Cars come in all shapes and sizes, and serve various purposes.

And while all the hype is about larger vehicles these days, for people who don’t need much cargo space and are seeking a commuter car, there are a lot of options in the subcompact category -- including the 2018 Kia Rio, which I recently had a chance to test.

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The 2018 Kia Rio is a little sedan, by all measures (as the term subcompact would clearly indicate). The back seat was nearly non-existent (only small children will fit comfortably), and my head was near the ceiling (I’m six feet tall). The vehicle is made for single people who don’t carry a family around, or families who need a second, smaller car for getting to and from work.

On the plus side, I was very impressed with the sharp red and black color scheme in my test model, which featured quality and comfortable leather seating. There was lots of hard plastic in the Rio,  as can be expected in the class, but the seats themselves are impressive for the class.

The exterior didn’t stand out much in the class, and mostly blended in.Space is also an issue, not only for passengers but also for trunk space, which is limited. You do, however, get the choice between four-door and five-door (hatchback) offerings.

Mercedes-Benz this week unveiled the 2019 version of its CLS model, which will come to market late in the 2018 calendar year. It was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updates include reduced lines, a grille contour that widens towards the base and a forward-slanting front section, plus wide, low-set headlights and two-section taillamps.
The vehicle features a new inline six-cylinder engine and is the first vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz lineup with 48-volt technology with ISG, which they claim offers increased efficiency and comfort.  The all-new four-door coupe will also seat five passengers for the first time.

At the L.A. Auto Show this week, Lexus has unveiled a three-row version of its RX crossover, dubbed the RX L. The RX is an annual top seller among luxury SUVs, and this adds another option to the RX portfolio. Seating capacity in the RX L will be either 6 or 7 passengers, depending on the configuration. Two models will be offered: The 2018 RX 350L and RX 450hL (hybrid) models.

To achieve the third row option, the RX L is 4.3 inches longer in the rear, and the tailgate window uses a steeper angle. Third row can be accessed via a lever that slides and folds the second seat forward. The six-seat configuration features second-row captain’s chairs.

Also, in the 2018 RX L models, full-length side curtain airbags are installed for all three rows, and the Lexus Safety System+ remains standard.

Due to arrive at dealerships by year’s end, the 2018 RX 350L will start at $47,670 (FWD) and $49,070 (AWD).

Even as they rose in popularity, SUVs weren’t always something that people thought would make their way to every single automaker -- particularly sports car brands like Jaguar.

But Jaguar couldn’t resist, and it’s even spread from there (Alfa-Romeo, Maserati and Lamborghini now have SUV offerings, and Ferrari is reportedly has one in the pipeline -- who woulda thunk it?).

As much as the sports car purists are made sick by this development (“how dare they tarnish the brand” or something like that is often muttered), there’s no denying the SUV and its practicality are here to stay -- even in the upper echelons of the automotive world.

Having debuted for the 2017 model year (and now already updated for 2018 edition with more engine options and other additional features), the F-Pace made its mark in the luxury SUV class instantly. As the brand continues to grow its offerings in this segment (the compact E-Pace and electric I-Pace are just around the corner), the F-Pace was their opening shot.

I spent some time in an F-Pace 35t R Sport, and here’s my take on how it fits in the scheme of luxury SUVs.

No ifs, ands or buts about it: When Hyundai came up with the new Ioniq -- which comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV-only varieties -- it had one thing on its mind: Siphoning buyers away from the Toyota Prius.

That’s no easy task, with the Prius having carried the banner for hybrids for two decades now, but it’s a task Hyundai is taking seriously.

Of the three versions of the Ioniq, I tested the one that is most accessible and likely to succeed, the hybrid, and I’m back with a full report.

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If we’re talking hybrids and the topic is looks, there’s bound to be some shade thrown in the process. That’s because these vehicles often have what I can only call “unique” looks, that won’t always sit well with everyone. Thankfully, the design of the Ioniq hybrid is somewhat tame compared to the goofier/bolder design of the Prius, which may be a blessing for Hyundai if people cross-shop. Even those who love driving a Prius often mention the looks as something that could be improved, and I would say the Ioniq wins the beauty contest, both inside and out, over the Prius.

Most people who grew up in the 70s and the 80s have fond memories of the station wagon as a family vehicle of choice. Before minivans and then SUVs/crossovers took over, these vehicles were the places where long trips were enjoyed and families got their quality time in.

Today, with rare exception, the wagon is mostly gone in the U.S. market. Some of the higher-end automakers offer some sort of wagon version, but in the realm of affordable vehicles only the Subaru Outback jumps out as a top seller, and there have been few strong competitors for the Outback in recent years.

Enter Volkswagen, who for the 2017 model year introduced the VW Golf Alltrack, a direct attempt to take on the Outback’s market dominance in the wagon world.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Alltrack, but I can tell you that I was surprised to find it was still pretty fun to drive. This is in part because it’s a Golf, and the Golf is one of the most well-loved brands in the auto industry due to their commitment to being a car for drivers. Read on for a full report.