Basem Wasef, About.com's Guide to Motorcycles, used to own a Porsche 911. It was a really nice car -- right up until a negligent driver T-boned it in an intersection. Luckily, Basem walked away unharmed. His Porsche was not nearly so lucky. Basem is no longer a Porsche owner.

So when Basem got a chance to drive and review the 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, I was very happy for him, and for us. Because Basem has the perspective of a sports car owner and driver -- and I think that the newly redesigned Cayenne Turbo is an actual sports car, not just an SUV.

Read Basem's 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Test Drive and Review, then click on "comments" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © Basem Wasef

Say what you will about full-size SUVs, they can be quite majestic.

Take a look at this 2011 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Photo Gallery, and tell me if you don't agree.

It's almost like seeing a miniature pony in a stall, then walking to the next stall and seeing a Clydesdale. Both examples are captivating horses, but powerful is more compelling than cute.

Photo © GM

It had been a few years since I had driven a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, so when the opportunity came up to drive and review the 2011 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, I figured I ought to take it.

I have mixed feelings about driving a full-size SUV around my hometown of Los Angeles. On the one hand, I'm not alone -- there are tons of Escalades, Tahoes, Suburbans and Yukons around. But there are also a bunch of Priuses, Versas, Civics and Smart cars on the road, and an Escalade always gets a dirty look from such fuel sippers.

All I could do was try and enjoy my time behind the wheel, and when I got a dirty look, point at my Hybrid badge.

Read my 2011 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Guide Review, then click on "comments" below and share your thoughts.

Photo © GM

Are you driving this weekend?

With the long weekend coming up, many families are choosing to stay close to home for their fun. Fuel prices have dipped a few dimes in the past few weeks, but they're still ridiculously high. Driving is still much less expensive than flying, especially for a family. And driving the family SUV or minivan on a holiday weekend is a great American tradition that hasn't yet expired.

If you're going to be on the road in your SUV or minivan this weekend, do me (and yourself) a few favors. Take a few minutes to perform a safety inspection on your vehicle before you load up. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated, and that all of your fluids are at their proper levels. Check your emergency kit, and be sure that you have first aid supplies, road flares or markers and a few simple tools. Load up a few jugs of water and emergency food, just to be extra safe.

Then, make a commitment to yourself, your family and your community that you will not drive your vehicle while impaired in any way. If you choose to drink or indulge in any mind altering substances, be sure that someone in your party is a designated sober driver. If that's not possible, then be sure to allow enough time for your inebriation to subside before getting back behind the wheel. Nothing spoils a holiday weekend getaway like a fiery crash.

Most of all, have fun this weekend, and keep an eye out for cool SUVs, crossover vehicles and minivans!

Photo © Getty Images