Yeah, I once had a 1Gen IS300, with the 3.0L straight-six, that required premium...and, on top of that, it guzzled that premium like the larger 4.0L V8 of the period. Filling it up did s**k. I spent a fair amount of money keeping that tank full, even though I'm not a hard driver. Fortunately, I don't drive a huge number of miles either.

 

Thanks. Nice vehicle inside and out, but it would probably be too small for your family, unless the kids can ride together in harmony in the rear seat. And, because of the rear roofline, not much cargo room in the back, either, for the trips you take to Beckley.

As I understand it, the larger GV80 does have a three-row-option, but only in the very pricey top-line versions.

 

Yeah wouldn't be an option for me, the whole segment wouldnt be.

 

So...an earlier member asked if the GV70 is a good replacement for the RX....

So John Davis has always claimed that luxury car makers make the "required" statement so that luxury car buyers could feel good about themselves when they are at the gas pump. It was something they just did starting out in the 1980s....

 

How does buying more expensive gas make them feel good about themselves? I don't understand Davis' logic.

 

Oh it does lol. Makes them feel like they have a special car that has special needs, etc. Thats why for so many years the ES required premium when all the Toyota vehicles with the same engine were fine with regular, and then they reduced the requirement to 87 when gas prices rose and that started to change.

I don't "feel special" when I use premium, but I am happy to use premium for a quality machine that requires it.

As for cost, right now premium is about $.80 more than regular. I fill up once a week, and I probably pump 16 or 17 gallons. So, it costs me $13.60 a week more to use premium fuel. No big deal when I'm already paying a huge premium for a luxury car anyways.

 

AND a touchscreen. There are things CR does well, but it sounds like they really screwed the pooch on this one.

 

I drive an Acura that demands premium. It's a great car, but I'm sick of paying the premium tax. One of the appeals of the ES 350 for me is the chance to stop that. Just one driver's opinion, of course; YMMV.

 

Agree 100%. Thanks, MM. Good to see you back in the review business. And, informatively written as usual.

 

because they can afford it and the 'proles' can't.

 

The Acura is no more sophisticated a vehicle than the ES though, so I can understand the frustration with being made to use premium. These Genesis vehicles are on another level.

 

Thanks. The pandemic, chip-shortage, supply-problems, some weak back/leg problems for me, and other factors made it difficult for the last 18 months or so.....that's why I did mostly write-ups on older vehicles and vehicles from my (and my friends) own past.

Next on my list might (?) be the Ford Bronco Sport, as my next-door neighbor's wife has got her heart set on one as soon as the market improves some. Her old 1Gen Escape's transmission partially-crapped out (though still drivable at low speeds), and she doesn't like the new Escape and its egg-shaped body....the Bronco Sport has the traditional squared-off look like she likes.