Welcome to Episode 2 of the year-end in review series — the SUV & Crossover Showdown, where we break down the best luxury SUVs, family haulers, off-road crossovers, and daily drivers from the past 12 months of test drives. If it seats five, seven, or makes you rethink switching to a truck, it’s in here.

This episode covers some of the most important and competitive segments in the automotive world, featuring in-depth impressions, performance notes, and real-world takeaways from Big Jim’s test-drive log. Vehicles featured include:

LUXURY SUVS

• 2025 Maserati Grecale Modena — Italian emotional buying at its finest

• 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige — still the value king of luxury

• 2026 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige (sedan comparison piece)

• 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail — luxury meets old-school off-road muscle

3-ROW FAMILY SUVS

• 2026 Mazda CX-90 S Premium Plus

• 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT AWD

• 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition

• 2025 Lexus TX 500h F Sport AWD (optional segment placement)

MID-SIZE / ADVENTURE CROSSOVERS

• 2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy

• 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited

COMPACT CROSSOVERS

• 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD

SUV / TRUCK CROSSOVER

• 2025 Toyota Tundra TRD Rally

Across the episode, Jim breaks down why some of these SUVs punch above their price point, which ones outperform their reputations, and where luxury brands and mainstream brands are starting to overlap. You’ll hear insights like:

• “Maserati sells a feeling — this is an emotional buy.”
• “Genesis keeps punching way above its weight.”
• “Mazda isn’t ‘budget’ anymore — they’re coming after BMW.”
• “This is the SUV I’d recommend to 90% of families.”

EPISODE STRUCTURE:

Segment 1 — Luxury Throwdown

Segment 2 — The Family Room on Wheels

Segment 3 — Adventure & Everyday Crossovers

Segment 4 — Rugged Specials

If you’re shopping for a luxury SUV, a family three-row, or something that can get muddy on the weekends, this is the episode to hear before you buy.