apologize for any of that.

If I were shopping for a full-size SUV today, this would be my pick, flaws and all. The Sequoia leans into its identity, and that confidence goes a long way.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2026 Toyota Sequoia 4WD Capstone Hybrid ($84,435). Options: Power tow mirrors ($290), load leveling air suspension ($1,045), premium paint ($475), tow tech package ($850), roof cross bars ($365), ball mount ($87), wheel locks ($105). Price as tested (including $2,095 destination charge): $89,747

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 122 in.
Length: 208.1 in.
Width: 79.6 in.
Height: 74.5 in.
Power: Twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6  (437 hp, 583 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
MPG: 19 city, 22 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 10
Price: 4
Handling: 5
Ride: 9
Comfort: 9
Quality: 9
Overall: 8

WHY BUY IT?
The latest Sequoia is for buyers who want maximum power, serious towing capability and a commanding presence without sacrificing modern tech and comfort.

Posted in Toyota

Turbocharged Maturity

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Volkswagen Tiguan already went through its big glow-up last year. The 2025 model ushered in a new generation with bolder styling, a more premium interior and a serious tech upgrade.

For 2026, VW didn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, it focused on sharpening the edges. After a week behind the wheel, that restraint feels like the right call.

This is still very much the Tiguan you recognize. It just feels more confident about what it wants to be.

The headline change for 2026 is under the hood of the SEL R-Line Turbo. Volkswagen’s more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder transforms the Tiguan’s personality.

With 268 horsepower on tap, turbo lag is essentially gone. Throttle response is immediate, and acceleration feels genuinely strong for a compact SUV.

There’s a hint of GTI DNA here, especially when you lean into it from a stop or punch it to merge onto the highway. The eight-speed automatic transmission plays along nicely, delivering quick, well-timed shifts without drama. It feels eager rather than busy, which is exactly what you want in daily driving.

It’s worth noting that this engine changes the whole equation. If you’ve driven a non-turbo Tiguan, this version will feel like a different vehicle altogether. The standard engine is fine. This one feels alive.

Volkswagen leaned into its German roots with the Tiguan’s suspension tuning, and it shows. Body motions are better controlled than before, and the Tiguan feels planted through corners. Switch into Sport mode and the steering tightens up noticeably, giving the SUV a more purposeful feel on winding roads.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan’s clean, modern design features sharp lighting and a confident stance that looks upscale without being flashy.

The Tiguan feels stable and confident, even when pushed harder than most compact SUVs ever will be.

The tradeoff is ride quality. The firmer setup helps handling but can feel a bit stiff over broken pavement.

Rivals like the Subaru Forester lean more toward softness and comfort. The Tiguan prioritizes control.

Step inside and it’s clear Volkswagen aimed higher with this generation. The Tiguan’s cabin feels modern, clean and thoughtfully designed. Materials are convincingly upscale, and everything feels solidly assembled.

The centerpiece is the massive 15-inch touchscreen, paired with a digital cockpit that puts key information front and center. The layout is logical, and once you spend a little time with it, the system is easy to live with.

Seats are comfortable for long drives, and there’s plenty of room for passengers and cargo alike.

Some climate functions live within the touchscreen, which won’t be everyone’s favorite solution. Physical controls would be quicker in certain situations. Still, this is one of the better executions of an all-digital interior in the segment.

Visually, the Tiguan has embraced a more upright, classic SUV stance. It looks closer to the electric ID.4 now, with a stronger nose, cleaner lines and a more planted presence on the road. Light bars front and rear add a modern touch, and the R-Line styling gives this version a little extra attitude without going overboard.

A redesigned cabin combines a large touchscreen, digital gauges and improved materials for a more premium feel.

It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t fade into the background either. The Tiguan looks like it belongs in a higher price bracket than many of its competitors.

One omission is impossible to ignore. There’s no hybrid option. In a segment where rivals like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid have become go-to choices for efficiency-minded buyers, the Tiguan’s absence here stands out. Fuel economy is respectable, but not remarkable, especially given the added performance of the turbo model.

Overall, the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t try to be everything. Instead, it leans into a specific identity.

This is a compact SUV for drivers who value solid road manners, upscale design and modern tech more than outright softness or maximum fuel efficiency.

With the turbo engine, the Tiguan finally feels as quick and confident as it looks. It punches above its weight in refinement and presence, and it delivers a driving experience that feels distinctly European in a class full of safe bets.

It may not be the most relaxed or the most efficient option in the segment, but for buyers who want their daily driver to feel a little more special, the Tiguan makes a compelling case.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ($42,085). Options: Premium paint ($455). Price as tested (including $1,475 destination charge): $45,015

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 109.9 in.
Length: 184.4 in.
Width: 73.0 in.
Height: 66.5 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder  (268 hp, 258 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG: 22 city, 29 highway

RATINGS

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

WHY BUY IT?

The 2026 Tiguan makes sense for buyers who want a refined, well-equipped compact SUV that feels comfortable and confident in everyday driving.

Posted in Volkswagen

Solid Scandinavian Sophistication

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The first thing that stands out about the 2026 Volvo XC60 isn’t the speed or the screen inside, but the way it feels rolling down the road.

There is a reassuring heft to it, a sense of substance that is increasingly rare in a market obsessed with shaving pounds and chasing efficiency numbers at all costs.

That solidity works in the XC60’s favor. After a week of commuting, errands and longer highway drives, it consistently felt calm and confident.

The ride, especially with the optional air suspension, leans toward comfort without becoming floaty. You notice the weight in corners, but it never feels clumsy, and the steering is predictable even if it lacks sparkle.

The T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain brings a welcome layer of punch. With 455 horsepower on tap, the XC60 is genuinely quick when you lean into it.

Electric torque fills in gaps at low speeds, making city driving smooth and nearly silent. For short trips, it is easy to treat this like an EV, then let the gas engine take over on longer drives without planning charging stops.

The Volvo XC60 wears clean, confident styling with subtle updates for 2026.

That flexibility remains one of the XC60’s biggest selling points. The plug-in hybrid version suits buyers curious about electrification but not ready to go all-in on a fully electric SUV. During the week, most local driving happened on electric power alone, which made fuel stops feel almost optional.

Inside, the cabin continues to be one of the XC60’s strongest arguments.

Volvo’s seats are still among the best in the business. They are supportive, highly adjustable and comfortable enough that long drives pass without fatigue. The optional massage function adds a touch of indulgence that feels appropriate at this price.

The interior design is airy and clean, with materials that feel premium without shouting for attention. The overall vibe is calm and Scandinavian, which will appeal to buyers who find some rivals overly busy.

The Bowers & Wilkins sound system is expensive, but it delivers crisp, powerful audio that matches the XC60’s upscale demeanor.

A bright, minimalist cabin highlights Volvo’s excellent seats and upgraded infotainment system.

For 2026, the most noticeable change is the updated infotainment system. It remains Google-based, and it works well. The interface is responsive, logical and enhanced by features like a 3D navigation view that adds visual flair without becoming distracting.

Beyond that, changes are subtle, including a revised grille, new wheel designs and additional paint choices.

That light-touch update strategy makes sense. The XC60 does not need reinvention. It is already Volvo’s most popular model and has now become the brand’s best-selling vehicle of all time, surpassing even the legendary 240 wagon. Its success comes from balance rather than boldness.

There are trade-offs. The price climbs quickly with options, and a nearly $80,000 test vehicle puts pressure on value when competitors like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 offer strong alternatives. Some drivers may also want sharper handling or flashier tech.

Still, the XC60’s appeal lies in how well-rounded it feels. It looks good without being loud, performs well without demanding attention and delivers daily comfort with a quiet confidence.

It fits easily into real life, which helps explain why it resonates with so many buyers.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2026 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Plug-In Hybrid ($70,950). Options: Climate package ($750), 21-inch wheels ($800), air suspension ($1,800), Bowers & Wilkins sound ($3,200), front seat massage ($600). Price as tested (including $1,295 destination charge): $79,395

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 112.8 in.
Length: 185.4 in.
Width: 78.7 in.
Height: 65.4 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder plus electric motors (combined 455 hp, 523 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG equivalent: 63 combined

RATINGS

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

WHY BUY IT?

The 2026 XC60 is a refined, flexible SUV that blends comfort, safety and everyday usability in a way few rivals match.

Posted in Volvo

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