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HomeCrossover utility vehicles

Crossover utility vehicles

2008 Scion xB
Design Notes

Toyota ruined the Scion xB by making it too big

September 11, 2025 Steve 11

(EXPANDED FROM 1/22/2021) Toyota has had an enviably strong track record here in the United States, but it has had a few misses. They include its mishandling of the ill-fated Scion subbrand. Although one could […]

Circa 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Gallery

2001-10 Chrysler PT Cruiser shows limitations of retro design

April 29, 2025 Steve 12

One of the qualities that distinguished the 2001-to-2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser from most other retro designs was that it wasn’t an homage to a specific car. That presumably gave designers more flexibility to improvise. However, […]

1960 Ford wagon
History

In 1974 Harry Bradley anticipated the American wagon’s future

September 10, 2024 Steve 7

(EXPANDED FROM 11/9/2022) A few years ago Dean’s Garage reprinted a prescient essay Harry Bradley (2022) wrote way back in 1974 about the future of the American station wagon. His article made a number of […]

2019 Acura RDX
Design Notes

2019 Acura RDX inspired by Wavy Gravy

October 12, 2023 Steve 2

(EXPANDED FROM 11/1/2018) When I came upon a 2019 Acura RDX, I was reminded of Wavy Gravy. That’s the name of a Woodstock-era citizen activist who still uses silly performance art to generate visibility for […]

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Design Notes

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s design admirably unique looking or just-plain strange?

September 26, 2023 Steve 8

I have been going back and forth on the above question. The 2022-23 Hyundai Ioniq 5’s design strikes me as one of the more unique approaches to an electric vehicle. However, it also has an […]

1962 Volkswagen Beetle
Current Events

What should a simple modern car look like?

April 14, 2023 Steve 22

(EXPANDED FROM 3/1/2020) Once upon a time a Truth About Cars commentator lauded the simplicity of the then-new Jeep Renegade. “Well, I for one am yearning for a simpler time, and this vehicle suggests that,” […]

Parody ads about the auto industry and media
Our Sponsors

Automotive Views: New Ford meets growing need in west

July 8, 2021 Steve 0
Quotes
Quotes

In defense of the bland 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

June 2, 2021 Steve 0

“I honestly don’t understand what you’re expecting. This car is fundamentally no different than anything else in its class with the crucial distinction that it likely will be orders of magnitude more reliable. . . […]

Watch for deer sign
Letters to the Editor

Toyota, please bring back the original Scion xB

May 21, 2021 Steve 0

When Indie Auto opened up its comment threads, I failed to “enable” that function on a few older stories. That included, “How Toyota ruined the Scion xB.” So LR used our contact form to offer a response to the article: You’re […]

Infiniti QX60 with the dog leg pillar
Current Events

Infiniti’s dog leg is gone — all hail the floating roof!

October 23, 2020 Steve 0

Infiniti’s new design direction has a “good news and bad news” quality. The good news is that the dog-leg rear pillar is being retired. Automotive News reporter Hans Greimel (2020) recently wrote that the reason […]

Posts pagination

1 2 »
  • 1965 Studebaker Cruiser proposal
    Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
    July 17, 2026 8
  • 1956 Lincoln
    The 1956 Lincoln’s styling proved to be a one-year wonder
    July 17, 2026 18
  • 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
    1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL lacked the taut brilliance of its predecessor
    July 14, 2026 6
  • 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado
    Did GM go too far in downsizing the 1986 Riviera, Toronado and Eldorado?
    July 10, 2026 16
  • J. 'Kelly' Flory Jr.
    J. ‘Kelly’ Flory Jr.’s American Cars series is pricey but valuable
    July 10, 2026 4
  • 1968 Pontiac Firebird green convertible
    1967-72 Pontiac Firebird shows limits of ad illustrations
    July 7, 2026 10
  • Miscellaneous ramblings about being on the road
    June 25, 2026 5
  • Internet problems reminded me of U.S. automakers in the 1970s
    May 2, 2026 1
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 141
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