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Lexus RX350L AUTO REVIEW
Thanks to a more upright rear hatch and 4.4 inches of additional
Steve Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who
length between the axles, Lexus was able to add a third row of seats lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed here
to their perennial best seller. On the one hand, these are small seats in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews for
fit mostly for kids, on the other hand buyers of these longer RXs San Antonio Medicine since 1995.
want seats and seatbelts for kids to use every once in a while (think
runs for pizza with the soccer team and sleepovers). Other than extra visivtisuist uastawtwwww.wb.cbmcmss.o.orrg 4455
space and seats, the longer RXs are the same as the standard ver-
sions: normally aspirated 3.5L V6 engines power most of these,
while hybrids are available for customers who want to be more eco-
friendly. Lexus expects the availability of a longer RX to boost sales
by 20,000-30,000 annually, which seems about right to me.

Jeep Wrangler
When it’s time to update an icon like the Jeep Wrangler, is it OK

to make it more fuel efficient, modernize the interior, clean up emis-
sions, and change the design? If your answers are, yes, yes, yes, and
absolutely not, then you’re on the same page as the FCA engineering
team in charge of the 2019 Wrangler development. A new tur-
bocharged four-cylinder engine is sure to be popular, and in 2019 a
diesel engine — a Wrangler first in this country — is promised. Oh,
Jeep changed the doors so that they’re easier to remove. Still, I’ll bet
I won’t be able to tell the difference between a 2017 and 2018 model
when the new one launches.

Range Rover Velar
This achingly beautiful mid-size Range Rover is based on the

Jaguar F-Pace platform and was conceived as an on-road SUV that
will get you through rainy and snowy conditions but won’t take you
over the Rubicon trail. So what? Hardly any Range Rover owners
ever go off road, and the Velar, situated between the Evoque and
Range Rover Sport in the lineup, more than makes up for its lack of
off-road chops with good looks.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
Take the Porsche Panamera — redesigned to great effect earlier

this year (yay!) — add a fifth seat (yay!) and a station wagon-esque
rear end, and voila!, a Sport Turismo. Naturally there’s more head-
room and luggage space, but my favorite thing about this very niche
Porsche is how great it looks. I’d take it over the Panamera sedan
every day of the week.

If you’re in the market for this kind of vehicle, call Phil
Hornbeak at 210-301-4367.