Electric Day Despite Rain at IMPA Spring Brake

TANNERSVILLE, Penn. – Steady rain, heavy at times, along with Pocono Mountain fog, put a damper on this year’s IMPA Spring Brake (#impaspringbrake) but did not diminish my ability to get a taste of four new electrified vehicles on the twisting roads at Camelback Resort here.

I opted to try the new Toyota Crown Signa hybrid-electric (HEV) crossover/sport utility (CUV/SUV), the new Lincoln Nautilus HEV crossover, the new Kia Carnival HEV minivan and the new Volvo EX90 EV three-row SUV at the annual driving event the International Motor Press Association and its auto-maker members put on for its media members.

Cars, trucks and SUVs were available for short, about 20 minutes, drives including brands like Acura, Honda, BMW, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Volvo, Ford, Lincoln, Lucid, Toyota, Lexus, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and Polaris which brought a pair of Slingshot three-wheelers. Company reps were on hand to answer questions and provide information about the vehicles. Unfortunately, mother nature did not cooperate, bringing rain for the entire day which at times was torrential. I was still able to sample a quartet of electrified vehicles, three SUVs and a minivan in SUV clothing called a multi-purpose vehicle.

Toyota Crown Signa

I drove the revitalized Toyota Crown HEV full-size sedan last year and found it “comfortable, quiet, and, thanks to the HYBRID MAX powertrain, very efficient and powerful.” The Crown Signa I sampled #impaspringbrake seemed to equal its sedan namesake in these areas with the added dimension of an SUV-raised seating position, additional cargo capacity and even more efficiency.

I averaged 32 miles per gallon with the sedan, bettering the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s 32 mpg rating. Generally, I have found Toyota HEVs get equal or better fuel economy than the EPA ratings, so the Crown Signa should easily return its rated 32 mpg.

The SUV Crown is slightly shorter (194 versus 196 inches) than the sedan but still has comfortable seating for five as well as a 6.5-foot cargo area when the second row is folded. It was a cozy, comfortable drive during the storm; I felt safe.

The Crown Signa drove smaller than its size, a testament to engineering design which focused on the driver of this mid-size SUV.

Lincoln Nautilus

The 48-inch panoramic color screen atop the new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus’s dashboard arrested my attention as soon as I opened the driver’s door. There are a number of different functions displayed on the screen and the weather one showed the steady rain falling here in Tannersville, behind the local temperature display.

In addition to the large screen, a second 11.1-inch touch screen sits at the front of the console allowing the driver to adjust vehicle settings, including operating the navigation system (results of which are also projected on the large, upper screen).

Everything about the Nautilus said modern luxury. The interior of the five-seat mid-size SUV was spacious, light and airy (despite the darkness outside). I wish I could have taken this Lincoln on a long road trip – it would be both fun and extremely comfortable thanks to the well-designed seats with infinite adjustment possibilities.

Performance in the weather-restricted driving environment, came across as solid thanks to the 310 horsepower of the hybrid powertrain. If you are looking for a mid-size luxury SUV with all the modern technology, the Nautilus should be on your shopping list.

Volvo EX 90

The new all-electric Volvo EX90 at 198-inches long fits into the mid-size SUV segment, but its three-row configuration, very roomy, open interior, and angular stance provide it with a larger presence in a sea of like-size vehicles.

This feeling of room hit me as soon as I entered the EX90. The interior is open, uncluttered with switches or levers, dominated by a 14.5-inch tablet (portrait) -oriented center touch screen. A second, smaller screen sits atop the steering column, behind the steering wheel, providing the driver cluster information while leaving the dash clean of other lights or indicators.

Volvo says the EX90 can go about 300 miles on a full charge as well as being able to be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. This battery capability supports a twin-motor, all-wheel-drive system producing in performance trim 496 horsepower and 671 pounds-feet of torque, very un-Volvo-like numbers.

I did not have the ability to sample either the recharging capability or charging (from a movement standpoint) one of the EX90, but in my short drive I found it quick off the line; reassuring on the twisting, rain-swept mountain roads, and, of course, EV quiet. Unfortunately, the Volvo drive was further hampered by increasing fog at the top of the mountain road.

Volvo has committed to an all-electric fleet by 2030 and if they are all like the EX90, there are good times ahead for Volvo buyers.

Kia Carnival

Kia refreshed its multi-purpose Carnival for 2025 including the hybrid version which I sampled at #impaspringbrake. Kia avoids calling the Carnival a minivan because this segment has been stigmatized over the years as the purview of “soccer moms” and it gave the seven-passenger people mover very SUV-like styling with “van-level people and cargo capacity.”

Based on comments among the journalists #impaspringbrake, the designers achieved their objective, creating a roomy, minivan (reality) which appears more SUV at first and even, second glances.

Inside it is filled with the newest technology and minivan room including available VIP Lounge Package on the top-of-the-range SX-Prestige model. The VIP Lounge seats are larger than normal minivan second-row buckets; feature power footrests, full-recline, heating, ventilation and buttons to adjust recline, seat base and extendable leg rest. The VIP Lounge also includes a pair of 12.3-inch touch screens for each second-row passenger.

Driving the Kia Carnival HEV is like driving an SUV. There is nothing van-like in its deportment. It handled the wet roads without any drama or concern. Visibility out the large windows is excellent and all controls are within very easy reach.

Minivans remain an even better choice for providing the ultimate room and space for families and the Kia Carnival HEV MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) does this job dressed in acceptable SUV clothing.