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The fully redesigned 2020 Toyota Highlander has what it takes to be one of the most family-friendly three-row crossover SUVs in its class. This fourth-generation Highlander rides atop Toyota's new global platform, promising improved agility and ride quality. It's 2.4 inches longer than before, which should increase cargo capacity and provide more third-row passenger space. Up front, the new style adopts some of the brawny character in Toyota's truck lineup, as well as the new RAV4.

Toyota will offer the 2020 Highlander in L, LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum trims. Lower trims feature cloth upholstery and a second-row bench seat. Higher trims get simulated leather and second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven passengers, but the bench is available as an option. Last year's weak four-cylinder base engine is gone. Instead, all Highlanders will come with the same 295-hp V6 from the last generation. There will also be a new Highlander Hybrid that will return 34 mpg combined. That's an increase of 6 mpg over its predecessor, but in return it loses 66 hp, for a total output of 240 hp.

2020 Toyota Highlander Price and Release Date:
We expect prices to start around $35,000 for the base Highlander and $45,000 for the top Platinum trim when it goes on sale in December. The Highlander Hybrid should cost a few thousand more and will arrive in February.

Read more about the 2020 Toyota Highlander: https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/highla...

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Dan Edmunds visits the Easter Jeep Safari, an annual off-road gathering of Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts that happens in Moab, Utah. We drop by the town and then venture out onto one of the trails in the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup to do a little exploring and see how it performs. Along the way, we check out the Jeep Gladiator Wayout and talk with a Jeep designer about the other concept vehicles the automaker brought. Dan also chats with one of the event's expert trail leaders about the Easter Jeep Safari and how the event has grown over the years.

About the 2020 Jeep Gladiator:

The new Gladiator may just be the perfect vehicle for those who want a Jeep but need a truck. It benefits from the Wrangler's well-sorted V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission combination, and it has the same impressive-to-look-at and easy-to-use interior as the newest Wrangler. And its pickup credentials are real: The Sport S can tow 7,650 pounds and has a 1,600-pound payload, but even the Rubicon can tow 7,000 pounds.

Yes, the driving experience does suffer a bit from the very Jeepy solid front axle, but a smooth-riding coil-spring rear suspension offsets that. And the Gladiator's wheelbase is indeed a bit long compared to other crew-cab pickups. That's a mixed bag because it smooths out the ride and tracks it straighter on the road, but it also reduces breakover clearance and makes it more likely to drag its belly off-road.

The Jeep Gladiator is available in four trim levels - Sport, Sport S, Overland and Rubicon - that provide increasing levels of comfort, convenience and off-road capability.

All come with a 5-foot cargo bed, a four-wheel-drive system and a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and an eight-speed automatic is optional.

The Jeep Gladiator Sport trim is equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, all-season tires, crank windows, manual door locks and mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, an eight-speaker audio system, a 5-inch central display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and voice control capability.

The Gladiator Overland model dresses up a Sport S with style and function features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, body-color wheel arches, side steps, and tinted rear side and rear windows. Additional standard features include automatic headlights, LED ambient footwell lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the 7-inch infotainment system (with additional USB ports for the rear passengers), and a 110-volt outlet in the center console.

Finally, the Rubicon trim provides the most off-road capability with a different transfer case that provides a lower crawl ratio for better climbing and crawling, fenders with increased clearance to accommodate larger 33-inch all-terrain tires, locking front and rear differentials, an electronically disconnectable front stabilizer bar, Fox shock absorbers, and body-protecting rock rails and skid plates.

Read our Jeep Gladiator review: https://www.edmunds.com/jeep/gladiato...

More Jeep Gladiator Videos:
Watch our 2020 Jeep Gladiator Off-Road Truck Comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YShvf...
Watch our Jeep Wrangler vs. 2020 Jeep Gladiator Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtOTM...

About the Easter Jeep Safari:

The Easter Jeep Safari started in 1967 as a single-day trail run hosted by local Jeep enthusiasts eager to share the amazing old mining trails and incredible slickrock vistas that surround the town. The idea proved to be extremely popular, and it expanded to the point that it now spans a full nine days, each of which includes several guided trail runs to choose from.

But today's Easter Jeep Safari is more than a collection of trail runs. It's now a bucket-list item for Jeep owners and enthusiasts, drawing in adventurous off-roaders from all over the globe. For this reason, Jeep designers and engineers routinely participate so they can gather suggestions from dedicated fans and share future concept vehicles to see if they strike the right chord and make sense to produce.

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons, and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

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Archival photos courtesy of The Times Independent

The 2019 Kia Sorento has had a mild redesign, gets a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and comes with now-standard third-row seating. Edmunds special correspondent Elana Scherr loaded up the Sorento with gear and friends to find out how useful that third row is and where the Sorento lands on the three-row SUV shopping scale.

Q: What engine is in the 2019 Kia Sorento?
A: The L and the LX come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 178 pound-feet of torque) and a six-speed automatic. A 3.3-liter V6 (290 hp, 252 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic is optional on the LX and standard on the EX, SX and SX Limited. All but the L can be equipped with all-wheel drive.

Q: Can you get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in the 2019 Kia Sorento?
A: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims. The technology in the Kia Sorento is one of its strengths. The SX Limited trim offers nearly every modern driving aid available, and everything is easy to figure out and worked well.

Q: How much cargo space is in the 2019 Kia Sorento?
A: The 2019 Kia Sorento offers plenty of storage space for personal items, with a specific pocket for wireless phone charging. There is only 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which is the trade-off for the smaller exterior size, but with that row down, the Sorento offers 38 cubic feet. The power tailgate is a plus.

Read our review of the 2019 Kis Sorento here:
https://www.edmunds.com/kia/sorento/

Edmunds – we help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com/.

It's time to revisit our compact-SUV comparison test to see if changes to the 2019 Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 mean they can unseat our current champion, the Honda CR-V. Last year, the Honda CR-V took the crown, but the Toyota RAV4 has been totally redesigned, and the Mazda CX-5 has a new engine and a new luxurious top trim level. We test all three crossovers at the track, drive them in the suburbs, load them full of cargo, and figure out what all the buttons do so that we can pick a winner. Which small SUV is the best? Watch our triple test to find out.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Review

Sharp style and sporting performance remain hallmarks of the 2019 Mazda CX-5, a small crossover SUV designed for those who enjoy a spirited drive. Excellent handling and a high-quality interior also help make it one of our top picks for a small SUV.

For 2019, the CX-5 is available in two new trim levels, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. Both offer a broader list of premium features and conveniences this year and come with a new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine, which is lifted from the three-row CX-9, generates up to 250 horsepower and a stout 310 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, these upgrades don't fix the CX-5's weakness: limited cabin and cargo space compared to rivals.

Overall, however, the CX-5 is a standout. It provides an excellent balance of sportiness, comfort and practicality, and its upscale interior conveys a sense of richness that you don't find in rivals. It's a smart choice.

Read more about the 2019 Mazda CX-5:
https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx-5/2019/

Watch our Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Review video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTi68...

The Mazda CX-5 was picked as one of Edmunds' Best Family SUVs:
https://www.edmunds.com/suv/articles/...


2019 Honda CR-V Review

The 2019 CR-V checks virtually every box on car shoppers' lists in the compact SUV segment. It makes family life easier with a cavernous cargo area, abundant backseat room, easily accessed car seat anchors, and more clever storage solutions than an Ikea. It will also keep you safe. Crash test ratings are flawless, and accident avoidance technologies are standard on all but the base trim. The comfortable ride and efficient and responsive engine wrap up the excellent value proposition.

Quite simply, the CR-V makes a ton of sense. If anything, its greatest flaw might be that it makes too much sense. Some rivals offer more memorable styling and personality, such as the Mazda CX-5 and the new Toyota RAV4. Technophiles may also find Honda's touchscreen to be frustratingly behind the times. Yet those are minor quibbles. In general, joining the CR-V-owning masses would be a pretty good idea.

Read more about the 2019 Honda CR-V:
https://www.edmunds.com/honda/cr-v/2019/

The Honda CR-V got the Edmunds Editors' Choice for the Best SUV for 2019:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaiW7...


2019 Toyota RAV4 Review

Redesigned for 2019, the Toyota RAV4 receives a variety of updates, including a stylish new look, a new engine, and added safety and technology features. No doubt they will contribute to the RAV4's status as the best-selling small crossover SUV on the market. But is it the ideal pick for you?

The 2019 RAV4 gets a 2.5-liter engine that produces 203 horsepower, which is 27 hp more than last year's model. And it's not just more powerful, it's more efficient, returning an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (26 city/35 highway). And if you want the ultimate in efficiency, the RAV4 Hybrid returns 40 mpg combined.

The new RAV4 keeps the strengths of the old model ― including an easy-to-use interior, big back seat, comfortable freeway ride ― and adds more off-road capability along with standard tech and safety features. It also gets an added helping of personality.

Even with the new engine, acceleration lags behind competitors. And while the updated infotainment interface is a significant improvement compared to last year, it can be difficult to learn and use. If these are deal-breakers for you, take a look at the impressively well-rounded Honda CR-V or the stylish Mazda CX-5.

Read more about the 2019 Toyota RAV4:
https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4/2...

Watch us drive the 2019 Toyota RAV4 through 48 states in a week:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUx8...

Watch our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Review video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPdJ...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons, and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

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Tesla sent an over-the-air update that claimed to improve the performance of Model 3s by approximately 5%. What does that mean? Carlos Lago took our long-term 2017 Tesla Model 3 to the Edmunds test track to find out. After testing, we discovered that this update improved the 0-60 mph acceleration by 0.3 second. That's impressive, especially considering this performance arrived without additional cost or a visit to a service department.

About the 2019 Tesla Model 3:

The Model 3 makes excellent use of its dimensions and feels roomier than many of its competitors. Its trunk is also massive, and the lack of an engine means there's a front trunk as well. Rounding out its strengths are tight steering, poised handling and instant acceleration that make it a thrill to drive. You also get Tesla's suite of advanced driving aids, which is one of the best in the business, especially at this price point.

Read more about the 2019 Tesla Model 3: https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3/

Read our long-term test report of our 2017 Tesla Model 3: https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons and shopping advice.
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds – we help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com/.

Halfway through its current life cycle, the Lexus RX is getting a mild refresh in the form of some styling, tech and equipment updates. The 2020 Lexus RX acquires new headlights, a new front and rear fascia, and the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. The standard RX 350 model all the way up to the Lexus RX 450h hybrid and its three-row variant, the RX 450hL, also receive suspension and chassis updates to improve ride quality and steering responsiveness. The optional 12.3-inch infotainment screen has also been moved closer to the driver and given touchscreen capability, a change that should make the system much easier to use.

About the 2020 Lexus RX 350:

Under the hood, the 2020 Lexus RX 350 keeps the same 3.5-liter V6, but the outside is updated with a sleeker front fascia, new headlights and a new grille. Whether you go with the base RX 350 or the sporty F Sport model, these changes apply across the range. The F Sport is available with two option packages, one that adds a sporty look and the other has sporty equipment such as a cold air intake, active sound control and performance suspension dampers.

Read more about the 2020 Lexus RX 350: https://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx-350/...

About the 2020 Lexus RX 350L:

The 2020 Lexus RX 350L is a three-row version of the midsize RX 350 SUV, and it receives the same updates as the standard model: new looks, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and updated standard safety equipment such as pedestrian and cyclist detection. The standard two-row model and the three-row L model both ride on the same 109.8-inch wheelbase, but the RX 350L is 4.5 inches longer from bumper to bumper, allowing for the addition of a limited-space third row.

Read more about the 2020 Lexus RX 350L: https://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx-350l...

About the 2020 Lexus RX 450h:

The 2020 Lexus RX 450h is the hybrid variant of the RX SUV. Powering the RX 450h is a 3.5-liter V6 paired with two electric motors. The hybrid is significantly more efficient than the standard model, but there is a price increase associated with it. On the outside, the hybrid gets the same changes for 2020, including a new front and rear fascia, new headlights and new standard wheels. Interior updates are the same in the hybrid as the standard model with the addition of smartphone compatibility via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the available 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Read more about the 2020 Lexus RX 450h: https://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx-450h...

About the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL:

Much like the RX 350L, the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL is the three-row version of the RX 450h hybrid, which means it gets the same 3.5-liter V6 paired with two electric motors as well as the addition of a third row of seating. Unfortunately, there isn't much space back there, but it should work for smaller children on a limited basis. Outside, the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL gets the same updates as the rest of the RX lineup: new looks, smartphone compatibility for Apple and Android devices, and added standard safety features such as Road Sign Assist and lane keeping assist.

Read more about the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL: https://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx-450h...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons, and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds will help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing, and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com.