James Raia

Articles by James Raia

#280, Pivotal Debuts Helix Personal Flying Vehicle

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:17 — 69.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreKen Karklin, the CEO of Pivotal, has had a several-decade career in engineering, aircraft and robotics. He knows technology as license holder of multiple patents. His latest passion is the Helix. Highlighted at the recent Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, the Helix is the only personal flying vehicle in production in the United States. Public sales began January 8. Karklin is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Karklin the new vehicle and his experiences flying the Helix. We examine the practical uses of the aircraft, the regulations of the ultralight

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Little Lexus leads value hybrid SUV luxury corps

The 2024 Lexus UX 250h continues the now six-year run for the uniquely positioned vehicle. It’s arguably the country’s best-valued, most fuel-efficient luxury subcompact sport utility vehicle. It’s a long title and worthy of it. The least inexpensive Lexus starts at $35,340. The Premium and F Sport Design trims both start at $37,800. The top F Sport Handling model begins at $42,770. All-wheel-drive is a $1,400 option on every trim. The top-line choice costs about the same as the average price of a new vehicle in the United States, which makes the little-but-not-so-little SUV additionally attractive. When it debuted, the UX (Urban eXplorer) lineup was offered in gas and hybrid options. The former was discarded in 2023, leaving four hybrid

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2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: built, billed right

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is marketed as an inexpensive small sport utility vehicle with superior fuel economy. It’s an enticing description for a family needing solid transportation, reliability, efficiency and strong brand resale value. New with last year’s model, the hybrid joins the Corolla family. Its pedigree stands alone as the best-selling car in history. The Cross debuted in 2022, with the new hybrid, of course, substantially boosting gas mileage. In its debut model year, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is available in S, SE and XSE trims. All versions are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a hybrid system for a combined 196 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. As

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Little 2024 Mazda CX-30 SUV drives big, looks sporty

There’s plenty to like about small, simple and efficient cars with personalities and driving traits ideal for city dwellers. The 2024 Mazda CX-30 qualifies. It’s a compact sport utility vehicle with a big presence. Most of the eight trims are powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus is only available with a turbo engine. It includes much of the other trims’ equipment but adds plenty. It has a turbocharged, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 227 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Value is a top attraction, regardless of trim. The SUV‘s standard features include: Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the

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#279, Ben Welch and his Million-Mile Suburban

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:23 — 67.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBen Welch blames himself for driving his 1994 Chevy Suburban when he shouldn’t have. He knew his van well except for one momentary lapse when the engine warnings were more serious than he thought. It was a long time ago and the vehicle has fared well regardless — it surpassed one million miles on the odometer without any engine overhauls. Welch, a Vietnam veteran who has lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, since 1962, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Welch about his 30-year ownership of his Suburban and his vast experiences driving the

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#278, Lucid Air takes best of 2023 honors

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:31 — 72.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More As co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Bruce Aldrich and I have for the past several years picked the top cars of the year at the end of the calendar year. This year, as we do most often, Bruce and I interview a guest on the podcast and then drive the week’s review vehicle to lunch. We often extend the day to further drive the vehicle, take images and share our opinions. Bruce has certain interests and knows the mechanics of cars and trucks far better than I do. I write reviews of vehicles for several publications, including TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004. I usually

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Tesla Cybertruck debuts: Elon Musk’s alter ego?

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, doesn’t do subtle. He makes spaceships that explode and underground vehicle transportation tunnels to nowhere. For the past 16 years, his company has also manufactured the only electric cars to infiltrate the internal combustion engine automotive industry successfully. After several marketing promises gone awry, Musk has also introduced the Cybertruck, the massive utilitarian pickup he unveiled as a concept four years ago. It’s a futuristic contraption of extremes in design, construction and relevance. It’s the first stainless steel vehicle since the DeLorean featured in the 1985 movie “Back to the Future.” Tesla enthusiasts have praised the Cybertruck as revolutionary. Detractors claim it’s reminiscent of poorly made metal origami wedges. With public sightings infrequent and

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2023 Genesis G90: Large luxury sedan class

The automotive industry is fixated on gas mileage averages, emission efficiency and alternative fuels that may one day make internal combustion engines the outliers. It’s all fine. Until then, here’s to the open road and full-size luxury sedans represented well by the six-year-old Genesis G90. Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are the aging stalwarts with loyalist buyers. Genesis is a confident newcomer, comfortable for its occupants and confident transporting them. It’s the young automotive endurance athlete, respectful of its European elders but perfectly capable of leading the pack if the opportunity arises. Offered as the 3.5T and 3.5T E-Supercharger, the 2023 Genesis in both trims is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The base trim V6

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#277, New author on Tales from the Garage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:01 — 75.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreLike many automotive enthusiasts, when Rodney Kemerer talks about cars his enthusiasm abounds. A lifelong enthusiast, Kemerer is the author of Tales From The Garage. As described in its Amazon profile, the “heartfelt book — the half memoir, have the memories of others — is truly a pop culture snapshot of modern society through the lens of the automobile.” Kemerer is our guest this week on Episode #277 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Kemerer, a veteran journalist, about his first book and the surprising reactions he’s received from readers. “Kemerer understands that car stories can be

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2024 Kia Telluride moving through the SUV pack

The Kia Telluride, a three-row sport utility vehicle, was introduced in early 2019 as a 2020 model. It quickly found success in the midsize segment and has maintained its popularity while infiltrating the sales of long-tenured competitors. The Telluride followed the Ford Explorer (1990 debut), Toyota Highlander (2000), Subaru Outback (1994), Hyundai Santa Fe (2000) and Ford Bronco (1965–1996, 2021–present) in sales in 2022. Selected as 2020 World Car of the Year by more than 100 automotive journalists in 30 countries, the Telluride continues the South Korean manufacturer’s new status. Its reputation for making shoddy vehicles is long gone. With its extensive changes in 2023, the 2024 Kia Telluride only has a few updates but remains part of the vehicle’s

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#276, John Vincent, U.S. News & World Report, talks Best Cars, Brands, LA Auto Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJohn Vincent is the Senior Editor and Correspondent/Vehicle Testing on the Autos team at U.S. News & World Report. With more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, Vincent knows new cars, manufacturers and trends in the industry. The former long-time newspaper reporter is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Vincent about his publication’s recent release of its Best Cars of 2023 and 2024. Besides individual rankings throughout the spectrum of the industry, the publication also selected Best Car Brand (Honda), Best SUV Brand (Mazda), Best Truck Brand (Ram) and Best Luxury Brand (Rivian).

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2024 Subaru Impreza does value right

The redesigned 2024 Subaru Impreza, a five-door hatchback, confirms the manufacturer’s long-standing reputation for versatility and reasonable pricing. It’s a little car that can and has a lot new, including a debuting top-line RS trim. Now 30 years old, the Subaru Impreza is available in Base, Sport and RS trim levels. The first two offerings are equipped with 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines with 152 horsepower. The RS features a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower. All models are powered by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the carmaker’s signature all-wheel-drive system. Subaru’s knack for value is evident with the Impreza’s long automotive grocery list of standard equipment. The RS builds on the Base model. It includes 16-inch steel wheels, adaptive LED

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2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43: beautiful to behold, perplexing to drive

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class debuted in 1993 as the manufacturer’s entry-level sedan. Now 30 years old, the C class is no longer the cheapest in the lineup. It’s a go-to level for many brand loyalists and it’s an expanded lineup in 2023. The newbie is the Mercedes-AMG C 43. It’s a turbocharged four-cylinder (the V6 is gone) and the German automaker’s entry-level performance sedan. The electric turbocharger is a first for a production car. Competition includes the Audi S4, BMW M3 and Genesis G70. While maintaining a traditionally attractive exterior like its stablemates, the AMG collaboration means the vehicle has sports car leanings. The exterior features a new front grille and a front bumper with air intakes. The rear bumper looks

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What a concept! LA Auto Show continues future car prototype spotlight — barely

The 1938 Buick Y-Job has a unique and dubious place in automotive history. It arguably had the worst name of any vehicle ever made. More important, it was the first concept car. It’s the practice of showcasing a vehicle to the public it may never be able to purchase. Harley J. Earl, the automotive designer and industry executive icon whose “Project Opel” became the Chevrolet Corvette, drove the concept for years. It had electric windows, flush door handles, a “gunsight” hood ornament, power-operated hidden headlamps and wraparound bumpers. The Y-Job, a 2-door convertible coupe with a 5.2-liter engine, also featured the waterfall grille design still used by Buick. Its name, in part, was Earl’s penchant for being different. While other

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Lucid Motors announces first SUV, defines Gravity

Lucid Motors, the upstart electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Northern California, has unveiled the Lucid Gravity, a full-sized, luxury sport utility vehicle with a projected range of 440 miles. The third-year company’s first SUV was announced on the eve of the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s scheduled for production in late 2024 with an expected starting MSRP of less than $80,000. According to the carmaker, “Lucid’s commitment to design excellence, spacious interiors and versatility further sets Gravity apart from the competition.” The exterior design is a combination of aesthetics and utility. A focus on efficiency has led to a target coefficient of drag of less than 0.243. The Gravity’s presence is supported by a substantial frunk, sleek profile, elongated

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2024 Chevrolet Silverado: maintains its (off-road) presence among top pickup trucks

Unveiled in 1998 as a 1999 model, the Chevrolet Silverado has reached its mid-20s in fine standing as among the country’s top-selling vehicles. For 2024, the versatile pickup truck continues its fourth generation. Several changes throughout the lineup keep the competition keen among top-selling Ford, Chevy and Ram. Technology is now consistent across all trim levels. The entry-level base Work Truck gets OnStar and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as does the reviewed top-line High Country. Lakeshore Blue and Slate Gray, both metallic are new exterior color options. The Midnight Edition (all-black interior and black wheels) is now also available in the High Country trim. It’s nearly an all-black option, interior to wheels to black chrome accents in the

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